Chapter 46: Yuqi Awakens

Bai Lian glanced at Yue Qi, then silently nodded. Since he was the one she had chosen, she would naturally follow in his footsteps, whether it was for revenge or to wander to the ends of the earth with him...

“All right, Lian’er, go and rest. If possible, let’s set out for Qinghe Town today—this place’s defenses are still too weak...” The death of his mother had wounded Yue Qi’s heart deeply, and it had also made him ever more cautious.

“Very well. I’ll speak with the others and have them prepare.” Bai Lian pressed a soft kiss to Yue Qi’s cheek. Just as she was about to stand and leave, she suddenly heard Yue Yunsheng calling from not far away.

“A Qi, Sister Lian! Hurry, come over here and see!” Yunsheng seemed to be in a rush, running straight toward them, and the ever-present Yuqi was nowhere in sight.

“What’s wrong?” Yue Qi and Bai Lian exchanged a glance, then rose to meet Yunsheng, concern flickering in their eyes. Was something wrong with Yuqi?

“A Qi, come quickly! Yuqi, she—” Yue Yunsheng, breathless from running, could barely get his words out.

“Don’t panic. Speak slowly—what happened to Yuqi?” Bai Lian took Yue Qi’s arm, her voice steady.

Yue Yunsheng’s gaze lingered on their linked arms in surprise; Yue Qi had never mentioned that he and Bai Lian were together. Still, in this apocalypse, it was a rare bit of good news.

“Yuqi’s awake! Go see for yourselves!” After a moment to compose himself, Yunsheng spoke with excitement.

“She woke up? How could that be?” Yue Qi glanced at Bai Lian; she had once said Yuqi wouldn’t wake for some time, and there was still the zombie virus in her body, though he had used his spiritual power to suppress it.

“Yunsheng, are you sure Yuqi is awake? She hasn’t turned into a zombie, has she?” Yue Qi asked cautiously, only to be met with a theatrical beating from Yunsheng.

“What nonsense! You’re the one who deserves to turn into a zombie!” Yunsheng shot Yue Qi an exasperated look, then, with a flicker of worry in his eyes, added, “But... sigh, you’d best go see for yourself. I feel like something’s off about Yuqi.”

Hearing this, Yue Qi breathed a sigh of relief. Whatever the problem, as long as she hadn’t turned, it was a blessing...

He strode quickly to the place Yunsheng had indicated. There, his sixth sister was talking to Yuqi, but Yuqi looked dazed, as if she knew nothing at all.

“Sixth Sister...” Yue Qi called softly. Seeing her younger brother unharmed, Yue Six smiled at him, then tactfully stepped aside.

“Yuqi, are you all right?” Yue Qi approached Yang Yuqi, frowning as he studied her face.

Yang Yuqi looked up at him, her gaze bewildered, a flash of recollection in her eyes before she seemed to be struck by some great pain. She shook her head fiercely, then looked at him innocently and asked, “Who... are you?”

“Amnesia?” The thought jolted Yue Qi. He shot a questioning look at Yunsheng, suspicion in his eyes.

“Don’t look at me—I have no idea what happened...” Yunsheng spread his hands helplessly, then explained, “I was looking after Yuqi as usual, when suddenly she woke up like this. She doesn’t seem to recognize me, no matter what I say...”

Yuqi’s awakening was a joy to Yunsheng, despite the amnesia. After all, a conscious Yuqi was far better than one lost in endless sleep; at least now, during escapes, he wouldn’t have to worry about her safety, and she could act for herself.

“How could she have lost her memory?” Yue Qi turned to Bai Lian, who was deep in thought. After a while, she looked up at Yuqi with a strange expression, then stepped forward and asked:

“Do you know your own name, where you’re from, and how many family members you have?”

“My name is Yang Yuqi. I live in Yang Family Village. My parents are still alive, and I have an older brother...” Yuqi glanced timidly at those around her. Perhaps it was Bai Lian’s gentle appearance that put her at ease, for she answered honestly.

“Just as I suspected...” Bai Lian nodded, turning to Yue Qi and Yunsheng.

“Sister Lian, what’s going on? Why does Yuqi remember some things but... forget me?” Yunsheng’s expression was clouded, wondering if he meant so little to Yuqi that she now had no memory of him.

