Picking Up My Ex-Wife in the Apocalypse - Chapter 17

Inside the inner chamber, Si Ruxu sensed a familiar, stealthy wisp of energy drifting in. A faint smile touched her lips. Through the monitor, she could see Si Qi sitting out there, her face masked with an expression of feigned disinterest, looking like a well-behaved pup.

Having finished the debrief on the Purge, the Commander followed Si Ruxu’s gaze to the screen.

“So, your version of the story is that there’s a mole in the base who tried to frame and eliminate you, but you were saved by her along the way.”

“Yes.”

“The moment you entered the base, I ran her files. A few months ago, she was a powerless ordinary human who just happened to be out on a mission the day before the siege. How do you explain that?” The Commander narrowed his eyes, studying Si Ruxu.

“It’s not something I can explain in a few words,” Si Ruxu replied, her posture unyielding. She looked through him, as if seeing something else entirely. “But Si Qi is valuable. You of all people should understand how unique and powerful her Space attribute is.”

She was practically an invincible asset. If her growth continued unchecked to Level 7 and beyond, she could be the variable that breaks the apocalypse.

The man seemed to weigh this. His fingers drummed against the metal table—short, rapid taps that made Si Ruxu feel a sudden, inexplicable surge of irritation.

The same old tricks, she thought, her eyes turning icy.

After a long silence, the Commander spoke again. “What if we let Si Qi lead her own independent squad? She could become the base’s seventh core leader.”

The room went silent. Si Ruxu’s lips curled into a shallow, mirthless smile.

The base recruited talent loyal to the organization, but a squad was loyal to its captain. For him to try and poach her person so blatantly was a bold move, even for him.

“I know you wouldn’t want to lose such a talent,” the Commander continued, “but with over two thousand Awakened dead, we’re desperate for combat power. Why don’t we ask for her opinion? Let her decide for herself.”

Si Ruxu kept her smile fixed. A fair choice? More like an attempt at bribery and intimidation, she thought. She didn’t say a word as she stood up and walked toward the door, that familiar trail of energy following closely behind her.

*****

Outside, the air in the lab grew heavy. Seeing Si Ruxu’s cold face, the others fell silent. The Commander stepped out behind her, his movements steady and radiating the aura of a man in power.

He looked at Si Qi with the appreciative gaze of a mentor. “I’ve learned about your situation. You are truly a rare talent. I’d like to offer you the position of the base’s seventh leader. You can build your own core squad. Every resource the base owns will be at your disposal.”

Si Qi looked at Si Ruxu. The woman didn’t look back; she remained silent.

Si Qi had heard the conversation inside. Si Ruxu hadn’t defended her then. Did she want her to serve the base? Was that the only reason she’d brought her back?

Si Qi’s heart sank. She turned to the Commander, her voice sharp with irritation: “Give the job to someone who cares.”

The Commander’s polite smile stiffened. He looked at her in disbelief. “Do you realize how fast you could progress with the base’s full backing? You would have ultimate authority and status.”

Si Qi ignored him. He took a step forward, reaching out to grab her arm.

The moment he made to touch her, Si Qi blinked to the other side of the room. It was the first time the core leaders had seen her use her power in person, and the expressions on their faces shifted instantly.

The Commander’s face twisted with anger before he forced himself back to a neutral mask. “Then tell me. What is it you want?”

Si Ruxu leaned lazily against a counter. She always enjoyed watching people try to manipulate a “loyal dog” only to realize the dog only bites for one person. Men like the Commander, who still thought in terms of power and hierarchy during the end of the world, were a relic.

Still, he was powerful. No one knew exactly how strong he was, only that he had single-handedly held the base during the beast tide a year ago. Everyone respected him, even if he was the one who threw ordinary people out as meat shields a few months prior.

Si Qi looked at Si Ruxu, catching the faint, amused smile on her face. It only made her angrier. She pointed a finger at Si Ruxu. “I’m joining her squad.”

The Commander nearly choked. Young people never knew what was good for them. He forced a dry laugh. “You like working with Xiao Xu? Fine. As long as you’re contributing to the base.”

Si Qi frowned. “Who said I was contributing to the base? I told you when I walked in: I am only loyal to Si Ruxu.”

She mentally slapped a “STUPID” label on the Commander’s forehead. Why play word games at his age?

Si Ruxu had seen enough. She straightened up and began to walk away, Si Qi trailing right behind her. Before leaving the Core Zone, Si Ruxu looked back at the stunned group.

“As you can see, Si Qi is my person. The base should scout its own talent,” she said with a light laugh. “Moreover, if what the base does contradicts its original purpose. If it is no longer for the future of humanity, then we are no longer on the same path.”

*****

They walked out of the metal citadel. Si Qi hurried to catch up, whispering, “Did you find something out? Why did you say the base betrayed its purpose?”

“It’s just a theory for now. Shh. I’ll tell you when we get home.”

Halfway there, Si Qi realized she was still supposed to be brooding. She kicked a pebble across the road with a loud clack to get Si Ruxu’s attention.

“Did the rock offend you?” Si Ruxu asked, her voice like a mother coaxing a child.

“No,” Si Qi replied, looking into Si Ruxu’s amber eyes. “If I had said yes to the Commander… would we really have gone our separate ways?”

Si Qi didn’t like talking in circles. She just wanted to know. She watched as the ice in Si Ruxu’s eyes melted into a soft spring thaw.

“No. I would have stolen you back. I would have taken you away just like I did in the Purge. We are partners; the base is just a place to stay.”

Si Ruxu didn’t say the rest of what she was thinking. If the Commander had been honest, if he had investigated the mole instead of playing politics. She might have encouraged Si Qi to take the lead. But the Commander had changed. He wasn’t the kind man he used to be.

She had hidden Si Qi’s second ability and her own injuries for a reason. The Commander’s attitude was ambiguous; she wasn’t even sure if he was behind her initial betrayal. But she was alive, and she still held the “Ultimate Weapon.”

*****

They finally reached “home.” It wasn’t the tattered shack Si Qi expected, but a clean, modern apartment—a relic of the old world kept in perfect condition. There was a shower, a screen, and a balcony where warm sunlight poured in.

“Living like this… doesn’t it make you forget there’s an apocalypse outside?” Si Qi asked.

Si Ruxu looked at her from where she had already collapsed onto the sofa. “Come here.”

Si Qi walked over obediently. Si Ruxu pulled her down, her arms hooking around Si Qi’s neck. Si Qi’s heart skipped a beat as she stared at the face inches from her own.

Her gaze dropped to Si Ruxu’s red lips. The urge to kiss her was overwhelming—a primal, surging desire to taste that color.

“Lie down next to me,” Si Ruxu whispered.

Si Qi’s eyes darkened, but she obeyed, settling onto the sofa. Next to her, Si Ruxu gripped the fabric, the lingering warmth of Si Qi’s body making her own skin tingle.

“We spend most of our time on missions,” Si Ruxu murmured, acting as if she hadn’t noticed the heat in Si Qi’s gaze. “Enjoy the comfort while it lasts.”

Si Qi nodded. The sofa was soft, and her exhaustion finally won out. She fell into a deep sleep.

Si Ruxu watched her sleep, her own lips feeling strangely warm.

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