"Why aren't you looking for your two girlfriends — what are you doing here?" Ouyang Miao rolled her eyes, dropped onto the sofa and handed Chen Xiao a can of cola. In the apocalypse, cola is a luxury.
Since joining the base, she'd quietly claimed the post of captain thanks to her strength. Now she lived in comfort: eat, drink, and take it easy. Her "work" mostly amounted to occasionally clearing out trouble in her sector — enough to keep earning a fat "salary."
Chen Xiao chuckled. "As base leader, don't I have the right to check on my employees?"
Ouyang Miao sprang to her feet, mock-formal. "Oh, welcome, Leader, to my humble abode. Is everything to your liking, esteemed boss?"
Chen Xiao ignored her sarcasm and said slowly, "I'm here for something else. Your attitude lately — it's been lazy."
She sniffed. "You begged me to join this base. With my strength, staying in a backwater like Jiangbei is already a gift! What else do you want?"
He stood and walked to her. "Have you forgotten? If I hadn't spared you, you'd be dead. If I hadn't helped find who really killed your father, you'd still be getting played by that Black Pig."
Ouyang Miao had no good comeback. She stiffened and tried to play tough: "So what? Those things are unrelated!"
Chen Xiao snorted. "You said it yourself. Don't regret it later." He let the threat hang in the air.
Panic flashed across her face. She prided herself on being untouchable — but she knew Chen Xiao too well. He was terrifying.
"Alright, alright! I was joking. I'll stop slacking. I'll patrol every day. Jiangbei's my home — I'll protect it!" She swallowed her pride.
Ten days later Chen Xiao would join the "National Fortune Game." With competitors from every country — each likely a monster in their own right — he couldn't be careless. He had to be sharper than ever: for the second animal, for China.
That night, under cold moonlight, Chen Xiao slipped out. After a few flashes he returned to the eighth floor — the corridor washed in pale light, quiet and clean. A figure leaned against the wall, clutching a bag; she looked exhausted. Jiang Chuxue.
He felt a prick of pity and stepped closer. In the dimness he leaned in and — kissed her.
Jiang Chuxue snapped awake and fought to get away. In the dark she realized the man was familiar. Security at Jianghe Building was tight — how could an intruder get in? If she'd been assaulted, Brother Chen Xiao would never forgive the man. Her face drained of color; tears brimmed.
Chen Xiao realized he'd gone too far and let go. Jiang Chuxue struggled and then recognized him. Relief — and a fit of angry scolding.
"Chen Xiao! You jerk! You scared me to death — do you know that?! I'll beat you to death!"
She raised her hand to slap him. Tonight she wore a fresh white tee that showed off the smoothness of her skin. Her voice trembled between anger and something softer.
"Brother Chen Xiao… I want lamb skewers too."