The Absolute Favorite in the Apocalyptic Rebirth

Should octopus be stir-fried or braised in soy sauce? And what about takoyaki…?

Lou Ling poked the soft, drooping tentacles on the beach with her gray wooden staff, her mind already filled with various octopus recipes. The cold weather and high caloric expenditure increased her appetite; it definitely wasn't because of Lou Dian's earlier mention of crab dumplings.

"What are you doing? Do you want to eat it?" a gentle, clear male voice asked.

Lou Ling immediately put on a serious face. "No, I'm just studying how it died. I can't retrieve this seed. It lost some of its vitality trying to break through the octopus's stomach." Every mutated vine seed imprinted with her spiritual mark was like her child, and the seeds produced through repeated forced growth were even purer. Losing one now caused her immense heartache.

Lou Dian didn't expose her previous lie. He just patted the pompom on top of her knitted hat, squeezing it and pressing it down. Finding the texture less satisfying than squeezing her face, he stealthily reached out and pinched her cheek.

"Ouch, it's cold! What are you doing?!" Lou Ling kicked him, a kick he easily dodged. She couldn't help but kick again.

The two of them, one kicking and the other dodging, looked like they were openly flirting in the eyes of others. This amused those who were now tending to their injuries after the exhausting fight.

Only one person watched them intently, her eyes burning. After hesitating, she ultimately didn't disturb them, quietly bandaging the injured with her teammates.

"Hey, Zhi Ling, take a break. I'll handle this. Why don't you go check on the captain?" a woman with an oblong face said, winking suggestively.

Huang Zhi Ling frowned slightly. Seeing everyone's knowing expressions urging her to leave, she walked towards Captain Zhang Jin.

Zhang Jin's injuries weren't serious. He had only been struck by the octopus's tentacles a few times, breaking a few ribs. For an Esper, this was an injury that would heal on its own in a few days, without even needing medicine. After the apocalypse, medicine was too precious; many injuries were simply endured and allowed to heal naturally.

Seeing Huang Zhi Ling arrive, Zhang Jin was visibly excited. Someone had thoughtfully made space for her. Huang Zhi Ling efficiently wrapped bandages around his chest, remaining silent as usual. Zhang Jin didn't mind, looking at her with a smile and carefully choosing his words. "Zhi Ling, do you know those two?"

"Mm."

Hearing her response, Zhang Jin was thrilled. This was the first time Huang Zhi Ling had taken the initiative to respond to him. In his excitement, he grasped her hand holding the bandage. Her hands were rough, though much better than ordinary people's. But for female Espers who had developed immunity, they appeared too unsightly, especially with the calluses on her palms, making them feel very coarse.

Huang Zhi Ling immediately withdrew her hand. Zhang Jin, however, became even more excited. This was the first time she hadn't slapped him away for touching her. Heaven knew how strong Huang Zhi Ling, a Power Esper, was. Even other Espers could be sent flying by her slap, especially since she was also skilled in swordsmanship and possessed refined martial arts. He was definitely no match for her.

Zhang Jin felt that Huang Zhi Ling's current gentleness must be related to the sudden appearance of the man and woman who had saved them. This gave rise to a strong desire within him to befriend them.

Seeing that everyone's injuries had been treated, Zhang Jin led a few people towards them.

The interrupted Lou Dian was extremely displeased. His cold gaze made Zhang Jin feel a little lost. This man, with his clean and handsome features, looked approachable, but why did his eyes seem so fierce? Fortunately, the woman beside him had a friendly smile, looking as sweet and cute as the girl next door, making one involuntarily relax.

"Hello, I'm Zhang Jin, captain of the Gale Force Esper Squad. Thank you for your help earlier."

Lou Dian didn't respond. Lou Ling pushed him aside and said with a smile, "It was just a small effort. We're all human; naturally, we should help each other." Her gaze swept over the people behind Zhang Jin. Suddenly, she found the solemn woman beside Zhang Jin increasingly familiar. "Huang Zhi Ling?"

It had been nearly three years since they parted ways at the Capital Base. Back then, Huang Zhi Ling, though an ordinary person, was beautiful, hardworking, and strong. Even in the apocalypse, she was a shining light. The current Huang Zhi Ling was still beautiful, but her features had lost their youthful innocence, becoming mature, indifferent, and filled with an unshakeable melancholy. For a moment, Lou Ling almost didn't recognize her.

"Senior Huang!" Delighted to see a familiar face, Lou Ling smiled. "Long time no see."

Huang Zhi Ling looked at her for a moment, then smiled. "Indeed, it's been a long time. You both seem to be doing well."

Compared to Lou Ling's joy at meeting an old acquaintance, the members of the Gale Force Esper Squad were simply astonished. This violent, gloomy, and indifferent woman was actually smiling—was the apocalypse ending?

Lou Ling hadn't expected the person she found familiar to be Huang Zhi Ling. Now that they had met, she naturally wanted to catch up and also probe her situation. After years in the apocalypse, even a saint could be changed. Regarding human nature, one could only sigh. After sighing, there was more vigilance, but she wouldn't judge everyone harshly.

