296: Chapter 296 Snow Mist

This mutation came without warning.

At first, it was just a thin layer of mist permeating the air.

The mist appeared as an eerie dark green, like miasma seeping from deep underground.

But soon, the mist grew thicker and thicker.

The entire sky seemed covered by a viscous curtain.

Accompanied by fine snow particles mixed within, it landed on the ground with a faint hissing sound.

The most lethal part was the smell of this snow fog.

"Ugh—!"

An Ability User currently on patrol just poked his head out of the bunker.

Instantly, he was hit by the scent, his eyes rolled back, and he started dry-heaving on the spot.

"What... what the hell is this smell? Did someone boil ten thousand tons of rotten salted fish and dead rats in foot-washing water that had been fermenting for three years?"

The teammate next to him, wearing a gas mask, said in a muffled voice: "Brother, your adjectives are quite rich, but I think it's more like rotten kelp mixed with sludge from an old sewer."

This strange snow fog, carrying a strong fishy scent of the sea and the smell of decay, quickly enveloped the entire inland area.

Not only humans, but even those usually ferocious zombies appeared restless at this moment, as if they had smelled something that made them both fearful and disgusted.

...

On the top floor of the base, in Lin Yuan's room.

He stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the pitch-black snow fog outside, his expression calm.

"A precursor to a new crisis."

Lin Yuan whispered to himself.

In his previous life, after this foul-smelling snow fog, came the terrifying beast tide that almost destroyed all survivor bases along the coast.

Countless deep-sea monsters never seen before crawled onto land, crushing the defensive fortifications humans were so proud of like biscuits.

"Lin Yuan, do we need to strengthen defenses?"

Su Yuyan's voice came from the communicator, carrying a hint of gravity.

"No need to be too nervous."

Lin Yuan said calmly.

"Let everyone get some rest. This snow fog will last for another two days; the real trouble is yet to come."

"Yes."

Hanging up the communication, Lin Yuan turned around, his gaze landing on the cup of coffee still steaming on the table.

"The eve of a crisis..."

He picked up the coffee and took a sip, the corners of his mouth curling into an amused arc.

"At a time like this, some kind of story should happen."

As if to confirm his words, a very light, very hesitant sound of footsteps suddenly came from outside the door.

The footsteps stopped at the door, followed by a long silence.

Immediately after, there was the sound of pacing back and forth, accompanied by extremely faint mutterings.

With Lin Yuan's current hearing, the heartbeat of the person outside was so loud it was practically like beating a drum.

"Thump, thump, thump..."

Lin Yuan softened his breathing, listening to the movement outside with great interest.

...

Outside the door.

Ji Wushuang was pressed against the wall, like a thief with a guilty conscience.

She was wrapped in a thick military overcoat, but underneath the coat...

"Hoo... Ji Wushuang, calm down! You dare to chop up zombies and Evolved Beasts, what are you afraid of just knocking on a door?"

She took a deep breath, raised her hand, and wanted to knock on the door.

But as soon as her hand touched the door panel, she retracted it as if burned.

"No, no! This is too... too much!"

Ji Wushuang's face was as red as a boiled lobster.

She looked down at the open collar of her coat, where a breathtaking flash of fiery red was revealed.

This was something she had "tricked" out of Chu Yanran.

Calling it a trick, it was actually just taking advantage of the moment when Chu Yanran wasn't paying attention to swipe it from her "combat supplies."

According to Chu Yanran, this was some "decisive victory outfit"; as long as you wore this, there was no man you couldn't conquer.

"There's just too little fabric..."

Ji Wushuang felt like she was exposed to the wind everywhere.

Although she possessed fire-type Superpower and wasn't afraid of the cold, this chilly feeling just didn't give her any sense of security.

Moreover, what made her break down the most was that she had been in too much of a hurry to leave and forgot to change her shoes.

Now her look was:

Top: A charming and sexy fire-red silk camisole nightdress.

Outside: A rugged and thick military green cotton coat.

Bottom: A pair of black military high-top combat boots covered in mud.

This mixed style.

It was simply a mudslide in the fashion world, a bizarre flower in the Apocalypse.

