Chapter 4: The Original Female Lead Who Delivers Supplies in an Apocalypse Novel (3)

Ding Taoran seemed to make a major decision. She bit her lip, looked up at Xuanyuan Chengze with a pitiful, self-sacrificing expression, and said:

“If Brother Chengze really can’t bear to punish Sister Qinghe, you don’t have to worry about me. I’m fine.”

Xuanyuan Chengze, who had looked conflicted just moments ago, immediately softened. His expression shifted into one of guilt and emotional reassurance as he gently took her hand.

“Xiaoran, you really understand me. Qinghe just lost control for a moment. She definitely didn’t mean it.”

The moment he said that, he almost felt physically sick.

Those weren’t his real feelings.

If not for the fact that Ji Qinghe would grow stronger later, like in his previous life, he would have killed her on day one after his rebirth. There was no way he would be defending her.

Ding Taoran was trying to retreat strategically to force Xuanyuan Chengze to drive Ji Qinghe away or at least discipline her like before.

But instead, when she stepped back, he also retreated further… even helping that woman find excuses.

[“Lost control…? Not intentional…?”]

[Bullshit. In the pharmacy, that woman admitted it herself.]

[What exactly is Chengze thinking?]

[It is infuriating!!]

She kept her expression steady despite the anger building inside. Just as she was about to speak again, Ji Qinghe walked into the room, casually raising her hand.

“No, no.”

She smiled lightly.

“Xuanyuan Chengze, I did hit Ding Taoran on purpose.”

Ding Taoran: “…”

[So she really thinks I’m easy to bully?]

[Unacceptable.]

She turned sharply toward Xuanyuan Chengze.

“Brother Chengze!”

Xuanyuan Chengze’s veins visibly tightened at his temples. He stood up and looked at Ji Qinghe.

“Qinghe, Taoran is already injured and isn’t holding it against you. Can you stop making trouble? You’re putting me in a very difficult position.”

Ji Qinghe raised an eyebrow and laughed softly.

[She hadn’t attacked him physically yet. Interesting restraint—like a turtle that somehow gained intelligence.]

[Fine. Time to escalate.]

“Heh, I’m making trouble. So what? Come hit me then.”

Her tone was arrogant and provocative, like someone who had just won power and was showing off. 

[Extremely irritating.]

Xuanyuan Chengze clenched his fists. It looked like he might strike her, but he still held back.

Ding Taoran was disappointed.

She didn’t understand why his tolerance toward Ji Qinghe had suddenly increased. He had clearly always sided with her before.

Chen Yan, hot-tempered as always, couldn’t hold back and shouted:

“Ji Qinghe! So what if you awakened an ability? Don’t get cocky. Who doesn’t have abilities? If you want to fight, I’ll satisfy you. Since Xiaoran is sick, we can’t do it here. Go outside.”

He turned and walked out first.

Ji Qinghe was also curious about whether her “Red Thread Ball” ability would work in a post-apocalyptic world, so she followed.

Xuanyuan Chengze also wanted to test her strength, so he didn’t stop it. He told Ding Taoran to rest and then went out as well.

Ding Taoran didn’t want to miss the moment Ji Qinghe got crushed, so she struggled to stand.

“Brother Chengze, I want to go too.”

She quickly added, in case it sounded like she just wanted to watch the drama:

“I’m worried Brother Chen might go too far. You know he listens to me—I can stop him if needed.”

Xuanyuan Chengze frowned.

“But your condition—”

“It’s fine. I have an ability. I can recover while watching.”

Only then did he agree and help her outside.

In the courtyard, Ji Qinghe and Chen Yan had already started fighting—or more accurately, Chen Yan was being completely suppressed.

Ding Taoran frowned.

[This isn’t right.]

[Ji Qinghe has just awakened her powers. She shouldn’t be stronger than Chen Yan.]

He must not be using his ability.

Yes. That must be it.

“Taoran, what do we do? Brother Chen is being beaten!” 

One of Chen Yan’s admirers, Liu Xiaotao, grabbed her arm anxiously.

Ding Taoran replied calmly:

“This is a duel. It wouldn’t be appropriate for Brother Chengze to interfere. It would only make Brother Chen lose face.”

“Then what do we do?”

“If I’m not mistaken, Qinghe probably has a strength-type ability, so she has the advantage. If Brother Chen uses his ability properly, he should be able to break the situation.”

Liu Xiaotao immediately brightened and shouted:

“Brother Chen! Don’t hold back your ability—you’ll be at a disadvantage! No need to follow rules against someone like her!”

When Xuanyuan Chengze formed the team, he had set rules: internal conflicts should not involve abilities unless necessary.

So Ding Taoran and Liu Xiaotao assumed Chen Yan was holding back due to the rules.

In reality, he wasn’t. Ji Qinghe was simply too fast. Every time he tried to gather fire, she interrupted him before he could.

Ji Qinghe heard the shout and released him slightly, giving him space to attack.

Chen Yan seized the opportunity and threw a fireball.

But Ji Qinghe was too fast. She dodged effortlessly. Chen Yan immediately controlled the fire to chase her.

Sensing the heat behind her, Ji Qinghe smirked and began rapid movement, circling instantly toward Ding Taoran.

She sidestepped at the last second.

The fire could not be stopped in time, and it hit Ding Taoran, causing her hair to catch fire instantly.

“Ah! My hair!”

Screams erupted.

Liu Xiaotao also screamed:

“Ji Qinghe, are you insane?! Why are you running toward us?!”

Chen Yan quickly withdrew the flames, but it was too late.

Ding Taoran’s once-beautiful hair was now burned and curled. Her face was blackened by soot, like she had been struck by lightning.

Everyone stared.

Shock. Disgust. And hidden ridicule.

Humiliation hit her hard.

She rushed into Xuanyuan Chengze’s arms, no longer pretending to be magnanimous.

“Brother Chengze… you have to stand up for me!”

Xuanyuan Chengze’s expression darkened.

“Qinghe. Explain yourself.”

Ji Qinghe shrugged casually.

“What? I don’t really have anything to say. Accident. Pure accident.”

But her expression clearly said:

What are you going to do about it?

A vein mark popped on Xuanyuan Chengze’s forehead. He gritted his teeth.

“You’re going too far.”

Before Ji Qinghe could respond, a scorching heat surged again from behind her, followed by Chen Yan’s furious roar.

“Ji Qinghe! You set me up and hurt Xiaoran—I’m going to kill you!”

Ji Qinghe suppressed a laugh.

She shifted sideways to dodge, and at the same time, subtly curled her fingers.

The fireball—originally locked onto her back—suddenly changed trajectory and shot straight toward Xuanyuan Chengze’s face.