That faint sweetness wasn't intense.
It resembled the fragrance of soil mixed with fresh grass after a spring rain.
Or like the juicy scent of a ripe peach when its skin is peeled.
Following the air currents, it silently drifted into Qin Yu's nostrils.
And into the breathing of Yao Qian, who was rolling about in the flowerbed.
Qin Yu's water bottle halted mid-air.
He frowned.
It felt as if a fire was burning inside his body.
Not the scorching heat of being burned by flames.
But a dry heat emanating from deep within his bones.
"Gulong."
He tilted his head back and drank the remaining half bottle of water in one go.
The cool liquid slid down his throat.
Yet it couldn't suppress the inexplicable, rising wicked fire.
Instead, it was like pouring a ladle of cold water into hot oil.
"Sizzle."
It exploded.
That dry heat instantly spread throughout his entire body, even his fingertips beginning to feel warm.
"What's going on..."
Qin Yu shook his head.
His vision actually started to become somewhat blurry.
The sea of flowers before his eyes seemed to have acquired a pink filter.
That suffocating beauty became somewhat eerie at this moment.
"System."
Qin Yu silently called out in his mind, but his voice felt somewhat floaty.
"Scan physical condition."
"Am I poisoned?"
In the past when he encountered danger, the system's alarm would have already shattered his brains.
But this time.
His mind was eerily quiet.
Only that row of green data seemed to mock his paranoia.
[Physical condition scan completed.]
[Current status: Extremely excited/Blood pumping.]
[Vital signs: Vigorous.]
[Harmful: No.]
[Note: The air in this area contains a large amount of "Life-Promoting Factor," which can greatly activate biological cells and promote reproductive instincts. No toxic side effects on the human body.]
Qin Yu looked at the "No toxic side effects" and his eyelids twitched violently.
Damn it.
The system's judgment logic was based on "harm."
This thing not only caused no harm but actually "enhanced" bodily functions.
So the system didn't alarm!
But this was more terrifying than poison!
"Promote reproductive instincts?"
Qin Yu abruptly stood up but felt his legs go weak, nearly falling back down.
His proud willpower now felt like a castle built from sand.
Washed by this wave of instinct.
Half of it had collapsed.
"Yao Qian!"
Qin Yu gritted his teeth and called out.
His voice was so hoarse it sounded like he had a mouthful of gravel.
They needed to leave this place immediately.
This place wasn't right.
There was something wrong with this floral scent!
"Brother Qin Yu..."
A soft, sticky response came from the flowerbed.
Then.
A rustling sound was heard.
Yao Qian, holding the half-woven flower wreath, staggered over.
Her small face was flushed.
As if coated with a thick layer of rouge.
Her originally clear large eyes now seemed covered with a layer of mist.
Dazed.
Moist.
The S-Rank Battle Suit on her body had long since retracted the face shield and hand armor.
Large areas of her skin were exposed to this air filled with "catalyst."
Her originally fair skin now glowed with an alluring pink hue.
"I'm... so hot..."
Yao Qian walked up to Qin Yu.
Her steps were unsteady.
She tugged at her collar.
Though the battle suit maintained a constant temperature, the scorching heat radiating from within her body was utterly unstoppable.
"Brother Qin Yu, are you hot?"
She lifted her head to look at him.
The usual shyness and timidity in her eyes had vanished.
Leaving only the most primal desire.
Like a drowning person seeing their only floating log.
Qin Yu gazed at the girl before him.
Her twin tails lay somewhat disheveled over her shoulders.
The long legs encased in white silk stockings exuded a deadly allure amidst the flowers.
Especially those eyes.
Glistening.
As if about to spill over with moisture.
"Boom!"
The thread named "reason" in Qin Yu's mind instantly stretched to its limit.
Issuing a groan of unbearable strain.
"Put on your gear."
Qin Yu bit the tip of his tongue, using the pain to forcibly regain a sliver of clarity.
"We need to leave."
"Now."
He reached out to grab Yao Qian's wrist, intending to pull her out of this damned place.
However.
The moment his fingertips touched Yao Qian's skin.
It was like two magnets snapping together.
An electric current surged through their bodies.
That hard-won clarity instantly vanished without a trace.
Yao Qian didn't pull away.
Instead, when Qin Yu's hand touched her, she let out a soft, faint moan.
That sound.
Was like a feather, fiercely tickling the very core of Qin Yu's heart.
"Brother Qin Yu..."
"I feel awful..."
Yao Qian dropped the flower wreath in her hand.
Her entire body collapsed into Qin Yu's embrace.
