It's Hard to Be the Female Lead's Best Friend (Apocalypse) GL - Chapter 23
The stars in the night sky formed a vast river, stretching into the boundless deep sea. The quiet town was filled only with walking dead, no living person in sight.
Cheng Ziyu sat by the window, gazing at the starry sky.
On the wooden floor of the room lay many gels, peeled from the more than a hundred zombie crystal cores from earlier that day. Qin Qingyan and Shu Jingyun had long since fallen asleep.
Only Gu Qingli remained, tidying things up.
Cheng Ziyu looked back at her. Gu Qingli had her head bowed, her soft hair falling over her chest. She had changed into a clean white shirt, two buttons still undone, revealing the beautiful lines of her collarbone. Her gaze shifted downwards, the shirt stretched, appearing full and shapely.
In the moment she was pushed into the zombie’s mouth earlier, while she feared the female lead wanted to make her cannon fodder, she was more replaced by another emotion—a bitter and sour feeling.
Moonlight streamed into the window.
Cheng Ziyu, still wounded, had stained clothes, and dried black bl00d clung to her face in patches, lending a touch of tragic beauty under the moonlight.
Collecting the crystal cores.
Gu Qingli stood up, picked up the clothes placed by the corner of the bed, and walked lightly to her: “Go change your clothes.”
Cheng Ziyu took them, turning her back to Gu Qingli to undress. Because her hand hurt, her movements were a bit slow. Although her face was dirty, under the protection of her clothes, her body was as pure as jade, a stark contrast to her scarred hands, which seemed a pity.
Cheng Ziyu’s back had soft lines, extending directly from her nape to her waist; the rest of the view was hidden by her waistband. Gu Qingli lightly covered her nose, her averted gaze like fire, complemented by flushed cheeks, appearing alluring.
The indoor temperature dropped with the cool night breeze, giving Cheng Ziyu goosebumps. She quickly put on a T-shirt, then pulled off her dirty jeans.
The smooth curve of her buttocks was deeply indented, and a small pair of panties covering her seemed particularly out of place. As Cheng Ziyu bent over to pull on her pants, a small, star-shaped scar gradually appeared on her tailbone.
The scar caught Gu Qingli’s eye, startling her.
Cheng Ziyu hadn’t had time to pull up her pants when the scar was suddenly lightly touched. A tingling sensation spread throughout her body. Her face flushed, and she turned her head, stuttering, “Wh-what are you doing?”
Gu Qingli gently stroked it with her fingertips, her eyes flickering. “Where did this scar come from?”
“I don’t remember. Dad said I was too naughty when I was little and accidentally bumped into a sharp steel bar.” Cheng Ziyu’s heart began to beat uncontrollably again, all her senses focused on that one spot; even worse, the other person’s fingertip could reach deep into a hidden area with just a slight downward movement.
She held back.
“This scar doesn’t look like it’s from a bump; it looks like it was caused by some kind of surgery.” Gu Qingli withdrew her fingertips, her expression calm, as if she had done something ordinary.
Cheng Ziyu immediately pulled up her pants. The tingling sensation still lingered, making her blush in annoyance: “Are you saying my dad lied to me?”
“I didn’t mean that; I was just making a casual remark.” Gu Qingli’s eyes darted away, clearly her outward composure was all an act. “However, next time you change clothes, you can go to a separate cubicle.”
“I like changing here.”
Being commanded in such a tone, the lingering anger in her heart immediately flared up. It was broad daylight, and Shu Jingyun had changed clothes in front of zombies, yet Gu Qingli hadn’t reprimanded her.
Sure enough, the female lead was still the female lead; she wouldn’t compromise out of guilt. She had to become strong. Then, let’s see who dared to spout nonsense again.
She snorted, ignoring her.
Gu Qingli’s gaze was like a sharp blade, shooting a look at her: “I’m telling you again, find a separate place to change clothes from now on.”
“Fine, I get it.” Cheng Ziyu took out the photo and compass from her dirty clothes, muttering softly, “Too lazy to bother with you.”
Gu Qingli was about to retort, but when she saw the photo, her pupils constricted: “Is this your dad?”
