Chapter 125

Chapter 125: Ambush – The Door to Rebirth in the Apocalypse

The meeting lasted much longer than Ji Qige had said.

Gu Ning waited in the lounge for a full three hours. People came in waves to see the “living monster,” and it was already 1:30 PM. Gu Ning hadn’t eaten anything since morning, and after landing at the airport, she went straight to headquarters without grabbing a bite. She was starving. She thought about going to the 18th floor to eat, but considering Ji Jiuzhe probably hadn’t eaten either and was still in the meeting, she felt it would be rude to go alone.

After waiting another ten minutes, she heard the sound of chairs being moved and footsteps. Gu Ning knew the meeting had ended and quickly stood up.

A middle-aged man said to the others, “I booked a table at a restaurant not far from here. Let’s all go grab a bite.”

Everyone agreed, except Ji Jiuzhe, who said, “I won’t be joining. I already have plans.” His gaze fell on Gu Ning, who had just walked out of the lounge.

The others looked at Gu Ning in surprise.

Ji Qige laughed, pulling the stiff-faced Gu Ning over and pushing her toward Ji Jiuzhe. “You’re just meeting her, right? Bring her along.”

Apart from Ji Jiuzhe and Ji Qige, everyone else present looked like uncles in their forties or fifties. Though dressed casually, their demeanor suggested they were important figures, likely high-ranking officials. Gu Ning didn’t dare speak out of turn and looked to Ji Jiuzhe for guidance.

Ji Jiuzhe asked, “Have you eaten?”

Gu Ning replied, “Not yet.”

The tall middle-aged man at the front said kindly, “Then bring her along. It’s past lunchtime, and we’re all starving. Let’s not waste any more time.” He smiled warmly at Gu Ning, who quickly forced a smile in return.

Ji Qige said to Gu Ning, “Don’t be nervous. It’s just a family dinner, all among friends.” He glanced at Ji Jiuzhe with a smile.

Ji Jiuzhe remained stoic, his expression unreadable.

Once seated, the kind middle-aged man took the head of the table, with Ji Qige to his right and Ji Jiuzhe next to him. Gu Ning sat beside Ji Jiuzhe.

Since the reservation was made in advance, the food came quickly.

The dinner was less formal than Gu Ning had imagined. Everyone chatted like ordinary people, asking about each other’s families and discussing plans for overseas trips.

Gu Ning didn’t feel too out of place. After finishing a bowl of rice, she glanced at the waiter in the corner, who promptly came over to refill her bowl.

Gu Ning continued eating quietly. Throughout the meal, only she and Ji Jiuzhe were focused on eating. Unbeknownst to her, the middle-aged man at the head of the table was watching her with a satisfied smile.

Gu Ning was so hungry that she went for a third serving. The waiter gave her a strange look. With two handsome young men sitting beside her, this girl wasn’t holding back at all. Most girls these days couldn’t eat four bowls of rice in one sitting, and even many men didn’t have that kind of appetite. She also ate a lot of the dishes.

Just as she put her bowl down, the last piece of fish on the table remained. Gu Ning had a habit of never taking the last piece of food when dining out, to avoid depriving others. But in her moment of hesitation, Ji Jiuzhe subtly picked up the last piece of fish and placed it in her bowl.

Gu Ning looked up at Ji Jiuzhe, who returned her gaze as if to say, “What are you looking at?” Gu Ning gave him a look back, signaling nothing, and continued eating. But she couldn’t shake the strange feeling that her relationship with Ji Jiuzhe had taken a significant leap forward during this trip.

“Miss, what’s your name?” the leader asked kindly as they were leaving.

Gu Ning replied, “I’m Gu Ning. Gu as in ‘care,’ Ning as in ‘tranquility.'”

The leader smiled and said, “Good, Gu Ning. See you next time.”

Gu Ning nodded, “Alright. Take care.”

The leader nodded at her, then glanced at Ji Jiuzhe and said, “Let’s go.”

After seeing off the group of uncles, Gu Ning relaxed.

Ji Qige tossed the car keys to Ji Jiuzhe and said, “I won’t be driving you back.”

Ji Jiuzhe drove over, and Gu Ning got into the driver’s seat. The car slowly left the headquarters building.

“I might be delayed here for a few days. Do you want to go back to Jinyong, or stay here and wait for me to return together?” Ji Jiuzhe asked casually after driving for a while.

Gu Ning answered almost without hesitation, “I think I’ll go back to Jinyong first.” Being with Ji Jiuzhe made her nervous about entering her space, fearing he might discover it. Returning to Jinyong would be more convenient.

