Chapter 32 032 Life-Based Abilities
Chi Yingdong stood in the testing room, looking down at the instruments used to detect supernatural abilities.
The silver-gray metal body gleams with a cold light, and is covered with glowing blue patterns, giving the entire device a strong sense of futuristic technology.
This machine was definitely not something that was developed temporarily after the apocalypse.
She became increasingly certain that the nation had begun researching superpowers before the apocalypse.
The medical staff explained, "You simply place your hand on the sensor panel and slowly release your supernatural power."
Chi Yingdong obediently raised his hand, his fair fingertips casting a faint shadow on the sensor panel.
As the superpower was released, the indicator lights on the instrument began to change, from crimson to orange-yellow.
She keenly perceived the operating principle of the device and immediately controlled her supernatural power. Eventually, the indicator light stopped flashing alternately between blue and green.
Meng Qinghe's potential level for superpowers is S-.
Medical staff quickly recorded data on the tablet.
Although Chi Yingdong's potential level is not S-, there are still few people with S- potential in the base.
Furthermore, Chi Yingdong was the first superhuman in the base to reach level three.
If the other party is willing to stay at the Shanghai base, they will definitely be someone valued by the base's higher-ups, and may even become a high-ranking official.
Thinking this way, the medical staff became even more respectful.
"Congratulations! Your ability level is rated as Level 3, and your ability potential is assessed as A-. This is your identification card. The back has the accommodation information assigned to you by the base. You can move in immediately."
Chi Yingdong took the identity card.
When my fingertip touched the edge of the card, I discovered that there was another card underneath.
She separated the two cards and found that the other one was Meng Qinghe's identity card.
Chi Yingdong came out of the testing room and handed his ID card to Meng Qinghe. "Now that we're done here, let's go."
Meng Qinghe took the identity card and curiously compared the two cards side by side.
The two identity cards are almost identical.
The only difference is in the identity remarks column.
Chi Yingdong's note said "superhuman," while hers said "family member of a superhuman."
Meng Qinghe's eyelashes trembled slightly, and her fingertips unconsciously traced the words "family members".
Chi Yingdong stopped in the lobby of the testing center, where a simple map of the base was hanging on the wall.
Looking at the map, she asked, "Where are we assigned to live?"
Meng Qinghe hurriedly flipped through the back of the ID card, which read, "Building 108, Row 7, East District".
“Okay.” Chi Yingdong’s gaze swept quickly across the map, finally settling on a certain spot.
She quickly memorized the information on the map and led Meng Qinghe eastward.
The inner city is actually the villa area before the apocalypse.
The once luxurious villa area is now shrouded in a desolate atmosphere reminiscent of the post-apocalyptic world, with the pointed roofs of the European-style villas casting silent silhouettes in the moonlight.
The withered rose bushes rustled in the night wind, like countless tiny joints rubbing together.
On their way to their new home, they passed a supply depot.
The persistent high temperatures are baking the earth; the daytime surface temperature in Shanghai has already exceeded 60 degrees Celsius, making the entire city feel like a giant steamer.
Residents of Shanghai had to adjust their schedules, becoming nocturnal and sleeping during the day.
Therefore, even though it is already three in the morning.
The supply depot was still brightly lit, and shadowy figures could be faintly seen moving about under the swaying windows.
Chi Yingdong noticed that Meng Qinghe's pace gradually slowed down.
The girl kept glancing at the supply point, her curiosity almost overflowing.
Chi Yingdong: "Shall we go in and take a look?"
Upon hearing this, Meng Qinghe immediately nodded, her fingers gripping Chi Yingdong's sleeve.
This unintentional little gesture caused a barely perceptible tenderness to flash in Chi Yingdong's eyes.
As they approached, the waiters at the door immediately put on well-trained smiles and gave a slight bow.
"These two ladies look unfamiliar. Are they new to the inner city?"
The waiter's voice was gentle and polite, his gaze subtly sweeping over the two men's neat attire. "What would you like to buy today? We have everything from daily necessities to luxury goods."
She gestured for them to enter the villa.
