Chen Yanyan felt like a stone was lodged in her chest, making it hard for her to breathe.
Every word from the woman before her was suffocating. The more she thought about them, the more terrified she became.
They say women have two faces. Chen Yanyan used to think that was just a prejudice, but now, facing Sister-in-law Yurou, she felt it was absolutely true.
Stunned for a long moment, Chen Yanyan realized it was her turn to speak but had no idea what to say. She could only brace herself and voice her suspicion.
"Sister-in-law, you mean…"
"What happened to General Manager Lin… you did that?"
The moment the words left her mouth, Chen Yanyan realized her brain must have short-circuited. 'How could I be so stupid? Why would I ask a question like that...'
She wanted to slap herself twice.
Zhang Yurou was taken aback for a second, but a smile quickly returned to her face as she nodded in admission.
"That's right. I did it."
"It started six years ago…"
Her burning curiosity—that Gossipy Heart of hers—was making her itch inside, and she blurted out:
"General Manager Lin was cheating on you six years ago?"
Zhang Yurou kept smiling, turning her head to look down at the mutilated corpse of Lin Youzhi.
"It wasn't because he was out finding a mistress. It was because I finally realized he never actually loved me. All his sweet talk was just because he had his eyes on my father's resources…"
"Even if we had cut ties, as long as my father was still Zhang Erhe, he, Lin Youzhi, could still skyrocket to the top in Hai City."
"So, starting six years ago, I started adding a little something extra to his food every time I cooked. Eventually, he became completely useless. Then I worked hard, exercising and taking care of my body and face, all to make him regret it for the rest of his life…"
"It was a kind of torture, wanting something he could never have. And yet he couldn't lay a single finger on me…"
"We lived like that for years, polite and distant as strangers. During that time, he went through many young, beautiful women like you, all to cover up for his... lack of masculine dignity in front of his friends when he was out socializing."
"Fortunately for me, he had long since lost it."
After speaking, Zhang Yurou opened the window and flicked the half-smoked slim cigarette onto Lin Youzhi's mangled corpse.
Chen Yanyan didn't dare to breathe, looking at the woman before her as if she were a cold-blooded stranger, a killer.
Zhang Yurou's casual tone, as if she were describing a mundane chore like grocery shopping, was in stark contrast to the content of her words.
It was hard to imagine that such a gentle and considerate woman could have such a venomous side. Just this morning, she had warmly pulled Chen Yanyan into the master bedroom to change her clothes.
The story was so bizarre it could have been from a pulp magazine. Chen Yanyan had always thought General Manager Lin hadn't made a move on her because he was a true gentleman…
She never expected the reason behind it to be so melodramatic.
A wave of fear washed over Chen Yanyan. Thinking of Lin Feng, who was still sound asleep in the master bedroom, her brow gradually furrowed. A hint of accusation laced her low voice.
"Then… then what about Lin Feng?!"
Zhang Yurou seemed a bit surprised and turned back to look at her.
"That's what I need to talk to you about."
As she spoke, the indifference in Zhang Yurou's eyes was replaced by a gentle, warm light.
"Lin Feng is a good kid. Ever since his parents passed away, I've been the one looking after him. Over the years, we've been alone together countless times, but he never once crossed the line…"
"I could see the affection in his eyes, mixed with the hot-blooded passion of a young man, but he was able to control himself. He's not like those other men out there."
"So, I gave myself to him. And now I'm preparing to give him… to you."
Chen Yanyan's brow knitted in confusion.
"What do you mean? What do you mean, 'give him to me'? Are you leaving Lin Feng?"
Zhang Yurou nodded, then shook her head.
"There's only one rescue helicopter coming."
"They're here to rescue important professors from Hai City University, not us. The seats are already full; there's no extra space. Even my spot was secured because my father pulled some strings and bought someone off…"
"So, in University City, I'm the only one who can leave."
Chen Yanyan took a deep breath. She clearly hadn't expected the situation to change so quickly, her hope of survival instantly dashed. She pressed on.
"Does… does Lin Feng know about this?"
Zhang Yurou nodded calmly.
"He's known for a while."
"In bed, he told me that compared to going back and rotting away in a mundane life, he prefers the thrilling tension of a besieged city in the apocalypse."
"So after he sees me off, he's going to continue enjoying the fight against the giant insects and strive to get stronger."
"This cataclysm is the greatest variable our civilization has faced since the dawn of humanity."
"I believe in Lin Feng. He will return safely and become the strongest person in human history."
Hearing Zhang Yurou's description, it was as if an image of the great, rolling tide of history was unfolding right before her eyes.