Ji Jiuzhe seemed momentarily stunned, then said, “Alright.”

The car fell silent.

Gu Ning sensed the atmosphere in the car had cooled after Ji Jiuzhe’s response.

She glanced at Ji Jiuzhe. Though his expression was as stoic as ever, Gu Ning felt he might be a bit upset. Did he expect her to stay and wait for him? Gu Ning had always been cautious in handling her relationship with Ji Jiuzhe, subconsciously treating him as her superior. Thinking she had guessed his intentions, she tentatively asked, “Then… should I stay and wait for you?”

Ji Jiuzhe said, “If you want to go back, I can arrange a flight for you.”

Gu Ning immediately understood and said, “No need. I think I’ll go back with you, Captain.” This would also give her a chance to see the bustling capital before the apocalypse.

The atmosphere in the car visibly lightened.

Gu Ning secretly sighed in relief.

Ji Jiuzhe, now more relaxed, asked, “What do you want to eat tonight?”

They had just finished lunch. Wasn’t it a bit early to discuss dinner?

Gu Ning silently complained but said, “Anything is fine.”

The car stopped in front of Century Department Store.

Ji Jiuzhe got out first and opened the door for Gu Ning. “Get out.”

“What’s going on?” Gu Ning asked, puzzled after getting out.

Ji Jiuzhe said succinctly, “Buying clothes.”

Gu Ning then noticed that most passersby were wearing heavy coats, some even with scarves, their breath visible in the cold air. She, however, was still in the thin sportswear she had brought from home.

Ji Jiuzhe naturally touched the back of Gu Ning’s hand lightly and briefly, then said, “Your hands are so cold. Aren’t you freezing?”

Gu Ning wanted to say that since being bitten by a zombie, her body had been cold, unable to feel warmth. If it weren’t for her still-beating heart, she might have thought she was already dead. If not for the need to cover her skin to avoid zombie scratches, she could have worn short sleeves.

Perhaps it was strange for Gu Ning to be dressed so lightly in such cold weather, or maybe Ji Jiuzhe was too eye-catching, or their combination was just odd. Many passersby glanced their way, and a group of fashionable girls giggled, mainly at Ji Jiuzhe.

Gu Ning obediently followed Ji Jiuzhe into Century Department Store, feeling like she was in a scene from her favorite Korean dramas. She imagined herself trying on clothes, with Ji Jiuzhe shaking his head or waving his hand until she finally walked out in a stunning outfit, and Ji Jiuzhe’s eyes lighting up with admiration. The thought made her chuckle, earning a puzzled look from Ji Jiuzhe.

However, reality was different. Half an hour later, Gu Ning walked out of Century Department Store wearing a bright pink knee-length down jacket, carrying two shopping bags. Her expression was… awkward. This pink, fluffy jacket was something she wouldn’t have dared to wear even when she was more girly. And wasn’t it too thick? She wasn’t that cold. She felt like a pink penguin. Ji Jiuzhe even called it “cute.” Cute?! Gu Ning never thought she’d be called cute, especially by Ji Jiuzhe.

But not wanting to disappoint Ji Jiuzhe’s kindness, Gu Ning had to wear the “troublesome” pink jacket.

Zhuang Chen had mentioned that Ji Jiuzhe was obsessed with buying properties, owning homes all over the country. According to her sources, he had at least six properties in the capital alone.

The three-story villa near the Forbidden City was spacious, with a luxurious glass elevator. From the bedroom window, you could see a vast expanse of palaces.

The bedroom was larger than her living room at home.

Thinking about this, Gu Ning suddenly felt she should buy her parents a new house. Their current home had only two bedrooms and a living room, with a kitchen and bathroom, totaling less than 60 square meters. The living room felt cramped with just a sofa, table, and TV stand. Even with her current salary, she could afford a nice house in Jinyong. The problem was explaining the source of her money to her parents.

Maybe she could lie again, using Ji Jiuzhe’s excuse—that she had been headhunted by a wealthy boss, given a high salary, and even allocated a house. But that might make them think she was being kept by a rich man. Telling the truth wasn’t an option either. Her mother would worry endlessly about her safety, which wouldn’t be good.

Gu Ning pondered but couldn’t think of a good way to buy a house openly. Before, she had no money; now, she had money but couldn’t use it. What a dilemma!

After settling her in, Ji Jiuzhe received a call and left in a hurry.

Gu Ning hesitated but decided not to change out of the down jacket. Holding Ji Jiuzhe’s wallet, she decided to go shopping.

