Chapter 1007: A Deal in the Night: New Allies and Hidden Plans

Yang Jin kept quiet about his first meeting with Xia Qing and answered honestly, “It was July of the sixth year after the catastrophe. When you joined Luo’s squad for a mission, I discovered you had both Strength and Visual Evolution powers. I wanted to recruit you for the team and train you as a sniper.”

Every type of Evolver develops certain habits when using their abilities. For example, those with visual powers tend to stare off into the distance longer, while those with enhanced hearing will subconsciously tilt their heads to better catch the direction of subtle sounds.

Xia Qing nodded. As a fellow Visual Evolver, Yang Jin could pick up on the changes in her expression and eyes when she activated her own powers.

A Strength-and-Vision Dual Evolver is the perfect candidate for a sniper. After a few missions with Luo Pei’s squad, Wei Chengdong did ask Xia Qing if she’d like to join the Azure Dragon Squad. She assumed he was just making conversation, not realizing it was actually Yang Jin’s idea.

“But when I saw you weren’t interested in joining the squad and kept your distance from everyone while sticking with the Construction Team, I guessed you had a bigger secret. Sure enough, I later found out you were a Three-Element Evolver—and that there was bad blood between you and Tang Zhengsu.”

It was during this time that Yang Jin’s feelings for Xia Qing shifted from being blown away at first sight, to genuine admiration, growing into affection and eventually devotion. He started protecting her from afar, silently keeping watch over her.

“You’re tough, resilient, and can handle pressure better than anyone. Plus, we share a common enemy in Su Feng. The real clincher was when you willingly took out your Pure Spring Water to save Luo. That showed me you trusted the Azure Dragon Squad and were willing to work with us. That’s when I took a gamble on you, betting that once you grew stronger, you’d be the powerhouse we’d need to topple Su Feng. And I was right.”

Yang Jin paused, then grinned. “When I first came to Section Three to talk cooperation, I was planning to suggest pretending to be your boyfriend. But you were prickly as a hedgehog back then, totally on guard against me, so I changed my mind and had Hu Zifeng play the part instead.”

After answering Xia Qing’s questions, Yang Jin brought up the deal again. “Sister Qing, you and I are about equal in strength and status. We get along. This partnership is a win-win.”

With that, Yang Jin leaned back in his chair, a picture of confidence.

His sharp mind reminded him he should pick up his teacup and take a few sips to ease his nerves, but he wasn’t calm enough to act on it.

Based on what he knew about Xia Qing, Yang Jin was certain he had the upper hand. But rational confidence couldn’t stop his hand from trembling and sweating. He leaned back only because he was worried her acute hearing might pick up the frantic beating of his heart.

The moment he got Hu Zifeng’s call, Yang Jin rushed over. Even in a hurry, he’d been ready for this. His protective suit had a stack of Points Cards in the right pocket, ranging from tens of thousands up to ten million, while his backpack was stuffed with Yi Stones. All personal property, not squad assets. If discounts wouldn’t sway Xia Qing, he’d keep sweetening the deal until she said yes.

Taking a slow, deep breath, Yang Jin pressed his hand to the ice pack in his left pocket, trying to physically cool himself down.

It was nighttime. The windows on both the north and south sides of the meeting room were open, letting a gentle cross-breeze in. Xia Qing, who sat across from him, wasn’t sweating at all. If Yang Jin ended up drenched, he’d give himself away.

Xia Qing lowered her gaze to the teacup, watching as the honeysuckle soaked up the water and slowly unfolded into a perfect blossom. Her mind worked at lightning speed.

Half a minute later, she looked up at Yang Jin, who still looked like he’d already won. “Xie Yu likes someone, but you don’t.”

Yang Jin pressed the ice pack tighter, answering calmly, “With the world this chaotic, I want to secure my place first. I’ll think about personal matters once I’ve got enough power. Of course, if you fall for someone during our partnership and want to go public, we can immediately end the pretend relationship.”

Here, Yang Jin’s thinking actually lined up perfectly with her own.

Xia Qing brought up one last condition: “My activity area is mainly Section One in the north. I won’t take responsibility for dealing with all your admirers in the Safe Zone.”

In Yang Jin’s mind, fireworks exploded. “Don’t worry, Sister Qing. I don’t have any admirers. If someone shows up trying to cause you trouble in the name of romance, just call me and I’ll handle it. But…”

The moment Iron Rooster’s words shifted, Xia Qing knew they were at a key moment. She sat up straighter, waiting for his terms.

“…If there’s an urgent mission and Luo can’t leave, I hope you’ll lend a hand, Sister Qing. Don’t go overboard with your price—I have over six hundred people in the Azure Dragon Squad relying on me. I really can’t spare many credits.”

Yang Jin was already selling her weapons and ammo at half price—it wouldn’t be right to keep pushing for more. Xia Qing nodded. “Standard rates are fine.”

She was now a top-tier sniper. A discount was out of the question.

Soaked with sweat, Yang Jin’s eyes sparkled and a huge grin split his face. “Alright—during our partnership, you help with Azure Dragon Squad missions at regular rates, and I’ll keep selling you weapons and ammo at half price. We’ll play the couple, acting as each other’s shield. If our appointments require one of us to play the part in person, how should we handle point payouts?”

Figures it’s Iron Rooster, always so precise. Xia Qing answered calmly. “If the other doesn’t need to show up, there’s no need for payment. If they do, we’ll discuss it when the time comes.”

Yang Jin nodded. “Deal. From now on, if you want to reach me, just call my private number—you know it.”

Xia Qing almost rolled her eyes. Your private number? How on earth would I know that?

Yang Jin picked up his tea and drank it down, then refilled Xia Qing’s cup, his grin even wider. “It was February, the tenth year after the catastrophe, lunar New Year’s Day morning. I texted both your mobile numbers from that number, telling you which plots of land outside the Safe Zone were safer. Good thing you had your own judgment, or you’d have missed out on Section Three.”

For once, Xia Qing’s usually calm face showed real surprise. She pulled out her phone and dialed the number she’d memorized ages ago.

Seeing Yang Jin flash his screen at her, Xia Qing finally confirmed that it was indeed him behind those mysterious texts.

In that moment, Xia Qing’s feelings grew seriously complicated. “Why didn’t you reply when I messaged you later?”

Yang Jin let out an honest, bitter laugh. “When I messaged you about the land, it was meant as a favor I could use to propose this partnership once you’d grown stronger. I didn’t expect you to find Pure Spring Water in your territory. I didn’t reply because I was worried you’d think I was trying to take over your land, so I stayed quiet. After that, I just never found the right time to bring it up.”

Xia Qing pressed on. “So how did you even know about that number I hadn’t used in years?”