Bai Xiqinâs words left Zhang Yiming and Leng Yebai stunned.
Xiao Niu didnât remember Leng Yebai, sheâs lost her memory?
"Sister Niu, you finally woke up! Brother Zhang was so worried about you!"
Fan Tangtang stood on tiptoes, staring at Bai Xiqin with wide eyes.
Bai Xiqin rubbed her temples, still feeling like her head was about to explode. Seeing Fan Tangtang suddenly enter her view, she instinctively reached out to pinch Fan Tangtangâs soft cheeks.
"Whose child is this, how can she be so cute..."
Her hand froze in mid-air as she noticed the red blood on her hand.
"Wha... what did I touch? Whatâs wrong with me?"
Bai Xiqin almost cursed, but remembering Zhang Yiming was there, she instinctively chose different words.
As a girl, she needed to maintain her ladylike image.
Besides, Xiao Ming is super handsome...
"Xiao Niu, you got hurt just now, donât touch your forehead, it might get infected." Zhang Yiming asked tentatively, "Whatâs the date today?"
"Today? Todayâs October 21st! Didnât we just have class together yesterday?" Bai Xiqin looked confused, "How did I get hurt? And, did you finish your paper? Could you help me with it if youâre done?"
Zhang Yiming was stunned.
He didnât know how to answer.
October 21st, was three months before the apocalypse outbreak.
Xiao Niu had lost the past six months of memories.
"Xiao Niu, does your head still hurt? Iâm Leng Yebai, do you... not remember me?"
Leng Yebai felt a chill all over his body, yet still took a step forward, reaching out to hold Bai Xiqinâs fingers.
Bai Xiqin frowned and avoided Leng Yebaiâs hand, "Do I know you?"
"Yes, you do. Iâm your live-in son-in-law." Leng Yebai didnât give Bai Xiqinâs fingers a chance to escape, he directly took her hand, then carefully brought a bottle of water to her mouth, softly coaxing, "Be good, drink some water."
Bai Xiqin had lost too much blood, her injuries needed proper healing.
Leng Yebai was very worried that something was wrong with Bai Xiqinâs head, it seemed he must quickly take her back to the safety base. There were some medications on the bus which might be helpful for her injuries.
Bai Xiqin widened her eyes at the strange man before her, struggling a bit, yet unable to break free from his restraint.
"Xiao Mingââ"
Bai Xiqin turned her head towards Zhang Yiming.
This was a look asking for help.
Leng Yebai felt a pang in his heart, yet still gently brought the water to Bai Xiqinâs lips.
"Xiao Niu, be good, stop fussing, drink some water."
Leng Yebaiâs voice stirred a very odd feeling within Bai Xiqin, but her head hurt so much she genuinely couldnât recall anything.
The only thing giving her a sense of security was Xiao Ming, the classmate she spent day and night with at university.
With not much strength in her to escape the man before her, all she could do was look to Zhang Yiming for help.
Zhang Yiming opened his mouth, but under Bai Xiqinâs expectant gaze, he could only say, "Drink some water!"
Bai Xiqinâs face appeared like she was about to cry without tears.
Since when did Xiao Ming become so indifferent, she remembered him being super gentle!
Bai Xiqin clenched her teeth through the pain on her forehead and struggled again.
Though feeling quite nice in the embrace of a strange man, it still felt rather strange; today was too inexplicable.
She was clearly sleeping at home, her dad even said heâd make braised pork for her!
"Xiao Niu, donât move, youâre injured!"
As Bai Xiqin struggled, the wound on her forehead split a bit more, and blood trickled down her face.
Fearing for Bai Xiqinâs injury, Leng Yebai quickly let go.
Bai Xiqin grabbed hold of Zhang Yimingâs arm, hiding behind him.
"Xiao Ming, help me out, I think Iâve been entangled by a pervert." Bai Xiqin said.
Zhang Yiming smelled the blood from Bai Xiqinâs wound, his throat moved slightly, and his gaze deepened.
"Mm, donât be afraid." Zhang Yiming gently patted Bai Xiqinâs shoulder and reached out to take the water from the stunned Leng Yebaiâs hand, handing it to Bai Xiqin, "Drink some water!"
Bai Xiqin instinctively took it, still with a severe headache, her throat now also parched.
Taking a few sips, Bai Xiqin felt the pain in her head and throat ease a lot, so she drank a few more sips.
As the refreshing water flowed down her throat, her whole body felt lighter.
And her bewildered consciousness became a bit clearer.
"Xiao Niu... is she okay?" Leng Yebai pulled Song Ning aside with an unusually strong grip.
"Her body is no longer in serious trouble, but she has a blood clot in her brain, pressing against nerves, sheâs lost some memories. But donât worry, itâs only temporary. Iâll treat her every day, and her memory should return to normal in a week." Song Ning said.
He had the Wood Ability, able to "see" the injuries inside a patient using the energy from the Wood Ability, which is why Wood Ability Users were so popular at the base.
In an era without precise instruments, Wood Ability Users were the best doctors.
Hearing Song Ningâs words, Leng Yebai felt slightly relieved, as long as Xiao Niu was okay.
Meanwhile...
Surrounded by a horde of zombies, Feng Ge gulped, glanced at the surrounding zombie horde, and weakly asked, "Xiao Niu is fine, this is all a misunderstanding, could we..."
"Ghoââst! Ah!"
Feng Ge hadnât finished before Bai Xiqin shouted.
She looked around at the zombies fearfully, instinctively clutching Zhang Yimingâs arm tightly.
Earlier, with the splitting headache, she hadnât had a chance to look around, and only noticed others when Feng Ge spoke.
Unexpectedly, looking up, she saw zombies surrounding them.
Even more terrifying, was a zombie in a blue dress looking eagerly at her from about two meters away.
This distance was too close!
"Xiao Niu, itâs okay!"
Zhang Yiming swiftly reached out to block Bai Xiqinâs line of sight.
His slender fingers didnât touch Bai Xiqinâs eyes but hovered in front of them.
Simultaneously, Bai Xiqin heard the chaotic sounds of footsteps, and quickly closed her eyes again.
She thought perhaps she hadnât fully woken up!
Didnât think, after finally having a lazy Sunday at home, that the dream she was having while staying in bed would be so intense.
Bai Xiqin squeezed her eyes shut, then pinched herself.
Ow.
Yes, now she should be awake!
Bai Xiqin opened her eyes, and indeed, all the deformed monsters were gone.
She saw a van driving away, a young man lying on top of it, appearing in a hurry to leave.
From afar, she noticed a blue silhouette repeatedly glancing in her direction, next to it, stood a middle-aged man.
The blue silhouetteâs face...
Shivering, Bai Xiqin dared not look again.
Turning her head, she saw the stern-looking man, his eyes faintly red, in front of her.
"Dream within a dream?"
Bai Xiqin patted her head, thinking she still hadnât woken up.
"Xiao Niu, donât be scared, listen to me, youâve lost your memory. Itâs not October 21, 2021 anymore, itâs April 21, 2022." Zhang Yiming said gently, "Youâre injured now, you need to go back and rest properly."
"Lost my memory?"
Bai Xiqin looked at the blood on her hand and around her, a face full of confusion, "Whatâs happening now? Where is this? Where are my dad and the others?"
"Your family is fine, theyâre at the base, you need to go back and rest."
Speaking patiently, Zhang Yiming gently patted Bai Xiqinâs hand, signaling her not to hold onto his arm so tightly.
It didnât matter if his arm got scratched, just worried the black blood would soil her hand.