Ouroboros

Chapter 18

“What is that?”

The packaging was excessive and exaggerated and it was a rod-like item.

Just as Song Qinglan was about to reach over to check, it was grabbed by Ji Yushi first and thrown somewhere into the darkness.

Song Qinglan lowered his head to ask.

But he saw a layer of red gradually appear on the other party’s cheeks. The heat from it was transmitted out through the fair skin.

It was rare for Ji Yushi to show such an expression. He clearly looked embarrassed, but his eyes remained clear and his tone was calm, “Cap Song, did you pay attention to what this is when you entered?”

He was in a haste, so he naturally only rushed to hide in the first place he saw.

Song Qinglan indeed didn’t have the time or energy to pay attention to what this green mini kiosk was for. It was different for Ji Yushi. Even if he didn’t go out of his way to check, he could remember it clearly.

Having been reminded by Ji Yushi, Song Qinglan understood. Then that thing….As it turned out, this was a self-service adult product kiosk from the future world.

Ji Yushi’s reaction was very interesting.

Song Qinglan was used to the teasing and mocking in the team and even in a situation like this, he teased, “It’s not like you don’t have one, why are you scared to look at it? A replacement for the other half, it can only be for women.”

“……..” Ji Yushi spoke coldly without an expression, “Cap Song, I now believe that you’re straight.”

Wait a minute.

Song Qinglan suddenly shut his mouth. Something didn’t seem quite right.

From the looks of Ji Yushi, perhaps, maybe, possibly ——- it could be used.

The two looked at each other.

The awkwardness was suffocating.

“Clunk!”

The self-service kiosk shook again.

The screen inside dimmed before returning back to pitch black. Neither could see the other person’s face anymore. Except for the sound of breathing, the narrow space was very quiet.

Pressed down by Song Qinglan, sweat formed across Ji Yushi’s forehead.

This person was too heavy. He was not only heavy, he was also tall and all the muscles on his body were hard like rocks. It made his chest, abdomen and thighs which were pressed down on gradually start to hurt. Shen Mian just happened to have fallen under Ji Yushi and, with the hard body of the gun pressing into Ji Yushi’s back, his entire back ached as well.

Song Qinglan smelt of blood. The smell filled Ji Yushi’s nose.

Of course, the smell from Ji Yushi’s body wasn’t any better.

Song Qinglan actually had a hard time supporting. At this angle, he supported with one arm holding himself up and the other arm pressed tightly against the door, preventing it from being opened. As a result, it was unavoidable that a part of his body had to overlap with the person under him.

Being both male and a teammate, Song Qinglan originally didn’t think that there was anything wrong with it.

But after that short melody’s reminder, in an instant, the warm sensation from every part of his body that was in contact with the other party felt even more distinct. His mind couldn’t help but recall the time back at the training room before they departed when he caught a glimpse of Ji Yushi’s pale and thin waist.

That impressively flawless face of Ji Yushi’s under the lights earlier also left a deep impression. Without even needing to fantasise in the dark, he could imagine what kind of expression the other party must have while being pressed down by him.

Gender awareness as a result of difference in sexual orientation was just this obvious.

Even those dozen or so minutes felt extremely long.

“The drone was originally outside. They would use the drone to follow us.” Song Qinglan lowered his voice and used his captain voice in attempt to make their situation feel less awkward, “Plus, our communicator was thrown out nearby. They should find us soon.”

The heat from Song Qinglan’s breath reached Ji Yushi’s ears, sending a numbing sensation through both his ears and his neck. Only then did Ji Yushi speak up.

He just said, “Tang Qi said they heard a loud noise. They should be nearby.”

In fact, Song Qinglan also noticed this problem. Reasonably speaking, Tang Qi and the others shouldn’t be taking so long to find them.

But fortunately the growls and scratching of the zombies outside seemed to be slowly decreasing. If they really had to, they should be able to get out and put up a fight.

