Chapter 50: Zombie Apocalypse (VIII)

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Chapter 50: Zombie Apocalypse (VIII)

“Zhang Yang, from now on, treat your wounds yourself. Don’t let her use her ability on you.” Miao Lichen narrowed his eyes slightly. Although his pupils only contracted for an instant, Zhang Yang noticed the subtle change. Miao Lichen’s wounds had already healed, but his mental state did not seem particularly good. He even looked a bit dazed.

Rather than saying he’s dazed, it was more like intense concentration, the same expression he wore when he was studying experimental subjects. Ever since the apocalypse began, he had been constantly fighting for survival. Zhang Yang had not seen him look like this for a long time.

“Why?” Zhang Yang looked sharply at Yue Yingying. Almost instinctively, he suspected that she had hidden something during the treatment process, or that her healing method caused serious harm to the body. Although he was not as passionate about biology as Miao Lichen, there were still things he understood, such as the human immune system and the body’s regenerative abilities. If this treatment drained a person’s life force, then there was no point in using it.

“For ordinary people, this treatment might not cause much harm. But for ability users, her energy can calm their originally active abilities. I can only feel that my ability is no longer as effortless to control as before, and it will probably affect my future advancement.” Miao Lichen’s tone was not completely certain, and he spoke as though the matter had nothing to do with him. In this apocalypse, ability users represented the strongest among humanity. Losing the possibility of improving one’s ability was practically equivalent to losing half of one’s life.

Zhang Yang’s lips moved slightly as he met Miao Lichen’s eyes. There was not even a trace of denial or false hope within them. Miao Lichen was a researcher. His understanding of the human body, combined with his recent studies of abilities, allowed him to reach the most reasonable conclusion. In other words, his judgment was almost certainly correct. Even if this did not completely prevent ability advancement, it would inevitably affect how abilities were used.

“Then there’s no reason for her to stay.”

If Miao Lichen’s ability ended here, there was a very real chance that he would never stand by Zhang Yang’s side again. Zhang Yang would never again experience the feeling of entrusting his back to someone in battle—and it would all be because of his own foolish decision. Zhang Yang had never known what regret felt like, but at this moment, he felt a bitter ache rising in his heart. Although Miao Lichen said nothing, the trace of unnaturalness in his expression did not escape Zhang Yang’s eyes.

∇ Capture Target Zhang Yang Favorability: 60.

“It’s not that she is completely useless. You can’t survive alone in the apocalypse; sooner or later, you’ll have to interact with others. Her ability is actually an excellent weapon for manipulating people. She can kill someone and still make them feel grateful afterward. I actually like this kind of ability. It would be even better if Yingying’s personality were a little more likable.”

“More likeable?” Hearing her name, Yue Yingying instinctively raised her head, only to meet a pair of eyes that seemed to be smiling yet not smiling.

Her thoughts were still in complete disarray, and her heart continued to wail in anguish. Because of her own ability, the professor’s ice ability could no longer continue to advance. Could this be the so-called butterfly effect? Although she had no idea what had happened in the original story that caused the professor to willingly retreat behind the scenes, one thing was certain: the professor’s ability level was extremely low. In that sense, she had become a catalyst for advancing the plot.

Thinking about it this way did make her feel somewhat better, but she still felt uneasy knowing that she had personally ruined the ability of the professor she admired so much. What was more, the professor didn’t seem to blame her in the slightest. It made her feel that her so-called “saintly” behavior was completely fake. The professor was the true saint here.

She blinked. The refined smile on the face before her remained unchanged, but she could faintly sense a trace of amusement hidden within it. Yue Yingying’s cheeks instantly turned bright red. ‘Being able to see the professor looking dazed right in front of me was simply too blissful. Ahhh~ What should I do? I am becoming more and more of a facecon, what should I do? Now my heart races and my face flushes just looking at him, I’m so pathetic. My target is the protagonist, and it has to be Zhang Yang!’

∇ Capture Target Yue Yingying Favorability: 60. Keep up the good work.

She shifted her gaze toward Zhang Yang’s face, only to find a dark expression staring back at her. The displeasure written all over his face was obvious to anyone who wasn’t blind. Zhang Yang’s impression of her seemed to have gone from “not very likable” to “extremely unpleasant,” and then finally to outright dislike. She hadn’t actually done anything, had she? Then why did it feel like her favorability rating with her target character was decreasing instead of increasing?

It was all because of this damn healing ability. She didn’t want to be a delicate little flower that could only serve as decoration. She really wanted to become a domineering flower, a carnivore that could overpower the male protagonist! Just imagining it made her incredibly excited… but it was nothing more than a fantasy.

“Kindness is the most boring luxury in this apocalypse.” The smile on Miao Lichen’s lips did not change in the slightest, yet it somehow carried a hint of wickedness.

（⊙ｏ⊙）

‘Isn’t the professor supposed to be a savior? Is it really okay to have thoughts so similar to Zhang Yang’s? But… he’s seriously cool!!’

“I will do my best.”

“Then… you can stay here for now. A’chen seems to be very interested in your ability, so he can take the opportunity to study it properly.” Zhang Yang’s gaze swept across Yue Yingying’s fair face before slowly tracing down the curves of her body. The bronze sword in his hand shifted slightly. The look in his eyes—as if he were considering where to strike—was impossible to ignore.

OTZ…

Yue Yingying leaned slightly closer behind her beloved professor, feeling a little uneasy. Why did it feel like Zhang Yang was studying how to dissect her? Although what she had done was enough to make even herself frustrated, ignorance was supposed to be forgivable, wasn’t it? Besides, the professor was different from those rough men. In the future, he was destined to sit safely at a research desk, not risk his life fighting zombies. Because she knew certain things about the future, Yue Yingying did feel somewhat guilty, but it wasn’t enough to show on her face.

