Chapter 44: Reversal

Chapter 44: Reversal

Le Yunyu's pupils dilated sharply.

He cast a quick glance at Yan Chuanbai, then back at Qi He: "...At me?"

"2 seconds until the scene ends."

—No time to waste.

In his haste, Qi He first let out a strained, "Hey."

The next words came on an exhale: "I really miss you..."

Le Yunyu couldn't pull his hand free.

His eyes widened: Miss what? Wanting me dead?

As soon as the line was sung, a "Beep!" sounded in Qi He's mind: "Objective completed. Awaiting next release."

Qi He sighed in relief and released Le Yunyu.

Under everyone's silent scrutiny, he said naturally: "After singing that line, I feel much better."

The others fell silent.

Zhu Gedun, still holding a half-eaten steamed bun, looked at Qi He and muttered: "I told you not to just drink soup and skip carbs."

Qi He: "..."

As this segment of the plot ended, the exhaustion gradually faded. He steadied himself and pushed himself up. The surrounding gazes still followed him. Xi Moqing spoke up:

"Shall we call the medic for a check-up?"

"No need."

Qi He returned to his seat at the dining table. "I just need to eat some carbs."

A bit of color returned to his pale face.

Seeing that he seemed fine, everyone returned to their seats and continued eating.

Yan Chuanbai remained leaning against the wall, his gaze fixed on Qi He.

Qi He paid no attention to the surrounding stares. He lowered his eyes and bit into the steamed bun, mulling over the information revealed between the lines in his mind: infected with the virus; awaiting the next release.

Sure enough, after completing the task of "causing Yan Chuanbai to become infected," his character was also meant to be written off.

...

After the meal, everyone returned to their respective guard rooms.

Yan Chuanbai and Qi He walked ahead.

The adjutant followed at a distance, trailing behind. After walking in silence for a while, Yan Chuanbai, looking straight ahead, said:

"What happened to you earlier?"

Qi He: "Didn't eat enough carbs, had low blood sugar."

Yan Chuanbai seemed to glance at him, then after a moment, suddenly asked: "Then what were you drinking earlier?"

Qi He hesitated mid-step.

He didn't know if Yan Chuanbai was just making casual conversation or probing for something, so he emphasized the first word: "Broth."

The warning program wasn't triggered.

Yan Chuanbai fell silent: "What kind of broth is tofu and cabbage?"

Qi He kept a straight face: "There's sorghum in it. If I say it's 'sorghum' broth, then it's 'sorghum' broth."

"..."

Yan Chuanbai looked at him for a moment, then turned away. A thoughtful gleam flickered in his eyes.

By the time they returned to the guard room, it was already 12:30.

Less than five hours remained until the antibody dose.

As the door closed, Qi He turned to Yan Chuanbai: "Take off your mask. Let me see your... markings."

Yan Chuanbai gave a wry smile and removed his mask.

A layer of icy patches covered the right half of his face, and bluish-purple, vein-like markings seemed to have spread a bit further. His lips were pale, but the aura he exuded was unnerving.

If this continued, even the mask wouldn't be able to hide it.

Qi He examined his face for a moment. "Other teams will be patrolling outside the city this afternoon. You should stay inside."

Yan Chuanbai looked at him. "What about you?"

All they could do now was wait.

Qi He sat on the sofa. "I'll stay behind too."

Yan Chuanbai seemed to relax a bit and sat down nearby. "Alright."

-

The waiting time felt both long and short.

Every half hour, Qi He called out: "System." The only response was: [No plot access available.]

When the time reached 5:00.

Yan Chuanbai suddenly stood up and put on his mask.

Qi He looked at him. The mask just barely covered the markings—any more and they would exceed the edges. Yan Chuanbai holstered his gun at his waist, his tone calm:

"I should go out now."

In less than 20 minutes, he would completely become a zombie. He couldn't stay in the military base, let alone in the city.

Qi He stood up, taking the last antibody syringe. "I'll go with you."

Yan Chuanbai looked at him for a few seconds. "Alright."

They left the guard room.

At that hour, the patrolling Superpowered Squads had already returned to the city. At the city gates, military personnel were surprised to see them: "Colonel, are you and Mr. Qi He heading out of the city?"

Yan Chuanbai withdrew his gaze, "I'll go secure the perimeter."

"But we've already completed reconnaissance..."

He lifted his eyelids, his gaze intensified, "There are still potential dangers."

