The Last 299 Days of Humanity

Chapter 120 Fatal Encounter

When Yu Qing heard that Rosie was going to give him something again, his head immediately felt like it was going to explode.

That woman always expressed her affection in such a simple and direct way—by giving him gifts, and often those gifts were things he couldn't get rid of.

Without hesitation, he grabbed the little fox who was learning to pronounce words from Eying with one hand, and pulled Eying, who was still curiously looking around, with the other, and said, "Quick, let's go through the back door!"

"Huh? What about me?" Yao Dan protested softly.

But Yu Qing only waved to her and had already slipped out of the room.

The three of them went out the back door, summoned the car to drive over, and quickly got inside.

The car sped away almost as soon as they closed the door, leaving the house, which was about to be overwhelmed by Rosie's "enthusiasm," behind them.

"He left the house for Yao Dan and Rosie to mess around with." Yu Qing leaned back in his comfortable chair and breathed a sigh of relief.

Left alone in the room, Yao Dan stomped her feet in anger, her delicate face flushed slightly. She understood perfectly well that her husband's feigned retreat was a clear attempt to force the unpleasant task of keeping an eye on that madwoman onto her.

"Who would want such an extremely boring and mentally taxing job!" she complained in a low voice.

Sure enough, Rosie rushed in excitedly not long after, completely unaware that Yu Qing had already fled.

She sat there fiddling with a seemingly valuable jewelry box, foolishly waiting for Yu Qing to return.

Yao Dan rolled her eyes and began to think about how to coax this "money-giving girl" away.

The car drove into the outskirts of the city. Only then did Yu Qing remember that he had recently vowed not to go out today and to seek some peace and quiet.

“Forget it,” he thought, “Now that I’m out, there’s no need to go back and walk right into a trap.”

Ironically, a secret expectation even crept into his heart: would the "beautiful woman" sent by the resort really be as extraordinary as rumored? He wanted to see how she would "pounce" on him.

He directed the car to stop in a secluded, long-abandoned courtyard.

The courtyard was overgrown with weeds, while a very old camphor tree stood nearby with lush foliage. Its huge canopy acted as a natural protective umbrella, perfectly shielding the area from any possible prying views from the air.

Inside the car, Eying was patiently teaching the little fox to recognize the words presented in the holographic image, her voice gentle. Yu Qing, on the other hand, closed his eyes to rest, trying to suppress the chaotic thoughts about the Fourth Paradise.

"Back then, the last batch of managers were busy becoming 'Yu Zi' and pursuing eternity. Who really cared about the fate of the Paradise anymore..." The strange and flickering expression of the humanoid clerk when he inquired at the hotel echoed in his mind. "Something must have happened there..." An unease clung to him like vines.

“The sky is too vast; you can’t possibly worry about everything,” he tried to comfort himself. Just then, a huge, uniquely shaped manned kite flew into the sky he could see through the car window, drifting gently and breaking the brief silence.

The kite flew extremely unnaturally, its posture strange, as if it were struggling, or performing some kind of dangerous stunt. "A master?" Yu Qing frowned.

But the next moment, his premonition came true—the kite suddenly veered off course, completely out of control, like a wounded giant bird, tumbling and shrieking, and crashed straight toward the small courtyard where they were hiding!
"Damn!" Yu Qing exclaimed in horror, and suddenly started the car to try to avoid it.

Boom! A deafening explosion!
The kite crashed heavily into the canopy of a camphor tree next to it, cushioning the impact, but still carrying broken branches and leaves, it slammed into the ground four or five meters in front of the car, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Yu Qing's heart pounded like a drum. He jumped out of the car and rushed over. Under the kite's frame, he saw a figure convulsing in pain. He struggled to lift the tattered kite fabric and the twisted frame, and untied the complicated straps on the person's body.

It was a woman! Her slender figure was wrapped in a flight suit, her long hair was disheveled, and her face was covered in mud and bits of grass, obscuring her features. Yu Qing picked her up, feeling her limp body, trembling slightly. "How are you?" he asked anxiously.

The girl struggled to open her eyes, her gaze unfocused, her voice barely audible: "It...it hurts so much..."

"Hang in there!" Yu Qing immediately carried her back to the car. "To the hospital! Quickly!"

Eying quickly replied, "Master, all hospitals in the city have uniform signs, and vehicles can automatically track their routes and send emergency distress signals in advance."

"Okay!" As soon as Yu Qing finished speaking, the car smoothly and rapidly drove out of the ruins and merged into the city's main road. At the same time, the onboard system showed that the emergency room appointment had been completed.

Upon arriving at the hospital, Yu Qing was slightly taken aback by what he saw—five humanoid doctors and nurses were already waiting with a mobile hospital bed, their efficiency astonishing. They silently and professionally took the injured girl and quickly wheeled her to the emergency room.

Yu Qing breathed a sigh of relief and turned to leave.

"Sir, please wait." A calm, humanoid nurse called out to him, her voice steady and even, yet carrying an unquestionable, procedural quality.

"What? My identity information should have already been synchronized with you." Yu Qing said impatiently.

