Chapter 86

Chapter 86

Everyone gathered around curiously. If Ren Feng could awaken a second superpower, did that mean the rest of them could also awaken a second or even a third?

Just thinking about it was exciting.

Kang Haiqing: "You're incredible! I remember you used to have a Water superpower, right? Now you've got both water and fire."

Everyone crowded around but couldn’t figure out the reason. It was like the awakening of superpowers—no one could explain how it happened to this day.

Kang Haiqing led Ren Feng to see the leader here. Such a big matter had to be brought to the leader's attention.

Passing by Su He, Kang Haiqing added: "You come with me too."

A rare healer like him was a precious asset.

Gao Qiang: "Hey, it's you!"

Kang Haiqing looked at them: "Do you two know each other?"

Gao Qiang recalled their last meeting: "Not really. We just helped him out once when he was in trouble. Didn’t expect to run into him again here, and so coincidentally."

He then remembered the man with the broken leg that Ren Feng had mentioned earlier. Exchanging a glance with Ren Feng, they both tacitly avoided bringing it up.

Su He, being new here, couldn’t afford to make enemies right away, so he had to acknowledge their help. He smiled at Kang Haiqing, innocent-looking and pretty: "Yes, they saved me when I was being harassed before. It’s just a pity that even though they had two cars back then, they were low on supplies, so I didn’t have the chance to travel with them. I’ve been traveling alone all these days, luckily avoiding monsters, and finally made it here."

Gao Qiang’s expression changed slightly. That came out weird.

Su He, however, gave them a respectful nod: "Anyway, I still want to thank you again."

Gao Qiang’s eyes shifted, and he smiled: "You’re welcome. We really had no choice back then. If there had been any other way, who would leave behind a Healer superpower user? After all, we already saved your life. Who wouldn’t want to go the extra mile for more goodwill, so as not to be misunderstood as heartless? But we were struggling too at the time. Hope you can understand."

He and Su He locked eyes, a silent battle of wits between them. These words were actually meant for Kang Haiqing to hear.

Kang Haiqing nodded: "That makes sense."

Su He’s subtle attack didn't land, and he quieted down for now.

Ren Feng gave Gao Qiang a thumbs-up where no one could see. Good thing he was there; otherwise, Ren Feng’s poor way with words would have gotten him into trouble. Even the baby octopus rewarded Gao Qiang with an approving little slap from its tentacle.

Although Gao Qiang didn’t understand subtle social cues, he used to own a business. He could tell good from bad words clearly.

The leader, Wu Meilin, was a woman in her forties. Her superpower was truly unique—she could control shadows, such as using a monster’s shadow to kill it.

Kang Haiqing: "Sister Wu used to be the governor of XX Province. Seriously impressive."

He spoke with eyes full of admiration. The reason they could develop so quickly, with everyone having their own tasks, was all due to Wu Meilin’s clear plans and directions.

Su He excitedly: "You mean Wu Meilin?"

Kang Haiqing: "Yeah, why? Do you know her?"

Su He was pretty sure—same name, same position. It had to be the same person.

Gao Qiang and Ren Feng exchanged a glance. This is bad.

Chen Zui: "What is Wu Meilin to him?"

Ao Tian: "She’s his maternal aunt."

They met Wu Meilin at the exit behind the town. She was leading some people to plan the planting area, ensuring they could harvest a crop before winter arrived.

Kang Haiqing: "Chief."

"Aunt!" Su He cried as he ran toward Wu Meilin.

The woman turned around, her gaze fixing on Su He and instantly changing expression. She ran excitedly toward Su He: "He He!"

The two embraced, Su He sobbing his heart out. Even though she tried to hold back, Wu Meilin’s eyes reddened.

Although they didn’t like Su He, Ren Feng and Gao Qiang couldn’t help but feel happy for them upon seeing this. In this world, the luckiest thing was finding family again after a long separation.

After a while, Wu Meilin wiped Su He’s tears and looked at Ren Feng and the others.

Kang Haiqing explained the situation to her.

Wu Meilin was surprised and delighted: "Could you please demonstrate?"

Ren Feng raised his hands, a water ball in one and a fireball in the other.

Wu Meilin nodded repeatedly, sighing: "Good, good. Our hope is growing stronger."

