Although Ren Fei couldn't see Chen Pingchuan's expression, he was seething with hatred. His hands unconsciously clenched into tight fists, his knuckles turning white from the pressure. The cracking of his joints was startlingly loud in the silence.
Accompanied by Li Yan, Chen Pingchuan arrived at the area where the gene potions were protected by a force field. Li Yan skillfully operated the controls and disabled the protective mechanism, while Chen Pingchuan took out the gene potions one by one and placed them on the ground. He then called Porcupine and the others over to carry them back to his designated area.
On the other side, seeing Chen Pingchuan achieve his goal, Ren Fei was filled with unwillingness but could only suppress it for the moment. The priority was to explore the ventilation duct and find a way out.
Soon, Chen Pingchuan's group had finished moving the gene potions.
Seeing the beads of sweat on Li Yan's forehead, Chen Pingchuan felt a twinge of pity.
Sentimentality is fleeting; only clever ploys can truly win a person's heart. This girl has already fallen into the intricate web I've woven.
"Are you tired?"
"Not tired."
"Take a break!"
"No need, I can still keep going."
"Then just do your best. Don't be afraid. If anything happens, just call for me. I'll protect you."
Hearing Chen Pingchuan's sweet talk, Li Yan's face flushed with shyness, but her heart was already blooming with joy. Her lips parted slightly as she replied softly, "Okay."
When the two parted, there was an odd sense of mutual appreciation between them.
Ren Fei, of course, saw this exchange. Whether it was out of jealousy or a genuine anxiety to leave, he didn't give Li Yan a moment's rest upon her return to the group. He immediately urged her to activate her "Faint Light" ability again.
Li Yan's heart rebelled against Ren Fei's demand, but sensing the hostile gazes around her, she felt a flicker of fear. Helpless, and with her Spiritual Power nearly drained, Li Yan still forced herself to activate her Faint Light again.
Ren Fei was the first to get to the base of the ventilation duct. Aided by the light, he looked up, and his face immediately turned grim. The opening looked ordinary, but it was far too narrow. Even the slimmest woman among them couldn't crawl in, let alone the burly men, who couldn't squeeze even half their bodies inside.
Ren Fei thought for a moment, and a petite figure flashed through his mind. But then his expression turned bitter again.
That's right, the person who came to mind was none other than Chen Pingchuan's new subordinate, Lilia.
Lilia's small and delicate frame made her the only one present who could possibly enter the ventilation duct.
Ren Fei frowned, his heart troubled. He really didn't want to ask Chen Pingchuan for help again, especially after being manipulated by him so many times. But if he didn't ask, they couldn't explore the duct, and their objective for coming here would be impossible to achieve. The situation had reached a stalemate.
Ren Fei stood there, his expression shifting unpredictably. Pacing back and forth with his hands clasped behind his back, he silently weighed the pros and cons.
The others were also silent. Some, having remembered something, began to glance quietly toward Chen Pingchuan, their eyes full of helplessness and urgency.
Just then, another problem arose.
Li Yan's Spiritual Power was completely exhausted. She could no longer maintain the Faint Light, plunging the area back into darkness.
"Li Yan, don't let the light go out! We can't see anything! How are we supposed to come up with a plan?"
"Yeah, Li Yan, we know it's not easy for you, but just hang in there a little longer."
"Sister Yan Yan, I'm scared. Please use your ability again."
The crowd began to criticize Li Yan, acting as if she were simply unwilling to contribute by not using her ability. But Li Yan felt a deep ache in her heart. She had already used up most of her Spiritual Power helping Chen Pingchuan with the shields. Upon returning, she had to provide light for the ventilation duct, which drained the last of her reserves and even caused waves of mild, stabbing pain in her head. Despite all this, she hadn't uttered a single word of complaint. Now, to be wrongly accused by her companions pained her deeply, and she didn't know how to express it.
Suddenly, a warm male voice, both strange and familiar, sounded in her ear. "Don't make a sound. Follow my lead."
The next second, before Li Yan could respond, a broad hand gently enveloped hers. Instantly, a current of warmth flowed from his palm, like a gentle stream chasing away the chill from her fingertips. Li Yan's heart trembled, and she involuntarily allowed herself to be guided away.
The clamor of the crowd grew more distant. Li Yan wasn't sure how she had left the group; she simply kept her head down and moved in silence. She remained unresponsive, even as she heard her companions call out, "Who pushed me?" "Who stepped on my foot?" and "Hey, stop moving around!"
"You're safe now."
Chen Pingchuan's words were always so calm yet full of power. They shook Li Yan's heart and sent her thoughts into a spiral.
How can I be standing with Mr. Kidnapper? What will my companions think if they see me? But they were being so unreasonable. I'm already so tired. Being with Mr. Kidnapper... I feel so safe. But I'm so thirsty, I want some water. And I'm a little hungry; I didn't have time to eat the morning the incident happened. We're all probably going to die. But I haven't even experienced what it's like to be with a man yet. What a regret. If... if Mr. Kidnapper wants to...
At that thought, the suggestive images in her mind made Li Yan's eyes shimmer, though Chen Pingchuan couldn't see it in the darkness.
After he settled Li Yan beside him, Chen Pingchuan's body suddenly stiffened. A flash of familiarity crossed his mind.
Am I really me?
Chen Pingchuan began to question himself, wondering why his current actions felt so similar to how he had treated Ji Hongxiu in the simulation.
Or has my deification deepened? Will I be replaced by my divine self? Will I even still exist then?
Just as Chen Pingchuan was about to spiral into self-doubt, Ren Fei's furious roar yanked him back from the brink of terror.
"Li Yan, where are you?"
"Were you kidnapped?"
"Hey! You people over there! You went back on your word and snatched one of our people!"
"Speak up!"
"Own up to what you did!"
Before Chen Pingchuan could respond, Porcupine, who was standing nearby, lost his patience. He stood up, his massive frame towering, and roared in the direction of Ren Fei's accusations.
"You little runt! How dare you slander our boss! Say that again, and I'll twist your damn head off!"
It was the same familiar insult. For Porcupine, who could barely remember his own name and thought only of food, being able to deliver such a tirade was truly impressive.