TVAPVM Chapter: 3 Hidden Merit, Silent Help

In the end, they made camp in a small abandoned factory.

Another armored off-road vehicle was already parked inside, though its exterior was scratched and battered, as if it had been clawed by something. Judging by the damage, it had barely survived a zombie siege.

As their vehicles rolled in, a woman was already waiting by the factory’s entrance. Before Gu Chi and his team could step out, she greeted them eagerly.

Lu Yunfei was the first out of the car.

She smiled brightly. “Brother Lu! How’d it go?”

“Not bad. Scored some food.”

“See? I told you! Brother Gu’s judgment is always spot-on.”

“I only suggested we check it out,” Gu Chi replied flatly, stepping down from the other side. “It was just luck.”

The woman’s smile froze for a second, but she quickly recovered. “Still, it’s because you led us.”

Gu Chi gave her a glance but didn’t respond.

After Mu Yu hopped down from the vehicle, she went straight to the other side and opened the rear door.

“Mu Yu, didn’t you store everything in your space? Why are you still pulling stuff from the car?” the woman — Song Shi — asked with a practiced smile.

“Not stuff.”

Before Mu Yu could finish, Chi Ying stepped down awkwardly, her hands still tied behind her back.

Song Shi’s gaze flickered at the sight of such a beautiful girl. Her expression stiffened for a moment before regaining its usual warmth.

“This is…?”

“Chi Ying,” Mu Yu explained. “A survivor we picked up in a supermarket. But we’re not sure if she’s been bitten.”

Gu Chi turned to Song Shi. “You and Mu Yu check her for wounds. If she’s clear, untie her.”

Song Shi’s eyes flickered with something unreadable, but she smiled gently.
“Alright. Chi Ying, right? Come with me.”

After a quick check, they confirmed there were no wounds. Mu Yu untied her.

“You’re covered in zombie blood,” Mu Yu said, her tone still cool. “I’ll go get some water. Wash up.”

Chi Ying opened her mouth to reply, tempted to use her water ability, but remembered the system’s warning. She stayed quiet.

Soon, Mu Yu returned with a bucket of water.
“It’s summer, and the stove’s in use, so it’s cold. Can you handle it?”

Chi Ying reached for it — and immediately noticed something.

This water… it was freezing, far colder than it should’ve been for summer.

“Too cold?” Mu Yu frowned. “I’ll heat it if you need.”

“This was made by Gu Chi. He’s an ice-type now, after mutating from water. There’s always a bit of ice mixed in. If it’s uncomfortable, just say so.”

Mu Yu was surprised even by herself with how gently she was speaking.
This girl… looked like she might shatter if you touched her.

“It’s fine. I can use this,” Chi Ying said quickly, feeling a bit guilty.
Gu Chi’s ability reserves were already low, and she was adding to the drain.

“Alright. Wash up, we’re eating soon.”

Chi Ying nodded and cleaned up.

—

When she emerged, the group was already eating. No tables — just people gathered around a large pot in the center. Most of it was instant food, no fresh vegetables in sight.

A tall, unfamiliar man had joined them, but nobody introduced him.

Lu Yunfei grinned. “Good timing. Come eat.”

He scooped her a bowl of porridge. Chi Ying took it with both hands and quietly found a corner to sit in.

Mu Yu gave her a sidelong glance. Seeing her eat quietly without complaint, she felt a bit relieved.
At least she wasn’t the spoiled type.

Even Song Shi, who had been waiting for an excuse to pick a fight, was surprised. She expected the pampered beauty to whine, but Chi Ying ate in silence.

Somehow, that made Song Shi even more irritated.

Trying to keep her voice light, she said, “So tell us what happened today. How’d you find such a beautiful girl in that kind of place?”

“She’s super lucky, isn’t she?” Lu Yunfei launched into a dramatic retelling of how they met Chi Ying and her miraculous survival.

Song Shi occasionally chimed in, with Mu Yu offering a comment here and there, as if trying to casually isolate Chi Ying from the conversation.

Gu Chi interrupted them. “How’s everyone’s ability recovery?”

“About two-thirds back,” Mu Yu answered. Being dual-attributed — space and fire — she recovered quickly.

“I’m about one-third,” Lu Yunfei grimaced. “Used too much.”

“Same here,” the tall man said.

Song Shi smiled sweetly. “I’ve recovered about half. Most of the people we treated back at the safe zone are doing better too.”

Gu Chi nodded after a pause.
“Good work.”

He removed the leather pouch at his waist.

“Everyone, absorb today’s crystal nuclei tonight. I want full recovery by tomorrow.”

“You don’t need them, Captain?” Mu Yu asked.

“No.”

“Captain,” Lu Yunfei laughed, “you’re bottomless. Is this what it’s like being a sixth-level? Makes me feel pathetic.”

