Just as they stepped into the elevator, a faint shout came from upstairs, making Tang Ke’s hand, reaching out to press the elevator button, suddenly freeze.
That voice was so familiar. Forcing himself not to think about anything else, he continued leading the group down to the underground level of the research institute via the elevator.
The elevator doors opened to complete darkness. Borrowing the light of a flashlight, they found the button on the wall. Because it hadn’t been used for several years, some of the light bulbs were already damaged.
They smoothly met up with Lin Yuze’s team in the underground lab hall. Probably because the institute strictly controlled underground entry and exit, the number of staff trapped inside who had turned into zombies wasn’t too high, and they hadn’t detected the advanced zombie they had sensed earlier.
Watching Professor Wu command people to load the specimen tubes into boxes, Tang Ke felt somewhat uneasy.
A voice came from the communicator: “Captain, there’s a situation upstairs.” The voice of team member No. 0536 was mixed with the sound of heavy objects hitting the ground.
“What happened?” Tang Ke asked into the communicator, chasing for details of the situation above.
“An advanced zombie was discovered, and another group of people. Also, a small number of zombies have appeared outside the building and are gathering toward it.” Bang bang! Gunshots came from inside.
“Don’t reason with the advanced zombie, stay hidden, clean up the zombies outside the building first.” Tang Ke commanded calmly.
Ever since entering the building, Lin Yuze had seemed a bit distracted. The shadow he saw upstairs made his heart itch with curiosity.
“I’ll go up and take a look.”
“Mm.” Tang Ke hesitated for a moment. “It’s better if you stay here, I’ll go up.”
Lin Yuze didn’t refute. The other was right, Tang Ke’s dual abilities were both offensive, while he had sensory abilities; staying here allowed him to pre-detect danger. He glanced at Professor Wu collecting data nearby and didn’t argue.
“You all stay here and protect Professor Wu. I’ll go check the situation.” Without delay, Tang Ke stepped out.
The noises upstairs were getting louder, and even the sound of grenade explosions. Tang Ke grew anxious, desperate to confirm the owner of the voice he heard earlier.
Holding his gun, he cautiously went up the elevator.
As the elevator doors opened, a figure entered his sight.
He thought that after five years, he had long forgotten, had forced himself not to think, but the moment he saw that figure, uncontrollable excitement and joy burst forth.
As the elevator doors closed behind him, the inside went completely dark.
Qi Yue suddenly felt his pores tighten in fear, goosebumps rising across his neck. Silently cursing, he realized he had been too careless. He had jumped in without thinking, without considering who the other person was.
The man behind him clamped his arm around his neck, and the arm at his waist held him tightly. Qi Yue froze, not daring to move. At the moment he stepped into the elevator, he had vaguely seen that the person behind him had a Desert Eagle hanging from his body.
Qi Yue didn’t dare make a rash move. Thump, thump, thump! His heartbeat grew extremely fast. He could feel the man’s face pressed against his neck.
Tang Ke held Qi Yue tightly, feeling a rush of emotion. Lowering his head slightly, pressing his face against the other’s neck, everything felt unreal.
It had been five years. He didn’t dare imagine it. Qi Yue had saved him, yet he had left him alone in that d*mned building. He had regretted it countless times, regretting going alone to get the car back then.
Like wanting to prove this wasn’t a dream, Tang Ke extended his tongue and lightly licked the skin on Qi Yue’s neck.
Qi Yue jolted violently. D*mn, is this guy mutating?!
He couldn’t control himself and kicked backward, hitting the man. Taking advantage of the other’s pain and loosened hold, Qi Yue sprang forward. The man, caught off guard, fell to the ground. Grabbing the opportunity, Qi Yue caught the man’s arm, twisted it behind his back, sat on him, and pressed him face-down onto the floor.
The communicator emitted beeping sounds. “Captain, we’ve finished collecting everything and are preparing to evacuate, please advise.”
Seeing the man beneath him trying to struggle up, Qi Yue twisted his arm with one hand and with the other pulled out the razor-sharp boning knife from his space, pressing it to the man’s neck. He warned in a low voice: “Don’t move. Move again and I’ll kill you.”
Tang Ke was somewhat shocked. Qi Yue had changed so much. Although he had been careless and got subdued just now, being able to see the person he had longed for again made his heart float uncontrollably.
Ding.
The elevator doors opened.
The team outside was pressing the button beside the elevator. They hadn’t expected this scene inside and immediately raised their guns toward Qi Yue.
Lin Yuze, walking near the back, scanned the surroundings with his spiritual power. Although he hadn’t sensed anything abnormal yet, the advanced zombie previously detected in the building was no small threat.
“Stop, don’t shoot, he’s one of ours.” Through the gap, Lin Yuze spotted that familiar silhouette.
The team members lowered their guns upon hearing his voice, though they remained on guard against Qi Yue.
Their gazes followed the person standing in the elevator, and even though he had changed a lot, the familiar features and eyes were still there. Qi Yue grinned at Lin Yuze squeezing his way forward.
Tang Ke, pressed to the floor, tilted his head and stared intensely at the person behind him, calling out, “Qi Yue.”
Huh?