This three-story European-style villa has clearly been carefully renovated, with crystal chandeliers hanging from the arched ceiling and people's shadows reflected on the gleaming marble floor.
The shelves were neatly arranged in the spacious hall, and the various goods gleamed enticingly under the soft lighting.
"The first floor mainly sells food."
The waiter walked around introducing the place, his leather shoes making a crisp sound as he walked.
"We not only have pre-packaged foods produced before the apocalypse, but also a variety of cooked foods prepared on-site by specially hired chefs. All ingredients have undergone strict selection to ensure safety and health."
The air was filled with the aroma of freshly baked bread, mixed with the rich fragrance of coffee, giving one the illusion of returning to a pre-apocalyptic world.
Shop assistants in uniforms moved among the customers, speaking softly and gently.
The environment here gives one the illusion that the apocalypse never happened.
Meng Qinghe's gaze was suddenly fixed on a box of pastries in the center of the display case.
It was an exquisite sandalwood gift box, through which you could see twenty-four different shaped pastries, each one as exquisite as a work of art.
Honey, goji berry, and red date cake for Rain Water, small snacks for Awakening of Insects, cranberry and mulberry snacks for Spring Equinox...
The twenty-four solar terms are perfectly engraved in a small space.
Noticing that Meng Qinghe's gaze lingered on the seasonal pastries, the waiter began to introduce them.
"This pastry was made by our shop's head pastry chef."
“Each pastry is made strictly according to traditional methods, and it takes three field teams just to collect the raw materials. Currently, it is available in limited quantities, with only ten boxes sold per day.”
Meng Qinghe's fingers tightened unconsciously.
Even in a post-apocalyptic world where resources were plentiful, a box of pastries like this would be considered a luxury.
While people in the outer city are still struggling for a single compressed biscuit, some people here are squandering precious resources on such frivolous and impractical luxuries.
This realization was like a dull knife, slowly and heavily cutting into Meng Qinghe's heart.
The exquisite pastries in the box suddenly became dazzling, and the entire luxurious exhibition hall made her feel suffocated.
"You want this pastry?"
Chi Yingdong's voice rang in Meng Qinghe's ears, interrupting his thoughts.
Meng Qinghe shook his head, his long eyelashes casting a shadow beneath his eyes.
At that moment, she realized with absolute clarity that the gap between classes could not be bridged even when life and death were at stake.
She suddenly lost interest in browsing the supply depot and said to Chi Yingdong, "Let's go."
Chi Yingdong pursed his lips, his gaze lingering for a moment on Meng Qinghe's slightly lowered eyes.
In the end, she said nothing and simply followed in Meng Qinghe's footsteps.
The waiter's smile faded slightly.
She had assumed these two well-dressed guests would be good potential customers, but they left before even finishing looking at the shelves.
The waiter nodded perfunctorily, not even bothering to see the guest off, and turned to greet another noblewoman who had just entered.
The remaining road seemed exceptionally long in the darkness of night.
The moonlight was obscured by thick clouds, and only the streetlights cast a dim yellow glow, stretching the two people's shadows long.
Meng Qinghe stared down at his toes, his footsteps sounding exceptionally clear on the quiet street.
Until the address of Building 108 in the 7th row came into view.
Meng Qinghe took out her ID card from her pocket and was about to swipe it to open the door when Chi Yingdong's warm hand covered her wrist. The force was not strong, but it was not easy to break free.
She looked up and saw that Chi Yingdong's brows were slightly furrowed, and his own bewildered face was reflected in his pupils.
Meng Qinghe's eyelashes trembled slightly. "What's wrong?"
"What's wrong with you?"
Chi Yingdong answered calmly.
In the quiet environment, her voice amplified infinitely in Meng Qinghe's ears.
Chi Yingdong released his hand and instead tucked a stray strand of Meng Qinghe's hair behind her ear.
The intimate gesture made Meng Qinghe nervously clutch her identity card.
"I..." She opened her mouth, as if something was stuck in her throat, "I just don't know what will happen to me in the future..."
Chi Yingdong did not urge him, but simply waited quietly for Meng Qinghe to continue.
