Chapter Fifty-Five: It Won’t Kill You, But It Will Make You Miserable

Qin Mengchun was utterly bewildered by Qin Sheng’s words—how had she agreed to it?

“What’s wrong? Or is it that you’re unwilling?” Qin Sheng’s gaze landed on Qin Mengchun, a faint smile curving her lips, but there was not a trace of warmth in it. To those who saw, her smile was chilling, enough to make one shiver.

Azi chimed in, echoing Qin Sheng, “You said yourself you wanted to share, so why can’t you make up your mind now?”

Jiang Miaomiao gave a cold snort and laughed, “I bet you never wanted to share in the first place.”

All three bore down on her, and the pressure left Qin Mengchun at a loss for words. The heavy bag in her hand trembled slightly, betraying her unease.

“Mengchun meant to give it to Qin Sheng, not you two. Why are you even getting involved?” Yang Yao, ever impatient with Jiang Miaomiao’s biting sarcasm and Azi’s meddling, shot back. “This is a matter between the two sisters. I don’t see what business it is of yours.”

“Right, right, just a private matter between the sisters. Then go ahead, Mengchun, give it to Shengsheng,” Azi smirked, easily seeing through Yang Yao’s intentions, and continued to push the situation.

Qin Mengchun hesitated, caught in a bind—she neither wanted to hand over the goods, nor could she refuse. It was meant to be a gesture, nothing more. Why was Qin Sheng making such a fuss?

And Yang Yao’s words—what did she mean by it being between the sisters? She was only being polite. The supplies were precious in these times; there was no way she genuinely wanted to give any to Qin Sheng.

“Mengchun, just give it to your sister. Don’t mind what they say,” Yang Yao whispered at Qin Mengchun’s side, clearly referring to Jiang Miaomiao and Azi.

Azi and Jiang Miaomiao exchanged a look and shrugged in unison, letting the matter drop.

“Of course, if my sister wants anything, I’ll definitely share with her,” Qin Mengchun murmured, head bowed, as she opened her plastic bag to take something out for Qin Sheng.

Qin Sheng smiled, arms folded, watching Qin Mengchun’s reluctant, slow movements with quiet amusement. She had no real interest in the canned goods or compressed biscuits—she certainly wasn’t lacking—but watching Qin Mengchun twist herself up like this was entertaining.

Qin Mengchun brought out the items but didn’t hear Qin Sheng refuse them. Wasn’t Qin Sheng always proud, never one to accept her things? What was going on this time?

Reluctantly, Qin Mengchun placed some compressed biscuits and cans on the table next to Qin Sheng, voice timid, “I’ve set aside what you wanted, sister.”

Qin Sheng didn’t spare her a glance, instead picking up a can and examining it before setting it down again. “Poor quality,” she remarked blandly.

Qin Mengchun clenched her teeth, barely restraining her anger. Qin Sheng was clearly trying to provoke her, but she refused to take the bait.

Taking a deep breath, she forced a smile. “Sister, of course it can’t compare to what you used to eat. We have to make do now. Brother Chengbin had a hard time trading for these…”

She was making it clear to everyone else that Qin Sheng was still picky, complaining despite doing nothing to earn any supplies.

Qin Sheng raised an eyebrow and laughed softly. “Thanks. And thank your Brother Chengbin as well.”

Azi couldn’t help but snicker. The way Qin Sheng used the word “brother” was hilarious, and Qin Mengchun was at her limit, barely holding it together—truly comical.

Qin Sheng glanced at Azi, who immediately covered her mouth to show she meant nothing by it.

“Here, weren’t you hungry?” Qin Sheng handed the can to Azi.

Azi glanced at it, then shook her head. “I’m full. I really can’t force this down.”

Qin Mengchun tamped down her fury. Never had she met such shameless people—they’d taken the goods and now made excuses not to eat them, just because the quality was poor.

Qin Sheng’s gaze never left Qin Mengchun, and seeing her struggle to keep her composure, she couldn’t help but curl her lips in amusement.

Was this all it took to shake her?

“You’re impossible! Mengchun already gave you such good stuff and you’re still finding fault. If you don’t want it, I’ll eat it!” Yang Yao strode forward, snatching up everything Qin Mengchun had given Qin Sheng. With a pile of canned food in her arms, Yang Yao’s mood improved immensely—who’d bother with stale steamed buns when there was canned meat? Qin Sheng and her lot really didn’t know what was good for them.

Qin Mengchun was stunned by Yang Yao’s move. She’d only offered the food out of propriety, wanting to show concern for her sister and draw a contrast between herself and Qin Sheng. What was the point if Yang Yao took it all for herself?

Qin Sheng shrugged, as if helpless.

