Chapter 38 – The Last Lunch

Volume 3

"Tsk, tsk. Sky's End…"

Wen Yu did not mean anything special by it. It was merely a simple sigh of emotion.

He put the photo back where it had been, then carefully looked over the entire room again.

After a while, Wen Yu stopped behind the office desk.

"One-Eye, smell this. What is it?"

Wen Yu pointed at a damp patch left on the floor.

One-Eye took two steps forward and sniffed hard.

"Woof, woof."

"You can't tell."

Wen Yu nodded, then turned and left the room.

The situation was obvious. Wan Ping had already run, and he had used something that could erase his scent.

…

When Wen Yu left the factory grounds, he hesitated for a moment at the entrance before heading toward Central City.

Wan Ping had fled. Wen Yu had also grabbed a few stronger Class Holder and questioned them carefully about Wan Ping's whereabouts.

Unfortunately, none of them knew anything.

"This Kid isn't stupid either!"

Wen Yu sighed and shook his head.

He understood that Wan Ping had already guessed he would come looking for trouble-whether the one who survived was Guan Tao or Wan Ping. That was why he had escaped one step ahead of time.

As for continuing the pursuit?

Putting aside the fact that Wen Yu's only tracking method was One-Eye's nose, how was anyone supposed to keep up with a Level 4 Class Holder running all over the place? How long would it take to find him? Even when pulling weeds out by the roots, you had to consider how much it would cost you.

The cost-benefit ratio of hunting down Wan Ping simply was not high.

Shaking his head, Wen Yu headed straight for Central City.

…

By the time he returned to Central City, the sky had gone completely dark.

First, he found Wang Zhigang and asked him to keep an eye out for traces of Wan Ping.

Although, deep down, Wen Yu doubted whether Wang Zhigang's people could actually find Wan Ping, it was still worth a try.

After that, he chatted casually with Wang Zhigang for a while about everyday matters, then turned and walked into his room, preparing to get a good night's rest.

Too much had happened today, and Wen Yu was a little tired.

…

The night passed without incident. Early the next morning, Wen Yu was already up.

Downstairs, in Wang Zhigang's room, Wang Zhigang had already had breakfast prepared. Xiao Xue was there as well.

Seeing Xiao Xue, Wen Yu said directly, "In a bit, I'm planning to go home, pack up some things, and then we'll go to Yanjing together."

By "pack up some things," Wen Yu really just meant he wanted to take one last look at his little nest.

Hearing Wen Yu's words, Xiao Xue nodded.

"I'll go with you."

Xiao Xue's original purpose in coming to Mudanjiang City had not been achieved, and she had even lost all of her trusted subordinates in the process.

Fortunately, being able to bring Sequence 2 back to Yanjing meant this trip could not be considered a complete failure.

Wen Yu nodded to Xiao Xue, then turned to look at Wang Zhigang.

"Once I leave, I won't be coming back here. There are a few things I want to tell you."

Seeing the somewhat serious expression on Wen Yu's face, Wang Zhigang immediately nodded and listened closely.

"For the next little while, communicate with the Military. Have them send some strong people and heavy firepower over here. I'm going to Yanjing this time, and I don't know when I'll be able to rush back. If I haven't come back to find you after three months, then organize the Survivor of Mudanjiang City and move them all to Yanjing together. Remember, this is very important!"

Wang Zhigang looked at Wen Yu in confusion, then nodded.

"Remember, this really is important. It concerns the lives of every human in the entire city!"

Wen Yu emphasized it to Wang Zhigang once more before turning and walking outside.

After killing Simba, Wen Yu did not dare guarantee that Mudanjiang City would still stand firm through the Demon Disaster the way it had in his previous life.

Although this was his hometown, if he ended up delayed by something and could not make it back the moment the Demon Disaster began, then the Survivor of Mudanjiang City would have absolutely no chance of withstanding it!

Behind him, Xiao Xue followed and deliberately lowered her voice.

"You know about what happens four months from now too?"

As the Military's Super Soldier No. 1, Xiao Xue naturally knew about the Demon Disaster.

Wen Yu nodded.

"Actually, having them go to Yanjing really is the best option. Although Yanjing has already begun reconstruction, all kinds of facilities and buildings are still incomplete, and they need a large number of hands and Warrior. Commander Lin also intends to gather all the Survivor in Huaxia into Yanjing when the Demon Disaster begins. Unfortunately…"

After saying that, Xiao Xue shook her head with an ugly expression.

Most likely, it was all those filthy power struggles and petty internal disputes within the Military. There was a saying that wherever there were people, there would be factions and conflict. And the waters of the Military ran very, very deep!

