PTYS Chapter 145

Shen Qingqiu couldn’t quite describe her feelings at that moment. Just when she was about to despair, a glimmer of hope appeared.

She eagerly wanted to solidify this hope, so she slowly approached Xiao Muyu, intending to sit beside her.

Xiao Muyu, with her keen senses, clearly felt Shen Qingqiu’s tentative movements. She suddenly turned around, glaring fiercely at Shen Qingqiu with a low growl.

Shen Qingqiu seemed startled, falling back onto the ground. Her light gray eyes turned red, almost on the verge of tears.

Xiao Muyu stared at her eyes, her brow furrowing unconsciously. Her expression seemed hesitant, but she eventually retreated silently, no longer frightening Shen Qingqiu.

Shen Qingqiu’s emotions were not as unyielding as usual when facing Xiao Muyu. Despite Xiao Muyu’s fierceness, it wasn’t enough to make her cry—she was faking it.

If Xiao Muyu’s brain had truly been consumed by the virus, she wouldn’t have hesitated to continue her aggressive behavior even if Shen Qingqiu died before her.

Looking at the person in front of her, Shen Qingqiu felt both bitter and pained. The pain was from not knowing how to alleviate Xiao Muyu’s condition, and the bitterness came from realizing that despite the virus affecting her mind, Xiao Muyu still retained a subconscious gentleness towards her.

Shen Qingqiu didn’t push Xiao Muyu further. She just sat half a meter away, quietly watching her.

Xiao Muyu seemed uncomfortable, struggling restlessly. The fabric binding her wrists kept rubbing against her skin, already causing abrasions.

Feeling distressed, Shen Qingqiu reached out to hold Xiao Muyu’s hand, pleading, “I know you’re uncomfortable. Please bear with it and don’t move. Your wrists are already chafed.”

Xiao Muyu struggled more fiercely, withdrawing from Shen Qingqiu’s touch.

Shen Qingqiu bit her lip, hesitating whether to cut the fabric binding Xiao Muyu’s hands. But as soon as the knife appeared, Xiao Muyu reacted violently, forcing Shen Qingqiu to put it away.

Fortunately, Xiao Muyu didn’t continue acting out; she just lay curled on the ground, avoiding Shen Qingqiu’s touch.

Binding her was already a last resort. Shen Qingqiu couldn’t bear to let her lie on the cold ground, so she found a wooden plank to make a bed, covered it with a cloth, and gently nudged Xiao Muyu’s back.

Irritated, Xiao Muyu turned her head. Seeing it was Shen Qingqiu, her fierce expression softened a bit. When she saw Shen Qingqiu pointing to the wooden plank, she hesitated for a long time before slowly crawling onto it and curling up again.

Shen Qingqiu stared at Xiao Muyu’s back, her eyes brimming with emotion. After a while, she wiped her eyes and showed a faint smile.

She stood up and quietly left, unaware that after she left, Xiao Muyu turned her head, her blood-red eyes filled with a trace of grievance. She tugged at her bindings twice before lying back down.

“Vice Captain, how is Captain Xiao?” Outside, Su Jin and three others, including Lin Jian, anxiously surrounded Shen Qingqiu as she came out.

Looking tired, Shen Qingqiu glanced at the room, replying solemnly, “Better than expected. She seems to recognize me, though she doesn’t speak or let me get close to her.”

The group was momentarily puzzled, unsure of what to make of this situation.

“But one thing is certain: Captain Xiao can resist the virus; she hasn’t turned into a zombie. Vice Captain, don’t worry. She might be keeping her distance to protect you from harm, which shows she still has some human consciousness,” Su Jin reassured Shen Qingqiu, offering hope to everyone. “Yes, just now Captain Xiao was very agitated, glaring at us like she wanted to bite, but she was much gentler towards you.”

Zuo Tiantian added, causing Shen Qingqiu to smile. She realized once again that everyone around her, not just Xiao Muyu, was worth cherishing.

Such sentiments were something Shen Qingqiu had never imagined before. She looked at Su Jin, Zuo Tiantian, and the concerned Chen Kaijie, and for the first time, she sincerely said, “Thank you.”

The three were stunned. Chen Kaijie scratched his head, “First time seeing the Vice Captain being so gentle with us; it feels a bit awkward.”

Shen Qingqiu snorted coldly, “Have you grown so used to being mistreated that you need me to scold you?”

