Chapter Fifty-Two: Ah Di

Just as Qin Sheng and her group were about to enter, they heard Lin Xing calling out to them from a distance.

Lin Xing was being supported by someone. When he saw them turn around, he tried to rush over, but two soldiers stopped him, so he could only look at them from afar.

Seeing that Lin Xing couldn't come any closer, Qin Sheng walked over to him, though there was still some distance between them. It seemed Lin Xing would be quarantined for a while because of his fever.

“Miss, I really can’t take this anymore. I told them it’s just an ordinary cold and fever, but these people are like blocks of wood, insisting I can’t leave with you...” Lin Xing complained resentfully, glancing at the soldiers watching him, clearly dissatisfied.

Qin Sheng’s gaze landed briefly on the two soldiers at his side, then she smiled at Lin Xing. “Just behave and stay put for a few days. Once you’re better, you’ll be able to see us again.”

Lin Xing pouted miserably, his voice hoarse from the cold. The pitiful expression on his muscular frame was oddly incongruous.

Qin Sheng reached into her coat pocket, pulled out some cold medicine, and handed it to him.

“Remember to take your medicine on time.”

Lin Xing took the medicine, looked around warily, and quickly slipped it into his own pocket.

“Sheng, there are a lot of people here. You need to be more careful with that treasure box of yours,” Lin Xing whispered, taking advantage of a moment when the two soldiers relaxed. With a sudden move, he darted to Qin Sheng’s side and murmured in her ear.

Qin Sheng was just about to nod when, the next instant, Lin Xing was hauled away.

“Come on, do you people have any humanity? I’m a patient...” Because of his abrupt action, the two soldiers didn’t give him any further chance to talk. Each grabbed an arm and carried him off.

Qin Sheng gave a slightly awkward smile—she’d not expected them to be so rough.

“Do you think Xing will be okay on his own?” Chu Xingyu, who had witnessed everything, asked uncertainly.

“I think he’ll be fine,” Jiang Miaomiao replied, swallowing nervously.

“Those who passed inspection, follow me. I’ll take you to your accommodations!”

Qin Sheng tiptoed to look inside, then followed the group, entering the safe zone.

A few minutes later, they were brought before a tall building.

But the building looked dilapidated, covered in dust, clearly abandoned even before the apocalypse. It wasn’t exactly stripped bare, but the conditions left much to be desired.

“This is where you’ll be staying. Our resources are limited; I hope you’ll understand.”

The previously chattering crowd quieted considerably after the commander’s words. No matter how rundown the place, it was still far safer than the outside world.

“There are limited rooms. Eight people per room, separated by gender. Please enter in order.”

Since men and women were separated, Chu Xingyu had to part from Qin Sheng and Jiang Miaomiao. Fortunately, Wang Yu and others were also there, so he joined their group.

Qin Sheng didn’t really care who she stayed with, though she preferred those who were easy to get along with. But in the apocalypse, who could truly trust anyone?

“Have you found roommates yet?”

Someone tapped Qin Sheng lightly on the back.

She turned, raising her brows in surprise. The girl before her had a striking figure, dressed in jeans and an army-green jacket over a white camisole, her curves displayed to perfection. Her long hair was tied in a ponytail, and she radiated energy and confidence.

“We haven’t found anyone yet,” Jiang Miaomiao quickly replied.

Qin Sheng glanced at Jiang Miaomiao, instantly understanding that she too was drawn in by this spirited girl.

“Just call me Aji. Let’s be roommates from now on.” Straightforward and cheerful, Aji immediately hit it off with Qin Sheng and Jiang Miaomiao. In just a couple of minutes, they were chatting like old friends.

“Aji, are you from Capital University too? I don’t remember seeing you before,” Jiang Miaomiao asked curiously.

Qin Sheng looked at Aji, also intrigued.

Aji waved her hand dismissively. “I’m not from Capital University. I’ve been out fighting zombies all this time. I’d never have come to this dump if I wasn’t about to starve.”

Qin Sheng: “...”

Jiang Miaomiao: “...”

Realizing her words might have come on too strong, Aji scratched her head apologetically. “After playing so many games, I’ve finally encountered real zombies. How could I not go all out?”

Qin Sheng and Jiang Miaomiao exchanged a look, both coming to a realization.

So this Aji was a bona fide internet-addicted gamer! And she had a flair for dramatic antics too.

“How many zombies have you taken down?” Jiang Miaomiao continued.

“Not a single one,” Aji grumbled, growing more indignant. “The first day I ran into zombies, some idiot stopped me, wouldn’t let me fight, and dragged me here.”

