Chapter 258 Extra Chapter 1
Time flies, and even in a post-apocalyptic world where resources are scarce and dangers lurk, with a stable base and a solid fortress built by the men who love her, Josie's life is actually easy and pleasant, like a paradise in a chaotic world.
Several years have passed quietly. The second child is now old enough to go to the base's kindergarten, while the younger third child is mainly cared for by Lu's mother, who enjoys the pleasure of playing with her grandchildren.
With each child having their own support, Josie finally had a rare moment of peace.
That day, looking at the rare bright sunshine outside the window, the little flame of longing for freedom in Josie's heart reignited.
Having been cherished like a fragile treasure by several men for so many years, she is happy, but it is also a "sweet burden".
Every time she wanted to go out, even just for a stroll near the base, they would treat her like a major enemy, wishing they could send a reinforced company to accompany her, which made it difficult for her to move around freely.
While Fu Jinxing was in the laboratory, Feng Ye was leading a patrol, and Lu Yuyang was handling internal affairs, Qiao Xi quietly approached Xie Jue, who was on duty at the edge of the training field.
"Xiao Jue," she lowered her voice, her eyes sparkling with mischievous excitement, "since you have some free time now, come with me out for some fresh air? Just the two of us, so we can keep a low profile and not let Yu Yang and the others find out."
If those guys find out, there will be a huge commotion, with everyone in a throng, and then there will be no freedom or fun left.
Josie curled her lips. She was now a genuine eighth-level shapeshifter, wielding her abilities with unparalleled skill, changing at will. She was confident that no one in the world could easily trap or harm her.
Xie Jue never refused her requests.
"good."
Josie happily pulled him along, planning to sneak out through the base's hidden back door.
But before he could take more than a few steps, his wrist was grabbed by a large hand with distinct knuckles and calloused skin.
“Sister,” Xie Jue’s voice rang out, deep and steady, having long since shed the immaturity of a boy from a few years ago, now filled with the magnetism and strength of a mature man, “This way.”
Josie turned her head to look at him.
In just a few years, the boy who once needed her protection has grown a full head taller than her, with a tall and strong physique and a height of nearly 1.85 meters that exudes a strong sense of oppression.
He still exuded a cold and aloof aura, the edge honed by years of battle, but only when he looked at her would his deep eyes soften unconsciously, like the first melting of ice and snow.
"Which way? Can you guarantee we won't be discovered and we'll get out safely?" Josie asked curiously, with anticipation.
"Yes." Xie Jue replied succinctly, but did not let go of her wrist, leading her to another path leading to the main gate of the base.
Josie was a little confused. Wouldn't it be easier to be discovered if there were too many people and too many eyes at the main entrance?
But trusting Xie Jue, she went with him anyway.
As we approached the main gate, we indeed encountered the team members on duty.
Upon seeing Qiao Xi and Xie Jue together, the team members immediately bowed respectfully: "Miss Qiao, Captain Xie."
Xie Jue remained expressionless and spoke with utmost naturalness, his tone as calm as if he were stating a perfectly ordinary official matter: "Yes. We'll go to conduct an on-site inspection of the newly planned third security zone on the outskirts, and we'll be back soon."
The team members, without suspecting anything, immediately let them pass, and even thoughtfully reminded them, "Captain Xie, should we send another team to accompany and protect them?"
"No need. The survey area isn't far; having too many people would be inconvenient."
The team member immediately nodded, smiled at Josh, and let them pass.
And so, Xie Jue, using an perfectly legitimate and official reason that suited his status, swaggered out of the base through the main gate with Qiao Xi, without attracting any extra attention.
After walking a distance from the base gate and making sure they were out of the guards' sight, Qiao Xi couldn't help but laugh out loud, gently nudging Xie Jue's muscular arm with her elbow: "Not bad, Xiao Jue, you can lie without batting an eye now?"
Xie Jue looked down at her smiling face, his usually cold lips curving into a barely perceptible smile, his eyes filled with indulgence and warmth: "Just choosing the most efficient way. The base is so big, it only takes half a day to circle around it from the back."
Josie thought about it and agreed, and couldn't help but laugh even harder.
Sunlight bathed her, gilding her with a golden edge. Several years have passed, and time seems to have been exceptionally kind to her, leaving few traces but instead adding to her mature charm and composed demeanor.
She took a deep breath of the relatively free air outside the base, feeling the gentle breeze on her face, and felt great.
“Let’s go,” Josie said excitedly, pointing to the faint outline of an abandoned city in the distance. “Let’s go take a look over there. We haven’t been out for so long, we don’t even know how the nearby cities have changed.”
Xie Jue naturally had no objection. His purpose seemed to be to protect her, no matter where she wanted to go.
Along the way, Xie Jue told her many things that were happening outside.
After several years of operation and development, the passage between the Spring City Base and the Hope Base has become very stable, and the zombies in the cities along the way have been mostly cleared out, forming a relatively safe corridor area.
Some freedom-loving superhumans, unwilling to be bound by the base's rules, used their accumulated crystal cores to exchange for catalysts and established their own small settlements in the corners of these abandoned cities.
The two traveled and played, and two days later they entered a large city.
The city has been overrun by greenery and looks vibrant.
Instead of zombies, wild animals and people with superpowers can be seen everywhere.
As they walked, they noticed a group of people acting suspiciously. The two exchanged a glance and followed them.
Both of them are high-level superhumans, and their abilities allow them to conceal themselves very well.
So they followed without being discovered by anyone.
"Great! Such a large energy pool can definitely catalyze many high-level zombies."
"Keep your voice down, don't let other factions know."
Unfortunately, Josh and Xie Jue had already heard them. They exchanged a glance and watched as they entered a heavily guarded area.
Before Josie could look away, she said, "There's an energy pool! I'll go check it out."
Her shapeshifting ability is best suited for reconnaissance in such unknown environments.
However, a strong arm blocked her way.
Xie Jue's voice was low and resolute, "Sister, I'll go."
Josie instinctively wanted to retort, but when she looked up, she met a pair of deep eyes.
The pure affection of her youth had long since faded, replaced by a strong protective instinct, stubbornness, and a kind of... heat that had gradually made her feel uneasy over the past two years.
She deliberately looked away, her tone softening, revealing genuine concern: "My abilities are better suited for concealment and reconnaissance. You wait for me here."
Hearing the concern that unconsciously crept into her words, Xie Jue's face showed a very faint smile, tinged with a cautious probing: "So, sister, you're concerned about me?"
His words carried a certain aggression. Josie took a breath and pretended not to understand. "Of course, you are my brother. I have long regarded you as my most important family member."
“Family…” The faint smile on Xie Jue’s face froze completely and then vanished without a trace, leaving only an almost cold stubbornness.
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