Chapter 85

During their journey to the south, as they pa.s.sed by more roads, the members of the Chenguang Team grew stronger . But even strong people needed to rest .

The members of this team had already travelled for several days with taut nerves, and needed to loosen up from time to time, so Nie Yi made a decision for everyone to rest in this community for five days .

After this decision was announced, the Chenguang Team were all delighted . After hurrying the entire way, even people who stayed in the trucks and did not have to kill zombies like the Ping parents were unable to bear it anymore- being shaken until they felt like their whole bodies were about to fall apart, so those who had to kill zombies every day did not even need to be mentioned . Right now, they hated that they couldn’t immediately sleep in comfort for three whole days .

While the Chenguang Team may be happy, Wei Jinrong, Chu Yunxiu and the rest of the Z County population were a little disappointed .

Nie Yi and his men would leave in five days . After five days, what should they do?

Because they were filled with worry for the future, Chu Yunxiu and the rest changed their methods and curried favour with Nie Yi . For example, the five to six houses that were the best decorated in this community were gifted to Nie Yi for living in .

The RV, in the end, was a little small, and not great at retaining heat, so Nie Yi did not refuse the houses, and even immediately moved in with Qi Jingchen .

But aside from giving the survivors of Z County a higher grade meal on this day, he provided no other commitment .

Chu Yunxiu filled her bowl up with rice, and slowly chewed each mouthful, carefully appreciating the delicious flavour of rice . However, the concern on her face could not be concealed . “If Nie Yi and his men left…”

“They are pretty humane . When the time comes, we can go ask whether we can tag along,” someone beside her said, then looked at Wei Jinrong . “Especially Jinrong . You’re familiar with Qi Jingchen, and you must garner a good relations.h.i.+p with him . I think Nie Yi especially cares a lot about him . If you help us say a few words, it’ll definitely be useful . ”

“If it’s like this, I’ll interact well with Qi Yaoyao too,” Chu Yunxiu said . Qi Yaoyao was someone from their town as well as Qi Jingchen’s sister; it would be good to also have a good relations.h.i.+p with her .

They had discussed it well, but discovered that realizing their plans was much harder than they thought . Aside from anything else, it was already quite hard to find an opportunity to talk to Qi Jingchen .

Nie Yi and Qi Jingchen were simply inseparable . They simply did not have the chance to find Qi Jingchen alone to speak with, and Qi Jingchen did not care for others either .

Fortunately, Chu Yunxiu managed to have a conversation with Qi Yaoyao, and she also liked Chu Yunxiu’s husky . But very soon, they realised that even Qi Yaoyao could not go and speak to Qi Jingchen!

For a time, these people from Z County became more worried .

Of course, there were some even more anxious than them; that is, the Xu Yehui father and daughter .

The appendicitis operation Mother Ping gave Qiu Tong was very successful; Qiu Tong did not get any infections, and was now completely fine . However, not only was the medical treatment nowadays in bad condition, the food was also not nouris.h.i.+ng, so Qiu Tong’s recovery was very slow . She could not do heavy work for the next month . In such a situation, if they did not find themselves a backer, how would they live their future lives?

“Dad, what do we do now? Nie Yi and Qi Jingchen don’t even leave their house!” Xu Qiuyu gritted her teeth, extremely resentful . “This Qi Jingchen, how could he be so shameless? He tangles around Nie Yi so much he won’t even let him go out!”

Xu Yehui naturally understood the underlying meaning in his daughter’s words . He had always thought his daughter was obedient, sensible, and naive, and wouldn’t know the matters between men and women, but… it must be the internet that corrupted her!

But in the present world, his daughter understanding more was better than being stupidly ignorant…

Naturally, he also had to remind his daughter, “Xiao Yu, you can’t casually say such words; it’ll be bad if other people heard . ”

“Dad, I’m only saying it to you . Also, I’m telling the truth ah . Qi Jingchen doesn’t even leave, who knows what he’s doing with Nie Yi!” Xu Qiuyu snorted in dissatisfaction .

