Chapter 46: The Fool Who Abandoned His Wife and Child in the Apocalypse (Part 16)

“Captain Zhao, what’s wrong with you? You’ve been like this the whole way.”

The team member’s voice brought Zhao Qinghe back to her senses. She forced a smile. “I’m fine. Speaking of which, it started raining right after we got to the house. We’re pretty lucky we didn’t get soaked.”

Zhao Qinghe’s way of changing the subject was too forced. Only a blind person wouldn’t notice something was off.

Several team members exchanged glances and surrounded Zhao Qinghe. They chimed in one after another. “Captain Zhao, if something’s wrong, just tell us. We’ve been through a lot together, after all.”

“Yeah, Captain Zhao, what’s up? You were fine when we passed by today.”

“Was it that woman who sat next to Leader Wen in the conference room today? Did she say something to you?”

“Oh, oh, that woman was really beautiful. I didn’t even dare look too much. She was so seductive, with those eyes like hooks. Tsk, didn’t dare look, didn’t dare look.”

“What are you guys talking about? Why drag that woman into it?”

“Captain, don’t hide it from us. You can’t keep secrets at all.”

Zhao Qinghe sighed. It was just as her team members said—she couldn’t keep secrets. But the truth of this matter was almost zero. All she had was Shen Ke’s one-sided word.

After a long while, Zhao Qinghe sighed again. She looked at the rain curtain outside the round window. Rain pattered against the glass, as if paving the way for an incoming storm.

The apocalypse had begun because of a rainstorm, too.

Zhao Qinghe withdrew her gaze from the window and swept her eyes over the team members present. She spoke slowly. “If someone knew how to end the apocalypse, would you believe them?”

The team members were stunned!

The atmosphere suddenly fell silent.

A long time later, someone said hoarsely, “Captain Zhao, if there’s even a possibility—no matter if it’s one percent or one in ten thousand—we should try it.” His voice trembled obviously, with a hint of a sob.

The apocalypse was pure hell on earth. Any normal person hoped it would end.

They had seen too many scenes of wreckage and ruin, grown numb to it. But if there was a chance, who would want to keep living in a broken world?

The end of the apocalypse—just those four words were enough to make someone cry.

Zhao Qinghe clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging deep into her palms. Yes, even if it was only one in ten thousand, they had to try.

Zhao Qinghe’s expression turned serious. “We need to discuss this with the leader. As soon as the rain stops, we head back immediately.” True or not, they had to take action.

She wanted to stay a few more days and try to take Shen Ke away, but if she had to be honest, there were too many things more important than Shen Ke.

Back then, she had left Shen Ke because she couldn’t accept her family situation. She knew Shen Ke’s personality and abilities made survival in the apocalypse difficult, but she left without regard—because her values wouldn’t let her break up someone else’s family.

She might have liked Shen Ke, but there were too many things in her heart more important than Shen Ke.

＊

“We’re here. See that small house? That’s our home.” Wen Su held Shen Ke’s hand and pointed at the metal hut not far away.

The area around the house was very bright, but not from sunlight—from glowing stones.

This massive underground space was lit by those glowing stones.

The house Wen Su mentioned stood right in the center of the space.

It was Shen Ke’s first time seeing the place where she had lived for nearly two weeks. In the morning, Wen Su had carried her there asleep to the conference room.

On the way back, she hadn’t been asleep. Wen Su had simply grabbed her hand and led her underground.

The house being underground was within expectations, so Shen Ke wasn’t too surprised.

What surprised her was the person sitting at the door of the small hut.

The person had her face buried in her knees, making it hard to see her clearly.

Shen Ke frowned. She didn’t think it was a bodyguard or anything.

Wen Su continued pulling Shen Ke toward the hut by the hand.

When they were still three or four meters away, the person with her head down slowly lifted it.

Shen Ke looked at the face so similar to Wen Su’s, her frown deepening. “Wen Zhao?” She had seen Wen Zhao pierced through the heart with her own eyes. She shouldn’t have survived.

Then again, Shen Ke thought of Wen Su, who had survived being thrown into a zombie horde, and stopped dwelling on it. These mother and daughter were both monsters, huh.

Wen Zhao stood up. Her gaze fixed on Shen Ke as she smiled lightly. “Ke Mama, long time no see.” Wen Zhao’s face was still somewhat youthful, more innocent than Wen Su’s, with a girl’s sweet charm.

But Shen Ke didn’t really want to see Wen Zhao. She didn’t hate her—just felt a bit creeped out.

In her mind, Wen Zhao was still a seven-year-old child.

No one knew how horrified she had been waking up that day to see seven-year-old Wen Zhao.

Wen Zhao’s gaze was too greedy, the affection in it thick enough to chill the heart.

“Ke Mama, I missed you so much.”

Shen Ke sneered coldly. “Wen Zhao, you’re not hiding it at all anymore.”

Wen Zhao hummed, glancing sidelong at Wen Su, whose expression was inscrutable. Her laughing voice sounded especially pleasant. “Ke Mama, we’ve done everything already. I don’t want to hide anymore. I want you to treat me like an adult, same as Mama.”