The woman, who hadn’t shed tears earlier, now had hot tears rolling down her cheeks, as if she had already seen a bright future for humanity.

—

Hu Yue returned from the medical station. Only Hu Xue, who was on night shift, was home for now. She was out in the yard dyeing her hair. Hu Yue went over: "Sis, is that shampoo baby octopus gave you? Is it expired?"

"No, it’s fine. Busy day today?"

"It was okay. Sis, do you think I should also pretend to have awakened a superpower and go out on missions?"

Her current job at the medical station could be done by many others, but having one more Superhuman meant one more person could go out and possibly save one more person.

She really felt hope here, unlike before when they could only run for their lives, needing to protect themselves as much as possible.

Here was different.

Hu Xue, however, fell silent. She looked at her younger sister, who was only 18, and recalled the scene of their parents dying before their eyes. Their mother held on with her last breath, and she had promised her mother she would protect Hu Yue.

But now, she hadn’t awakened a superpower.

Hu Yue: "Sis?"

Hu Xue wiped off the dye that had gotten on her face: "Actually, you don’t necessarily have to go outside. With superpowers, as long as you don’t actively show them, no one can tell you’re a Superhuman."

Hu Yue was puzzled, not quite understanding why she suddenly said that.

Hu Xue grabbed her hand: "It’s too dangerous outside. Even Superhumans aren't invincible; they can die."

She gripped Hu Yue’s hand tighter: "Little Yue, I can’t lose you. I made a promise to Mom."

If she had also awakened a superpower, she could go out with Hu Yue. But now... Hu Xue suddenly resented herself for not awakening a superpower.

Hu Yue understood what Hu Xue meant. She knew her sister was concerned for her safety. Over these past few years, on this journey, they had lost too much. They couldn’t lose any more.

"Listen to your sister, okay? I dare say there are definitely hidden Superhumans among the ordinary people in town now. Everyone has their own reasons. It’s not like we’re not doing anything. We can pull our weight more in the future. We don’t necessarily have to go out."

"...I need to think about it."

"Hey sis, you heading to the night shift? You should get ready, I'll help you wash your hair."

Hu Xue gave a long look at Hu Yue, hoping she would listen. "Mm."

Outside the gate,

Ren Feng and Gao Qiang were walking over from a distance and saw Chen Zui standing at the door.

Gao Qiang called out: "Old Chen! I’ve got big news to tell you!"

Chen Zui, who had accidentally overheard the sisters' conversation, turned around. His gaze immediately fell on Ren Feng, and the two exchanged a smile—even the breeze felt sweet.

The baby octopus on Ren Feng’s shoulder raised two tentacles and made a heart shape above its head.

Gao Qiang had already ran up to Chen Zui’s side, grabbed his hand, and pushed open the door into the courtyard. Seeing both sisters there, he said: "Come quick, come quick! Big news! Everyone line up and welcome our protagonist’s big entrance!"

Ren Feng stood there awkwardly at the door, his steps grew heavy.

Even though they were confused, everyone still formed two lines at the entrance. Hu Xue’s hair was still dripping, the rose-red hair making her look radiant.

Hu Yue looked up, looking at Ren Feng curiously.

Ren Feng braced himself and walked in. Gao Qiang started clapping, and everyone else joined in confusedly—even the baby octopus joined in.

Gao Qiang: "Ta-da~ Our handsome, great Old Ren has awakened another new superpower!"

Everyone cheered.

Ren Feng looked at Chen Zui as if pleading for help.

Chen Zui stepped forward and positioned himself in front of Ren Feng: "Everyone, give him a break."

The moment he stepped forward, everyone only got even rowdier. The baby octopus was no exception—it jumped onto Gao Qiang’s shoulder and blew bubbles at Chen Zui and Ren Feng. The bubbles shimmered with rainbow colors under the sunlight, and the laughter in the courtyard made passersby stop and smile, infected by the joy.

After a long day’s work,

It was time to recharge again in the evening. Chen Zui and Ren Feng had their own way of recharging.

Chen Zui hugged Ren Feng: "You smell like cream."

Ren Feng: "You must be mistaken."

How could he possibly smell like cream?