Very soon, a teammate’s voice finally travelled through the subcutaneous communicator.

“Cap Song?! Advisor Ji? Hello? Can you hear me?”

It’s Tang Qi!

Song Qinglan breathed a sigh of relief and replied, “I hear you.”

Finally.

In the public channel, Tang Le’s voice sounded, “But brother, I just searched the area, and I don’t see them anywhere!”

“Bang, bang!”

Several gunshots sounded through the public channel and it was also heard not too far away from the self-service kiosk.

Song Qinglan, “Report your location?”

The teammates were running. Tang Qi panted and spoke hurriedly, “We are next to a scrapped spacecar!! There are so many zombies here!”

The battle was fierce. The self-service kiosk was once again surrounded by a wave of zombies and it again started to shake violently.

Amid the sound of gunfire, Ji Yushi quickly reported their current location, “Behind the rear of the car in the one o’clock direction, there is a small green kiosk lying on the ground!”

“I don’t see it! Fuck, Tang Le, look out behind you!”

The one who spoke was Li Chun.

It appears that the situation outside was similar to what it was like when they first hid inside the kiosk and perhaps the number of zombies had even increased. Song Qinglan raced against time and spoke very quickly, “The one lying on the ground. Do you see it?! We’re hiding inside the kiosk!”

“Fuck!! They’re behind there!”

“Turn around!!”

“Hurry, hurry!!”

A minute later, gunshots sounded outside the kiosk.

With a ‘bang’, several zombies were knocked into the air, crashing heavily onto the kiosk.

“Cap Song!”

The kiosk door was opened and Li Chun’s face appeared outside. Tang Le and Tang Qi were standing on the left and right firing rapidly at the wave of zombies, splattering blood and flesh in all directions.

Seeing the two in such an intimate position, Li Chun’s eyes instantly widened, “!!!”

Song Qinglan’s expression wasn’t great. He rolled out of the kiosk first.

Tang Qi looked back, “Cap Song!! We drive a car here. Let’s break through from the back!”

Ji Yushi’s entire body was numb. He first threw Diamond Bird over to Song Qinglan who caught it in the air and immediately turned around to shoot down a zombie behind him.

By this time, Ji Yushi had also climbed out of the kiosk. His expression also wasn’t very good, but it wasn’t because of his mood and instead he appeared to be hurt. Holding his stomach, he dragged out Shen Mian.

“Retreat!!”

The group retreated as they shot at the zombies. The firepower of five people was far better than that of two and they managed to break through this chaotic mess.

Song Qinglan yelled, “Ji Yushi!”

Diamond Bird was thrown back again. How could Ji Yushi not understand? This person here is unhappy with Diamond Bird’s capabilities!

He caught it without much thought and at the same time threw back the particularly troublesome Shen Mian.

The recoil from that heavy gun made Ji Yushi’s arms sore.

Song Qinglan however easily caught it and in an instant, unconcealable arrogance appeared in his eyes. That was the look of a man who is confident in their combat abilities.

With Shen Mian joining the battle, the fight fell in their favour.

They forced a gap through the wave of zombies, successfully reaching the car Tang Qi mentioned.

The car door slammed and soon afterwards everyone leaned back due to inertia and the car sped out!

*

Several zombies were hit by the car and sent flying and there was a wave of zombies chasing behind them.

Li Chun in the co-pilot seat turned his head, “Cap Song! Advisor Ji! How were you two there?! And to even hide in that place!”

Song Qinglan wasn’t very satisfied with that scene just now. He didn’t know how this group of people would add oil to the fire later when they return. He reached over and pushed Li Chun’s head and said in a bad mood, “Why don’t you talk about yourselves? It was just that little distance, what were you doing on your way here?”

Li Chun felt wronged, “Just that little distance? Boss, you’re so strict! If I didn’t check the location on the communicator when we were around here, we wouldn’t have found you!”

Song Qinglan wasn’t really blaming them for arriving late and was only just saying it.

