Chapter 6- Preparing
"Major An told you about the mission? You are not a military personnel. Although people with abilities are highly valued these days, without military training it might be dangerous for you to go." Yan Changyi could not help but worry listening to the request of the boy.
"Oh? When I fought the day before no one questioned my views or ability to uphold. Why now? Or Brigadier General Yan does not believe in me?" Qiu Chen smirked, "In that case I might even ask my uncle to assign Commander Xiao to me. After all he had seen me fight, even followed my command on the field." Qiu Chen pointed his chin up arrogantly, "Whether you take me or not, I am going. If uncle does not assign him to me, I am going alone. I believe it's quite within my range of capacity."
Yan Changyi did not know in these two days how many times this boy made him feel helpless. He could see unlike the anger moments ago, the boy was really irritated this time. As if he was not used to people questioning his authority. Yan Changyi vaguely felt if he tried to talk through this right now it would just make the situation worse. He bent down slightly to reach the boy's height.
"Who told you I don't believe you? You are so awesome! Who won't believe you?" He coaxed Qiu Chen in a soft but deep voice. After saying this he stood straight and started walking ahead.
Qiu Chen was really annoyed. He was used to his man agreeing to whatever he said. But just now his man did not believe in him. Well, he knew that Yan Changyi was just worried for him. But it did not stop him from feeling wronged. The man had always spoiled him in the past, why not now? Then he saw his man looking into his eyes and coaxing him. Those eyes! It felt like they carried galaxies them. Qiu Chen started drowing in those eyes. And that voice! What's wrong with him! His cheeks flushed with bright red color. He forgot to be annoyed. So he did not notice when Yan Changyi started walking.
Yan Changyi walked a few steps. He thought Qiu Chen would follow him and would shout at him arrogantly, which, to him, seemed pretty cute. But no one followed him. He looked back and saw the teenager standing as if frozen with two pretty little red patches on his cheeks. Yan Changyi chuckled a bit. He went back to Qiu Chen and took his hand.
Qiu Chen looked at his hand that was suddenly held by someone and was dumbfounded. He looked up and saw Yan Changyi smiling at him softly. "Want to follow me somewhere?" Yan Changyi's low deep voice sounded in his ears making his ears red. Qiu Chen was so flustered that he could not respond. What's wrong with him! It's not like he just fell in love! What's with this irritating reaction of his!
Yan Changyi saw him like that, he did not tease him anymore and just led him by hand. On there way people were looking at them with gossipy eyes. Qiu Chen had always been sensitive to these things. Although he did not feel ant malice from those eyes, he still felt shy. He could not help whisper to Yan Changyi, "Let go of my hand."
Yan Changyi heard the boy's voice which resembled that of a mosquito's and laughed out loud. But he let go of his hand. Qiu Chen was laughed at by him. He was natuarally angry. Even his annoyance that just went away came back.
"Yan Changyi!" he shouted, "How dare you laugh at me!"
With his shout even the passers-by who were not looking at them looked back. But the man, who was shouted at by his little sweetheart left towards the storehouse with big strides. Qiu Chen saw even more people are looking at him. He felt even more ashamed.
"Yan Changyi! You wait for me!" He also ran after the man ignoring all the whispers from all around.
"Is he that Young Master Wen?" An older woman asked the girl beside her.
"Yes, that is him. He's so pretty!" The girl replied.
"He has quite a big temper. Shouting at the General's grandson, I am speechless." A man said not from afar.
"What do you know!" a little shoulder replied, "Two days ago, I was with him. He alone fought hundreds of zombies. I killed just one. He did not even let one get close to us. You should have seen him at that moment. He was not like this. It seemed like King Yama possessed him. The look in his eyes still frightens me. Look, look! I am still having goosebumps from thinking about it."
People gathered around the little soildier listening to his vibrant stories.
"Is it that boy?" Another man exclaimed, "Then he should be the one that rescued the Brigadier." He turned to the man from before and said, "You don't know. This boy may look cute and little. But his legends have already spred through the base. He rescued the General's grandson. There were only eight soldiers back then with him. He assigned four of them to rescue the brigadier and took four to face the swarm of zombie." He pointed at the little soldier and said, "You just listened to him, he fought with the zombies almost alone and killed each of them. Even if he's arrogant, he has the potential to do so!"
