Chapter Twenty-Nine: Unexpected Recovery

Shi Chao stood rooted to the spot, taking a long while to regain his composure. He seemed to swallow hard before finding his voice: "So, does this mean... I've become a superhero?" He looked at Jiang Qiyu, his eyes filled with a desperate need for confirmation.

Jiang Qiyu shot him a blank look. "No."

The blunt response made Shi Chao feel somewhat awkward, but he quickly recovered and pressed on: "Then... what can I turn into?" He rubbed his hands together, eager to try.

Jiang Qiyu didn't speak; she simply tilted her chin slightly, signaling him to look at Lu Yao.

"Come out. You've been following us the whole way, aren't you tired?" Jiang Qiyu said without turning her head.

Lu Yao emerged from the corner in embarrassment, rubbing his nose and offering a sheepish grin. "I... I couldn't sleep."

Shi Chao followed the direction of Jiang Qiyu’s gesture and finally noticed that Lu Yao had been standing behind the corner wall for who knows how long, poking his head out and watching him with a half-smile.

"When did you get here?" Shi Chao was startled. He hadn't sensed Lu Yao’s approach at all; it was as if he had suddenly materialized out of thin air.

Lu Yao shrugged, his tone relaxed. "I’ve been here the whole time. You were just too focused to notice me."

Jiang Qiyu looked at Shi Chao and said, "Try turning into Lu Yao."

Shi Chao took a deep breath and closed his eyes, imagining Lu Yao’s appearance. A few seconds later, he opened his eyes again, and his delicate features began to shift, eventually becoming a perfect replica of Lu Yao!

Jiang Qiyu patted his hand in reassurance, then looked at him with a rare glimmer of approval in her eyes. "Good."

"The aura," she reminded him concisely.

Shi Chao paused, then realized she was referring to another function of his ability—altering his presence. He frowned, not quite understanding.

Jiang Qiyu pointed toward the zombies wandering outside. "Zombies. Sense of smell, hearing. Sensitive."

Shi Chao looked back at Jiang Qiyu, too excited for words. He inhaled deeply, trying to calm his racing heart, and bowed deeply to her. "Thank you, Boss. If not for you, I don't know where I would be right now, let alone discovering my ability." He paused, his tone growing more earnest. "I will stay at the Weimo Base. I will never fail to live up to your expectations, and I will never let you down." He emphasized once more, "Please rest assured, Boss, I will work hard!"

As Jiang Qiyu watched Shi Chao gather his wits, she began to calculate her next move. Ever since the apocalypse broke out early, she had been occupied with hoarding supplies and building the settlement, causing many of her plans to be disrupted. She still remembered that freighter; it held many valuable goods, but the situation had been too critical, and with so many zombies, she hadn't been able to clear it out. Now, with Shi Chao's ability, perhaps she could make another trip.

After settling matters with Shi Chao, Jiang Qiyu went to the isolation room the next day to check on the woman who had been bitten.

In the dim, dilapidated room, the woman's breathing grew increasingly labored. Dreadful blue-purple veins surfaced on her skin as she struggled slowly, appearing as if she were on the verge of slipping into the abyss.

Jiang Qiyu approached and calmly observed her condition. Her gaze was as sharp as a blade, sweeping over the woman's changing complexion and erratic breathing. She already sensed an ominous outcome: the woman would surely turn into a zombie.

"So... is she going to turn into a zombie?" a man asked in a low, fearful voice.

The crowd began to stir, whispers growing louder like a rising tide. Some eyes filled with pity and sorrow as they watched the woman struggling on the bed; others retreated in terror, fearful of infection, their faces masked with panic.

"But her child can barely speak properly, poor thing. He’ll never hear his mother's voice again," a woman choked out, her eyes reddening.

The child sat beside his mother, his wide, innocent eyes watching the adults with curiosity. Seeming not to understand the complex expressions on their faces, he sat quietly, his small frame looking exceptionally lonely and helpless. Suddenly, he spotted the fluffy Persian cat at Jiang Qiyu’s feet. His eyes lit up, and he pointed a chubby little finger at the cat, asking in a milky voice, "Big sister, can I pet your kitty?"

"Go ahead," Jiang Qiyu replied softly.

The child, receiving permission, reached out his little hand with caution to stroke the cat's soft fur. The cat squinted in contentment, emitting a gentle purr. The child giggled, the crisp sound ringing out beautifully in the oppressive room.

Watching the child’s innocent smile, a flicker of softness, rarely seen, passed through Jiang Qiyu’s eyes.

However, the child blinked, his voice tinged with both hope and fear: "Big sister, will Mommy be okay?"

Jiang Qiyu did not answer. She lowered her gaze, knowing the answer but unable to say it aloud.

Lu Yao stood in the shadows of the room, watching everything in silence. The dim light made him appear even more reticent. His profound gaze swept over everyone in the room before resting on Jiang Qiyu, his eyes unreadable.