"What if he thinks I'm a pervert?"

Ji Wushuang imagined the scene: Lin Yuan opens the door, sees a female warrior wearing a nightdress, a military coat, and big boots, winking at him...

"Ugh—"

She wanted to vomit herself.

"Forget it, forget it! Go back! This matter needs to be reconsidered!"

Ji Wushuang retreated, turning around, ready to slip away.

Just then, the tightly closed door suddenly opened with a "click."

"Since you're here, why act as a door god at the entrance?"

Lin Yuan's voice came lazily.

Ji Wushuang froze in place.

She maintained a one-legged stance, turning to flee.

She felt that her current appearance must be as ridiculous as a frozen quail.

"I... um... Lin Yuan, good evening! The snow fog tonight... is quite thick, huh?"

She turned around with a dry laugh.

Her hands held the military coat tightly, afraid of revealing any "scenery" inside.

Lin Yuan leaned against the doorway, arms crossed.

His gaze lingered on her muddy combat boots for three seconds.

Then it slowly moved up, looking at her red-and-white face.

"It is quite big."

Lin Yuan nodded, "Big enough for you to take a walk in the hallway wearing a coat?"

"Ahem! I... I'm afraid of the cold! Yes! This snow fog is a bit evil, heavy with yin energy!"

Ji Wushuang spouted nonsense, her eyes darting around.

"Since the boss isn't asleep yet, I'll... not disturb you! Good night! Goodbye!"

Saying that, she turned to run.

"Come in."

These two simple words seemed to carry some kind of magic.

The leg Ji Wushuang had just stepped out with instantly felt like it was filled with lead.

She couldn't move it at all.

She gritted her teeth and steeled her heart: If I die, I die!

At worst, I'll just be mocked! I've already lost face anyway!

She turned around, like a martyr about to go to the execution ground, and walked into Lin Yuan's room with the same hand and foot moving together.

...

The room was warm, filled with a faint coffee aroma.

Lin Yuan closed the door and locked it behind him.

The "click" of the lock made Ji Wushuang's heart tremble violently.

"Sit."

Lin Yuan pointed to the sofa by the window.

Ji Wushuang sat down obediently, hands on her knees.

Her back was straight, as if she were undergoing inspection by a superior.

That military coat was still wrapped tightly, and she had even quietly buttoned one more button.

Lin Yuan held the coffee cup, sitting on the chair opposite her, watching her with great interest.

"Coming to find me so late, do you have a military report? Or..."

His gaze landed on the small bit of red shoulder strap exposed at Ji Wushuang's neckline.

Boom—

Ji Wushuang felt like her skull was about to smoke.

She stammered her explanation.

"It's... it's Yanran! She said this clothing is breathable! I... I just tried it!"

"Breathable?"

Lin Yuan raised an eyebrow, "Breathable inside a military coat?"

"..."

Ji Wushuang was in despair.

She realized that in front of Lin Yuan, her IQ was always a negative number.

"Alright, stop wrapping yourself up."

Lin Yuan put down the cup, his body leaning slightly forward, "Aren't you hot?"

"No... no I'm not!"

Ji Wushuang was as stubborn as a dead duck, "I have a cold constitution!"

"You have fire-type Superpower, and you have a cold constitution?"

Lin Yuan almost laughed out loud.

Ji Wushuang lowered her head, her fingers frantically picking at the buttons of her coat.

Silence.

An awkward silence spread in the air.

Only the wind occasionally coming from the snow fog outside and the sound of the two people's breathing.

After a long time, Ji Wushuang suddenly took a deep breath.

She abruptly raised her head, a hint of determination in her eyes.

That was the look she had when preparing to charge on the battlefield.

"Lin Yuan!"

This shout was imposing, scaring Lin Yuan so much he almost threw his coffee cup.

"...Keep it down, I'm not deaf."

"Actually, I came here tonight to lay my cards on the table with you!"

Ji Wushuang went all out, speaking at lightning speed.

Like a machine gun firing.

"I know there's going to be a big war! Maybe... maybe I won't come back!"

