You say the cataclysm only comes after you've cleared the entire dungeon?

Luo Linyang followed behind Lin Xiulan, and the Li family couple also came over.

Lou Fengyue turned her head to look at the person who came, gave a brief greeting, and stuffed the last bite of sweet potato into her mouth.

She picked up her plate and stood up, her tone polite but her expression calm and composed: "Please enjoy your meal. I'll be leaving now."

Luo Zeyan glanced at her, naturally understanding what she was avoiding, and replied, "Okay, get some rest."

Lin Xiulan's expression froze for a moment, and she moved her lips but didn't know what to say.

He could only stand there, stunned, watching that slender figure walk further and further away.

"Why does Xiaolou seem so different?" Lin Xiulan plopped down next to Luo Zeyan, sighing deeply. "She used to be such a cheerful child, how come she's become so cold now..."

"Isn't it normal for the world to change these days?" Tao Yi sighed, whether in a consolation or a sigh of regret, it was hard to tell.

Luo Zeyan lowered his head and ate his instant noodles. His hand holding the chopsticks paused almost imperceptibly, but he didn't reply.

After a quick dinner, Li Yichen made an excuse that he needed to talk to Du Gui about training, and left with Luo Zeyan.

The two strolled leisurely along the track on the playground.

The night breeze was slightly cool tonight, but the sky was overcast and pitch black, without a single star.

"Hey, what's going on between you and Lou Fengyue?" Li Yichen glanced at Luo Zeyan.

Anyone with eyes can see the special atmosphere between the two when they first reunited.

It's also clear that the two have grown significantly more distant recently.

She doesn't resemble the ideal woman of my youth at all, nor even a former classmate with whom I had a decent relationship.

More unfamiliar, more distant, as if they were just temporary comrades who came to provide support.

Luo Zeyan didn't hide anything and said frankly, "I've come clean with her."

Li Yichen's pupils suddenly dilated as he stared at Luo Zeyan in disbelief: "A showdown? You confessed to her? And got rejected?"

"Not really." Luo Zeyan looked up at the dark sky and exhaled a heavy breath. "It's just... telling her that I liked her in high school."

"And then? Didn't you say you like her now too?"

"no."

Li Yichen twitched his lips, unsure how to respond, and pressed for an answer, "So what did she say?"

She said she liked me in high school too.

"Holy crap!" Li Yichen's eyes widened in shock, and he grabbed Luo Zeyan's shoulder. "You two haven't been secretly in love with each other for ten years, have you? What are you waiting for if you're not together yet?"

Luo Zeyan pursed his lips and said, "She said we're even."

"Even even?" Li Yichen frowned in confusion. "Even what? You don't owe her anything, and she doesn't owe you anything. What's there to settle?"

"I confessed to my past self from ten years ago, and she gave me a clear answer." Luo Zeyan stroked the Soul Furnace in his pocket and said, word by word, "She meant that we are only suitable to be comrades-in-arms now, not to talk about the past."

Li Yichen pursed his lips, not expecting these two usually decisive people to be so indecisive when it came to matters of the heart.

They were also very cautious.

"No wonder, I could clearly sense that she's been deliberately avoiding contact with your parents these past few days."

"Hmm." Luo Zeyan responded indifferently, his expression eerily calm, as if he were telling a story that had nothing to do with him.

If Li Yichen hadn't been inseparable from him for over ten years, everyone would probably have thought he had let go.

Li Yichen glanced at Luo Zeyan for a while, then withdrew his hand. "Alright, since you two have made your decision, I won't try to play matchmaker. Comrades are comrades, having such a capable captain is not bad."

-

The next morning, Luo Zeyan and Li Yichen went to the playground as usual to lead the team in training.

When passing by the parking area in front of the teaching building, it was discovered that the SUV that Lou Fengyue was in was gone.

Luo Zeyan glanced at the watch and couldn't help but be a little surprised.

She usually loves to sleep in, so why did she go out so early today?

Meanwhile, Lou Fengyue, sitting in the passenger seat of the SUV, yawned three times in a row.

Tears welled up in her eyes, and she looked like she had lost her soul as she absentmindedly chatted with her brother on the phone.

Lou Yunzheng said on the phone, "Qin Qian has finalized the location for the new district. It's in a small suburban county town, nestled against the mountains and beside the water—a great location. He recently gathered everyone in the security zone with experience in construction engineering to participate in the design and construction, and I went to join in the fun too."

"Is the place big?" Lou Fengyue asked sleepily.

"It's alright. Once the designated area is developed, it will be able to accommodate tens of thousands of people. If there is a shortage of land later, it can be expanded to both sides."

Hearing this, Lou Fengyue regained some composure and frowned, asking, "There are only a little over two thousand survivors in the Linjiang Safe Zone right now. Even with continued rescue efforts, it's unlikely the number will exceed ten thousand. What does Qin Qian need such a large area for? For farming?"

"The land for planting has already been included in the plan. It seems that he wants to include the people from the Yulin Safety Zone as well," Lou Yunzheng said.

"Oh—" Lou Fengyue drawled, seemingly understanding, "That's good. Conditions in Yulin are limited, there are far more zombies than people, and the infrastructure is very inadequate. If we could merge with Linjiang, the chances of survival would be higher. Besides, the two cities aren't far apart, so relocation would be relatively convenient."

"Hmm." Lou Yunzheng's voice carried a hint of gentle laughter. "How are you doing over there? When are you planning to come back? Mom and Dad talk about you every day."

"Everything went smoothly, but I estimate it will be a few more days before I can return. The current safe zone is too fragile. I'll leave once I move them to a safer location."

"And what about you and Luo Zeyan?" Lou Yunzheng's tone was teasing. "You went on a mission together, spent several days together, nothing unusual happened?"

Lou Fengyue rolled her eyes helplessly: "Did we kill a horde of zombies yesterday? Was that special?"

Lou Yunzheng chuckled softly: "It is indeed very special. Others need a financial foundation to date, but you and he have gone straight to the point of being willing to die for each other."

"What nonsense are you talking about? I haven't even talked to him." Lou Fengyue clicked her tongue and said resentfully.

"Yes, yes, you're so aloof, so insightful, you're using your ideal woman like a firebomb," Lou Yunzheng teased.

Lou Fengyue clicked her tongue in dissatisfaction, "You make me sound like a heartless boss who exploits labor."

Lou Yunzheng chuckled softly again: "Alright, I won't tease you anymore. Take care of yourself, we'll be waiting for you to come home."

Lou Fengyue's heart softened, and a rare smile appeared in her peach blossom eyes: "Okay, you all be careful too—"

Before he could finish speaking, the faint static in the receiver suddenly stopped.

Lou Fengyue took the phone away from her ear and glanced at it.

There's no signal.

The internet connection was completely cut off.