Chapter Thirteen: Devouring the Crimson Crystal

On a winter evening, darkness had already fallen. The group had ceased welding, and two vehicles, reinforced with steel bars, stood before them. They gazed at the armored cars with a myriad of emotions, feeling a faint sense of security. After all, unless attacked by those monstrous creatures, staying inside the vehicles meant they no longer had to fear the zombies.

"Women, go prepare dinner. Men, arrange your own patrol shifts. Those not assigned can rest," Zhou Yu announced to everyone, then pulled Xiao Jie aside.

"What’s really going on? Why does Nian Yu suddenly want to leave?" Zhou Yu asked Xiao Jie.

"I’m not sure. I’ve already told you what she said when she called me in," Xiao Jie replied, looking at Zhou Yu. Before he could speak, she continued, "No matter what, as long as she can stay by your side, tell her I’m willing to leave." With that, Xiao Jie walked away.

Zhou Yu watched her retreating figure, unsure what to say or do to make them stay.

At that moment, Zhao Yan appeared beside Zhou Yu, grinning but saying nothing. Zhou Yu was so absorbed by thoughts of how to keep Xiao Jie and Nian Yu with him that he hadn’t noticed another person nearby.

After pondering for a while without finding a solution, Zhou Yu was about to look for a place to rest.

"Damn, you nearly scared me to death! Why did you sneak up on me like that?" Zhou Yu exclaimed, startled.

It wasn’t Zhao Yan’s fault—Zhou Yu had been lost in thought.

"Heh, looks like your two ladies are getting jealous," Zhao Yan said with a mischievous smile.

Zhou Yu shot him a glare, "Do you even understand? If not, don’t meddle."

Unperturbed, Zhao Yan kept smiling, "I have an idea. Not sure if you dare try it."

"Pfft, there’s nothing I wouldn’t dare. Besides, with no laws now, what’s wrong with marrying two women?" Zhou Yu boasted defiantly.

Though it was the apocalypse, he wasn’t truly certain he could marry both women.

Setting aside whether Xiao Jie and Nian Yu’s families were still alive, it was clear neither Xiao Jie nor Nian Yu would necessarily agree.

"If you’ve got the guts, just go for both of them. Everything will be fine then," Zhao Yan said slyly.

Zhou Yu looked at him with disdain, "What a filthy suggestion."

Then, with a lascivious grin, he added, "But I like it, hehehe."

"But how am I supposed to go about it?" Zhou Yu asked, confused.

Zhao Yan shrugged helplessly, "You can’t force them. You have to make them willing."

With that, Zhao Yan left to patrol.

Zhou Yu stood there, deep in thought. After a while, he concluded that tonight, he’d try to win over Nian Yu first.

"Dinner’s ready. Come eat," Nian Yu said as she entered and looked at Zhou Yu.

"Yes, ma’am," Zhou Yu replied with a playful smile.

Nian Yu rolled her eyes at him, "Who’s your ma’am? We broke up ages ago. Go say that to Xiao Jie."

Zhou Yu ignored her words, taking her hand, "No matter what, you’ll always be my number one."

Hearing this, Nian Yu felt a warm glow in her heart. She realized she still meant so much to him.

But despite her thoughts, she responded, "Hmph, sweet talker."

Looking into her eyes, Zhou Yu said earnestly, "I love you, you know that. Please, don’t leave me again. Okay?"

Nian Yu could see Zhou Yu’s sincerity, but she understood that following him, she could do nothing.

"If you want me to stay, give me the red crystal you took from that monster’s head," Nian Yu said, meeting his gaze.

Zhou Yu was puzzled, "What do you want it for?"

Nian Yu replied seriously, "If you love me and don’t want me to leave, give it to me."

Zhou Yu studied her expression, hesitated, then handed over the red crystal.

"Don’t mess around with it. I’m not sure what it is yet," Zhou Yu said as he passed it to her.

Nian Yu took it and immediately popped it into her mouth, mumbling, "Forget me."

She’d already considered that something from a monster’s head couldn’t be good. Moreover, Zhou Yu had seemed eager about the crystal; perhaps, she thought, this would be her last act for him.

She hadn’t expected the crystal to slide slowly down her throat as soon as it entered her mouth.

Am I dying? Goodbye, my love.

With that thought, Nian Yu’s mind faded into nothingness.

Zhou Yu was startled to see her swallow the crystal. He rushed forward.