"Stop wasting time thinking about useless things. Come home with me, pack up, and we'll leave for Yanjing right away!"

Xiao Xue nodded, then her tone shifted.

"Once we get to Yanjing, I'll take you out to have some fun. There's plenty to do in Yanjing these days. I can introduce you to some new friends too. You have no idea, my group of girlfriends…"

Listening to Xiao Xue chattering away behind him, Wen Yu shook his head helplessly.

Still, going to Yanjing with Xiao Xue would undoubtedly make things much, much easier.

…

Standing in the doorway of his room, Wen Yu took one last look at his little nest, then let out a sigh.

He had only been back for a few days, but this simple little place had stirred up so many things in his heart.

He shut the door decisively. The lock on it had already been repaired by Xiao Xue.

Click.

The crisp sound of the lock rang out. Wen Yu crushed the key in his hand into a lump of iron filings.

"Maybe I'll never come back again."

It wasn't that he didn't want to. It was that he couldn't…

In the end, this place could not contain a Sequence 2!

Hearing the clanging and banging from upstairs, Wen Yu sat down on the stairs in front of his door, lit a cigarette, and slowly took a drag.

After a while, Xiao Xue slowly came down the stairs, carrying several complicated instruments in her arms.

"Here, help me carry these. I can't fit them anymore."

"Then just throw them away."

Wen Yu frowned. Not only did he not lend a hand, he said that to Xiao Xue instead.

"These are expensive!"

Hearing Wen Yu's words, Xiao Xue immediately rolled her eyes and sat down beside him, fiddling with the Spatial Ring on her hand, which was obviously a little more advanced than Wen Yu's.

Before long, the space in front of them was piled high with a messy heap of odds and ends.

Most of it was clothing: uniforms, casual wear, and even a small number of various tight-fitting Protective Suit gear.

There were also some things like food and drinking water.

Only after Xiao Xue finished sorting everything did she stuff the instruments into her Spatial Ring. Looking at the big pile of clothes in front of her, a regretful expression appeared in her eyes.

"These clothes weren't that expensive, but I saved them up bit by bit. Great. Now they're all gone…"

Xiao Xue kept muttering under her breath, clearly blaming Wen Yu for "standing by and watching her die."

"Oh, right."

Xiao Xue, who had still been grumbling, suddenly cried out. She stepped straight over the pile of clutter in front of her and walked toward the door across from Wen Yu's.

Knock, knock, knock.

The crisp knocking echoed through the entire corridor. Before long, Ye Nan's wife opened the door.

"Sister-in-law, we're leaving. These things…"

Xiao Xue pointed at the clothes and food behind her.

"We're leaving them for you."

Hearing Xiao Xue's words, Ye Nan's wife first looked at the large amount of supplies behind Xiao Xue. After hesitating for a moment, she directly took Xiao Xue's hand.

"You're leaving? Wait a little while. Your Ye-Ge is coming back soon. Why don't you stay a bit longer and have a simple meal before you go?"

The way Ye Nan's wife looked at Xiao Xue was somewhat evasive.

Unfortunately, neither Wen Yu nor Xiao Xue paid any attention to that expression.

Xiao Xue hesitated for a moment, then turned to look at Wen Yu.

Wen Yu stubbed out his cigarette and gave Ye Nan's wife a faint smile.

"Then we'll have to trouble you, Sister-in-law."

Hearing Wen Yu's reply, Ye Nan's wife immediately revealed a slightly complicated smile, though her words did not stop.

"It's no trouble, no trouble at all. Come in and sit first!"

…

Ye Nan had gone out scavenging in the morning. Perhaps he had not gone very far today, because he hurried back before noon.

When he saw Wen Yu, Ye Nan forced out a faint, complicated smile at him.

Wen Yu was holding One-Eye in his arms while reading the fairy tale in his hands to Ye Nan's child.

Star and One-Eye were also drawn in by the story, quietly staring at the book in Wen Yu's hands.

Wen Yu raised his head and saw Ye Nan's somewhat complicated smile. He could not help asking, "What's wrong, Ye-Ge?"

"Nothing, nothing. Younger Brother, what brings you over here today?"

"We're leaving. We've troubled you these past couple of days, Ye-Ge. Sister-in-law insisted that we come over for a meal."

After Wen Yu finished speaking, he shrugged at Ye Nan.

"Of course, of course…"

Ye Nan lowered his head, his face somewhat complicated and awkward.

Seeing Ye Nan's strange expression, Wen Yu asked again, "Are you really all right?"

Ye Nan shook his head.

