Chapter Ninety-Four: Heavenly Pillar, I Am Here

Shen Dong, anything going on over there?

Brother Cao, all clear on my end. This little road is truly quiet, but that scare just now really startled me. I just hope nothing weird pops out again.

Mm. Keep watching the surroundings. You and Gao Yi all right?

Nope, we’re fine. Right, Old Gao the Dog-Head?

You little idiot, speak properly to your big brother.

The three in the lead car fell into a silent, knowing look. There was no doubt those two in the rear vehicle were having the time of their lives.

Captain Cao, is Miss Chu all right?

Gao Yi hesitated before asking. The voice coming through the radio still sounded stiff with restraint.

Smack.

Shen Dong snatched the radio away and grinned wickedly at Gao Yi. What, love at first sight? Look at that massive frame of yours. You could flatten someone in bed.

Surprisingly, Gao Yi did not spar with Shen Dong this time. He only stared blankly at the radio, as if hoping for some sound to come back through it.

Whoa there, Old Gao the Dog-Head, you’re serious? You look so heartsick I almost believed you. What’s gotten into you? No way!

Shen Dong cried out in mock alarm, waving a hand in front of Gao Yi’s face.

The latter impatiently swatted his hand aside and gave a soft huff, refusing to play along.

I’m saying, have you gone too long without seeing a woman? The moment you see one, you start treating her like a rare treasure. What, are you afraid Brother Cao will beat you to her? Brother Cao’s damned charm even makes me jealous.

That’s complete nonsense. I’d never compete with Captain Cao for a woman. It’s just that I can tell Captain Cao’s heart has never been on women to begin with. Even Sister-in-law was won over only after a long time together. To put it plainly, they’re just living as partners now.

And Miss Chu can’t compare with Sister-in-law in any way. Captain Cao probably wouldn’t fancy her...

Gao Yi rested his huge hands beneath his chin and bobbed his head, comforting himself with his own reasoning.

Ughhhh, Old Gao the Dog-Head, you’re disgusting. Go on comforting yourself.

In the lead car.

Cao Fusheng, hearing Gao Yi’s abrupt remark over the radio, wore a faintly baffled expression.

Here, you tell him. What exactly is so charming about you that Gao Yi is worrying over you this much?

Chu Wei looked a little unnatural. Maybe it’s just a simple greeting...

Still, she took the radio and spoke softly, Thank you for your concern. I’m fine.

On the other end, when Gao Yi heard Chu Wei’s voice, his face flushed red. There was even a trace of unmistakable excitement in it. He hurriedly replied, That’s good, that’s good.

After a long pause, Gao Yi suddenly froze. He racked his brains but could not think of anything else to say.

Shen Dong grabbed the radio again and said with utter brazenness, Chu Wei, right? Our Old Gao the Dog-Head has taken a liking to you. Take care of yourself and get ready to face the cannon of love!

Chu Wei: ...

Gao Yi sat there awkwardly, staring into space, not yet realizing what Shen Dong had just done.

Even if he had realized it, he probably would not have said much. He could only sit there with a foolish, lovestruck grin.

Have you lost your mind? You’ve only met her once! It hasn’t even been half a day! And didn’t you tell me before that the one you had a crush on was your Snow Phoenix captain? Isn’t this switch of affections a little too fast? You scumbag!

You don’t understand... The captain is the goddess I can only look up to from afar. I can only think about her. And now that we’re separated by life and death, how could there still be any romance? As for Miss Chu...

Shen Dong seemed to understand something. In surprise, he poked Gao Yi’s forehead.

I get it! You’ve transferred your feelings for your goddess onto Chu Wei, haven’t you? They’re both special-operations captains, and they do have similar temperaments and style!

Heh, and Miss Chu’s identity badge says she’s single. But she also said that in the Heavenly Pillar, partners are assigned; you can’t freely fall in love, and you can’t even marry someone of a lower bloodline. So give it up, Old Gao.

Gao Yi sighed. Yes. The moment I saw Chu Wei, I thought of Captain Snow. The two of them are just too alike... As for that Heavenly Pillar rule you mentioned, we haven’t even entered the Heavenly Pillar yet. Anything is possible.

And even if we do enter it, what if my bloodline test comes back as grade A too? Then I’d still have a chance.

Shen Dong let out a faint sigh of his own, thinking of that tender smile in his memory. Gao Yi had found a substitute for his feelings; what about him?

No matter whether it could work out in the end, at least someone had something to yearn for.

Old Gao, you can’t let love cloud your head. If Chu Wei ever does anything to betray Brother Cao and Sister-in-law, or anything that would even put the rest of us at risk, you need to know how to choose.

After all, we don’t know Chu Wei well, and we don’t know how much of what she says can actually be trusted. If you get hotheaded and do something dishonorable then, don’t blame me for turning against you.

Gao Yi listened and quietly looked at the serious Shen Dong. In a soft voice he said, Don’t worry. Everything has its limits. I know how to keep mine. If she really dared to do something like that, I’d be the first one not to let her off.

Good. That means you still have some sense.

You think everyone’s like you? I’m rational enough to make you doubt your own eyes!

Save it.

...

Pfft...

Han Shuqing burst out laughing at Shen Dong’s shameless words, while Chu Wei herself stood there at a complete loss, flustered and frozen.

She was holding the radio, not knowing how to answer, or whether she should answer at all.

She was a little dazed. In the old era, there had been people who confessed to her, but she had never accepted any of them.

By the time she reached the wasteland era and lived within the Heavenly Pillar, everyone had to obey the laws of survival, or they would suffer unbearable punishment.

After some were burned alive at the stake, no one dared ever defy the rule forbidding free love again.

So within the Heavenly Pillar, Chu Wei had not heard words like these for a very long time. Confession and free love were taboo.

Cao Fusheng had nothing to say about it. If they could truly bring Chu Wei into the team, that would not be a bad thing.

Even after returning to the Heavenly Pillar, they might still be able to glean some information from her. Since they had already decided to make use of her, then at the very least, being on good terms with her was far better than being on bad terms.

Of course, that was only if Gao Yi could really win her over. In Cao Fusheng’s view, that would be very difficult.

Chu Wei was the sort of person who treated faith and the laws of survival as matters of utmost importance. She would not easily rebel against rules.

Keep your guard fully up. We’re almost there.

Cao Fusheng narrowed his eyes and looked toward the roadside sign in the distance. It said that ZZ City was only one kilometer ahead.

Got it! Brother Cao, rest assured. We’ll be extra careful.

Chu Wei, once we enter the city it may become very dangerous. If the situation turns critical and we have no other choice, I hope you’ll understand.

Cao Fusheng considered his words carefully before deciding to say it.

After all, Chu Wei had already lost the ability to move on her own. She even needed someone to help her walk.

Don’t worry. If it comes to that, I won’t blame anyone.

Cao Fusheng gave a slight nod, his deep gaze fixed far ahead, where the shattered buildings of ZZ City could already be seen in a hazy outline.

Heavenly Pillar, I’m coming.