Volume One, Chapter 19: Shattering Yu Jiao Jiao’s Future

Yu Han’s eyes blazed with fury. When had their cherished little princess ever suffered such injustice? Not even their own family members had ever spoken harshly to Yu Jiao Jiao. How dare this woman, whom he had never once regarded seriously before, slander his kind-hearted sister with such outrageous accusations?

Yu Han’s violent roar startled Wang Xinran, who was then overwhelmed with a deep sense of bitterness. Why was it that when she merely spoke the truth, exposing Yu Jiao Jiao’s true nature, not a single soul was willing to believe her?

Curling her lips in disdain, Wang Xinran snapped sharply, “If Second Young Master Yu has such pride, then he can do without my food.”

“You!” Yu Han clenched the bag of biscuits tightly in one hand. When had he ever endured such humiliation? Even if the world were ending, his pride would not allow him to eat such disgusting charity, even if it meant starving to death.

But thinking of his family, and seeing his sister’s eyes redden, Yu Han took a deep breath, restraining his anger. His handsome face grew cold. “Since you’ve lent us the food, the Yu family will remember this kindness. I won’t lay a hand on you now, and will repay you doubly in the future.”

His words made it clear he had no intention of returning the food. Wang Xinran’s expression twisted painfully. She regretted lending the precious food to Yu Han and Yu Jiao Jiao on impulse; her earlier words had been a mix of honest feelings and provocation.

She had never imagined that Yu Han, who had always held himself high above everyone, could stoop to such shamelessness.

But her mood darkened further the next moment, when Yu Yue, smiling sweetly, pulled from her backpack a collection of snacks from a certain shop—lotus root powder, spicy and sour noodles, and the like.

Everyone present stared, bewildered. Yu Yue had been too busy stockpiling supplies to realize the snack brand had since collapsed. Fortunately, she hadn’t bought much, so it wasn’t too painful to give these away—and now they would be put to use by the Yu family.

Yu Jiao Jiao’s eyes sparkled with genuine surprise. They had been strangers before, yet Cheng Yue was willing to lend them so many snacks in such dire times.

The only reasonable explanation was that this handsome young man must have fallen for her. Beyond that, she could find no other justification.

She reached out to accept Yu Yue’s gift. As Yu Yue’s fingers brushed lightly over her palm, it sent a faint electric tingle through her.

That was no illusion. A trace of lightning-type power coursed through Yu Jiao Jiao’s skin, reaching the neurons in her brain. Thanks to her good sister, Yu Jiao Jiao recalled how, in her previous life as a test subject, she had often heard Dr. Zhou reveal secrets about those with supernatural abilities.

For instance… when infected with the zombie virus, some humans might experience stimulation of certain brain nerves, causing them to develop an energy core and awaken supernatural powers.

Yu Jiao Jiao had been a rare healer-type power user in her past life. But just now, Yu Yue had severed Yu Jiao Jiao’s chance of becoming an energy user in the future.

Her head grew dizzy, but caught up in the flutter of emotions, she didn’t sense anything amiss. Her cheeks flushed pink as she smiled sweetly at Yu Yue. “Brother Cheng Yue, you’ve lent us so much food—I don’t even know how to repay your kindness.”

This seemingly flirtatious scene made Yu Han’s eyes burn with jealousy.

Since discovering Yu Jiao Jiao was not his biological sister, his affection for her had not diminished; if anything, it had deepened. Yet as their relationship quietly shifted, constrained by their apparent kinship, he had never confessed his true feelings.

Now, his gaze toward Yu Yue was filled with hostility. Who was this brat, and how dared he capture his beloved sister’s attention?

Yu Jiao Jiao, shy and hesitant, seemed ready to accept Yu Yue’s next word as a proposal of devotion.

Seeing his plan succeed, Yu Yue no longer bothered to feign friendliness. His smile chilled. “No need to repay me. Consider these things a gift.”

A grand offering—hopeful to satisfy them.

Yu Jiao Jiao’s head grew heavier, and she failed to detect the mockery in Yu Yue’s tone. Even as Yu Han pulled her away, she lingered, gazing longingly at Yu Yue’s profile.

Wang Xinran was nearly furious at this enchantress. She exclaimed, “Cheng Yue, you have to believe me—Yu Jiao Jiao is no good. I’m telling you, she treated her sister…”

“Silence!”

Seeing Wang Xinran grow more agitated, Yu Yue cut her off coldly. Wang Xinran was speaking of her own painful, unwilling memories.

Wang Xinran felt wronged, but seeing Yu Yue’s face grow darker, she dared not continue.

Yu Yue returned to her seat and closed her eyes to rest. Trading a bunch of toxic snacks to erase Yu Jiao Jiao’s chance of awakening powers was a deal too good to lose.

Yu Yue was curious to see if, without her protection, powerless Yu Jiao Jiao could still climb the so-called “Goddess of the Apocalypse” pedestal.

Dragging the once arrogant Yu family deeper into the mire of this cruel end times was a far crueler revenge than simply wiping them out.

As Yu Yue pondered her next moves, she suddenly heard Wang Xinran scream again after a brief moment of silence.

“What’s wrong, Wu Xiang?”

Wang Xinran, always venting her negativity onto Wu Xiang when things went well with Yu Yue, was cut off before she could rant. Wu Xiang began convulsing, frothing at the mouth, and rolling his eyes.

Yu Yue opened her eyes, her cool phoenix-like gaze flicking toward them. “Keep it down.”

Her voice calmed the panicked Wang Xinran slightly, but she still pointed shakily at Wu Xiang, face pale with fear.

“He… he was just like those others before they turned into zombies,” Wang Xinran stammered, noticing the black blood seeping from Wu Xiang’s injured arm.

Yu Yue immediately recognized that the wound was not fresh. Since the apocalypse, humans had gradually discerned a pattern.

When infected by the zombie virus, if one were to turn into a zombie, symptoms would erupt within half an hour. If symptoms did not appear within that time, the infected would most likely awaken supernatural powers instead.

Yu Yue knew these facts; others might not. Wang Xinran’s earlier shriek had already drawn attention.

Those who had been indifferent suddenly screamed even louder upon hearing someone might become a zombie. “What?! A zombie? Toss that monster out now!”