The Abused Novel Heroine Became a Clingy Sweetheart [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 58

…Shit, so arrogant.

The people in the small team fell silent, their gazes toward You Ting showing a strange wariness.

But given that the other party was willing to share supplies with them, they couldn’t possibly fall out with her, logically or emotionally. They even had to thank You Ting politely.

Shen Jiahang took the mineral water bottle, a slight smile on his face: “Thank you.”

He introduced himself: “I’m the captain of this team, Shen Jiahang, an awakened Wind-element ability user.”

Then, pointing to the young man beside him: “This is A-Nu, a Fire-element ability user.”

“Uncle Xiu, he has great strength and is our main force when dealing with zombies.”

This was a taciturn middle-aged man who slightly lifted his eyelids to glance at You Ting before dropping them again. He had a square face and unremarkable features. His shoulders were hunched, making him look somewhat shabby.

“Duan Fu,” Shen Jiahang pointed to a young girl on the right, “a Water-element ability user.”

The girl had foxy eyes and a seductive appearance. She stood with her arms crossed, eyeing You Ting obliquely, a hint of faint hostility in her eyes.

You Ting looked back at her.

Among these few people, Duan Fu’s clothes were the cleanest, perhaps because she possessed the ability to gather water. She even quickly used her ability to clean off the bloodstains she had just stepped on.

As a female companion in the same team, having such an ability, yet showing no concern for the dirty Ji Zhou—it was truly… thought-provoking.

Finally, Shen Jiahang paused, looking towards the back of the team, and said: “That’s Ji Zhou.”

An extremely simple introduction, without any qualifying titles. It was as if she wasn’t a teammate, but a dispensable tag-along.

While Shen Jiahang introduced Ji Zhou, You Ting silently observed the reactions of the others.

A-Nu and Uncle Xiu looked nonchalant and unconcerned, while Duan Fu’s face quickly flashed a look of distaste.

The girl slightly peered out from behind, whispering towards You Ting’s direction: “H-hello.” Her voice was tight and trembling. After speaking, she immediately shrank her head back.

Shen Jiahang offered an apologetic smile: “Sorry, Ji Zhou is a bit timid.”

Duan Fu beside him scoffed disdainfully.

In the apocalypse, forming a team is an excellent way to survive. The number of people is usually not excessively large; five or six is just right.

A five-person team like Shen Jiahang’s, with three ability users, was considered a very luxurious configuration.

After introducing everyone present, Shen Jiahang looked at You Ting: “May I know what to call this lady?”

You Ting raised her hand, and small gusts of wind curled in her palm. She manipulated the wind to wrap around the still-unclotted blood on the ground.

Under the flashlight beam, the fresh blood looked like red worms crawling slowly on the floor. Eventually, they converged to form the character  (Ting).

This scene was truly bizarre. Even Shen Jiahang and his group, accustomed to major events, had never witnessed such a frightening method of self-introduction.

A-Nu stammered, “So the little mute is also a Wind-element ability user.” He subconsciously glanced at Shen Jiahang.

Shen Jiahang’s eyes darkened slightly. As an awakened user of the same element, he knew clearly that the ability to achieve such precise control meant her power level was not to be underestimated. Shen Jiahang secretly sighed with relief once more, glad that he hadn’t recklessly started a conflict with her at the beginning.

You Ting didn’t respond, instead finding a hiking backpack and stuffing items into it.

She didn’t belong to the human race, nor could she be an awakened user of any element. But her source stone was the most unique among the zombies, granting her the ability to manipulate these elements as well.

A strong smell of blood permeated the entire convenience store. Shen Jiahang raised his hand, summoning a gentle breeze to disperse it. This action was both considerate and a subtle way of showcasing his strength.

A-Nu skillfully rummaged through the remaining bodies for usable supplies. Then, sparks appeared at his fingertips, burning the corpses into ashes. He ran up to Duan Fu, smiling playfully: “Sister Duan Fu, my hands are dirty, lend me some water.” Duan Fu rolled her eyes at him, and tiny water droplets materialized out of thin air, falling into A-Nu’s palm.

Uncle Xiu searched for useful items using the flashlight beam. He was indeed very strong, easily lifting the solid wooden table from the storage room all by himself. Uncle Xiu carried the table and strode to the entrance where they had come in. He picked up some wooden planks nearby to securely seal it, and then completely blocked the entrance with the table.

The golden eye in the sky opened every once in a while, and when it opened, the abilities of the zombies on the ground would increase significantly. Whenever this happened, humans had to find a safe place to hide. Of course, there were also adventurers who would seize this opportunity to kill more zombies and obtain source stones.

The five-person team was each busy with their own tasks, only Ji Zhou stood quietly in the corner, like an abandoned, solitary little pity.

You Ting browsed the shelves a few times and found what she wanted. After picking it up, she walked towards Ji Zhou.

The others didn’t stop what they were doing, but their peripheral vision involuntarily shifted towards You Ting’s direction.

