After the intense battle, the Yuanfang Base was reduced to complete ruin. The ground was littered with the severed limbs of zombies and the bodies of unfortunate humans who had perished in their jaws. A thick stench of blood saturated the air. Yet, for humans who had survived five years in the apocalypse, such a smell was all too familiar. To be alive was more important than anything else.
Mu Yining stood atop the base’s protective wall, tears glistening in her eyes. Their base had held, but the teammates who had walked alongside her all this way were gone, swallowed up within these grounds. She did not even know where their bodies lay. She felt deep resentment—resenting this heartless world and resenting her own inability to protect her friends. As the base chief, she had failed in her duty.
“Yining, don’t be so sad. Have some water to regain your strength. It’s enough that we won. As long as the base is still here, we’re safe,” Shen Mingxuan said softly, gently wrapping his arms around her waist.
“Mingxuan, I’m so tired.” Mu Yining turned around, drank the water he handed her, and buried her face in his chest, weeping bitterly.
Shen Mingxuan gently patted her back. Listening to her cries gradually subside, he glanced down at the empty cup in his hand. The corners of his lips curved upward into a contemptuous smirk.
Inside a dim basement, not a single light burned. Ever since the apocalypse hit, resources of all kinds had become scarce. Even Yuanfang Base dared not use electricity recklessly. On the cold, damp concrete floor, a frail figure lay curled up.
Mu Yining opened her hazy eyes, her vision slowly clearing. Seeing her surroundings, she froze in confusion. Pushing herself up with a weak, aching body, she realized she could not even stand. She tried to activate her superpowers to check her condition, only to find she could not access them at all. Just as she was spiraling in confusion, footsteps echoed from outside the door.
Lifting her head with great effort, she saw Shen Mingxuan standing outside the iron gate, staring at her with cold indifference. Beside him stood Qiao Weier, the smugness in her eyes barely concealed.
“Mingxuan, you came just in time. What happened to me? Was the base attacked again? I remember you holding me…”
“Hahaha, Mu Yining, oh Mu Yining! I’ve finally waited for this day to come. What should I even say about you? At this point, I think you should understand by now. Mingxuan is your fiancé. Even when the apocalypse hit, he still brought you to safety, escaping the horde’s siege. But what about you? Your superpowers kept upgrading, and everyone around treated you like a leader. Even Mingxuan had to take orders from you. Do you have any idea how embarrassed he felt in this base? Everyone said he was living off a woman! The people below called him ‘Vice Chief’ to his face, but behind his back, they called him a shameless, useless piece of trash…”
“That’s enough, Weier. Go sever her tendons. The base’s researchers will be here soon. Once her power crystal is extracted, you can play with her however you want.” Qiao Weier’s words hit Shen Mingxuan’s sore spot, and he cut her off immediately.
“I’m sorry, Mingxuan, it’s my fault. I just… I just felt so bad for you, having to constantly flatter her and play nice.” Qiao Weier’s provocative words made Shen Mingxuan frown again. Yes, he had flattered her and obeyed her every command, all simply because he wanted her position.
Mu Yining’s eyes widened. Hearing all this, how could she not understand? Yet she never imagined Shen Mingxuan thought of her this way. She knew people gossiped about him, and she had wanted to do something about it. But every time, Qiao Weier had advised her against it, telling her that as the base chief, she shouldn’t anger people over such trivial matters. Besides, Shen Mingxuan had always spoken to her softly and never complained in front of her. She had always believed he understood and supported her, so she had refrained from bringing it up.