The bond between Su Ling and Shang Qi was too deep, spanning two lifetimes.
This was a connection he couldn't insert himself into.
He gave up. From now on, he would remain by Su Ling's side as a friend and companion.
Their team, their family, was very warm. He would always be there.
Seeing that Gu Shangse had truly let go and come to terms with it, Shouzi was no longer worried. He took the opportunity to pat Gu Shangse on the shoulder and said comfortingly, "Take your time. There's still a long way to go. You'll meet someone who makes your heart race again."
Gu Shangse didn't answer Shouzi's words, merely quickening the movements of his hands.
Shouzi didn't say anything more, his attention returning to the zombies.
Su Ling and Shang Qi arrived on the merchant ship. After clearing out the straggler zombies, they began to scavenge.
Everywhere they went, they collected containers, leaving nothing behind.
Once the deck was completely cleared, Shang Qi looked at Su Ling. "Let's go check the ship's cabins. We can collect some heavy oil. Then we'll load up a ship and take you fishing when we get to the southernmost city."
Upon hearing this, Su Ling looked at Shang Qi. "Aren't we going north this time?"
Shang Qi stopped and explained gently, "It's too cold in the north during winter. We'll go south, to the southernmost province. We'll find an island and settle there. Then we'll broadcast to offer shelter and help to survivors in need. What do you think?"
Su Ling nodded. She had many things to tell Shang Qi as well.
"Shang Qi, after I was reborn, the space where I stored supplies in my previous life has changed. It's become like Earth's ecosystem. I can grow things in it, and anything I put in and take out remains exactly as it was."
"And..." Su Ling looked up at the sky. She could see the mobile fortress, but Shang Qi couldn't. "My castle-building ability has been upgraded. I already have a very large mobile castle, hovering directly above us, housing other survivors."
"I plan to upgrade the castle after we finish collecting supplies at the port this time."
Shang Qi looked at Su Ling as she spoke, his gaze gentle and doting. "A Ling, you're amazing."
Praised, Su Ling's eyes curved into a smile. "Let's get to work. We'll have a feast tonight."
Shang Qi's eyes lit up with a smile. "Alright, whatever A Ling says."
When Elder Qiang and his group arrived at the port by car, thanks to the addition of Shang Qi's group, Su Ling and her team had completed the collection of containers and the clearing of zombies at the port ahead of schedule.
The port, once filled with containers, now only showed ships floating on the sea or docked at the pier.
Then there was the mountain of zombie corpses piled at the port's docks.
When Elder Qiang and his group arrived with their cold weapons and saw the state of the port, it would be a lie to say they weren't intimidated.
Brother Tian immediately spotted Su Ling and her group. He leaned into Elder Qiang's ear and pointed at them, "Elder Qiang, it's them."
Elder Qiang had guessed as much. Someone who could reach the position of base founder must have some skills.
Smoking a cigar, Elder Qiang sat in his car, clearly recognizing Su Ling's team as very strong. How could they not be strong, to clear out the port, which he considered a difficult task, and kill all the zombies in a single day?
He wondered, if such a team could be recruited, conquering a region in the apocalypse would be like adding wings to a tiger.
With this thought, Elder Qiang got out of the car and walked towards Su Ling's group, smoking his cigar.
And what were Su Ling and her group doing when Elder Qiang and his people appeared?
With the port's supply collection and zombie clearing missions completed ahead of schedule, and having reunited with Shang Qi, everyone was naturally gathered to celebrate.
They had used several containers to create a makeshift seating area, and Su Ling's group was sitting on them.
A table was set up on the containers, pieced together, laden with food brought out from Su Ling's space.
Over there, Shouzi and Pangzi were roasting a whole lamb. The aroma was intoxicating, making mouths water.
Gu Shangse was in charge of the fire for the roasted lamb, controlling it with his fire ability, while Shouzi and Pangzi were responsible for turning the lamb.