“You’re still thinking too naively . It probably isn’t that he doesn’t want to go out, but Nie Yi won’t let him out . ” Xu Yehui said, “Nie Yi is so strong; could Qi Jingchen stop him if he really wanted to leave? Whereas if Nie Yi doesn’t allow Qi Jingchen to go out, he can only stay inside . ”

“That’s impossible ba? How well does Nie Yi treat him?” Xu Qiuyu didn’t quite believe him . The Chenguang Team ate good food, but it was nothing compared to what Qi Jingchen got . Yesterday, Nie Yi had even killed a chicken and it was said that it was just for Qi Jingchen to eat .

Chicken ah… In the past when their family ate chicken, she only ate the wings and drumsticks, not even wanting to touch the other parts . But now, she would even eat a chicken’s b.u.t.t…

“Didn’t you see that Nie Yi even stopped Qi Yaoyao when she wanted to visit Qi Jingchen?” Xu Yehui said . It was because he saw that Nie Yi didn’t allow anyone to speak with Qi Jingchen, not even allowing Qi Jingchen to chat with his cla.s.smate Wei Jinrong, that he became certain that Qi Jingchen was being raised as a pet .

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“Don’t think too much right now,” Xu Yehui said . Even if Nie Yi did not like Qi Jingchen, he might not like his daughter either— Even though he felt that his daughter was perfect, he couldn’t help but admit that his daughter’s current dull appearance definitely was not attractive . “If it wasn’t for Qi Jingchen, we wouldn’t even be able to speak to Nie Yi!”

Knowing that her father was telling the truth, she restrained her thoughts and continued keeping an eye on Nie Yi and Qi Jingchen .

In the blink of an eye, it was the last day Nie Yi was staying here to rest .

Although Nie Yi hated that he couldn’t tie Qi Jingchen to his body, this was obviously impossible . For example, he had to give a lecture to the ability users in the Chenguang Team today and teach them to cultivate their abilities, but Qi Jingchen was unwilling to go .

“I want to sleep!” Qi Jingchen said . Contrary to Nie Yi, he had no interest in getting up at dawn to watch those ability users use their abilities like a bunch of devils dancing rowdily .

“I’ll even perform then . ” To attract Qi Jingchen into watching, Nie Yi shamelessly called his demonstration of how to utilise abilities a performance .

“Perform?” Qi Jingchen was a little speechless . “I’m already tired of seeing those performances!”

Nie Yi could not persuade Qi Jingchen and ultimately had no choice but to leave gloomily . Once Nie Yi left, Qi Jingchen immediately took out a book from among the pile of novels he had casually tossed together yesterday, then began reading .

When Nie Yi was around, he only dared to read those without content that needed censoring, but now that Nie Yi was absent, he could read a little more about those censored descriptions and enrich his understanding…

However, Qi Jingchen had just read for a short while when the bodyguard outside knocked on his room door . “Qi shao, there’s someone outside claiming to be your father that wants to see you . ”

“No . ” Qi Jingchen said unhesitatingly . Xu Yehui, that person who had never raised him, how could he be considered a father .

Hearing Qi Jingchen, the bodyguard immediately went outside and said to Xu Yehui, “Qi shao does not want to meet you . ”

“I’m his father; why would he not want to meet me?” Xu Yehui revealed a sad and disappointed expression .

Mother Ping had operated on Qiu Tong, but Qi Jingchen did not say anything about it . He probably wanted to maintain a good reputation . If so…

“I just wanted to express my grat.i.tude; I have no plans on relying on him or whatever, nor do I want to ask him for things . He won’t even let me see his face?” Xu Yehui put on an appearance of a father’s heart broken by his son, his entire person appearing beside himself with grief .

Gan Shuo and Zhou Xiaofeng who had been standing guard for Qi Jingchen did not say a word regarding Xu Yehui’s acting . Instead it was the few people from Z County secure base who had come upstairs that had seen this and felt some sympathy for him .

Xu Yehui had already declared his relations.h.i.+p with Qi Jingchen in the past few days, informing people that Qi Jingchen was his biological son . But because his family was in bad conditions that year and his wife had run away, he had given Qi Jingchen up for adoption to someone in the neighbouring village . Those years, he had always provided child support fees, but Qi Jingchen did not even want to recognise him .

“That year, it was me who wronged him, and it is not wrong for him to be unwilling to meet me…” Xu Yehui stood at the door and wiped his eyes . His voice was somewhat hoa.r.s.e, while Xu Qiuyu stood beside him, also appearing cowering and fearful .