She hailed a taxi and, not knowing the area well, asked to be taken to a bustling part of the city.

The driver chuckled, “You’re interesting. Not a local, not a tourist. Are you here visiting family?”

Gu Ning just smiled.

Seeing she wasn’t talkative, the driver, though finding her a bit cold, kept quiet and focused on driving.

It was the weekend, and the streets were crowded. Gu Ning bought a candied hawthorn stick and walked slowly through the crowd, observing the people around her. Their smiles and lively expressions, some with worries over trivial matters—if they saw the apocalypse, they wouldn’t find these small issues worth fretting over. Parents held their children’s hands tightly, and kids happily played with toys bought on the street. The bustling, noisy crowd was a sight she might never see again in another world. Gu Ning watched with fascination.

“Gu Ning?!” A familiar voice called from behind her.

Gu Ning stopped and turned around.

She met a pair of eyes bright with surprise. Cheng Ming, struggling through the crowd, waved excitedly, “Senior Sister Gu Ning!”

He finally made his way over, wearing a blue down jacket, his eyes shining with excitement. “Senior Sister Gu Ning, it’s really you! I thought I was mistaken!”

Gu Ning looked at him in surprise, “Cheng Ming? What are you doing here?”

Her tone was natural and friendly, and she even remembered his name.

Cheng Ming’s eyes lit up even more. “I just arrived in the capital last month for an internship. Today’s my day off, so I came out.”

“Cheng Ming! Why are you running off?” A familiar face emerged from the crowd, a girl complaining to Cheng Ming.

Cheng Ming, afraid Gu Ning might misunderstand, quickly introduced, “Senior Sister, this is my classmate, interning at the same company. Huang Mengyao, this is Senior Sister Gu Ning from our school.”

Used to seeing Huang Mengyao with messy short hair in the apocalypse, Gu Ning was a bit taken aback by her current look—well-groomed with long, wavy black hair. But she smiled warmly, “Hello, Mengyao.”

Huang Mengyao was momentarily stunned, her impatient expression softening. She felt an inexplicable sense of closeness to Gu Ning, perhaps from the way Gu Ning looked at her. Huang Mengyao couldn’t pinpoint it but found herself smiling back, “Hello, Senior Sister.”

“Senior Sister, how have you been?” Cheng Ming asked. He didn’t mention that after hearing Gu Ning had returned, he had secretly staked out near her house, watching her leave. He hadn’t mustered the courage to greet her then but noticed her hair had turned golden. So, when he saw a blonde in the crowd, he tentatively called out, not expecting it to really be her. She seemed… well.

Gu Ning smiled, “I’m doing well.”

Cheng Ming asked, “Are you working in Beijing now?”

“No, I’m just here with a friend for some business. I’ll be returning to Jinyong in a few days,” Gu Ning said with a smile. “When I’m back, I’ll treat you to a meal.”

Cheng Ming, initially disappointed, perked up at the offer. “Really?” Then, a bit shyly, he added, “Could you give me your number? I’ll look you up after my internship.”

Huang Mengyao also quietly took out her phone to note it down.

Gu Ning recited a series of numbers.

Cheng Ming immediately dialed, and Gu Ning’s phone rang in her pocket.

Huang Mengyao couldn’t help but comment, “Senior Sister Gu Ning, isn’t that a Nokia that went out of production centuries ago?” She paused, then awkwardly added, “Uh… that’s pretty cool.”

Gu Ning just smiled, unfazed.

Since Huang Mengyao needed Cheng Ming to accompany her for some errands, Cheng Ming reluctantly bid farewell to Gu Ning and disappeared into the crowd with Huang Mengyao.

Watching them fade into the sea of people, Gu Ning felt a wave of emotions.

She continued walking, eating as she went, from one end of the street to the other, for a full two hours. After disposing of her trash, she entered a supermarket.

By the time she returned with groceries, it was already 5:30 PM.

As Gu Ning was preparing the already cleaned fish, a sudden palpitation struck her. She clutched her chest, recalling a similar feeling during a devastating attack by mutated plants in the apocalypse.

Without hesitation, not even bothering to wash her hands, Gu Ning instantly shifted into her space and then to the apocalypse.

It was 3 AM in the apocalypse. Gu Ning appeared in her room, which was eerily quiet. She immediately looked toward the bed, where her parents were peacefully sleeping. Gu Ning let out a long breath, trying to calm her pounding heart. But the next moment, gunfire from the direction of the management office made her heart leap again!