No longer bothered with watching Li Chun act pitiful, he asked, “Where’s Old Duan and Old Zhou?”

Tang Le said, “Also separated. I thought they were with you.”

Tang Qi was focused on driving. He raced through the dilapidated streets and reassured the others, “It doesn’t matter, those two drive spacecars faster than anyone else. They probably will meet up with us at the bookstore and may even be there first.”

Spacecar? Meet up?

Three familiar teammates but the words spoken made Song Qinglan realise that something was off.

He turned his head, saw Ji Yushi curled up next to him, and frowned.

Then, the two people’s eyes met.

Song Qinglan retracted his gaze and spoke seemingly casually, “On the public channel just now, didn’t Tang Qi say he heard a loud noise? Why couldn’t you find us?”

Tang Qi was confused, “That’s not me. I didn’t hear any loud noise and I also haven’t spoken in the public channel.”

Li Chun, “Could it be Old Duan and them? Should we turn back to take a look?”

“It can’t be?!” Tang Le immediately objected, “Turn back? If we didn’t go back earlier, we wouldn’t have separated!”

Song Qinglan asked calmly, “Where did you get separated?”

Tang Le said, “Just like you, outside the high-rise building. We searched everywhere for you two and decided to go to the meeting point we decided on earlier to see.”

Ji Yushi rarely interrupted when they were talking but at this moment, he suddenly spoke up, “Runjin Building?”

“That’s it!” Tang Le was stunned, “I didn’t pay attention to the building and all that was on my mind was to get into the car. Advisor Ji, you have great observational skills!”

Li Chun said, “Isn’t Ji Yushi famous for his memory?”

Tang Le laughed, “Oh right, I almost forgot.”

This group of people have this magical calming effect. It was as if as long as they are out of danger, they could relax without any worries.

As a result, the three of them didn’t even noticed that Song Qinglan and Ji Yushi had both fallen silent at the same time.

This team was the team Song Qinglan was familiar with in terms of appearance and habit, but it wasn’t the same team from before.

—–At the very least, these three teammates here have not been to the bookstore, nor have they experienced the hijacking by the dark-skinned man. They had only just come straight out from Runjin Building.

So then, that would explain why Tang Qi said he didn’t hear any loud noises or speak through the public channel.

What exactly is going on?

Song Qinglan’s mood was complicated. The teammates chattered on for another two or three minutes and when they were getting closer and closer to the location of the bookstore, Ji Yushi suddenly shouted out, “Cap Song.”

Song Qinglan who was deep in thought looked over.

It was clear that Ji Yushi also realised that the teammates who had rescued them from the self-service kiosk weren’t their original teammates.

He said to Song Qinglan, “There is still some time until the black wall reaches the bookstore and the area nearby is suitable for looking for food. I suggest that we go pick up some food before going to the bookstore. Like this, when we plan the next destination, we wouldn’t have to worry about not having a way to replenish our energy. This is a long battle after all.”

Ji Yushi suggested this very naturally.

Song Qinglan couldn’t even tell from his eyes that this was his subtle way of delaying them.

The person in front of him seemed to be calm no matter what the situation was, not even becoming flustered if Mount Tai collapsed. It was in complete contrast to the weak impression he gave off.

The world is complicated and strange. They are currently amid it, being played around by time.

When someone gets a clue, all their understandings of the previous developments are overthrown, dragging them into another situation where the truth is difficult to be seen.

Song Qinglan couldn’t deny that having reached this point in the time cycle, even he himself had begun to feel lost.

To sort out the chilling clues from the chaotic mess and distinguish between reality and illusion, it was already something ordinary people cannot do relying on just their intelligence.

If their mental abilities cannot cope, it wouldn’t be a surprise if they went mad.

But for Ji Yushi, his endurance seemed to have no limits.

Song Qinglan pursed his lips together tightly. Although he didn’t understand why he did it, the calmness and keen senses he had developed over the years allowed him to quickly make a decision.

