[1] Apocalypse: Third Rebirth

Chapter 133: Give Nothing Back

"She doesn't remember," said Liu Wei and he and the rest of the men carried boxes upon boxes of solar panels up the final flight of stairs and onto the roof.

"Maybe it's better that way," suggest Liu Yu Zeng as he balanced four boxes on his shoulder.

"Is it?" asked Wang Chao as he too carried four boxes of the massive solar panels that Li Dai Lu had requested they put up and install.

"I think it is," replied Chen Zi Han from the rear. "The way she was screaming our names, demanding to know why we left..." he shuddered at the thought. "Maybe her mind is protecting her from something by not letting her remember," he added as Liu Wei opened the door to the roof.

Putting down his load, he looked at the flat surface in front of him. The roof was huge. and except for all of the air conditioners and a few vents, there was more than enough room for them to install all of the panels Li Dai Lu asked for and still have room left over. The biggest issue was how to actually go about doing it.

"I think it is a good thing." Liu Wei said quietly as he watched the rest of the men put down their boxes. "She seemed so much brighter and happier this morning, almost like a completely different person. There is no need to bring up an unpleasant nightmare that we know will never happen. Unless you guys are planning on leaving her?"

The remaining three men simply grunted like the very idea was too stupid to even consider.

"Exactly," said Liu Wei as he opened one of the boxes and pulled out the instructions. "Now, there are about 300 of our men currently in this building," he pointed out, completely changing the subject. "Let's get the majority of them up here and help with this. I don't know about you, but I feel uncomfortable being even this far away from her."

Chen Zi Han simply turned around and left the rooftop, intent on going to get their men. They were basically free to laze around the naval base for the past few days so they should have more than enough energy to get this project done. Besides he was looking forward to some fresh bread, yogurt, and butter.

*****

I had just taken the last batch of chocolate chip cookies out of the oven when my alarm went off to tell me that the bread had just finished its second proof and was now ready to be baked. Bobbing my head to the song "Cinderella's Dead". I quickly took the cookies off of the cookie sheet and onto the island to cool.

"When did we have an island there?" asked Wang Chao as he and the other four men walked into the penthouse. I looked at them confused.

"Already done?" I asked, not sure how they could be done installing all those units in just under two hours.

"No." admitted Wang Chao, "But that doesn't answer the question of how this island appeared in the middle of my kitchen."

"That's cute," I said with a smirk, the right side of my mouth twitching. "You think this is still your kitchen."

Chen Zi Han sat down at one of the stools I had taken out along with the long island with a butcher block countertop. Grabbing a cookie, he took a bite and moaned. "Good?" I asked, the self-satisfied smirk on my face not moving. I knew I could make a damn good chocolate chip cookie and I had no doubts that those were among some of the best.

"So good," the man groaned again as he took another bite. Hearing him, Liu Yu Zeng quickly grabbed a hand full of his own cookies before finding a seat beside Chen Zi Han. I laughed as I watched them fighting like kids over who got more cookies. Wang Chao and Liu Wei stood behind them, both of their arms across their chests and small smiles on their faces.

It felt like home, I realized. I could picture our children running around the island playing together as the others tried to sneak cookies when they thought the adults weren't paying attention. Realizing where my thoughts had gone, I froze, looking wide-eyed at Wang Chao, wondering if he knew what was going on in my head.