Chapter 108: Antidote Potion

Qin Yu praised Qing Li's dinner repeatedly, and Qing Li simply accepted her compliments with a smile.

As night fell, the two gradually drifted off to sleep, the entire base only occasionally filled with the faint murmur of voices.

Early the next morning, Qin Yu woke up in Qing Li’s arms. She insisted they were merely sharing a bed, her gaze a bit dazed as she looked at the person before her. A sweet smile spread across her face, just as Qing Li, who had just opened his eyes, caught her in the act.

Qing Li kissed Qin Yu’s forehead softly, his voice husky as he said, “Good morning.”

Qin Yu returned the smile, replying, “Good morning.”

They exchanged a smile, then tidied themselves up before heading downstairs for breakfast. As for what happened during that tidying-up process… well, best left unspoken.

Since the villa Qin Yu stayed in was Qing Li’s private domain, breakfast was a quiet affair with only the two of them.

Just as they finished eating, someone came to pay a visit.

Guo Xiao looked at Qing Li before him and was surprised to see an expression on his usually impassive face. Then, noticing Qin Yu by his side, Guo Xiao’s eyes flickered with realization—so, he had fallen in love! No wonder; even heroes find it hard to resist the charms of a beauty! With that thought, Guo Xiao couldn’t help but steal a few more glances at Qin Yu.

Qing Li noticed Guo Xiao’s sneaky stares at his beloved Yu’er, his expression darkening. Stepping forward, he blocked Qin Yu from view.

Guo Xiao was momentarily stunned, then cleared his throat and said, “Ahem, I came today because the research institute has developed some new antidotes. They should be stronger than the last batch and want you to take a look.”

Qing Li’s face remained dark as he replied, “I understand. I’ll head there shortly.”

Realizing Qing Li was clearly not pleased to see him, Guo Xiao wisely took his leave without delay.

After Guo Xiao left, Qin Yu moved from behind Qing Li to stand beside him and asked, “Who was that?”

Qing Li’s sense of alarm surged at her inquiry about another man. Nervously, he said, “A lackey from the research institute. Don’t pay him any mind.”

Qin Yu nodded thoughtfully before asking, “Why do they want you to check the antidotes?”

Qing Li was relieved she hadn’t pressed Guo Xiao further and explained, “Because my mental sensitivity is extremely high, I can detect if there are too many impurities in the antidote. The last batch had too many, so they had to redo the research.”

Hearing this, Qin Yu’s eyes widened. The last batch of antidotes? Wasn’t that the one Shi took away? If there were too many impurities…

“What happens if there are too many impurities?” Qin Yu asked.

“Well, it depends on the person,” Qing Li replied. “But if someone’s body contains too many impurities, they might turn into zombies or worse.”

Qin Yu nodded, tugging at Qing Li’s hand. “Then let’s hurry to the research institute. I want to see the antidote. I wonder if it’s different from what I saw in my past life,” she added silently.

Seeing Qin Yu’s keen interest in the antidote, Qing Li quickened his pace toward the institute.

The research institute was not far from Qing Li’s private villa. According to the staff, it was safer being closer to Qing Li, after all, he was the strongest presence at the base.

At the institute’s entrance, Guo Xiao greeted their arrival with a bright smile. “Lord Qing, you’re here. They’re all waiting inside!”

Qing Li responded with a cold “Mm,” then pulled Qin Yu inside without so much as a glance at Guo Xiao. Guo Xiao sighed inwardly—he was used to being ignored. If one day Qing Li actually spared him a look, he probably wouldn’t sleep well!

Qing Li led Qin Yu through winding corridors until they reached a luxurious room. Without knocking, he entered directly.

Qin Yu took in the room, filled with test tubes, liquids, and various experimental tools. At the center stood a crystal-clear glass vial containing a vibrant green liquid, full of life.

Over ten people were inside. Upon seeing Qing Li, they all stopped their work, bowing respectfully. How could they not? This was the man who could reduce them to ashes with a single thunder strike.

Qing Li paid no mind to their attitude, as none of it concerned him. Leading Qin Yu to the center of the room, he picked up the vial and asked, “Is this the new antidote you’ve developed?”

One man, seemingly the leader, stepped forward and said respectfully, “Yes, take a look.”

Qing Li toyed with the vial, actually probing it with his mental energy. After about half a minute, he removed the stopper and extended his mental energy inside, carefully sensing.

Everyone watched him anxiously. Qin Yu’s eyes widened with curiosity. She tried to extend her mental energy into the vial as well, but felt nothing.

Noticing Qin Yu’s mental energy, Qing Li gave her a gentle, indulgent smile. Had anyone else dared to do so, they might have already become zombie fodder.

The others were stunned to see Qing Li smile at a woman. Their jaws nearly dropped. The usually stern and severe man had actually smiled—what else was impossible?

After a few minutes, Qing Li recapped, placing the stopper back and returning the vial to its place. “This batch is much better than the last. Most impurities have been removed. Though a few stubborn ones remain, they pose no harm to the human body and might even increase the chances of ordinary people developing abilities. You should try producing more.”

Hearing this, the researchers beamed with joy. Their hard work over the past days had finally paid off. Perhaps humanity could defeat the monsters after all.

Qing Li rarely offered praise, but this time he said, “Well done!” Without waiting for their surprised reactions, he grabbed Qin Yu’s hand and hurried out, seemingly eager to discuss something important.

Qin Yu wanted to examine the antidote more closely, but sensing the gravity in Qing Li’s eyes, she dared not delay and let him lead her away.

Back at the villa, Qing Li sat across from Qin Yu, his expression grave. “Yu’er, tell me, since the apocalypse began, what’s the strongest level of zombie you’ve encountered?”

Caught off guard by the question, Qin Yu hesitated. “Fourth level, I guess?”

“Think again,” Qing Li pressed, his tone heavier.

“Fourth level!” Qin Yu affirmed with certainty.

“What’s wrong?” Qin Yu asked, concerned.

Qing Li looked toward the base, then said quietly, “I have a feeling a powerful presence is approaching us.”