Soft.
Burning hot.
The unique fragrance of a young girl, mingled with the rich floral scent, instantly shattered Qin Yu's last line of defense.
It was the instinct carved into human genes.
The most fundamental code evolved over billions of years.
In this Eden enveloped by "life factors."
Infinitely amplified.
Qin Yu's hand froze mid-air.
His breathing grew heavy, like a beast working a bellows.
He wanted to push her away.
But his arms uncontrollably wrapped around the delicate form in his embrace.
That sensation.
That temperature.
Drove him mad.
"Damn it..."
Qin Yu growled low.
The clarity in his eyes completely disappeared.
Replaced by crimson flames.
Flames of plunder.
Flames of possession.
In this post-apocalyptic world.
In this desperate place five hundred meters deep in the ocean.
Morality, reason, restraint.
Could all go to hell.
"Mmm..."
Yao Qian felt those powerful arms tightly encircling her.
It hurt a little.
But more than that, it was an indescribable sense of security and... desire.
She instinctively lifted her head.
Somewhat clumsily, yet urgently, she pressed closer.
Their lips met.
Like lightning igniting a fire.
The strange flowers around them seemed to sense something.
Swaying gently without any wind.
Pollen scattered.
The cloyingly sweet scent grew even stronger.
Qin Yu stopped suppressing.
He was a man too.
A normal, vigorous young man.
Having repressed for so long in this damned world.
Killing, scheming, surviving.
Dancing on the edge of a blade every day.
And now.
This soft, warm body became his only outlet.
"Rip—"
The battle suit's fasteners were torn open roughly.
In this sea of flowers without any audience.
In this lost deep-sea palace.
The most primitive rhythm of humanity began to play.
She clutched Qin Yu's shoulders tightly, her nails digging deep into his muscles.
It hurt.
Yet it was also blissful.
She knew what this was.
The man before her was her heaven.
Her only anchor in this apocalyptic world.
Since he wanted it.
Then she would give it.
Give him everything.
The sea of flowers surged.
Giant petals were pressed down, oozing crystal-clear juice.
In this silent deep-sea space, echoes lingered.
No more cold system notifications.
No more ferocious sea beasts outside.
Only two people.
Two burning hearts.
In this corner forgotten by time.
Frantically seeking each other's warmth.
To prove.
They were still alive.
Still flesh and blood humans.
...
An unknowable amount of time passed.
Perhaps an hour.
Perhaps an entire day.
Here there was no sunrise or sunset, only the eternal soft light source.
The wind ceased.
The sea of flowers calmed.
Qin Yu leaned against the massive rock nearby.
His battle suit was somewhat disheveled and open.
He tilted his head back slightly, gazing at the glowing rock ceiling above.
The crimson red in his eyes had faded.
Replaced by profound calm.
And a trace of imperceptible complexity.
The nerve-controlling feverish sensation had completely dissipated with each release of passion.
Reason had reclaimed its territory.
The system remained silent as ever.
As if everything that just happened was merely normal "physiological metabolism" in its view.
Qin Yu looked down.
At the person in his arms.
Yao Qian curled in the crook of his arm, like a newborn kitten.
Sleeping deeply.
Tear stains still marked her originally fair face.
Left from the earlier intensity.
Her hair spread disorderly across Qin Yu's chest.
She was draped in his oversized tactical coat.
On her exposed shoulder, several distinct red marks remained.
Masterpieces left during his loss of control.
Qin Yu raised his hand.
Gently tidied the stray hairs at her temple.
His movements were light.
Afraid of waking her.
Not a trace of that coldness and ruthlessness could be found on his face now.
"Hah..."
Qin Yu let out a long sigh.
This matter.
Had been handled rather badly.
Although influenced by the environment.
What's done was done.
He, Qin Yu, wasn't the type to deny responsibility after pulling up his pants.
"Since you've become my woman."
"From now on..."
"If the sky falls, I'll hold it up for you."
Qin Yu silently vowed in his heart.
This wasn't a promise.
It was fact.
In this apocalyptic world where lives were worthless as grass.
This bond was stronger than any contract.
From this moment onward.
Yao Qian wasn't just his teammate, his subordinate.
She was his woman.
If anyone dared lay a finger on her.
He would slaughter their entire family.
Qin Yu's gaze lowered.
Falling on the flower bed beneath them.
There.
A giant white flower had been pressed out of shape.
And on those snow-white petals.
A striking crimson bloomed quietly.
Like red plum blossoms blooming in snow.
Shocking to behold.
Yet carrying a tragically beautiful quality.
