Chapter 55: “…You’re such a flirt.”
Inside the Source’s body, he took the initiative to kiss him.
There were many ways to accept infection—but he chose this one.
Qi He’s eyelashes trembled faintly.
He still remembered that instant when Yan Chuanbai appeared before his eyes—the shock, the tremor that rippled through him.
The latter’s face, covered in bulging veins under the strain of infection, had turned fierce and distorted.
And yet, for the first time ever, he felt his heart move.
That probably counted as real liking, didn’t it?
Seeing that Qi He didn’t speak, Yan Chuanbai pressed his thumb against him again, rubbing lightly.
His lips, flushed and full from the rush of blood, drew Yan Chuanbai’s burning gaze for a few seconds before the man leaned forward—
Paused just a breath before contact, then captured his lips.
Qi He could’ve easily pushed him away, but he didn’t.
He simply let Yan Chuanbai kiss him.
A wave surged through Yan Chuanbai’s chest, and he deepened the kiss.
He gripped the back of Qi He’s neck, kissing him fiercely.
Their tangled breaths fell heavy—in that total surrender to desire, he claimed the lips he’d long yearned for.
Qi He braced himself against the edge of the bed, enduring the kiss.
Their lips and tongues tangled; his mind swelled and blurred.
He clearly had great stamina, yet his arms trembled, a purely physical reaction.
Finally, when Yan Chuanbai’s tongue gave a hard, sudden pull, Qi He let out a muffled sound, his elbow jerking.
He pitched forward, bracing against Yan Chuanbai’s chest—but the other didn’t let him go.
Still tilting his head up, Yan Chuanbai tangled their lips again.
Qi He, palm against his chest, endured the kiss for several heartbeats before refusing to stay passive—his hand slid upward, tracing along the man’s collarbone to hook around the back of his neck.
His fingers stroked lightly, drawing a trembling breath from below.
Then Qi He tightened his grip on the nape of his neck, lifted slightly, and kissed him back—this time from above, taking control.
Yan Chuanbai’s heartbeat thudded wildly against his chest.
He pressed one hand against Qi He’s nape, returning the kiss, while the other slid down the line of his back—following the curve of his spine until it rested at his waist.
Through the soft fabric, he pulled Qi He hard against him—
“Mm.” Qi He’s lower back dipped for an instant, then arched again.
The clothes were loose; after holding him there for a few seconds, Yan Chuanbai’s hand moved, heat seeping through his palm as it slipped lower.
Beneath the lifted hem of the shirt, his fingertips brushed across Qi He’s bare waist.
Qi He’s whole body trembled.
He caught Yan Chuanbai by the back of the neck, pulling him back—
His lips were wet, his eyes red at the corners as he looked down:
“…What are you touching again?”
Yan Chuanbai’s gaze was direct, invasive. He hooked an arm around Qi He’s waist.
“What do you think?”
Qi He’s heartbeat slammed wildly against his ribs.
He had never experienced anything this intense.
He steadied his breathing, enduring the shiver that came from that touch.
Yan Chuanbai’s eyes lingered on his swollen, damp lips.
Both their mouths bore traces of the fiery kiss just moments ago—the faint, lingering taste of desire.
His gaze locked deeply onto Qi He’s face.
“And this,” he asked quietly, “does this count as a reply?”
Qi He’s hand, braced on his shoulder, curled slightly.
His throat moved; then he turned his head aside.
“…I suppose so.”
The hand at his waist suddenly tightened, pulling him close.
Yan Chuanbai’s eyes fixed unblinkingly on him.
“Suppose?”
Qi He drew in a deep breath, turned back, met his eyes squarely, and pressed his lips together before saying:
“—Then it does.”
He wrapped his palm around the back of Yan Chuanbai’s neck, lowered his head slightly.
“I accept your confession.”
Those eyes, heavy with possessiveness, flashed bright all at once.
And then Qi He saw Yan Chuanbai smile—
For the first time, a pure, unguarded smile.
Even his brows and eyes seemed to lighten as he looked at him.
“…Good.”
Yan Chuanbai finally released his grip on Qi He’s waist.
Qi He had just started to rise when his hand was caught again.
Yan Chuanbai brought his hand to his lips and kissed between his ring and middle fingers—like sealing a vow. He looked up.
“I’m very happy.”
Qi He felt something swell warmly in his chest.
He had no experience with this sort of thing and didn’t know what to say. His fingers twitched lightly, and he murmured,
“…Mm.”
Yan Chuanbai, after kissing him, still didn’t let go.
Qi He stood by the bed for a while, thinking he should go find his little smart watch. But seeing Yan Chuanbai like this, he sat back down at the bedside and let him hold on a little longer.
