“No, no—it was my fault! I shouldn’t have forgotten your name, I shouldn’t have been so clueless about asking to go on field duty—it’s all my fault! Please, Commander, don’t hold it against me…”
(Now please put those terrifying tentacles away before I cry, QAQ.)
But Guan Yi, oblivious to her inner panic, didn’t retract them.
A few still waved menacingly behind him, echoing his mood.
He gave a low hum. “Good. You know you’re wrong. But your biggest mistake was avoiding me.
Do you even know why I was looking for you?”
Ming Ming blinked up at him, utterly confused.
Guan Yi paced a few steps, taking his time, keeping her on edge.
Finally, he said slowly, “I’d actually planned to assign you to the squad that left two days ago—just to help out with some logistics work.
But no—some people kept dodging me. Living under the same roof, I could barely catch a glimpse of them.
Even when I saw them around base, they acted like I was invisible.”
He sighed dramatically.
“And thanks to that, the squad’s already gone—and I never got the chance to say what I needed to say.”
Ming Ming’s eyes widened. She couldn’t believe what she’d just missed out on.
“R-Really?”
She shook Guan Yi’s hand, her voice trembling with a mix of hope and pleading. “Captain… Guan Yi, please—give me another chance.”
Guan Yi looked at her coolly, thinking to himself, See that? Just a little usefulness on my part, and look at her attitude now.
She knew to call him “Guan Yi,” and now she was acting all soft and coy… so different from the sharp tongue she’d used before. Does she really think I’m that easy to handle?
“Ming Ming… Guan Yi…” she murmured again.
Guan Yi said nothing.
Ming Ming’s eyes widened as she watched the shadow of his tentacles flicker behind him, twisting suddenly in a way that made her wonder if they’d knot themselves into an impossible tangle.
Clearing his throat, Guan Yi said seriously, “Alright. I suppose I could give you another chance. In a couple of days, I’ll lead the team out myself. If you behave, I might bring you along. But let me be clear: follow my orders while we’re outside, stay within five steps of me, and if danger appears, call for me—call for Guan Yi. I’ll protect you.”
Ming Ming nodded eagerly, almost tripping over herself in relief.
Guan Yi gave a satisfied hum and waved dismissively, exuding authority. “Go ahead.”
As Ming Ming entered the room, Guan Yi immediately turned to untangle the knots of his tentacles behind him, muttering under his breath, “Damn it, twisted into a real mess…”
Two days later, Guan Yi led the team out. Seeing Ming Ming bouncing with excitement, he muttered, “Are you going on a field trip or something?”
She giggled. “Just thinking about all the supplies we’re going to gather makes me proud of myself!”
“Speak properly,” he scolded.
Ignoring her protests, he pulled her close, seating her beside him. Better to have her right here where he could watch her.
They were heading to a chemical plant. Dr. Anning needed materials for experiments, and this was the best source. Previous attempts had failed—chemical supplies were hard to transport, the workers had turned into zombies, and any loud commotion could attract mutants or trigger a chemical explosion.
This time, Ming Ming’s spatial ability allowed them to sneak in quietly, avoiding gunfire and minimizing risks. Guan Yi, still cautious, wrapped her in his arms and extended a thin tentacle around her waist—just in case danger struck.
Ming Ming tilted her head, touching the smooth tentacle, then pinching it lightly. The texture was fascinating, and she noticed small suction-like nodules pressed against her side. No wonder it held so firmly.
Guan Yi tightened his hold gently. “Don’t fidget with it.”
She leaned close and whispered into his ear. “Does it only have them on the inside?”
He shook his head, demonstrating subtly that he could control both sides, in any size or number, at will.
“Wow…” Ming Ming whispered. “How did you gain this ability?”
Guan Yi pursed his lips and said nothing, his expression unreadable. Ming Ming’s curiosity only grew.
Inside the factory, the zombies—former workers—were numerous. Even those with powers feared them, because powered zombies retained their abilities, making them harder to handle. They relied on stealth and ranged attacks, while Ming Ming could freely move and collect materials approved by Dr. Anning.
The mission went exceptionally smoothly. For the first time, Guan Yi’s team came and went with minimal fuss, as if taking a casual stroll. Ming Ming was ecstatic, practically bouncing with joy. “See that? See that? With me around, everything’s faster and more efficient! Our spatial skills are the best!”
Guan Yi suppressed a smile. “Yes, yes. You’re impressive… truly impressive.”
Back at the base, the other team returned with a haul of alcohol, and everyone was excited. Ming Ming’s space ability had not only gathered the chemical materials needed but also some instruments, dramatically improving Dr. Anning’s efficiency.
The group decided to celebrate with a small party during dinner—mainly just gathering in the dining hall, enjoying some drinks, and letting loose for a little while.
Guan Yi, as captain, became the recipient of rounds of toasts. Experienced in handling chaos, he endured it all. When he finally looked up, he saw Ming Ming sitting at the table, clutching a bottle, cheeks flushed, eyes glassy.
“How much have you had?” he asked.
She hadn’t drunk much—her body just didn’t handle alcohol well—but she was using her last bit of lucidity to negotiate with her system. “Make me sterile. Quickly.”
The system replied bluntly, “Planning to… with whom?”
Ming Ming, half-unaware, glanced at Guan Yi approaching and giggled. “I saw a handsome guy… maybe tonight I’ll act silly with him, hehe…”
The system muttered in exasperation. “This is the apocalypse, and you’re talking about babies?”
Ming Ming snorted. “Having kids now is scarier than in ancient times. Humanity can go extinct—I won’t have any!”
Guan Yi reached her side. The pair stood and sat across from each other, one looming, one looking up, their gazes locking. He gently brushed his finger along her cheek. “You okay?”
She grinned. “Who are you? Why are you so handsome? Want to come home with me?”
Guan Yi sighed. “How much have you had?”
Bending closer, he lightly twisted her nose. “Don’t you remember who I am?”
She paused, then leaned in and kissed him softly. “You’re Guan Yi.”
His eyes darkened. “Why kiss Guan Yi?”
She didn’t explain—she just kissed him again, softly, and he knew she was drunk. He straightened, inhaled deeply, and watched as she leaned against him, murmuring his name sweetly.
Seeing a colleague with a bottle, he used his tentacles to swap her drink for a fresh one, teasing, “Drink a little more.”
Ming Ming obeyed, gulping it down and licking her lips.
“Who am I?” he asked.
“You’re Guan Yi,” she answered.
“Want to go home with Guan Yi?” he asked again.
She nodded.
Guan Yi scooped her up effortlessly and carried her to the main room. She clung to him, the world around her blurred in pink-hued bliss.
He asked again, “Who am I?”
She reached up and kissed his lips, missing slightly. “Guan Yi…”
He bent down, capturing her lips properly. Even in her dizzy state, she murmured, “You’re Guan Yi.”
“Do you want me?”
“Yes,” she replied, her voice soft but firm.
“Say it,” he coaxed gently.
“Want… Guan Yi…”
“Good,” he whispered, stroking her face tenderly, his gaze warm but carrying a hidden edge only he understood.
He held her close, fearless and resolute. She clutched his shoulders, almost digging in with her nails, and yet he froze for a moment, stunned.
Wait… wasn’t she supposed to be a widow?
Ming Ming blinked at him, confusion written all over her face, calling his name softly, “Guan Yi…”
Guan Yi’s lips twitched as he looked at her, disbelief in his eyes.
“Wait… your late husband… impotent?”
Ming Ming tilted her head: ?
Lucien On ABRWF Chapter 34.1