"Haha, so you know each other. That's great!" Zhang Jin rubbed his head, smiling good-naturedly.

After they had chatted, Lou Ling learned that they were the Gale Force Esper Squad from the Capital Base. They were on a mission outside the base and had been unexpectedly attacked by the mutated octopus lurking by the sea.

Although they had much to talk about, the seaside was dangerous, and no one wanted to stay longer. Zhang Jin asked Lou Dian, and seeing that he had only taken two tentacles of the mutated octopus and didn't want more, he had their team's Space Esper store the rest. Such a large octopus could feed them for many days.

The Gale Force Esper Squad had thirteen members. Three were seriously injured and were being carried back by their teammates. The others were on foot. After the apocalypse, gasoline was non-renewable. Even if they had vehicles, they couldn't drive without gasoline. For such a short distance, they hadn't driven but had walked.

Learning that they lived in the neighboring villa, Lou Ling decided to walk back with them. If they encountered zombies on the way, it would be a good warm-up.

Safely returning to the villa area where they had previously stayed, Lou Ling was invited to their place, taking the opportunity to catch up with Huang Zhi Ling. Zhang Jin, eager to get to know them, naturally extended a warm invitation. Aside from his personal motives, Lou Dian's displayed strength also commanded their respect and admiration. Befriending the strong was beneficial, and they might even gain protection.

"I was planning to visit the Capital Base when I had time, but I didn't expect to see you here. Besides you, how are Wei Xian and Senior Xue? Are they doing alright?" Lou Ling asked.

Huang Zhi Ling's gaze lingered between Lou Ling and Lou Dian. After a moment, she said with a hint of bitterness, "Wei Xian has joined the military Esper Corps. Xi Mufeng… he died last year." She spoke the last sentence with a cold, expressionless face.

Lou Ling was shocked. They had come to the Capital Base together, and she had vaguely heard that Xi Mufeng's family background was good, with relatives holding some power in the base. While it couldn't give him the same advantages as the second-generation military elites, it wasn't bad. How could he have died?

"A year ago, there was internal strife in the Capital Base. He was killed by other Espers," Huang Zhi Ling said flatly.

"Oh…" For a moment, Lou Ling didn't know what to say.

Huang Zhi Ling glanced at Lou Dian, her lips twitching, but she ultimately remained silent.

Looking at Huang Zhi Ling's gloomy appearance, Lou Ling found it difficult to accept and didn't know what to say. She felt a sense of life's impermanence. Huang Zhi Ling, who had once loved Xi Mufeng so much, could now speak of his death so indifferently. And how had she ended up joining another Esper squad? Huang Zhi Ling and Xi Mufeng's families were well-off; she shouldn't have fallen to this point. Also, she had become an Esper, a Power Esper, which was considered quite good.

Huang Zhi Ling seemed to know what she was thinking. She smiled and said, "I was also injured at that time. Fortunately, someone saved me. After I recovered, I joined the Gale Force Esper Squad. Don't worry, I'm perfectly fine."

"Oh."

After sitting for a while and chatting with Zhang Jin to learn more about the Capital Base, they got the information they wanted and took their leave. Zhang Jin and Huang Zhi Ling saw them out.

Outside, Zhang Jin continued to enthusiastically engage Lou Dian in conversation, who responded lukewarmly. Huang Zhi Ling watched them, then suddenly said, "Junior Lou, I owe you another favor. That person saved me because of you."

Lou Ling was slightly surprised. "What?" she asked subconsciously.

Huang Zhi Ling looked at her intently and whispered, "It was Feng Shao Huang."

Lou Dian, who was dealing with Zhang Jin's enthusiasm, suddenly shot a look over. Huang Zhi Ling hadn't expected his hearing to be so sharp. Her face paled slightly, and she pursed her lips, saying nothing more.

Lou Ling was inexplicably dragged away, still puzzled by Huang Zhi Ling's words. How was Feng Shao Huang involved? Was he still holding a grudge about that incident?

Back in their villa, Lou Ling rubbed her cold hands. "Tonight, we'll have crab dumplings, spicy crab, and stir-fried octopus tentacles!"

Lou Dian looked at her, somewhat speechless. "Is that all you can think about, food?"

"Didn't you say you wanted to make them earlier?" she replied, slightly bewildered.

Hearing this, Lou Dian pinched her cheek. It was truly blissful to be unaware. What should he do? He really wanted to tell her everything and see if she would still rely on him and love him like this. Of course, if she stopped loving him and dared to have other thoughts, he would just imprison her!

Yes, that's what he'd do!

Seeing the strange smile on his face, Lou Ling shivered, her radar instantly on high alert. "What's wrong?" she asked warily. Could he be jealous of the mention of "Feng Shao Huang" again? Honestly, she only had that one conflict with Feng Shao Huang; they weren't close at all.

Lou Dian just smiled and led her to the kitchen.

Author's Notes:

Today's Goals:

Lou Ling's goal: Try to guess the crazy thoughts of the pervert!

Lou Dian's goal: Imprison! Imprison! Imprison!

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