The man in the photo was young and handsome. Although he was smiling, his eyes were full of bitterness. In his hand, he held a little girl who had just learned to walk. The girl had soft, short hair, a chubby, adorable face, and was drinking milk from a bottle. She wore a princess dress with a ‘0’ marked on it.
“Yes, what about it?” Cheng Ziyu saw her surprised look and a sudden suspicion arose in her heart. “Do you know my dad?”
Huh! How could that be possible?
“No, I just think your dad is quite handsome.” Gu Qingli pursed her lips, ultimately not voicing the doubt in her heart.
“That’s natural.” One sentence dispelled her doubts and eased some of the anger in her heart. She completely agreed with Gu Qingli’s statement. After putting away the photo, Cheng Ziyu yawned, “I’m going to sleep now.”
“No!”
“Huh? Why?”
“Keep watch with me.”
“Okay!” Cheng Ziyu didn’t object. Keeping watch alone indeed made one drowsy. She sat back by the window, looked up at the stars in the night sky, and involuntarily recalled the past.
When she was a child, her father would always work late at construction sites, sometimes even taking on two extra jobs. Each time, she would sit alone by the window, gazing out.
Until her father was crushed to death by a steel bar at a construction site. The 800,000 yuan compensation brought out her uncle’s family, and after the peace was broken, what followed was a nightmare.
She wondered if her uncle and his family existed in this world. If they did, Cheng Ziyu hoped never to meet them for the rest of her life.
“Cheng Ziyu.”
Cheng Ziyu looked sideways: “Mm?”
“Wash your face.”
There was sadness in her eyes. Gu Qingli didn’t like her like this; but for a moment, she didn’t know what to say, so she handed her a bottle of water to interrupt her overthinking.
“No need, right!” Cheng Ziyu’s eyes gradually cleared. She spoke earnestly, like an elder educating a junior, “It’s the apocalypse; being so clean is just making things difficult for yourself, isn’t it? Besides, water resources are precious now, don’t waste them.”
“I don’t need education from an old auntie like you. I have plenty of water in my space. If you don’t want to wash, then don’t.” Gu Qingli immediately took back the water.
This brat.
Cheng Ziyu clenched her fists, forcing a smile: “I’m not that old, am I?”
“If you maintain a proper attitude and speak well, you won’t be old.” Gu Qingli found it amusing to see her wanting to explode but having to hold back, and couldn’t help but smile.
Laugh at your sister.
Cheng Ziyu snorted coldly, turning her head away and ignoring her.
“Cheng Ziyu.”
“Now what?” Cheng Ziyu gave her a sidelong glance.
“Was your original name this?”
Cheng Ziyu blinked, somewhat confused by the question: “Yes, why?”
Gu Qingli shook her head, still bothered by that photo in her mind: “Nothing, just asking.”
Cheng Ziyu was full of suspicion about the female lead’s question. Her doubts arose, and she couldn’t help but press: “What do you really want to ask?”
“Nothing.” Gu Qingli blinked, then changed the subject smoothly, “How about you ask me questions instead?”
“Okay.” Cheng Ziyu was distracted by her, and a bunch of questions popped into her mind, “Did your spatial ability awaken very early?”
“Yes, it awakened before I met you.”
The female lead actually said it directly?
Is there a new conspiracy?
Cheng Ziyu asked with doubt in her heart: “You clearly didn’t want us to know, so why did you tell us later?”
“Because Shu Jingyun awakened her ability.”
“Ah? I don’t understand?”
Gu Qingli saw the two on the bed sleeping soundly and spoke softly: “Humans are social animals, and they like to follow the strong. At first, only I had an ability, which was too conspicuous, so I didn’t say anything. At the same time, I wanted to see if you could kill zombies on your own.”
Good heavens, the female lead’s thought process was beyond her comprehension, but after the explanation, she seemed to understand the female lead’s strange behavior: “How big is your space?”
“About thirty cubic meters.”
“How many zombies can you deal with alone?”
“Uncertain.”
No matter what question Cheng Ziyu asked, Gu Qingli answered quickly and simply, until Cheng Ziyu asked her: “Do you have someone you like?”