The subordinate officer held his breath, "...Understood."

Qi He followed Yan Chuanbai out of the city gate.

Outside lay the post-collapse ruins, with vast stretches of daylight pouring in through the massive holes. Dismembered limbs and vines had already been cleared away, leaving only piled-up mud and stones.

Yan Chuanbai's condition shouldn't be witnessed by others.

They found a more distant ruin, where the collapse had naturally formed a natural depression at the back.

Yan Chuanbai went inside and sat down.

Qi He sat beside him, facing his direction.

Sheltered by the ruins, it felt like a private sanctuary for just the two of them. Hundreds of meters away was the human compound, and Yan Chuanbai intended to spend his final minutes as a human here.

By 5:19, he would leave this place.

…

After sitting down, the two fell silent for a moment.

Qi He called out "System" again, and the response remained the same cold, mechanical voice: [No plot connection available.]

Amid the brief silence, the man before him suddenly spoke, "By the way."

Yan Chuanbai looked toward the base, raised a hand, and activated his power—

In City F, the ice frozen in the sky gradually dissipated through sublimation. If he were to leave, the Ice Superpower would no longer be maintained, and the ice would naturally melt under the sunlight, potentially carrying contaminants into the city.

Yan Chuanbai's profile remained calm: "The surrounding mutants have been cleared. The ice barrier is no longer needed. When the military command arrives tomorrow, they'll rebuild a stronghold."

Qi He tilted his head to look at him, "What reason will you give headquarters for leaving?"

Yan Chuanbai already had an excuse ready: "Thirty is the age for adventure."

"..."

Qi He offered advice: "Why not say your life is an open field? At thirty, one stands firm, ready to find an open field to make your stand."

Yan Chuanbai said softly, "You're always full of ideas."

Qi He nodded, "Of course."

-

In the span of those few words, time advanced.

It was already 5:15.

Qi He fell silent, calling out "System" in his mind again, but the response remained unchanged. His hand, resting beside him, tightened slightly. Even though countless past evaluations had hardened him to accept any outcome calmly—

At this moment, an inexplicable emotion seemed to envelop him, giving rise to an unacceptable thought.

Was it because even after giving his all, it was still irreversible?

Or...

Qi He pressed his lips together.

Across from him, Yan Chuanbai's gaze rested calmly on his face, from his tightened lips to his clenched hand.

His hand was just a foot away from Qi He's, his fingertips already turning pale blue. Seeing Qi He's clenched fingers, Yan Chuanbai's fingertips twitched slightly.

His heart hammered, the desire surged through him, but he didn't move an inch closer.

Time jumped to 5:18.

Qi He called out again, but the panel remained unchanged.

The response in his mind was dead silent.

Until time suddenly jumped to 5:19.

Yan Chuanbai's eyelashes fluttered; his heart sank then suddenly eased: the outcome was clear.

At least his mind remained clear. Next, he would leave on his own, gather all the mutants, and eliminate them—

A flash of deadly intent passed through his dark eyes.

After a moment's pause, it was replaced by another emotion.

Yan Chuanbai looked up at the person in front of him. The time had already jumped to 5:20. He called out, "Qi He."

Qi He looked up from his deep contemplation and met his focused eyes.

Whether it was the aggression after infection or something else, in that instant, his heart lurched.

Yan Chuanbai stared at him: "I want to tell you—"

Suddenly, two beeps interrupted him.

Qi He paused, looked down, and saw it was his communicator. He pulled it out, glanced at it, and abruptly stood up:

"Wait—"

Yan Chuanbai froze. Qi He stowed the communicator and said to him, "Wait right here for me. Don't go anywhere."

Qi He's heart raced.

He turned and vaulted over the ruins, running toward the outside.

Ahead, the collapsed opening let in a vast expanse of daylight. Just then, another "Beep!" sounded in his mind, and a red panel flickered before his eyes.

Then, as if dissolving bit by bit, it fizzled and glitched:

"Program Error" "Program Er▇" "▇▇▇▇"

Qi He came to an abrupt halt, held his breath.

"...System?"

The red panel gradually turned black, as if sending him a signal—

Qi He took a deep breath, pulled out two pre-prepared nutrient packs, and downed them. The empty tubes clattered into the ruins. His gaze sharpened as he gripped the watch on his wrist.

His mental power surged uncontrollably, gathering once more in his knuckles.

Dust spiraled and danced in the shafts of daylight, like a sky filled with golden particles.