From Zhang Yang’s perspective, however, this was nothing more than her acting fearless because she had Miao Lichen’s protection. His favorability toward Yue Yingying dropped by several more points, and the way he looked at her became increasingly unpleasant.

Sure enough… were all women this disgusting? Whether it was that woman from back then, or this one… Allowing them to stay was probably the biggest mistake he had ever made.

“Um… since my energy can prevent the evolution of abilities, there must also be some kind of energy that can make abilities go berserk and restore the professor’s power. Why don’t we go take a look at H Province? My family is there. They have the best scientific research team, and… they’ve also established a safe zone. Even if we can’t restore the professor’s ability, he’ll at least be safer there.” Yue Yingying kindly made the suggestion. Going to the H Safe Zone was inevitable. That was where the protagonist would truly rise to fame.

Only there, with sufficient scientific equipment and research assistants, would the professor be able to discover the antidote sooner. Her family from this body really was there, and she possessed the extremely prestigious identity that transmigrators always seemed to have. Even in the apocalypse, that status remained unchanged. She was a member of one of the three great families of H Province, and she could provide the professor with the best possible research environment.

“Who exactly are you?” The moment she finished speaking, Zhang Yang’s hand tightened around her neck. They clearly had never met before, yet she seemed to understand him so well. And now she was acting as if she was already very familiar with Miao Lichen too…

A vivid red mark appeared on her fair skin, and she could already feel the suffocating pressure taking hold of her. Reflected in Zhang Yang’s sharp black eyes was her frightened face, along with the unmistakable killing intent directed at her.

Only at this moment did she truly understand what Zhang Yang, the protagonist of the novel, represented. The ruthless decisiveness that had felt so satisfying while reading the story—what did it actually mean in a world like this apocalypse? Fear filled her heart. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but no words came out. Perhaps it was because her neck was being restrained… or perhaps because of something else entirely.

“Zhang Yang, let go. There’s nothing strange about someone knowing that I’m a professor. Although I rarely appear in newspapers, I am still a professor at University S. It’s perfectly normal for some people to know about me.” Miao Lichen placed a hand on Zhang Yang’s wrist. He paused before continuing. “I agree with her suggestion. You should know that what I like is not killing, but research. If I can completely understand the evolution of humanity, then even if I die beneath a zombie’s claws, I will have no regrets.”

“You can’t die unless I allow it. Don’t forget, I was the one that saved you.” Zhang Yang released his grip on Yue Yingying’s neck and, with a look of disdain, rubbed his hand against his thick cotton coat as if trying to wipe away the contact. He then reached out and pulled Miao Lichen into his arms, his voice carrying a slight hoarseness. “I’ll find a way to restore your ability.” Since Miao Lichen was someone he had acknowledged as a companion, it was only natural that he should stand by his side.

With only a little effort, Zhang Yang lifted Miao Lichen into his arms. Miao Nianling, who had originally been nestled in Miao Lichen’s embrace, only had enough time to grab onto Miao Lichen’s sleeve. She looked up at Zhang Yang. The hostility in her eyes gradually faded, replaced by a hint of friendliness. Her eyes turned red for a moment. At the same time, Zhang Yang suddenly felt his ability advance.

“Put me down. My ability has only stopped progressing. It’s not like I’m half-crippled.” Miao Lichen frowned and grabbed Zhang Yang’s wrist, trying to remove the arm that was holding him.

“You’re very weak right now. Just sit still.” Zhang Yang pursed his lips. Zhang Yang’s lips tightened slightly. At first, he had picked Miao Lichen up simply because he saw his pale face. But after holding him, he found that he no longer wanted to let go. The feeling of their heartbeats intertwining was far too wonderful. It was as if, no matter what he did, the other person would understand and accept him. That synchronized rhythm gradually filled his heart with a kind of happiness he had never experienced before.

∇ Capture Target Zhang Yang Favorability: 70.

“Professor, you should get some proper rest. I am the eldest daughter of the Yue Family in H City. Once we arrive there, I can make arrangements for both of you.” Yue Yingying’s voice carried a hint of caution. She really felt like she had it rough. Even after having her life threatened, she still had to go out of her way to help them. But what choice did she have? One was the protagonist she admired most, and the other was the professor she could never bring herself to abandon. Suddenly, she felt like she had absolutely no hope of winning over the protagonist anymore. What was she supposed to do?

Ｏ（ＴヘＴｏ）

That arrogant, domineering, and ridiculously cool protagonist… she was almost too afraid to even approach him anymore.

Zhang Yang glanced back at her and nodded. He casually found an abandoned car by the roadside, placed Miao Lichen in the passenger seat, checked the gas level, and got into the driver’s seat. Miao Nianling climbed into the car on her own, leaned against Miao Lichen, and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist.

Miao Lichen narrowed his eyes slightly. He could sense another power within his body, but instead of making his peaceful ability become active again, it had actually strengthened his Qixiu internal energy considerably. This was not a bad thing. After all, Qixiu internal energy was his true foundation and his ultimate reliance.

His fingers gently moved through Miao Nianling’s hair. Beneath his thick cotton coat was a red shirt. Beneath his heavy cotton coast was a red shirt. Once they arrived in H City and learned that ability users could no longer be infected by the virus, there would be no need for this heavy coat anymore. In this apocalypse, red was the most fitting color.

Because it was the color of blood.

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