“Identity verified. However, the injured person is in critical condition, and the cause of the accident is unknown. According to procedure, you need to stay here temporarily until their family arrives. This is a necessary procedure,” the humanoid woman explained, then added, trying to ease the tension, “Perhaps you will receive a generous reward from the family.”

Yu Qing sneered inwardly. A generous reward? More like a serious crime. He could only suppress his doubts and followed the humanoid woman to a quiet waiting room. He told E Ying to take the little fox back to the carriage first.

Sitting alone in his room, Yu Qing suddenly felt that something was amiss, and his suspicions grew stronger.

What a coincidence, like a staged drama. He had just hidden his car when the kite landed precisely in front of him? Either the car had been tampered with, or… there really was an eye in the sky watching him every second!
He tried hard to recall what the girl looked like, but all he could remember was messy hair and a face covered in dirt; he couldn't tell if she was beautiful or ugly at all.

Risking one's life? Of course, the people behind the scenes wouldn't care about the life of a single pawn.

Suddenly, the emergency room door opened, and a doctor walked out, his expression grave: "I'm sorry, we did our best. The impact caused internal organ rupture, especially the heart and spleen; the damage was extremely severe..."

Yu Qing was stunned—was he really dead? If he's dead, there's no more acting. Or was I wrong?

Just then, a rapid and sorrowful cry came from afar. "Sister! My sister!" A woman staggered over, almost collapsing into the emergency room door.

Upon hearing the sound, Yu Qing looked over and was momentarily lost in thought.

The woman who arrived was dressed in plain white, yet her stunning beauty could not be concealed. Tears streamed down her face, and she was overcome with grief; her poignant appearance would move even the most hardened heart. Each tear seemed to strike a chord deep within one's soul. Truly, she was a beauty that could topple kingdoms.

For a fleeting moment, Yu Qing even wavered from all his previous doubts—a scheme within a scheme? Using a life as bait? Was the price too high?
His vigilance was temporarily overshadowed by a strong sense of sympathy. Especially when he heard the woman, who claimed to be the older sister, pleading with the doctor to reduce the exorbitant fees in an attempt to save her sister's brain and transform it into a "Yu Ren" to continue her consciousness, her desperate and humble posture struck a soft spot (or rather, a heroic place) in Yu Qing's heart.

“I’ll pay for it,” Yu Qing blurted out almost without hesitation.

The woman looked up abruptly, staring at him in disbelief. The next moment, she knelt down with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly, "Thank you! Thank you! My benefactor! Your kindness is boundless..." She sobbed uncontrollably, insisting on signing an extremely stringent electronic repayment agreement, promising to repay in installments over thirty years. Only when she signed her name, "Zhen Mi," on that agreement did Yu Qing's last glimmer of hope shatter completely.

Zhen Mi? This name seems to cater to his past taste in naming humanoid beauties. She might not be completely unaware of her sister's "accident."

Yu Qing suddenly felt like a complete fool, having been sold out and even happily helping to count the money, only to end up paying for his own life!

"Very well, very well!" He laughed inwardly, his anger turning into amusement. "The stage has been built with such care; wouldn't it be a waste if I didn't put on a performance?"

Now that the show has begun, let's play along and make it even more spectacular, and see who the real winner is in the end.

It must be admitted that Zhen Mi's beauty is breathtaking. The subtle yet intoxicating fragrance emanating from her relentlessly erodes one's will. Knowing it's a trap, Yu Qing feels a fatal attraction. He even has a dangerous thought: perhaps... it wouldn't be a bad deal to turn this into reality?

So, when bidding farewell to the body of the "unfortunate younger sister who died young," Yu Qing very "naturally" helped up the grief-stricken "older sister" Zhen Mi, who was almost unable to stand.

The soft touch of her arm and the delicate fragrance of her breath stirred his heart. Zhen Mi, as if she had completely lost all her strength, nestled softly in his arms, her warm breath carrying fragrance, intentionally or unintentionally brushing against his neck.

Rather than helping her up, it was more like half-carrying and half-embracing her as he led her back to the car.

As soon as she got into the carriage, Eying's eyes widened instantly upon seeing Zhen Mi. Clearly, her sharp analytical skills immediately detected the woman's danger. However, she wisely refrained from saying anything, simply keeping the little fox protectively by her side.

Inside the car, the languid and intoxicating fragrance grew even stronger. Zhen Mi felt as if she had returned to the safest place, and soon fell asleep peacefully in Yu Qing's seat. Her breathing was steady, and her face was serene and beautiful beyond belief, showing no sign that she had just experienced a life-or-death separation.

Looking at her sleeping profile, Yu Qing couldn't help but sigh again: This woman, even in her sleep, is a weapon.

At this moment, his telepathic connection sent him messages from Yao Dan, one after another, urging him to return. Yu Qing ignored them.

Yao Dan wasn't one to wait patiently. After waiting and waiting without a reply, her eyes lit up, and an idea came to her. She grinned and pulled out several bottles of local specialty liquor. "Sister Rosie, since my husband won't be back for a while, let's not just wait idly, let's try this..."

