The Zombie I Flirted With After Losing My Memory, Who Was Pretending to be an Alpha, Is Actually My Ex - Chapter 44

Chapter 44: Miss Xi

“What are you doing loitering around here?” Qi Yin frowned, looking at Teng Xi’s back with evident displeasure.

She strode forward, her footsteps clicking sharply on the floor, making Teng Xi’s eyelids twitch. Teng Xi noticed that Qi Yin was carrying a small black encrypted thermal case, and behind her stood several armed personnel with rifles.

The situation was dire. Teng Xi’s eyes darted around, mapping her position and the floor layout. The terrain wasn’t complex, but she hadn’t walked the entire area before, so she had to plan her best escape route based only on what she could see. This series of actions felt like a conditioned reflex to her, happening in a split second.

However, as she calculated the timing for an escape, she didn’t notice the woman beside her—the one called ‘Miss Xi’—gradually furrowing her brows or the way she intentionally moved to shield Teng Xi behind her.

Just as Qi Yin was about to reach Teng Xi, a woman’s voice rang out from the other end of the corridor, laced with irritation. “A-Ling, didn’t I tell you to move faster?”

Everyone turned. It was Shi Yun.

She seemed momentarily taken aback to see Qi Yin and the woman there, but she quickly regained her composure, respectfully greeting them as “Doctor Qi” and “Miss Xi.” She then turned to Teng Xi, her face much colder than when she addressed Qi Yin: “What are you still standing there for? Do you expect the machines to wait for you? How long does it take you to fetch a single vial!”

Teng Xi didn’t dare speak. Using her best acting skills, she nodded frantically and trotted toward Shi Yun.

Qi Yin nodded. Whether out of trust for Shi Yun or because a lowly staff member was insignificant compared to the “Miss Xi” before her, she didn’t probe further. Instead, she made a gesturing motion for the woman to follow her.

As they neared the end of the hall, Qi Yin seemed to remember something and called out to Shi Yun, giving the two who thought they’d escaped a fright. “Xiao Yun, Teng Xi’s trial has been pushed to the afternoon. You come as well.”

“Understood.” Shi Yun nodded without hesitation and led Teng Xi away.

The transparent glass wall was not far off, and Teng Xi felt her heart pounding harder. The moment she reached the glass wall, her blood ran cold. Her entire aura underwent a world-shaking transformation, her expression turning terrifyingly dark.

Shi Yun felt as though the person beside her had been replaced. The current Teng Xi was like a monster crouching in the dark, eyes crimson, fangs bared, ready to tear someone apart. An overwhelming sense of dread made Shi Yun’s legs heavy. Even having seen countless violent criminals in the psychiatric hospital, none compared to the horror radiating from Teng Xi right now.

“Qi Yin hasn’t gone far yet,” Shi Yun whispered, trying to warn her. But as she caught a glimpse of Teng Xi’s face out of the corner of her eye, the fear silenced her again.

Teng Xi stared unblinkingly into the ward, her eyes filled with frantic rage. Her hands were clenched so tight her nails drew blood, fighting for the last shred of her sanity.

Inside the ward, Xie Jinbing lay on the bed like a broken ragdoll, lifeless. She was connected to numerous tubes and machines that filled the space around the bed. Her pale, greyish skin was covered in needle marks, and several IV bags hung from the stand, slowly dripping cold liquid into her body. If not for the heart monitor still blipping, Teng Xi might have charged in regardless of the consequences. The pristine white sheets felt like an eyesore, draining her remaining logic.

Shi Yun: “She’s not dead.”

Teng Xi shot her a look. Shi Yun had never felt so close to death. But soon, Shi Yun smiled—a genuine smile, as if she had finally found a ray of hope—which only made Teng Xi want to cut her down on the spot. Unfortunately, she had no blade.

“This is a side effect of zombification. She was awake yesterday, but now she’s just in a deep sleep. Because the side effects worsened, we drew a few more tubes of blood.” Shi Yun’s voice was very low, just barely audible to Teng Xi. She explained kindly, finally causing Teng Xi to retract her “claws.”

She didn’t say the rest out loud, but Teng Xi saw the sarcasm in her eyes: ‘You can’t save her now. Even if you get her out of this building, where would you go? Leave the island on a fishing boat? And what about her virus? Do you not plan to treat it?’

Successfully deterred, Teng Xi watched as Shi Yun wiped away her smile and led her into a lab. They went through the motions of an “experiment” before Shi Yun led her out. She was a cautious person; if she didn’t play the part fully, she wouldn’t have survived this long under Qi Yin’s nose.

Meanwhile, Qi Yin led the woman toward the small western-style villa at the center of the hospital complex. Upon reaching the third-floor study, Qi Yin entered first while the armed guards flanked the door. The woman followed, but her bodyguards were stopped by Qi Yin’s men.