"Stop."

Lin Yuan interrupted her, "Why does this sound like writing a will? With me here, you won't die."

"I know you're strong! But I don't want to leave any regrets!"

Ji Wushuang stood up.

Because the movement was too violent, one of the buttons of her military coat popped off.

It bounced on the floor twice, making a crisp sound.

The coat opened, and that flash of fiery red was finally completely revealed before Lin Yuan.

It had to be said, Chu Yanran had a sharp eye.

This nightdress perfectly outlined the figure Ji Wushuang had developed through years of training.

It wasn't the kind of slender, frail beauty, but a beauty full of power and wildness.

The tight muscle lines were faintly visible under the silk wrapping.

Her long legs were straight and powerful, as if they could explode with astonishing strength at any moment.

But combined with Ji Wushuang's peerless face that was enough to make any man go crazy, her temperament blended perfectly.

Making men want to pounce on Ji Wushuang...

Of course, Lin Yuan had eaten plenty of good things, so he wasn't that impatient.

Lin Yuan's gaze lingered on those boots for a moment, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but twitch.

"Um..."

He pointed to her feet.

Ji Wushuang looked down, wishing she could chop off her feet on the spot.

"Ahhh! I forgot to take off my shoes!"

She scrambled to take off her shoes.

As a result, she couldn't stand steadily on one leg, and with a stumble, she lunged directly toward Lin Yuan.

Lin Yuan sighed helplessly, but he still caught her steadily.

A warm, fragrant, and soft body in his arms... well, if you didn't count the heaviness of that military coat.

Ji Wushuang lay in Lin Yuan's arms, her whole body stiff.

She could feel the temperature of Lin Yuan's chest, and that powerful heartbeat.

At this moment, all the embarrassment, panic, and excuses vanished into thin air.

Only that thought that had been bottled up in her heart for a long time remained.

She raised her head, looking at Lin Yuan who was within arm's reach.

Gone was the usual playful smile, and the panic from just now.

Her eyes became unusually serious, even carrying a hint of tenderness rarely seen.

"Lin Yuan."

"Hmm?"

Lin Yuan looked into her eyes, not pushing her away.

"You saved my life, taught me how to become stronger, and gave me dignity that I shouldn't have in the Apocalypse..."

Ji Wushuang's voice trembled slightly.

"Before, I thought you weren't worth so many beauties liking you..."

"But now..."

She bit her lip, as if using all her strength.

"I was wrong, because..."

"I also want to be your woman."

The room was so quiet that even a needle dropping on the floor could be heard.

Lin Yuan looked at the stubborn woman in front of him.

Her face still carried the flush from her earlier panic, but her eyes were as firm as a ball of fire.

"Do you know what this means?"

Lin Yuan's voice lowered.

"By my side, there won't only be you in the future."

"I know!"

Ji Wushuang answered resolutely.

"But I don't care!"

She reached out, somewhat clumsily wrapping her arms around Lin Yuan's neck, as if declaring ownership.

Lin Yuan was stunned for a moment, then laughed.

Ji Wushuang's voice suddenly lowered, carrying a hint of shyness.

"I... I think I really like you. Not because you're strong, and not because you have supplies. It's just... seeing you makes me happy, and not seeing you makes me feel empty inside. This... this is liking someone, right?"

At this moment, when Lin Yuan saw Ji Wushuang's loyalty rating shift completely from yellow to green, he knew Ji Wushuang wasn't lying.

It was from the bottom of her heart!

The smile in Lin Yuan's eyes gradually faded, replaced by a deep tenderness.

He reached out and undid that obstructive military coat.

The heavy coat slid to the floor, revealing that fiery red beauty inside.

"Since that's the case..."

Lin Yuan lowered his head and whispered in her ear.

"Then don't regret it."

Ji Wushuang felt her whole body tremble, an electric current running from her ear throughout her entire body.

"I, Ji Wushuang..."

She closed her eyes, her eyelashes trembling slightly, "never regret."

...

The strange snow fog outside the window was still permeating, carrying a nauseating fishy smell.

But in this small space, it was filled with the warmth of spring.