Chen Zui sniffed deeply—he’d been smelling it all along, and he loved it.

Under the covers, Chen Zui’s legs transformed into tentacles, wrapping around Ren Feng. When Ren Feng realized what was happening, it suddenly occurred to him that Chen Zui must now be in a form with a human upper body and an octopus lower half.

He pictured the image.

So handsome!

Eight thick, ink-black tentacles curled upward, connected to the man’s firm, toned abs and V-line. Further up were his pectoral muscles, a sexy neck with a prominent Adam’s apple, and finally a handsome face.

He even imagined Chen Zui with long hair—he felt long hair suited this form better, like jet-black seaweed.

It was practically godlike.

He should be holding a scepter, adorned with pearls and gemstones, standing atop rolling waves under stormy clouds, with lightning and thunder as his backdrop, his long hair tousled by the wind.

Ren Feng swallowed hard.

As he lost himself in these thoughts, the tentacles had already coiled around him, from bottom to top. One tentacle deftly played with the left side of his chest.

Slowly, Ren Feng was brought back to reality by the teasing. He glanced down—again, always focusing on the left side, neglecting the right.

One side brought him nearly unbearable pleasure, while the other felt nothing. This imbalance made the right side ache more and more. After so many instances of such biased treatment, Ren Feng finally couldn’t take it anymore.

He grabbed the tentacle and moved it to the other side.

A soft chuckle echoed.

That light laugh snapped him back to awareness. Blushing, he tried to push the tentacle away, but then it dawned on him—Chen Zui had been doing this on purpose all along, creating this imbalance, waiting for him to finally give in and take action...

The tentacle, however, actively latched onto the long-neglected right side.

The right side had never experienced this sensation but had always longed for it. The moment the suction cups attached—

Chen Zui heard an incredibly pleasing sound, one that made him want to hear it again and again.

——

Hu Yue tossed and turned all night, unable to stop thinking about Hu Xue’s words.

Only at dawn, watching the rising sun, did her expression finally settle into resolve.

Hu Xue finished her night shift and stepped out of the health station. Today, instead of seeing Gao Qiang, she saw Hu Yue.

Bathed in sunlight, the girl standing there already looked like an adult. In that moment, Hu Xue already knew what Hu Yue was going to say.

A bird grows up and must fly toward the sky it desires—that is the bird’s freedom.

The baby octopus on her head began pretending to sleep.

"Sis."

"Those dark circles under your eyes—if I didn’t know better, I’d think you were the one on night shift," Hu Xue teased with a laugh.

Hu Yue grinned and took her hand. The two sisters walked side by side toward home.

"Sis, I’ve thought about what you said yesterday."

"Mm, what do you think?"

"I want to take on the responsibility of being a Superhuman." Hu Yue lowered her gaze, looking at her and Hu Xue’s shadows. "I think if some people awaken superpowers, it’s because this world needs them to step up. If—just if—one day, humanity fails because I, as a Superhuman, didn’t stand up..."

"What others think doesn’t matter to me. I want to live a life of value and meaning. The world is already like this. I’m only 18—I don’t want to live my whole life in cowardly survival."

"Sis."

Hu Yue stopped and looked at Hu Xue: "You chose the racing you love. You trained again and again despite the dangers. You got hurt racing, but you also won awards through it. You lived a brilliant chapter of your life. I want that too."

The young woman’s eyes were bright, hoping for affirmation, understanding, and support.

Hu Xue looked at her, reached out, and gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear: "You stayed up all night just thinking about this?"

Hu Yue grew nervous.

Hu Xue fell silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed—a proud, heartfelt laugh. "You’ve thought it through well. You’ve grown up—no longer the little kid who used to follow me around all day. Hahaha—"

Hu Yue blushed, "Hey!" she exclaimed, nudging Hu Xue with her shoulder. "So, sis, does that mean you agree?"

Hu Xue nodded.

Hu Yue happily hugged her and gave her a loud kiss on her cheek.

"Sis, I love you so much~"

Hu Xue feigned disgust and wiped her face. "Then knit me a vest."

"No problem, I'll knit you a hundred of them!"

The two laughed and joked as they headed home.

——

Hu Yue went on her mission with Ren Feng and the others, which reassured Hu Xue.

