Chapter 26 Shelter Proposal 1
Xiao Ran propped himself up and watched the scene warily: "What happened to him?"
Su Wanqing did not answer immediately, but helped Lin Che sit on the sofa: "Relax, don't resist. Let it happen naturally."
Lin Che nodded painfully, closed her eyes, and tensed all the muscles in her body.
After a few seconds, his body suddenly relaxed and his head drooped.
There was silence in the room, even Ding Ding stopped chewing and watched the scene nervously.
When Lin Che raised his head again, his eyes had changed. They were no longer docile and confused, but sharp and calm instead.
"Aze?" Su Wanqing asked tentatively.
Lin Che—or Aze—nodded, a hint of irony on her lips: “Long time no see, ‘sister’.”
He looked around, with a hint of admiration in his eyes: "Not bad spatial ability. SSS level, really rare."
"Are you okay?" Su Wanqing asked, with concern in her voice.
Aze moved his shoulders, as if he was adjusting to his body: "It's okay, much better than last time. The suppressor seems to have weakened, probably because of the impact of the explosion."
"What explosion?" Xiao Ran interrupted, his eyes alert.
Aze looked at Xiao Ran with an evaluating look in his eyes: "Hello, special forces soldier. It seems that your injuries are under control."
Xiao Ran did not respond to the greeting, but repeated the question: "What explosion?"
Aze shrugged. "It was the accident that Lin Che mentioned before. An experimental explosion occurred in that abandoned branch of the research institute. Many test subjects died, but some escaped."
"Including you?" Su Wanqing asked sharply.
Aze shook his head and gave a mysterious smile: "Not exactly. I only 'appeared' after the accident. Lin Che needed me, so I came."
His eyes fell on Ding Ding, who immediately hid behind Xiao Ran and poked his head out fearfully.
"Don't worry, little girl, I won't hurt you." Aze said, with a hint of gentleness in his voice, which formed a strange contrast with his sharp eyes.
He looked at Su Wanqing again: "I know more details about that abandoned research institute. If you decide to go there, I can lead the way. But I must warn you, there are dangers there too, just of a different type."
"What danger?" Su Wanqing asked.
Aze pondered for a while: "There may be some remaining experimental subjects there. Not all experimental subjects are humans like Lin Che. Some are other things."
The atmosphere in the room became more tense. Xiao Ran's hand unconsciously reached for the weapon at his waist, while Su Wanqing maintained a calm expression, although her eyes became more alert.
"We need more information before we can make a decision." Su Wanqing finally said, "But now, we all need to rest. This space is safe, at least for the next few hours."
Aze nodded and leaned back on the sofa: "Well, let's take a break and then discuss the next plan. But I must remind you that Lin Che will be back soon. I don't think I can hold on for too long."
"Why?" Su Wanqing asked, "Is it a problem with the suppressor?"
Aze's expression turned painful: "Partially. But it's more of an energy problem. We share a body, but consume different energies. Lin Che needs salt to maintain the stability of the blue blood, and I need other things."
"What is that?" Xiao Ran asked vigilantly.
Aze did not answer directly, but closed his eyes: "Soon. I feel he is coming back. Remember, the most dangerous thing about that abandoned research institute is not what is left there, but the secret behind it."
His voice grew fainter and fainter until it was barely audible. Then his body relaxed again, his head drooping.
When he raised his head again, his eyes returned to their previous gentleness and confusion: "Have I lost consciousness again?"
Su Wanqing nodded: "Yes, Aze showed up for a while. He told us something about the abandoned research institute."
Lin Che frowned: "I feel like some of my memories are coming back, but they are still very vague. Something terrible happened in that place."
"We can discuss this later." Su Wanqing said, her voice gentle but firm, "Now, we all need to rest. The outside world is dangerous, and we need to recover our strength to face it."
Lin Che nodded and leaned back on the sofa. Ding Ding walked back carefully and sat next to Xiao Ran, holding the corner of his clothes tightly.
Xiao Ran patted her head gently to calm her nervousness.
Su Wanqing looked at this scene, with a lot of thoughts in her mind. The space shelter gave them temporary safety, but she knew that the real challenge was still waiting for them outside.
Research institute, mutants, unknown dangers and she must lead this temporary team to survive in this doomsday.
Her eyes fell on the jade bracelet, and the blue text on it flashed: "The space shelter is stable and is expected to last for 8 hours. It is recommended to make full use of the time and prepare for the next move."
She looked up at Xiao Ran and decided it was time to negotiate terms.
"Xiao Ran," Su Wanqing said, her voice calm but firm, "we need to talk."
Xiao Ran opened his eyes and looked at her alertly after a short rest.
"What's up?"
Su Wanqing walked up to Xiao Ran and crossed her arms over her chest. "If you want my protection, you must accept my conditions."
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Xiao Ran frowned and leaned forward slightly. "What are the conditions?"
“First, you have to help me find Lin Che’s secret.” Su Wanqing’s tone left no room for doubt. “Second, you have to help me deal with the dangers I may encounter later.”
Xiao Ran did not answer immediately. He looked at Lin Che lying on the sofa, and then looked at Ding Ding who was eating.
Su Wanqing's spatial ability is indeed powerful. In this crisis-ridden end times, having such shelter is undoubtedly a huge advantage.
But he also has his own mission and bottom line.
"Why are you so interested in Lin Che's secret?" Xiao Ran asked.
"Because it concerns our survival," Su Wanqing replied, "The institute is hunting him, hunting me, and possibly your sister. I need to know why and what their purpose is. Lin Che has the key clue."
Xiao Ran thought for a moment. "Do you think he knows where my sister is?"
"I'm not sure," Su Wanqing said honestly, "but according to the information provided by Aze, Lin Che and your sister seem to be experimental subjects of the institute. They may be connected."
Xiao Ran fell silent, obviously weighing the pros and cons. Finally, he took a deep breath.
"Those terms sound reasonable. But I need more details."
"for example?"
"What exactly is the danger you are talking about?" Xiao Ran said in a low voice with a serious expression.
Su Wanqing shook her head slightly. "It's not certain yet, but it definitely won't be easy."
She paused. "You may face a more formidable enemy than you imagine. The Institute is just the tip of the iceberg."
"Are there other forces behind the research institute?" Xiao Ran asked.
"Maybe," Su Wanqing replied, "The 'Spark Project' that Aze mentioned doesn't sound like a simple research project. And the modifications and implants on Lin Che's body... that's not something that can be done with ordinary technology."
Xiao Ran's eyes fell on Ding Ding. The little girl curled up in a small bed, already asleep, with tears on her face.
She looked so vulnerable, so dependent on his protection.
(End of this chapter)
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