"I spoke carelessly, Sir." The man from before saluted the man clumsily. The man who just spoke for Qiu Chen was a young strategist under General Yan, Ji Anming. The military section of the base was already in awe of the Young Master that came to life from legends. But even he himself did not expect the said Young Master be so young. Neither he thought the interaction between Yan Changyi and Qiu Chen would be like this. Ji Anming rubbed his chin thoughtfully looking at the direction of the storehouse.
When Qiu Chen rushed into the storehouse Yan Changyi was talking to the chasier auntie. Qiu Chen stomped towards him. But before he could say anything something was shoved into his mouth.
"Eat it and calm down," Yan Changyi said half-smiling.
It was a strawberry flavored ice-cream. This man always knew to calm him down. Qiu Chen took the ice-cream from Yan Changyi's hand and started eating it slowly. Although he had various ice-creams in his space, it felt good to be served by the man.
"Yo! Big Yan is feeding someone! What a wonderful sight to see!" a cheerful teasing voice sounded from behind.
Qiu Chen turned back. He saw two people of Yan Changyi's age. Although both of them were in casual clothing, he felt that they were from the army.
Yan Changyi rubbed his forehead. It seemed like his friends were not going to let him enjoy some sweet time with his boy. With no other option present, he decided to introduce Qiu Chen with them. After all, he built a team with them.
"This is Guan Shi, Plant Ability," He pointed at the girl beside Guan Shi, "That is Lu Qiao, healing ability." Then he indicated to Qiu Chen, "This is Wen Quan, nephew of Major An." He did not disclose Qiu Chen's ability. He did not know whether the boy wanted to disclose it to them or not.
"The Young Master of the Legeneds?" Lu Qiao asked with interest.
"Huh? What's that?" Qiu Chen asked in confusion.
"Seems like you don't know!" Guan Shi said excitedly. "Your battle with the zombies is the new talk in the base. You don't even know how famous you are here now. They all call you 'The Young Master of the Legends'."
Qiu Chen felt incredible. He looked at Yan Changyi in askance. "Well, the soldiers that followed you to the field are responsible for this." Yan Changyi replied.
Qiu Chen sighed. His mission in this world was to make that group of cheap people fear him. It seemed like it was even easier than he thought.
Yan Changyi looked at the two pwoplw while Qiu Chen kept having his ice-cream, "Xiao Quan is joining us in the mission. Ask others to gather in the traing ground. We have to practice."
Guan Shi and Lu Qiao had no problem. If this young man was really as skilled as the story said, it would even be better for them.
Soon they reached the traing ground. Qiu Chen got to know the other people in the team. Icluding Yan Changyi, Guan Shi and Lu Qiao there were Ji Anming, Sight Ability, Cai Xiang, Mind Power, Meng Yuan, Fire Ability, Wu Jing, Metal Ability, Yao Zhen, another Healing Ability, Zhou Chuan, Water ability, and finally Sun Xi, Space Ability.
Among this people Qiu Chen had met Wu Jing earlier this day. He greeted other people and got familiar with them. After that they started training. Everyone practiced on there own first, then built a team of two to spar against each other. Sun Xi, Lu Qiao, and Yao Zhen could not fight with their abilities, so they practiced marksmanship, although Lu Qiao and Yao Zhen often had to treat wonds for others.
Yao Changyi was fighting with Qiu Chen in order to train him in military techniques. Qiu Chen let him. He knew military strategies. He learned it in the system space. But since his man wanted him to learn, he would learn. Yao Changyi was teaching him patiently, while he was attacking him ruthelessly.
Qiu Chen threw a large sphere of fire towards Yan Changyi. To subdue the fire, Yan Changyi threw multiple arrows of snow. He was used to using snow arrows in the moments of danger.
As soon as the arrows flew out Yan Changyi tasted blood in his mouth. It had always been like this. Whenever he threw a bit more arrows, he would cough up blood. He was long used to ignoring it. He ignored it, but it did not escape Qiu Chen's eyes. He rushed to Yan Changyi.
"What happened?" Qiu Chen asked worryingly.
Yan Changyi swallowed the blood. He let out a low cough and said, "Nothing, let's continue."
"What continue! You are injured," Qiu Chen said impatiently. He turned his head and shouted, "Sister Lu! Come over here."
Lu Qiao came forward to them. She saw that Yan Changyi was uncomfprtable. She took his pulse without wasting any word to examine his injury.
