Zhou Nuocheng and Gu Ming hadn’t moved. They stood in place as if discussing something. Suddenly sensing someone watching them, they turned back.
Shi Ran got caught peeking. Her heart tightened, and in a flash of desperation, she rolled her eyes at him.
Zhou Nuocheng: “……”
She admired her own reflexes immensely. Of course, when she needed to ask for help, her reactions were slow—but now that she was improvising, she was quick as lightning. Looks like she’d have to figure things out on her own.
“You could’ve just told her how to use it earlier. Why didn’t you?” Gu Ming adjusted his thin, pale fingers on his glasses.
“It’s not difficult. She can figure it out. But she wasn’t bitten and still awakened an ability—someone with that kind of talent will definitely become useful in the future.”
Zhou Nuocheng had already realized, through his own awakening and the “monster” incident in the mountains, that the world was developing in an uncontrollable direction and could change drastically at any moment.
After reporting his situation to the government, he hoped they would take action. Now that abilities were no longer isolated cases, it seemed everyone needed to prepare early.
Inside the small car, Ye Shuyao drove while Shi Ran sat in the passenger seat. The four men squeezed into the cramped back seat.
They had never been this miserable before. It was so tight that even the skinny Xu Zimo had to sit half on top of the sturdy Tang Yao.
“Ladies, what are your names? Since we’ve met, let’s introduce ourselves. I’m a mysterious handsome guy named Xu Zimo. This cool-looking handsome guy is our captain Zhou Nuocheng, this cold handsome guy is our vice-captain Gu Ming, and this honest guy is Tang Yao.”
“Xu Zimo, do you want me to throw you out? Who are you calling honest?”
Tang Yao threatened him, pretending to lift him up.
“Hey hey hey—gentle! The car will fall apart and we’ll have to walk back! I’m Ye Shuyao, and this is my best friend Shi Ran. Do you four really need a captain and vice-captain? That’s quite the power trip.”
Shi Ran kept her eyes forward, pretending she heard nothing. Auntie, please be careful with your words… the ‘Miracle Squad’ has nearly a thousand people. Even Xu Zimo and Tang Yao are leaders of several teams.
Children don’t understand danger… please don’t offend the big bosses.
“Miss Shi and Miss Ye, are you driving through the mountain road? Where are you heading?” Gu Ming’s gentle voice came from behind.
“We’re planning to visit relatives in Nanqing City in a few days. My uncle is there. What about you? Any plans?” Shi Ran replied.
Ye Shuyao didn’t understand why Shi Ran, who had been cautious for a month, suddenly revealed their destination—but she knew this wasn’t the time to ask.
“We came to Yuning City for some business. In a few days, we plan to head back to Beijing,” Xu Zimo answered casually.
“Since you’ll pass Nanqing City on your way back… look, you’re heading to Yuning City anyway. Could you give us a ride later when you return?”
Shi Ran turned around, smiling with curved eyes and dimples showing—adorable and innocent.
But Zhou Nuocheng only saw a clear case of moral coercion.
Originally, Shi Ran didn’t want any connection with the main group. After all, trouble follows important people.
But now that her spatial ability had been completely exposed in front of them, she was already on the same boat whether she liked it or not. Her life safety mattered more than anything.
A spatial ability was extremely rare in the apocalypse. Without enough strength, she would only become a target.
It was better to cling to the protagonist group’s thigh. With their protection—and her knowledge of the “script”—her safety would increase dramatically.
Even though they had encountered mutated animals because of the protagonist aura, she had awakened her ability early. That… was still acceptable.
As long as she leveled up along the way, once they reached the Cangsong Base, life should stabilize. Then they could part ways naturally.
The female lead, Lin Yuyan, would also be at Cangsong Base. That meant she could avoid the novel’s original Beijing arc of doom. Shi Ran felt like a genius.
“You could ask the boss. You already pulled his pants down earlier—he should be fine with it,” Xu Zimo said recklessly.
“Xu Zimo, are you regretting not falling off a cliff and dying earlier? I can help you reincarnate immediately. Hell probably hasn’t closed yet.”
Zhou Nuocheng kicked him lightly, making Xu Zimo grimace in pain.
The cramped space made it impossible for Zhou Nuocheng to stretch his legs. He could only sit awkwardly with a dark expression, looking like Shi Ran had just stripped him.
“Fine. But Miss Shi, don’t forget—it was you who took my car. That’s why we’re squeezed into this tiny one. Otherwise, with my speed, I would’ve already finished my business in Yuning City and returned. Not sitting here listening to a female rogue use moral blackmail.”
Shi Ran was momentarily at a loss. Is the male lead this annoying in the novel? I thought he was supposed to be cold and aloof…
Another day of being deceived by fiction.
“I don’t have morals, so how can I blackmail you? Fine, it’s settled. When are you leaving?”
Zhou Nuocheng let out a laugh. “You’re quite the strange girl.”
Shi Ran knew they wouldn’t refuse her. Whether out of curiosity or other reasons, her spatial ability gave her enough leverage to travel with them.
“June 2nd or so,” Gu Ming said after checking his schedule.
“June 2nd, 9 a.m., outside Yuning City. Is that okay?”
Shi Ran had no objections.
That was the second day of the apocalypse. Streets would be less crowded, not yet in full chaos, and zombies would move slower in the morning.
Much better than the first day’s traffic collisions and mass panic.
She didn’t mention the apocalypse at all. The main group likely didn’t need her reminder anyway.
They were all ability users—especially Zhou Nuocheng, who already had an ability.
She wasn’t going to be foolish enough to expose herself further.
They only needed to think of her and Ye Shuyao as temporary travel companions.
When the car stopped outside Yuning City, Shi Ran had already figured out how to use her spatial ability and retrieved the car.
Gu Ming hacked nearby surveillance in just half a minute.
“About your ability…” he began.
Ye Shuyao immediately interrupted, “Don’t worry! I’m reliable. My best friend has an ability, but I won’t tell anyone. Having an ability isn’t something to brag about anyway—it’s nothing special. No one will mention it. Just a small ability, that’s all.”
She acted as if she were the one with the ability.
Gu Ming: “……”
You look extremely unreliable.
Just as they were about to part ways, Zhou Nuocheng turned.
“Shi Ran.”
She turned back.
In the darkness, the man stood tall. Moonlight outlined his figure, his features indistinct. He walked slowly toward her.
Stopping in front of her, he looked down slightly, a faint smile on his lips. He placed a note with a string of numbers into her hand.
His clear voice sounded low and steady:
“If you have any problems, call me. I’m very willing to help.”