Chi Ying was silent.
Gu Chi added warmly, “You, Yun Ling, your space—it can all be explained as supernatural power. Don’t worry.”
She raised her eyes slowly. His words were calm—but why did it sound like he already knew her space wasn’t a power?
“…You knew I was lying?” she asked in a whisper.
“What do you think?” Gu Chi looked at her, eyes full of quiet warmth.
“I’ll do it myself. The sooner I get back, the sooner the Alliance gets the medicine and can analyze the ingredients.”
Gu Chi didn’t argue. “All right. I’ll speak to Professor Yu and give him a heads-up so he can report it to the Alliance. Don’t worry—it won’t affect your life.”
Chi Ying nodded. “That’s good.”
“Go on back—everyone’s waiting.”
“Okay.”
Once all the survivors in the experimental base had been rescued, the headquarters sealed off the site, planning to conduct a second operation a month later. Attacking now would result in heavy losses. In contrast, waiting would allow the leader-level zombies, now without shields, to kill each other off.
Later, Lu Yunfei asked tentatively, “Captain… about your powers…?”
“They’re probably gone,” Gu Chi said lightly, without much emotion.
Chi Ying looked at him. The word “gone” unsettled her.
“I can help,” Yun Ling offered softly. “My Lingquan—”
Chi Ying’s heart jumped, and she instinctively turned toward her.
Yun Ling caught on quickly and corrected herself, “Ah—I mean, my ability. I can help with recovery.”
“Really?” Lu Yunfei’s eyes lit up. “Captain, Yun Ling says she can help you!”
Gu Chi looked up. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
Yun Ling felt a bit of the guilt she’d been carrying finally ease. She would stay to help others recover, too.
Just then, a squad leader approached. “Commander Gu, we’re taking Ye Wuhan and Ren Li back to headquarters for interrogation. The rest of the team needs your leadership.”
“Understood.”
He looked at Chi Ying for a long moment before saying, “We’ll return soon.”
“Okay.”
“If anything happens, contact me through the communicator,” he said.
“Got it.”
“…Hey,” Lu Yunfei suddenly said, “It’s not like it’s life or death, right? It’s not Chi Ying’s first time at headquarters.”
Chi Ying and Gu Chi turned to look at him simultaneously.
Lu Yunfei: “…Did I say something wrong?”
Gu Chi smiled faintly. “See you soon.”
“Bye.”
Chi Ying waved before following the team out.
Among the survivors were several Level-4 and even a few Level-5 ability users who had been infected but not yet mutated. Gu Chi gave them Chi Ying’s medicine; Yun Ling handled the healing.
“…What about Song Shi?” Mu Yu sighed. “She was with us before disappearing. When was she bitten? Was it after she was captured that night?”
No one could say for sure. The attack was too deliberate. Did someone really sneak into their camp?
Lin Xun was silent.
Lu Yunfei thought of Song Shi’s strange behavior before she vanished. He suspected she had already been infected and chose to hide it. Despite knowing her flaws, they’d still considered her a friend.
He sighed. Best to leave her with that final bit of dignity.
—
Two days later, all the injured had been treated. Gu Chi made his official report, and with few working vehicles left, he and the others drove back. Some survivors were airlifted first, while others waited for transport.
Compared to the rushed journey to Yuhu City, the return was relaxed, taking eleven days.
On the twelfth morning, they arrived at the base gates.
“Commander Gu,” someone greeted them. Gu Chi responded absently and walked straight ahead.
He wasn’t interested in rest—he just wanted to see her.
“The Supreme Commander requests your presence,” the official said. “They want confirmation on details from Yuhu City.”
Gu Chi nodded. “Understood.”
—
The debriefing took only half an hour. But just as Gu Chi stepped out, an officer from the interrogation department approached.
“Commander Gu, we need your help with the interrogation of Ye Wuhan and Ren Li.”
His eye twitched. Sure enough.
It wasn’t until night that Gu Chi was finally done. The official thanked him profusely.
As Gu Chi left, he glanced around—no one stopped him. He picked up his pace.
When he finally reached his corridor, he sighed and headed for his room. He’d change clothes, then find her.
“Little Gu!”
He froze.
Professor Yu emerged from the shadows.
“…Professor Yu.”
“Didn’t even notice me?” Yu Song huffed. “I was worried something happened to you out there.”
“I was just lost in thought. What did you need?”
“Just a chat.”
Gu Chi exhaled but said nothing. He didn’t want to be rude.
“…Please, come in.”
—
“About the medicine Chi Ying brought,” Yu Song began, “I’ve conducted preliminary tests. It works—no side effects so far.”
Gu Chi relaxed. “And what about Chi Ying?”
“She said she got it from her ability space. The headquarters is a little suspicious but decided to observe. She’s being treated to the highest standard.”
Gu Chi nodded in relief. “That’s good.”
“One more thing—did you hear? A lot of people from different safe zones have contacted us in the past month. They’re looking for a girl named Chi Ying.”
Gu Chi said nothing.
“They found her name on the packaging of supplies—turns out they weren’t from the Alliance. Same name, at least.”
“Probably just a coincidence,” Gu Chi said calmly.
Yu Song snorted. “Hmph. You’re terrible at lying.”
Gu Chi remained silent.
“Fine, fine. I won’t press you. I trust you have your reasons.”
Gu Chi checked the time—it was nearly 9 p.m.
“Anything else?” he asked, trying not to sound rushed.
Yu Song narrowed his eyes. “You trying to kick me out?”
“No, of course not. I’ll see you off.”
Yu Song grumbled but walked to the door. As he opened it—
“Why are you standing outside in the cold?” he asked.
“…I’m looking for Gu Chi.”
Gu Chi’s eyes snapped up.
Chi Ying stood there, illuminated by the hallway light. She looked a little hesitant, her eyes meeting his shyly.
Yu Song blinked at the transformation in Gu Chi’s face.
He’d been cold and serious just moments ago. Now he was smiling, his entire expression softened.
Yu Song tapped his cane against the floor with a muffled thud, then left without another word.
Hmph. The kid finally figured it out.
The Author’s Note:
The next chapter will have more emotional scenes
Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152