Chapter 38: The One Who Holds Her Heart

Jiang Yunhan gave Chen Xiao a couple of helpless nudges.

Instead of sobering up, Chen Xiao pushed Jiang Yunhan aside. He strode over to Sister Liu, resting one hand against the wall while the other reached out to stroke her hair.

"Miss Liu, have we met somewhere before?"

Sister Liu’s eyes curved into crescent moons, her slender, fair hand covering her crimson lips. "How many girls have you used that line on?"

Before Chen Xiao could answer, Feng Jiafan yanked him back. "Sister Liu, we still have to meet Young Master Xu, so we won't disturb you any further."

As he spoke, Feng Jiafan led the others past Sister Liu’s group and headed deeper into the base.

"Brother Dadao, it’s the apocalypse—don't believe in free lunches. Sister Liu practices dark arts; be careful she doesn't drain your life force!"

"Have you tried it?"

"Uh... well, no."

"Then who has?"

"Uh, I don't know..."

Chen Xiao was speechless. Wasn't this just spreading malicious rumors? Besides, he didn't care what kind of arts she practiced; in the end, there was no telling who would be draining whom. Furthermore, if things had continued as they were, he might have been able to extract some important information from her.

Following Feng Jiafan into the base, the group finally saw the sight within. Compared to the Nancheng warehouse, this place felt more like an entire city. This apocalyptic base, centered around a grain silo, sat on a vast and solid foundation by the river. The main structure of the silo stood like a steel skyscraper between the water and the sky. Surrounding it was a meticulously planned and renovated community. The residential buildings were arranged in orderly fashion, with streets of appropriate width paved with sturdy, wear-resistant stone, flanked by drought-resistant plants.

To have built such a massive base in just half a month—the owner of this grain silo must be incredibly powerful.

"You two wait outside. I’m taking Brother Dadao to see Young Master Xu." Having witnessed Chen Xiao’s prowess, Feng Jiafan wanted to take him along to claim credit. He didn't know the true capabilities of Jiang Yunhan or the little monk, assuming they were just Chen Dadao’s dependents, so he left them outside the silo.

"Remember what I told you? If you've got it, come with me." Feng Jiafan urged him repeatedly, terrified that this hothead would offend Young Master Xu.

Following Feng Jiafan, Chen Xiao climbed the stairs along the exterior of the steel building. They only stopped once they reached the seventh or eighth floor. Feng Jiafan knocked on the door, but there was no answer. He leaned in to listen for movement inside, then turned to Chen Xiao with an awkward wave of his hand. "Uh... it seems this isn't a good time."

But Chen Xiao, using his [Dragon Breath] to scan the room, detected an energy signature that felt familiar.

Jiang Chuxue!

Five minutes earlier.

"Chuxue, the moment I saw you today, I felt like I fell in love with you! So... don't be ungrateful. It’s the damn apocalypse now!"

"If I didn't truly like you, I would have thrown you on the bed already. Why would I even bother considering your feelings?"

"Do you really think I, Xu Baichuan, am some kind of nice guy?"

Inside the room, a man and a woman stood. The man leaned against the wall, his features handsome but unable to hide his arrogance. He wore casual clothes, his expression twisted in anger. The woman sat primly on the edge of the bed. It was Jiang Chuxue, dressed in an elegant, smoky-purple silk tunic. Her hair, like a waterfall, draped naturally over her shoulders. A jade pendant hung from her snowy-white neck, accentuating its graceful lines.

This ethereal, fairy-like appearance made Xu Baichuan swallow hard. But the thought of her cold indifference toward him made his blood boil. It’s the damn apocalypse, and she’s still playing the icy beauty with me!

"Young Master Xu, my heart belongs to someone else. I hope you can respect that. There is no possibility between us." Jiang Chuxue’s cold, proud face remained unruffled.

But the more she acted this way, the more it ignited Xu Baichuan’s animalistic instincts. Since the apocalypse began, the Xu family had been running rampant around the Jianghe Bridge, amassing immeasurable supplies. Because of this, there wasn't a woman he wanted that he couldn't have.

"Heart belongs to someone else? Hmph..."

"You’ve never been with a man, and you call that having someone in your heart? You’re just targeting me!" Xu Baichuan grew angrier as he spoke. He walked slowly toward Jiang Chuxue, his voice rasping, "Stop putting on an act, will you?"

"I’m going to take you right now, what can you do about it? Where is this 'someone' of yours? Can he save you?"

"It’s the apocalypse! Learning to be obedient is a woman’s lot in life! Learning to please men is your destiny!" Xu Baichuan’s face grew increasingly lewd, a wicked smirk playing on his lips. "Come here, baby... I’ve got something good for you."

As he spoke, he reached for his belt right in front of her.

Jiang Chuxue was terrified, her face turning pale. She scrambled to her feet, ready to bolt for the door. She hadn't expected Xu Baichuan to go insane today—to actually try to humiliate her!

Xu Baichuan chuckled, not in the least bit worried about her running. A Creation-type talent would never escape his grasp. He possessed a speed-type talent—the S-rank [Sprint]!

He instantly blocked her path. The more he looked at the beautiful young woman, the more he wanted her. He suddenly roared, "Kneel!"

"Make me feel good!"

Jiang Chuxue fought to suppress the tears threatening to spill over, her expression piteous, a desperate thought of suicide blooming in her heart. She would rather die than be defiled.

"Three seconds. If you don't kneel, I’ll make you kneel myself!"

"Or perhaps, should I go and drag your nameless lover here so he can watch you kneel? Hahahaha!" Xu Baichuan loved tormenting these virtuous women; it brought him infinite pleasure.

He began to count down:

"Three!"

"Two!"

"One!"

*Boom!*

In an instant, the bedroom door exploded inward!

The sudden blast gave Xu Baichuan a massive jolt. Standing in the doorway was a young man in black, his features clean and handsome, his gaze icy.

"Chen Xiao!" Jiang Chuxue gasped in surprise, recognizing him immediately. But her heart sank with worry. This Chen Xiao—his strength wasn't even as great as Dashan’s, and even Dashan was no match for the Xu family. What could he possibly change? He stood even less of a chance against the forces behind Xu Baichuan; that was the entire Jianghe Grain Silo!

At that moment, helplessness washed over Jiang Chuxue, and the tears finally began to fall. "Why did you come here! Run!" It was her final act of kindness, and her most powerless choice.

Feng Jiafan stood behind him, stunned. The most outrageous thing imaginable had happened. This Chen Dadao definitely had a screw loose! If you want to die, don't drag me down with you! I warned him a thousand times not to anger Young Master Xu! And here he was, ruining the man’s good time. A hundred lives wouldn't be enough to pay for this!

Xu Baichuan’s face darkened with rage. "Who are you?"

"Her man."