235: Chapter 235 Lin Xiaoyue: Commander, I want to be honest with you about something.

The RV moved slowly above the Zang City, its protective shield shimmering slightly as it resisted the 85°C heat outside.

Qin Lin set the auto-pilot route, letting the RV advance slowly westward along the mountain range.

This would save energy while allowing for constant scanning of the surrounding mineral deposits.

He stepped out of the Drivers Cabin and into the living room.

Su Yuran was sitting on the sofa flipping through a parenting book, with the "Pregnant Woman's Nutrition Guide" rewarded by the System lying beside her.

Seeing her serious expression, a wave of warmth welled up in Qin Lin's heart.

“What are you reading so intently?”

Su Yuran looked up, her shallow dimples faintly appearing. “Studying. I can't be an irresponsible mother, after all.”

Qin Lin sat down beside her and reached out to wrap an arm around her shoulder.

“You're already very responsible.”

Su Yuran leaned against his shoulder and said softly, “Qin Lin, what do you think children born after the apocalypse will be like?”

“No matter what they're like, they'll be our children.”

Su Yuran smiled and gave him a peck on the cheek. “You always know just what to say.”

The two sat quietly for a while before Su Yuran suddenly spoke.

“Lin Xiaoyue seems to have been wanting to talk to you alone lately.”

Qin Lin raised an eyebrow. “To me?”

“Yeah. Every time you come out of the Drivers Cabin, she looks like she wants to talk to you, but she's too shy.”

Su Yuran looked up at him. “What do you plan to do?”

Qin Lin thought for a moment. “I'll try to reach out and see.”

Su Yuran nodded. “Her comprehensive rating is 90, which meets the mission requirements. And... she never actually had a physical relationship with Su Zhenyun, so you don't have to worry about that.”

Qin Lin gave a bitter smile. “When have I ever worried about that?”

Su Yuran blinked. “True. After all, you aren't even afraid of my mom.”

Qin Lin: “...”

Su Yuran laughed and said, “Alright, I'll stop teasing you. Go have a look; Lin Xiaoyue should be in the fitness area right now.”

Qin Lin stood up and walked toward the fitness area.

The fitness area was on the second floor, a newly adjusted section after the Lv6 upgrade.

It contained treadmills, strength training equipment, and a yoga studio. While not huge, it was sufficient for daily use.

Qin Lin pushed open the door and saw Lin Xiaoyue sitting on a yoga mat in tight-fitting sportswear, doing stretches.

Seeing him enter, Lin Xiaoyue's eyes lit up. “Captain!”

Qin Lin smiled. “Just call me Qin Lin, no need to be so formal.”

Lin Xiaoyue stood up and wiped the sweat from her face. “I'm just used to it.”

Qin Lin looked her over. Lin Xiaoyue was 162cm tall with a petite build, a B-cup chest, and sweet features. She had two small dimples when she smiled.

Although she was one of the mistresses Su Zhenyun kept, according to the System's detection, she had never actually had a physical relationship with him.

“Working out?” Qin Lin leaned against the doorframe.

Lin Xiaoyue nodded. “Yeah. Since there wasn't much else to do, I came here to practice.”

Qin Lin walked in and sat on a nearby chair. “Are you getting used to life on the RV?”

Lin Xiaoyue thought about it. “I wasn't at first, but it's much better now. It's so much safer here than outside, and we have everything we need.”

“That's good.”

Lin Xiaoyue hesitated for a moment and then asked softly, “Captain, I want to confess something to you.”

“Go ahead.”

“I want to be with you,” Lin Xiaoyue said bluntly. “I know the rules on the vehicle now, and I know your mission requires having children. My comprehensive rating is 90, so I meet the requirements. I'm willing to have a child for you.”

Qin Lin looked at her, not expecting her to be so direct.

“Have you thought this through?”

“I have,” Lin Xiaoyue said seriously.

“I'm 26 this year. Before the apocalypse, I was a clerk at a company; I didn't have any great skills.”

“After the apocalypse broke out, I was kept by Su Zhenyun. After getting on the RV, I think it's pretty good here too.”

She paused and continued, “I know you might think I'm being opportunistic, but I don't care. I'm just that realistic, otherwise I wouldn't have taken Su Zhenyun's money.”

“In the apocalypse, just being alive is good enough. I don't crave love; I just want someone to rely on.”

“You can give me that, and I'm willing to exchange myself for it.”

Qin Lin was silent for a moment.

“You think of this as an exchange?”

“Is it not?” Lin Xiaoyue gave a bitter smile.

“Captain, don't lie to yourself. How many of the women on this vehicle are truly with you because of love?”

“Aren't they all here because you can give them security and the hope of survival?”

Qin Lin had to admit she had a bit of a point, but not much. She didn't know that love was indeed involved with some of the women.

“But feelings can be nurtured.”

Lin Xiaoyue smiled. “Right, so I'm not opposed to nurturing feelings. I just wanted to make things clear first so you don't mistake me for some innocent young girl.”

Qin Lin looked at her and suddenly felt this woman was quite interesting.

“Alright, I understand.”

“Then you... are willing?” Lin Xiaoyue asked.

Qin Lin nodded. “But I have one condition.”

“What condition?”

“Stop calling me Captain. Just call me by my name.”

Lin Xiaoyue was stunned for a moment, then she smiled.

“Alright, Qin Lin.”

“That's more like it.”

“Captain... Qin Lin, can I ask you a question?”

“Ask away.”

“Do you... dislike me?”

Qin Lin was taken aback. “Why do you ask that?”

Lin Xiaoyue lowered her head. “Because I've been on the vehicle for nearly a month, and you've hardly spoken to me. I thought I'd done something wrong...”

Qin Lin shook his head. “Nothing like that. I've been busy looking for crystal stones and minerals lately and couldn't find the time.”

Lin Xiaoyue looked up, her eyes filled with expectation. “And now?”

“Now?” Qin Lin smiled. “Now I have time.”

Lin Xiaoyue's face turned slightly red, and she lowered her head to continue stretching, but her movements were clearly distracted.

Qin Lin looked at her, understanding her situation.

This girl was very realistic; she knew that in the apocalypse, only by establishing a relationship with him could she obtain better living conditions.

This wasn't opportunism, but the instinct for survival.

“Xiaoyue.”

“Hmm?”

“Are you free tonight?”

Lin Xiaoyue's hand jerked, and her voice trembled slightly. “I... I'm free.”

Qin Lin stood up. “Then come to the Third Floor tonight. We'll talk.”

He finished speaking and walked out of the fitness area, leaving Lin Xiaoyue sitting alone on the yoga mat, her face flushed bright red.

Although she was realistic and direct, she still felt quite nervous now that it had actually come to this.

...

During lunch, Lin Xiaoyue remained distracted.

Lin Fang, sitting beside her, noticed her unusual behavior and asked softly, “Xiaoyue, what's wrong?”

Lin Xiaoyue snapped back to reality. “No... nothing.”

Lin Fang frowned. “Why is your face so red? Do you have a fever?”

“No, no.”

Lin Xiaoyue quickly shoveled a few mouthfuls of rice, not daring to look Lin Fang in the eye.

Lin Fang was puzzled but didn't ask further.

After eating, Lin Xiaoyue helped Lin Fang clear the dishes, and the two walked into the kitchen together.

As Lin Fang washed the dishes, she said, “Xiaoyue, have you been hiding something from me lately?”

Lin Xiaoyue hesitated and then said softly, “Sister-in-law, I'm going to the Third Floor tonight.”

Lin Fang's hand paused, and her expression changed. “To the Third Floor? What are you going to the Third Floor for?”

“Just... to talk.”