Volume One, Chapter 15: Taking the Bait Proactively

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Wang Xinran’s sharp eyes immediately spotted her “best friend.” Surprised, she called out to Yu Jiao Jiao, “Jiao Jiao, I can't believe I ran into you here!”

Her heart pounding, Wang Xinran hurried forward to confirm if this disheveled-looking girl really was the proud, high-and-mighty friend she once knew.

Seeing the once delicate young lady seemingly having lost a shoe in her frantic escape amused Wang Xinran, who secretly felt a sense of satisfaction. She struggled to suppress a smirk and asked with feigned concern, “Oh my, Jiao Jiao, why are you only wearing one shoe?”

Her voice was loud enough for everyone present to hear clearly, drawing all eyes to Yu Jiao Jiao’s bare foot.

This was deliberate. Wang Xinran had endured plenty of humiliation at the hands of this so-called princess, Yu Jiao Jiao.

Now that the apocalypse had struck, she no longer intended to indulge this self-righteous little white lotus. To see Yu Jiao Jiao’s once fragile and gentle demeanor turn so awkward brought a gleam of triumph to Wang Xinran’s eyes that she could hardly conceal.

Yu family’s second brother, Yu Han, known for his fiery temper, couldn’t stand anyone mocking his most beloved sister.

“Why shout so loudly? Don’t you fear attracting the monsters outside? If you want to die, don’t drag us down with you!”

The words were laced with hostility. Wang Xinran already despised this arrogant playboy, Yu Han, who, relying on his family wealth and decent looks, constantly looked down on others.

She had not forgotten the humiliation of publicly handing Yu Han a love letter only to be mocked as a “toad lusting after a swan.”

Now that the knife had pierced Yu Han’s cherished sister, her mood was undeniably pleased.

“What a coward. If you’re so scared of those monsters, then just keep quiet from now on. Useless. If you’re so brave, stay here forever!”

“You!” The high-and-mighty Yu family’s second son was not used to being spoken to so insolently. His face flushed red in anger, and he raised his fist to teach this woman a lesson.

Before his fist could fall, a gentle voice stopped him. “Brother, don’t be impulsive. After all, Xinran is still my friend.”

Yu Jiao Jiao clung to Yu Han’s arm, giving Wang Xinran an apologetic smile.

Wang Xinran’s alarm bells rang instantly. Having known Yu Jiao Jiao for over a decade, she was well aware of this woman’s true white-lotus nature—definitely not harmless.

As expected, the next moment Yu Jiao Jiao shyly glanced at the young man standing behind Wang Xinran and subtly urged her to make introductions.

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“Xinran, is this boy your friend? I’ve never seen him before.”

Yu Yue’s words carried a hint of mockery. They were supposedly family. Although she had become more attractive, her features were largely unchanged from before—still recognizable even to Lin Dahai. Yet Yu Jiao Jiao had failed to recognize her.

But then again, at Yu Jiao Jiao’s insistence, Yu Yue had always kept her long bangs covering her face and appeared disheveled in front of the Yu family.

Who would associate the bedraggled and shadowed Yu Yue with the refined and handsome young man, Cheng Yue?

Naturally, Wang Xinran didn’t want to introduce the man she fancied to Yu Jiao Jiao, but before she could speak, Yu Yue stepped forward.

Her phoenix-like eyes gleamed with warmth as the boy’s originally cold aura softened under her gentle smile. “Hello, miss. My name is Cheng Yue.”

At those words, Yu Jiao Jiao’s expression grew even more bashful, while Wang Xinran felt as if she had swallowed a fly. No one noticed the hollowness behind the tender look in Yu Yue’s eyes.

Although she had only known Cheng Yue for a few hours, Wang Xinran had never seen that kind of softness from her before.

That vile woman, Yu Jiao Jiao, was truly a seductress. Every somewhat decent boy around her since childhood had been stolen by this white-lotus. Wang Xinran considered herself just as attractive as Yu Jiao Jiao, yet the latter’s delicate, pitiful appearance was far more effective at ensnaring men.

There were plenty of girls prettier than Yu Jiao Jiao at school, but every year she would sweep the campus beauty contest effortlessly.

Now even her favorite man seemed drawn to Yu Jiao Jiao, which was unbearable. After all, a man like Cheng Yue—handsome and capable—was a rare find in this apocalypse.

Wang Xinran quickly positioned herself between Yu Jiao Jiao and Yu Yue, gently addressing Yu Yue, “Cheng Yue, we’ve been on the move for so long. Why don’t we find a place to rest?”

She gestured toward Wu Xiang, whose face was pale and covered in sweat, her expression full of concern.

Wu Xiang, the ever-suffering tool, grunted in silence but felt increasingly weak. The black blood seeping from his arm wound filled him with an inexplicable dread.

He recalled scenes from certain movies where a zombie bite turned victims into monsters. No... that couldn’t happen. Movies were fiction; this was reality.

Yu Yue’s lips curled into a tempting smile. “Ah, but I haven’t had the chance to get to know this pretty miss yet.”

Her eyes sparkled with unhidden interest, driving Wang Xinran nearly mad.

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Why, why was it always like this? Every man she liked seemed utterly captivated by that wretched Yu Jiao Jiao.

Yu Han was like that, now Cheng Yue as well. Even the classmates, friends, and teachers from childhood—all, except for the hopeless Wu Xiang, were drawn to that vile woman.

If it weren’t for her family business, she wouldn’t waste time being a servant to this black-hearted white lotus.

Everyone thought Yu Jiao Jiao was kind and innocent, but no one knew how she dealt with those she despised.

Especially the true daughter of the Yu family—slandered, oppressed, and hated by all—most of it was Yu Jiao Jiao’s doing.

Yet the genuine Yu daughter, Yu Yue, was a fool to still believe Yu Jiao Jiao was the only one kind to her after all she had suffered.

Wang Xinran pushed aside her disgust and resentment, pulling Yu Yue away from the Yu family clique, feigning magnanimity as she asked, “Shall I take you over to meet them?”

Yu Yue stared at Wang Xinran with her deep black eyes, holding her gaze until Wang Xinran felt a slight chill, then suddenly smiled. “No need.”

She hadn’t missed the interest in Yu Jiao Jiao’s eyes upon seeing her, nor the obvious jealousy of this foolish woman before her. Now she had all the patience to wait for her prey to take the bait.

The trio found a corner sofa to rest. After a morning of intense fighting, their stomachs growled with hunger.

Yu Yue pulled a powerful flashlight from her backpack, along with a large self-heating hotpot of spicy tender beef flavor and a bottle of mineral water.

Though she had better food, she didn’t want to reveal her hidden stash in plain sight.

The flashlight illuminated the dim hotel room with a harsh light that drew many glances.

More than the boy’s exquisite appearance, what attracted attention was the self-heating hotpot on the table.