Three minutes.
Five minutes.
Seven minutes…
Qi He finally couldn’t hold back anymore.
“Don’t you think that’s enough?”
Yan Chuanbai’s gaze deepened.
“It’s only been seven minutes, and you already want to leave me?”
“…” Qi He: “?”
So—you were timing it too.
He was trying to think of how to explain that a certain smart watch might still be waiting for him when footsteps sounded faintly outside the ward.
A soft click came from the door.
Qi He turned back and stood, and only then did Yan Chuanbai finally let go of his hand.
—
The door opened to a few medical staff.
The attending physician stood at the front, accompanied by Xiao Hai.
Seeing the two of them awake, the doctor looked pleasantly surprised.
“You’re both awake. Mr. Qi, your recovery looks good. Colonel Yan’s condition is a bit more severe—he’ll need one more round of treatment.”
—After all, Yan Chuanbai had directly absorbed the Source, which meant he’d taken in a high concentration of the virus.
Xiao Hai called out, “Big brother!”
Then he walked over to Yan Chuanbai’s bedside.
Just as he was about to lift his hand, Yan Chuanbai asked flatly, “My virus hasn’t been cleared yet? Then… will kissing spread the infection?”
The room instantly fell silent: ?
Qi He: “……”
The attending physician seemed stunned for several seconds. Her gaze slowly shifted toward Qi He, then—after a brief pause—moved, with visible restraint, to Yan Chuanbai’s lips. It took her a moment before she exhaled and said,
“…It’s already cleared. There’s no risk. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been transferred to a general ward.”
Yan Chuanbai nodded calmly. “That’s what I thought.”
Everyone else: “……”
Then why did you ask!
Xiao Hai, ever adaptable, acted as though nothing had happened. He raised his hand, letting his S-level spiritual energy envelop Yan Chuanbai as he began the healing process.
Qi He broke the silence. “How many days has it been?”
The attending physician replied, “Two days.”
“What about the others—and the base?”
“The others overexerted themselves, so they’re all recuperating at Headquarters. After the Source was destroyed, the mutant species weakened drastically. All bases have been secured.”
Qi He’s expression eased. “That’s good.”
Xiao Hai’s healing lasted forty minutes.
By the end of it, his small face had turned pale, his energy clearly spent—but the last traces of bruising along Yan Chuanbai’s neck had completely faded. Finally, he lowered his hand and took a deep breath.
Yan Chuanbai spoke first. “Thank you.”
Qi He added gently, “You’ve worked hard.”
Xiao Hai shook his head. His young, precocious face now held a steadiness that hadn’t been there before. He took a few slow breaths, then looked toward Qi He.
“Big Brother.”
His lips curved faintly, carrying both happiness and something deeper.
“This time, I saved the person I wanted to save.”
Qi He was slightly startled, then smiled softly.
“You did very well.”
…
Both of them were now clear of the virus.
Their physical conditions were recovering nicely, and the attending physician permitted them to go out for a short walk.
Afternoon sunlight spilled across the narrow path.
The two of them stepped out from the hospital’s covered corridor, walking side by side into the light.
Sunlight filtered through the green branches arching over the walkway, scattering across the ground in dappled patches of light.
There was a rare sense of calm—the quiet that only comes after surviving catastrophe.
After walking for a while, Yan Chuanbai turned his head. He studied Qi He’s calm profile, the faint glimmers of light caught in his gaze.
“What are you thinking about?”
Qi He thought for a moment. “Getting my watch back.”
“……”
Yan Chuanbai opened his mouth—then closed it again in silence.
He was about to say something when a figure strode past the end of the corridor. Dressed in a crisp military uniform, the man moved with the sharpness of a drawn blade—cold-edged and composed. He paused mid-step upon seeing them, then quickly turned and approached.
It was General Gong.
Both Qi He and Yan Chuanbai stopped where they were.
The general’s stride was brisk, almost wind-like, and he reached them in no time.
His face lit up with delight as he looked between them.
“Qi He, Chuanbai—just the people I came to see. You both look well recovered!”
“General,” Yan Chuanbai greeted, then asked, “How’s the situation at the front?”
“The hardest two days are behind us. The zombie tides at all four major bases have been completely wiped out. Without the source’s mental power, they won’t be able to organize large-scale attacks anymore, nor will new evolutions appear. From here on, it’s just a matter of cleaning up the scattered ones outside.”
Joy flickered in the general’s eyes, and his tone rose with exhilaration.
“All of this—it’s thanks to the two of you!”
He paused briefly, then couldn’t resist adding, his voice tinged with pride, “Oh, and there’s something personal I need to thank you for—my son, after coming back this time, has broken through to 3S-rank.”