"Captain, you are slightly injured internally. I am healing it. But, if the injury is bigger than this, I am afraid I can't do anything." Lu Qiao said, her brows knitted with worry.
Qiu Chen heard her. His heart gave a violent shake. How this man is always injured in this world? He asked himself. He knew nothing. He decided to take him to the research center. If the healers could not do anything, the researcers were the last hope.
"Sister Lu, please tell others to continue training," he said to Lu Qiao. "I am taking captain to the research center. Don't tell them anything about him. If they ask, just tell them that I am tired and Brother Changyi left with me to deal with the permissions."
Lu Qiao looked at Qiu Chen with appreciation in her eyes. This boy just reached adulthood, but was calmer than many soldiers on the battlefield. Let alone a boy in his teen, half the grown men in their team would panic if they knew that the Captain they were about to follow in the battlefield was unstable. This boy not only kept his cool, but also decided what to be done and what not to be done. She nodded in acknowledgement.
Qiu Chen saw Lu Qiao leave. He turned to Yan Changyi, "Let's go."
Yan Changyiu still did not think it was anything serious. But he loved watching the boy taking the lead.
"Ordering a soldier where the Captain is present? You have a lot of guts!" He teased Qiu Chen.
"Why? Can't I? If the Captain does not pay attention to himself, he will be risking everyone's life. Can't I take the matters in my hand in such situation?" Qiu Chen looked straight into Yan Changyi's eyes and asked back.
"Of Course, You can." You are the Captain's wife, Yan Changyi almost blurted out.
Qiu Chen hmphed at Yan Changyi's words. He dragged the man by his hand to the research center. He thought about asking Ruan Li. If he went to the big wigs, they would report to General Yan. That will be no good in this situation. And if even Raun Li could not solve it, he would ask the system's help.
When they got to the research centre, it was the lunch hour. Qiu Chen did not have the pass to go inside the building, but Yan Changyi could go anywhere in the base. So he took him in. They found Ruan Li in the cafeteria, sitting alone and eating his lunch slowly with his head down as usual. He looked overly lonely.
Although Yan Changyi did not think much of his physical discomfort, he would always abide by Qiu Chen's wishes. So he went to Ruan Li's attending professor and asked for half a day leave for him. The professor was not too happy with this but regarding Yan Changyi's position as the General's grandson, he had to agree.
Qiu Chen sat with Ruan Li and waited for him to finish his lunch, then took him out with him. Yan Changyi was waiting for them outside the building. This time, although Ruan Li was not enthusiastic about Yan Changyi, he did not alienate him like before. To him, this was the person who could give "ice balls". Yan Changyi took them to his office in the base. He did not want to talk about it outside, he did not even more want to talk in his and his grandfather's house.
After they settled down in the office, Qiu Chen explained the situation to Ruan Li. Ruan Li did not say anything after listening, but he looked like he was in a deep thought. Yan Changyi and Qiu Chen looked at each other, they could not understand what was happening. After a few moments Ruan Li looked up at Qiu Chen and said just one thing, "Thermometer?" He was asking for thermometer.
Although confused, Yan Changyi brought a thermometer for him. Ruan Li did not take the thermometer but looked at the paper and pen on the table.
"You can take any if you want to," Yan Changyi gave his permission.
Ruan Li tore a page from a pad and took a pen, ready to write. He then looked between the thermometer in Yan Changyi's hand and Yan Changyi without saying anything.
"He probably wants you to take your temperature," Qiu Chen guessed.
Yan Changyi confusedly took his temperature, and Ruan Li noted it down. Then he said still looking at the page, "Make an ice ball, a big one."
Yan Changyi followed his direction. He had to create several ice spheres of different size with taking breaks in between. Sometimes Ruan Li would ask him to maintain the sphere as it was for a few minutes, or sometimes he would ask him to increase or decrease its size. After studying for almost an hour he came to a decision.
"Making ice reduces his body temperature. It means, the heat in his body decreases. When he tries to maintain or change the shape of the ice, the heat decreases even more. Heat means energy. He looses energy, and when the energy degrades to dangerous level, he gets sick. But may be due to his special physic caused by ability, the symptom is different than usual. I need to study further." Ruan Li spoke almost breathlessly.
Qiu Chen did not see him speak so much at once until this moment. But this was not his focus. He asked, "So what can we do now? He needs to go to on a mission within two days."
