Chapter 90 Can Only Help You This Much

Chapter 90: This Is as Far as I Can Help You

The alley was shrouded in darkness, the crimson moon already ascendant in the sky.

The next moment, belated private message alerts blared urgently.

Hua Diao glanced at the still-open game interface. The number of unread private messages had surged to over thirty. Opening them, she confirmed they were all from Xie Tingsheng.

First, he’d asked when she’d return and what she wanted for dinner. When she didn’t reply, he grew concerned, inquiring about her location and if she needed help. Still receiving no response, he began frantically bombarding her with messages, each a desperate plea for an answer...

The last one read: *Don’t be afraid. I’ll find you soon.*

Hua Diao pressed her lips together, her bright, clear eyes glimmering faintly in the inky blackness. A warm current slowly spread from her limbs, seeping into her heart. For a moment, her fingers hovered mid-air, unsure how to respond.

She stood motionless for a long moment before finally lowering her gaze, suppressing the complex emotions swirling within her. Moving her fingers, she typed a reply: *I’m fine. I’ll be home soon.*

Just as she sent the message and closed the game interface, preparing to step out of the alley, a screech of brakes pierced the night from outside. A car door slammed open, followed by hurried footsteps.

In the profound darkness, the person seemed utterly unafraid, sprinting directly toward her location.

*Who is it?*

Hua Diao summoned a gun from her inventory and gripped it tightly, her eyes sharp with vigilance as she stared in that direction.

Suddenly, blinding headlights illuminated the alley. Hua Diao instinctively squinted, raising a hand to shield her eyes.

A tall, familiar figure ran toward her, silhouetted against the light. The quiet alley echoed with the man’s deep, ragged breaths. Hua Diao froze for a second before being abruptly pulled into a broad, warm embrace.

*"Found you."*

The low, hoarse voice, thick with raw emotion, resonated directly in Hua Diao’s heart.

A pleasant shiver ran through her chest, and her eyes burned for a moment.

Then, without thinking, she lifted her arms and wrapped them around his lean waist, pressing her ear obediently against his scorching chest, listening to his rapid, erratic heartbeat.

At the mouth of the alley, Zhu Bin sat in the car, watching the two figures locked in an embrace with an odd expression as he ran his fingers through his hair in bemusement.

After tonight, he truly believed Brother Sheng was hopelessly devoted to Hua Diao, to the point of obsession. Earlier, when he couldn’t find her, he’d been frantic—his handsome face dark with fury, as if ready to slaughter everyone in sight just to avenge her. The sheer, world-ending rage, threatening to make everyone pay for that woman Hua Diao, had been utterly terrifying!

Zhu Bin had no doubt he, being the closest, would have been the first unlucky soul sacrificed.

Luckily, the tracking item had worked, locating her just before Brother Sheng erupted like a volcano.

But still, Hua Diao had actually gone out alone? Was it really her outside the South Gate of Qingcheng University earlier today?

And what was she doing in this pitch-black alley by herself?

Had her timid nature suddenly swelled into a tiger’s courage?

Even he, a grown man, didn’t dare wander alone at night during this apocalyptic era, let alone in a dark alley that looked like a perfect spot for trouble.

Also—how long was Brother Sheng planning to hug her? After fighting monsters all afternoon, he’d just gotten home, hadn’t even taken a bite of warm food before being dragged out again by Brother Sheng in a frantic search. Then, he’d been too scared to breathe under Brother Sheng’s oppressive mood. Now that he’d relaxed, his stomach was growling loudly.

Hua Diao, who also hadn’t eaten, had a similarly growling stomach, thoroughly ruining the tender moment.

Unable to help it, her ears turned red as she pulled her hands from Xie Tingsheng’s waist and silently pushed against his chest.

Xie Tingsheng lowered his gaze, concealing the turbulent emotions in his dark eyes. His arms tightened around her, crushing her against him for three full seconds before finally loosening his grip. Instead, he took her hand and led her out of the alley.

Under Zhu Bin’s pained expression, the two climbed into the back seat.

Once the door closed, Xie Tingsheng’s uncharacteristically gentle voice, soft enough to drip honey, came from behind.

*"What do you want for dinner? I’ll cook for you."*

Hua Diao didn’t hesitate, her eyes lighting up as she listed dishes: *"Poached shrimp, Chinese mitten crab, peppered mantis shrimp, crab roe lion’s head meatballs, vinegar-braised meatballs..."*

Zhu Bin gaped. *Damn, so Brother Sheng was a house husband at home?*

*And that soft tone—are we sure he hasn’t been replaced by an imposter?*

But soon, he frowned, glancing disapprovingly at Hua Diao through the rearview mirror. *All seafood? They’d never found any seafood from treasure chests!*

Yet Xie Tingsheng, already completely smitten, answered without hesitation, *"Alright. I’ll make them when we get back."*

*"Ahem."* Zhu Bin couldn’t help but cough, desperately trying to signal through the mirror. *Brother Sheng, wake up! If you promise but can’t deliver, it’ll ruin your image as a man of his word!*

*Plus, you’re trying to court her favor—broken promises will only lower her affection!*

Hearing the noise, Hua Diao glanced at him. *"Something wrong with your eye?"*

Zhu Bin stiffened, forcing a strained laugh. *"N-Nothing! Just... suddenly heard all those seafood dishes and it made me nostalgic. I loved seafood before the apocalypse, but it’s hard to come by now. And with the official trading zone closed, even if we had coins, there’s nowhere to buy..."*

*So Brother Sheng, take this opportunity and retract your offer while you can. Your loyal subordinate can only help you this much.*

Xie Tingsheng gave him a disdainful glance, ignoring the fool, and pulled out a healing charm from his pocket, applying it to Hua Diao with a slightly displeased expression.

Hua Diao felt as if a gentle cloud had brushed her face, the lingering pain instantly soothed, as if submerged in warm water.

*Healing items are amazing!*

She thought to herself, then asked Xie Tingsheng, *"Is he your subordinate?"*

Xie Tingsheng frowned slightly, glancing at Zhu Bin, who was surreptitiously observing, and replied indifferently, *"Yeah."*

*"Oh."* Hua Diao nodded, her gaze toward Zhu Bin softening slightly, though still wary. *"I’ve found seafood before. I’ve got plenty stored at home. If you want some, you can buy from me—I’ll give you a ten percent discount."*

Zhu Bin’s expression filled with shock. *Hua Diao had that kind of luck?*

*Their entire Peanut Squad hadn’t managed to get their hands on seafood, yet she had?* Baffled and astonished, he felt like he was seeing Hua Diao in a completely new light today.