He turned back and ordered Tang Qi, “Go check the nearby situation and gather up some food.”

The team members never questioned their captain’s decision.

Tang Qi readily agreed, “Roger.”

*

The greenery at the hillside near the bookstore was very good.

The rays of the morning sun cast been the lush leaves left behind little scattered spots of lights on the ground.

This was a high-class residential area, and the streets were very quiet. Zombies would occasionally appear in groups, but the number was much less than the fierce battle earlier.

The car was stopped in a conspicuous place to allow for quick evacuation should the situation change.

Everyone lined up vigilantly. Not far ahead, Li Chun found a convenience store and whispered, “This way!”

Several zombies were wandering inside the convenience store.

Li Chun pushed open the door with a ‘creak’ and the zombies rushed over while growling.

Tang Qi and Tang Le pulled out their knives.

The twins had tacit understanding and even their behaviours were very similar. In many cases, they can understand what the other person was thinking without saying much.

In just a few moves, all the zombies in the store were killed.

The shelves in the store were empty. There was almost nothing left after being ransacked except for a pile of cans left on a bottom shelf.

Li Chun picked a can up, “What’s Kemeng beans? Why haven’t I heard of it? It definitely isn’t something good if there’s so many left here.”

Tang Qi: “Don’t worry about that. It’s fine as longs as its edible.”

The convenience store was quite big. There was even a self-service area on the other end that was a certain distance away from the three teammates.

Ji Yushi whispered, “We can’t go to the bookstore now.”

Song Qinglan could guess Ji Yushi’s intentions, “Because we might run into the teammates in the other squad there?”

Ji Yushi nodded.

“They should’ve chased after us and may have not yet returned to the bookstore.” Song Qinglan was thoughtful, “What is this? Time and space overlap?”

If that was the case, would they not only meet the other teammates, but also meet their other self?

“It’s not just this problem.” Ji Yushi looked around and said, “Cap Song, I need that baking soda over there.”

Song Qinglan passed the baking soda over.

Ji Yushi’s lips didn’t have much colour and his lashes were pitch black. He tore open the baking soda packet and poured it onto the table.

In this era where pen and paper are almost impossible to find and with their communicators thrown out earlier by the dark-skinned man, it seems that Ji Yushi could only use the baking powder to draw a diagram.

Ji Yushi used his index finger to draw a 1. He then said, “This is us from the first cycle. We were killed by a spacecar outside Runjin Building and the entire squad was eliminated. It will be referred to as Team 1.”

Song Qinglan already knew this.

Ji Yushi’s finger was stained with blood. It was probably from the zombies. He didn’t pay attention to it and wrote another 2.

“Because of the existence of the time anchor, we restarted at the anchored point and started the second cycle.” Ji Yushi said, “But because I retained the memory of the last cycle, we successfully avoided the spacecar and entered Runjin building. We then fled to the bookstore and the entire squad was again eliminated near the bookstore. That will be referred to as Team 2 for short.”

That feeling wasn’t pleasant.

Not just the repeated failures, but having it raised as an example again and again.

Immediately after that, Ji Yushi wrote a 3 next to the 2.

“The third cycle, which us where we are now, Team 3 for short.” Ju Yushi said, “We drove the spacecar and hit a small car at an intersection. According to my memory, it is reasonable to conclude that it was us from the first cycle who was hit and killed. That is to say, it wasn’t some survivor who happened to drive a car with the same car plate but that we from Team 3 killed us from Team 1. Isn’t that right, Cap Song?”

Song Qinglan couldn’t deny it because the facts were just that unbelievable.

They couldn’t deceive themselves. They had to face this horrible fact.

Seeing his agreement, Ji Yushi pointed to the ‘2’ and said, “It is known that Team 3 killed Team 1, that is our reality. Team 2 however avoided the collision Now, there is another question: Who was driving the spacecar that Team 2 avoided?”

