The Villainous Female Side Character Pretends to Be an Omega in the Apocalypse and Raises a Cat - Chapter 45 [END]

On the day of the assault on the base, Chen Junyun had indeed made thorough preparations, just as Chi Yingdong had predicted.

With coordination from both inside and outside, Qiao Ying and Ye Rourou were captured.

The mutated animals, previously controlled by psychic powers, scattered in disarray once the commands ceased.

After testing with the base’s specialized equipment, Ye Rourou’s ability assessment report was printed out.

Psychic-type ability, potential rating S+, capable of group control.

This sent a chill down everyone’s spines, and they sighed with relief, realizing the danger they had narrowly avoided.

Although she could only control mutated animals for now, there was no guarantee that, as her ability level increased, she might eventually begin controlling zombies.

Following the clues provided by Chi Yingdong, Chen Junyun assembled a team of ability users and headed to Dongcheng.

As Qiao Ying’s headquarters were searched, a sophisticated electronic device was seized.

The secret to their ability to move safely among hordes of zombies was finally uncovered.

Someone had reverse-engineered and simulated the “Zombie King’s” signal based on Ye Rourou’s ability, disrupting the zombies’ perception.

After a meticulous investigation, all clues pointed to Gao Yu.

Gao Yu was apprehended.

Chi Yingdong handed over the recording of Qiao Ying and Ye Rourou discussing the space-time rift, along with the remaining portion of the genetic serum, to the base.

Chen Junyun took the matter seriously and immediately sent messages to other bases, announcing that they had identified the cause of the apocalypse and inviting them to Shanghai to discuss countermeasures.

Holding the genetic serum as if it were a priceless treasure, Chen Junyun said in a trembling voice, “I don’t even know how to thank you.”

“No need for thanks,” Chi Yingdong and Meng Qinghe exchanged a smile, their fingers discreetly intertwining at their sides. “We just hope the apocalypse ends as soon as possible.”

They were not saviors, just individuals with a bit of luck, insufficient to change the world.

Yet, with the nation’s abundance of talent and billions of people working together to solve a single problem, light would eventually pierce through the darkness.

Chen Junyun did not claim credit for herself. That very night, she announced Chi Yingdong and Meng Qinghe’s contributions to everyone in the base via the broadcast system.

Overnight, Chi Yingdong and Meng Qinghe were honored as distinguished guests of the Shanghai Base.

Wherever they went, they were met with grateful gazes. The warm attention overwhelmed the sociable Meng Qinghe, who became too embarrassed to go out.

The intense heat slowly receded, replaced by a cool breeze that brought long-missed comfort.

Such weather was perfect for sitting on the balcony and enjoying some light pastries.

As Meng Qinghe carried out the freshly made crêpes and stepped around the floor-to-ceiling window, she saw Chi Yingdong brewing tea.

She took a seat opposite and remarked, “The weather is so pleasant today.”

Chi Yingdong placed an empty cup in front of Meng Qinghe and poured the clear, amber tea into it. “Tea leaves from Chen Junyun. Not bad.”

Meng Qinghe picked up the cup and took a small sip. “I hope one day we can go on a spring outing together.”

“That day will come.”

Meng Qinghe looked up just as the breeze lifted the strands of hair from Chi Yingdong’s forehead, revealing her smooth skin.

Meng Qinghe took another sip of tea, her tone tinged with concern. “Does the base know that an extreme cold spell is coming next?”

Chi Yingdong leaned lazily against the back of her chair, the sunlight casting a soft glow on her profile.

“They know. Preparations are already underway.”

After a brief pause, she added, “Perhaps we’ll find a way to end the apocalypse before the extreme cold truly arrives.”

“That would be best.”

Meng Qinghe lowered her head, her fingers tracing the rim of the cup.

Who could say for certain what the future held?

Qiao Ying requested to see Meng Xiaodong and, in exchange, offered to disclose everything she knew.

Chen Junyun personally came to ask Chi Yingdong if she was willing to meet.

Chi Yingdong pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

She met Qiao Ying again in a prison cell specially prepared for them.

