Chapter Twenty-One: Stop, Don't Fight Anymore

007: "Because this is a game with incredible freedom."

"It seems we're running out of time. We need to hurry over," Xu Nuo said.

"Should we take a car? But vehicles can't drive here," 007 advised earnestly. "Let me check if there's a suitable route and plan it for you…"

"No need. I've already thought of a way. It's the only option now," Xu Nuo replied.

.

The rain was coming down hard, each drop like a pellet stinging the skin. Yet Gu Xingze stood beneath a tall building, seemingly oblivious, holding a bouquet of sunflowers—rare to see in the apocalypse. Their bright yellow petals were especially striking.

"So you really are here."

Lin Qisheng approached with easy steps, untouched by the rain, not a single drop wetting him. He had no umbrella.

"As I thought, you still can't let go of that girl," Lin Qisheng said, glancing at Gu Xingze. "Does Xu Nuo know about this?"

Gu Xingze bent down and gently placed the flowers on the ground, letting out a soft laugh.

"I've always wondered," Lin Qisheng continued, "why you would burden yourself with dead weight. Haven't you always despised those who hold you back?"

At last, Gu Xingze looked him in the eye. "Why are you here?"

"Fine, I'll be blunt," Lin Qisheng declared, his tone resolute. "I want Xu Nuo. Hand Miss Xu over to me."

Gu Xingze laughed again, this time with open disdain.

"What, can't bear to? Of course—you know, Miss Xu is exceptional. Even without your protection, she could survive. She doesn't need your care or attention," Lin Qisheng went on. "On the contrary, she asks almost nothing of you, yet she stays by your side, always thinking of you, her eyes always following you."

"It's a windfall, really," Lin Qisheng's voice grew sharper. "But I am curious—what about you does she even like?"

"She probably doesn't know how much you despise ordinary people trailing after you, how you've always looked down on the weak. Because, at heart, you're a coward—spineless and useless. You won't protect those who need it. You only hide beneath the wings of the strong, reaping all the benefits Miss Xu brings…"

The malice radiated from Lin Qisheng. "Gu Xingze, what right do you have to possess Xu Nuo?"

Gu Xingze didn't answer, nor did he even glance at Lin Qisheng. His gaze drifted into the void.

"You don't deserve to stay by Miss Xu's side. She'd be better off with me," Lin Qisheng said with satisfaction. "Otherwise, with no ability to protect others, you'll end up just like last time—perhaps after her death, you'll offer your insincere mourning."

"Enough," Gu Xingze's voice was hoarse.

"Did I hit a nerve?" Lin Qisheng sneered. "Tell me, Gu Xingze—if I told Xu Nuo about your past, how would she see you? Would she still want to stay by your side?"

Seeing Gu Xingze speechless, Lin Qisheng burst into laughter. "Hahahaha…"

"I send my regards to that poor girl as well," Lin Qisheng said, bowing gracefully as if performing a trick, producing a bouquet of white roses.

A sharp hiss sounded—the bouquet was sliced by an invisible blade and fell in fragments to the ground.

"If you're done talking," Gu Xingze's eyes were cold, "then get lost."

Lin Qisheng brushed the petal bits from his fingers. "I'm off to find Miss Xu."

"Stop," came a dangerous voice behind him.

"Oh?"

"Don't even think about going near her." Gu Xingze slowly raised his head, his gaze resolute.

"I like her. Unlike you, I'll confess—I will tell her I like her, that I want to be with her, to have her," Lin Qisheng said provocatively. "Do you dare to tell her your feelings?"

Gu Xingze was silent.

"Coward," Lin Qisheng sneered. "What right do you have to stop me? Who are you to her?"

A blade of wind hurtled toward Lin Qisheng's vital point, but flames flickered at his fingertips, and battle was imminent.

"Stop! Please, stop! Don't fight anymore!" At that moment, Xu Nuo couldn't help but shout.

Xu Nuo?!

Neither of them had expected her to find them; they froze, halting their attacks at once.

"Stop," Xu Nuo emerged from the darkness, light at her back illuminating the whole scene as if it were broad daylight, making Gu Xingze's and Lin Qisheng's expressions plain to see.

"Xu Nuo…" Gu Xingze began, but words failed him.

"Miss Xu, why are you here as well?" Lin Qisheng's shock quickly faded into casual ease.

"I'm here to find someone, of course," Xu Nuo replied.

Gu Xingze remained silent, while Lin Qisheng looked nonchalant, as if it didn't concern him—neither showed any intention of explaining themselves.

"Why were you fighting?" Xu Nuo had to ask.

"A misunderstanding," Lin Qisheng said as he approached her. "Brother Gu has something personal to attend to; let's not disturb him…"

His words, laced with threat, were directed at Gu Xingze. "Isn't that right, Brother Gu?"

"Xu Nuo, you should go," Gu Xingze said.

Xu Nuo looked at him. "Where do you expect me to go?"

"Wherever you wish."

"I don't want to go," Xu Nuo replied helplessly. "I need to stay by your side for a while."

Something flickered across Gu Xingze's face. "Why?"

Lin Qisheng was puzzled as well. "Yes, why?" Why follow Gu Xingze—just because he's handsome and powerful? But Lin Qisheng himself was hardly lacking.

"Brother Gu, are you done with your business? If not, I'll wait nearby until you are," Xu Nuo said.

"Miss Xu, Brother Gu's matters may not be suitable for you to witness," Lin Qisheng interjected mockingly.

"Then I'll stand further away," Xu Nuo replied.

Relentless, Lin Qisheng tried again, "Miss Xu, it's better if you avoid this. Frankly, you shouldn't be here for his sake."

"Oh?" Xu Nuo looked at him.

"It's a long story…" Lin Qisheng began.

Gu Xingze cut him off. "Xu Nuo, I will explain everything to you myself."

Lin Qisheng laughed. "Perhaps it's better from my third-party perspective."

"I've been here the whole time," Xu Nuo said with a faint smile. "I heard your entire conversation, every word."

"You…" Lin Qisheng was caught off guard; he truly hadn't expected Xu Nuo to be listening. Remembering all he had just said, his face changed.

"Xu Nuo, if you know everything…" Gu Xingze hesitated, his expression complicated, then finally relaxed with a smile. "Alright."

"Yes, I know, so what of it?" Xu Nuo stepped around Lin Qisheng, approached Gu Xingze, and placed a bouquet of tulips beside the sunflowers. "You came to honor the departed—what should I feel about that?"

"Do you know how that person died?" Lin Qisheng, discontent with Xu Nuo's attitude, spoke with vengeful satisfaction. "Just as he did with the departed, Gu Xingze won't care whether you live or die."

"He watched her get swallowed by a horde of the undead. Gu Xingze could have saved her, but he did nothing."