"Hmm? What is it?"
Lin Hao showed a puzzled expression.
"During this mission, there was an Awakened One called Wan Heng who had no mission record, but went out and was killed by mutant zombies."
"I feel something's suspicious about this. Could you help me check the internal records in the database?"
Ning Yu said thoughtfully while resting her chin on her hand.
She felt something wasn't right about this situation. Since the base had a database system, they might be able to find some information there, rather than relying solely on Ji Mengyao's side.
If they were going to stay here for now, they couldn't afford to have any potential risks.
Moreover, Shen Yiyue's sister was here, and she was completely ordinary person.
"Sure, no problem. I have access to the base's database."
Lin Hao nodded and agreed immediately. He would never refuse anything that could help Ning Yu.
He had never forgotten the kindness Ning Yu had shown him before.
"Thank you, but please prioritize your own safety and don't get exposed."
Ning Yu added another reminder.
"Don't worry."
Lin Hao smiled and sat down in a nearby chair.
Ning Yu jumped out through the window, moving between the shadows of the building floors to reach other apartments before leaving.
Lin Hao waited for a while, timing his departure to avoid being seen with Ning Yu, before leaving the room.
......
"Qianqian, look here..."
When Ning Yu returned to her apartment, Shen Yiyue was using textbooks scavenged from the base to teach her sister.
As soon as Shen Qianqian saw Ning Yu, she gave her a pleading look.
She never imagined she'd still have to study even during the apocalypse - her sister was truly a demon.
"What would you two like to eat tonight?"
Ning Yu planned to rest for a while before going out to buy groceries. Ji Mengyao had recently given her many exchange coupons as rewards from their last mission.
Shen Qianqian's eyes lit up, and the other foodie Shen Yiyue turned around too.
"I want braised pork!"
"I want eggplant and green beans!!"
They both started calling out their favorite dishes.
"Alright~ alright~"
Ning Yu smiled, taking out a piece of paper and writing down the dishes, looking every bit like a parent.
She ended up writing quite a long list.
"Sis, you want too much! How can we eat all that?"
Shen Qianqian immediately started criticizing her sister.
"What are you talking about? You're the one who wants too much. Are you trying to take advantage of my dear Yu?"
Shen Yiyue fought back, going head-to-head with her sister.
"Huh? What do you mean 'your dear Yu'? Am I not your sister anymore?"
"I hereby temporarily revoke your sister status!"
Ning Yu watched the two troublemakers with a mix of helplessness and amusement. These sisters could really start arguing at any moment.
Her only thought was: Come on, keep it up, fight!
She had an expression of someone who enjoyed watching the drama unfold, putting away the paper with the dish list and sitting aside to watch them argue.
"Why don't we invite Ji Mengyao and Wu Di over?"
Ning Yu suddenly suggested.
"We have so much food anyway, let's not waste it. It'd be nice to have them join us."
The squabbling sisters stopped their fight when they heard Ning Yu's words.
"Oh? Should we invite them? Won't that be too much work for you, Yu?"
Shen Yiyue asked, releasing her grip on her sister's cheeks.
"It's no problem at all."
Ning Yu answered casually.
"Sis, why don't you help Ning Yu in the kitchen? All you do is eat!"
Shen Qianqian seized the opportunity to take another jab at her sister.
"I was going to help anyway, and you're not getting out of it either - you're helping too!"
Shen Yiyue turned to glare at her sister, and they seemed ready to start fighting again.
These two really...
Ning Yu shook her head with a smile. They had seemed so close when they first reunited, was this what they called a fake sisterly bond?
She watched them from the sidelines, resting her chin on her hand. After a while, when they finally settled down, Ning Yu had rested enough and prepared to go downstairs to buy groceries in the base's activity area.
Shen Yiyue was dispatched to contact Ji Mengyao.
A little while later.
At Ji Mengyao's apartment door.
"Eh? Inviting us? For dinner?"
Ji Mengyao opened her apartment door looking sleepy, finding Shen Yiyue standing there.
"Yes, are you free?"
"Ah... let me ask Wu Di if he wants to come..."
Ji Mengyao said lazily, yawning and stretching as she spoke.
Then she turned to go back inside.
"Eh?? You two? When did you... start living together..."
Just as Ji Mengyao was about to turn around, she heard Shen Yiyue's words and suddenly widened her eyes, blushing from neck to head, looking flustered.
Oh no.
"Who... who's living to-together with that guy?! I just brought him here from the base's medical ward to take care of him! Just taking care of him, understand?"
"Oh~~~~I see."
Shen Yiyue immediately showed a meaningful smile, with an 'I understand, no need to explain' expression.
"Hey! What's with that face? Don't just make random assumptions!"
Ji Mengyao became somewhat agitated, trying hard to explain herself.
"Mengyao, what's wrong?"
Wu Di poked his head out from inside, looking at the two people at the door. He wasn't wearing his usual suit, but a clean white shirt instead.
He had a women's cigarette in his mouth, which was undoubtedly stolen from Ji Mengyao.
He tilted his head, expressionless, watching the scene, not knowing what was happening.
"Um... I... hope I'm not interrupting anything?"
Shen Yiyue showed an awkward expression.
"This has nothing to do with you, go back inside!"
Ji Mengyao waved her hands in embarrassment, trying to make Wu Di disappear from sight.
"Oh..."
Wu Di didn't seem upset, just quietly disappeared back into the hallway and returned to the living room.
"Ah! Anyway..."
Ji Mengyao turned her head back only to see Shen Yiyue's suggestive smile.
She felt like she couldn't clear this misunderstanding even if she jumped into the Yellow River.
Covering her forehead, she gave up trying to explain:
"So... it's tonight?"
"Yes, you're both free, right?"
Shen Yiyue nodded in response.
"Yes, yes, can we bring some alcohol? Last time we invited you all for drinks, none of you came~"
Ji Mengyao asked expectantly, excited about drinking with her girlfriends for the first time.
Indeed, the exploration team had been mostly men before.
"Sure, but... none of us really drink much..."
"Oh, that's no problem!"
Ji Mengyao waved her hand grandly, making a confident gesture.
"We'll bring some low-alcohol cocktails, they're basically just fizzy drinks~"
"Oh well..."
Before Shen Yiyue could continue refusing, Ji Mengyao had already made the decision:
"Great! It's settled then! See you tonight!!"
She quickly closed the door, leaving Shen Yiyue standing there without a chance to respond.
"Hey... who told you to come out just now... didn't I say..."
Faint sounds of scolding could be heard from inside the room.
To avoid being fed more dog food, Shen Yiyue decided to make a quick escape.
"Hah, the dog food won't catch up with me this time!"