RIACMET chapter 251

 

When Yang Kai was away, Cheng Jing was quite busy. Jiang Nian and Tang Ji usually worked with Gao Xuyang. This was the safest and most practical way to purify Master Gao at any time.

During this period, Gao Xuyang underwent purification for over an hour and gradually returned to his human form.

He reduced his intake of crystal cores and started eating normal food with Jiang Nian and the others.

His heartbeat and blood circulation sped up, and his other organs and physiological systems gradually returned to normal.

His skin remained pale, but his eyes were no longer cloudy. Even his expression was less stiff than before.

The symptoms of corpse transformation were slowly fading, and the corpse toxin was decreasing, yet his Zombie King abilities remained strong.

Gao Xuyang could still regularly sense the brainwave signals of his “kind” from far outside the base and detect abnormal situations in time.

Yang Kai called him every day, sometimes with Jiang Nian and Tang Ji beside him. Watching Master Gao say sweet things while maintaining his cold demeanor was amusing.

Even though he didn’t blush or look embarrassed, you could tell what was going on in his head by the way he nervously clenched his fingers and twisted the corner of his clothes.

If Yang Kai teased him too much, Gao Xuyang would say, “Yang Kai, that’s enough,” in a cold but gentle tone, and then step aside to calm down.

One was always working, and the other never got tired of it.

That afternoon, inside the patrol vehicle, Tang Ji watched Gao Xuyang run toward the wall to take a call during their break. He couldn’t help but ask Jiang Nian,

“By the way, how old is Master Gao compared to Brother Kai?”

Jiang Nian thought for a moment and shook his head.

“I’m not really sure either. I just know Brother Kai seems two or three years older than Brother Jing. When we were in college, Master Gao was already an unsung hero. He should be around thirty now, maybe younger. But they’re clearly four or five years apart.”

At a certain age, a man’s appearance just kind of “freezes,” so you can’t really tell just by looking.

Before the apocalypse, they both used fake personal information when dealing with the public. Afterward, they never mentioned it themselves, and even fewer people knew the truth, so the fake information basically became real.

“Oh.”

Tang Ji nodded thoughtfully.

Jiang Nian smiled and said,

“I really admire Brother Kai. He actually managed to chase someone like Master Gao.”

As he gradually returned to normal, Gao Xuyang’s composed, capable, decisive, and slightly cold personality began to show again. However, he still seemed a little dazed when facing Yang Kai.

“I think you and Brother Kai are both amazing.”

Tang Ji said firmly, hinting at envy. If he had the same skills as the two of them, he wouldn’t be so worried about chasing after his target. After thinking about it, a sudden idea popped into his head, and he said sincerely,

“Brother Nian, please teach me your methods and experience in chasing someone.”

Although he had joined the team late, he knew how Brother Nian had pursued Brother Cheng. He was both jealous and full of admiration.

Seeing that he was genuinely asking for advice, Jiang Nian swallowed his teasing remark. He thought for a moment and replied,

“Different people like different things. What worked for me might not suit you. It also depends on gender.”

Tang Ji said directly,

“I like guys too.”

Jiang Nian looked at him. “Well, then it also depends on your role.”

“…”

The word “role” was phrased rather tactfully. Tang Ji froze for a second before he understood. His ears turned red as he mumbled,

“The person I like is similar to Brother Cheng’s type… That’s why I’m asking you for advice…”

Although everyone was now familiar with each other, when Brother Nian wasn’t around, Brother Cheng had a different aura. He was naturally distant, cold, and unapproachable, just like his looks. Newbies in the superpower squad were afraid of him.

Chu Yi was pretty similar to Brother Cheng, so the chances were slim that he’d ever get to choose his own position.

“The kind of person like Brother Jing…”

Jiang Nian touched his chin and said honestly,

“He’s persistent and flirty.”

Tang Ji was stunned. “That’s…”

Jiang Nian patted his shoulder.

“I’m not lying to you. It’s hard not to take the initiative with someone like that. I can’t beat Sister Qian when it comes to dirty jokes, but I was super flirty when I was chasing Brother Jing. Actually, I’m still flirty—I just put on an act in front of you guys.”

“I can’t be flirty…”

Tang Ji was a little embarrassed. His personality was completely different from Jiang Nian’s, and he wasn’t confident enough. Just imagining himself telling a dirty joke or being flirty in front of Chu Yi…

That would be asking for death.

“…”

Jiang Nian pondered for a bit, then said,

“If you can’t flirt, then just be honest and tell him you like him and want to sleep with him. It’ll save everyone’s time. If it doesn’t work out, at least you can move on.”

Tang Ji lowered his head.

“That makes sense… but I don’t think I can do that either.”

Not when it came to Chu Yi—he just couldn’t!

“This won’t work, and that won’t work—how dare you fall for someone like that?”

Seeing how distressed Tang Ji looked, Jiang Nian rolled his eyes and kept giving advice:

“If you can’t be honest, then act hard to get. Pretend you’re sick, act spoiled, drink, and go a little crazy. Better yet, get close to him while you’re drunk. If nothing works, just change targets.”

“Drink… Get close to his bed… That might work…”

Tang Ji mumbled to himself. He figured this method was worth a shot. If he got drunk and caused a scene, he could blame it on the alcohol if things went badly. Then, no one would be embarrassed afterward. Brother Nian was really teaching him seriously.

Jiang Nian smiled.

“If you think you can do it, then just go for it! Live or die; it’s better than being stuck in this half-in, half-out limbo.”

He couldn’t stand the pain of unrequited love, either. So, when he first met Brother Jing, he acted as soon as he got the chance.

Tang Ji nodded. “Okay.”

After saying everything he wanted to say, Jiang Nian finally asked in a teasing tone,

“So, who do you like? I’ll help fan the flames for you.”

As he asked, he made a few guesses in his mind.

Recently, many strong superpowers had joined their legion—some of them were handsome and talented with six-pack abs—and quite a few had regular contact with Tang Ji. There were also some who were kind of like Brother Jing.

“Chu Yi.”

Tang Ji confessed honestly. With things already as they were, he was at his limit trying to keep it inside. There was no need to hide it anymore.

“…Hmm?”

Jiang Nian, who was still going through a mental elimination list, froze in place.

“Who did you say? Chu Yi?”

Tang Ji nodded, his ears reddening. “Mm.”

Perhaps no one expected him to be this bold.

“…”

It had been a while since Jiang Nian had seen Chu Yi. He took a few deep breaths, then patted Tang Ji on the shoulder.

“Good taste—you’ve got great vision. Keep the wealth in the family and take him down! But I can’t help you chase after Brother Chu. I can only keep this secret until you succeed.”

Taking down Chu Yi would be like knocking over half of South City Base. Even saying it out loud was almost treason.

Considering Chu Yi’s status and connections, however, he couldn’t exactly fan the flames here. It’d be embarrassing if he didn’t get anywhere in the end.

“Do you think I have a chance?”

Tang Ji asked carefully. They often texted and called each other. Sometimes, he would say something ambiguous on purpose, but Chu Yi would always respond with a perfect excuse.

He thought the other guy should have figured it out by now, but he acted like he didn’t.

Or was he just pretending not to know? Why?

Jiang Nian smiled.

“When it comes to love, hope is something you give yourself. As long as you believe there’s hope, it exists. Just follow your true feelings. Be brave for yourself, just once. Whether you succeed or not, there’s nothing shameful about it.”

“Okay, I understand. Thanks, Brother Nian.”

Tang Ji bit his lip, glanced at Gao Xuyang, who had just finished his call, then put on his helmet to get ready for work.

With guidance from the “expert,” he now knew exactly what to do.