Under weak interactions, the essence of particles quietly transformed, as if inanimate matter had awakened to life.

Qi He’s brain throbbed with pain; a light sweat drenched his back, until a flicker flashed across his Xiao Tiancai Watch. His fingers relaxed slightly, his vision blurred momentarily, he swayed, then steadied himself.

He was just about to speak: "Sys..."

Once again, a "beep!" echoed in his mind.

"System loading."

"■■■Loading successful■■■"

Qi He held his breath for several seconds. "System?"

A startling, bubbly voice rang out: "Hey! I’ve taken down the main program!!!"

Qi He’s heart swelled, and his lips curved upward. "...Congratulations on your freedom."

After the initial shock and joy passed, the system glanced at the time and suddenly fell into silence. "...The deadline has passed."

When he finished speaking, Qi He narrowed his eyes slightly. "It's okay."

The sound of rotors approached from afar.

Wind whipped at his clothes as he looked toward the daylight streaming through the collapsed opening—

It was a helicopter from Base I.

-

Behind the ruins, Yan Chuanbai sat still.

Qi He had told him not to leave, so he stayed without hesitation.

He hadn’t wasted this time either. He had finalized strategic deployments and transfers on his communicator, ready to send them to the base and headquarters the moment he left.

Just as he finished editing, a noise caught his attention.

Yan Chuanbai looked up and saw Qi He returning from outside the ruins.

Qi He’s face was so pale it appeared translucent.

Just like last night, when Yan Chuanbai had heard a sound from the roof and gone out to investigate—

His heart skipped a beat until he confirmed the other was still alive.

Qi He sat down beside him, breathing slightly unevenly.

Yan Chuanbai guessed he had exerted himself again, but the deadline had passed, and everyone mattered. Besides, Qi He meant something special to him...

He spoke up: "Qi He."

Yan Chuanbai’s gaze was sharper than ever. "Don’t keep exhausting yourself for me." The corners of his lips lifted slightly. "Take care of yourself. To me, you—"

"Wait," Qi He interrupted, regulating his breath. "Don’t make it sound like final words."

Yan Chuanbai: "..."

Qi He pulled out a newly thawed yellow liquid. "You might not die after all."

"?"

He sterilized the syringe and drew the liquid.

He pulled Yan Chuanbai closer and administered an intramuscular injection. This time, no warning sound went off. "You had a sample of healthy blood stored with Meng Yan. Once the antibody was successfully developed, she immediately used your blood to produce a 'serum' and delivered it within 24 hours."

The serum contained a high concentration of antibodies, acting quickly with minimal side effects.

"You can think of it as being 'primed' first, then injected."

As the last drop of serum was administered, Qi He withdrew the needle.

The color of the blood vessels beneath the skin gradually returned, as if finally overcoming a resisting force.

Suppressing the surge of emotion in his chest, he pressed his lips together. "You’ll be fine."

After a moment of silence, Yan Chuanbai suddenly asked, "Then… are you alright?"

Qi He paused, glancing over. He suspected Yan Chuanbai had figured something out. "...I’m fine too."

Yan Chuanbai smiled softly. "Is that so."

In the quiet exchange of gazes, a subtle warmth seemed to pass between them.

After a few breaths, Qi He turned his eyes away.

Just as he was about to stand up, he heard the other speak: "I haven’t finished what I was going to say earlier."

"What?"

The moment Qi He looked up, Yan Chuanbai leaned in.

One hand braced beside them, his forehead gently resting against Qi He’s shoulder. "What I mean is, I’ve truly developed feelings for you."

Author's Note:

Yan Chuanbai: [Heart][Heart][Heart][Heart][Heart][Orange Heart][Orange Heart][Orange Heart][Orange Heart][Orange Heart][Yellow Heart][Yellow Heart][Yellow Heart][Yellow Heart][Yellow Heart][Rose][Rose][Rose][Rose][Rose][Heart with Arrow][Heart with Arrow][Heart with Arrow][Heart with Arrow][Heart with Arrow]

Qi He: [Glasses]?

-

"Hey, I really miss you": Excerpt from the song "If Without You." The last time a battle song played was when Qi He sent off Ying Zhen. [Owl]

*Note: Strictly speaking, antibodies cannot be "activated." Some terms are simplified for easier understanding. The technology and medicine in this post-apocalyptic superpower setting do not align with reality and should not be used for reference or study.