“Director Qi, what is the meaning of this? It seems you still don’t welcome me. If that’s the case, there’s no need for this business deal.” The woman sneered.

Qi Yin turned around, her expression of surprise suggesting she had only just noticed the guards. “Ah, my apologies, Miss Xi. My subordinates are poorly disciplined. However, my wife was a quiet person who disliked violence; no one has ever brought weapons into this room.”

Qi Yin said “sorry,” but her face held no sincerity, making the woman’s subordinates look grim.

“I’ve long heard that your late wife was elegant and a peerless beauty. It’s a tragedy I never saw her while she lived,” the woman said, shaking her head with an expression of regret. Her words were sincere in tone but were a literal knife to the heart, causing Qi Yin’s face to darken instantly.

The confrontation had begun before they even stepped into the room.

“Still, Director Qi, you’ve looked after this island so well. The Red House’s development has far surpassed its past; your wife can rest easy knowing her sacrifice for medical science wasn’t in vain.” The woman continued to dance atop Qi Yin’s triggers.

Qi Yin stood by the desk, her hand gripping the corner so hard that wood splinters began to flake off.

Having poked the bear enough, the woman let out a light laugh, pulled her pistol from her waist, tossed it to her subordinate, and stepped into the study alone. She waved off those who tried to follow and closed the door behind her.

The study was massive. Three walls were lined with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, so packed that one might mistake it for a library. In the center was a large desk. To the right was a redwood tea table with an expensive tea set; to the left was a coral fleece sofa covered in a milk-white blanket—soft and cozy, completely at odds with Qi Yin’s personality.

Qi Yin watched her, taking several deep breaths to force herself to remain calm. This trade was the result of the Board of Directors’ deliberations, and she couldn’t break it yet. Though she despised those old fogies on the Board, the current situation didn’t allow for a total fallout.

“Miss Xi came all this way just to discuss my wife?” Qi Yin sat in her swivel chair, intentionally leaving the woman without a seat.

The woman didn’t care. She went straight to the sofa. It was even softer than she expected, causing her to sink in. Her guard and fatigue naturally dropped, and she couldn’t help but yawn. A wave of exhaustion washed over her. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d rested properly; she desperately wanted to just sleep.

Seeing this, Qi Yin curled her lip. She had placed the sofa there intentionally, knowing that since the apocalypse, the woman likely hadn’t had a single good night’s sleep.

As the woman grew drowsy, Qi Yin broke the silence: “Miss Xi, this is the serum. You may look.”

Qi Yin opened the case. A puff of cold air emerged, revealing a glass tube: the serum.

The woman lazily lifted an eyelid. “Director Qi, I hope you haven’t forgotten our agreement. We want your latest serum. Whether this is it or not requires a professional judgment. We’ll need to use your lab. I’ll pay a portion of the ‘deposit’ first, and the rest after the goods are verified.”

Qi Yin frowned. The deal looked fair, but both knew it was a dangerous game. If the serum was fake, they only got part of the deposit and lost all trust for future trades. If it was real, Qi Yin lost her final insurance for survival. Either way, the woman would lose part of her deposit—a bold gamble in the apocalypse.

As for whether the serum was real or fake, perhaps only Qi Yin knew.

Though Qi Yin had opposed the trade from the start, she agreed due to the circumstances. At least she’d get part of the deposit regardless. “Fine. But where is your side of the deal?”

“If you agree, I’ll contact my family now to send the ‘deposit’ over.”

Qi Yin sneered. “Miss Xi, you have quite the nerve to come to my island empty-handed.”

“Just making sure you keep your word,” the woman joked half-seriously. “Besides, as the head of the Xi family, I’m here in person. What more do you want?”

Qi Yin was choked with suppressed rage. “Then I’ll have to trouble Miss Xi to stay on the island for a few days until your ‘deposit’ arrives safely.”

“Then I’ll trouble Director Qi to host me. I could use a few days of vacation anyway.” The woman stood up and stretched, smiling sweetly at Qi Yin.

“Miss Xi, as you wish.”

The woman took the thermal case, went through the motions of a handshake, and then asked curiously, “By the way, I heard from the islanders that you’re holding a trial for an Alpha today?”

“Why? Is Miss Xi interested?”

The woman admitted it boldly: “Indeed.”

“It’s on the first floor this afternoon. Anyone on the island can attend. Feel free.” Qi Yin gestured toward the door, signaling her to leave.

The woman shrugged and walked out. Her subordinates were waiting outside, staring down Qi Yin’s men. She waved them over, casually handed the serum to a subordinate, and the tension finally simmered down.

As she stepped out of the villa, a person waiting outside approached with a standard professional smile. “Miss Xi, Director Qi has instructed me to look after you. Life outside must be hard; we have prepared guest rooms with all the amenities. Please rest well.”

The woman nodded, her eyes now sharp and clear, showing none of the drowsiness she had displayed on the sofa. This was her true state.