If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, who would have thought that this gentle, elegant housewife, who usually spent her days doing laundry and cooking, would possess such profound foresight.
Chen Yanyan couldn't help but sigh. The gap in social class really did create a huge difference in a person's perception and worldview.
But she still didn't understand why Zhang Yurou would say she was entrusting Lin Feng to her.
Before she could ask again, Zhang Yurou continued to explain.
"Right now, my father needs my help. And I need to use his Energy to secure a future where I can provide Lin Feng with more support…"
"Staying by his side, on the other hand, won't be of much use."
"Therefore, I need a woman by his side. Someone to guide him onto the right path when he finds himself in a dilemma and to keep him from being deceived by other women."
"With your looks, you must have been a well-known campus belle back in university, right?"
Chen Yanyan nodded. In terms of looks and figure, if she wasn't a perfect 100, she was at least a 99. If it weren't for the fact that the woman before her constantly exercised, maintained her appearance, and spent a fortune on herself, her natural assets couldn't compare to Chen Yanyan's.
Zhang Yurou smiled and continued.
"So you should have some experience. You can see the true faces behind some women."
"Lin Feng's emotional intelligence isn't very high. He was even deceived by a manipulative girl in college. I need you to stay by his side. I'm not asking you to be a perfect judge of character, but at least you can help him avoid most of the rotten people out there…"
"Of course, after today's experience, you should understand the benefits of staying with Lin Feng. Aside from the danger, it's a much happier fate than escaping with nothing to your name."
As she spoke, Zhang Yurou slowly walked forward, looking at the slightly nervous, beautiful young woman before her, as if seeing her younger self.
"Actually, I'm quite envious of you…"
"Alright, I've said my piece…"
"Go get some rest. I'll take the second half of the night watch."
As if granted amnesty, Chen Yanyan tiptoed and hurried away. Watching her tall, slender back, Zhang Yurou added one more thing.
"Oh, right. After I get back, I'll take care of your parents and relatives at home for you. You just focus on staying with Lin Feng."
Chen Yanyan's steps faltered. She stumbled, and after steadying herself, she turned and forced a smile.
"Thank you, Sister-in… Sister Yurou."
Zhang Yurou watched until the woman disappeared into the darkness. Bathed in moonlight, she raised a hand to gently caress her own abdomen, then picked up the cigarette pack from the balcony, clenched it in her fist, and crushed it into a ball…
She tossed the crumpled pack out the window.
'From now on, I should quit…'
...
「The next morning」
The sky was just beginning to lighten as Lin Feng, full of Spirit, climbed out of bed.
The aroma of meat drifted in from the living room.
Sister-in-law Yurou had spent the latter half of the night in the kitchen, simmering century egg and lean pork congee for hours. The fragrant aroma of the porridge now filled the air.
Lin Feng got dressed and walked out. He came up behind his sister-in-law, gently wrapped his arms around her slender waist, and peeked his head out from beside her ear.
"Chen Yanyan isn't awake yet. You should go back to sleep for a bit."
Zhang Yurou noticed something stirring behind her and teased.
"You mean sleep with you, don't you?"
"Alright, stop fooling around. You're leaving today, so don't get weak-kneed. Once you're at the university, you'll find all sorts of women. Just don't forget your sister-in-law."
Lin Feng's expression was sincere as he took Zhang Yurou's delicate hand.
"You're my, Lin Feng's, first woman. I'll never forget you, even if I die."
Zhang Yurou let out a soft snort, a girlish coyness appearing on her face. She turned and pressed her lips against Lin Feng's. They only parted after a long moment, and she gently pounded his chest.
"Don't say such depressing things. Don't talk about dying in the future; it's bad luck. Remember, coming back alive is the most important thing."
"Alright, go wash up. The congee is ready. I'll go wake Chen Yanyan."
Lin Feng nodded, gave Sister-in-law Yurou's perky, tender backside a pat, then turned and walked into the bathroom.
Half an hour later, the three of them finished breakfast. Lin Feng had no memory of what happened in the hallway last night; he had slept soundly.
Chen Yanyan rubbed her eyes, found a backpack, and put the professional attire and silk stockings she had worn when she arrived inside.
After packing their gear and grabbing the remaining supplies, the three of them raised their shields, brandished their blades, and gripped their guns, ready for action.
The time was 5:30.
Lin Feng looked at the Legendary Pistol in his hand. The 600-round Spatial Magazine was fully loaded once more.
He then took the lead and walked to the door.
"Let's go!"