Episode 34
1047 Words
Seize the opportunity to blackmail
"Disappointed?" As they emerged from the room of the Li siblings, Adam asked softly.
"Can you help me?" Miao Yun Yao's words seemed disjointed.
"Madam, Miss might already..." Ling Ao attempted to reason, but Miao Yun Yao dismissed him outright. In fact, ever since earlier, Miao Yun Yao had been ignoring this once powerful bodyguard who had protected them.
Ling Ao had explained the situation earlier. Although he had abandoned Shang Guan Ya, it wasn't a reckless abandonment. He had knocked her unconscious and thoroughly locked the off-road vehicle, sealing the doors and windows.
"Considering the nature of zombies, she might still be alive..." Adam stroked his chin thoughtfully. If the zombies truly acted based on sound, then the ones that had been attracted by him and Ling Ao should have moved toward another direction by now.
"Are you sure you knocked Shang Guan Ya out completely?" Adam lifted his gaze to ask Ling Ao.
"Absolutely. At that time, I thought perhaps..." Ling Ao glanced awkwardly at Miao Yun Yao, whose face remained icy.
"If that's the case..." Adam glanced at the time. It had only been a little over two hours since then. If Shang Guan Ya hadn't awakened yet, or if she had and remained silent, there might still be a chance!
But would Shang Guan Ya really remain silent? Adam sneered, betting that she was still unconscious and hoping someone could reach her before she woke.
"Adam, can you help me save my daughter?" For the first time, Miao Yun Yao spoke in a pleading, humble manner, her posture lower than ever before as she gazed at Adam.
When a woman who is usually high and mighty looks at you with such vulnerability, and one as captivating as her, any man would likely feel a pang of compassion, wouldn't they?
"Reason..." Yet, Adam was not an ordinary man, at least not the man he once was.
He gazed coldly at the stunning woman before him—this woman, who appeared much like an older sister, though she was only slightly older than him.
"What?" Miao Yun Yao was taken aback.
"Give me a reason why I must help you..." Adam reached out, caressing Miao Yun Yao's smooth, pale cheek, his expression wicked. He was actually caressing this woman who could very well be his mother by age. His touch was scandalous, yet, astonishingly, he refrained from doing anything more improper.
Perhaps it was the shock of his words or the unexpectedness of his touch, but Miao Yun Yao stood there dumbfounded, unable to speak for a long while. During this time, she merely stood there, letting Adam's advances unfold.
"Adam! You're going too far!" Ling Ao's eyes flashed with anger as he stepped forward to restrain Adam.
However, before Ling Ao could act, Adam stepped back. Even though the virus fusion had failed, his physical abilities were now nearly on par with Ling Ao's. Moreover, after surviving so many brushes with death, Adam's instincts had become honed to an extraordinary degree. It was as though his body responded faster than his mind.
"Too far? Ling Ao, will you help?" Adam asked with a mocking smile, silencing Ling Ao, who had been about to rage.
Indeed, would he help? Only a fool would risk going out. Even the capable Ling Ao wasn't foolish enough to do so!
"I..." Ling Ao's demeanor and expression spoke volumes, revealing his reluctance.
"Don't you like that headstrong girl? This is a perfect opportunity to be the hero who saves the damsel in distress! Maybe after rescuing her, that simple-minded girl will feel a surge of affection for you and offer herself! What a golden opportunity!"
Adam observed the awkward expression on Ling Ao's face and the fluctuating emotions on Miao Yun Yao's. He found it thoroughly amusing to witness their facades crumble, revealing their true feelings.
"Ling Ao..." Miao Yun Yao turned to him. Gone was the commanding, powerful woman Adam had first encountered. Instead, she now resembled a worried mother, anxious for her child's safety.
"I..."
"You two continue. I'll go rest, today has been exhausting." Adam waved a hand, ready to return to his room.
"Wait!" Ling Ao stopped him, gesturing for Miao Yun Yao to follow him. "Let's talk in the room."
Inside, the three of them sat, each in a different place. Adam reclined comfortably on the soft sofa, eyes half-closed, while Ling Ao and Miao Yun Yao wore distinct expressions.
"Madam, I can agree to go back to the crash site and rescue Miss... no, rescue Xiao Ya! However, I have conditions!" Ling Ao spoke, breaking the silence.
"Speak..." The word "speak" escaped through Miao Yun Yao's clenched teeth, her emotions clear.
"First, I cannot guarantee that Xiao Ya will return unharmed. It's been over two hours, and we don't even know if she's alive, let alone whether she's still in the car!"
Ling Ao's words were blunt and realistic. It wasn't like going on a leisurely outing. Venturing into a zombie-infested area to rescue someone, especially someone who had been trapped there for over two hours, was almost an impossibility.
"Mm..." Miao Yun Yao nodded reluctantly, though whether she accepted Ling Ao's cautious attitude or not remained uncertain.
Ling Ao's request up to this point seemed reasonable, even if it was a bit harsh. But what followed was a more dubious demand, verging on taking advantage of the situation.
"Furthermore, Madam, if I successfully bring Xiao Ya back, I ask that you grant her to me. I believe you understand my meaning. I've always liked Xiao Ya, and if I can rescue her, please don't stand in my way."
Ling Ao's expression was somewhat twisted, and Adam, watching from the side, wondered what might have happened before the apocalypse to shape him this way.
"Ling Ao!" Miao Yun Yao stood up in fury, trembling as she glared at him. "Are you trying to blackmail me?"
"You can think of it that way..." Surprisingly, Ling Ao nodded, not even attempting to deny it.
"You... shameless!" Miao Yun Yao, despite her fury, refrained from using vulgar insults, showing the quality of her upbringing.
At this moment, was it right or wrong to demand something in exchange for saving someone's life?
- Writer