Chi Yingdong had long since washed off her disguise and restored her original appearance.

When Qiao Ying saw her, she froze for a moment before lowering her head, her hands clenched into fists at her sides, knuckles turning white.

After a while, she slowly raised her head, her voice hoarse, “No wonder I always felt you were familiar. I never expected…”

Her gaze swept past Meng Qinghe, who stood beside Chi Yingdong, then dropped to their tightly clasped hands.

Shock crossed her face, and in the next moment, she strode forward and gripped the bars tightly. “Who is she? What is your relationship?”

Chi Yingdong raised their interlocked hands, her tone frank, “As you can see, she’s my girlfriend.”

Qiao Ying’s face instantly turned pale, her lips trembling.

“In this life, I haven’t harmed you yet. Do you still hate me this much?”

Chi Yingdong: ???
Meng Qinghe: ???

The two exchanged a glance, both seeing confusion in each other’s eyes.

Chi Yingdong blurted out, “Baby, I have no relationship with her.”

Meng Qinghe pouted and subtly tightened her grip.

Chi Yingdong turned to Qiao Ying, “I don’t understand what you mean by ‘previous life,’ and I’ve never hated you.”

If Qiao Ying, as the female lead, continued to save the world as written in the novel, Chi Yingdong would even offer assistance.

After all, this was a world born from Meng Qinghe’s writing, and her little calico cat lived here too.

But Qiao Ying, having been reborn, had long strayed from her original path, destined to stand on the opposite side.

Qiao Ying silently lowered her eyes and sighed as if resigning herself to fate.

When she looked up again, her voice was as light as a breeze, carrying a barely perceptible plea, “Is there anything you want to say to me?”

“No.”

Chi Yingdong’s reply was crisp and direct.

The emotions in Qiao Ying’s eyes were complex.

If Chi Yingdong were Meng Xiaodong, she would have many questions to ask.

But the person before her was Chi Yingdong, the girl she had grown up with, and no matter how many questions she had, she couldn’t bring herself to voice them.

She was filled with regret, regret for everything she had done in her past life.

Reborn, she wanted to make amends, but the other no longer needed it, and she herself had strayed onto a misguided path.

Qiao Ying had wanted to see her, and now she had. Chi Yingdong turned and left.

After Chi Yingdong left, Qiao Ying collapsed to the floor, her back pressed against the cold wall, barely supporting herself.

Memories flooded back like a tide.

She recalled when she was six or seven years old, and her family bought their first color television.

The two of them huddled together watching cartoons, inspired by the heroes in the shows, dreaming of becoming great heroes themselves.

Zombies were no longer a threat, and people began to see hope, starting to build bases.

Not long after returning to the base, Gu Meng awakened his supernatural ability and officially formed a team with Han Li, Luo Zhiyin, and Qiu Yi. The four of them went out on missions together.

After her schemes were exposed, Gao Yu proposed to atone for her mistakes through meritorious service.

The electronic instruments, modified once again by her, simulated the “Zombie King’s” signal to summon zombies, gathering them in one place.

Some suggested destroying the zombies all at once, while others held onto the hope that the zombies might recover.

In the end, the areas where zombies and humans lived were separated, with the possibility that a cure might be developed one day.

The weather grew colder with each passing day. The base distributed supplies to everyone to withstand the extreme cold, yet the drastic shift from high temperatures to freezing conditions still left many afflicted with severe colds.

Fortunately, the medicines scavenged from pharmaceutical factories alleviated the situation.

Just as everyone had gathered, a turning point arrived when the temperature dropped below minus ten degrees Celsius.

Although the weather didn’t warm up, it stopped declining further, giving everyone a much-needed respite.

While a method to raise temperatures had yet to be discovered, the base’s construction was completed, and a constant-temperature dome enveloped the entire area, restoring warmth.

Meng Qinghe shed her down jacket and changed into spring attire.

Qian Ruanruan, the young leader of Rongcheng Base, called Chi Yingdong, expressing heartfelt gratitude.

