QT: The Rescue Of The Miserable Bigshots-Chapter 290 - 9.36

"Be careful."

After Jiang Qing left, Ling Zhuang’s expression softened, his face taking on a rare seriousness.

"What’s wrong?"

Jiang Jiamian blinked, confused. Just a moment ago, this man had been consumed by jealousy. Why the sudden shift to solemn concern?

Ling Zhuang said quietly, "You’ve already formed your own team. Fang Jing, who can’t easily control you, is bound to make a move sooner or later. Although you’re strong, strong enough that I’m confident in you, people’s hearts are unpredictable. Neither you nor I can fully anticipate what methods he’ll use. It’s best to stay cautious."

Jiang Jiamian chuckled. Watching the faint crease between Ling Zhuang’s brows, he turned lazily and leaned back on the sofa. "Why are you being so fussy? Let me put it this way, if there’s anyone in this world who could actually threaten me, that person would be you."

Just Fang Jing?

Heh. What a joke.

Ling Zhuang’s expression relaxed slightly, the faint tension in his brows easing. Amusement flickered in his eyes. He took a few steps forward and sat beside Jiang Jiamian. He asked with a small smile, "So should I take that to mean that, aside from me, no one in this world is qualified to stand by your side?"

Jiang Jiamian: "..."

Hey, even an automatic love-talk generator wouldn’t twist his words that badly.

Still, based on the original plot, he could already guess exactly how Fang Jing would move against him.

After all, that was supposed to be the same opportunity Fang Jing had once used to kill Xiao Jinfeng.

And now, the threat Jiang Jiamian posed far exceeded the one Xiao Jinfeng ever did. Naturally, Fang Jing’s first target would be him.

"Chief Fang! Chief Fang! Something’s wrong!"

"What is it now? Why are you shouting like that?"

When the camera feed finally flickered back to life, Fang Jing saw only an empty lab. Ling Zhuang and Shen Yunqing were both gone, and the room was completely silent.

He had been about to summon Shen Yunqing for questioning when the office door suddenly flew open, nearly slamming into his face. His mood soured instantly.

"Chief Fang! It’s terrible!"

A pale, panting officer stood in the doorway, gasping for breath. After a few moments, he finally managed to speak. "A large number of advanced zombies have appeared in City B, near the A City base! Our people haven’t upgraded yet, dealing with even one advanced zombie is difficult enough, but now there’s an entire horde! This place is so close to us... if they attack the base, we’re doomed!"

"What!?" Fang Jing’s pupils shrank. "A whole group of advanced zombies?"

He had heard reports over the past few days of scattered high-level zombies emerging in other regions, but never anything like this.

The base’s ability users had been actively strengthening their powers by using crystal cores, that much he had ensured. But how could such a sudden, massive outbreak occur so close to them?

The man continued, "Fortunately, the horde seems to be concentrated within City B for now. They haven’t moved toward A City. Nine of the ten people we sent out died in battle. Only one survivor made it back, he didn’t even get off the truck, just turned around and drove straight back to warn us. Chief Fang, I think if we avoid City B for now, focus on upgrading our abilities, and strengthen the base’s defenses, we can handle them if they ever scatter this way."

Fang Jing nodded quickly. "You’re right. We’ll do that."

He had been consuming crystal cores daily. His power had already begun to evolve, by tonight, his ability should upgrade completely.

Perhaps he would even become the first user in the base to reach a higher tier.

And if that happened... not even Jiang Jiamian...

Wait.

Jiang Jiamian.

A cold gleam flashed through Fang Jing’s eyes. His lips curved into a smile that didn’t reach them. "This news, about the advanced zombies in City B, who else knows besides you and me?"

He spoke slowly, deliberately, his tone unreadable.

Jiang Jiamian... so full of pride and ambition. Didn’t he say every soldier dreams of becoming a general?

Fine. Then I’ll give him a battlefield.

Let’s see if his ambition can keep him alive.

The messenger hesitated, puzzled by the sudden question, but answered truthfully. "Chief Fang, besides me and the one survivor who reported it, no one else knows. I’ve already instructed him not to speak a word until you decide what to do."

"Good. Very good."

Fang Jing clapped him on the shoulder, smiling pleasantly. "This isn’t something we should announce right now, it would only cause panic. I’ll cancel all tasks related to City B myself. You can go back."

"Yes, Chief!" 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Once the man left, the smile vanished from Fang Jing’s face. The dim light from the computer screen painted harsh shadows across his expression.

"Mr. Jiang, Chief Fang has requested your presence. He says there’s an important mission for you."

Jiang Jiamian opened the door with an unimpressed look. "An assignment? Can’t you people ever just talk through the communicator? Why does he always make others run back and forth? Does it make him feel more important or something?"

Here it comes.

Just as expected, the same tired trick from the original story, the one they’d used on the Gale Squad.

A test that wasn’t supposed to look like an execution.

The staff member scratched his head awkwardly. "I’m sorry, Mr. Jiang, I’m just a messenger."

Jiang Jiamian shrugged casually. "Fine, lead the way."

"Jiang Jiamian!"

Ling Zhuang’s voice came from behind him, sharper than usual.

Even though logic told him Fang Jing couldn’t possibly harm Jiang Jiamian, worry still flickered across his features. People’s hearts were unpredictable. If anything happened, he wouldn’t forgive himself.

But Jiang Jiamian only turned back, calm as ever, and winked at him.

"Don’t worry."

Ling Zhuang’s lips pressed into a thin line as he watched the younger man’s retreating back.

He sighed softly, the faintest trace of helpless affection in his eyes.