Chapter 8 - Misunderstandings

Like Wu Ye, Ji Yun was also shocked. However, he was not ignorant like Wu Ye. He had seen evolved people in action, and he knew full well the brutality of what Qin Wuhua's power had done. In his eyes, Qin Wuhua looked like a monster. He had already spent a year and a half in this apocalyptic world, and had been in many teams with various evolved people of diverse abilities. Nonetheless, he had only witnessed people with second-rank peak ability awakening their powers. He had never seen anyone awaken with a different rank peak ability. This is his first time to witness awakened power that could kill in such a terrible way.

No matter how crazy his enemy was, he was still an evolved person with a second-rank peak ability. But this man in front of him could actually rival a second-rank peak ability. What's frightening is that he only just awakened his power! Ji Yun's heart jumped wildly.

In this apocalyptic world, strength is everything.

Ji Yun looked at Qin Wuhua with respect and reverence. A sudden thunderclap was all it took to make Ji Yun let go of his plan of seeking reward from the man.

Qin Wuhua's gaze brushed past Ji Yun and settled on Wu Ye. He never expected that this little guy would refuse to leave him in such a life-and-death situation. Aside from his brothers who had followed him and died before the apocalypse, only this little guy is the one living being in the world who would do this for him.

But why? They obviously did not know each other. Qin is puzzled.

Wu Ye recalled the lengths he had taken to care for this man for the past 20 days. Looking at how he is now awake, he could finally see his 'investment' paying off. "Did you strike that lightning bolt just now?" Hurry up and nod your head.

Wu Ye's bright eyes looked at him and made Qin Wuhua feel that his ear felt a little hot. He unconsciously turned his gaze away from Wu Ye and blankly said, "Get out of here first. The movement was too loud, so the zombies nearby will come over here soon."

Wu Ye had many words to say and ask Qin Wuhua. But hearing that the zombies nearby will gather here soon, he kept them back and agreed.

"Wait, boss, this crystal nucleus is yours." Ji Yun lived a tight life, so he will naturally not miss Wang He's crystal nucleus. He had been used to doing this tail-sweeping work when working with teams in their missions, that he could be regarded as master in this field. Using a field knife, he skillfully pulled out Wang He's crystal nucleus that is still hot in his brain. He washed it with rain water, and respectfully held it in front of Qin Wuhua together with Wang He's pistol.

Wu Ye was silent as he thought, "D*mn it, aren't you too professional at switching thighs to hold*? Your speed is lightning fast, it could even blind a dog's eyes made from titanium alloy."

T/N: "To embrace one's thigh" is a Chinese idiom that means to find backing from someone stronger or more influential than oneself.

Qin Wuhua examined Ji Yun's eyes. He is intelligent and his heart is not evil. This apocalyptic world didn't lack intelligent people. However, warm-hearted men like Ji Yun, who did no flinch in life-and-death situations, were but a few. It could be regarded as fate to have met this kind of person.

"Things like that…" Qin Wuhua wanted to say 'put it away,' but he felt burned by a hot sight. Therefore, he swallowed his words back and said, "Give it to him, quickly."

Wu Ye instantly smiled brightly and thought he really had not misjudged this person!

Ji Yun handed over the crystal nucleus to Wu Ye with the same respectful attitude. Then, the three men quickly returned to the farmhouse before the zombies arrived. It turned out, Wang He only broke the iron chain outside with his pistol and the big iron door. Thus, they could lock the door as usual.

Wu Ye did not hide anything from them this time. He took out the zombie repellent from the bag and sprayed its last spray on the door.

The three men returned to the room, and held their their breath, not daring to make a sound.

The noise they mad had been too loud and attracted a least hundreds of corpses, forming a small tide of zombies. Their mournful howls made Wu Ye's scalp numb. As the zombie tide scoured around for more prey to eat, they found nothing. They grudgingly ate Wang He's and the 'stale' corpses and left the infected part. Afterwards, they wandered aimlessly through the rainy night.

Qin Wuhua and Ji Yun had been read for a fierce battle. But they couldn't believe their eyes when they saw the zombie tide receded just like that. They never expected this to happen at all.

When the sound outside turn silent, Ji Yun curiously asked Wu Ye, "What was that thing that you just sprayed?"

Wu Ye recalled how Ji Yun did not abandon him and even took the initiative to let him escape during that dangerous situation. How many of his friends from his 'home' could be this good to him? Wu Ye, then, decided to make Ji Yun his sworn friend as long as they lived. And towards sworn friend, he let down all his guards and casually answered, "zombie repellent."

Ji Yun's eyes widened. "What? Zombie repellent? Where did you get it?"

Wu Ye was worried about how to explain the complex 'Mercenary System.' Qin Wuhua's eyes swept over the two of them before it landed on Ji Yun, and said in a cold voice, "You ask too much."

Qin Wuhua, had slept for around 10 or 20 days. However, he would always wake up in the middle of the night and feel the outside word despite his drowsiness. It was inevitable for him to hear some of Wu Ye's 'self-talk' when bargaining with the system. At first, he wasn't sure if he was dreaming. But when he heard Wu Ye say 'zombie repellent,' he finally realized that it was clearly not a dream. Since the zombie repellent is real, what about the vaccine Wu Ye was talking about? Who did he trade it with?

Qin Wuhua knew full well the fickleness of man's heart. His instincts told him Wu Ye's secret must not be exposed to outsiders.

Wu Ye closed his mouth as Ji Yun's heart jumped anxiously. He hastily said, "Boss, don't get me wrong. I don't mean anything else, really!"