“But I’m not like Mama. I won’t say anything about giving Ke Mama to someone else.”

Wen Su’s words piqued Shen Ke’s curiosity. She blinked and leaned closer to Wen Zhao. “What do you mean, giving me to someone else?”

A rich fragrance wrapped around her nose as Shen Ke drew near. Wen Zhao took a shallow breath, the intoxicating scent mixing with the underground’s stale air and flooding her nostrils.

Wen Zhao’s smile deepened. Her eyes locked firmly on Shen Ke. “Back then, Mama said I could do whatever I—urgh.”

Shen Ke’s eyes widened suddenly. In that instant, Wen Zhao’s arm was covered in blood.

Wen Zhao hissed and looked at Wen Su, who stood calmly behind Shen Ke. She let out a low laugh. “I didn’t expect Mama to get scared too.”

Wen Su placed a hand on Shen Ke’s shoulder and said softly, “Shen Ke.”

Shen Ke started to turn her head, but Wen Zhao grabbed her wrist. The wet, cool blood transferred through their touching skin.

Wen Zhao narrowed her eyes, her long lashes casting a shadow. “Ke Mama, that day was actually your first time.”

In that instant, cracks spread across Wen Zhao’s skin like parched earth, revealing raw red flesh beneath.

Her insides felt like they’d been run through a meat grinder. Wen Zhao weakly released Shen Ke and collapsed to the side.

Wen Zhao hit the ground. Pain made her body spasm involuntarily, but her expression barely changed. She even laughed, somewhat hurriedly. Then she coughed up a large amount of blood mixed with bits of flesh.

“Ke Mama, it… it hurts so much.”

Shen Ke’s heart jolted. She looked down at her wrist, where Wen Zhao had touched her. Crimson blood still stained it.

Shen Ke stiffly turned her head to Wen Su. “Wen Su, what did Wen Zhao mean?”

Wen Su’s hand on Shen Ke’s shoulder tightened slightly. Her pitch-black pupils reflected no color. Her expression was gentle, her voice soft. “Shen Ke, sleep for a bit. When you wake up, you won’t remember anything.”

“No—”

Wen Su scooped up Shen Ke’s soft body in a princess carry. Her gaze fell on Wen Zhao, now a bloody mess. “Xiao Zhao, you’ve disappointed me too much.”

Wen Zhao met her eyes and felt a bone-chilling cold in those black depths.

Wen Zhao’s eyes curved slightly, as if she’d heard a joke, full of amusement. “Mama, you’ve disappointed me more.”

“You clearly said I could do whatever.”

“But now you’ve even taken away my right to touch Ke Mama.”

“I just want Ke Mama.”

“And aren’t you worried Ke Mama will go mad from being locked up like this by you?”

Wen Su sighed. She carried Shen Ke around Wen Zhao’s body, her voice low and gentle. “Xiao Zhao, you need to understand—you’re only my and Shen Ke’s daughter. You were before, and you will be in the future.”

“Don’t covet what you shouldn’t.”

“You’re my most successful creation. I don’t want to ruin you over something like this.”

Wen Su’s voice faded into the metal door. Wen Zhao trembled on the ground. After an unknown time, she slowly crawled up. The cracks in her body healed at a visible speed.

Wen Su leaned against the door, smiling silently. Mama really was a terrifying person.

She could make threats sound like comfort.

Wen Zhao flexed her hand. The pain was fading. Soon, she’d be able to block Mama’s supernatural ability and take Ke Mama away from here.

＊

The rain lasted the entire night. As soon as it stopped, Zhao Qinghe and Zhao Qi gathered the team and set off immediately.

The matter brooked no delay.

In the armored vehicle, Zhao Qinghe looked out the window and noticed a woman covered in filth.

Her messy short hair obscured most of her face, but the exposed skin seemed too pale—more ashen than white.

Zhao Qinghe noticed her because she seemed familiar, even though only the lower half of her face was visible.

That lower half was exquisitely sculpted, strikingly beautiful.

Zhao Qinghe searched her memory but found no match, so she looked away without dwelling.

Qu Xi was stopped by the guards. The base controlled entry strictly to prevent anyone infected with the zombie virus from getting in.

Qu Xi slightly raised her head. Her scarlet pupils hid under her messy bangs, unseen.

Qu Xi smiled at the guard ability user. “Brother Li, it’s me, Qu Xi.”

The guard blinked, then scratched his head. “Oh, Qu Xi. You look extra rough this time. Must’ve run into something tough.”

Qu Xi nodded. “Yeah, nearly died. Good thing I’m tough, or I wouldn’t have made it back.”

The guard laughed heartily. “Anyway, go on in. I gotta check the others.”

“But your eyes look a bit red.”

Qu Xi lowered her long lashes and touched her eyelid. “Probably from my supernatural ability. It’s gotten stronger.”

The guard slapped his forehead. “Duh, what was I thinking? A powerful ability user like you would have some changes.”

“Alright, alright. I’m off to check the next group.”

“Oh, right—they’re changing leaders today. Shame we guards can’t see it.”