Qi He looked pleasantly surprised and smiled. “He deserves it.”
During those three days, Gong Lianyu had switched between abilities countless times. The strain and tempering he endured were nothing short of immense.
—And it wasn’t just Gong Lianyu.
Whether it was himself, constantly pushing his level higher, or Yan Chuanbai, who had taken the initiative to devour the Source—or their teammates who had held their ground outside, or every ability user across the four major bases—in places unseen, everyone had fought with their lives on the line…
“This is a victory for all humankind.”
A victory for all humankind.
General Gong looked at Qi He, his weathered yet bright gaze trembling slightly.
The news that the two of them had broken through the 5S level was already widely known—yet no one envied them, nor did anyone begrudge them that so-called opportunity.
Because everyone knew—that “becoming stronger” always came at the cost of sacrifice.
He raised his hand in a sharp, clean military salute.
The highest-ranking commander bowed his head with genuine respect.
“On behalf of all human bases—thank you.”
—
General Gong had originally come just to visit them.
After offering his thanks, he called Yan Chuanbai along to discuss some military affairs.
Qi He walked to the end of the corridor and stood in the sunlight.
Since the beginning of the apocalypse, it was a rare, peaceful moment.
The sunlight flickered gently over his eyelids.
Leaning casually against a column, he gazed up at the sky—when a set of hurried footsteps came running from the other end.
He turned his head and saw Guan Shangchun, already back in his uniform.
The latter stopped in front of him, slightly out of breath.
“Qiqi! I heard you woke up.”
“I did. How are you, Guan Shang?”
“I’ve fully recovered.”
Guan Shangchun straightened his posture and looked at him.
Under the shade of lush green branches, Qi He’s figure shimmered with sunlight.
His clear, composed face carried the same calm as always—a quiet, captivating strength.
Guan Shangchun looked at him for a few seconds, then finally said it: “Qiqi, actually… I used to like you.”
Qi He froze in surprise.
Guan Shangchun… liked him?
Why though?
He fell silent for two seconds, then said quietly, “Sorry, Guan Shang, I…”
“I know,” Guan Shangchun interrupted.
The moment he saw Yan Chuanbai rush into the Source to find Qi He, he knew he had lost.
But in that instant, he also lost willingly.
“…So, I’m giving up.” Guan Shangchun lowered his head and drew a deep breath, trying his best not to sound too sad. “Liking you—I don’t regret it. Because liking you made me a better person. That’s enough.”
Qi He didn’t know what to say.
Guan Shangchun stood before him, head bowed, tears welling in his eyes but not falling.
Just then, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed back toward them.
Guan Shangchun’s eyes widened, and shoop!—he sucked his tears right back in.
Qi He: “…”
Immediately, Guan Shangchun straightened up, pretending nothing had happened. His gaze was soft and glistening as he looked at Qi He.
“Qiqi.”
Yan Chuanbai had already arrived, his expression cold and sharp.
He instantly stepped between them—
Like a territorial beast guarding its mate, he reached back to clasp Qi He’s wrist, glaring dangerously at Guan Shangchun.
“What were you saying?”
Guan Shangchun smiled. “I said I like him.”
Qi He: “!”
Yan Chuanbai’s grip suddenly tightened—but before he could hurt him, he forced himself to relax. Suppressing the turmoil in his chest, he fixed his gaze on Guan Shangchun.
“I told you before,” he said evenly, “you never stood a chance.”
Told him before? Qi He’s mind snagged on that detail.
But the two men said nothing more.
After a moment of silence, Guan Shangchun stepped around Yan Chuanbai and said to Qi He, “I’ll go first.”
He turned to leave.
After two steps, he stopped and looked back, his gaze clear as water.
“Qiqi,” he said softly, “I’ll remember what you said. And everything I said… I meant it.”
He gave up—but he never regretted it.
After saying that, Guan Shangchun didn’t bother with Yan Chuanbai’s increasingly dark expression. He turned and left, looking light and unburdened—
Annoying someone really was satisfying.
…
Once that figure disappeared down the corridor, Yan Chuanbai turned sharply toward Qi He, eyes locked on him. “What did he mean by ‘he meant it’?”
Qi He was still processing the bits of information he’d picked up earlier. It wasn’t until his wrist was tugged that he realized he’d gone silent for a couple of seconds.
“Guan Shang said he’s giving up,” Qi He replied.
“He can give up?”
Yan Chuanbai frowned, clearly skeptical. After a moment of thought, he seemed to convince himself, saying with total ease, “At least he knows his place.”
Qi He: “…”
He studied him. “You know, your reputation probably went downhill because of that mouth of yours.”
