Was romance always this subtle?

That certainly hit on exactly what Li Wanyun was thinking.

She would never pass up this chance to "score a bargain." As long as her space could hold them, this shipment of weapons would make it back without a hitch.

And that would be when Sheng An went to meet Li Wanyun.

Nothing in this world came free.

If everything went your way, you got whatever you wanted, and windfalls kept dropping into your lap, then... someone was probably digging a pit for you.

Sheng An chuckled and warned them, "Be careful, all of you. Don't hurt her, but don't get yourselves hurt either. That girl isn't afraid to kill."

Unlike Jiang Yu, Li Wanyun was truly ruthless.

"Don't worry. We've got Captain Qi," Wanyuan replied matter-of-factly.

At the mention of that name, his face fell. "Sister Sheng, why didn't you contact Captain Qi directly? He's been carrying a phone ever since you last contacted us."

Sheng An smiled. "Contacting you is the proper procedure, isn't it?"

Wanyuan handled communications. When Team 0 was out on a mission, anyone trying to reach them contacted him. That was standard procedure.

Though she wanted to see Qi Lingwu too, there was no need to rush.

Wanyuan pouted. "The whole world's about to change. Why bother with procedure? Captain Qi's kept me with him these past two days. He only just went out on a mission, and you happened to call while he was gone..."

They had waited for days without hearing from Sheng An.

When she finally called, Qi Lingwu just happened to be out.

What rotten timing...

Wanyuan could already imagine Captain Qi's reaction when he returned.

The thought made him sigh.

People like them had long since dedicated their lives to their country. Few sought out romantic partners, because they all knew they might never live to see another tomorrow.

To come home wrapped in a shroud, to spill their blood on a mission, and ultimately become one of countless martyrs' monuments standing on the land they had protected-that was the fate awaiting them all.

Every farewell could be their last.

The relationship between Sheng An and Qi Lingwu had taken everyone by surprise, but like a flower blooming on dry bones, it tugged painfully at their hearts.

They only saw each other a handful of times a year, especially after Sheng An transferred out of Team 0.

For a moment, Sheng An's gaze grew distant.

Her voice was soft. "I'll be waiting for you to come back, so we can fight side by side again."

At that, Wanyuan immediately broke into a bright, sunny smile.

Yes, they could fight side by side again.

Even if the apocalypse came, with trusted teammates beside them, they had nothing to fear.

Before hanging up, Sheng An suddenly said, "Tell Captain Qi that foreign powers are all investigating us. You shouldn't stay abroad too long. It would be best to escort Li Wanyun back as soon as possible."

Wanyuan paused, a little confused.

Didn't everyone already know that?

Why emphasize it?

Even after hanging up, Wanyuan still didn't understand what Sheng An had meant.

When he saw Qi Lingwu, he recounted their conversation in full, including that final remark.

On hearing that he had missed the call, Captain Qi pressed his lips together, and even the air around him seemed to tighten.

But when he heard her final words, his expression relaxed, and the corners of his mouth slowly lifted.

Wanyuan: "?"

Looking utterly baffled, he asked, "Captain Qi, what did Sister Sheng mean by that last part? Was it some kind of code? Was she trying to pass us information?"

He suddenly grew nervous.

Qi Lingwu glanced at him. After a moment, he suppressed his smile and said slowly, "It's nothing. That had nothing to do with the mission."

His voice was husky and resonant, but anyone who knew him could hear his good mood.

With that, he turned and left.

Wanyuan stood there in bewilderment, muttering, "Nothing to do with the mission?"

Wait!

As something dawned on him, his pupils shook, and his eyes widened in disbelief.

So those words were actually meant for Qi Lingwu, and what she really meant was-I want you to come back sooner?

Wanyuan: "???"

Was romance always this subtle nowadays?

Wanyuan, single as could be, was deeply confused and thoroughly shocked.

Li Wanyun was eating a burger by the roadside.

Buying supplies in M Country was certainly satisfying, but the food was awful. It made her miss all the delicious dishes back home.

But this trip was worth it!

Thinking of the vast quantities of supplies she had bought with her ten billion, and of her space packed full of stockpiled goods, Li Wanyun was so happy she wanted to jump for joy.

But she restrained herself.

Besides, this trip had netted her not only supplies, but also the firearms she had wanted most!

Of course, because firearms were expensive, Li Wanyun hadn't managed to buy many.

She had originally planned to head home once she spent all her money. Never in her wildest dreams had she expected to discover those arms dealers' warehouse.

What did that mean?

It meant she might be able to get her hands on a huge shipment of firearms!

A fortress-like house, endless food, a huge stock of firearms, plus her Spatial Superpower... who could possibly rival her?!

In this apocalypse, no one would dare cross her again!

Thinking of everything she possessed, while everyone else remained completely unaware, she finally couldn't hold back a quiet laugh.

Several passersby looked at her in surprise.

Li Wanyun didn't care in the slightest.

She really was destiny's chosen daughter!

Being reborn was one thing, but she could get whatever she wanted, and everything went so smoothly it was like she had cheats enabled.

If that didn't make her destiny's chosen daughter, what did?

Surely this streak of good fortune would continue into the apocalypse, letting her live her whole life with cheats enabled...

Li Wanyun stood in the street, burger in hand, laughing uncontrollably.

Not far away.

A Team 0 member said, "Fucking idiot."

Countdown to the apocalypse: 16 days.

Sheng An asked, "How's it going?"

Hao Jingye looked away from his computer and shook his head. "There's no one who particularly warrants investigation at the moment. Screening posts over the past two days hasn't turned up much either. None of the information reported to me has shown signs of Aberrants."

Sheng An nodded, not particularly disappointed.

There were plenty of Aberrants, but they certainly weren't everywhere, nor could they find every last one simply because they wanted to.

Especially now that they had some experience, they could rule out many suspects without even investigating them.

Hao Jingye added, "We've already ordered the screening expanded to include online information, purchasing records, and so on."

Time was running short, and they had still found far too few Aberrants.

Hao Jingye looked at her helplessly. "Sister Sheng, there must be people hiding, and hiding very well."

"It's all right. We'll keep screening bit by bit. We're bound to find traces." As if something had occurred to her, Sheng An added, "Check police reports from around the country too."

If someone really was an Aberrant, they were bound to leave some traces, just like Jiang Yu.

If anyone saw them, they might report it to the police, as had happened with Li Xin.

Sheng An said, "And screen all the wholesale markets again."

Police reports were the most likely way to uncover Superpower People.

Wholesale markets, however, were the places those who had been reborn were most likely to visit.

The national screening was comprehensive, but Sheng An needed those two areas checked repeatedly.

Hao Jingye nodded, immediately drafted a message, and sent the orders out.

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

"Reporting in."

"Come in. What is it?" Sheng An looked up.

The person replied, "Group Leader Qiu is back."

Hao Jingye shot to his feet and looked at Sheng An.

Qiu Yu was back?!

She had been away for several days. She must have brought an Aberrant back with her this time.

And according to Sheng An's earlier prediction, the Aberrant she brought back would be anything but ordinary.

Sheng An raised an eyebrow.

Hao Jingye hesitated. "Aren't we going to take a look?"

Sheng An said, "No."

Hao Jingye: "..."

This wasn't how he'd imagined things playing out!