After Marking the Villain Professor (ABO, GL) - Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Xu Man’s breath caught, fearing Zhou Yutao would take Zheng Rong’s suggestion. She quickly said, “I don’t want Xu Wu.”

Not only did she not want to miss a chance to be close to Zhou Yutao, but Xu Wu’s rough treatment methods scared her. She still vividly recalled Xu Wu chasing her to draw bl00d last time.

She knew Zhou Yutao was busy and wouldn’t take much of her time.

Zheng Rong snorted. “That’s rich. Xu Wu’s your person, Boss Xu, and you won’t use her?”

So she’d pushed her onto him last time, huh?

Clearly, she wanted to trouble Professor Zhou. What a scheming alpha. Professor Zhou was so busy—how could she deal with such trivial matters?

And she was Professor Zhou’s person, too. How could this alpha be so clueless?

Unlike them, who avoided wasting Professor Zhou’s time unless necessary.

Since recovering from his leg injury, Zheng Rong had been investigating another armed group in the Starlight Community, unaware of the past two days’ events. He didn’t realize Xu Man being “Professor Zhou’s person” wasn’t what he thought.

He wasn’t as perceptive as Qi Rui.

Xu Man: “…Aren’t we going to South City today? Xu Wu’s busy—she’s checking supplies.”

Zheng Rong: “Busier than Professor Zhou? I’ll call her. Checking supplies doesn’t need that many people.”

Xu Man was at a loss for words.

She didn’t actually know what Xu Wu was doing. None of her subordinates were around except Xu Si, who’d said Xu Yi and the others were checking supplies.

Hearing Zheng Rong, Qi Rui, standing by Wang Wei, coughed loudly.

Zheng Rong glanced at him, confused.

Qi Rui’s eye twitched. “Captain, let’s deal with Wang Wei first.”

Zheng Rong looked at the chaotic scene, his attention shifting. By now, Wang Wei had calmed slightly.

While everyone focused on Wang Wei, Zhou Yutao pulled Xu Man into the bedroom.

Yesterday’s training uniform, stained with zombie bl00d, hadn’t been replaced. Today, Xu Man wore only a black long-sleeve undershirt, making it easy for Wang Wei to nick her. Luckily, she’d dodged in time, and the wound wasn’t severe.

“Xu Wu’s skilled at medicine, and Manman doesn’t want her?” Zhou Yutao said as they sat.

She was close—close enough to almost kiss her.

Since last night, Zhou Yutao had been calling her Manman.

Xu Man’s heart raced, and she looked away awkwardly.

She still didn’t know how to face Zhou Yutao.

About to speak, her sleeve was torn open by Zhou Yutao. The sting of alcohol on her wound made her wince.

It hurt!

Like the original owner, she’d rarely been injured growing up. This was her worst wound, though it was nothing in the apocalypse.

But soon, Xu Man forgot the pain.

Zhou Yutao asked, “Does Manman like me more?”

Maybe it was an illusion, but her cool expression softened in the sunlight.

Xu Man’s breathing faltered.

Like her?

Having never been in love, she didn’t know what liking was. Knowing Zhou Yutao was the villain, she’d told herself not to like her.

But she probably did.

If she didn’t, she wouldn’t be upset over Liu Ming or let herself do those things with Zhou Yutao last night.

It wasn’t just pheromones—she wanted it.

But she wasn’t sure, so she hesitated.

As Xu Man was about to nod, Zhou Yutao, impatient from the lack of an answer, changed the subject. “Manman was so brave today. Help me with one more thing.”

In a blink, she’d bandaged Xu Man’s wound.

The faint, tantalizing peach scent vanished.

Zhou Yutao stepped back.

Xu Man realized she’d missed her chance to answer the previous question, feeling a twinge of regret.

So this time, she nodded quickly.

Whatever Zhou Yutao asked—even catching a live zombie—she’d try.

“Sun Xiahe’s infected with the zombie virus and is crying to see you. Handle her, Manman,” Zhou Yutao said, glancing back at the door. “Put on some clothes. I know you’re brave, but I don’t have time to treat more wounds.”

Xu Man: “…”

She wasn’t sure if Zhou Yutao was upset, but her words felt sharp.

Instinct told Xu Man not to let her leave like this. She quickly grabbed her. “Yutao, I do like you more.” That’s why she didn’t want Xu Wu treating her wound.