Back in the study, shortly after the woman left, a beeping sound came from a communicator. Qi Yin rubbed her temples and answered on the tenth ring, just before the caller hung up.

“Hello.” “Director, is everything going well? What did Xi Youjun say?” “Mhm. She’s very cautious. The goods didn’t come with her. She’ll stay on the island for a few days to verify the serum in our lab.” “Verify the serum? We haven’t even finished the final version ourselves, and she wants to reap the rewards!” The person on the other end sneered angrily. “What is that Xi family brat planning?”

Qi Yin rubbed her forehead. “Whatever she’s planning, this is our territory. She can’t stir up much trouble. And as long as she’s here, the Xi family won’t dare act rashly.”

“Hmph!” The person grunted. “Are you attending the trial this afternoon? The Board is presiding, but you’ve been overworked lately. You should rest.”

“I’m going,” Qi Yin said simply. “Xi Youjun will be there.”

“You’re that afraid of her?”

Qi Yin was silent for a while. “In a family like the Xi’s, full of talented Alphas, do you think a Beta could hold the position of Head just because she’s the eldest grandchild? Her father was quite the ‘seed-sower’ in his youth; she has plenty of hidden competitors, yet she’s the one who survived. It’s not fear, but respect. She and I are alike. A Beta and an Omega—neither found it easy to climb to where we are.”

On the other side, Shi Yun personally escorted Teng Xi back to her ward. Just as they finished changing, the nurse came to hurry them.

“Doctor Qi said the trial is moved to the afternoon. Go busy yourself with other things; I’ll take over from here,” Shi Yun said, taking the logbook and dismissing the nurse, who left with a happy skip in her step.

The two women sat in the room in silence. Teng Xi turned on the TV and cranked the volume, creating the illusion of privacy. She rubbed the access card in her pocket and glanced at Shi Yun, who was carefully peeling an apple, seemingly indifferent to Teng Xi’s thoughts.

Teng Xi closed her eyes, and the image of Xie Jinbing lying lifelessly on the bed flashed before her. Sister Xie, I’m sorry. Just wait a little longer. It will all be over soon.

Shi Yun peeled the apple slowly, eventually tossing a long, unbroken spiral of peel into the trash. She then threw another whole apple to Teng Xi from the bowl. “Appreciate being able to eat normal fruit while you still can.”

Teng Xi caught it, frowning at the implication. It felt like she was hinting at something. The island was safe for now—a pure land in the apocalypse. Why would they stop having fruit? Ultimately, Teng Xi didn’t eat it; she stuffed it into her pocket instead.

After a quick lunch, Shi Yun led her out. Teng Xi expected the trial to be in a public square, but Shi Yun led her toward the three-story villa at the hospital’s center. Teng Xi had observed it from afar; no one ever approached, and black-clad guards stood watch 24/7. As she neared, she noticed that while they carried batons, there was a cylindrical bulge under their jackets—likely handguns.

The first floor of the villa was a spacious hall, cleared out to accommodate hundreds of people for the trial. Teng Xi quickly scanned the layout. Two large potted plants flanked the entrance. The right side was a glass wall with the curtains open, showing a manicured garden. A spiral staircase on the right led upstairs, but it was guarded—likely Qi Yin’s private quarters. Behind the stairs was a kitchen connected by a wide corridor. To the left was a closed, unguarded room. Further ahead was the dining room, where the chairs had been removed, leaving only a table with a vase and sculpture.

Behind the dining table stood two glass display cabinets. One held vases and plates. The contents of the other made Teng Xi’s brow furrow.

“Go on, wait in the back. Someone will call you up,” Shi Yun said, pointing toward some chairs.

“Shi Yun…” Teng Xi grabbed her wrist, hard enough to make Shi Yun wince. “What are you actually doing?”

“Saving you.”

“How?”

“Just stand there when the time comes.”

People began filing in, whispering as they saw Teng Xi. Shi Yun gave her another push. “Enjoy the trial, Teng Xi.”

Guards flanked Teng Xi and led her away. She estimated their strength and realized she could easily take them both in her current state. Her body had recovered remarkably fast under Shi Yun’s care.

Xi Youjun walked into the hall with the crowd. She had heard about the islanders’ unrest and wasn’t surprised to see so many people. To her, this was just entertainment. She boredly observed the layout until her eyes locked onto the display cabinet. She frowned and walked toward it, her bodyguards following closely.

The cabinet was over two meters tall, displaying ancient blades from around the world. Xi Youjun recalled that this item hadn’t been here this morning.

“Miss, this…”

“Someone explain to me,” Xi Youjun’s voice was cold as she stood before the cabinet, her sharp gaze making her subordinates break into a cold sweat. “Why is ‘Wen Dao’ here?”

Inside the cabinet, a Miaodao lay silently. The long blade was sheathed in a dark green scabbard, but the matching green hilt-wrap was missing, revealing the bare metal handle beneath.