Chapter 126 — Family Ties and Interests
Under Yan Fei’s control, the metal seemed to come alive. It twisted and extended forward, forming fierce steel reinforcements that gradually shaped into the towering skeleton of a bridge.
Their bridge was already about seventy percent complete. Only the final section and finishing work remained.
Ironically, the beginning and ending sections were more difficult than the middle. The bridge was built very high, and when connecting to the ground on both ends, it needed winding ramps like those of an overpass. The workload and precision required were even more troublesome.
At the completed starting section of the bridge, several earth-type ability users had recently been deployed. Their task was to “add flesh” to the structure—now that the metal “bones” were in place, it was their job to build the outer layers.
Of course, there were still other steps needed to fully complete the bridge, but those were no longer Yan Fei’s concern.
After finishing the day’s work, everyone packed up and prepared to board the vehicles back to the military camp.
As they walked out of the temporary rest area, they noticed something unexpected—
Besides the trucks they had arrived in and the metal transport vehicles, there was also a military jeep parked at the gate.
As soon as they came out, the jeep door opened, and someone stepped out, walking toward them.
“Which one of you is Comrade Yan Fei?”
Captain Guo raised an eyebrow, glanced at the jeep, then looked at Yan Fei.
Yan Fei also looked toward the vehicle. Inside the half-open rear door, someone was peering out. When he spotted Yan Fei, he even waved for him to come over.
The moment Yan Fei saw who was inside, his brows furrowed slightly, and his expression darkened.
Captain Guo patted his shoulder with a smile. “Go ahead. We’ll wait in the truck.”
Before he could move, the young man who had come to fetch him said stiffly, “Secretary Yan has important matters to discuss with Comrade Yan Fei. It may take quite some time. Your team can leave first.”
As he spoke, he reached out to grab Yan Fei’s arm, trying to pull him toward the jeep—like a policeman forcibly taking away a suspect.
Everyone froze, their expressions turning displeased.
This guy really didn’t know how to speak politely. Just because they were working construction here, did he think they were nothing but laborers?
Yan Fei narrowed his eyes slightly and avoided the man’s hand. He didn’t look at Luo Xun, who stood nearby with concern, but instead let out a cold laugh—Suddenly, all the metal on a nearby truck shot into the air!
It rushed toward them, forming a massive metal wall in front of Yan Fei. The man who had tried to grab him was so startled that he instinctively staggered backward. But the wall kept advancing—closer, closer, closer—Until with a loud bang, he hit something behind him.
Only then did the wall withdraw, returning to its original state as a pile of metal on the truck.
Yan Fei cast a cold glance at the jeep, at the man inside—Yan Gexin—whose mouth was slightly open in shock.
“We’re leaving.”
After saying that, Yan Fei turned and walked toward the truck.
Captain Guo paused for a moment, then followed with a suppressed smile. He didn’t know exactly what relationship Yan Fei had with that man, but it was obvious Yan Fei wanted nothing to do with him—and that subordinate’s behavior had indeed been brainless.
Anyone in the military knew the reputation of the so-called “Millstone Team.” Even top officials treated them with courtesy. What right did a mere errand runner have to order them around or try to forcibly take Yan Fei away?
Well… perhaps they were being sensitive. After all, aside from his bad attitude, the man hadn’t technically said anything wrong.
As the group walked toward the truck, movement came from the jeep.
A man stepped out and called loudly, “Xiao Fei!”
All eyes turned back to Yan Fei.
He looked back impatiently, crossed his arms, and stopped where he stood.
Now everyone recognized the man—it was the same middle-aged man who had stopped Yan Fei before the commendation ceremony. Clearly someone he knew… perhaps even a family elder.
Captain Guo glanced at the approaching man and said to Yan Fei, “We’ll wait in the truck.”
Then he hooked an arm around Luo Xun’s shoulder and led him away.