The few Z County secure base people who came were even more sympathetic towards Xu Yehui .

If it was before the apocalypse, where Xu Yehui looked like a successful businessman and Xu Qiuyu was like an indulgent young miss, no one would believe what they said, but now… comparing the wretched appearance of the father and daughter pair to Qi Jingchen’s, people would be unable to resist being biased towards these two .

Moreover, these people had interacted with Xu Yehui for a few months; they had always seen that Xu Yehui had been steadfastly loyal to his wife and daughter, and so subconsciously a.s.sumed that this was a very caring person .

Wei Jinrong was one of the people who came . He was, on the contrary, skeptical of Xu Yehui’s words . After all, Qi Jingchen’s life in high school was not like that at all .

High school was the time when boys ate the most . During a meal, they would have to eat two meat dishes to be full . At that time, he even ate two meat dishes and one vegetarian dish per meal, but Qi Jingchen was different . He would often eat only one vegetarian dish, and very occasionally buy red braised pork for a change of flavour .

If this person really was such a good father, why was Qi Jingchen always saving up and unwilling to use his foster parents’ money?

“You’re also looking for Qi Jingchen? Could you pa.s.s on a word for me?” Xu Yehui asked expectantly .

Wei Jinrong did not speak when the others had already replied, “Sure . ”

“Thank you . I’m begging you to tell him that I’m very grateful towards him-” Xu Yehui said, but before he could finish speaking, the bodyguard said, “Qi shao said he will meet no one . ”

Meet no one?!

Wei Jinrong was still fine, but the people behind him couldn’t help being a little unhappy . Xu Yehui’s expression had darkened .

He thought that Qi Jingchen would want a good reputation, so he put on a merciful father act… In the end, Qi Jingchen wouldn’t meet anyone? Was he not afraid that Nie Yi would think he was heartless?

Or maybe… it was in fact Nie Yi who didn’t allow him to meet anyone?

Qi Jingchen did not meet them, and Nie Yi was even less likely to allow them to approach, so what should they do? Xu Yehui and Xu Qiuyu both were at a loss as they went downstairs, then saw a seven to eight year old child pulling along a three to four year old child in one hand and carrying a large, heat preserving bento in the other, who was slowly moving up . After taking a few steps, he would put down the bento to take a break .

Wei Jinrong knew these two children; weren’t they the two that had previously stayed in the RV with Qi Jingchen and Nie Yi?

Nie Yi absolutely did not allow anyone near the RV, but these two children were allowed . It could be seen that Nie Yi liked children… Xu Yehui gave Qi An a smile . “Little friend…”

“What?” Qi An rolled his eyes at Xu Yehui . Ever since he learnt that this person before him dared to give his family’s boss up for adoption, Qi An was filled with loathing for him .

His family’s boss was so great, unrivalled in the world, yet this person abandoned his boss . It was simply an unforgivable crime!

“Are you going to see Qi Jingchen?” Xu Yehui quietly called him ‘spoilt brat’ in his heart, but his face still had a smile .

“So what if I am?” Qi An spoke with a raised chin . Even if these people were friendly to him, his heart only had his family’s boss!

“I’m Qi Jingchen’s father . Can I trouble you to bring a word to him?” Xu Yehui said .

“No time!” Qi An coldly snorted, then pulled along Xiaomao beside him and continued slowly walking up with her .

“Dad, this kid!” Xu Qiuyu was about to go mad from anger with how Qi An acted like they were nothing— When she became powerful in the future, she had to humiliate this little devil!

“Let’s go, we’ll go back and figure out another way . ” Xu Yehui hastily stopped his daughter .

Xu Yehui’s residence was a semi-finished building that was completely unfurnished . There were some supplies they had previously gathered inside, and his wife was now lying down on foam boards .

Speaking of, for their family of three to survive for this long was also due to Xu Yehui being farsighted— While the others hadn’t completely considered the problem of getting through winter, he had already gathered a lot of things to preserve warmth, and always ate spa.r.s.ely .

Qiu Tong also knew of his daughter’s plan, and was very much in approval . Seeing their return, she immediately asked, “How did it go?”

“He’s not meeting anyone . ” Xu Qiuyu was somewhat indignant .

“Then what do we do?” Qiu Tong asked worriedly .

“I’ll write a letter!” Xu Yehui said, picking up a pen and writing . He first wrote a draft, then carefully copied it .