Qin Sheng and Jiang Miaomiao’s interest was thoroughly piqued; they hadn’t expected an ongoing saga.

“So how did you get out?” Qin Sheng pressed, seizing on the key detail.

Aji swallowed, glanced around to make sure no one was listening, then leaned in and whispered, “There’s a short wall here—I can climb over.”

“What the—?” Jiang Miaomiao’s mouth formed a perfect ‘O’. She hadn’t expected the place to be so heavily guarded and yet unable to hold Aji.

Qin Sheng wasn’t surprised at all and silently resolved to check out the place Aji mentioned.

“But how did you end up back today?”

Aji rubbed her temples at the memory. “I went out looking for food and ran into that same idiot again.”

Neither Qin Sheng nor Jiang Miaomiao pressed further, worried Aji might lose her temper.

“Enough chatter. Have you found roommates yet?”

Qin Sheng, Aji, and Jiang Miaomiao all shook their heads.

“You, and you—join those three.”

In a few moments, Qin Sheng and her friends were assigned a few more roommates.

Among them was Qin Mengchun.

Qin Sheng didn’t mind; keeping Qin Mengchun under her nose meant the girl wouldn’t dare stir up trouble. In fact, it was rather amusing—she could even plan when to send Qin Mengchun to hell.

Thinking of this, Qin Sheng’s gaze turned cold as she looked at Qin Mengchun, who instinctively edged closer to Li Chengbin, clearly reluctant to share a room.

“Mengchun, don’t be afraid. I’m right next door. If Qin Sheng bullies you, just come to me,” Li Chengbin whispered in her ear.

Though Qin Mengchun was reluctant, she had no means of switching, so she had to obediently join Qin Sheng’s group.

“Big sister, I’ll be troubling you. If I do anything wrong, I hope you won’t indulge me just because I’m your little sister,” Qin Mengchun said, head lowered, sounding pitiful.

Qin Sheng let out a low, amused hum and smiled. “Don’t worry. I definitely won’t indulge you.”

Qin Mengchun’s face turned pale at that, but she couldn’t afford to fall out just yet. She forced a stiff smile and went back to her spot.

Aji, ever forthright, couldn’t stand girls like Qin Mengchun. Mimicking her in a tone dripping with sarcasm, she parodied, “Don’t indulge me just because you’re my big sister~”

Qin Sheng couldn’t help but laugh at Aji’s spot-on impression.

Honestly, it was quite accurate.

“Such a phony,” Aji sneered.

Qin Sheng arched a brow in agreement. “Absolutely.”

Aji sidled up to Qin Sheng and whispered, “Aren’t you her sister? Isn’t it a bit much for us both to be so sarcastic?”

Qin Sheng puffed up her cheeks and leaned in to correct her, “Stepsister.”

“Huh?” Aji’s voice rose in surprise as she glanced at Qin Mengchun. “Stepsister? Do you think it’s possible she’s not even your stepsister? Isn’t that how things go in those rich family dramas?”

The smile on Qin Sheng’s face deepened—now she knew why she and Aji got along so well at first meeting.

Qin Mengchun had already noticed the striking girl beside Qin Sheng. She’d even looked her over earlier, and that figure made her burn with jealousy. Yet here was Aji, blatantly voicing doubts about her identity, as if pointing a finger right at her.

“Is that so? Who’s to say?” Qin Sheng added coolly.

Qin Mengchun’s panic was palpable. She quickly protested, “Sister, you may not like me, but you can’t question Mom and Dad’s love.”

Qin Sheng shot her a glance and acted as if she hadn’t heard.

“First time I’ve seen someone actually lining up to be insulted,” Aji remarked sarcastically.

Jiang Miaomiao joined in with a laugh, “That reminds me of a proverb.”

“What is it?” Aji asked, curious.

“Guilty conscience,” Jiang Miaomiao said, watching Qin Mengchun tremble.

Guilty conscience.

Both Jiang Miaomiao and Qin Sheng thought it at the same time, though only Jiang Miaomiao said it aloud.

Aji couldn’t help clapping. “Well, aren’t you educated.”

Qin Mengchun was so flustered her hands shook as she protested loudly, “Words are meaningless. Our family’s affairs are none of your business...”

“What are you yelling for?!”

Startled, Qin Mengchun lowered her head and fell silent.

“This is the apocalypse now. Here, you obey orders. No matter what young master or miss you were before, you’re all the same now.”

Qin Sheng pressed her lips together; she didn’t believe for a second that things were truly equal here.

“Each group, send one person to collect your room key. Do not wander without permission. If you do, you’ll bear the consequences.”