Qin Wuhua remembered that when he was still in a daze, he heard Wu Ye shouting about how he (Qin Wuhua) should accept being his (Wu Ye's) number one young brother once he woke up. So, he pointed at Wu Ye briefly said, "Boss."

Ji Yun and Wu Ye were dumbfounded.

However, Ji Yun had been thoroughly tempered, so he quickly corrected his attitude and cried crisply, "Boss!"

The plot changed too fast that Wu Ye's brain could not catch up. After he discovered that evolved people possessed great abilities, he was read to beg for nothing else but to hold his thigh. But Ji Yun beat him to it, and it made him a little angry. But even before he got mad, he instantly got two younger brothers! Is he going to be the legendary domineering sidekick?

Wu Ye is at least almost a qualified young master as had seen the big world. After being stunned for a bit, he quickly regained his composure. Copying the male protagonists from X-Dian, he put on a noble air and pretended to speak with a deep, domineering voice. "Rest assured, as long as you stay with me, I'll make sure you'll be able to eat meat."

Seeing the pretense on Wu Ye's doll-like face, Qin Wuhua's ice cold face cracked a slight smile.

Ji Yun was shocked. He immediately salivated upon hearing the word eat' and 'meat.' It's not that he was that cheap, but, it had been a year and a half since apocalypse happened. It hasn't been easy for ordinary survivors to have a full meal, let alone eat meat. Was he kidding? Could ordinary people even afford that?

That's it. It should be that canned pork that Wu Ye had exchange before. It was also in Wang's private stock.

Ji Yun's mind raced. He had not seen Wu Ye shoot, but he could tell that his skill was not that good. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been scared of Wang He. However, he now has an evolved person like Qin Wuhua, who could turn second-rank abilities into coal, under his wings. He himself possessed an zombie repellent, he hasn't heard of. This boy must have a great power behind him!

Ji Yun's logic was rather grand. The more he ponder about of it, the more convinced he became of his thoughts. Although he felt that Wu Ye seemed a little 'stupid,' he tossed his contempt away. He felt thrilled to realize that he was able to finally get close to a big shot.

Thus, a beautiful misunderstanding occurred.

Wu Ye and Ji Yun were both ordinary people. The last two days had been too tense and it zapped out all their energy. Once the danger had passed, their tight nerves finally relaxed as they felt exhaustion and sleepiness set in. They took off their wet clothes and fell asleep on the broken mattress.

Qin Wuhua just woke up and suddenly had to use his awakened ability in a life-and-death situation. He was also exhausted and sleepy. He stared at Wu Ye and Ji Yun for a while before he decided to lie down between them. Afterwards, he squeezed Ji Yun out. Qin Wuhua himself was confused why he did it but decided to ignore it. When he was about to close his eyes, he felt a warm body crawl on top his. Finally, he fell asleep assured and satisfied.

The apocalypse had honed Ji Yun's biological clock to be punctual. At the first ray of sunlight climbed above the horizon, he opened his eyes and immediately turned his head to Qin Wuhua's direction. What met him was a pair of eye cold eyes that numbed his scalp. He saw how Wu Ye has 'hugged' him and still soundly asleep, and realization dawned on him. It turned out they have this kind of relationship.

He can't help but regret his actions. Had he known of their relationship beforehand, he would not have slept in the same room as them. He only wished this pair wound not blame him for disturbing their 'good deeds'. Although he resented being glared at like that, who told them not to inform him earlier?

Long before the outbreak of apocalypse, many members of the Parliament of China had proposed to legalize same-sex marriage. But before it received its approval, the apocalypse broke out. From this time onward, women's survival rate plummeted. In a high-pressure and panic-filled environment, it was not unusual for two men to live together.

Why didn't these two warn him? Did he looked that old-fashioned?

However, Ji Yun would only dare speak such scornful words in his heart. Outwardly, he clasped his hands together apologized to Qin Wuhua. Then he left the room quietly and closed the door.

Qin Wuhua did not say a word.

The truth was actually very far from Ji Yun's imagination. Wu Ye was simply used to sleeping like an octopus, unknowingly wrapping himself around Qin Wuhua's hands and feet. As for why Qin Wuhua, who had great strength, did not kick away, Qin Wuhua himself was not sure.

This was the first time Wu Ye had a long, comfortable sleep after coming into this apocalyptic world. When he woke up, he found a pair of sharp, fierce red phoenix eyes staring back at him. Second Young Master Wu's face flushed, sat up next to Qin Wuhua, and defensively said, "What are you looking at? I just like to hold things in my arms when I sleep. What's wrong with it?"

Qin Wuhua stood up with a blank expression on his face on answered coldly, "Nothing much."

Wu Ye kept silent.

He soon discovered the benefits of having a younger brother.

Ji Yun was very diligent. He got up early, washed, and aired out Wu Ye's wet clothes, trousers, and shoes. He also went upstairs to checked the few supplies left by Wang He, cooked a pot of porridge, and heated a plate of oil cakes. After he surveyed the neighborhood for some wild vegetables Wu Ye did not know, he stir-fried them. Ji Yun ended up cooking three dishes with simple and crude seasoning. Although it didn't taste good, in this apocalyptic world, this could be considered a very sumptuous breakfast. Wu Ye, who had been eating sour and pungent nutrient for days, was naturally satisfied with this breakfast.

Qin Wuhua silently swallowed a cold salad full of earthy taste, and watched Wu Ye eat happily by his side, as if he had encountered something amazing. He felt dejected and thought, 'Do these dishes even taste delicious?'