“Don’t worry. If I’m right, it’s still because of that zombie virus...” Bai Lian pondered, then explained, “At the time, I had Yue Qi use his spiritual power to build a barrier in Yuqi’s mind, so the virus couldn’t invade her brain. But that power didn’t just block the virus—it also sealed off a part of Yuqi’s memory...”

“Sealed her memory?” Yue Qi looked doubtfully at Bai Lian. “Are you saying my spiritual power split Yuqi’s memories, so she forgot certain things?”

“That’s right...” Bai Lian nodded. “And it wasn’t a selective amnesia, but as if a whole stretch of memory was blocked off. Perhaps, by some cruel coincidence, the part Yuqi forgot was everything after she met you...” She turned to Yunsheng as she spoke.

“Haha, it’s all right. After all, Yuqi has woken up, and with A Qi’s abilities, he’ll cure her one day...” Yunsheng forced a laugh, trying to appear unconcerned, but Yue Qi could see right through him. He went over and clapped Yunsheng on the shoulder.

“Don’t worry, brother. As long as I live, I’ll cure your wife one day! Then you’ll have to treat me to your wedding feast!”

“Definitely!” Meeting Yue Qi’s gaze, Yunsheng felt the sincerity in his words. He punched Yue Qi’s chest, his nose stinging with emotion, tears threatening to fall.

In this apocalypse, his parents dead, all family gone, and Yuqi had barely survived—yet his lack of protection had left her bitten, now amnesiac. But at least he still had this brother, who had never abandoned him, no matter how weak he was.

Yue Yunsheng suddenly felt lucky. In this world, where survivors schemed for scraps, fought to the death over resources, and abandoned burdensome companions, his brother had never forsaken him, had saved his life time and again, and never asked for a thing in return.

“A Qi, you should go rest. I know you have a lot to take care of—after all, you’re the head of Yue Family Village now! Once we find somewhere safe to settle, we’ll all have to call you ‘Master Yue!’” Yunsheng laughed, patting Yue Qi on the shoulder.

“You rascal...” Yue Qi looked at Yunsheng and felt his mood lift. Yes, he was truly fortunate. Though his parents were lost, he still had family, and his precious few brothers were alive and well. Most importantly, he had met the love of his life!

“Everyone, gather round—I have something to say!” Suddenly, an idea struck Yue Qi, and he called out. Even Yang Yuqi, who’d been wary of strangers, came closer out of curiosity.

Counting heads, Yue Qi realized his group had dwindled. Besides his own family of four, there was Bai Lian, Yunsheng, Yuqi, the raspy-voiced one who had joined them, and apart from Yue Liang, only five were left...

Clearing his throat, Yue Qi addressed them all. “You’ve all seen our situation. I think the most important thing now is to find a camp with solid defenses.”

Seeing no objections, he nodded and continued, “I know my troubles have caused you all a lot of inconvenience, and for that, I apologize...” He bowed deeply to them.

“A Qi, don’t say that! If not for you, we’d all be dead by now. Your problems are our problems—if you want revenge, we’ll all fight by your side!” someone declared. Yue Qi recognized him as Yue Canglan, whose wife had died in the recent zombie attack...

“That’s right, A Qi! We may not be strong, but we’re not cowards. If it comes down to it, we’ll take a few of them with us!” another chimed in, indignation written across his face.

“Thank you, everyone...” Yue Qi bowed again, moved by their solidarity. After all they’d been through together, he was touched by their unity. For the first time, he felt the strength of the group and a sense of responsibility: no matter what, he would protect this team. If anyone dared provoke them, Yue Qi would make sure they regretted it.

“I’ve told you all about Qinghe Town. There’s a camp with excellent defenses there. Let’s settle there for now—does everyone agree?” His tone was consultative, inviting any questions.

“A Qi, will the original residents reject us?” Yue San asked, ever thoughtful.

Yue Qi nodded at him. “Don’t worry. They’re mostly women, children, and elders. As long as we can ensure their safety, they won’t care who leads them.”

“All right, A Qi, we’ll follow you wherever you go!” someone else echoed.

“Very well. Get some rest, everyone. I have a batch of good weapons here—take them and divide them up. We’ll set out soon!” This was Yue Qi’s first order as the new head of the family...