CHAPTER 592: CHAPTER 592: CHILDHOOD SWEETHEARTS

After the delegation prepared to leave, Leader Shi looked one last time at Su Jiyai. His voice was low, filled with respect.

"You are young, but your mind is far sharper than any general or leader I have ever met. First you gave us a deal that looked like kindness, then you allowed us to believe we had freedom, and at the end, you offered something no one could resist. Truly, you plan each step. I am stunned by your talent."

Su Jiyai only smiled faintly. "I only plan for survival, Leader Shi. If humanity is to stand again, we cannot afford foolish mistakes."

Leader Shi bowed slightly before leaving. His soldiers followed him, whispering among themselves about what had just happened.

When the delegation was gone, Han Weilin turned to Su Jiyai with shining eyes.

"Jiyai! That was amazing. You were so cool, like one of those leaders in the old movies!"

Su Jiyai chuckled softly. "Don’t tease me. I only did what was needed."

But Weilin shook her head firmly. "No, really. The way you handled everything, it was... it was perfect."

Su Jiyai smiled warmly at her friend. "Then come. Since we have some time, let’s go relax. I promised myself that after this heavy meeting, we’d enjoy a little peace."

The two of them went together to the nearby spa. This spa was one of Hope Base’s treasures, a place where even soldiers could wash away fatigue.

Normally, it was full of people with appointments booked days ahead. But today, as soon as Su Jiyai requested it, all the appointments were canceled. No one dared to complain. This was their boss.

The spa was cleared in less than an hour. Only Su Jiyai and Han Weilin remained.

When they entered, warm steam curled in the air, and the smell of herbs and flowers filled the room.

They laid down on two soft massage beds side by side, and the masseuses quietly began their work.

Weilin sighed deeply as the knots in her shoulders loosened. "Ah... this is heaven. I think I could live here forever."

Su Jiyai chuckled softly.

"Don’t get too spoiled. If you lived here forever, you’d forget how to fight."

Weilin laughed and turned her head to look at her best friend.

"Jiyai, how have you been? Really. You’ve been carrying so much on your shoulders."

Su Jiyai closed her eyes for a moment, letting the gentle hands work on her back. Her voice was calm but honest.

"I’m good, Weilin. Better than before. These past months... I’ve even found the one I love."

Weilin’s eyes widened. She pushed herself up on her elbows and stared at Su Jiyai in shock.

"Wait... what? No! You mentioned about Qin Feng... are you two... was the Qin Feng you were talking about was... "

Su Jiyai chuckled, enjoying her friend’s reaction. "Yes. That Qin Feng. The one everyone says no one can approach."

Weilin covered her mouth with her hands. "Oh my god... you actually got him?! Jiyai, you’re unbelievable!"

Su Jiyai tilted her head with a sly smile. "Why? Do you not approve?"

"Approve?!" Weilin almost shouted.

"Of course I approve! I respect you even more now! You took down the one man every girl dreams about, but no one could touch! How did you do it? Tell me, tell me everything!"

Su Jiyai laughed so hard she almost had tears in her eyes. "Calm down, Weilin. You sound like a gossiping aunt."

But Weilin grabbed her arm, shaking it gently. "No, really! You have to tell me how it happened. Don’t keep secrets from your best friend!"

Su Jiyai chuckled softly. "Alright, alright. I’ll explain."

Her voice stayed calm, but her eyes showed warmth. She spoke in short words, not a long story, but enough.

She told Weilin how she had confessed first, how Qin Feng didn’t answer right away, and how he had actually waited for her a whole year before giving her a reply.

He hadn’t forgotten her even when others thought she was dead.

Weilin’s mouth opened in surprise. Her hands pressed against her chest.

"That... that’s amazing. So he really waited? For a year? Even when everyone said you were gone?"

Su Jiyai nodded lightly. "Yes. He waited. That’s why I know he’s the one."

Weilin’s eyes softened with admiration. She let out a breath.

"You’re truly amazing, Jiyai. You took down the only untouchable power in the military. And not just by looks or tricks. He actually waited for you. That’s real."