A figure appeared in front of her, and Ji Zhou couldn’t help but hug her arms. Her feet moved slightly, as if she wanted to hide behind something. But the wall was right behind her; there was no retreat.

In the apocalypse, human nature is not something that can withstand testing. There are plenty of people who will kill at the slightest disagreement. The person in front of her was an awakened ability user, but she was just an ordinary person. She had no chance of winning.

Ji Zhou nervously stared at the floor, clutching the corner of her clothes, and asked in a very low voice: “Excuse me, do you… need something?”

A hand reached out to her. The skin, like white jade, seemed to glow faintly even in the dim light. You Ting opened her palm, revealing the item she had just picked up. It was a strawberry-flavored lollipop, with a few cute illustrations on its pink wrapper.

Ji Zhou was stunned.

She didn’t take it, and the hand remained outstretched.

After a while, Ji Zhou finally reacted, asking cautiously: “Is it for me?”

You Ting nodded.

Ji Zhou pursed her lips, feeling a mixture of emotions she couldn’t quite explain.

She had been saved from the zombies by Shen Jiahang. Shen Jiahang was very kind, willing to take her in and keep her in the team. The others in the small team all had their own skills, but she was the only one who couldn’t do anything. She often had to rely on Shen Jiahang to spare attention to look after her because she couldn’t protect herself.

Ji Zhou tried hard to minimize her presence, not wanting to trouble the rest of the team, hoping this way she would be less of a burden. A-Nu and Uncle Xiu treated her as if she were air, and Duan Fu intensely disliked her, often speaking sarcastically to her. Only Shen Jiahang would occasionally comfort Ji Zhou softly.

But even Shen Jiahang had never specifically given her… candy.

Ji Zhou’s nose inexplicably stung.

“Thank you.” She very carefully took the strawberry lollipop from You Ting’s hand.

It was the first time the girl dared to look up boldly, her soft gaze meeting You Ting’s eyes.

She was dirty, and her long, neglected hair covered most of her face. Only her eyes still held the clear innocence of a child.

“Thank you,” Ji Zhou said seriously again, “I like it very much.”

She held the strawberry lollipop tightly in her hand, her expression devout, as if she were handling a priceless treasure.

You Ting subtly clicked her tongue in her heart.

Look how miserable this girl has been made; just a lollipop could be treated like a treasure.

After giving the candy, she ignored the others present and returned to her original spot to organize her supplies.

Perhaps feeling slighted, Duan Fu snorted unhappily: “One mute, one useless person, they’re truly a perfect match.”

“Shh,” A-Nu quickly pulled her arm, whispering, “Sister Duan Fu, don’t say that, you know Brother Jiahang doesn’t like hearing those things.”

Duan Fu pouted, dissatisfied: “I really don’t know what Brother Jiahang is thinking, insisting on bringing along a burden.”

Their voices were not loud, just fragmented mumblings. But to You Ting, they were as clear as if they were right next to her ear.

She curved her lips, casually tossing the small blade she was playing with in their direction.

The thin blade brought with it a slight whooshing sound, grazing Duan Fu’s hair, and embedding itself deeply into the shelf behind her. A few strands of hair were cut by the sharp blade, fluttering down to the ground.

A-Nu instantly reacted, giving an embarrassed, forced smile: “Oops, I forgot that Wind-element ability users have exceptionally good hearing.”

Duan Fu froze for a moment, then stared at You Ting and let out a high-pitched scream: “What are you doing!”

Uncle Xiu frowned: “Keep your voice down, do you want to attract all the nearby zombies?”

Duan Fu pointed at You Ting, furious: “Why are you blaming me, it’s all because of this mute!”

The not-so-bright light from the flashlight fell upon You Ting’s body, and her ink-black hair seemed to be coated with a faint silver film.

Facing the enraged Duan Fu, she merely raised an indifferent eyebrow. Her expression was dismissive, clearly not taking Duan Fu seriously.

Her red lips turned up slightly, and You Ting even crooked her finger at Duan Fu, the meaning very clear: Come at me if you dare.

Duan Fu was so provoked by You Ting’s attitude that she instantly lost her composure, raising her hand to gather a ball of water for an attack.

“Enough.”

A hand promptly grabbed Duan Fu’s wrist. Shen Jiahang said softly: “A-Fu, that’s enough.”

His voice was gentle, but his tone was firm and unyielding.

Duan Fu’s chest heaved with anger, and she looked at him, aggrieved: “Brother Jiahang.”

“You were the one who said things you shouldn’t have,” Shen Jiahang’s face showed some helplessness. “It’s only right for Miss Ting to teach you a lesson.”

It was just a few strands of hair; a more ruthless person would have already sliced Duan Fu’s face.

He definitively pronounced: “This matter ends here.”

Duan Fu was very obedient to Shen Jiahang. Since he had already spoken, no matter how angry she was, she could only comply. She looked at You Ting with reluctance and resentment, gritting her teeth as she spat out a few words: “I know, I know.”

If gazes were lethal weapons, she would have already cut that little mute into a thousand pieces.

