Chapter 85

Translated by boilpoil Edited by boilpoil

For Gu Ronghang whose expression turns back normal after brief bewilderment, Bai Lianhua has uttered the most fascinating words in the world. Each and every character penetrates into his heart and mind bringing surprise and joy.

Gu Ronghang can’t help but step forward, hugging Bai Lianhua deeply, as if afraid this person who has just accepted him would disappear.

Bai Lianhua doesn’t resist, and lightly pats Gu Ronghang on his back, “don’t worry, don’t worry. I’m serious.”

He tilts his head, and feels like this has happened before. It was when he just returned to this world, when the antagonist also welcomed him back with such a hug. The corner of his lips perk up, and he turns his head to the side and lightly touches him on the face with it, getting back at him for that time by feeling him up.

System “…” Wait wait wait, getting back at being felt up by feeling up? And you think you’re the one that’s got a better deal out of all this? That’s exactly what the antagonist is also thinking, you know.

It looks bitterly at the two exhausted people finally relaxing their tensions and walk back casually while holding hands. Then after cleaning up briefly they stuck to each other again, their heads leaning on one another as they both enter dreamlands.

This time there’s no longer the extra quilt being an eyesore here, and perhaps never again forevermore.

The system lifts its chin, and while it rolls its eyes and views with disdain the waft of love stinking up the place, it can’t help but also smile.

This will be the last mission world, this is… for the best.

…

As Bai Lianhua said he wanted to see how the safe zone was doing before when trying to figure out Gu Ronghang’s grudge, therefore when the cleanup of the zombie wave attack on the safe zone was over, Gu Ronghang and Bai Lianhua secretly visited Safe Zone Fengxu to fulfil that wish.

While Bai Lianhua doesn’t know whether he should be amused or concerned that what he just said at a whim was taken so seriously by Gu Ronghang, but it’s not a bad feeling to be so deeply treasured. Besides, he is curious how the Safe Zone is doing nowadays, so they used fake names to infiltrate into the safe zone, and then they start casually walking about the place like travelling merchants who visit these safe zones to exchange goods.

It’s been five years since they left the safe zone. Compared to before, the orderliness of the safe zone has increased. It feels a lot like a city from the pre-apocalypse days, rather than just being a shelter. There are even things like ‘shopping streets’ revived here.

Bai Lianhua and Gu Ronghang also take advantage of that to procure daily necessities… Rather than looking for it with time and effort, obviously it’ll be much easier to buy it in the safe zone. They’ve got loads of high-quality zombie crystal cores that can act as currency in their hands anyway.

Of course, in the midst of their shopping spree, they also hear a lot of discussion about the previous zombie wave, which is currently still a hot topic amongst the populace of the safe zone. Besides the actual terrifying fight, another point frequently brought up is that someone gave advance warning to the safe zone through mysterious means. They all said that it must have been an amazing person behind it that could predict upcoming calamities and was good enough of a chap to give the warning so that people could be prepared… While they heaped praises Bai Lianhua would look at Gu Ronghang with this smiling face to which Gu Ronghang can only give an awkward expression in response.

He doesn’t think he deserves this merit, especially those who praise him for his good character… That is supposed to be Bai Lianhua. If not for him, he would never have worked so hard to help.

So he whispers to Bai Lianhua, “letting you hear these praises first-hand made the trip worth it; I’m glad that your kindness was not in vain for once.”

So Bai Lianhua can only sigh lightly. Oh well, looks like Gu Ronghang’s grudges are still buried deep inside him.

When Bai Lianhua was lamenting, Gu Ronghang suddenly stops in the middle of the road and his body also goes slightly stiff. So Bai Lianhua asks quietly, “what’s wrong?”

Gu Ronghang takes a deep breath and looks normal again if not for his hand which is gripping tightly onto Bai Lianhua’s, “nothing. I just saw someone I didn’t expect to.”

——The past he should have thrown away.

Bai Lianhua is puzzled. He looks about but all the people are unfamiliar to him. The system quietly explains, “host, in front of you, on the left, that guy dressed in black with the weathered look and stubbles. He used to be part of Gu Ronghang’s little team… But he was only a normal person. He was not part of the conspiracy against the antagonist back then.”

No wonder he doesn’t know that person. Bai Lianhua’s life only intertwined with the antagonist’s when he saved Gu Ronghang from the zombies’ mouth. That was exactly when Gu Ronghang fell out with these people.

He’s clearly had bad times. He is hunched over and sallow in appearance. When he notices the antagonist’s gaze, he turns his head to look at him. At first, he seems to be shocked, then he seems to be in a bit of panic.

