QT: Against My Will (Volume 1)

3.33 - How To Court Bing Shi? - Downfall of Humanity

'I love rainy days. They are so dull and cold and... depressingly beautiful ♪♫'

Bing Shi mused, her thoughts drifting as she battled insomnia. In the midst of her restlessness, electricity became her train of thought.

A pity this world didn't manufacture more electric or hybrid cars, the demand was low, and people wouldn't change their old cars just because she said so. They were expensive, there was also the lack of charging stations, and the time-consuming recharging process. Well, it didn't matter; not everyone had access to such a vast amount of electricity like this base.

What Bing Shi meant was Yi Zen, the walking battery. Though the narrative had previously painted him as a destructive force, she pondered the potential of channeling his power into more constructive endeavors. Charging cars and her crane, for instance.

'That would be superb.'

While she contemplated various applications, a jarring explosion echoed through the air, abruptly rousing the sleeping men within the tents. Armed with flashlights and weapons, they rushed outside to assess the situation.

Bing Shi put on her gas mask and cautiously peeked her head from the tent, "..."

The blinding white light enveloped her momentarily as the lightning struck the carefully positioned lightning rod, strategically installed at the highest point on the walls. The lightning was efficiently channeled downward through a metal wire, safely dissipating its potent current.

"What fūcking luck is this?" muttered one soldier, his sentence abruptly interrupted by a peal of thunder that rattled their ears, "Fūck my ears!"

The walls they were stationed in were among the tallest structures in the vicinity, making them prime targets for lightning strikes. Swearing under their breath, the soldiers stationed near the entrance watched as the sky momentarily transformed into an ethereal canvas illuminated by brilliant white flashes, before eventually retreating back into their tents.

Fortunately, thanks to Bing Shi's foresight in implementing the lightning protection system, it became evident that those walls might have been severely damaged had they been without such safeguards.

The commotion outside kept Ziek from falling asleep. His mind wandered to Bing Shi, and how they hadn't exchanged a single word in days. It felt as though she sensed his avoidance and reciprocated it by not initiating any conversation.

The unique bond they shared, where he held knowledge of her secret, seemed to have faded into nonexistence.

During his moments of leisure, he found himself observing her from a distance. She interacted only when required, often creating a friendly environment before slipping away to the background and vanishing.

Her adeptness at evading company meant that nobody took notice, but it was evident that she spent most of her time in solitude. Dining, engaging in activities, and even going for walks or bike rides were all solo endeavors for her, just as she should be now.

Kuro quickly established itself as the base's pet, often seen accompanying soldiers, Yi Zen. Now, it followed Fu Lian around to be fed.

Ziek, however, felt a sense of uniqueness. He was the only one who knew about Kuro's ability to disappear and appear on the spot. It was like his grandma was playing a prank on everyone.

Amidst this, Fu Lian gained recognition as a remarkable cook. Her culinary talents earned her the admiration of the entire base, except for Ren Han, with whom she shared a bitter dislike. His teammates made fun of him, for always angering the Ice Queen.