243: Chapter 243 Li Ran is also "in action"

At night, Qin Lin lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

Several things were on his mind.

Had Su Yuling reached her yandere breaking point yet?

When would she come to find him?

He actually wanted to feel that sensation of pain again.

The RV's self-healing function was powerful now; a small injury was nothing to worry about.

He needed to use pain as a stimulus, but he wasn't willing to do anything dangerous. After all, it was truly dangerous outside, and one mistake could cost him his life. If that happened, wouldn't all the women in this vehicle be for nothing?

Lin Fang's attitude was slowly softening, but how far was she from taking that final step?

Li Ran's behavior had been getting stranger lately. What exactly was she thinking?

Who would be the next one to get pregnant?

These questions swirled in his mind, making it impossible for him to fall asleep.

He sat up, walked to the window, and looked out into the darkness.

The faint glow of the protective shield was particularly striking in the dark, like a lone lamp illuminating this small patch of the world.

Qin Lin suddenly thought of his life during the apocalypse before his Rebirth.

Back then, he was alone, without the RV, the System, or these women, struggling on the fringes of the bottom tier every day.

And now?

He had the RV, the System, a group of women willing to follow him, and a child about to be born.

Everything was getting better.

But he knew this was just the beginning.

The real challenges were still ahead.

Level 7 required 200 Advanced crystal stones, 100 tons of rare metals, 10,000 survival points, and 20 blessing points.

He had enough crystal stones and metal, and his survival points and blessing points were also sufficient.

But he didn't want to upgrade just yet; he wanted to hoard more resources for a rainy day.

Moreover, he needed to complete the "Many Children, Many Blessings" mission, getting more women pregnant to earn more blessing points and survival points.

Lin Fang's rating wasn't high enough; he needed to find a way to improve it before she got pregnant, but that one-point difference refused to budge.

Li Ran... she was a special case.

He felt he should find an opportunity to scout out the situation from Su Yuran and see what she thought about Li Ran's presence on the RV.

Qin Lin sighed, returned to bed, and closed his eyes.

He'd deal with it tomorrow.

...

Days passed one by one. The RV moved slowly above the Zang City, and Qin Lin repeated the same daily rhythm.

Waking up in the morning, going downstairs for breakfast, then spending a few hours in the Drivers Cabin, wandering around the RV in the afternoon, and returning to the third floor to rest at night.

Su Yuling still hadn't come to find him.

She hadn't taken the initiative to speak to him for several days in a row.

Every time they met, she would give a slight smile, say hello, and then leave.

Neither cold nor warm, it was just the right amount of distance.

Sometimes Qin Lin wondered if she just didn't care anymore.

But every time he saw her eyes, he dismissed that thought.

There was something in her eyes, something deep and intense, just suppressed beneath a calm surface.

She was waiting.

Waiting for a certain moment, for a certain breaking point.

Qin Lin decided to keep waiting.

Lin Xiaoyue went to do ideological work on Lin Fang every day, and Lin Fang's attitude was changing bit by bit.

She began to take the initiative to talk to Qin Lin, no longer giving dismissive responses like "mm," "oh," or "okay," but having real, meaningful conversations.

One afternoon, while Qin Lin was exercising in the fitness area, Lin Fang walked in.

"Captain, can I use the treadmill?"

Qin Lin pointed to the treadmill next to him: "Feel free."

Lin Fang stepped onto the treadmill, set it to a slow pace, and began walking briskly.

The two exercised side by side, neither speaking.

After a while, Lin Fang suddenly asked, "Captain, what did you do before?"

Qin Lin thought for a moment: "Before the apocalypse? I was a college student."

Lin Fang laughed: "A college student? Then how old are you?"

"20."

Lin Fang was stunned: "20? Then you're fifteen years younger than me."

Qin Lin raised an eyebrow: "Think I'm too young?"

Lin Fang's face turned red: "No, I just didn't expect you to be so young."

"What's wrong with being young?"

"Nothing." Lin Fang lowered her head, "I just feel... it's not easy for someone so young to take on so much responsibility."

Qin Lin smiled.

Lin Fang glanced at him, her eyes holding something indescribable.

They were silent for a while longer before Lin Fang turned off the treadmill and wiped the sweat from her face: "I'll head back first."

Qin Lin nodded: "Okay."

As Lin Fang reached the door, she suddenly turned back: "Captain, thank you."

"For what?"

"Thank you... for giving me time."

She left after saying that, leaving Qin Lin alone in the fitness area with a slight curl to his lips.

He had noticed Lin Fang's changes.

From the initial avoidance and resistance to her current initiative in approaching and communicating, the process was slow, but every step was solid.

He believed that in time, Lin Fang would completely let go of her mental baggage.

When that time came, she would become his woman.

...

Meanwhile, Li Ran was also "taking action."

She began to pay attention to her appearance and dress.

Before, she would just wear whatever was comfortable.

Now she would spend time picking out clothes, standing in front of the mirror for a long time, and trying on several outfits before deciding on one.

Moreover, she began to frequently appear in places Qin Lin often passed by.

In the morning, when Qin Lin went downstairs for breakfast, she was sure to be sitting in the living room.

In the afternoon, when Qin Lin went to the Drivers Cabin, she was sure to be in the hallway "looking at paintings."

In the evening, when Qin Lin returned to the third floor, she was sure to be at the top of the stairs "just passing by."

Once or twice was a coincidence, but three or four times was intentional.

Qin Lin was no fool; he noticed Li Ran's unusual behavior.

But he wasn't sure what she was trying to do.

Was she trying to get closer to him?

Or did she have something else on her mind?

He dared to think about it, but he felt Li Ran wouldn't let herself think too much, given her status.

Their relationship was too sensitive.

Not everyone was like Han Qing.

...

This afternoon, Qin Lin came out of the Drivers Cabin, planning to go to the living room for some water.

In the hallway, Li Ran was standing there "looking at paintings" again.

But her mind wasn't on the painting at all; she only looked at it when she saw Qin Lin coming.

This time she was wearing a light purple dress that reached just to her knees, revealing a section of her fair calves.

Her hair was pinned up, and she wore a pair of pearl earrings; she looked elegant and refined.

After the RV's enhancement of the passengers' Physique, she looked a bit younger than when she first boarded. At the very least, her skin had improved significantly, and her figure was more curvaceous.

Qin Lin walked over: "Mom, looking at paintings again?"

Li Ran turned around and smiled slightly: "Mm, just passing the time."

Qin Lin stood beside her and glanced at the painting; it really wasn't anything special, just a simple decoration.

"You've been looking at this painting for several days now. Haven't you seen enough?"

Li Ran smiled: "A beautiful painting—you can never look at it enough."

Qin Lin nodded. If she liked looking at it, then let her. Life on the RV was indeed dull, so finding a hobby was good.

He started to walk away.

Li Ran suddenly said, "Xiao Lin, wait a moment."