Ruan Li thought for a moment, "Don't use ice. Don't let your body temperature decrease. If you are sick now, rest for a few hours and eat more food that produces energy fast." It seemed like as long as Ruan Li got topics he was interested in, he would talk non-stop.
After they finished talking Yan Changyi escorted both boys to An Zhi's mansion. Qiu Chen let Ruan Li enter the house first, he himself turned to Yan Changyi, "Let's take a walk."
Yan Changyi was more than happy to do so. They walked a few minutes in silence. It was so silent between them that it bothered Yan Changyi. He just fell in love, he was walking with his sweetheart, he felt that they should talk though it was different to Qiu Chen who enjoyed every moment with his man whether they talked or not.
"Will you come to train tomorrow?" Yan Changyi asked.
Qiu Chen nodded, "En. But you should rest today, may be even tomorrow. Or you can try out your thunder ability. It seemed more powerful than your ice ability last time."
Yan Changyi thought to do so. So he nodded his head. He did not find anything to say anymore. He was a man of few words. Although he wanted to know more about Qiu Chen, he did not how to ask without sounding to desperate or awkward.
The hazy sun of apocalypse was setting. It was not as beautiful as it was before the end of the days, but it still, somewhat, bore the eternal calmness that lasted for thousands of years. Qiu Chen looked at the horizon as the sun went down and Yan Changyi looked at him. Both there faces were illuminated by the softness that the parting sun left behind. If any painter were to see it, they would most definitely have created a masterpiece out of the moment.
"We have not had lunch today, let's eat?" Qiu Chen asked.
"Where to eat?" Yan Changyi asked.
Qiu Chen thought for a moment. They walked far from the center of the base. It would be another long walk to go back. Moreover, he always wanted to cook for his husband.
"Can you make a fire? Small one?" Qiu Chen asked.
Yan Changyi nodded, "En. But do you know how to cook?" As far as he knew, the big nephew of Major An was spoiled since ever. It was hard to believe that he could cook. But as long as his sweetheart cooked, even if it was unadaptable, he would eat with relish. His lips formed a soft smile.
Qiu Chen did not say anything, just raised his chin as if to challenge him. Yan Changyi chuckled at his arrogance, which seemed really cute to him, and wnt to make a fire.
Qiu Chen took out some ingredients and some pots and crockeries from his space. After Yan Changyi made the fire he quickly made some simple dishes for the two. Soon the aroma floated in the air. Yan Changyi found it a bit unbelievable. Cooking of a young master like Wen Quan should not smell this good. But he cleverly did not ask anything.
After he finished cooking, Qiu Chen divided the food into two portions and gave one to Yan Changyi. Yan Changyi took a bite. He was even more astonished.
"It's delicious!" he exclaimed.
Qiu Chen smiled, "I have never cooked for anyone else. It's good that you like it." He was not lying. Wen Quan had really never cooked for anyone. And he himself cooked sometimes in his previous life. But it was only for their family of three. He suddenly missed his son. It would have been better if he were here.
Yan Changyi saw his eyes drooping, like he missed someone very dearly. He did not dare ask who he missed fearing that he would hear something he did not wish to hear.
"Then I must say I am lucky to be the first one to enjoy your craftsmanship."
Qiu Chen smiled and said nothing. His mood was really low now. He wished to meet his son whom he might never see again. He looked at Yan Changyi, envious of him. He forgot the past, he did not miss the boy at all. He wished he could be like him and forget his son, so it would not hurt him anymore. But again, he remembered and cherished every moment. May be Qing Tian was not with them anymore, but his memory will always be there. He never knew how hard it was for a parent not to see their children again until he himself became one. He sighed and concentrated on eating.
Yan Changyi saw something was wrong with Qiu Chen's eyes as he looked at him but he could not put his finger where. He started conversing about the members of the team to distract Qiu Chen. Whatever, or whoever, he was thinking about, it was hurting him. Yan Changyi did not want anything to hurt Qiu Chen.
After they finished eating Yan Changyi walked Qiu Chen back to the Major's villa. They promised to meet next morning at the training ground. Two days passed in a flash. Yan Changyi practiced thunder these two days and did not fall sick again. After two days the team set off for their mission.
A random question: What do you think the idea of "apocalypse" conveys?
A/N: My finals are approaching. So there will be only one update per week.