TFRLTOP Chapter 80 Part 2

“Is… is it over?” Ming Ming asked in disbelief.

Guan Yi exhaled deeply, a grin breaking across his face. “It’s over.”

“That mushroom egg saved us. You did amazing, sweetheart.”

Before she could even beam with pride, the other ability users whooped and lifted her into the air, tossing her up and down in celebration.

After all the dread that the explosion had brought, they’d been ready for a desperate fight. None of them expected victory to come this easily.

“You’re incredible, Miss Bai He!”

“You’re my hero!”

Someone even shouted, “Long live the programmers!”

“Miss Bai, say a few words for your victory speech!”

Ming Ming: “…” She didn’t even have time to react—she just screamed as they tossed her higher.

“Alright, that’s enough.” Guan Yi extended one of his energy tendrils, catching her midair and drawing her safely into his arms. He scowled playfully at the group. “Really? You didn’t even ask before throwing her around? Can’t you see you scared my Bai He half to death? Get lost, all of you—go on, scatter!”

“Whooo—”

“Ohhh—look at that!”

The crowd started teasing and cheering.

“The Captain’s protecting his wife again! Alright, alright, let’s clear out—don’t be third wheels!”

Everyone laughed and drifted away, still joking among themselves. Guan Yi gave An Ning a few instructions about calling a meeting later, and once An Ning left to handle that, only he and Ming Ming were left outside.

Ming Ming was still buried against his chest. Guan Yi gave her a light pat. “What’s wrong? Embarrassed? They were just saying you did great.”

“Yeah, I think I did great too.” Ming Ming looked up, her eyes sparkling. She was shy—but mostly, she was proud.

She could burst from excitement.

Look at that! This is my first shining moment in four worlds!

Who says coders can’t survive the apocalypse? Exhibit A: The Future Programmer Herself!

“Let’s head back. You should start getting things ready for the next expedition,” Guan Yi said, walking her back before heading out again—this time, toward the massive carcass of the mutant elephant.

He was looking for tusks.

The explosion had shattered them into pieces, and Guan Yi patiently picked up each fragment and stowed them away.

“If this were peacetime, I’d be saying, ‘No buying, no killing.’ But hey—it’s the apocalypse. Sorry, buddy, your tusks are mine now.” He made a mock prayer gesture, then cheerfully jogged back to base.

Once there, he gathered the ability users who’d be joining the next mission. He carefully went over the operation plan, listed potential problems, and proposed solutions—all to make sure everyone returned safely.

After the meeting, Guan Yi called for one person to stay behind—a fire-ability user.

“I need a favor,” Guan Yi said. “I’ll make it worth your while. Next month’s supply—half of my share is yours.”

The man waved his hands frantically. “Captain, please! You don’t need to do that. Just tell me what you need.”

Guan Yi clapped him on the shoulder. “Don’t be so formal. It’s personal business. I heard you used to make jewelry?”

The man nodded. “Yeah, my family ran a gold shop before the apocalypse. Guess working with gold so much gave me fire powers later.”

“Perfect,” Guan Yi said, pulling two gold ingots from his pocket. “I need you to melt these down and make me a gold necklace—big, chunky, and flashy. The kind that catches everyone’s eye. Think you can do that with these two pieces?”

“That’s plenty. But it’ll be heavy. You sure, Captain?”

“No problem. As long as it stands out.”

“Alright then. Give me a few minutes—I’ll do it right now.”

The man worked fast, years of practice showing in every motion. Before long, he handed Guan Yi exactly what he’d asked for—a thick, gleaming gold chain.

“Thanks, brother! I’ll bring you half my rations next month, like I said.”

The man quickly refused, but curiosity got the better of him. “Captain… where’d you get the gold? And, uh, why a big gold chain all of a sudden?”

“Oh,” Guan Yi sighed dramatically, shaking his head with a mix of annoyance and pride. “My wife gave it to me as a betrothal gift. She insisted I turn it into a gold chain and wear it—said everyone should know I’m taken. You know how women are. Even at the end of the world, they’re all about love and romance. What a headache. Let me give you some advice, brother—if you can stay single, stay single. Freedom’s the best! Look at me—I’ve got none left. Once a woman’s got her hooks in you, you’re done for life!”

