188: Chapter 188 Before, it was about liking; now… it's about wanting to possess it exclusively.

Life on the RV remained peaceful over the next few days.

The task system had been online for a while now, and through everyone's hard work during this time, they had all saved up some survival points to varying degrees.

With enough survival points, everyone's demand for special tasks had decreased.

After all, while things like hugging and kissing could earn some points, they weren't strictly necessary.

By steadily completing daily tasks, one could also save up enough points.

Consequently, special tasks entered a period of silence.

Fewer people were doing them.

For some, this was a good thing.

For instance, Su Yuling.

Previously, Han Yurou, Li Ying, and the others would take special tasks every day, and there was always a line to see Qin Lin.

Sometimes when she finally plucked up the courage to go, there was already someone in Qin Lin's room, leaving her with no choice but to depart awkwardly.

Now things were better; with fewer people doing tasks, her chances were much greater.

These past few days, she would go to Qin Lin every day to claim a hug.

Not many, just one.

It was enough to satisfy her heart's desire to be close to him.

Every time she was held in Qin Lin's arms, she felt her heart race and her face flush.

But that feeling was wonderful.

So wonderful that she looked forward to that moment every day.

This afternoon, she arrived at the door of the Drivers Cabin once again.

Taking a deep breath, she knocked.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Come in."

She pushed the door open to see Qin Lin leaning back on the sofa, reading a book.

"Brother Qin Lin."

Qin Lin looked up, saw her, and smiled.

"Yuling? Here for a task again?"

Su Yuling nodded, her face turning slightly red.

Qin Lin stood up, walked over to her, and opened his arms.

Su Yuling stepped in and leaned into his embrace.

This was the moment she looked forward to most every day.

Qin Lin's embrace was very warm and provided a great sense of security.

When he held her, he would gently pat her back.

Although it only lasted a few dozen seconds, it was enough to keep her happy all day.

[System Notification: Su Yuling has completed the special task "Hugging the Host"]

Su Yuling pulled back from his arms, her face flushed.

"Thank you, Brother Qin Lin."

Qin Lin patted her head.

"You're welcome. Come again tomorrow."

Su Yuling nodded and turned to leave.

Reaching the door, she glanced back at him.

Qin Lin had already sat back down on the sofa and continued reading.

She smiled and closed the door.

In the hallway, she leaned against the wall, clutching her chest, feeling the flutter of excitement.

It was so good to be able to hug him every day.

Su Yuran saw everything.

As Mistress No. 001, she had been observing everyone's state of mind.

Especially her sister, Su Yuling.

She knew the girl liked Qin Lin.

She also knew the girl didn't dare to take the initiative.

She had originally intended to give her sister a hand and let her take that step herself.

After all, outsiders couldn't help with this kind of thing; one had to figure it out for themselves.

But after observing for the past few days, she found that something was a bit off.

Yuling did indeed go to find Qin Lin every day.

But it was only for a hug.

Nothing more than that.

She never took any Advanced tasks, and never took the initiative to go any further.

Moreover, the way she looked at Qin Lin was becoming increasingly unusual.

That kind of gaze... how should she put it?

It wasn't simple liking, nor was it longing; it was a kind of... possessiveness?

Su Yuran frowned.

...

In the living room, Su Yuling sat alone in a corner, holding a book, but her eyes weren't on the pages.

She was watching Qin Lin.

Qin Lin was talking to Li Ying; Li Ying was laughing happily and even reached out to tap his chest.

Qin Lin laughed as well, wrapping an arm around her waist.

Su Yuling's hands tightened slightly.

She knew about the relationship between Li Ying and Qin Lin.

She knew they were often together, knew Li Ying could go to him at any time, and knew he liked her.

But knowing was one thing; seeing it still hurt.

Especially lately, seeing Han Yurou and The Zhou Sisters also frequently crowding around him, that painful feeling in her heart grew stronger and stronger.

She didn't want to share Qin Lin with anyone.

She wanted to... possess him exclusively.

The moment this thought appeared, she startled herself.

Exclusive possession?

How could that be possible?

There were nine women on the RV, each with their own position and their own way of getting along with him.

What right did a minor person like Su Yuling have to claim him all for herself?

But...

That thought simply wouldn't go away.

The more she tried to suppress it, the more it surged up.

"Yuling."

A voice pulled her back to reality.

She looked up to see Han Qing standing before her.

"Aunt Han Qing..."

Han Qing sat down beside her.

"What's wrong? Why are you sitting here in a daze?"

Su Yuling shook her head.

"It's nothing."

Han Qing watched her, silent for a few seconds.

"Yuling, have you had something on your mind lately?"

Su Yuling lowered her head and didn't speak.

Han Qing sighed.

"If there's something you can't figure out, you can talk to me. I'm a doctor, and I've been through things too."

Su Yuling looked up at her.

"Aunt Han Qing, do you think... if you like someone, you should only like them?"

Han Qing was taken aback.

"What do you mean?"

Su Yuling said in a small voice:

"I mean... if you like someone, should you only like them and not want them to like anyone else?"

Han Qing understood.

She thought for a moment and said:

"In theory, love is exclusive, but in the apocalypse, the situation is different."

Su Yuling listened.

"On this RV, Qin Lin is the only man. He has to protect all of us, ensure everyone survives, and complete tasks to upgrade the RV. He cannot belong to just one person."

She paused.

"Yuran understands this, which is why she is Mistress No. 001."

"Wanwan understands, so she never fights for attention. Li Ying understands, so she enjoys the present."

She looked at Su Yuling.

"What about you? Do you understand?"

Su Yuling lowered her head and remained silent.

Han Qing patted her shoulder.

"Yuling, you're still young. You'll understand some things in time."

She stood up and left.

Su Yuling sat there alone, looking in Qin Lin's direction.

He was still talking to Li Ying, laughing happily.

She bit her lip.

She didn't understand.

And she didn't want to understand.

...

In the Medical Room, Han Qing was organizing today's records.

The door was pushed open, and Su Yuran walked in.

"Aunt Qing."

Han Qing nodded.

"Sit."

Su Yuran sat across from her.

"What's wrong? Why did you come to see me?"

Han Qing watched her, silent for a few seconds.

"Yuran, I want to tell you something."

"Go ahead."

"It's about Yuling."

Su Yuran raised an eyebrow.

"My sister? What's wrong with her?"

Han Qing organized her thoughts.

"I've been observing her lately and found that she has some... somewhat concerning tendencies."

Su Yuran frowned, her heart stirring—as she had suspected.

"What kind of tendencies?"

Han Qing said:

"Possessiveness. Extreme possessiveness."

Su Yuran was stunned for a moment.

"Possessiveness? Toward me?"

"Toward Qin Lin."

"The way she looks at Qin Lin is different from before."

"Before it was liking, now... it's wanting to possess him exclusively."

Su Yuran was silent for a few seconds.

"Are you sure?"