Gu Qingli looked up, staring blankly at her.
Cheng Ziyu thought she hadn’t heard clearly, so she asked again: “Do you have someone you like?”
“I… I don’t know.”
Huh? Has the female lead not fallen for the male lead yet?
Cheng Ziyu felt she should take this opportunity to clarify to the female lead that she wouldn’t fight her for a man; but for a moment, she didn’t know how to start: “Actually… I…”
“Do you have someone you like?”
Eh?
Cheng Ziyu’s tongue twisted in her mouth, and her brain raced: “Uh… I…”
“Is it Xie Feiyu?” Gu Qingli didn’t wait for her to finish. Her smile cooled, and a tone of jealousy that even she didn’t notice crept into her voice.
“Eh?” Cheng Ziyu’s heart skipped a beat. Her mind couldn’t keep up with the other person’s rhythm. “What… what Xie Feiyu? Who is that?”
“Then tell me, who do you like?”
Gu Qingli narrowed her eyes and sneered. She leaned in close to her. The moment their eyes met, Cheng Ziyu guiltily looked away.
“What do you mean ‘who do I like’? I mean I don’t like anyone.” Cheng Ziyu was exasperated, “I won’t like anyone.”
“Oh?” Gu Qingli scoffed. Her bright eyes stared at Cheng Ziyu, as if wanting to see right through her: “That’s not convincing.”
“I once liked someone, but I was deeply hurt. Is there a problem with not wanting to invest my heart again?” Cheng Ziyu’s tone was slightly angry.
Gu Qingli raised an eyebrow, looked away, and said no more.
Cheng Ziyu didn’t understand why the female lead suddenly suspected her of liking the male lead. Wait…
She didn’t even know the male lead now, so why would the female lead suspect her of liking him? Cheng Ziyu’s mind kept replaying clues, connecting them one by one.
She was startled. Is the female lead reborn?
So that’s why the female lead had always been hostile towards her, and pushed her towards the zombies. All these reasons were because the female lead wanted to get rid of her. Furthermore, now the female lead suspected her of liking the male lead.
But Cheng Ziyu couldn’t figure out why the female lead had many opportunities to get rid of her, but didn’t act. Why?
••••
A large armed force entered Su Nan University. Their equipment rivaled that of an army; they were not only well-trained but also physically robust.
A woman stepped out of one of the vehicles. She wore a tight, long brown dress that perfectly accentuated her full bust, making her appear seductive and alluring. However, the long dress also concealed her legs, creating a perfect blend of ascetic and seductive.
The woman walked directly towards a small building, her objective clear, seeking the person she yearned for: “Xie Feiyu.”
Xie Feiyu sat on a lounge chair outdoors, gazing at the starry sky: “Tian Huixiuen, why are you here?”
Tian Huixiuen carried a chair and sat beside him, resting her chin on her hand and smiling gently: “I missed you.”
Xie Feiyu frowned and sat up: “It’s too dangerous outside. I’ll have someone send you back.”
Tian Huixiuen smiled helplessly: “You have fewer people around you than I brought. How will you send me back?”
“I told them to set up camp at the suburban hospital first. I have plenty of people. Go back quickly!”
“You’re chasing me away as soon as I arrive? Oh, how sad!” Tian Huixiuen sighed, “Have you found Gu Qingli?”
Xie Feiyu shook his head.
“Is that so!” Tian Huixiuen gave a subtle smile, “Actually, I came to tell you something else.”
“What is it?”
“Your Ark Project, its biggest obstacle is the government.” Tian Huixiuen took a stack of white papers from her bag. “I received news that the government plans to execute a ‘Inducement Plan.’ As long as we disrupt this plan, many people will lose confidence in the government. Then, once our base is established, our prestige will surpass the government’s.”
Xie Feiyu took the papers and examined them carefully: “This will require many sacrifices.”
Tian Huixiuen smiled, patiently waiting.
Xie Feiyu raised his hand, scattering the white papers into the air. In a moment, the papers inexplicably turned into fragments, falling like snowflakes.
“Thanks.”