Gao Qiang even pounded his chest and promised, "Don't worry, with me around, Little Yue will be fine."

This time, they weren't just searching for people and supplies; they were also tasked with expanding their territory. Their base couldn't remain so small forever—they needed to capture a city as soon as possible.

Hu Yue raised her hand, sending countless wind blades flying toward a flock of birds diving at them. The birds fell to the ground with a series of thumping sounds.

Zhang Chuanshan clapped. "That girl's really impressive!"

Hu Yue felt a little shy.

Meanwhile, Baby Octopus used a tentacle to grab a strange bird and then tapped Ren Feng's arm with it, signaling him to roast the bird for him.

Ren Feng understood what he meant but eyed the bizarre-looking bird skeptically. "Are you sure you want to eat this?"

Baby Octopus nodded.

Ren Feng started roasting it. The strange bird soon sizzled with oil, filling the air with a tantalizing aroma. For those who hadn't eaten meat in a long time, it was irresistible.

They all stared wide-eyed, swallowing hard as they watched Baby Octopus chomp on the bird.

Gao Qiang asked, "Can we eat some too?"

Hu Yue took a sip of water, imagining it was meat soup. "Probably not—it might be poisonous."

Zhang Chuanshan wondered, "I wonder if Little Wang from the medical station knows how to detoxify it?"

The bird was roasted to a crispy perfection. When Chen Zui took a bite, the sound made everyone groan with pleasure.

Gao Qiang covered Chen Zui with something and shouted, "Say no to food broadcasts! Start with yourself!"

Chen Zui devoured three roasted strange birds in one go, his face covered in black smudges. Ren Feng wet a towel and cleaned him up, not just his face but every single tentacle.

After hearing screams for help, they got out of the vehicle. After fighting off some monsters, they rescued a few people and began heading back to the city as night fell.

Life in the town settled into a routine. During the day, Ren Feng, Gao Qiang, Zhang Chuanshan, and Baby Octopus went out on missions, while Chen Zui and Hu Xue stayed behind.

Before they knew it, they had been living there for over half a month.

Hu Xue, who had just switched from day shift to night shift, and Baby Octopus headed to the medical station. As Hu Xue approached the break room door, she heard crying from inside.

She exchanged a glance with Baby Octopus, then pushed the door open and walked in.

The crying stopped when they entered.

Wang Lingqi wiped her eyes, stood up, and looked down. "Sister Xue, you're here."

Hu Xue looked at this girl, two years younger than Hu Yue, and stepped forward. "What's wrong? Did someone bully you? Or is something bothering you?"

Her concern made Wang Lingqi break down entirely. She threw her arms around Hu Xue and burst into tears.

"Sister Xue, he's bullying me..."

The girl poured out her grievances. It turned out Su He had been mistreating her—making her do all sorts of chores, ordering her around, and constantly calling her stupid.

"Tonight, during dinner, he complained that I took too long to eat, but I rushed back in just ten minutes. He also said I eat too much and that's why I'm so fat, blaming people like me for the food shortages. He said I should know my place."

The more she talked, the more wronged she felt.

Hu Xue was so angry her face turned red. The girl wasn't even fat, but that wasn't the point—this was pure personal attacks and picking on her for no reason.

She gently patted the girl's back. "Don't listen to his nonsense. I think he's the one who doesn't know his place, with such a foul mouth."

She took Wang Lingqi's hand. "Come on, let's go find him."

Wang Lingqi held her back. "Sister Xue, we can't. He's the nephew of the leader. We can't afford to offend him."

Hu Xue looked at her. "Sister Xue only has one question for you: in front of everyone, in front of Wu Meilin, would you dare to speak up about how he's been bullying you?"

Though Wang Lingqi didn't know what Hu Xue had in mind, Hu Xue's firm and encouraging gaze gradually gave her courage.

She nodded vigorously. "I dare."

Hu Xue took her hand and walked out. Su He was just coming through the door. When he saw them, he smiled and approached, his eyes lingering on Hu Xue.

"Switched to day shifts, huh? That means we'll be on the same shift this week. It's a pity, though—out of your group, only you and one other haven't awakened superpowers. You can't go on missions outside; you can only assist me here."

