Chapter 41: The Invisible Hand of Fate

"There is one more thing, Qin Chong, I might need your help!"

At this moment, Sun Xiaoyan hesitated for a moment and said, "My company has hit a major roadblock, and I might need you to go to a place to retrieve something for me!"

"Alright!"

Having anticipated that there must be something the matter, Qin Chong did not hesitate and asked, "Go ahead. I knew you kept calling me not just to tell me the supplies were safely stored. I won't refuse anything I can do; after all, I need your help too!"

Sun Xiaoyan: "Thank you, Qin Chong! I know that Shanghai in the apocalypse must be perilous, but the situation I'm facing is extremely tricky. After turning it over in my mind, you are the only one who can help me break the deadlock."

"Heh!"

Qin Chong chuckled. "Don't worry, I'll do my best. However, Shanghai in the end times is indeed very dangerous. If the task you're asking goes too far beyond my capabilities, I might have to refuse. After all, staying alive comes first for me!"

Sun Xiaoyan fell silent for a moment, and her low voice sounded again: "I can understand. I need you to make a trip to Grand Gateway Shanghai. It's not too far from the wildlife park and should be near your current location..."

"???"

Hearing the name Grand Gateway Shanghai once again, Qin Chong and Xiao Yingyong exchanged glances, both of them slightly startled.

At that moment, Qin Chong had an illusion that somewhere in the unseen void, an invisible hand of fate was turning the wheel of destiny, driving him to make a trip to Grand Gateway Shanghai.

"Qin Chong, are you still there?"

Hearing the sudden silence on the other end, Sun Xiaoyan suspected that the connection on Qin Chong's side might have dropped.

Sun Xiaoyan's voice snapped Qin Chong out of his contemplation. Pondering for a moment, he asked, "What do I need to go to Grand Gateway Shanghai for?"

Hearing Qin Chong's voice come through—though unaware of what had just happened—Sun Xiaoyan wore a hint of hesitation, thinking to herself that perhaps her request was too much to ask, especially since he was living through the apocalypse.

Although Sun Xiaoyan didn't know what kind of situation Qin Chong was facing, from the very first call when he mentioned being surrounded by zombies, just thinking about that terrifying scenario made even Sun Xiaoyan, safe in the real world, feel a bone-chilling cold.

Though she wanted to spare him the risk, the thought of the difficulties Tianhai Pharmaceuticals might face after Wanhai Technology severed its cooperation made her grit her teeth and say, "Go to the New Drug Research Group 3 of Wanhai Technology on the twenty-first floor, and bring me the computer hard drive containing the new drug formula."

Hearing Sun Xiaoyan's request, Qin Chong instantly understood most of it and breathed a sigh of relief. At least, it didn't sound too difficult to accomplish.

"Alright, I'll go to Grand Gateway Shanghai and to the twenty-first floor, but are you sure that thing is still there?"

"This..."

Sun Xiaoyan hesitated. To be honest, she wasn't sure. After all, it was currently the year 2024, and ten years later, in 2034, who could confirm whether Wanhai Technology still existed or if the research group was still on the twenty-first floor?

"I can't be certain, but I hope you can do your best to help me look. Tianhai Pharmaceuticals, passed down by my grandfather, has now reached a life-or-death moment. If I can't find the new drug formula, I might sooner or later be forced out of the company by the board of directors..."

Sun Xiaoyan's words made Qin Chong fall silent for a brief moment, but soon he subconsciously nodded and agreed, "Don't worry, we are partners, I will definitely do my best..."

...

"Brother Qin, this matter probably isn't that simple. Why did you agree to her?"

Xiao Yingyong, standing beside Qin Chong, couldn't help whispering advice. She felt that the woman on the other end of the phone seemed to be taking advantage of her Brother Qin.

"Huh? Qin Chong, is someone else with you?"

Although Xiao Yingyong had lowered her voice, in the dark and quiet room, even the slightest sound was magnified. While her low voice wasn't enough for Sun Xiaoyan to hear clearly, it was enough to be faintly perceived.

"Yeah, I'm Brother Qin's little sister. Who are you!"

Before Qin Chong could say anything, Xiao Yingyong immediately raised her voice to introduce herself, her tone full of provocation.

Qin Chong rubbed his forehead. He felt that Xiao Yingyong had suddenly perked up like a mother hen whose chicks were being provoked by an eagle, emanating a strong sense of hostility.

Pats on Xiao Yingyong's hair, a glance at her, and a gentle shake of his finger to signal her to be quiet, Qin Chong explained, "She's an orphan I rescued from a shopping mall. We're partners now, and we just survived a narrow escape together."

"Oh!"

For some reason, a pang of sourness washed over Sun Xiaoyan. She also wished she could experience life and death alongside Qin Chong in the apocalypse, but she quickly adjusted her emotions and smiled, "Hello, little sister. My name is Sun Xiaoyan."

Xiao Yingyong looked at Qin Chong, seemingly waiting to see if he would allow her to speak. Qin Chong felt a vein throbbing on his forehead and nodded slightly. Only then did Xiao Yingyong lean close to the phone and say, "I'm Xiao Yingyong—'Ying' as in shadow, 'Yong' as in chant."

"Alright, let's not dwell on the rest. Xiaoyan, Xiao Ying and I just went through a near-death experience, and all our gear was lost. Do you have any spare crossbows, steel balls, or other supplies on your end?"

"Uh!"

Just as Qin Chong finished speaking, a rhythmic "knock-knock" sound came through the phone. It seemed someone was knocking on Sun Xiaoyan's door. Qin Chong stopped talking and silently waited.

After about two minutes, Sun Xiaoyan's voice came through the receiver: "Qin Chong, I'm in Shanghai right now, and all the backup supplies are at my home. I'm heading back to Beijing today, and as soon as I arrive, I'll transmit the items to you."

"Alright, let's leave it at that for now! I'll go to the Monkey Mountain to get your ring first, then spend a couple of days recovering from my injuries while I wait for you."

"Okay."

Just as Qin Chong was about to hang up, Sun Xiaoyan's voice came through the receiver once more: "Qin Chong... take good care of yourself!"

"Huh?"

Qin Chong was slightly startled. Looking at the already hung-up phone, he gave a bitter smile, and immediately a cold voice sounded in his ear: "She really cares about Brother Qin, huh? Hmph, I think she's just using you!"

"Xiao Ying, you can't put it that way. Xiaoyan is in the real world, which is peaceful, and she has provided me with a lot of equipment and supplies. The crossbows you and I are using right now were all procured by her. With these, our chances of survival are much higher."

Xiao Yingyong's little face remained expressionless as she turned coolly, walked over to a nearby sofa, and lay down with her back facing Qin Chong, seemingly sulking.

Seeing Xiao Yingyong's childish behavior, Qin Chong shook his head helplessly. He considered himself anything but an expert on women, especially after the betrayal by that bitch Wu Qian, which had made him instinctively repel women deep down inside.

This was also why, from the very beginning when Qin Chong found out Xiao Yingyong was a girl, he couldn't help losing his temper at her. It was only after going through thick and thin together that he began to treat Xiao Yingyong more like a partner rather than a woman.

Ignoring Xiao Yingyong's petty temper, Qin Chong lay down in silence, but he no longer had a shred of sleepiness. He was pondering whether or not he should really go to Grand Gateway Shanghai.

He had a premonition that the place might not be safe, and perhaps it would turn out to be an even more perilous ordeal for him. At the mere thought of it, a nameless dread welled up within him.