Yan Chuanbai gave a short, amused laugh. “What about my mouth?”
After a few seconds, he turned his gaze back to Qi He.
Then suddenly leaned in—his shadow falling over him. The rustle of leaves in the wind accompanied his low, teasing words:
“…You don’t like it?”
Those lips drew close, and the memory of their fierce, entangled kiss surged back vividly.
Qi He held his breath for two seconds. Then, under Yan Chuanbai’s predatory gaze, he exhaled slowly.
“…You’re such a flirt.”
—
Qi He had originally said he’d go look for Zhuge Dun.
But since both he and Yan Chuanbai were now fine, they decided to just pack up and return to Base I.
The others had mostly recovered as well. When they heard the two had woken up, everyone finally relaxed. Bases II and III planned to return around the same time, with Headquarters sending an escort.
Since they’d all be meeting anyway, Qi He didn’t bother going out of his way to find anyone.
Their departure time was set for five o’clock.
By then, members of all four bases had gathered in front of the helipad.
The apocalypse hadn’t completely ended—there were still countless matters for the military to handle. They didn’t make a grand show of it, but General Gong, Zhong Panqing, and several other high-ranking officers had all come in person.
Several S-rank ability users from Headquarters were also there to see them off.
The helicopter’s rotors whipped up a fierce wind.
General Gong stepped forward first and said to them, “Once again, thank you for everything you’ve done for the human bases. In addition, the recording device you brought back will be entered into research and later made public. We believe it will provide invaluable footage for both mutation studies and tactical analysis.”
Qi He nodded, thinking back.
His own camera angles had been quite close—enough to capture every detail of the mutants inside and out.
As for the tactical side, Gong Lianyu’s footage was even clearer.
After the formal words of gratitude, the military officers gave them space to say their goodbyes.
Zhuge Dun immediately stepped forward. “Qi He! Your stuff—I kept it safe for you!”
He held out the little smartwatch.
A familiar voice burst cheerfully into Qi He’s mind: [He——!]
Qi He took it and strapped it back onto his wrist.
Pa! The system instantly clung to him, teary-eyed and dramatic: [Why did you take so long to come for me!]
Its crying even turned into bubbly hiccups: [You even dared to throw me out—you… glub glub glub…]
Qi He rubbed the smooth surface and said to Zhuge Dun, “Thank you.”
Zhuge Dun scratched his face, grinning shyly. “Hehe, it’s nothing.”
Yan Chuanbai gave the man a cool glance.
Le Yunyu’s eyelid twitched again. “…”
After such a battle, it truly felt like they had crossed the line between life and death.
Gong Lianyu looked around at everyone with deep emotion—then straightened proudly, chin lifted, practically glowing as he announced, “Ahem! Attention, everyone—I’ve advanced to 3S-rank~ How about that, impressive, huh—”
Halfway through his boasting, Gong Lianyu caught sight of General Gong’s gradually darkening expression. His voice immediately took a sharp turn mid-sentence:
“…Not impressive?”
Everyone: “……”
General Gong gave a cold snort. “Hmph.”
Gong Lianyu knew when to retreat—he bolted first toward the plane bound for Base II.
“Alright, alright, time to head back!”
With him taking the lead, the group began to disperse.
Qi He swept his gaze around, offering farewells to everyone. Guan Shangchun’s eyes still lingered on him; Zhuge Dun, still oblivious, was scratching his face; and Yan Chuanbai’s expression was cold enough to suggest he’d already activated his ability.
“…,” Le Yunyu silently took in the scene before him.
After a beat, he looked toward Yan Chuanbai and said meaningfully, “Surviving disaster—may you succeed.”
Yan Chuanbai paused.
Qi He turned to the side. “Succeed at what?”
There was a two-second silence—then Yan Chuanbai reached out and took his hand.
Under the stunned eyes of everyone present, he showed no shame whatsoever and said bluntly, “At this.”
Then, as if making small talk, he added, “Already succeeded.”
Le Yunyu: “?”
The whole place fell silent.
Zhong Panqing looked puzzled. General Gong was utterly shocked.
Le Yunyu blinked twice, then suddenly turned toward Guan Shangchun—who stared straight back. Gong Lianyu froze mid-step on the boarding ramp; Zhuge Dun’s face-scratching motion came to a halt. In perfect unison:
“…What?”
All kinds of voices and reactions erupted at once—
But Qi He didn’t hear a thing, because in his mind, the system’s voice exploded like thunder:
[WHAT!!!!!!!!]
“……”
—————————————————————
Author’s note:
Yan Chuanbai (boarding the plane): Going back to continue shocking Base I.
System (having a meltdown): WHAT!!!!!!!
