Chapter 48: I Am Glad for Your Trust

Gone! With a wave of her hand, all the supplies Du Yun had spent half the night meticulously sorting vanished in an instant. Delighted, she clapped her hands, brimming with the joy of her plentiful harvest, and turned around—only to be met by her leader’s stern and somewhat stiff expression. In that moment, it felt as though a bucket of cold water had been poured over her, sobering her instantly.

What was she thinking? How could she, in a moment of excitement and happiness, have revealed her greatest secret so carelessly? Regret gnawed at Du Yun’s heart as she opened her mouth to explain, only to realize that, in this situation, any explanation would be futile.

Suddenly, a wave of dizzying weightlessness washed over her. Du Yun’s heart sank—she knew she was about to be pulled back again. What should she do now? Anxiety clawed at her, as if a litter of restless kittens were scratching at her heart.

Ten minutes until the next crossing.

Du Yun hesitated for a long while before deciding to tell the truth. She had always liked her leader—not just for the striking looks and formidable strength, but also that reserved, quietly passionate nature. Though outwardly cold, he was attentive and endearing in ways she cherished.

“Xiao Yi, I have an ability. I can temporarily store things in another place and carry them with me,” Du Yun said slowly.

“Store things?” The leader’s face flickered with surprise at her words. Then, as if struck by a sudden realization, he strode over in a flash, gently pulled her into his arms, and covered her mouth with his hand.

“It’s not safe here,” he murmured in her ear, his warm breath sending a shiver through her as her blood seemed to boil in her veins.

“Oh, okay.” Her mind was in chaos; she nodded hurriedly, looking up at him. In the night, his eyes shone with a bright, unfathomable excitement and relief that she couldn’t quite decipher.

“I’m glad you trust me enough to tell me,” his deep, magnetic voice resonated as he tightened his embrace, a wave of contentment threatening to lift him off the ground.

“If I can’t trust you, who can I trust?” Du Yun nestled against his chest, savoring this rare moment of warmth. But as the countdown ticked away, she had to gently push him and speak softly, “By the way, I might disappear for a while soon.”

“Like last time?” He raised an eyebrow, suddenly recalling that previous incident—how, swept up in passion, he had pressed her beneath him, only for her to vanish at the crucial moment, nearly causing him to burst a blood vessel from pent-up frustration. Was it happening again?

“Yes, just like last time. I’ll disappear for a while—I don’t know exactly how long—but I’ll come back here.” Her voice was muffled and low, reluctant to leave his arms.

But the countdown had already begun. Du Yun knew returning was inevitable, but how long she’d be gone, she couldn’t say. They had just ten days to reach the city. If she took too long, would he leave her behind and go alone? If he didn’t, that would be too great a burden to bear. Who knew if there would be another chance to board a small starship and escape this planet?

The thought pained her so much she could almost weep. As the countdown echoed in her ears, she looked up at his face in the darkness. “If I’m not back by tomorrow, go on without me. Don’t let me keep you from going home.”

Only she knew how much it hurt to say those words. This wasn’t just the pain of leaving someone she might have come to care for—it was the risk of being left utterly alone in a world teeming with the undead, where the odds of survival were next to none. The risk was far too great.

“I won’t leave. Don’t worry,” he replied without hesitation, gazing into her glistening, pitiful eyes.

“Really? That’s wonderful!” At his words, it felt as if the whole world blossomed in an instant. She had prepared herself to be abandoned, yet was given a promise of loyalty. Even if it was never fulfilled, she felt she would have no regrets.

In a shimmer of soft light, Du Yun’s smiling face vanished at the very moment it was most radiant, leaving her leader standing alone.

He stared down at his empty hands, his once warm embrace growing cold. It was as if his heart was being torn to shreds. He even began to doubt whether the laughing, anxious woman who had just been in his arms had ever truly existed.

Night deepened. Not far off, in the mountain hollow they had sealed, thousands of zombies who had previously only wandered aimlessly began to surge with wild frenzy, as if some hidden switch had been flipped. Their howling cries pierced the night, followed by the sickening sounds of frenzied, bloody violence as they tore into each other.

Startled from his thoughts, the leader, along with Da Zhuang and Skinny Monkey—who had been asleep—were roused by the chaos. Even from a distance, the gnawing, rending sounds seemed close enough to set their nerves on edge.

“Boss, I don’t think the mountain will hold much longer. We need to go now!” Skinny Monkey burst from the room, spotting the leader at the warehouse door. He ran over, backpack slung over his shoulder, and spoke urgently.

“He’s right, boss, we need to go!” Da Zhuang added, worry etched across his face.

“Wait.” The leader faced the zombie-filled valley and uttered just one word. He had just promised Du Yun he would wait for her—how could he break his word so quickly, just because the situation had changed?

And if the zombies did break through before she returned, with him still here, she’d have a sliver of hope. But if he left, and she came back only to face thousands of zombies alone, what chance would she have?

“What? Wait? Boss, this isn’t the time to wait! We’ve packed all our supplies—let’s go!” Skinny Monkey protested anxiously.

“I’ll wait. You two can go outside the town,” the leader replied solemnly, standing at the warehouse door, eyes fixed on the valley. If the valley was breached before Du Yun returned, he would be her last line of defense. His woman was his to protect.

“Boss, I’m not the type to run from danger. Wherever you are, I’ll be there too,” Da Zhuang said, face reddening with stubborn resolve.

“Yeah, and I’m not a coward either! Don’t insult us!” Skinny Monkey added quickly, eager to prove himself.

Looking toward the valley, the howling grew ever louder, making Skinny Monkey shrink back involuntarily. He muttered, “Isn’t this place dangerous? The mission’s done—if we can get back safely, why take the risk?”

But the leader said nothing more. He stood tall and straight, waiting quietly for time to pass—and for Du Yun’s return.