Chapter 198: Something’s Off About You
Xia Chenge did not allow herself to dwell in sadness for too long.
She walked towards the place destroyed by Ling Hanmu and was shocked to discover that the viruses in the test tubes that had fallen to the ground had all died!
They contained zombie virus and viruses she didn’t recognize, all of which were no longer viable.
These viruses had only been touched by Ling Hanmu!
Could it be that the nemesis of the zombie virus was the Zombie King itself?
This discovery sent Xia Chenge into a frenzy of joy.
The apocalypse was caused by the uncontrollable and rampant zombie virus with its high infection rate. Biologists had tried every method but failed to overcome the zombie virus.
If Ling Hanmu could truly restrain the zombie virus, then no matter how much zombie virus laboratory 748 manufactured, it would not amount to anything.
However, time was pressing, and Xia Chenge had no time to think too much about these matters.
She quickly packaged the remaining viruses and reprocessed the laboratory to prevent infection if the army sealed the area.
Afterward, she sought Ling Zhongjing’s permission to chemically dispose of Ling Hanchao’s body.
If the army arrived, they would definitely take Ling Hanchao’s body for research. He had already suffered so much; he shouldn’t have to suffer even in death!
After completing these tasks, Xia Chenge secretly took Ling Hanmu and Xia Mingxuan away.
At the same time, Ling Zhongjing arranged for a reliable doctor to meet Xia Chenge and rescue Xia Mingxuan.
To prevent more people from knowing about Xia Mingxuan’s condition, Xia Chenge personally entered the temporarily prepared operating room to assist the doctor.
However, when the doctor saw Xia Mingxuan’s condition, he turned as pale as a sheet.
If Xia Chenge hadn’t been watching him like a hawk, he would have declared Xia Mingxuan beyond rescue.
The two of them worked for a whole day and finally managed to pull Xia Mingxuan back from the brink of death.
Xia Chenge was exhausted. If she hadn’t been continuously and forcefully channeling her healing power into Xia Mingxuan, he would have already breathed his last.
His life was barely saved now; whether he would survive depended on Xia Mingxuan’s will.
Xia Chenge walked out of the rescue room with a pale complexion. Ling Hanmu quickly stepped forward to support her: “How are you?”
“I’m fine, I just need to rest a bit.” Xia Chenge leaned against Ling Hanmu, “I just feel very tired.”
“Little Brother…” Ling Hanmu wanted to say sorry, but Xia Chenge placed a finger on his lips.
“Don’t say anything, just carry me to rest. I can only rely on you now.” Xia Chenge looked at him.
A myriad of stars flashed in Ling Hanmu’s eyes, finally transforming into a gentle smile.
He scooped Xia Chenge into a princess carry: “I’ll take you to rest.”
“Mhm.” Xia Chenge nestled in his arms. Her stamina severely depleted, she soon fell into a deep sleep.
Ling Hanmu heard her steady breathing, gazed down at her tired face, and his heart ached.
He carefully carried Xia Chenge into the nearby room, laid her on the bed, covered her with a quilt, adjusted the air conditioning, and then sat by the bedside, gazing at her deeply.
Xia Chenge slept until the next day.
When she woke up and opened her eyes, she saw Ling Hanmu asleep, slumped by the bedside, and her heart tightened.
The bed was so big, why was he sleeping on the floor? Xia Chenge slowly sat up, intending to cover him with a light quilt.
As soon as she moved, Ling Hanmu suddenly lifted his head and looked at her.
Their gazes met in the air.
“You’re awake? Still feeling tired?” Ling Hanmu’s voice was a little hoarse.
“I’m fine now. Why were you sleeping here?” Xia Chenge chided, “You should take better care of yourself.”
“I was afraid of waking you, so I didn’t dare to move,” Ling Hanmu replied truthfully.
“How is… my father?”
“He’s awake now, and his mental state seems okay.”
“That’s good.”
Xia Chenge was relieved. As long as Xia Mingxuan didn’t actively seek death, his chances of survival would be greater.
However, the sequelae of his survival would be significant; perhaps he would have to rely on instruments for the rest of his life.
But having him alive offered hope and comfort to the elders of the Xia family.
“Do you want to get up?” Ling Hanmu stood up, intending to help Xia Chenge.
Xia Chenge pushed him away with a smile, “Don’t treat me like a patient, okay? I’m strong enough to kill a tiger right now.”
“Tigers are protected animals; we should cherish the species,” Ling Hanmu replied with a smile.
Xia Chenge paused, feeling that something about Ling Hanmu’s words was inexplicably off.
“That was just a metaphor. I cherish every species in this world.” Xia Chenge dismissed the thought, perhaps Ling Hanmu had just said it unintentionally.
“Little Brother,” Ling Hanmu suddenly called her name seriously.
“Huh?” Xia Chenge jumped off the bed and turned to look at him.
For some reason, Xia Chenge felt that Ling Hanmu was a bit strange today.
His eyes seemed to hide many, many things.
But she couldn’t figure out what he was hiding.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“Huh?!” Xia Chenge was a bit bewildered.
Ling Hanmu walked up to her and suddenly embraced her: “Thank you.”
Xia Chenge felt even more that Ling Hanmu was not himself today.
“Xiao Mu, what’s wrong with you?” She was held tightly in his arms, unable to move.
Ling Hanmu remained silent.
Xia Chenge’s neck suddenly felt a chill.
Why was he crying? Xia Chenge began to feel uneasy, but she dared not ask anything.
She was afraid that if she asked, Ling Hanmu’s answer would be unbearable for her.
Since when had she become so fragile that she couldn’t face certain things?
Ling Hanmu held her like that, and she no longer felt Ling Hanmu’s tears.
After a long while, Ling Hanmu released her. His eyes were clear, showing no signs of tears: “You go wash up first.”
Xia Chenge wanted to say something but stopped, and finally went into the bathroom.
She brushed her teeth and washed her face absentmindedly, her mind filled with Ling Hanmu’s unusual behavior.
What could have happened to make Ling Hanmu so vulnerable?
Even when he cried holding Ling Hanchao in the laboratory, she hadn’t felt this way.
The more Xia Chenge thought about it, the more troubled she became.
She lingered in the bathroom for half an hour, causing Ling Hanmu to knock on the door, worried that something had happened to her inside.
Xia Chenge came back to her senses and realized she had been unconsciously washing her hands under the faucet for a long time, making her hands red.
“No, I have to ask clearly!” Xia Chenge murmured, otherwise, she would still be the one worrying.
She dried her hands, opened the door, and was immediately pulled into a warm embrace.
“If you didn’t come out soon, I was going to break down the door.” Ling Hanmu’s worry was evident.
Xia Chenge looked up at him: “Xiao Mu, tell me honestly, what’s wrong with you? You were acting very strangely just now, you know?”
As soon as she finished speaking, Xia Chenge clearly felt him stiffen, his entire body tensing up.
“Is there something you can’t tell me?” Xia Chenge’s heart skipped a beat, her throat tightening.
Ling Hanmu slowly released her, took two steps back, and lowered his head, unable to look at Xia Chenge.