"I'll go to the kitchen and prepare the food first."

Although Wen Yu found it a little strange, he did not think too deeply about it.

…

In the kitchen, Ye Nan's wife was preparing the meal.

When Ye Nan walked in, the atmosphere turned somewhat stifling.

Neither of them said a word. The only sound was the constant glug-glug of the thick soup bubbling away inside the old pressure cooker.

After a long while, it was Ye Nan's wife who spoke first.

"Give it to me."

Her voice was very low, and with all the clamor in the kitchen tangled together, it would be hard for anyone outside to hear what the two of them were saying.

And even if Wen Yu could hear them, he would have no way of knowing what "it" referred to.

Ye Nan set down the kitchen knife he had been using to chop vegetables. After hesitating for a long moment, he took the small plastic bag Wan Ping had given him out of his pocket.

When Ye Nan's wife saw that indecisive look on her husband's face, her anger flared at once. She snatched the little plastic bag from him, tore it open, then poured the entire bag of white powder into the soup. After that, she grabbed a utensil and began stirring hard.

Behind her, Ye Nan opened his mouth. In the end, no sound came out.

Once everything was ready, Ye Nan's wife carried the large basin and brought the full bowl of doctored soup to the table.

Behind her, Ye Nan walked out with an ugly expression on his face, like a walking corpse.

"Come, come, Wen Yu, Xiao Xue, dinner's ready."

On Ye Nan's wife's scarred face, a warm, enthusiastic smile appeared.

…

"Prayer first."

Looking at the food on the table, Wen Yu cut off Ye Nan's child's reaching hand and spoke directly.

This was a rule in Ye Nan's household. Wen Yu had eaten here more than a few times, so naturally he knew it well.

As soon as Wen Yu finished speaking, he immediately pressed his palms together. Xiao Xue copied him in a rather convincing manner and began to pray silently as well.

Seeing the two of them with their eyes closed, muttering inwardly to gods knew which deity, Ye Nan's wife shot Ye Nan a look. Then she stood up at once and ladled Wen Yu a big bowl of thick soup.

After a long moment, when Wen Yu opened his eyes, the prayer ritual of Ye Nan's family still had not ended.

Wen Yu shook his head and slowly said, "Ye-Ge, prayer is something that requires sincerity. You and your wife aren't sincere enough. You don't even compare to your child. That's no good!"

Perhaps Ye Nan failed to hear the teasing in Wen Yu's words. He spread his hands and gave Wen Yu two bitter smiles.

Wen Yu picked up the spoon in his bowl, scooped up a big mouthful of soup, and slowly brought it toward his mouth.

Ye Nan and his wife quietly watched Wen Yu's movements. When they saw that Wen Yu's spoon was about to touch his lips, both of their hearts began pounding at full force.

And then…

Wen Yu abruptly set the spoon down and said to the couple in front of him, "Your heartbeats sound a little off. Are you sick?"

"No, no."

The couple shook their heads rapidly.

"Oh…"

Wen Yu nodded in understanding. Then he picked up the spoon once more.

Xiao Xue, sitting off to the side, had also noticed that the atmosphere was a little strange. She simply watched Wen Yu in silence, along with Ye Nan and his wife, who were both drenched in cold sweat.

"Right, you two aren't really sick, are you? Why is it that whenever I'm about to eat, your hearts start beating so fast?"

The spoon had just reached his mouth when Wen Yu stopped again.

…

The entire dining table fell silent. Wen Yu quietly toyed with the spoon in his hand. Looking at the thick soup before him, fragrant with the smell of meat, he gently shook his head.

"It wouldn't be right for me to drink this soup all by myself. There are so many ingredients in it. How about you have a taste, Little Ye?"

Little Ye was what Wen Yu called Ye Nan's child.

When Ye Nan saw Wen Yu push the soup in front of his child, he panicked at once.

"We won't drink it. We won't drink it. I'll dump it out right now!"

"Hey, hey, hey, Old Brother, don't rush. Don't rush."

"That 'it' you two mentioned in the kitchen just now-what was it? It couldn't have been the seasoning in this bowl of soup, could it?"

Wen Yu had heard what Ye Nan's wife had said just now. At first, Wen Yu had not paid any attention to these little details. But once the food was served, Ye Nan and his wife's behavior was very wrong.

First, the prayer that was usually performed properly had become perfunctory. Then came their racing heartbeats, along with a whole series of tiny movements such as jiggling their legs and clenching their fists. All of it told Wen Yu that something was wrong today.

"So, the problem is in this soup, isn't it?"