He said with fake regret.

His gaze then fell on Baby Octopus perched on Hu Xue's shoulder. "By the way, don't bring this creature to work anymore. Who knows what germs it might be carrying? It could infect everyone."

He found the octopus annoying—if it weren't for it, there wouldn't have been so much trouble.

Ao Tian retorted, "You're the one with germs! Your whole family has germs! Our Baby Octopus is adorable! The cutest in the world!"

Chen Zui looked at Su He. "Would killing the Shou Protagonist have any consequences?"

Ao Tian, though furious, hesitated. "The Shou Protagonist can't die. As one of the most important characters, if he dies, this world will collapse."

Baby Octopus stared at Su He with his big, dark eyes. He couldn't die, but there were other ways to keep him from causing trouble.

Su He turned his attention to Wang Lingqi, whose eyes were red from crying. "What's going on? Your eyes are all swollen. People might think I bullied you. Lingqi, you should know I only correct you because I value you. You're like a little sister to me."

Hu Xue took a deep breath and then quickly slapped Su He across the face.

The slap was so loud everyone turned to look.

Chen Zui was stunned, and even Baby Octopus widened his big eyes, frozen in place.

Wang Lingqi was also shocked, but she was more worried about Hu Xue.

Chen Zui slapped Su He's head to the side, half of his face swelling rapidly. He was completely stunned, never imagining that anyone would dare hit him, especially after he had been working so hard to tout his connection with his aunt.

When he snapped out of it, he glared at Hu Xue and raised his hand to strike back: "You—"

*Smack!* Another crisp slap landed, again from Hu Xue.

She grabbed the hand he had raised to hit her. Her profession was a race car driver, and her hobby was boxing—how else had she survived in this world?

Her sister relied on real skill!

Su He, a man, found himself unable to break free from her grip.

Hu Xue stared at him coldly with her almond-shaped eyes: "Don’t be angry. In my eyes, you’re just a little brother. I’m doing this to help you learn your lesson~"

She threw his own words back at him.

Wang Lingqi’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Hu Xue, filled with admiration.

Su He was furious, but since he couldn’t defeat Hu Xue, he quickly put on a wounded look—after all, there were so many people watching.

"We’re all here for the town, for humanity. I don’t understand why you’re treating me like this. Is it just because you haven’t awakened a superpower?"

Hu Xue had no patience for his act and flung him away.

"Even if you awakened a superpower, you’d still get beaten by me," she snorted, then left with Wang Lingqi.

Before leaving, the baby octopus on her shoulder jumped down, spun around, and whipped Su He's face with its tentacles. A rapid series of smacks followed—all eight tentacles struck without missing a single spot—before it returned to Hu Xue’s shoulder.

Su He’s face swelled up like a pig's head, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

The force the baby octopus used to hit him was nothing like the playful little slaps it had used on Gao Qiang.

Hu Xue raised her hand, and the baby octopus lifted a tentacle to high-five her.

Hu Xue then took Wang Lingqi straight to Wu Meilin. Although the young girl couldn’t hold back her tears as she spoke, she recounted everything with great determination.

She even swore: "If I’m lying, may I die a terrible death!"

Wu Meilin handed her a tissue: "Don’t worry, I will definitely make this right."

Wang Lingqi was only 16 years old—an underage girl.

Before Su He arrived, she had always been the one treating everyone, and with her good temper, she was truly everyone's favorite. Wu Meilin sent someone to fetch Su He and, in the meantime, inquired with others at the clinic about the specifics.

When Su He arrived, Wu Meilin had already gotten reports—indeed, many had witnessed Su He scolding and ordering Wang Lingqi around.

Su He was surprised to see Hu Xue and Wang Lingqi there, never expecting they would dare to come. Immediately, he put on a waterworks show, crying as he approached Wu Meilin: "Auntie, they—"

"Don’t call me auntie!" Wu Meilin slammed her hand on the table. "You’ve disappointed me so much!"

Su He froze mid-step: "Auntie, I—"

"Shut up! If you dare say one more word in defense, get out of here!"

"Tomorrow morning, you will apologize to Lingqi in front of everyone."

Su He: ! [stunned]

Ao Tian: "Now that's satisfying."