[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-wasteland-s-only-king":3,"chapter-wasteland-s-only-king-wasteland-s-only-king-chapter-21":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Wasteland's Only King",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1594803,2061,"Chapter 21: Blessing or Curse","wasteland-s-only-king-chapter-21",21,"\u003Cp>\"Thanks for today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the zoo entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the scorching noon sun, there was still a long line of people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Jin looked at Yin Yao and sincerely expressed his thanks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Senior Sister hadn’t used her \"Superman\" privilege, this trip to the zoo definitely wouldn’t have gone so smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let alone touching all the animals, just petting a lion or a tiger would have been a lot of trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s nothing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Yao shook her head, not taking it to heart at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Yao stared at Yu Jin, asking the question that had been bothering her inside:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why did you suddenly decide to come to the zoo and do all these things?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stuff like touching a tiger’s butt...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Jin didn’t change his expression at her words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew his odd behavior today would definitely raise Yin Yao’s suspicions—no question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Yu Jin had been prepared for this all along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I had a dream last night.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rather than answer directly, Yu Jin suddenly said this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A dream?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Yao’s brows furrowed slightly, not understanding what this had to do with Yu Jin’s zoo-petting spree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, a dream—a really vivid one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Jin’s face was all seriousness, as if lost in the memory:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In the dream, I found out that as long as I got up close and touched animals like lions or tigers, I could turn into Superman!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know Superman, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After saying that, Yu Jin gave an awkward laugh: \"Senior Sister must think that dream is childish, huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Yao’s beautiful eyes widened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Jin’s off-the-cuff story set off huge waves in her heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Could it be...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Last time, was Yu Jin so powerful not because of some special opportunity during the closed beta, but because of these... dreams?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Yao thought this to herself, but still showed the perfect smile on her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She asked teasingly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So after touching the lions and tigers, did you turn into Superman?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Jin shook his head, looking disappointed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nope, that’s why I said, it’s just a childish dream.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Yu Jin sighed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I really became Superman, I’d have to show off some superpowers for Senior Sister, no doubt.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Yao didn’t pursue it further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two walked side by side, and the atmosphere turned a bit silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Jin saw the bustling Qinda Square not far ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Senior Sister Yin, as thanks for your help today, can your little junior treat you to lunch?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Yao was startled, coming back from her thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She replied softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fourth floor of the mall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Window seats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Jin and Yin Yao sat facing each other, table piled high with steaming dishes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thanks again for all your help these past few days, Senior Sister.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Jin poured himself a glass of Jiangxiaobai liquor and downed it in one go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s nothing, really.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Yao motioned for Yu Jin to pour her a drink too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Jin hesitated for a second but decided to respect her wishes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After several glasses of baijiu, the mood at the table became strangely weird.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not that flirtatious vibe between a man and a woman, but...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Be brothers—in our hearts!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll finish mine, Senior Sister, you drink as you like!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The generous rewards from the zoo trip put Yu Jin in a great mood. Before he knew it, he drank a bit too much and lost control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mmm—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Yao had seemingly never drunk baijiu before, and after several glasses, her delicate, fair face was completely flushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Down the hatch!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This always-elegant Senior Sister now seemed a bit bold thanks to the booze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The usually quiet and gentle Senior Sister began to talk more and more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yu Jin...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell me, you really aren’t planning to log into Wasteland, to try out that game?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Jin was swaying his head from drinking, slurring his words:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Senior Sister, you still don’t trust your junior!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I get motion-sick in 3D, really bad. If I play that game, I’d probably throw up in two minutes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Yao poured herself another glass of baijiu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What a pity, such a pity.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was hoping to play with you...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Yao murmured to herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the table—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two of them kept drinking, one glass after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who knows how much time passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both of them were pretty much slumped over, Yin Yao’s pretty face bright red, sitting back weakly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yu Jin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She suddenly called out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Jin responded hazily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Say...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If—I’m just saying if—one day, you, me, and billions of people all over the world suddenly get thrown into a perilous Wasteland World...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What would you do then?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she said this, Yin Yao’s eyes were half-closed from the alcohol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Superman!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Happy Hero!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Jin answered instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Happy Hero?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Yao looked confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Yu Jin didn’t explain, just muttered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If that day really comes, I hope it arrives later—much, much later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Yao sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Me too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There’s not much time left.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One hour later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the restaurant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A group of young men with buzz cuts, business suits, and sharp demeanors appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Take him back to school.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Yao, who had been ’dead drunk’ and slumped in her seat a second ago, now sat up straight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face was still flushed, but...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her words were clear, her mood calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Miss.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The buzz cut youths responded, then carried the totally passed-out Yu Jin away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the restaurant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Yao took out a white handkerchief, gently wiped her mouth, and stared off into the distance, deep in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today’s probing didn’t get any useful information from Yu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She, too, had given Yu Jin some hints about the future in the form of \"drunk talk\", if he remembered them after sobering up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dream that Yu Jin mentioned had actually caught Yin Yao’s attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Maybe I should go touch a tiger’s butt, too?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The absurd thought even popped up in Yin Yao’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beep beep—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a ringtone sounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Yao picked up her phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The buzz cut men in suits had already started clearing out the restaurant, keeping out all idle bystanders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grandpa.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Yao answered the call.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An old man’s voice came through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Didn’t get any effective info. Still no idea how Yu Jin could be so powerful in the future Wasteland World.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Yao said softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Should we monitor—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man had just started speaking when Yin Yao directly cut him off:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When it comes to Yu Jin, all we can do is make friends, keep up a good relationship. Anything else...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Will only bring disaster in the future!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Yao spoke with conviction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one understood better than her just how powerful Yu Jin was in the future Wasteland World!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A power so great it could ignore millions, ignore all dangers!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man’s voice was hoarse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, he thought the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man said quietly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Today, the second batch of helmets suddenly appeared in large numbers...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There are a lot of helmets this time, and even though we mobilized forces right away, quite a few still ended up in the public’s hands.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"According to what you said—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Five days from now, those who activate the helmets and log in to the Wasteland game are practically guaranteed to be transported into Wasteland.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Those who never touched a helmet will be randomly selected for crossing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So we can’t be sure...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For the thousands and millions of ordinary people, are these helmets a blessing—or a curse...\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1272,"2026-06-06T09:25:00.699Z",1,"novelbin.me","3ce6289e3cc00bb5ed113e2565141538b401413cea55a0d77f3d86ff9ed09335","wasteland-s-only-king-chapter-22","wasteland-s-only-king-chapter-20",370,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fwasteland-s-only-king-cover.jpg"]