Chapter 32 A Three-Court Trial of Myself

The door opened.

"Come on..." Zhou Yan tossed his head toward his apartment door, acting aloof.

An indescribable tension filled the air in Zhou Yan's living room. Bai Qi sat straight on the sofa, her gaze clear as she curiously examined Zhang Yajing, who had just walked in.

Su Yanqiu remained suspicious of Zhang Yajing's sudden show of goodwill, worried that her motives weren't pure and that it might even be a "trap" designed in collusion with Li Dalong.

Although Bai Qi's claimed "Mind Reading" sounded unbelievable, in this world where mutated creatures ran rampant and order had collapsed, no possibility should be easily dismissed...

Su Yanqiu looked Zhang Yajing straight in the eyes and asked the first question: "Has Li Dalong really never touched you?"

To Zhang Yajing's surprise, the heavy atmosphere in the living room was actually directed at her?

What the hell?

After all that effort, it turns out this is a trial of myself?

If I had known, I wouldn't have come!

Although she didn't understand why she was being interrogated in front of this strange girl, she still honestly answered every one of Su Yanqiu's questions.

Zhang Yajing's tone was calm but carried a hint of bitterness: "Li Dalong is gay... he would never touch me. We've been married for over four years, and we've slept in separate rooms for over four years."

Su Yanqiu's second question was even more direct: "Have you ever had relations with anyone else?"

Zhang Yajing's face flushed red instantly, a flash of humiliation crossing her eyes, and she turned to look at Zhou Yan.

Zhou Yan felt that his ceiling had never been as attractive as it was today...

This ceiling, it really is a ceiling!

Zhang Yajing sighed and answered with a firm voice: "I have not had relations with anyone."

Because she was asked such a question in public, her fingers gripped the fabric of her work pants tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force...

This is a bit humiliating...

Su Yanqiu gave her no time to think and immediately asked the final question: "What is your purpose in approaching Zhou Yan?"

Zhang Yajing stared at Su Yanqiu in disbelief. Even if she lied, she wouldn't be able to tell, right?

Why go through the trouble of asking?

Zhang Yajing took a deep breath, her gaze drifting toward Zhou Yan involuntarily before quickly pulling it back. Her voice trembled slightly but was exceptionally sincere: "I... I like Zhou Yan."

"Furthermore, in this damned apocalypse, he is the most powerful existence, and he is the... most perfect object of reliance I can think of."

After she finished speaking, she lowered her head slightly, as if she had used up all her courage.

Su Yanqiu and Su Yanyue had no intention of hiding anything from her; if there was any deception, she would be sent to the afterlife tonight.

If it was all the truth, then everyone would put their cards on the table and sincerely apologize to her...

Su Yanqiu turned to look at Bai Qi on the other side of the sofa.

"Did she say anything false just now?"

Bai Qi shook her head, then said in a definitive tone: "Except for the last answer, there was nothing unusual; it was all the truth!"

Su Yanqiu looked at Zhang Yajing nervously and asked hurriedly: "The last question? She really had a purpose in approaching Xiao Yan?"

"Her emotions are very complex—fear, gratitude, reliance, and also a trace of genuine attraction. You can understand it as an emotion born under the pressure of the apocalypse, based on a psychological tendency to admire the strong."

"You can understand this as the truth."

"Because her thoughts clearly show that for her, survival is the priority, and Mr. Zhou, in her perception, indeed represents the safest choice at the moment... there is no intention of any conspiracy or harm."

Bai Qi rubbed her temples, looking slightly exhausted: "That's all I can sense..."

Zhang Yajing looked at Bai Qi in a panic. How could this girl have Mind Reading???

After hearing Bai Qi's verification results, Su Yanqiu stood there in silence for a full ten seconds.

Her deep gaze lingered on Zhang Yajing, as if she were re-evaluating the woman she had once been suspicious of.

A subtle silence filled the air, accompanied only by the faint sound of rushing water from outside the window.

Finally, Su Yanqiu took a deep breath and took a step forward.

Her posture was no longer the scrutinizing and distant one from before; her shoulders relaxed slightly, and her eyes became much softer.

"Yajing..." Su Yanqiu began, her voice soft and sincere.

"Suspicion... is inevitable in these times. I apologize for this suspicion and test..."

"From now on, we are partners who will support each other and live together in these difficult times!"

As she spoke, she extended her fair, slender hand toward Zhang Yajing.

Zhang Yajing, flattered, wiped her hand on her work pants and then shook hands with her.

"Welcome..."

Zhang Yajing was stunned...

A huge, almost unbearable warmth and joy instantly washed away the grievance and anxiety she had felt from being rejected earlier.

She had already prepared herself to be "marginalized" as Zhou Yan's secret lover...

Judging by what she said...

Does this mean I, this "concubine," have officially entered the household today?

Have I finally become the "third"?

But why, after so much damn effort, am I still the "mistress"?

Bai Qi, on the sofa nearby, read this thought of Zhang Yajing's and couldn't hold it in. She burst out laughing, then hurriedly covered her little mouth tight, not daring to look up and meet anyone's eyes...

This feeling of being recognized and accepted made Zhang Yajing's eyes suddenly heat up, and her vision blurred rapidly.

"Miss Su... No! Sister Yanqiu..." Zhang Yajing's voice was choked with emotion but full of happiness.

"Don't worry! I won't let you down!"

The two women hugged, and then Su Yanqiu patted her on the back gently.

"Alright! It's time to eat! I'm going over now..."

As she spoke, she gave Zhou Yan an ambiguous look, then took her sister, who was pouting and looking displeased, to the next room.

She looked at Bai Qi, who still looked innocent, and asked curiously: "Why are you still waiting here? Aren't you hungry?"

"Ah!? Me? Can I go eat too?" Bai Qi pointed at her face in surprise, asking in disbelief.

Ridiculous!

What a terrifying ability! In this apocalypse where people's hearts are hidden, she is a cheat code!

Shouldn't she be treated well?

Furthermore, Su Yanqiu was wholeheartedly helping Zhou Yan "recruit" her, so how could she mistreat her own sister?

"Of course! If you don't like hot pot, just pretend I didn't say anything!" Su Yanqiu said with a smile.

"But... but... he..."

"His name is Zhou Yan. You can call him Brother Zhou or Brother Yan..." Su Yanqiu said, pointing at Zhou Yan.

"But Brother Zhou said I might mutate..." Bai Qi said pitifully.

Su Yanqiu walked to Zhou Yan's side, took the Type 92 from his hand, and waved it at Bai Qi.

"With this, there's no need to fear you mutating... Besides, don't you want to have a hot pot meal before you mutate?"

Bai Qi's dull eyes lit up instantly!

Even as a ghost, one must be a well-fed ghost!

"Yes!"

Bai Qi skipped and hopped along with the two sisters to the next room.

At this moment, only Zhou Yan and Zhang Yajing were left in the living room.

Su Yanqiu had been working since she was a teenager, then started her own business; it could be said she was quick-witted and quite tactful.

Her comfort couldn't even compare to a single "hug" from Zhou Yan at this moment.

So she took the initiative to leave space for Zhou Yan.

After the door closed gently, the composure Zhang Yajing had been forcing herself to maintain seemed to vanish instantly.

She lowered her head slightly, her long eyelashes trembling, and her face wore a look of pitifulness that was somewhat deliberate yet not annoying.

"Zhou Yan..." Her call was very soft, carrying a hint of just the right amount of grievance and choking emotion.