Virus King - Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Entering the Lion’s Den? A Night of Slaughter!

TL: YYang

Inside a GMC SAVANA luxury business van.

The space was carefully divided, completely isolating the front and back sections.

For someone like Song Ziqiong, the brand of the vehicle no longer mattered.

This spacious back area satisfied Chen Bai immensely.

Toying with the small charm in his hand, Chen Bai looked at Song Ziqiong, who was panting from exhaustion, and finally spoke:

“Let’s talk business.”

Chen Bai straightened up, and if he hadn’t been playing with the small tail charm he’d just detached, he might’ve even looked convincing.

“I know you have plenty of connections and influence in Jiangcheng. So, could you arrange for those zombies that have already mutated, or are infected, to be brought to us?”

Chen Bai had no doubts on this point.

If not, Song Ziqiong wouldn’t have managed to stage that hotel stunt to test him, ending in a fiasco where she suffered more loss than gain.

“Set up a place that’s secluded and absolutely secure, and gather all the mutated zombies there. Speaking of which, you should have already made these arrangements, right?”

Chen Bai never underestimated anyone.

Even this woman, who appeared submissive now, was no exception.

He could even foresee that once she figured him out completely, she might turn against him without hesitation.

Their alliance was built on mutual benefit, a bond weaker than the little nurse’s affection for him.

Power was the only solid guarantee behind all of this.

Luckily, Chen Bai’s power growth was remarkably straightforward and pure.

Naturally, he should reward this woman with some incentives.

Before the apocalypse fully erupted, being able to kill zombies with her own hands would help her talent grow.

Though she couldn’t awaken her talent in advance, with Chen Bai’s help, Song Ziqiong’s starting point would definitely surpass what it had been in his past life.

And given that zombies, those creatures usually found in science fiction, were now a reality, Chen Bai refused to believe that Song Ziqiong’s people hadn’t already begun studying them in detail!

If they hadn’t, she wouldn’t have found him in the first place!

Sure enough, Chen Bai’s guess was correct. Song Ziqiong nodded.

“Tonight’s fine. There’s a basement under Qionghai Tower specifically set up for this.”

“Good! Then tonight it is.”

…

“Young Chen, are you enjoying the food?”

“Mm, thank you for the meal, Auntie Song…”

Watching this audacious man at the dinner table, Song Ge felt a swirl of mixed emotions.

Her mother was a highly capable woman.

In Chen Bai’s eyes, however, she was nothing more than a spoiled young lady.

And in truth, that assessment wasn’t entirely wrong.

Song Ziqiong had never limited Song Ge financially; she even did her best to fulfill her daughter’s more outlandish requests.

But there were some boundaries.

For example, no dating before high school, maintaining focus on studies, and avoiding activities that spoiled second-generation kids shouldn’t engage in.

These boundaries weren’t enforced with strict rules, as that would’ve only triggered rebellion.

Song Ziqiong understood this well and used subtle methods to guide Song Ge into understanding these limits on her own.

Once Song Ge entered college, however, two of these restrictions were lifted.

One was dating, and the other was how she chose to handle her studies.

Song Ge then unleashed her desires and, eager to experience romance, immediately set her sights on the most handsome guy in her class—Chen Bai.

From childhood, Song Ge had always had everything she wanted, never tasting rejection until now.

But she wasn’t foolish. Last night, she had witnessed a side of this aloof academic star that she’d never seen before. That agility, combined with the faint smile he now showed her mother at the dinner table—so casual and well-mannered—made him seem like any reserved young man visiting a classmate’s home.

This scene made Song Ge unconsciously press her legs together.

The renowned campus belle, who had never faced rejection before, glanced slyly at her mother:

“Mom, is Chen Bai coming back later?”

Song Ziqiong shot her overly forward daughter a disapproving look but replied:

“After dinner, Chen Bai and I will be going out for a while. Whether he comes back is uncertain. Why do you ask?”

Song Ge gave a mischievous smile.

“Didn’t you say there’s going to be a ‘biochemical crisis’ and those zombies are really terrifying? Since Chen Bai’s so strong, could he stay to protect us?”

Chen Bai gave Song Ge, the campus belle, a sidelong glance.

Did this girl really not know what it meant to be stepping into the lion’s den?

It was clear Song Ziqiong thought the same. However, even she didn’t dare make any decision on Chen Bai’s behalf at this point. She could only shake her head and say:

“That depends on Young Chen’s choice. We’ll see when the time comes.”

Both mother and daughter turned to look at Chen Bai, who returned their gaze with a shy smile:

“Either way is fine with me! But if Song Ge’s worried, I’m fine with staying.”

Standing nearby, Shuang’er watched Chen Bai’s act with a twitching smile. The cold, murderous young man from earlier that morning now seemed like the picture of innocence, completely harmless.

Still, Shuang’er couldn’t help feeling curious, wanting to see Chen Bai’s true abilities and understand just how he had achieved them.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the table, Song Ge’s lips curved as she glanced at Chen Bai, wondering what made her feel so drawn to this unassuming guy.

After a satisfying meal, night fell.

The world became cloaked in shadows, thick with secrecy and gloom.

By this time, Chen Bai had already boarded a car with Song Ziqiong and Shuang’er, heading to Qionghai Tower.

This time, he was focused, without any playful distractions or stray thoughts.

Chen Bai had always maintained a clear distinction between business and leisure.

All his time spent unwinding and releasing stress was solely to serve his goal of growing stronger.

And tonight would be the closest the world had come to an apocalypse since his return.

As darkness deepened, Chen Bai’s eyes glinted, filling with a slow, cold intent.

Tonight would be a night of slaughter, one he knew well and that always made his blood race.