Hearing Wen Yu's words, Ye Nan and his wife immediately fell silent.

Clearly, from a series of small clues, Wen Yu had already discovered that something was off.

"Do you know something? In the Apocalypse, there's a very important rule: never, ever eat food given to you by strangers!"

"After the Apocalypse began, my strength grew very quickly. Because of that, I made a mistake."

"I thought people with meager strength could no longer pose any threat to me. Unfortunately, in this world, there are far, far too many things that can hurt someone."

"I went through this once not long ago. This is the second time."

"Today, you two have given me another reminder. Here's to you."

After Wen Yu finished speaking, he lifted the cup of water in front of him and made a small toasting gesture.

Of course, there was no way he was going to drink it.

Then Wen Yu's suppressed voice rang out.

"Explain yourselves. If you have a good reason, I won't kill you."

…

For a long while, no one at the table made a sound. Perhaps the atmosphere was simply too oppressive, because Little Ye suddenly burst into tears with a loud "waah."

Wen Yu shook his head and said directly, "Xiao Xue, take the child into the inner room. Ye-Ge and I need to talk."

Xiao Xue rose at once, picked up the storybook from the sofa, scooped Little Ye up with one arm, and walked toward the bedroom.

For a moment, only Wen Yu, Ye Nan, and his wife remained at the table.

Wen Yu gently stroked One-Eye's fur and quietly looked at Ye Nan.

Perhaps Wen Yu's gaze put too much pressure on him, because Ye Nan finally opened his mouth.

"It was the new Boss of the Fierce Tiger Warband! He gave me the poison and told me to kill you!"

Hearing Ye Nan's explanation, Wen Yu nodded.

"I always treated you as neighbors. And yet, just because he told you to kill me, you tried to kill me?"

"If I didn't poison you, my whole family would die!"

Wen Yu let out a sneer.

"If you failed to poison me, your whole family would die too."

At Wen Yu's words, Ye Nan's demeanor changed completely.

It was a transformation from simple honesty to furious rage. An emotional collapse.

"What else was I supposed to do? What else could I do? If I didn't poison you, my whole family was dead!!! Dead, do you understand?"

Hearing Ye Nan's roar, Wen Yu nodded.

"So you poisoned me while thinking, what if it worked?"

Ye Nan did not answer the question directly. He only kept muttering things like "dead for sure" under his breath.

Seeing Ye Nan like this, Wen Yu slowly shook his head.

"Forget it."

Ye Nan's choice was not wrong. At least, not from Ye Nan's perspective.

Compared to refusing Wan Ping's demand and having Wan Ping slaughter his entire family on the spot, it was better to take the poison and try to kill Wen Yu with it.

This was Ye Nan's only choice.

In truth, for a weak person like Ye Nan, he had never had the right to choose at all.

Wen Yu slowly stood and called toward the inner room, "Xiao Xue, let's go."

Then he turned his head and looked at Ye Nan, who was clutching his head and sobbing. There was not the slightest ripple of emotion in Wen Yu's eyes.

"Ye-Ge, I won't kill you, and I won't hurt you. We were neighbors once. Now, this is where it ends."

After saying that, Wen Yu walked straight out the door.

Behind him, Xiao Xue looked at Ye Nan's terrified wife, then at Ye Nan, who was on the verge of breaking down. She shook her head and followed Wen Yu out of the room.

…

Downstairs, Wen Yu turned and looked back at the place he had been living.

"I really didn't expect something like this right before I left. Tsk, tsk."

Behind him, Xiao Xue slowly said, "It's normal, isn't it? What surprised me is that you didn't kill them."

Hearing Xiao Xue's words, Wen Yu shook his head.

"What difference would killing them make? What difference would sparing them make? To me, it's all the same."

"True."

"Let's go. Oh, right. You're not afraid of heights, are you?"

Xiao Xue looked at Wen Yu in confusion. After a long moment, she finally realized what he meant.

Before Xiao Xue could say anything, Star's figure abruptly grew larger. Then Wen Yu grabbed Xiao Xue and leaped onto Star's back.

"Set out. Yanjing."

"Roar!"

With that roar, Star spread his wings and beat them, soaring into the sky!

As he felt everything below grow smaller and smaller, as the fierce wind rushed into his face, a surge of exhilaration welled up in Wen Yu's heart.

This was what he was meant to do. Not be caged in some tiny little room, basking in the so-called warmth of a home, but to spread his wings and fly high like a Giant Dragon.

High in the sky, amid Wen Yu's carefree laughter, a crisp voice trembled as it said,

"Slower… you're going too fast… Also, I just found out I'm afraid of heights…"