QT: The Rescue Of The Miserable Bigshots

Compared to Jiang Jiamian's speechless expression, the girl's eyes froze mid-chew. Her teeth halted against the apple, as if even her body couldn't process what had just happened.

If she had known this would be the outcome, she never would have blurted out 'brother' as an excuse.

So sad. So hopeless.

"Uh…" Jiang Jiamian looked back at her awkwardly, forcing a smile. "Are you… okay? Oh, right, what's your name?"

Tears still streaked Jiang Qing's face, though she quickly tried to mask her grief. Swallowing hard, she forced her voice to stay steady. "My name is Jiang Qing."

Jiang Jiamian blinked. "What did you say your name was?"

"Hehe."

The sound came from the driver's seat. Ling Zhuang, usually so reserved, let out an uncharacteristic laugh, unable to hold back. His lips curled faintly. "See? You two are destined to be brother and sister."

Jiang Jiamian: "…"

Destined, my ass. If sharing a surname made people siblings, then he had countless brothers and sisters scattered across the world.

Jiang Qing blinked in confusion, sensing her idol's strange reaction. "Jiang Qing. What's… wrong with my name?"

Jiang Jiamian quickly smoothed his expression, offering a dry smile. "Nothing. Just… coincidence. My surname is Jiang too. Jiang Jiamian."

Her lips parted. For a heartbeat she stared at him blankly, and then, like a dam breaking, the tears she had barely held back fell again.

She didn't want a brother. Absolutely not.

Yet she bit the inside of her cheek, straightened her back, and forced out a smile that barely reached her eyes. "Brother. From now on… can I call you brother?"

Forget it. Better to cut it off here. Better to protect herself before she sank completely into delusion. If she could frame it as sibling affection, then she wouldn't hope for more. It wasn't too late to retreat.

Jiang Jiamian, naturally, didn't refuse. He wasn't interested in little girls, and more sisters suited him just fine. "Of course. Don't worry. No matter how dangerous the apocalypse is, from today on, you'll be my sister. As long as I'm here, you'll be safe."

Jiang Qing's lips trembled. Her tears didn't stop, but for the first time, her expression softened into something genuine. "Brother, you're so kind."

"That's enough."

Ling Zhuang cut in coldly, eyes narrowing at Jiang Jiamian. "Since you've made yourself her brother, don't spout words that could be misunderstood. 'As long as I'm here, you'll be safe'? Do you want the girl to think otherwise?"

Jiang Jiamian: "…"

What was with this man's jealousy? He was acting like a watchdog. Flirting with him was fine, but a single kind word to a little girl and suddenly he was guilty of seduction?

Ling Zhuang's gaze returned to the road, though irritation lingered in his expression. Once they reached A City, he would build a proper lab. Once the walls were set, Jiang Jiamian would be locked inside where no one else could look at him, no one else could hear his careless sweet words.

Yes. Out of sight, in his hands alone.

The vehicles rumbled into the next city. This one was different from the ruins they had passed before. Here, there were still traces of life. Broken as it was, human presence lingered. Occasionally, figures could be seen on the streets, powers flaring as people fought off wandering zombies.

This city was close enough to A City base to serve as an extension of its territory. Hunting squads often patrolled here, sweeping out threats.

The truck in front slowed, finally rolling to a stop on a narrow street lined with half-collapsed residential buildings.

The SUV carrying Jiang Jiamian and Ling Zhuang pulled in behind it, brakes screeching faintly.

As soon as they stopped, a voice rang out from ahead.

"Where are you from?"

There were already people on the street. Strangers, armed, tense. Their eyes sharpened as they spotted the two vehicles.

Chen Ran leaned out of the passenger window and gave his most disarming smile. "We're the Gale Squad from A City base. We went out on a mission, but we were chased all the way by a swarm from K City. We wanted to return directly to A City, but our car is running low on fuel and everyone's exhausted. We just want to rest here a while."

"Gale Squad?"

The other side's expression shifted at those two words. His tone rose. "You mean that Gale Squad, the one founded earliest in A City, with strong power users? That Gale Squad?"

"Who are you?"

Xiao Jinfeng, behind the wheel, grimaced. He pushed open the door and stepped out, facing the man directly. His aura wasn't aggressive, but compared to the stranger, the difference was obvious. He carried himself with quiet authority, the kind only someone used to leadership could project.

Chen Ran followed quickly, unwilling to leave his captain's side.

And in the blink of an eye, the rest followed too. Ling Zhuang and Jiang Jiamian exited the SUV, Jiang Qing climbing carefully after them, still pale but determined not to appear weak.

Only Xue Fang remained motionless in the truck bed, his stiffened body hidden beneath a tarp.

The man across from them, who had spoken with such sarcasm a moment before, suddenly shrank back. His bravado collapsed as he forced a laugh. "No, no harm meant. I just… finally made it to A City base. I've admired Gale Squad for a long time and wanted to join. But Captain Xiao, he rejected me. Said my ability was useless. He didn't even give me a chance." He sighed theatrically. "Alas, too high, too underestimated…"

Xiao Jinfeng: "…"

If he accepted everyone who came begging to join, the squad would be too bloated to move.

Chen Ran's gaze wavered as he turned. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the SUV group stepping onto the street. And among them, someone familiar.

Jiang Qing.

Her eyes landed on him, cool and unyielding. "Hello."

Chen Ran froze. His lips twitched, struggling for a smile, but all he managed was a stiff grimace. "Hello."

So it had been Jiang Jiamian who saved her.

Which meant… he knew. He must have known he had stayed silent, had chosen survival over turning back.

Would Jiang Jiamian think he was selfish? Cold?

Jiang Qing didn't spare him another glance. She hadn't expected the two cars to be traveling together, the one that had saved her, and the one that had abandoned her. Fate was cruel like that.

But she didn't resent them. In this world, she understood their choice.

Understanding was enough. Not resenting was enough. But smiling at them, fawning over them, pretending warmth? That she couldn't do.

Jiang Jiamian approved. He was satisfied with her restraint, her clarity. Since she was his sister now, she should know the difference between gratitude and coldness. Be firm, be measured, avoid entanglements.

"This is my sister, Jiang Qing."

He announced it bluntly, casually, but the weight in his words was clear.

The message was simple:

Everyone here had seen his abilities. His power. His skill in battle. If Jiang Qing was his sister, then anyone who dared to touch her would first have to consider their own worth.

A few words, spoken offhandedly, had given Jiang Qing an umbrella in this apocalypse. Protection, as strong as any weapon.