Xu Yehui was a student of great ability back in his day, his writing was practiced very well, and now looked to be very pleasing .

This letter started off by expressing concern for Qi Jingchen, then spoke of his worry for Qi Jingchen’s future, fearing that Qi Jingchen would be abandoned in the future and suffer losses . After all, someone like Nie Yi wouldn’t be lacking in men or women…

And if Qi Jingchen didn’t want to be abandoned, it was best if there was a child . Have Xu Qiuyu give birth to one!

At the end of the letter, Xu Yehui wrote, “Jingchen, I know that you don’t like the plan dad thought of, and dad also has selfish motives, hoping that your sister won’t starve and go cold in the future . But you should also know very well that this truly is a good idea . Don’t worry, your sister won’t steal anything from you . Nie Yi definitely won’t fall for your sister, and the child she gives birth to is yours and Nie Yi’s . You only have to give her a bit of Nie Yi’s sperm for artificial insemination…”

“Dad, why would you write this?” when Xu Qiuyu saw this letter, she was immediately somewhat unhappy . It was best if Nie Yi touched her! In those books like ‘Surrogate Pregnant Little Pampered Wife’ and ‘The Chairman’s Little Runaway Wife’, those men originally only wanted to have a wife for surrogate pregnancy, but then weren’t they unable to let go after having a taste?

“Silly child, Qi Jingchen has no feelings for us at all . If we were to sincerely say it was all for him, he definitely won’t believe it . Might as well be a little frank like this so he’ll believe us,” Xu Yehui said .

Xu Qiuyu gritted her teeth, but could only admit to it . “But how do we give him this letter?”

“Isn’t there a balcony?” Xu Yehui smiled .

Qi Jingchen had absolutely no idea that Xu Yehui was coveting Nie Yi’s sperm . He didn’t even want to deal with Nie Yi, so he naturally was unwilling to meet anyone else . However, he had only quietly read for a while when Qi An arrived to give him the breakfast Nie Yi had prepared .

The lunch box was very big, and there was quite an amount of food inside as well . Qi Jingchen simply couldn’t finish and so gave some to Qi An . Qi An then ate it up, pleased . Hmph! Nie Yi never let him eat Qi Jingchen’s food, but now hadn’t he still ended up eating it?

Seeing Qi An’s happy appearance, Qi Jingchen couldn’t help feeling amused, then continued reading .

The description in the book could be said to be provocative . The war did not stop even after a day and night . Qi Jingchen couldn’t stop his face from heating up when he read it, but his body did not have the slightest feeling . He was feeling vexed when he suddenly heard shouts from the side .

“Jingchen! Jingchen!”

“Jingchen, come out, come to the balcony!”

“Jingchen, dad wrote a very important letter to you! You must read it!”

…

With someone making such a clamour, how could he continue reading?

Qi Jingchen went to the balcony with a cold face, then saw Xu Yehui standing by the balcony . When Xu Yehui saw him, he immediately tossed something over .

It was a wrapped paper ball . It rolled onto the floor, then stopped by Qi Jingchen’s feet .

“Jingchen, you must read it,” Xu Yehui reminded, then swiftly left .

Qi Jingchen guessed that this was most likely something Xu Yehui wrote to arouse sympathy and simply did not bother with it, turning and heading back into the house . Qi An, however, speedily picked up that paper ball .

The outside of this paper ball was made from a crumpled up newspaper and a few stones that were added for weight, but in the center was a letter folded to the size of a coin .

Qi An unfolded the letter and read . He had not known many words when the apocalypse came and had forgotten even more when he wandered between the edge of life and death . Later, it was Qi Jingchen who slowly taught him that he could become literate . To arouse his interest, the books he was taught words from were even menus…

Unfortunately, those dishes now couldn’t be eaten…

“Boss! This guy wants his daughter to give birth to a child for Nie Yi!” After reading the letter, Qi An screeched, “This b.a.s.t.a.r.d is too repulsive!”

Qi Jingchen suddenly heard Qi An’s scream and his hand trembled, the book in his hand falling to the ground, as his face became as dark as the bottom of a pan . At this moment, he could no longer care about his book, and said to Qi An, “Bring it here!”

Xu Yehui actually had such a plan? His imagination was rather rich!