It was a late answer, but she said it.

TV and novels taught her to speak up about liking someone.

But saying it was hard. Her face burned, and it took half a lifetime’s courage.

She’d never said this to anyone.

Especially to someone as exceptional and beautiful as Zhou Yutao, who made Xu Man feel unworthy.

After last night, Zhou Yutao only said past debts were cleared, meaning she forgave Xu Man’s offenses, not that confessing her feelings guaranteed they’d be together.

So, after speaking, Xu Man was nervous, hoping for Zhou Yutao’s response but fearing rejection.

Neither came. Zhou Yutao seemed to smile, saying, “I know.”

She ruffled Xu Man’s hair, whispering, “But you need to like me more. Now, get dressed, handle Sun Xiahe, and be good.”

Xu Man was stunned, her brain struggling to process Zhou Yutao’s words.

Two things were clear: Zhou Yutao didn’t mind her confession, so she had a chance.

And she couldn’t escape dealing with Sun Xiahe.

Heaven knew she wasn’t good at handling people. The incident with Wang Wei and Shi Yong still gave her chills, let alone an infected Sun Xiahe.

She couldn’t save Sun Xiahe—no one could.

Kill her? Infected people didn’t turn immediately; Sun Xiahe was still human in a sense. Wouldn’t killing her be inhumane?

Sending her away wasn’t ideal either, but better than killing.

Why did she have to handle this? Xu Yi or Qi Rui had more experience and could do better.

But she’d promised Zhou Yutao, so no backing out.

Xu Man’s head ached.

In just a few days, she’d faced one moral challenge after another.

In the apocalypse, these were the simplest.

Lost in thought, she realized she hadn’t asked Zhou Yutao something important, but Zhou Yutao had already left.

So quickly, as if only Xu Man cared about last night.

She wanted to ask if they were girlfriends now.

A small grievance stirred, but with the afternoon departure looming, she didn’t dwell.

In the living room, the stairs were clean, Wang Wei and Shi Yong’s bodies gone. No one else was there except Xu Si.

Seeing Xu Man, Xu Si’s eyes lit up. He handed her a new training uniform. “Boss, clothes. How’d I do this time?”

Madam Boss had rewarded him well, so both she and the boss must be pleased.

Maybe the boss would reward him too?

Xu Man took the clothes and put them on.

Reluctantly, she said, “Not bad.”

Xu Si’s excitement dimmed.

Just not bad?

He’d worked hard to create opportunities for the boss and Madam Boss.

Looked like no reward from the boss.

Xu Si didn’t lose heart—Boss and Madam Boss were one in his eyes.

“Boss, I’ve got something even better than last time. Want it?” Xu Si said, pulling out a familiar USB drive.

Xu Man’s calm face flushed red.

She remembered watching that video in Zhou Yutao’s presence, cowering in the corner.

Last night, she’d used some of its tricks…

“No, and you’re not allowed to watch it,” Xu Man said, mortified.

Xu Si froze but shoved the USB into her hand and turned to run downstairs.

Of course he wouldn’t watch. Last time, Xu Liu gave it to him; this time, Madam Boss told him to give it to the boss. She couldn’t refuse.

“Stop!” Xu Man clutched the USB, took a deep breath, and pocketed it. “Come with me to see Sun Xiahe.”

“Sure thing, Boss!” Xu Si stopped instantly.

Madam Boss had said to follow the boss to see Sun Xiahe.

Sneaking or going openly—it was the same.

As they walked, Xu Man asked, “Did you find out what happened with those two students?”

Xu Si: “Yeah. Wang Wei and Shi Yong had bad bl00d before the apocalypse over a girl. Yesterday, during practice, Wang Wei suggested killing the small zombie, and Shi Yong felt it was unfair. This morning, he snuck contaminated water into Wang Wei’s drink.”

“After learning contaminated water attracts zombies, Wang Wei planned to take Shi Yong and leave. Shi Yong, that idiot, either had a screw loose or something.”

Xu Man’s heart stirred. She asked, “What about Wang Wei? How are Qi Rui and the others handling him?”

Indeed, in the apocalypse, human hearts were the hardest to predict.

Xu Si paused. “If he stays, he’ll endanger everyone.”

Xu Man fell silent too.