Chen Kaijie waved his hands frantically, while Lin Jian, looking troubled, hesitated several times before finally speaking up.

Shen Qingqiu glanced at him, “Speak your mind.”

Lin Jian, having seen Shen Qingqiu’s earlier breakdown over Xiao Muyu’s injury, knew she was not an ordinary person and that Xiao Muyu meant a lot to her. Thus, he feared saying something inappropriate would anger her.

Encouraged by Shen Qingqiu’s words, he nervously said, “Miss Shen, please don’t be angry. Although it’s not a good time, I can’t stand this way of life anymore.

No matter how strong you are, I believe you’re also tired of this fearful, apocalyptic life.”

Lin Jian, overwhelmed with thoughts of his family, felt useless and powerless in the current situation, and it was eating him up.

“Previously, I mentioned that Miss Xiao’s antibodies were almost gone, likely due to insufficient initial immunity.

This time she got infected but didn’t turn into a zombie, so there must be some changes in her body.

I have mostly figured out the toxicity and principles of the virus. Now, if we draw some of Miss Xiao’s blood, there might be significant discoveries.”

Lin Jian’s reasoning was sound. Shen Qingqiu stared at him without anger, her gaze calm but intense, making him uneasy.

“I understand your point. You’re right. You can continue your research, but remember, you have only one day. I hope you can achieve something.”

It was already the eighth day of the apocalypse. Regardless of the outcome tomorrow, Shen Qingqiu was determined to secure the passage permits.

“Chen Kaijie, you and Su Jin stay here and guard well. I’ll be back soon.” Everyone knew what she was going to do.

“Vice Captain, be careful and don’t push yourself,” Su Jin advised seriously.

Always a lone wolf, Shen Qingqiu drove herself back to the factory, retrieving everything Lin Jian needed and a small fridge left behind.

Lin Jian, overwhelmed with gratitude, kept bowing, “Thank you, thank you.”

As a doctor, he’d faced many difficult situations but never forgotten his mission to save lives. The apocalyptic virus had pushed medical workers out of the fight, a grudge Lin Jian held dearly. He hoped to confront the virus head-on.

“However, drawing blood from Captain Xiao in her current state won’t be easy. Unlike sampling from zombies, this requires venipuncture, which is much more difficult.”

“Let’s try,” Shen Qingqiu nodded, giving Lin Jian the courage to proceed.

Entering the room, Shen Qingqiu saw Xiao Muyu turn her back but soon sit up, her bloodthirsty red eyes locking onto Lin Jian and Chen Kaijie.

“Captain Xiao doesn’t seem to welcome us,” Chen Kaijie muttered nervously.

Shen Qingqiu approached slowly, speaking softly, “Mu Yu, this is Doctor Lin. Remember? Let him draw some blood to check on your condition, okay?”

Xiao Muyu’s gaze shifted to Shen Qingqiu’s face, her hostility less intense but still present.

At least she wasn’t showing impatience or anger, so Lin Jian cautiously prepared a needle.

But as soon as Xiao Muyu saw the needle, her body tensed, and she roared at Lin Jian, pulling at her bindings, ready to pounce.

“Should we restrain her?” Chen Kaijie asked, trembling, afraid of Shen Qingqiu’s reaction.

Shen Qingqiu wasn’t just agreeing to blood tests for a hidden mission but also to confirm Xiao Muyu’s condition. Steeling herself, she said, “Hold her down, Lin Jian, do it quickly.” The risk was high, but they had to proceed.

Chen Kaijie grabbed Xiao Muyu’s left wrist, preventing her from struggling, while Su Jin tried to cover her mouth.

Xiao Muyu, sensing the threat, became even more agitated. Her strength, amplified by the infection, was immense. Chen Kaijie struggled to hold her, and anyone approaching got kicked fiercely. Her bared teeth gleamed menacingly.

Shen Qingqiu felt deeply pained. Despite her resolve, she couldn’t bear to see the once proud and elegant Xiao Muyu treated like a beast, stripped of her dignity.

Wrapping a cloth thickly around her hand, she said firmly, “Let me handle this.”

Decisively, Shen Qingqiu covered Xiao Muyu’s mouth with her hand, securing her left hand under her arm, pulling Xiao Muyu into her embrace.