Qi Yue lowered his head, narrowing his eyes at the man beneath him. The man wore a military uniform, his hair much shorter than before, and unlike the past, his handsome face now carried a soldier’s steadfastness. His black eyes stared at him with bright focus.
Feeling slightly embarrassed, Qi Yue withdrew the knife from the man’s neck, stood up, scratched his head, and chuckled, “Tang… Tang Ke.”
Tang Ke rolled over, immediately pulling him into a hug. “Qi Yue, Qi Yue,” he murmured the name softly.
Qi Yue somewhat understood how the other felt. He hugged him back lightly and patted Tang Ke’s back.
They should count as old friends now. Being happy to meet again was normal. He was happy too, he had always hoped the other was alive. Seeing him not only alive but doing exceptionally well, he was relieved.
But Tang Ke was far too excited, holding him so tightly. Seeing the circle of people around them staring in shock, Qi Yue twitched the corner of his mouth and let his gaze drift to Lin Yuze.
Lin Yuze’s expression, once filled with joy, gradually faded back to his usual cold indifference. His eyes carried a faint, unreadable meaning as he stared at the two people in the elevator. When he saw Qi Yue looking at him, he gave a meaningful smile.
Qi Yue found Lin Yuze’s smile puzzling, frowning slightly. He shoved Tang Ke hard. The other man, whose excitement was beginning to cool, loosened his grip a little. One hand still held Qi Yue’s waist while the other reached for his face—his eyebrows, his eyes.
It tickled. Qi Yue blinked, staring at Tang Ke in confusion.
Their foreheads pressed together. Tang Ke’s fingers drifted down, touching Qi Yue’s lips. Then Tang Ke lowered his head. Qi Yue froze, not knowing how to react, and a few seconds later his mouth was suddenly sealed. Their lips pressed together softly at first, tentatively, and then a wet tongue followed, skillfully prying open his lips, hooking his tongue, and sucking hard.
The people outside the elevator gaped, mouths falling open. Was this their normally stern, unsmiling captain? The scene was simply too explosive. Some shifted awkwardly, pretending to look elsewhere while secretly glancing with the corners of their eyes. Others watched openly, utterly entertained.
Qi Yue jerked, letting out a light “mm,” then suddenly realized, sh*t! He shoved the man hard.
Tang Ke, caught unprepared, was pushed away. A thin silver thread stretched between their lips.
Qi Yue’s face flushed bright red. He never expected Tang Ke to be this passionate, especially with so many people watching. His face burned like it was on fire.
Five years had passed, yet Tang Ke was still the same. He moved close again, wrapped an arm around Qi Yue’s shoulder, and whispered, “Baby, I missed you.” His eyes sparkled with affection, and the more he looked, the cuter Qi Yue seemed. Smiling, he leaned in and pecked Qi Yue’s lips again.
Qi Yue stared at him, stammering, “You… you…”
Lin Yuze spoke. “Let’s talk after we leave. This place isn’t safe.”
Hearing his voice, Qi Yue hurriedly pushed Tang Ke away, feeling even more embarrassed, his face reddening further. He had probably known long ago about him sleeping with Yan Bin and Han Fei, and now at their reunion he had been kissing a man like this, who knew what he thought of him.
Tang Ke, still smiling, let go of Qi Yue considerately and returned to his usual calm severity. He held Qi Yue’s hand as they walked out of the elevator, then quickly let go, as if afraid Qi Yue would explode.
Qi Yue snapped back and reminded, “There’s a level 8 zombie above, right at the elevator entrance.”
Tang Ke nodded slightly and signaled to the others, “Take the safe passage.” Then he leaned close to Qi Yue and said, “Keep up. I have something to tell you once we’re outside.”
His deep gaze was bright and filled with meaning.
Qi Yue felt like he was bewitched, nodded unconsciously, and answered softly, “Mm.”
Seeing Tang Ke smile at his reply made Qi Yue suddenly panic a little. He didn’t even know why. His eyes darted away, avoiding Tang Ke.
Qi Yue walked near the back of the group. Lin Yuze quietly moved beside him.
Qi Yue tilted his head, smiling knowingly at him. The kid had grown up. Just as he imagined, he was living well, his ability had even risen so quickly.
Their eyes met. No words were exchanged. It looked like mutual understanding, but their true thoughts only they themselves knew.
They followed the dim underground corridor and went up to the first floor.
This was the farthest corner of the first floor, with the exit in the lobby. The group advanced carefully. Those with higher ability levels could sense the presence of an advanced zombie approaching.
Lin Yuze used his spiritual power to scan the surroundings, searching for the advanced zombie.
“There.” Qi Yue reminded, raising his gun and shooting at the spot where the zombie was crouched.
The steaming bun he had eaten earlier in his panic had the tracking ability attached.
Since his ability had increased, the six buns made by Little Steamer each contained one fixed additional ability. Six buns, six extra abilities. Of course, Qi Yue still couldn’t extract an offensive ability, others could, but his never triggered. He had long accepted this, no, he had given up hope. He no longer expected anything from Little Steamer.
Everyone fired their abilities at the small, thin zombie. This zombie had speed-type abilities, its movements unbelievably fast. It leapt across cabinets, then darted behind a piece of research equipment, vanishing.