He already knew who that man was—also surnamed Yan. Rumor had it that a high-ranking official in the base had been searching for a young man named Yan, around twenty-six or twenty-seven years old. After that official personally came to find Yan Fei, Captain Guo had guessed—
That man was probably Yan Fei’s father.
When a father with a strained relationship comes looking for his son, it’s better not to let the son’s partner stay nearby. If something was said that pushed Yan Fei over the edge…
Killing a troublesome nobody and killing a base official were two completely different matters.
Once everyone tactfully withdrew, Yan Gexin’s expression eased slightly, though anger still lingered.
“Xiao Fei, what kind of temper is that? You didn’t have this problem before. Since when do you start attacking people at the slightest disagreement?”
Yan Fei raised an eyebrow and laughed. “You didn’t even hear what he said or see what he did. How are you so sure I’m the one at fault?”
Yan Gexin paused, suppressing his irritation.
It was true—he had instructed his subordinate to “bring him over no matter what.” Perhaps that had backfired.
But he had come today for something important, so he temporarily put aside his authority as a father—though every conversation with this son made his ribs ache with anger.
“Come get in the car. Let’s have dinner together. I have something important to tell you.”
With that, Yan Gexin turned toward the jeep.
Yan Fei suddenly let out a mocking laugh.
Yan Gexin stopped and looked back at him in confusion.
“Secretary Yan,” Yan Fei said lightly, “has no one ever told you that if you want to invite someone to dinner, you should make an appointment in advance?”
“My time may not be as valuable as yours, but it’s still quite tight.”
With that, he turned and walked toward the truck.
Only then did Yan Gexin realize what Yan Fei was upset about. He quickly stepped forward, frowning as he grabbed him. “Xiao Fei! Dad has something important to tell you!”
Yan Fei gestured behind him. “I still have a whole truck of colleagues waiting. If you’re really in a hurry, you can come along and talk on the way. But forget about dinner.”
Even if the base still had old grain reserved for high-ranking officials, he had no interest in it. He was far more eager to go home and eat the meal Luo Xun had prepared for him.
Yan Gexin took a deep breath. “The military has a mission the day after tomorrow—a very important one! I secured you a spot… I know you haven’t moved into the New City yet. Don’t worry—if you complete this mission, with your ability user status, you’ll qualify to live there for free. And if you want to bring someone with you, I can help arrange that too.”
“This mission will include many well-known teams and ability users in the base. If you build good relationships with them, it will be very beneficial for your future and career. I’ve even arranged for you to be placed in logistics…”
The display of ability Yan Fei had just shown was something Yan Gexin had witnessed clearly—and it surprised him.
He didn’t fully understand how ability levels were classified or what exactly counted as “strong,” but the speed and control Yan Fei showed over metal were undeniable. It should be comparable to the top-tier ability users in the base.
Although metal ability users had the inconvenience of needing to carry materials, their combat and defensive capabilities were still quite impressive. At the very least, having him along would greatly enhance vehicle and supply protection.
Seeing Yan Fei as a logistics-type asset, Yan Gexin spoke with growing enthusiasm.
Yan Fei interrupted him halfway. “I don’t have time that day. And I have no interest in the New City. I don’t want to live there.”
Yan Gexin froze mid-sentence. After taking a deep breath, he suppressed his anger and looked at him. “Xiao Fei, you’re almost thirty. Stop acting like a stubborn teenager throwing a tantrum, alright? Dad is doing this for your own good…”
Yan Fei suddenly looked at him directly, his expression completely devoid of warmth.
“Do you even know what I need? Do you know what kind of life I want to live in this apocalypse? Do you even know whether I’m satisfied with how I’m living now?”
“Secretary Yan, your thoughts, your plans, your ambitions—they all belong to you alone. If you want something, go fight for it yourself.”
“Those things are not what I want. I have absolutely no interest in sacrificing my entire life for someone else’s future, doing things I don’t even want to do.”
A trace of fatigue appeared in his expression.