Shortly after, Jiang Qiyu left the isolation room and went to the center of the gathering point, where a group of newcomers was curiously examining their surroundings. She walked up to them and gestured for them to come eat.

On the dining table, pristine white porcelain plates were neatly arranged, filled with a variety of food. Steaming stewed meat gave off an enticing aroma, fresh vegetable salads were vibrant green, and crispy golden fried chicken carried the fragrance of wheat.

While not a feast of rare delicacies, in this apocalypse, it was undoubtedly a source of warmth and stability.

"There's actually such abundant food?" A burly man with a scruffy beard swallowed hard, his face filled with disbelief and delight.

"This is unbelievable! We were so lucky to find this place!" another newcomer exclaimed, eyes full of admiration.

The gazes that had been resistant toward Jiang Qiyu softened as plate after plate of food was set on the table.

The man who had been reluctant to sign the resident agreement was now stuffing his face with a steaming bun, speaking indistinctly as he ate: "Thank you, Leader Jiang. We were blind to your greatness before; please forgive our ignorance..." He paused, feeling the title "Leader Jiang" wasn't quite right, and corrected himself: "No, wait—Boss! Thank you, Boss!" He scratched his head, grinning foolishly. "I’ll be sure to stay at the base and contribute from now on!"

Wang Yu chimed in with a laugh: "That’s more like it! Follow the Boss, and you're guaranteed to eat and drink well!" He patted the man on the shoulder like a brother.

Another newcomer approached, holding a bowl of hot soup and saying gratefully: "Exactly! Thanks, Boss! If it weren't for you, we would have been bitten by zombies a while ago." He sighed with lingering fear. "Who knows who they would have bitten instead." He took a sip of the soup and squinted in satisfaction. "This soup is so fresh! I haven't had anything this good in ages!"

A petite woman added, "That's right, the Boss is a living saint! Saving poor souls like us!" Her eyes reddened with emotion. "I will definitely repay the Boss in the future!"

"Boss, you're our leader from now on! We'll do whatever you say!" a young man shouted, waving his fist with enthusiasm.

Zhang Ming, the man who had been reluctant earlier, spoke up again: "Boss, I’m Zhang Ming. If you have any orders, just give them! I’ll go through fire and water for you!"

Wang Yu laughed and said, "Alright, alright, we're all family now, no need to be so formal! The Boss won't treat any of you unfairly!" He raised his bowl. "Come on, let’s all toast the Boss!"

Everyone raised their bowls in unison, calling out, "To the Boss!"

Jiang Qiyu scanned the room with a faint smile, raising her own glass. The crisp sound of glass clinking echoed through the dining hall.

"Welcome to the Weimo Base." Her tone was gentle yet carried an unquestionable authority. "Here, as long as you follow the rules of the base, everyone will receive protection and food."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the crowd, her tone turning serious. "In the apocalypse, survival is the only goal, and order is the guarantee of that survival."

"I know some of you may find these rules difficult to adapt to, but please believe me, they are here to protect everyone, and to ensure the Weimo Base survives."

She looked around again, her tone softening slightly. "As long as you follow the rules and work hard, you will find food, shelter, and safety here. I hope everyone can become a part of the Weimo Base, working together to overcome these hardships."

The crowd cheered and toasted in response, their eyes filled with hope and reverence.

After the meal, Jiang Qiyu checked on the woman again, only to find the child still crouching beside his mother, his bowl of food untouched.

"Why aren't you eating?" Jiang Qiyu asked hesitantly.

"I want to watch Mommy." The child's tone was firm yet fragile, his eyes reflecting a deep longing.

Jiang Qiyu watched him, flickering emotions in her mind, but she eventually looked away and said nothing more.

Lu Yao appeared behind Jiang Qiyu, watching the child's small back, and asked softly, "Do you want her to get better?"

Jiang Qiyu didn't answer; she just quietly looked at the child for a moment before turning and leaving the room.

Not long after, Lu Yao walked slowly to the child’s side and gently coaxed him to go eat. Once the child was gone, he looked at the dying woman, a complex glint in his eyes. He then took a small knife and sliced his finger.

Lu Yao’s blood slid down the corner of the woman's mouth, seeping into her cracked lips. The woman, who had been unconscious for so long, felt her eyelids flutter. Her clouded pupils moved slowly, as if a thin gray veil were lifting. As the blood nourished her, the haziness in her eyes dissipated, replaced by a glimmer of clarity. The woman slowly opened her eyes, her focus gradually returning.

Half a day later, Zhao Hu ran excitedly to Jiang Qiyu. "Boss, Boss! Good news! That woman is awake!" He paused, his tone even more excited. "She looks much better! She can even talk!"

Jiang Qiyu hurried to the room, pushed open the door, and saw the woman propped up on the bed. Though her face remained pale, her spirit was clearly much improved. She was astonished; the woman’s recovery speed far exceeded her expectations.

Yet, for some reason, she felt there was something suspicious about the situation. The woman's recovery was too fast—fast enough to be incomprehensible.