Before long, Rosie was completely drunk and collapsed on the sofa in the guest room. Yao Dan clapped his hands triumphantly, slipped out of the hotel, jumped into the brand-new luxury station wagon that Rosie insisted on giving to Yu Qing, and sped off according to the vehicle's location.

With a screech, the station wagon executed a graceful drift and came to a smooth stop next to Yu Qing's unassuming sedan. Yao Dan jumped out of the car and knocked on the window.

Yu Qing rolled down the car window and frowned: "You really accepted their car?"

Yao Dan said with a grin, "Why wouldn't I accept a gift from my wife? I must say, Rosie has a really good eye. This latest 'Ranger' series is incredibly comfortable, spacious, and..."

She was speaking when her gaze fell on Zhen Mi, who was fast asleep in the carriage, and she exclaimed in an exaggerated low voice, "Wow! Husband! You're amazing! In such a short time, you've picked up another celestial treasure!"

Yu Qing glared at her, annoyed: "What do you mean 'again'? Do you think I'm a ragpicker?"

"Slip of the tongue, slip of the tongue!" Yao Dan grinned and reached out to grab Yu Qing's arm. "Come on, come on, experience our new ride. It's a million times more comfortable than your old clunker!"

Yu Qing was pulled to his feet, but he was reluctant to leave. Seeing this, Yao Dan's lips curled up, and with lightning speed, she opened the car door, bent down and carried the still "sleeping" Zhen Mi out, heading straight for the luxury van.

"Hey, you..." Yu Qing was afraid that she would cause trouble by being clumsy, so he had no choice but to follow her.

Upon entering the station wagon, Yu Qing had to admit its luxury. The interior was extremely spacious, with leather seats, a holographic control panel, and even a comfortable double bed and a small bathroom.

"How about it? Not bad, right?" Yao Dan said smugly. "Let's exchange our little one for Rosie's, and we'll be even."

"Okay, go and bring the luggage over," Yu Qing instructed, his gaze falling on Zhen Mi, who had been placed on the bed by Yao Dan.

Yao Dan moved quickly and busily, starting to move the luggage. Her movements finally "woke up" Zhen Mi.

Zhen Mi's eyelashes fluttered as she slowly woke up. Seeing her surroundings, she displayed just the right amount of surprise and vulnerability: "Ah... I... how did I fall asleep here? I'm so sorry, I have to go home..."

“You were asleep just now, so I don’t know where you live. Yao Dan, take Miss Zhen home.” Yu Qing gave the order.

Zhen Mi shook her head slightly, her voice soft and tinged with timidity: "I think... perhaps... it would be more appropriate for you to give it to me? I... I'm a little afraid of being alone in an enclosed space..." Her eyes flickered, and her peripheral vision seemed to inadvertently sweep over Yao Dan.

Yao Dan immediately bristled, hands on her hips, and said, "Hey! Why don't you just say you want my husband to take you home alone? This roundabout way is exhausting!"

Yu Qing looked at Yao Dan, a barely perceptible smile flashing in his eyes. He winked at Yao Dan, then said to Zhen Mi, "Alright. Yao Dan, go return the car to Rosie first and settle her in. I'll meet you at the hotel later."

Yao Dan understood, snorted, glared at Zhen Mi, and then turned and left.

"Where do you live?" Yu Qing got into the driver's seat and switched to manual mode.

Zhen Mi pointed softly in a direction. The car started smoothly and drove in the direction she indicated. However, after passing through several streets and seeing the edge of the city getting closer and closer, Zhen Mi showed no intention of stopping.

Yu Qing sneered inwardly, "Just as I thought." But he remained outwardly calm and teased, "Miss Zhen, your home is quite far away, is it a scenic suburban villa area?"

Zhen Mi suddenly lowered her head, her voice choked with sobs: "I...I have no home anymore...My sister is gone, nowhere is home anymore...There's an abandoned mine ahead...If you don't want the hassle, just leave me there..." She raised her tearful eyes, her gaze as tender as water, looking at him with a pitiful and moving expression.

Yu Qing laughed and said, "How could I let such a beautiful girl go and 'beautify' this abandoned mine? Since you don't want to go home, let's have a chat?"

“I…I want to go down for a walk and get some fresh air…” she made a new request.

"The weeds outside are taller than a person, and I've heard there are poisonous snakes around. It's not safe," Yu Qing said, deliberately trying to scare her.

"Ah!" Zhen Mi exclaimed softly, like a startled rabbit, and subconsciously punched Yu Qing's arm with her small fist. "You know I'm terrified of snakes, and you still scared me!"

Yu Qing seized her wrist as she lashed out, feeling a smooth, warm touch. Looking at her flawless face so close to his, he chuckled softly, "In that case... let's not waste any more time?"

As soon as he said it, Yu Qing realized that his words were too ambiguous.

Zhen Mi had been waiting for this ambiguity. Her body went limp, as if all her bones had been removed, and she collapsed into Yu Qing's arms, her arms wrapping around his neck like water snakes, her cheek pressed against his chest, her breath sweet and her voice seductive: "Don't...don't leave me alone...I'm so scared...I need you..."

(End of this chapter)