Chapter 42: Volume 1 Chapter 42 Black-bellied x Arrogant (6)

After a brief embrace, Jiang Zhi quickly realized she was tightly hugging the man's waist, flustered, she stepped back and hastily let go.

Xie Wuchen's eyes were deep black; he stood still, as if nothing had just happened.

"Don't you hate them?" the man said calmly, yet with a barely perceptible allure, "They've long wanted to drive you away, and when they discovered you were infected, they even wanted to kill you."

Jiang Zhi's elated mood was instantly doused with cold water the moment she heard his words.

Why hate? They were already doing well by bringing her along; without them, she might have died long ago.

When her parents turned into zombies before her eyes, she lost her closest kin in this world.

She lifted her gaze and gave him an unhappy sideways glance.

"If you're here to gloat over my misfortune, then leave; I don't like what you're saying."

Very negative and dark.

Those clear eyes carried reproach, yet were untainted by the outside world.

Xie Wuchen couldn't help feeling somewhat disappointed.

He thought she would resent him, but she did not.

The girl's purity and clarity are rare among humans—and they are what he despises most.

Thus it is destined.

She and he will only stand on opposing sides.

After feeling disappointed, Xie Wuchen felt a sense of pleasure, a morbid excitement that seeped into his bones.

Indeed, his decision was correct. Compared to tormenting Luo Heng step by step, destroying his thoughts and so-called justice, the girl gives him a greater sense of accomplishment.

He is quite willing to see her desperate, broken state.

That state should be more interesting than anything else.

Xie Wuchen subdued the expression in his eyes, his shoulders trembled slightly, and his tone became slow and low.

"I'm not gloating over your misfortune," he paused, then continued, "I've already bid farewell to the team; I just want to follow you."

His words surprised Jiang Zhi, just like everyone else's expression: "You left the team? Just for me?"

No way; they weren't even that close.

Xie Wuchen raised his forehead, his eyes filled with desolation and red blood vessels: "Mm, for you."

"You're doing this to save me; I can't just watch you leave."

Deeply affectionate, it makes one involuntarily lower their guard.

Jiang Zhi looked at the man before her, who seemed to have fallen for her, and in her mind she asked 777: "Brother Seven, the favorability shouldn't be low this time, right?"

Otherwise, he'd be acting too well; she almost believed it.

777 hesitated a moment, then, as before, replied slowly: "16."

Not even 20—worse than a friend.

Jiang Zhi couldn't believe it.

She raised a hand to cover her eyes, head bowed, barely keeping her composure.

Xie Wuchen saw her suddenly lower her head, thought she was finally moved, and his thin lips involuntarily curled upward.

The prey has taken the bait.

"Xie Wuchen." After a long silence, Jiang Zhi spoke, the corners of her eyes tinged with red, her gaze complex as she took a deep breath and then said: "From now on I'll call you an idiot; I'm leaving for my own reasons, you don't need to quit the team for me! And—"

"Saving you wasn't my original intention; I'm not as good as you think, I'm selfish—if I went through that again, I wouldn't save you."

The girl's words were merciless, leaving no room for courtesy.

Having said that, she impatiently waved her hand at him: "So go back, don't cling to me; you idiot, I won't let you follow me."

Xie Wuchen's gaze flicked over her brows and eyes without a trace, then he suddenly asked: "Are you worried about me?"

After the girl finished speaking, her brow furrowed deeper and deeper, as if those words had cost her great effort.

Not from the heart.

Jiang Zhi felt as if someone had stepped on her tail, hands on hips, angry: "I worry about you? Hah! Dream on!"

She glared at him fiercely, gritted her teeth: "Alright, hurry back! Later tonight, when zombies come, I won't save you!"

Having said that, she went about her own business.

Tonight she plans to sleep here; right now the most important thing is to bandage her arm wound.

But after searching the convenience store and returning, she still saw the man at the shop's entrance.

The man sat against the wall; upon hearing footsteps he lifted his forehead, his narrow eyes helpless and forlorn.

Like a poor abandoned big dog.

Jiang Zhi felt reluctant in her heart, hesitated a moment, then spoke coldly: "You, you go! What are you doing squatting there?"

Xie Wuchen's black short hair fell over his brows and eyes, his chin resting on his knees; he lifted his eyelids and stared fixedly at her.

"I have nowhere to go."

His tone was extremely pitiable.

Jiang Zhi, who is soft-hearted, couldn't bear the sight; she stiffly averted her gaze and said: "You can still go look for them."

Xie Wuchen heard her, let out a long sigh, lowered his brows and eyes; his short hair covered his eyes, revealing only a faintly pursed dark red lip.

"But I already told them I'm coming to find you—I won't go back."

Jiang Zhi: ""

She hesitated for a long time, undecided.

After a long while.

She gritted her teeth and said: "If you're willing to follow me, then do so; anyway, I can't guarantee I'll be able to save you when you're in danger."

Upon hearing, Xie Wuchen's dim black pupils suddenly lit up; he rose from the ground, curled the corners of his mouth, and gave a gentle, striking smile.

"Mm! I know, Zhizhi."

Hearing that nickname, Jiang Zhi froze for a moment; villains from several worlds flashed in her mind, giving her the illusion that they were the same person.

But she quickly dismissed that thought—it couldn't be the same person.

Jiang Zhi snapped back, pointing at him and shouting, "Don't call me Zhizhi!"

Xie Wuchen asked blankly, "Why not?"

Jiang Zhi strode up to him; being shorter than a man, she could only tiptoe to assert her presence.

"No reason! Not allowed means not allowed!"

They aren't that close; calling her Zhizhi wouldn't embarrass her.

Only her parents call her Zhizhi; hearing him say it feels awkward and strange.

Xie Wuchen's eyes held a gentle smile that didn't fade; he nodded obediently and said, "Okay, I won't call you that."

"But what should I call you then?"

Jiang Zhi crossed her arms, haughtily: "Call me whatever you like! Just don't call me Zhizhi."

Xie Wuchen chuckled lightly: "Okay, Zhizhi."

Jiang Zhi: "."

It's impossible to go on.

The convenience store's door is glass; Jiang Zhi blocked it with curtains, leaving no corner unchecked, ensuring not a sliver of light leaks inside.

Zombies are sensitive to light, especially at night; even a bit of light will draw their attention.

After finishing those, Jiang Zhi turned around and saw that the man had prepared their bed.

In the store, making a floor bed with cardboard boxes found in the inventory on the ground plus extra curtains, lying on it is still quite comfortable.

She couldn't find words to thank him, gave him a bland glance, cleared her throat and said, "The bedding is not bad."

Xie Wuchen smiled brightly: "Thank you for your praise, Zhizhi."

Jiang Zhi didn't understand why a man loved to laugh so much; once again his smile dazed her gaze, she awkwardly looked away, stiffly walked to the bedside and lay down.