Su Jiyai chuckled quietly at her words. Then she turned her head and asked softly,

"And what about you, Weilin? How are you doing? Did you end up with your childhood sweetheart?"

The question made Weilin’s smile freeze. A bitter chuckle slipped out of her lips. "No... I didn’t."

Su Jiyai blinked. She sat up slightly and stared at her friend. "You didn’t? Why? What happened?"

Weilin looked down at the floor. Her fingers twisted together. She closed her eyes before whispering,

"Let’s not talk about bad things."

But Su Jiyai was firm. Her tone left no space for escape.

"Weilin. Tell me what happened. Don’t hide it. I want to know."

Weilin’s lips trembled. She stayed quiet for a long while before finally speaking.

"Turns out... the man I thought was my childhood sweetheart, the one who loved me and stayed with me all those years... could betray me the moment things turned dark."

Su Jiyai’s brows furrowed. "Betray? What do you mean?"

Weilin’s voice cracked slightly.

"After Willow Base was attacked by the zombie horde, he... he revealed the truth. He said he was in love with another girl. She was a superhuman. Strong, powerful. Not like me."

Su Jiyai’s eyes widened. "What?"

Weilin laughed bitterly.

"Yes. He told me he had fallen for her because, even though she was poor, she had a firm attitude. She wasn’t spoiled like me. She didn’t rely on money or tantrums. She was willing to fight, willing to serve him. And me? I was just... a coward. A girl who got into the military through connections, even though I couldn’t awaken a single power."

Her hands clenched at the sheets beneath her. "So in the end, he chose her. He said she was better for him."

Su Jiyai’s jaw tightened. Anger flared in her chest. "That man... that traitor! Who was he? Tell me his name, Weilin. I’ll take revenge for you."

Weilin shook her head, eyes still shut. "No, it’s useless. He’s gone. I don’t even know where he is now."

But Su Jiyai leaned forward, her eyes sharp. "Weilin. His name."

Weilin hesitated for a while, then sighed. "Fine. His name is... Lu Chen."

The moment the name left her lips, Su Jiyai’s eyes narrowed. She opened her system quietly in her mind.

’System, search for Lu Chen. Check if he lives in Hope Base.’

The system beeped softly in her head.

[Search complete. Result: Lu Chen is not a resident of Hope Base.]

Su Jiyai clicked her tongue softly, a little disappointed. Still, she turned back to her friend. Weilin had her eyes closed while the masseuse pressed on her shoulders.

Su Jiyai spoke gently. "Don’t worry, Weilin. Even if he’s not here, I’ll find him one day. I’ll take revenge for you."

But Weilin only chuckled softly. "I don’t want revenge, Jiyai. As long as I live a good life, that’s enough. I don’t care about him anymore."

Su Jiyai’s chest tightened with pity. She nodded slightly, then smiled to lighten the mood.

"Alright. Then let’s not talk about him anymore. We’re here to relax. Tell me, would you like me to drag you into one of the cultivation rooms after this? It will help you grow stronger."

Weilin quickly shook her head. "No way. Today is girls’ day out. We shouldn’t spend it locked in a cultivation room. I’d rather eat something good. Especially food made by Snake. Not energy food or cultivation food. Just something real."

Su Jiyai laughed softly. "You’re right. Today, we just enjoy ourselves."

After the massage, both of them returned to Su Jiyai’s apartment. Her apartment wasn’t like anyone else’s. She had specially reserved an entire floor for herself. That way she could work, rest, and train without anyone disturbing her.

She dragged Han Weilin into her private room, smiling. "Come on. You’ll love this."

But the moment they stepped inside, a small figure appeared in front of them. It was a child, no more than four years old. He looked at Han Weilin with wide innocent eyes.

Weilin froze on the spot. Her mouth opened in shock. "Jiyai..." she whispered, pointing at the boy. "You... you have a child?! How? And that too so quickly?!"

Su Jiyai’s eyes went round. She pointed back at Weilin, her mouth twitching. "What are you thinking?! How can I have a four-year-old child in just one year?!"

Weilin blinked, still staring at the boy. "But... but he’s standing right there! Who is he then?"