With the help of Shanghai Base, Rongcheng Base also erected a constant-temperature dome, ensuring the extreme cold claimed no lives in Rongcheng.

Qian Ruanruan no longer resembled her former, more naive self; her eyes now held determination, and she had matured significantly.

She moved into Xu Luo’s home to live with them. Xu Chuyao clung to her, clamoring to chat with the little kitten.

Meng Qinghe greeted her.

Xu Chuyao blinked, then suddenly understanding, made a “shh” gesture.

“Sister, this is our little secret!”

The relationship between Chen Junyun and Chi Yingdong had also evolved, transforming from initial collaborators into friends who could chat comfortably.

On the second-floor balcony, Chen Junyun would occasionally stop by to take a short break and catch her breath.

She would bring up matters concerning the base to discuss with Chi Yingdong.

Listening to Chen Junyun’s vision for the future,

This time, Chi Yingdong’s admiration was no longer feigned; she was genuinely moved by Chen Junyun’s sense of responsibility.

She and Meng Qinghe made a bold decision.

They kept enough supplies for their own survival, gave the majority of the remainder to Shanghai Base, and sent the rest to Rongcheng Base.

Inside the warm, constant-temperature dome, the seeds Chi Yingdong had previously donated to the base sprouted rapidly under careful cultivation.

Green shoots broke through the soil, brimming with vitality.

Various facilities within the base resumed operation.

Schools were reestablished, and students returned to their studies, the sound of reading lingering in the air.

In the hospital’s obstetrics department, the first cry of a newborn echoed since the hospital’s reconstruction.

Days slipped by quietly amid the busyness.

Research on the spacetime rift finally achieved a breakthrough, and Earth began to connect with the interstellar community.

After the Ant Queen safely returned to her home planet, she took the initiative to help broker connections as a gesture of gratitude to Earth.

With her assistance, Earth was classified as a minor planet by the Interstellar Alliance, receiving a wealth of resource subsidies and entering a new phase of rapid development.

Year 4 of the Interstellar Era.

The first personal spacecraft manufactured by Earthlings was born.

Chi Yingdong and Meng Qinghe were invited to be among the first test pilots.

Meng Qinghe flipped through the star chart, each planet depicted with its unique characteristics, making it hard for her to decide.

“I’m so torn; I can’t choose which planet to visit.”

Chi Yingdong suggested, “How about TH 1517?”

Meng Qinghe found TH 1517 in the chart, a planet that had just formed the previous year.

A year ago, Earth secured the development rights for TH 1517. The construction was recently completed, and an application was submitted to rename it “Bauhinia Star.”

The planet featured a one-to-one replica of the Forbidden City, as Earth aimed to showcase its civilization to the entire interstellar community.

Meng Qinghe was intrigued. “But isn’t Bauhinia Star closed to the public?”

Being acquainted with Chen Junyun, she had some insider knowledge.

The business card was genuine, but more importantly, Blue Star intended to transform it into a large-scale ancient-style photography base, aiming to give interstellar civilizations a taste of short drama productions.

After all, materials for building spaceships, mechas, and weapons weren’t cheap, funds were needed everywhere.

Chi Yingdong’s cursor hovered directly over the submit button.

“If you want to go, I’ll submit the application now.”

“I want to go!”

Meng Qinghe’s reply was almost instantaneous.

Upon arriving at Zijing Star, Chi Yingdong magically produced two sets of Hanfu.

Meng Qinghe took them, her face full of curiosity. “Are we going to act in a play?”

“No,” Chi Yingdong shook his head. “We’re going for a spring outing.”

A golden sea of flowers swayed gently in the breeze. Meng Qinghe, now changed into a ruqun, ran against the wind holding a paper kite.

After a few steps, she glanced back and saw Chi Yingdong still standing in place, so she immediately turned around.

Her skirt brushed against the flower stems, startling a few butterflies into flight.

Sunlight broke through the clouds, spilling golden rays all over her.

It felt so beautiful, like a dream.

Only when the person in front rushed into her arms did she gradually feel it was real.

How wonderful!

It was real!

END.