With that, he looped the massive chain around his neck, grimacing. “See? Looks like a dog collar. Ugh. Later!”

The fire user watched him walk away in stunned silence.

Sir, what did I ever do to you? Why must you force-feed me dog food like this?

Meanwhile, Ming Ming was busy in the lab, fine-tuning her mushroom eggs. Guan Yi strolled in, hoping to get some attention, but she was so focused on her work that she didn’t even glance at him.

“Baby, do you know what I just did?”

“Nope.” She paced around the lab, and he trailed behind her like a shadow.

“Do you want me to tell you everything I do each day? I can give you detailed reports.”

“Ugh, you’re so annoying!” Ming Ming shot him a glare. “Didn’t you just tell me to make more of these? Now you’re getting in the way of me saving humanity! What are you up to?”

Guan Yi: “…”

Seriously? Is this chain too small? How has she not noticed it yet?

That evening at dinner, Guan Yi strutted around with his huge gold chain gleaming in the light. Every time he greeted someone—whether they asked or not—he made sure to bring it up.

“Yeah, my wife insisted I wear this. Gets mad if I don’t. What can I do? Women love marking their territory. We men just have to play along…”

“Who’s marking territory?”

The sudden voice behind him made Guan Yi jump.

He turned around to see Ming Ming staring curiously at him.

Oh, come on. Curious? Really? You’re supposed to be jealous, angry, maybe even heartbroken. That’s when I explain, you comfort me, we make up—it’s a whole thing!

But no. Clearly, you only have eyes for your dead husband. Figures.

What am I to you, huh? Just some good-looking guy you sleep with because he’s convenient?

Guan Yi thought bitterly.

“Where’d you get that giant chain? You didn’t have it this afternoon.”

He stared at her blankly. Ming Ming felt a strange sense of foreboding.

“Oh,” he said flatly. “I took it from your late husband’s estate.”

Ming Ming: “???”

Sure enough—the gold ingots had come from her stash, and she hadn’t even noticed they were missing.

And why had he done it?

Because Guan Yi was insecure. His “fated” wife still had a dead husband haunting her heart. What else could he do? Quietly turn her ex-husband’s gold into something tied to him, so every time she saw it, she’d think of him, not that man.

Romantic or deranged? Discuss.

Ming Ming was stunned speechless. He stole my gold ingots!

“Guan Yi, Captain—how dare you lecture me about stealing when you stole from me? Hypocrite much? Did I ever permit you to take those?”

Guan Yi grinned shamelessly. “See? We really are a perfect match. Same kind of people—we were meant to be.”

“Ugh!” Ming Ming glared. “Give it back!”

He reluctantly took off the gold chain and slipped it around her neck instead, while one of his tentacles playfully curled around her ankle. “It was just two little ingots. Nothing else. Think of it as a love token. And I’m working on your gift too—it’s not done yet, needs a little time. When it’s ready, it’s all yours.”

The chain was heavy enough to make her neck ache. She yanked it off and threw it back at him. “What gift? Is it worth more than my gold?”

Hooked. Guan Yi smiled slyly, holding her hand and swearing up and down, “Way more valuable! I’d never give you something cheap. What kind of man do you think I am?”

“Oh, the kind who steals a woman’s gold,” Ming Ming shot back.

She narrowed her eyes at him. “So, Captain—what happened to all those rules you’re always preaching about?”

He looked so proper in public—but behind closed doors, just another scoundrel. Men!

He leaned in to steal a quick kiss. “My wife is the rule. If you want to punish me, go ahead—sentence me to a lifetime of serving you.”

Ming Ming shuddered in disgust and rolled up her sleeve to show her goosebumps.

Half holding her close, Guan Yi murmured, “You could try forgetting your ex-husband, you know. From now on, let’s just live our lives together. Don’t think about him anymore.”

Ugh, so much for staying quiet.

Honestly, Ming Ming hadn’t expected the fake backstory she made up to bother him this much.

Seeing him like that, she even felt a little guilty.

Maybe she should explain someday? Though that would be so embarrassing…

Before she could decide, Guan Yi dragged her to a dining table and sat her down. Then he walked off to get food for them both.

As he moved through the crowd, he made sure everyone heard him—

“Hey, check it out! My wife gave me this big gold chain!”

Ming Ming: “…”