NOVEL NEXT Chapter 278: 9.24
"Don't scare the little girl."
Jiang Jiamian rolled his eyes at Ling Zhuang, catching the subtle shift in his expression.
He knew perfectly well Ling Zhuang bore no real ill will toward Jiang Qing. On the contrary, the pervert seemed strangely indulgent of her. Perhaps it was love me, love my kin, or perhaps it was something else. Either way, Jiang Qing was one of the rare few Ling Zhuang did not treat with complete disdain.
Three people, one car, Ling Zhuang made no attempt to hide his possessiveness toward Jiang Jiamian. Every word, every look dripped with subtle mockery of the apocalypse. Yet when it came to Jiang Qing, he at least spared her the suffocating disguise he used on the others.
That alone proved something: in his own twisted way, Ling Zhuang had accepted her into their circle of three.
"How could I scare a little girl?" Ling Zhuang's lips curved in a faint smile. "After all, your sister is my sister."
Jiang Jiamian: "…"
There's no need to emphasize that so strongly, thank you very much.
Jiang Qing: "…"
Can she refuse this sibling bond? Who in their right mind wants to be related to such a gloomy, jealous man?
Before the tension could stretch further, a sharp command rang out.
"Stop the vehicles! Everyone out for inspection!"
Xiao Jinfeng's truck and the two jeeps rolled to a halt at the iron checkpoint fence. Armed personnel waved them forward, rifles slung across their shoulders.
The Gale Squad disembarked first. Xiao Jinfeng led them toward the checkpoint, his tone calm but formal. "I am Xiao Jinfeng of the Gale Squad. The people in these vehicles are my squad members and Professor Ling, whom we retrieved during our mission. Additionally, there is a pair of siblings who joined us on the road."
"Met on the road?" The guard's tone was sharp. He glanced at Ling Zhuang, Jiang Jiamian, and Jiang Qing as they stepped out of the jeep. His eyes narrowed. "Captain Xiao knows the rules. Newcomers undergo full testing and complete an ability registration before being assigned accommodations."
Since the apocalypse began, bases like City A had been flooded with refugees. A City, being the oldest and best supplied, became the most desirable. But its resources, especially housing, were stretched thin. Twenty days into the collapse, they had no choice but to become selective.
"I understand." Xiao Jinfeng nodded, then looked back at Jiang Jiamian and Jiang Qing. "Newcomers will need to be tested. But with your dual abilities…" His gaze lingered on Jiamian, "You won't have trouble. You'll be granted good accommodations. However…"
His eyes shifted uneasily to Jiang Qing. "Miss Jiang, if you haven't awakened, you may be placed among ordinary citizens. The conditions there aren't… ideal. Are you prepared for that?"
Everyone knew what it meant. Awakened received better food, medicine, and protection. Ordinary civilians got scraps. Fairness and human rights were luxuries long dead.
Jiang Qing's smile faltered. For a brief moment bitterness flashed across her face, before she forced her lips upward. "Of course, if that's the case…"
"Of course that won't be the case!" Jiang Jiamian cut in smoothly, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder. He chuckled as though this had already been settled. "We confirmed on the road that my sister awakened water powers. She nearly died to zombies earlier only because she didn't know how to control them yet. Water ability isn't high in attack power, without training, it's easy to overlook."
"Huh!?" Jiang Qing's eyes went wide. Water powers? Since when?
But Jiang Jiamian gave her a pointed look and blinked. Jiang Qing, though bewildered, immediately understood. Her trust in him was absolute.
"Oh, yes. Water-type powers." She nodded quickly. Her brother wouldn't lie to her without reason. Whatever he says, she'll go along with it.
"Water-based?" The guard repeated. His eyes sharpened as he pulled out a compact device. "Then please, place your hand on the tester. Close your eyes, focus. The device will do the rest."
It was a simple machine, a way to measure latent power even if the user lacked practice. For the inexperienced, it was a lifeline.
Jiang Qing froze. Guilt prickled at her skin. What if the machine exposed her? She glanced helplessly at her brother.
Jiang Jiamian smiled reassuringly. "Go on. Don't be afraid."
"Alright."
Driven by trust, she pressed her fingertip to the tester.
A second later, the device's green line surged upward. It shot past 40, past 50, past 60, until it finally steadied at 75.
The crowd gasped.
Most awakened barely scraped 40 or 50. A handful reached the 60s. Even Xiao Jinfeng himself, one of City A's strongest, had only scored 87. And now this supposedly ordinary girl had registered a solid 75.
"I… I… how?" Jiang Qing stared at the glowing number in disbelief. She didn't even understand its significance, only that it meant she truly had powers.
"What did you do to her?"
The question brushed against Jiang Jiamian's ear. He turned to see Ling Zhuang beside him, gaze calm and searching. His lips moved faintly, speaking without sound.
Jiang Jiamian recognized the question immediately, lip-reading his words.
But this wasn't the place to answer. He only chuckled, raised an eyebrow, and wagged a finger in silent teasing.
Curious, aren't you? Stay curious. It's not his fault, he can't explain it right now.
Ling Zhuang's eyes glinted, amusement flickering beneath his calm façade. This man had too many secrets: that mysterious sword, the space ability, the infamous fish soup, and now this sudden revelation of Jiang Qing's supposed awakening.
And at such a high level.
Even the guard, who had been indifferent before, straightened sharply. "Water-type, level 75! Fill out the form, and you're approved."
Jiang Qing quickly scribbled her information, then stepped aside. "I'll wait for my brother."
"Tch. Such touching sibling affection."
The sarcasm floated beside Jiamian. He turned, only to meet Ling Zhuang's face, expression hidden behind glasses, but his tone acidic.
Jiang Jiamian: "..."
Was it just him, or was Professor Ling sounding more and more like a jealous husband?
Tsk, tsk. This guy really isn't immune to jealousy. Better rein himself in, or the other will take it out on Jiang Qing. And honestly, she's been a good sister so far, sharp, perceptive, and loyal. He would rather keep her alive.