The question hit the nail on the head.

On the other end of the convenience store, the other teammates were still chatting with each other.

“The time anchor was originally an infinite loop on a single line and that is why we can repeat it again and again.”

Ji Yushi paused and his slender finger drew a line above ‘2’.

“But in the second cycle, we retained our memories and avoided the collision with the spacecar. From that moment on, we inadvertently created a new parallel timeline. The ‘us’ in that timeline is like us now, preparing to go to the bookstore using the spacecar but we almost ran into the small car on the way. Seeing the car crash into Runjin Building, we were worried about the survivors in the car and stopped to look around only to encounter a large wave of zombies and end up separating. That will be simply referred to as Team 4, which is Tang Qi and the others we are with now.”

“Because the time and space are fixed by the time anchor, then Cap Song, this resulted in the time and space overlap you mentioned just now.” Ji Yushi said, “That is also the so-called multiple realities. The current situation is, two Tianqiong Seventh Squads have appeared in PU-31 at the same time. But because it is a parallel timeline, us from Team 3 ran into the group from Team 4. That is why they don’t know what happened to us and we don’t know what happened to them either.”

Song Qinglan thought carefully over those words.

He very quickly understood Ji Yushi’s explanation. He reached out and lightly tapped under the number ‘2’.

But it just happened to come into contact with Ji Yushi finger which hadn’t been removed.

The baking soda had stained the warm fingertips. That strange touch slightly startled the two of them.

Song Qinglan retracted his finger, “Not just that. If time and space are fixed and parallel timelines are generated, then there are not only Team 3 and Team 4 existing at the same time. Did you forget? The ‘us’ in Team 2 should have escaped from Runjin Building by now and is probably on their way to the bookstore.”

At this moment, Teams 2, 3 and 4 existed at the same time.

Ji Yushi said, “Correct.”

Immediately after saying that, he appeared to be feeling extremely uncomfortable. He suddenly bit his lower lip and grabbed the edge of the table, his face pale.

“Ji Yushi?!”

Song Qinglan reached out to support him and felt something wet.

When he looked down, his palm was bright red.

That shout made the other three on the other end hurry over. All of them looked concerned, “Advisor Ji!”

“Fuck, Advisor Ji is injured?”

Li Chun stepped forward to help. He was in charge of the squad’s emergency treatment, “Quickly, lay him down!”

Ji Yushi was placed onto the table. Blood flowed out from his waist and abdomen, staining the black combat uniform. Because the dark red traces weren’t obvious against the uniform, the others hadn’t noticed until now.

Song Qinglan found a pair of scissors and gently cut away the fabric around his stomach.

Fair skin was exposed.

There was a small bullet hole from which blood flowed out non-stop.

Song Qinglan asked, “When did you get hurt?! Why didn’t you say anything?”

Ji Yushi’s forehead was sweaty, “When the car was stolen.”

He was panting, and his consciousness wasn’t very clear. He had endured that pain until now, but it had become unbearable, “It’s okay, it’s not serious. Even if I die, it can be redone.”

Song Qinglan pressed his hand on the wound. The feeling was warm. It was unknown whether it was the temperature of the blood or Ji Yushi’s body temperature.

Ji Yushi slowly closed his eyes and murmured softly before falling unconscious, “I just…..wanted to repeat it as few times as possible.”

The less it was repeated, the less he would remember.

—– “I don’t have the ability to forget.”

In an instant.

Song Qinglan’s hard and indifferent heart felt like it was gripped by an invisible hand.

This guy, he wasn’t a flower vase at all.

If you judged a book by its cover, it would come back to bite you.

He suddenly thought this.

KK has something to say:

Alright, so I have both good news and bad news for you guys. ><

Firstly, the bad news. The will be split into three parts because it is actually three chapters in one. As for the good news, I should be able to start updating this novel more frequently soon! (One chapter a week is just too slow so I’m super keen about this!)