Chapter Sixty-Two: Schemes

Qian Ying followed Xia Cheng into the room and plopped down onto the sofa. Xia Cheng handed him a glass of water—something that, in this post-apocalyptic world, was already a precious commodity.

Seated, Qian Ying looked at Xia Cheng. His right leg was crossed over his left, a surgical knife twirling casually in his hand, and a smile played on his lips as he regarded his uninvited guest.

Xia Cheng also studied Qian Ying, noting the man's unflinching gaze. Xia Cheng smiled, then spoke, “To what do I owe the honor of Captain Qian’s visit?”

Qian Ying shot him a glance, his expression turning somewhat somber. “I’m here to see Qin Yu. There are some matters I wish to discuss with her.”

“Oh? Is that so?” Xia Cheng’s eyes narrowed as he watched him.

“Mm.” After responding, Qian Ying lowered his head, fingers absentmindedly brushing the pocket where he’d stowed a slip of paper.

Noticing the gesture, Xia Cheng’s gaze drifted to that spot, his smile deepening with subtle meaning.

Just as silence settled between them, Qin Yu’s voice suddenly echoed from the entrance. “I’m back.”

At the sound, Qian Ying immediately stood, turning toward the doorway. Xia Cheng rose as well, muscles tensing as he observed Qian Ying’s movements.

Qin Yu entered to find Qian Ying in her home, her brows knitting in confusion as she glanced at Xia Cheng.

Seeing no intent to harm Qin Yu in Qian Ying’s demeanor, Xia Cheng relaxed slightly. With a shrug, he said to Qin Yu, “I have no idea what he’s here for. He says there’s something to discuss with you. Well, I’ll leave you to it—I’ll go keep Xiao Meng company. He’s probably sulking in there. Heh.” With an amused note in his voice, Xia Cheng headed into the bedroom.

Qin Yu’s gaze turned to Qian Ying, noting the tightly furrowed brows and the nervous, clenched hands. His eyes fixed on her, full of tension. She walked over to him and said, “To what do I owe the honor of Captain Qian’s visit?”—a question almost identical to Xia Cheng’s.

Qian Ying looked at her and said, “It’s about Feng Meier.”

Qin Yu’s pupils contracted. Feng Meier! Had something happened to that woman? She looked at Qian Ying, suspicion clouding her thoughts.

Catching her wary gaze, Qian Ying spoke, “Qin Yu, I came today to ask if you know the reason behind Feng Meier’s strange behavior that day.”

Qin Yu sat across from him. “Captain Qian, you might as well speak plainly. What difference does it make whether I know the reason or not?”

For a moment, Qian Ying couldn’t discern whether Qin Yu truly understood the cause of Feng Meier’s abnormality. After a pause, he pulled out the slip of paper and handed it to her. “Look at this first.”

Qin Yu took the note, frowning at the words written there. “And this is?”

Qian Ying glanced at her, then lowered his head and spoke with a trace of grief, “This was written by Feng Meier before she died. From what I could tell, she… she must have taken her own life. At her death, her expression was twisted with terror, as if she had seen something that utterly horrified her. I… I’ve thought about it for a long time, but I just can’t understand why she would commit suicide. You came to see me that day, so I wondered if perhaps you know the truth.”

Qin Yu arched a brow. “Are you suspecting me, Captain Qian?”

He shook his head, bitterness in his voice. “I’d known her for five years. I always knew she loved me, but I was blinded by ambition. Only after she left did I regret not seeing my own feelings sooner, not treating her as she deserved. I was a fool. I truly was!”

He struck his leg fiercely, then continued, “After the apocalypse, she awakened a unique psychic ability—she could control others through touch. Strangely, though, she couldn’t control me. Sometimes I wondered if I had some rare artifact on me, but after searching myself thoroughly, I found nothing of the sort.”

“Later, I asked her if perhaps I possessed something that protected me from her power. She only smiled sweetly and said no. She guessed maybe it was because she loved me that her power had no effect.”

“You see, she was that foolish—she fell for a man who didn’t love her, yet she stayed by my side. She could have had a better life but chose to support me instead, helping me reach my current position. And now she’s… gone. I was blind. Only at the end did I realize she was the one I truly loved. I just never dared to admit it… Ha…”

Qian Ying’s voice, drained and anguished, echoed through the quiet room.

Qin Yu stared at him coldly, silent.

When he finally finished, she stood, straightened her clothes, and said, “Captain Qian, I understand you. But I truly don’t know why she acted so strangely that day. To be honest, I visited her because I wanted to ask what she had done—my Xiao Meng was hurt as well. Since she’s gone, I suppose only she would know the truth. I’m tired now, so I won’t keep you. Please see yourself out.”

At her words, Qian Ying’s face darkened, a flash of malice in his eyes that vanished quickly. He looked at Qin Yu, curling his lips into a cold smile. “Captain Qin, you certainly have an impressive air about you. Since that’s the case, I won’t trouble you further. Farewell.”

With that, he strode out, forgetting even to take the slip of paper.

Watching his retreating figure, Qin Yu let a mocking smile curl her lips before turning to rest.

“Tsk tsk, he really has no patience. Makes you wonder how he ever became captain,” Xia Cheng’s teasing voice floated over.

She laughed softly. “Didn’t he just say? Feng Meier adored him—controlling a few people to recognize him as captain wouldn’t be too difficult.”

“True enough. Still, he really takes you for a fool, trying to play us. He’s good at playing the sympathy card,” Xia Cheng drawled, lounging nearby.

“Mm… With Feng Meier dead, his position is precarious. He’s come to us for help, it seems. He could have just said so directly. I despise people who play on emotions,” Qin Yu replied, her gaze full of irony as it lingered on the piece of paper.

“Well, we’re not fools, either. This is the perfect time to fish in troubled waters and come out ahead,” Xia Cheng said, walking over to take the slip of paper and tucking it into his own pocket.

“It’s time to gather Wang Bing and the others,” Qin Yu said.

“Of course—things are about to get lively at the base. Can’t help but look forward to it—ha!” Xia Cheng burst into laughter.

“Yes, it will be… quite lively,” Qin Yu replied. As she spoke, she reached the bedroom door, opened it, and went in to rest.

In the living room, Xia Cheng took out the slip of paper, murmuring to himself, “The Organization, huh? Things are getting more and more interesting.”