“I was already sick of living according to other people’s expectations before the apocalypse.”
With that, he turned again and walked toward the truck he was supposed to board—where his lover was, and where his teammates and companions were.
“Yan Fei! After all the years the family spent raising you, this is how you repay your father?!” Yan Gexin’s voice was filled with disappointment and frustration.
Without even turning his head, Yan Fei replied—
“My life was something you were forced to give for the sake of your own interests. I’m just not planning to let my future be controlled the same way.”
He had had enough of that life—
That belief that “since we gave you life, we have the right to control your path until we die—and even dictate the next generation after you, with no resistance allowed.”
His responsibilities, obligations, and identity—
All of that had ceased to exist the moment the apocalypse began.
If not for Luo Xun, he wouldn’t even be alive today.
If giving someone life meant having the right to control every aspect of that person’s existence until death—
Then how many people in this world would still be willing to live?
Giving birth to a child should come from genuine love, from the hope of continuing life, from the natural result of affection—
Not from calculated intentions, not from the desire to create an obedient puppet, not from the expectation of raising someone who must serve you unquestioningly in return.
His life—was not that cheap.
After climbing onto the truck, Yan Fei sat down directly beside Luo Xun, pulled him into his arms, lowered his head, and kissed him—a passionate French kiss.
Everyone on the truck froze for a moment, then burst into a chorus of teasing howls.
They had long known the two of them were a couple, but no one had ever asked outright, and the two had never openly shown it before. Now, with this kiss, all the young, unattached men on the truck—full of vigor and energy—felt their blood surge.
It made them think—maybe they should find someone too. Whether male or female didn’t matter. As long as there was someone by their side when they were tired or vulnerable, that would be enough.
After a long while, Yan Fei finally lifted his head. Luo Xun stayed nestled in his arms, calming himself down and avoiding everyone’s gaze. When he finally looked up, his lips were still slightly red.
Only after they got off the truck and dispersed did Luo Xun quietly ask, “You’re okay now?”
Yan Fei looked down at him and suddenly smiled. “I’m fine. Whether he’s fine or not—I’m not so sure.”
As he spoke, he looked toward the tall walls of the military camp. He didn’t like his parents, but he had never truly hated or resented them either. It was just that what they were doing now was crossing his bottom line. Being harassed like this again and again—it was exhausting.
Luo Xun gave a helpless smile, took out the car keys, and walked with him toward where they had parked.
Yan Fei suddenly said, “He mentioned an important mission the day after tomorrow. Do you have any idea what it might be?”
Luo Xun paused, then shook his head. “Not really… it wouldn’t be something like supporting another base, would it?”
Yan Fei shook his head. “It won’t be that. It must be something profitable—and with significant returns once completed.”
Otherwise, someone like Yan Gexin wouldn’t have come looking for him. The mission must be difficult, highly rewarding, and capable of increasing one’s reputation and standing within the base.
“Then it’s probably about scarce resources,” Luo Xun shrugged. “Prices for everything in the base are skyrocketing. Honestly, even going to some pre-apocalypse glass factory to bring back raw materials would make a fortune.”
In the apocalypse, what resource wasn’t valuable?
Take toilet paper, for example… Luo Xun had stocked quite a lot before the apocalypse, and afterward, whenever he found any outside, he would stuff as much as possible into the car. Even so, after nearly a year, their supply had dwindled significantly.
What would they do once it ran out?
Suddenly, Luo Xun’s eyes lit up. He grabbed Yan Fei’s arm. “Should we go to a paper factory?!”
“…A paper factory?” Yan Fei was stunned, unable to follow Luo Xun’s sudden leap in logic.
“Toilet paper! Toilet paper!” Luo Xun said seriously. “We’re almost out! The stuff the base produces now is so rough… if you keep using it, you’ll definitely get hemorrhoids!” In his previous life, he had suffered terribly from it—every trip to the bathroom felt like self-torture.