“Mengchun, it’s all right if I eat these, isn’t it? Since Qin Sheng and the others don’t like them,” Yang Yao said, a bit embarrassed as she tucked into the canned meat.

Qin Mengchun managed an awkward smile. “It’s fine. They don’t like them anyway…”

“We never said we wouldn’t eat, just that we’re full. Let’s not pin this on us,” Azi added quietly, then followed Qin Sheng and Jiang Miaomiao back to their room.

That left Qin Mengchun and Yang Yao in an awkward silence.

“Take your time eating. I’m going back,” Qin Mengchun said, keeping her composure as she carried her things to her room. The moment the door closed, all her resentment burst out—her gentle, polite facade gone in an instant, startling Zhao Tiantian and Zhang Meng.

“What are you staring at? Do you want me to share with you too?” Qin Mengchun snapped, tossing her supplies onto the bed, seething inside at Qin Sheng and that useless Yang Yao—she’d lost half her things for nothing, only to make Qin Sheng look good.

Zhao Tiantian and Zhang Meng immediately lowered their heads and busied themselves, trying to make themselves invisible.

Qin Mengchun said nothing more.

In Qin Sheng’s room, Azi flopped onto the bed in despair, clutching her still-empty stomach. “If I’d known, I wouldn’t have turned down that can. Yang Yao got a bargain.”

Jiang Miaomiao gave her a light smack. “You really planned to eat Qin Mengchun’s food? Aren’t you afraid it’s poisoned?”

Azi dodged, laughing. “Probably not poisoned, but full of bitterness.”

Jiang Miaomiao couldn’t help but laugh, nodding in agreement. Eating it wouldn’t kill her, but it certainly wouldn’t feel good.

Just as Azi was about to close her eyes and try to forget her hunger, her hand brushed against two hard metal tins. Could they be cans? Eyes wide, she looked at the tins in her hand. “Where did these come from? Jiang Miaomiao, did you steal them from Qin Mengchun?”

Jiang Miaomiao was completely at a loss—she hadn’t touched Qin Mengchun’s things.

Qin Sheng shook her head helplessly. “They’re mine. I found two cans of luncheon meat when I was unpacking earlier. You two eat them.”

Azi stared in disbelief—luncheon meat was ridiculously expensive even in supermarkets, and yet Qin Sheng had two cans stashed away in the apocalypse?

“Pinch me—is Qin Sheng a fairy?” Azi nudged Jiang Miaomiao, as astonished as when she’d seen Qin Mengchun come back with so many supplies.

Jiang Miaomiao was already used to Qin Sheng’s endless surprises and was much calmer than before. She teased, “Why not try praying to her? Maybe she’ll pull out a self-heating hotpot.”

Azi immediately put down the can, ready to kneel and worship, if not for Qin Sheng stopping her.

“No need to be so amazed. Hurry up and eat. I can’t produce more if anyone else comes asking,” Qin Sheng said with a smile, even helping open the stubborn cans for them.

The scent of meat nearly swept Azi away—she hadn’t tasted meat in ages. Without hesitation, she took a huge bite, the rich flavor flooding her mouth, making her feel as if her very soul was ascending.

“This is incredible!” Azi couldn’t help herself and took another big bite, her face smeared with oil.

Qin Sheng, like a worried mother, handed her tissues and water, afraid Azi might choke in her eagerness.

Jiang Miaomiao, however, didn’t eat. She handed her can back to Qin Sheng. “Shengsheng, you haven’t eaten—take some more.”

Qin Sheng paused but didn’t refuse, breaking off a small piece. “All right, I’ve eaten. Go ahead.”

Jiang Miaomiao nodded, her eyes misty. Ever since the apocalypse began, she’d been well cared for by Qin Sheng. Even when there was only a single can, Qin Sheng always insisted she eat first.

Qin Sheng didn’t notice Jiang Miaomiao’s unusual expression. The reason she hadn’t eaten much was that she’d had plenty of snacks on the way back from getting steamed buns downstairs—she was still full.

When they finished eating, night had already fallen. Qin Sheng, Jiang Miaomiao, and Azi squeezed onto one bed, quietly awaiting their first night in the safety zone.

After the long journey and a day spent cleaning, Azi and Jiang Miaomiao soon fell into a deep sleep.

Qin Sheng, however, remained awake. After a while, she got up and left the room.

They were on the top floor, so Qin Sheng made her way up to the rooftop, the only place besides the lower floors where one could see the sky.

She sat down, gazing at the heavens, her mind drifting.

She didn’t notice the shadow that appeared behind her, gradually drawing closer. Just as the figure was about to reach her, Qin Sheng shot to her feet, sweeping out a leg in a sudden attack.

“It’s been a long time, but you’re still as fierce as ever.”