“You got back just in time, Qu Xi. Go check it out. It’s at the central plaza. Apparently, an ability user even stronger than Leader Wen showed up, so much so that Leader Wen willingly stepped down.”

The guard chattered on toward the next group, not caring if Qu Xi heard.

Qu Xi’s expression turned cold as she stood there. The first feeling she had seeing living people was hunger. She wanted to eat them.

She had turned into a zombie, after all. But she could control this urge.

Once inside the base, the first thing Qu Xi did was go home and shower.

When she clearly saw her scarlet eyes and ashen skin in the mirror, Qu Xi felt no great disturbance.

Her behavior, mannerisms, and speech were completely normal. She could explain away the physical changes with her supernatural ability.

At the same time, at Dawn Base’s central plaza.

A circular chair, far too ornate for the surroundings, sat in the plaza’s center.

On the chair, Shen Ke’s cheeks flushed with excitement. Her snow-white cat ears twitched wildly with her emotions.

She hadn’t expected Wen Su to follow through. The next day, she directly sent people to notify everyone to come here.

Wen Su stood to the side, her demeanor gentle, her features refined and elegant. She looked utterly refined.

Actually, most people in Dawn Base didn’t know what Wen Su looked like—only the top brass did.

After all, survival was hard enough for the lower levels.

Wen Su spoke clearly, unhurried. “From today on, she will take my place as Dawn Base’s new leader.”

It sounded like a game, but the A-rank ability users bowing respectfully made it impossible not to take seriously.

Zhang Yuxian nearly burst out laughing. This kitten as leader? Wen Su must have lost her mind.

Dragging everyone here first thing in the morning just to let this kitten show her face—like playing house.

The more she thought, the funnier it got. Zhang Yuxian hid behind others, her shoulders shaking.

But the next second, a bratty voice scolded, “Hey! You, Purple Hair! Yeah, you! Get over here!”

Zhang Yuxian pointed at herself in shock. “Me?”

Shen Ke coldly laughed. “That’s right, it’s you!”

Zhang Yuxian was no pushover without a temper; she was an A-Rank Ability User. She originally wanted to act tough and ask why she had been called over, but when she met Wen Su’s faint smile beside Shen Ke, Zhang Yuxian shuddered and nimbly walked up to Shen Ke.

The kitten might have been weak, but Wen Su was definitely not.

Zhang Yuxian plastered on a fawning smile and said to Shen Ke, “Leader, what do you want me for?”

Slap.

Zhang Yuxian’s fairly pretty face earned itself a crisp slap.

Zhang Yuxian touched her cheek and sneakily glanced at Shen Ke’s beautiful eyes glaring at her. Those eyes sparkled with undisguised mischief.

To be honest, it felt… a bit thrilling.

An A-Rank Ability User wasn’t just powerful in supernatural abilities—their physical body was tough too, not easily injured. So that slap had only felt like a light itch to her.

Having gained authority, Shen Ke strutted around arrogantly, practically looking down at everyone through her nostrils. “You think I didn’t notice? You were laughing just now! Heh, you think I’m a joke?”

Zhang Yuxian shook her head vigorously. “No! Absolutely not!”

Shen Ke laughed, revealing two sharp little tiger teeth. “Since you’re at least decent-looking, I won’t pursue it too much. Do you know Qu Xi?”

Zhang Yuxian had still been basking in delight from the earlier words, but at the mention of the latter, her face twinged with pain. The memory of getting beaten black and blue by Qu Xi was still fresh.

“Qu Xi? She went out on a mission with others a few days ago. She probably hasn’t come back yet.”

“But don’t worry—if she does come back, I’ll bring her straight to you.”

Shen Ke snorted. By now, everyone present probably knew what she looked like.

She didn’t feel like sticking around any longer. Shen Ke stood up, shoved Zhang Yuxian aside, and went to Wen Su’s side, ordering as if it were the most natural thing in the world, “Wen Su, carry me.”

The tone and attitude were obnoxiously arrogant.

Yet Wen Su actually scooped Shen Ke up as instructed.

Zhang Yuxian gained a slightly clearer picture of Shen Ke: either this kitten who had popped up out of nowhere was exceptionally powerful, or she was exceptionally pampered.

Either way, it meant this person couldn’t be provoked lightly.

Zhang Yuxian’s thoughts mirrored those of everyone else present.

But the lowly survivors didn’t care who the leader was. As long as Dawn Base still stood, they could scrape by.

Most people here were ordinary folk who couldn’t go out on missions anyway.

Though she had become leader, Shen Ke didn’t feel it much in reality. Something always seemed off to her. What exactly was she supposed to do now that she was leader?

Time slipped by unnoticed until evening.

Meanwhile, as Zhao Qinghe neared Silver Mang Base, she suddenly remembered why that woman had seemed familiar.

That woman was clearly the one who had been gnawed on by zombies back then.

Zhao Qinghe’s face drained of color in an instant. She knew full well that woman should have been thoroughly dead at the time. Even if she’d somehow survived by sheer luck, she would have turned into a zombie.