Yan Fei’s expression twisted slightly. Their current supply could last until next year, alright? And besides, they had plenty of water—they could use a washing toilet.
Still… toilet paper was indeed a serious issue. But this needed to be discussed with everyone later.
—
When the two of them drove back to their residential complex, they found the place lively again.
Between the buildings, there had always been makeshift shelters, shacks, and simple garages. But today, it seemed someone had either hired help or pooled money to bring in earth-type ability users to construct proper houses in the open spaces.
The houses weren’t tall—mostly two-story structures.
After all, they only had earth-type users. There were no metal reinforcements or proper materials.
The two exchanged surprised looks as they drove deeper into the complex. It wasn’t just one area—multiple places had people building similar two-story houses.
Luo Xun didn’t remember this happening in his previous life. Back then, there were indeed many makeshift structures between buildings, often reaching two stories or more—blocking even the tiny window of his basement completely.
But there hadn’t been organized construction like this, with earth-type users actively helping.
After parking, Yan Fei reinforced and raised the metal fence around their area before heading upstairs.
Xu Mei and Song Lingling were on the balcony watching the commotion. Seeing them return, they explained, “We heard someone paid earth-type users to build houses. Then others living outside followed suit and placed orders too. They’ve almost filled all the open space in the complex today, and even tore down the old shacks.”
Luo Xun stepped onto the balcony and looked down. Between their building and the complex wall, two households were also building earthen houses.
“They’re paying for it themselves?” he asked.
“Seems like it. Other complexes have the same thing. Look—those seven-story buildings over there are building too.”
Sure enough, on top of the nearby seven-story buildings, new structures had appeared.
They weren’t extensions of the original buildings, but rather similar two-story houses, almost identical in shape to those below.
“I remember the outer defenses are basically finished,” Yan Fei said, glancing at Luo Xun. “There’s still some work needing earth-type users, but definitely not as many as before.”
Luo Xun smiled. “So they’re probably temporarily unemployed. And after staying in the base this long, not many of them are willing to go out hunting zombies or join combat teams.”
So these earth-type users had found another path—
Taking private jobs.
They had participated in all kinds of construction work for the base. After enough time, who wouldn’t know how to build a house? Especially now that many of them had reached level two or even three abilities, building a house was effortless.
Looking at the nearly identical structures in their complex and nearby buildings, it was obvious these earth-type users were probably part of the same group—or at least trained in the same way.
“Good thing we drove those people off the rooftop that day,” Xu Mei shivered slightly and clicked her tongue. “Imagine if they had also hired people to build houses up there…”
There were too many such constructions in the complex to control. Luo Xun and the others could prevent people from building on their own rooftop, but not elsewhere.
Even though they knew these earthen houses probably weren’t very sturdy…
The builders themselves didn’t say anything, so even if others warned about it, no one would believe them.
Even earth-type ability users had to mix materials in proper proportions to achieve decent strength. That was far better than using random dirt dug from anywhere.
Just like Yan Fei’s metal work—if they wanted strength and flexibility, they had to carefully refine and recombine materials.
Otherwise, why go through so much effort?
Why not just mash all the metal together like when building the outer walls?
The earthen houses now being built in the residential complex and on rooftops were all made from soil dug casually from roadside areas. They could hold up for a while, but over time they would likely weather away naturally or lack sufficient hardness. As for exactly how things would turn out—none of them were professionals, so they couldn’t say for sure. It was just Yan Fei’s inference based on his own construction experience that the outlook was definitely not very promising.
Bringing their silly dog along, they returned to the sixteenth floor. The little guy had been eating well lately and had fully grown—its fur glossy, muscles firm, clearly living better than most people. Every day it carried Xiao Xinran around the rooms and corridors, running here and there, which also counted as exercise. Only recently, since several rooms had been converted into planting rooms and filled with hanging mushroom logs, some areas were off-limits, reducing its roaming space a bit.
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