You Ting ignored Duan Fu’s intensely hostile stare. In the original novel, this character was the vicious female antagonist whose sole purpose was to humiliate the heroine. Her existence was entirely for the sake of making the plot more tormenting.

Duan Fu was an extremely jealous person. Relying on her beauty and status as an awakened ability user, she was arrogant and looked down on everyone. She liked Shen Jiahang, so she hated every female who interacted with him, and any woman who was prettier than herself.

Clearly, in this small convenience store, the two types of people she most despised were gathered. Shen Jiahang, for some unknown reason, showed special regard for the useless Ji Zhou, and that damned mute woman even dared to cut her hair as a threat!

Duan Fu was contemplating how to seek revenge for the severed hair when she suddenly heard Uncle Xiu’s heavy voice: “That eye seems to have closed.”

The store instantly fell silent. Everyone held their breath in unison. The floor beneath their feet seemed to be vibrating slightly—a wild celebration belonging to the unleashed zombies.

You Ting felt it far more deeply than they did. The source stone in her chest became faintly warm, and a strange power spread throughout her body.

The commotion outside grew louder. Shen Jiahang and the others cautiously turned off their flashlights, and their vision sank back into darkness. They didn’t use their abilities, just quietly gripped the weapons they had at hand.

“Bang!” A sound of heavy objects hitting the entrance.

The wooden planks and table used for obstruction let out an unbearable “clatter.”

“Bang! Bang! Bang!” The sounds from outside became more urgent and heavier.

Uncle Xiu’s face was grave as he said, “There might be zombies of the Green-tier or higher, who can sense our scent.” And, judging by the noise, the number should be quite large.

This convenience store was half-ruined amidst the debris. The back door was blocked by collapsed stones, leaving only the entrance they had used to come in. To leave, there was only one way—to fight their way out.

A-Nu frowned and muttered, “Zombies of Green-tier or above usually don’t group together. Why are we so unlucky!”

No one noticed the flash of cold light that quickly crossed You Ting’s eyes in the corner. These zombies surrounding the entrance were, of course, summoned by her.

Shen Jiahang stared at the entrance that could be breached at any moment, and calmly said: “Be vigilant, prepare to engage the enemy.”

Ji Zhou knew she was useless and could only clench her fists, shrinking herself into the corner.

Suddenly, a cold fragrance, like plum blossoms, drifted to her nose.

You Ting crouched down in front of her. She held out a hand to Ji Zhou, remaining motionless for a moment.

Ji Zhou, unsure of what was happening, tentatively copied her, extending one hand.

You Ting pulled her hand over, writing a few characters on her palm, stroke by stroke, with her fingertip.

Ji Zhou tried to think along with her, asking uncertainly: “F-follow, well, me?”

You Ting nodded.

Before Ji Zhou could fully react, a loud “Rumble!” echoed, and the obstacles at the entrance were completely overturned.

Simultaneously, Shen Jiahang reacted quickly, switching on his flashlight and shouting, “A-Nu!”

A-Nu understood, summoning a fireball. The scorching flames and the flashlight illuminated the surroundings. A scent of decay rushed into their nostrils, followed by faces that were long-since rotten and deformed.

The low-level zombies smelled the food and immediately rushed forward recklessly.

Duan Fu shrieked, hastily throwing a water ball, and frantically ran behind Shen Jiahang.

Although Uncle Xiu didn’t have an ability, he was immensely strong. Holding a casually grabbed baseball bat, he swung it, sending a circle of zombies flying.

A-Nu’s fire and Shen Jiahang’s wind worked together, creating fierce flames. The low-level zombies had no way to fight back, and a narrow path was forcefully cleaved open through the crowd.

Shen Jiahang gritted his teeth and said, “Hurry and go!”

Seizing this opportunity, everyone desperately ran towards the entrance.

However, there were also Green-tier zombies here that were not afraid of the small fireballs. A tall, rotting figure stood at the doorway, the green crystal on its chest glowing brightly. Its bulging eyes stared intently at the group.

The Green-tier zombie casually picked up a wooden plank nearby and swung it heavily at the group like a huge fan. Unlike the unintelligent low-level zombies, it was immensely strong, immune to fire, and its movements were much more agile.

Seeing the others scatter to dodge, it tilted its neck and moved, smartly choosing to chase after Duan Fu, who appeared to have weaker combat ability.

Duan Fu had initially been following closely behind Shen Jiahang, but she hadn’t managed to keep up when running towards the entrance. Because she dodged the Green-tier zombie’s attack, she coincidentally ended up running with You Ting and Ji Zhou.

Seeing the zombie pursuing her, Duan Fu’s face turned pale with fear. A vicious look flashed in her eyes. She suddenly grabbed the slower-footed Ji Zhou next to her.

Duan Fu glared at Ji Zhou, quickly saying: “You waste, dying for me is your greatest use!” Her ability was activated, forming a temporary water prison.

But the target of the water prison was not the Green-tier zombie, but Ji Zhou.

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