Bai Lianhua thought the guy would turn around and run away the next second, but he doesn’t. While shaking, he awkwardly approaches Gu Ronghang who is thinking about taking Bai Lianhua away. He opens and closes his mouth without a word for a bit before uttering a “sorry” in the end.

With that out of the way, he seems to have calmed down slightly. His words go from trembling to calm.

He apologises the Gu Ronghang saying that he was sorry he didn’t have the courage to stand up and defend Gu Ronghang… He’s always felt bad about it and was never at peace with himself.

He also told them what happened to that little team afterwards… The team didn’t even last that long, because the person who took over the leadership back then was too highfalutin and overbearing. He was deluded thinking that he was an ability user so he could do anything. It wasn’t long until he was killed in a direct confrontation by a stronger ability user when he tried to scheme against their group. The rest of them dispersed, those who had abilities were forcefully conscripted by the new group and ordered around, while the normal people were chased out and left to their own devices. The human condition at its worst… When that happened, they became nostalgic for when Gu Ronghang was still there. The team back then was at least a safe port-of-call for these wandering souls even in the midst of the apocalypse.

Regrets and what-ifs were useless at that point, though.

Gu Ronghang said nothing. Quite a bit after they were finished, he lightly ‘mm’s. Then he quietly pulls Bai Lianhua and walks away.

Perhaps the person didn’t expect this reaction either. He doesn’t block them, however, and only watches as they walk away.

When he is out of sight, Gu Ronghang chuckles and says mockingly, “I don’t even know how I’m supposed to feel right now.”

Bai Lianhua pats Gu Ronghang on the shoulder lightly… Put it another way, this meant that justice has been inadvertently served for the people who maliciously left Gu Ronghang behind back then.

He tries to soothe Gu Ronghang, “evil only draws more evil. Look, even in the apocalypse, it isn’t that only those who do evil can do well and do whatever they want… There’s only so many evil acts they can commit before karma bites them back.”

Gu Ronghang nods. His mood is still affected, though, so they decide to cut their trip short and leave the safe zone.

Perhaps it was a joke of fate that they are destined to meet old acquaintances today, and just outside the safe zone entrance, Bai Lianhua and Gu Ronghang can hear someone calling Bai Lianhua by name.

Bai Lianhua turns around in shock. He sees a young man coming towards him in a hurry from a team that presumably finished their mission and was returning to the safe zone.

He’s confused. Uh… who is this again?

Compared to Bai Lianhua who’s clearly got no idea what’s going on, the young man seems thrilled and excited. Before he even catches his breath in front of Bai Lianhua, he starts speaking, “thank God, you’re well. You’re ok…”

Bai Lianhua “???” The heck? What’s with this mob character A suddenly spouting dialogue that’s supposed to be for the antagonist? He’s right next to you, you know.

While going on about nonsense in his mind, Bai Lianhua’s thoughts finally clear up after the young man says with gratitude written on his face, “thank you for saving me and my mother that day.”

Eh? Someone he’s saved? Bai Lianhua sighs in relief hearing that.

So he tries his best to recall, and finally, he remembers that there is a child and his mother among those he saved back when he left… The teenager back then is now already a young 20-something adult, eh?

What a coincidence they could meet each other like this again.

Bai Lianhua is kind of bad at dealing with this kind of scene. He can only grow beet-red while the young man thanked him over and over. The young man even awkwardly told him that because they thought he already… so he and his mother would still properly pay their respects to him every year with all the things set up.

Afraid that Bai Lianhua would get angry the young man also quickly says that now that they know he’s alive and well they would stop that… And Bai Lianhua still looks as dazed as ever.

After all the thanks the young man invites Bai Lianhua to visit his home. So Bai Lianhua pulls Gu Ronghang over telling him he’s leaving already. So while disappointed the man took out all the crystal cores he had on him trying to put them in his pockets, but Bai Lianhua also tells him he doesn’t need any.

When finally they said goodbye to the young man who looked at them with sad puppy eyes, and moved far away from the safe zone, Bai Lianhua pulls Gu Ronghang over by the shoulder with a smile, “look, not all good deeds are in vain.”

While he would freeze in awkwardness when responded so passionately, being thanked for it after so many years is a pretty happy thing after all.

He understands that Bai Lianhua wants to cheer him up, and so Gu Ronghang rubs him on his head, looking resigned.

——That’s right. You are such pure good that even the Heavens wouldn’t want you to be unhappy. They would never want you to meet a bad guy.

Even me, who once ‘ungratefully’ thought about threatening you, have been influenced and assimilated, haven’t I? When I see you smile, I can even feel my heart melting.

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