Chapter Thirty-One: Zhao Meng’s Dilemma

The next day, Qin Yu and her group continued their journey toward S City. Yet today, something felt different. Not only did the sun above seem larger and more scorching, burning relentlessly upon them, but the liveliness of their group was missing as well. Zhao Meng, usually the heart and soul of the team, was uncharacteristically quiet. She stared blankly at Qin Yu, her face caught in an expression that was neither joyous nor sorrowful, brows slightly furrowed, a trace of inner turmoil lingering there.

Everyone felt unsettled by this unfamiliar side of Zhao Meng, so they sent Wang Bing to try and coax her back to her usual self, hoping to reignite her spark. However, Zhao Meng paid him no mind, not even sparing him a glance. She remained motionless, stuck in that same posture. It was then that the group realized something was truly amiss. Normally, Zhao Meng would have lobbed a fireball at Wang Bing long before now. But today…

Zhang Kuang and Wang Bing exchanged a worried look, their concern evident in their eyes. On the other side, Xia Cheng observed Zhao Meng’s state and cast a questioning glance at Qin Yu. Qin Yu shook her head, signaling she was as much in the dark as anyone.

“Little Meng, why are you staring at Qin Yu like that? Hey, look over here! I’m your husband, you know—still so handsome! Little Meng!” Xia Cheng’s teasing voice rang out loudly in the quiet vehicle, abrupt and jarring.

Zhao Meng seemed to snap out of her trance. She hurriedly shook her head, stammering, “No, I wasn’t… I wasn’t looking at… at Little Yu…” She dropped her head and said no more.

No matter what Xia Cheng said after that, Zhao Meng remained silent, her head bowed, only occasionally glancing at Qin Yu before quickly withdrawing her gaze.

Qin Yu watched Zhao Meng, puzzled. But knowing her well, she understood that if Zhao Meng refused to speak, it was because she truly did not want her to know. Still, Qin Yu believed Zhao Meng would work things out on her own. She would, once again, lift her smile and face this harsh world, just as she always had—rising from every bout of dejection, shining with her own unique radiance.

So, in this quiet yet strangely tense atmosphere, they arrived at S City.

In front of the S City base, a vast crowd queued in long lines. Upon inquiry, they learned these people were all new arrivals seeking refuge. S City’s base was currently the most powerful settlement; the benefits here, especially for those with special abilities, surpassed those offered elsewhere.

Most crucially, before the apocalypse, S City had been the capital, home to large military forces, providing the greatest possible safety for survivors. Hence, many chose S City as their haven.

However, not everyone was permitted entry. There were conditions. In these desperate times, resources were invaluable. To enter S City base, one had to pay a certain amount of supplies.

For the majority who survived the journey to S City, this was not an issue—they had the strength to gather enough resources. For Qin Yu and her group, it was even less of a concern.

As they stepped out of their vehicle, conversation immediately buzzed around them. It was no surprise; in this world, most survivors were disheveled, faces weather-beaten and clothes ragged. By contrast, Qin Yu’s group appeared clean and composed, with none of the haggardness etched by hardship—only, perhaps, a strange air about them, since they were all still preoccupied with Zhao Meng’s condition. Among them, a few exuded an icy aura, prompting onlookers to wonder what formidable team they belonged to.

In truth, as they gazed at the long line, Qin Yu and her companions felt helpless. They, too, had to wait their turn. The gossip swirling around them—well, what did it matter to them?

Standing in the middle of the line, Qin Yu overheard fervent discussions from those nearby. Curiosity piqued, she extended her mental senses to listen in.

“Hey, brother! Did you hear? They say the son of the Commander is in S City too. Rumor has it he’s the only known fourth-level ability user, and his power is the legendary thunder element, the most destructive of all… And he’s a dual-ability user! The other power is the extremely rare spatial element…”

Qin Yu raised her brows in surprise, eager to hear more, when suddenly Zhao Meng tapped her on the back, gazing at her with a conflicted look.

Had Qin Yu continued to listen, she would have heard, “His name is Qing Li.” The day she would meet her long-awaited brother Li might not have been delayed for so long.

But now, Qin Yu turned to Zhao Meng, her face full of confusion.

Zhao Meng was deeply troubled. The night before, she had accidentally overheard a conversation between Little Yu and Xia Cheng, and afterward, her mind suddenly brimmed with new things—weapon techniques, research data, even assassination skills. Though these memories were blurry, their mere existence was enough to shake her to her core.

For a moment, she’d feared her soul had been taken over, but the memories reassured her—they were her own, lost at some unknown time. And in all those memories, the name “Qin Yu” echoed the loudest. Zhao Meng began to suspect that her missing memories were tied to Qin Yu. Otherwise, why would she have felt such an immediate affinity and desire to protect her upon first meeting?

Thus Zhao Meng spent the entire night wrestling with these fragments, trying to piece them together.

Looking at Qin Yu, Zhao Meng’s mouth twisted. “Little Yu, you won’t abandon me, will you? Promise me?” Her eyes brimmed with tears and her hand clung tightly to Qin Yu’s sleeve.

Qin Yu was startled. Could it be that Zhao Meng had recovered memories of her past life? Otherwise, why ask such a thing out of the blue? But… was that even possible?

“Of course not! I swear, I will never abandon you in this life.” Qin Yu’s voice was firm, her gaze locked on Zhao Meng, willing her sincerity to be seen.

Hearing this, Zhao Meng suddenly broke into a smile. Really, what was she so worried about? What did it matter if she’d lost those memories—Little Yu was still the same Little Yu, the one who’d gently scold her to eat less ice cream, who’d glare at her with exasperated affection, who’d always give without expecting anything in return.

And she, Zhao Meng, was still the same carefree soul she’d always been. How could she let herself wallow like this? No way! She clenched her fist in a gesture of determination, startling Qin Yu, who had been about to comfort her.

Qin Yu rubbed her forehead. She’d known this girl would bounce back, good as new. Perhaps she’d worried too much after all…

Truly—just as before, nothing had changed, Little Meng.