That was Yao Qian's most precious possession.
And proof that she had completely given herself to Qin Yu.
Qin Yu stared at that bloodstain for a long time.
Leaned back against the rock again.
Feeling the steady heartbeat of the girl in his arms.
Suddenly feeling.
That this apocalyptic world didn't seem quite so cold anymore.
Just then.
The person in his arms stirred.
Her long eyelashes fluttered a few times.
Yao Qian woke up.
She opened her eyes in confusion.
First, she looked at the sea of flowers surrounding them.
Then her gaze fell upon Qin Yu's face, so close to hers.
Memories came flooding back like a tide.
Those blush-inducing scenes from earlier replayed wildly in her mind.
"Ah!"
Yao Qian let out a short gasp.
Instantly burying her face in Qin Yu's chest.
Like an ostrich hiding its head.
Her face flushed so red it seemed about to bleed.
She didn't dare look up at Qin Yu at all.
"Awake?"
Qin Yu's voice was somewhat low, carrying a unique magnetic quality.
Less cold and rigid than usual, with more tenderness.
Yao Qian didn't speak.
Just nuzzled her head deeper into his embrace.
Her body still trembling slightly.
Not from fear.
But from shame.
Utterly mortified!
How could she have been so... so forward earlier?
And even...
Heavens!
Too ashamed to face anyone!
Yao Qian felt like she was being roasted over fire.
Her heart filled with both sweetness and panic.
How should she face Brother Qin Yu from now on?
Should she still call him Brother Qin Yu?
Or... husband?
Just thinking of those two words made Yao Qian feel like she might faint again.
Seeing her ostrich-like behavior.
Qin Yu couldn't help but curl the corner of his mouth.
His large hand gently patted her smooth back.
"Alright."
"Don't suffocate yourself."
"There's no one else here."
Only then did Yao Qian cautiously peek out a little.
Revealing just her eyes.
Looking timidly at Qin Yu.
"Qin... Brother Qin Yu..."
Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's hum.
"Hmm."
Qin Yu responded.
Naturally helping her adjust her slipped outerwear to cover the exposed skin.
"Are you uncomfortable anywhere?"
Yao Qian shook her head.
Then nodded.
"It hurts..."
She pouted with a wronged expression.
Qin Yu froze for a moment.
Then somewhat awkwardly rubbed his nose.
"Ahem."
"Next time..."
"I'll be gentler."
At these words.
Yao Qian's face turned even redder.
There would be a next time?
Qin Yu didn't dwell on the topic.
He was a man of action.
Since their relationship had changed.
There was no need for excessive shyness.
"Can you walk?"
Qin Yu asked.
Yao Qian tried moving her legs.
Sss—
Sore.
Weak.
Completely lacking strength.
"N... no..."
She shook her head, looking at Qin Yu with teary eyes.
"My legs are weak..."
Qin Yu didn't speak.
Simply stood up.
Scooping Yao Qian into his arms in a standard princess carry.
"Then I'll carry you."
Yao Qian gasped in surprise, quickly wrapping her arms around Qin Yu's neck.
Pressing her face against his chest.
Listening to his strong heartbeat.
The panic and unease in her heart instantly settled.
"Get dressed properly."
"Although this place is safe, outside might not be."
Qin Yu reminded her.
Only then did Yao Qian realize she was still exposed underneath.
Blushing, she hurriedly put on the S-Rank Battle Suit again with Qin Yu's help.
Though the process involved some indescribable awkwardness.
At least she was covered.
"Let's go."
"We've delayed long enough."
Holding Yao Qian, Qin Yu reactivated the battle suit's face shield.
Black flowing light once again covered his entire body.
The ruthless captain had returned.
But the way he held her remained steady and gentle.
The two passed through the transparent membrane.
Returning to the icy seawater.
"Splash—"
Seawater enveloped the battle suit.
That oppressive feeling surged once more.
But this time,
Yao Qian found it not the least bit frightening.
Because the man holding her,
from now on,
would belong to her alone.
Qin Yu held Yao Qian as the thrusters activated.
Instead of rushing to surface,
he swam toward the deepest part of the ruins.
That earlier absurd incident was merely an interlude.
Since this place contained such miraculous "life factors,"
the source must be an extraordinary treasure.
"Now that we're here,"
"if we don't empty the vault,"
"wouldn't this tuition fee be paid in vain?"
Qin Yu looked at the golden dot displayed on his radar,
a roguish smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
It was what that Grade A octopus had been guarding all along—
the true core of these underwater ruins.
"Hold on tight."
"Taking you to collect your dowry."
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