Gu Chi smiled faintly but said nothing.

Song Shi’s gaze lingered on him, affection flickering in her eyes.
Seventh-level… Such a powerful, handsome man — how could she not be tempted?

Chi Ying who was quietly sitting by the side, watched him too, feeling completely moved.

Ah… Like an old father who is saving food for his kids. So touching.

Noticing her gaze, Gu Chi met her eyes.

“…?”

What’s with that look again?

Song Shi noticed too and quickly spoke, “By the way, where’s Chi Ying sleeping tonight?”

Gu Chi thought for a moment.
“It’s hot. No need to cram together. Just one person watch over her.”

Song Shi immediately volunteered.
“I’ll take her. Mu Yu’s been busy all day.”

This can be described as so thoughtful and understanding.

Gu Chi gave a casual nod.

—

That night, they all slept in factory cubicles side by side.

Chi Ying lay in her sleeping bag when Song Shi spoke up.

“Chi Ying… was it?”

“Mm.”

Chi Ying wrinkled her nose in the dark.
She already knew her name — what’s with the fake courtesy?

“How did you end up in that supermarket? Judging by the number of crystal nuclei Gu Chi collected, there were a lot of zombies there. How’d you survive?”

“I don’t remember.”

“No memory? How could you not?”

“Just don’t. Everything before waking up is blank.”

“…Fine. If you don’t want to say it, I won’t force you.”

Chi Ying sighed. Who said she was hiding anything?

But Song Shi wasn’t done.

“You saw Gu Chi’s abilities today, right?”

“…Yeah.”

“Hah… Impressive, isn’t it? Makes you jealous?”

Chi Ying said nothing.

“Shouldn’t you be an ordinary person?”

Chi Ying hesitated.
Sort of? But also not.

“People envy supernaturals, but only we know how dangerous it is. You should be grateful you’re just an ordinary person and can live safely in a secure zone.”

Chi Ying was getting irritated.
What was this woman even trying to say?

“Don’t worry,” Song Shi said, her voice tinged with condescension. “We’ll drop you off safely. It’s best if ordinary people like you stay far away from our world.”

Chi Ying turned over and ignored her.

Seriously… what a weirdo.

At 3 a.m—

[Host! Host!]

The system’s urgent voice woke Chi Ying.

Right, her ‘alarm clock’.

She carefully sat up, checked that Song Shi was asleep, and crept out.

Yawning, she walked to the last cubicle and pressed her ear to the wall.

Quiet.

Was Gu Chi asleep?

[Host, why’d you ask me to wake you at this hour?]

To do a little good deed.

[What?]

Chi Ying placed her palm against the wall, eyes closing.
A faint blue glow traveled through her hand and vanished into the wall.

[Energy transfer?] The system was stunned.

Most people barely bothered with ability transference — it wasted more energy than it delivered.For example, when two people transmit supernatural energy through physical contact, the receiver can only obtain 40% of the sender’s energy, and the remaining 60% will be consumed in the process.

And like Chi Ying at this moment, directly sending supernatural energy through the wall…

According to the system’s judgment, at least 90% of it was lost.

This way of using energy is too…too extravagant.

Extravagant. Inhumane.

The system sighed, echoing Gu Chi’s earlier sentiments.
This girl’s insane.

The next morning.

Everyone rose early to prep for the day.

But oddly, Gu Chi hadn’t come out yet.

As team leader, he was usually the first awake.

“Hey, where’s the captain?”

“Maybe he’s wiped out from killing all those zombies yesterday?” Song Shi suggested.

“Could be…” Lu Yunfei sounded unsure. Gu Chi had been through worse without issue.

Still, he set down his pack. “I’m checking on him.”

He walked to Gu Chi’s cubicle, hand raised to knock—when the door opened.

Gu Chi stood there, groggy.

“Sorry. Overslept a bit.”

“Captain, you…” Lu Yunfei blinked. “You look… great today.”

Gu Chi looked… refreshed. His skin tone, his energy—completely different from yesterday.

Now that Lu Yunfei saw the contrast, he realized how drained Gu Chi had been before.

This was like comparing a ten-year office worker to someone who just finished a six-month vacation.

“You… feel good?” he asked.

“Maybe I had a breakthrough,” Gu Chi said simply.

Everyone froze.

“A… a breakthrough?” Mu Yu echoed.

“Level seven?” Song Shi rushed over, voice full of disbelief.

Gu Chi nodded slowly. “Feels like it.”

Lu Yunfei let out a whoop. “You’re the first! Even earlier than Ye Wuhan!”

Gu Chi rubbed the back of his neck. His body felt strange—his head buzzed—but he was oddly clearheaded.

He had no idea how it happened.

In the back of the group, Chi Ying smiled softly.

Ah, hidden merit. Silent help.

She was amazing.