Chapter 17: Two Relentless Scoundrels

Lin Buwan looked at Ji Dong as if he were a fool, unable to fathom how his skin could be so thick. Was it because she hadn’t been ruthless enough, giving him the illusion that he still had a chance? The thought brought a flash of murderous intent to her face that she couldn’t suppress.

“If you don’t have a mirror at home, I’m sure you at least have a puddle—go take a good look at yourself and see what kind of pathetic creature you are. Spouting nonsense here—do you really think you’re worthy?”

Ji Dong flushed with anger, pointing at Lin Buwan and about to unleash a tirade, but Qin Wei grabbed his hand.

“Xiaowan, how can you speak like that? I know there are a lot of misunderstandings between you, me, and Xiaodong, but he still cares about you…” Qin Wei spoke gently, but her gaze lingered on Ji Dong with a look of wounded grievance.

Ji Dong caught her look, his eyes softening with pain for her.

Their silent exchange, full of melodrama, played out before Lin Buwan’s eyes, nearly making her sick.

“Only a two-faced woman like you could say such nauseating things. You don’t mean a word you say—aren’t you exhausted? If you have a taste for trash, take it away with you. I’m not as charitable as you, I have no interest in recycling garbage.”

With that, Lin Buwan turned to leave. If she stayed any longer, she might really lose control.

But just as she was about to go, Ji Dong lunged to grab her hand.

“Lin Buwan, you’ve gone too far! Apologize to Weiwei right now!”

Unfortunately for him, he didn’t succeed. Just before he could seize her, Wei Qu, who had been silent by the side, swatted his hand away with a slap.

Lin Buwan reacted instantly, swinging her backpack hard into Ji Dong’s face.

There was a dull thud, and Ji Dong staggered back two steps, nearly falling.

“Xiaodong!” Qin Wei cried out, catching him before he could collapse in embarrassment.

Seeing the contorted rage on Ji Dong’s face and recalling the resounding thump, Lin Buwan glanced at her black backpack, then at Wei Qu.

What on earth did he put in there? Bricks?

“Consider that a small lesson. Don’t come groveling in front of me again, or I won’t mind getting physical with both of you.”

With those words, Lin Buwan made to leave, but as she passed by Qin Wei, she suddenly stopped.

Looking down, she met Qin Wei’s repressed gaze and murmured quietly, “Put away your cheap little schemes. Even if I threw my things away, I wouldn’t let you two benefit from them.”

Qin Wei’s heart skipped a beat, thinking Lin Buwan had discovered the secret of the jade pendant, and for a moment her face went pale with panic.

Just as she was about to probe further, Lin Buwan strode off at a brisk pace.

“Xiaowan!” Qin Wei tried to chase after her, but Ji Dong grabbed her hand.

“Weiwei, my head hurts so much! How could that wretch Lin Buwan treat me like this?”

Qin Wei turned, her gaze icy as she looked at Ji Dong clutching his head. She wanted to curse him as useless. It was just a woman, after all, and after so long he still couldn’t handle her, always being suppressed by Lin Buwan—utterly worthless.

But when she thought of the spatial ability Lin Buwan possessed, she was unwilling to give up. For now, Ji Dong was her only path forward. She clenched her teeth, unwilling to let go.

After a moment’s thought, she masked her expression with concern, fussed over him a bit, and helped him upstairs.

Not long after they left, at the dilapidated window in the corridor, two wooden planks slowly approached from afar, and upon them, five burly men stood or sat. The planks knocked against the wall with a dull thump, and after glancing inside, the five men stepped over the threshold, wading through the water as they entered.

Unaware that anyone had entered the building, Lin Buwan and Wei Qu hurried up to the twentieth floor. Before they even left the stairwell, they heard the barking of a dog.

With a sigh, Lin Buwan rubbed her forehead in resignation, while Wei Qu behind her couldn’t help but smile.

As soon as they stepped out of the stairwell, they saw Hua Xiao standing at her door.

“Xiaowan? Where did you go? Your giant rat has been barking nonstop, and when I knocked you didn’t answer. I thought something had happened to you and was about to fetch Yu Su to break down your door.”

Hua Xiao turned around, her anxious expression breaking into relief when she saw Lin Buwan, and she began to complain.

“I went out to scavenge some supplies,” Lin Buwan said, raising her backpack—a reminder it was actually Wei Qu who had given it to her. With him standing right behind her, she stiffened awkwardly.

At that moment, Hua Xiao noticed Wei Qu, peeking around Lin Buwan with a knowing smile and giving her an ambiguous look.

Catching her friend’s gaze, Lin Buwan felt a headache coming on. She had no idea how to explain to this woman who never listened that she had nothing to do with the man behind her.

Just then, Black Bean trotted up to Lin Buwan’s door, standing on its hind legs and pawing at the handle.

The gesture was her saving grace. Lin Buwan hurried forward to open the door.

She had barely cracked it open when Daodao squeezed through the gap, circling Lin Buwan, whining in a pitiful, aggrieved tone.

Black Bean chased after it, licking Daodao as if comforting it.

“Why don’t I take Daodao over for a while?” Wei Qu suddenly offered, glancing at Hua Xiao. He figured Lin Buwan would want to talk privately.

Grateful, Lin Buwan gave him a thankful look. Once he’d led the clingy little dog away, Lin Buwan pulled Hua Xiao inside.

She opened the backpack Wei Qu had given her. Inside were mostly cans, along with a few small bags of flour and rice.

No wonder Ji Dong had been left reeling—these things were as heavy as bricks.

“Wow! So many supplies—if we ration them, we could eat for a week!” Hua Xiao exclaimed in delight as she saw the haul.

Lin Buwan snapped back to reality, dividing up a large portion for Hua Xiao to take home.

“No, you worked so hard to find these. I can’t take so much,” Hua Xiao protested at once.

Lin Buwan sighed inwardly—these weren’t even her spoils; she’d gotten them for free.

“Take them. If you feel bad, just come with Yu Su and me tomorrow to look for more supplies.”

As she tried to persuade Hua Xiao, the idea suddenly popped into her mind. Searching for supplies together was one thing, but she also wanted to toughen Hua Xiao up, to help her adapt quickly to the apocalypse.

“Is that really okay? Where did you get all this stuff?” Hua Xiao hesitated, her suspicion clear.

Lin Buwan glanced at her, then whispered a few words in her ear.

The more Hua Xiao listened, the wider her eyes grew, looking at Lin Buwan in astonishment and doubt.

“Are you sure that’s allowed? What if someone reports us later? How many years would we have to slave away at a sewing machine?”

Her words left Lin Buwan speechless. Slave at a sewing machine? Even if she wanted to, there might never be the chance. Besides, if they didn’t hurry and gather supplies now, the days ahead would only get harder.