Meng Qinghe composed herself and began to express her feelings.
"The box of pastries we saw earlier was time-consuming and labor-intensive to make."
"So many ordinary people can't get into the base and risk their lives for a piece of compressed biscuit, while people in the inner city spend a fortune on pastries. Even in the outer city, low-level ability users take on missions and go on adventures to survive, but they are looking for raw materials to make pastries."
"If you hadn't protected me..."
Meng Qinghe lowered her head. She had no special abilities and was doing quite well now entirely thanks to Chi Yingdong.
If it weren't for Chi Yingdong.
She dared not think about what would have happened to her then.
Chi Yingdong listened quietly, the night breeze ruffling the stray hairs on her forehead.
She said, "Look at me."
She suddenly reached out and lifted Meng Qinghe's chin with her cool fingertips.
This action forced Meng Qinghe to look directly at the other person.
Their eyes met, and Meng Qinghe blinked.
Chi Yingdong's eyes appeared deep and dark in the night, as if they could see right through her heart.
"You'll have superpowers soon too."
Chi Yingdong spoke with absolute certainty, his thumb gently stroking Meng Qinghe's jawline.
Meng Qinghe forced a smile: "Are you trying to comfort me?"
“No.” Chi Yingdong shook his head. “Gaining superpowers is very simple.”
She suddenly leaned closer, her breath brushing against Meng Qinghe's cheek, "Do you believe me?"
At such close range, Meng Qinghe saw the faint light in Chi Yingdong's pupils.
She was somewhat lost in the moment, becoming absorbed in it, and nodded unconsciously.
"Close your eyes."
Chi Yingdong gave the order.
Meng Qinghe immediately followed the instruction and closed his eyes.
She felt Chi Yingdong's palm touch her forehead, and it was unusually hot.
A strange warm current spread from the point of contact, and she seemed to hear the sound of blood rushing through her veins, every cell leaping with joy.
"The key to awakening superpowers is to turn on the switch."
Chi Yingdong's voice seemed to come from a very far place.
Meng Qinghe suddenly felt a pain in his chest, as if something was breaking out of its cocoon.
She suddenly opened her eyes and found that her palms were shimmering with a pale green light.
"This is?"
She looked at her hands in disbelief.
Chi Yingdong's expression also became slightly serious.
Meng Qinghe's awakened ability was not an ordinary wood-based ability.
"Life-related superpowers".
Chi Yingdong withdrew his hand, a slight smile playing on his lips. "An ability even rarer than lightning-type abilities."
Meng Qinghe looked at the withered roses under the railing.
As she stretched out her hand, green light poured down like flowing water, and the withered branches turned green again at a speed visible to the naked eye.
New buds sprout, leaves unfurl, and finally, a delicate and vibrant red rose blooms.
Meng Qinghe bent down and gently sniffed the roses, and the sweet fragrance of roses immediately filled her nose.
My fingertips touched the rose petals, feeling their velvety texture; it all felt so unreal.
she!
He suddenly has superpowers?!
Meng Qinghe hesitated about whether to pick the rose, but in the end she did.
She handed the flowers to Chi Yingdong, saying, "These are for you."
Chi Yingdong did not accept it immediately.
In the darkness of night, her eyes were unfathomable.
Meng Qinghe's arm ached from holding it up, and she pouted in grievance.
Chi Yingdong then relented, "You're not allowed to let me see you looking dejected in the future. I don't like it."
Meng Qinghe nodded obediently, "Okay."
At this moment, she really wanted Chi Yingdong to hug her.
Having received an affirmative reply, Chi Yingdong accepted the flowers.
Unexpectedly, Meng Qinghe grabbed his sleeve.
She looked at Meng Qinghe with amusement, "You're reluctant to give it to me?"
Meng Qinghe shook her head. "I want you to hug me."
How could Chi Yingdong bear to refuse the girl's request, especially since it suited her perfectly?
She put her arm around Meng Qinghe, and the two embraced quietly in the moonlight.
Their cheeks touched, and they felt a profound sense of satisfaction.
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