Xiao Muyu had just recovered from a fever, but her body was still cold, and even hugging her felt chilly. Shen Qingqiu held her tightly, their bodies pressed closely together. Shen Qingqiu could only feel the intense, rapid heartbeat from the left side of Xiao Muyu’s chest, much faster than a normal person’s, which didn’t match her icy body at all.

Xiao Muyu frowned, her mouth covered, and she viciously bit Shen Qingqiu’s hand.

Although she didn’t break the skin, her initial bite was strong, and Shen Qingqiu could feel the pain even through the thick fabric.

Despite biting, Xiao Muyu didn’t struggle to free her covered mouth. Her ruby-like eyes, up close, clearly showed a sense of frustration and grievance, as if accusing Shen Qingqiu.

Seeing this, Shen Qingqiu felt a pang of sadness, her nose stinging and her eyes turning slightly red. She softly coaxed the temperamental Xiao Muyu, “Muyu, be good. They won’t hurt you. I won’t let them hurt you. It’s just a blood draw. I’ll stay with you, alright?”

Shen Qingqiu felt Xiao Muyu’s cold body, her heart aching. This strange change must be very uncomfortable for Xiao Muyu, but there was nothing she could do except force her to draw blood against her will.

Xiao Muyu blinked, her eyes shifting to Lin Jian. Lin Jian’s hands were trembling, and Shen Qingqiu frowned, saying, “Steady your hand. If you can’t get it in one go, don’t even think about drawing her blood again.”

Her tone was stern, which made Xiao Muyu feel a bit better, so she let go of Shen Qingqiu’s hand.

Once she let go, she licked her teeth, seemingly dissatisfied, and bit Shen Qingqiu’s hand again, gently grinding her teeth like a child with a teething toy, alternating between biting softly and firmly.

Lin Jian nodded hurriedly, taking deep breaths. Seeing Xiao Muyu behaving like a pet cat being playful with its owner—sharp teeth and claws restrained despite her clear aggressiveness—he quickly proceeded.

The needle smoothly pierced the vein, but Xiao Muyu’s blood looked off, not the usual bright red but rather dark and rust-colored.

Shen Qingqiu couldn’t help but gasp, her heart racing.

The needle was quickly withdrawn, and Lin Jian handed Shen Qingqiu a cotton swab to press on the puncture site.

Xiao Muyu resisted, pushing against Shen Qingqiu, but Shen Qingqiu stood firm, not budging despite the impact.

“Don’t move. I won’t touch your blood.”

By now, Shen Qingqiu had no reservations about Xiao Muyu. She understood that Xiao Muyu was just afraid of her getting infected, which made her instinctively keep Shen Qingqiu at a distance and not let her touch her blood.

With this realization, Shen Qingqiu signaled for the others to leave first. She slowly loosened her grip on Xiao Muyu, who, still refusing to leave, bit her again out of frustration. Shen Qingqiu smiled and wiggled her right hand, “Good girl, let go of me.”

Xiao Muyu bit a few more times before finally letting go, staring at her punctured arm with a deeply aggrieved expression.

“Did it hurt? I’ll scold Lin Jian for you later. He was too rough.”

Shen Qingqiu couldn’t resist the urge to hug her, then leaned in to check Xiao Muyu’s mouth. She gently poked her chin with her right hand, “Open your mouth, let me see.”

Xiao Muyu flinched but eventually opened her mouth.

There were no expected fangs, but Xiao Muyu kept licking her teeth, so Shen Qingqiu touched her teeth through the fabric, “Does it itch?”

Xiao Muyu nodded, looking annoyed.

Shen Qingqiu’s gaze softened, “Let sister rub it for you.”

She rubbed Xiao Muyu’s teeth through the fabric, but the term “sister” made Xiao Muyu look at her with a bit of confusion and dissatisfaction.

Just as everything seemed peaceful and cozy, rapid gunfire rang out in the distance, and Chen Kaijie came running over in a panic.

“Captain Xiao, a lot of zombies, a lot of zombies are surrounding us! They’re already fighting on the north side, and there are not just many zombies, but also many mutated ones. It doesn’t seem safe here anymore!”

The author has something to say: I still want to write this part, but I’ve been very tired lately and always lacking energy. The ending (more novel and radio drama resources in the group Novel Group 7122 73 271) depends on how far I can go.

This chapter is long mainly because of the plot, and there’s some daily life interaction between the characters. But there’s not much left, just wrapping up. I want to keep this chapter around twenty-four or twenty-five, otherwise, it will feel too dragged out.