After all the commotion, everyone returned to the villa’s living room.
The sofas were filled with people, each exchanging glances with one another.
Jiang Jiming sat alone on a sofa, pondering the reasons behind Wenwen’s sudden change in attitude and why she had said those words against her own heart.
Wen Chi, meanwhile, chatted idly in her mind with the system.
Chi Ye couldn’t bear the silence any longer and immediately spoke to ease the tension:
“Sister-in-law, what kind of power did you awaken?”
After all, Wen Chi had just eaten a Level 5 Zombie’s Crystal Core—the highest-level Zombie they had ever encountered!
What kind of ability could possibly match a Level 5 Zombie’s Crystal Core?
Moreover, Sister-in-law hadn’t turned into a Zombie herself, so she must have awakened some special power.
Jiang Jiming also looked toward Wen Chi.
Instantly, everyone’s attention focused on her.
Wen Chi, who had just been chatting with the system, felt all the gazes upon her. She hadn’t quite processed it yet, staring at them in confusion.
“Ah? What?!”
Seeing her blink her big, innocent eyes at them, Jiang Jiming swept away the gloom from his mind.
No matter why Wenwen had changed her attitude, as long as she didn’t regret it, that was enough.
His heart didn’t work in a give-and-take manner.
“Nothing. Are you hungry?”
Thinking of Wen Chi’s confession, Jiang Jiming’s mouth curved into a small smile as he spoke in good spirits.
Wen Chi earnestly nodded.
“Leader, then I’ll go make some instant noodles.”
Chi Ye, also hungry, usually played the role of cook in the team, and offered to help.
“No need. I’ll do it.”
With that, Jiang Jiming stood up and left.
“Yay! (^o^)/~”
Wen Chi happily followed behind him. She claimed it was to help cook, but really, she wanted to be the first to taste the meal.
Chi Ye, who had been replaced, stood frozen in disbelief, staring at Jiang Jiming going to cook by himself.
After a while, he pinched the arm of Feng Tu beside him.
“Am I dreaming? Why doesn’t it hurt? Leader said he was going to cook… it’s been years since we last had Leader’s cooking!”
“Of course it doesn’t hurt! You pinched my arm!”
Feng Tu looked at the dazed Chi Ye in disbelief, his expression dripping with annoyance.
“Oh, I see. Sorry.
So it’s not a dream—we really get to eat Leader’s cooking.”
Chi Ye quickly said, his mouth watering at the thought of a meal that looked, smelled, and tasted so perfect.
On a previous mission, due to favorable conditions, they had once tasted Leader’s cooking—a true delicacy.
But it had been rare ever since.
Meanwhile, Dou Dou, carrying a large bag that seemed nearly as big as herself, struggled into the room.
Behind her, Jiang Yi dragged two sacks as large as hay bags.
Several of the boys immediately stepped forward to help.
Once seated, Jiang Yi instinctively looked for Wen Chi’s presence.
“A-Chi?”
“She went to cook with Leader. You should rest after carrying so much.”
Chi Ye retrieved two bottles of water from the dimensional space, opened them, and handed them to Jiang Yi.
“Thanks.”
Jiang Yi shot Chi Ye a surprised glance.
After a long pause, A-Lou, who had been silent, suddenly spoke:
“Sister… why are her pupils pink?”
A-Lou, who almost blurted out “Sister-in-law,” silently scolded Chi Ye with a glance, then looked toward Jiang Yi.
His eyes were full of caution and seriousness.
Wen Chi’s behavior was too unusual—eating a Crystal Core raw and yet her teeth were perfectly intact. A normal person’s teeth could not be so strong.
He also noticed that wherever their vehicle had passed, there seemed to be no Zombies.
No, more accurately, wherever Wen Chi had walked, there had been no Zombies.
Even when he followed her, it had been the same.
Moreover, it was impossible for an ordinary person without powers to remain unharmed under a Level 5 Zombie.
He knew the Leader understood this too, but seeing Leader’s love-struck expression, he couldn’t help worrying about the team’s safety.
Hearing him speak, Jiang Yi paused mid-drink, then casually replied:
“That’s because A-Chi wore her colored contacts too long, so they got tinted.”
Dou Dou, still young, couldn’t help but worry as well. They all seemed so strong. If only he could grow bigger and protect his sister.
“Really? As far as I know, colored contacts can’t change eye color. And her teeth… are unusually hard and sharp.”
A-Lou naturally noticed Jiang Yi’s nervousness and pressed the advantage:
“A-Chi just has naturally strong teeth!”
Jiang Yi realized she was testing him.
“That’s right. Sister-in-law’s teeth really are strong.”
Foolish Chi Ye remembered the hardness of the Crystal Core, his gums still aching. He envied Sister-in-law’s powerful teeth.
A-Lou glanced at him—how could someone like Chi Ye be a teammate for over ten years? Truly worrying for his fate!
Feng Tu also silently stared at Chi Ye, unwilling to admit he was his comrade in life-and-death, too embarrassing.
How had he survived this long?
Wen Chi, having nothing to do in the kitchen, overheard them and decided to tease them.
She suddenly appeared behind Chi Ye, pretending to bite him.
“Because I’m a Zombie~!”
“Ahh!”
Chi Ye jumped at the sound, instinctively drawing his dagger to attack. A-Lou and Feng Tu, sitting nearby, also instinctively unleashed their abilities.
Poison-tipped vines and sharp wind blades shot toward Wen Chi.
Wen Chi, frozen in place for a moment, hadn’t expected such a reaction.
“Watch out! A-Chi!”
Jiang Yi wanted to use his powers, but it was too late—they were too far away. He could only shout.
Dou Dou ran over, terrified.
For a moment, a black void swallowed their attacks, blocking A-Lou and Feng Tu’s abilities, though Chi Ye’s blade was not stopped.
Blood dripped from the blade, filling the air with a strong metallic scent.
A muffled grunt reached Wen Chi’s ears.
When she opened her eyes, she saw Jiang Jiming standing firmly in front of her, blocking everything.
His face was pale, sweat dripping from his forehead.
“Jiang Jiming!”
Wen Chi immediately embraced the almost-collapsing Jiang Jiming, worried.
Chi Ye stared at his dagger in disbelief.
No, that’s impossible! He hadn’t used that much force!
And with Leader’s agility, he should have dodged!