Two hours later, the two of them sat inside an RV, watching the lightning and thunder outside.
The torrential rain seemed as if it would flood the earth, the sky appearing torn open, pouring down endlessly, washing everything below. The road ahead was barely visible; even with the wipers on full speed, they couldn't keep up with the downpour. Fortunately, the RV was equipped with an advanced AI system that could help navigate the way.
They avoided the most congested routes, taking the VIP highway instead. This road was designed for "special groups," with two lanes: one for emergencies and the other, jokingly called the "Money Lane," required a special access card to use. The journey was smooth and unimpeded.
Yu Zhiwan stood by the window, which was made of one-way glass, so those outside couldn't see in. With her keen hearing, she could faintly hear people outside grumbling and jokingly guessing which celebrity might be inside. She forced a slight smile.
"Is everything settled?" she asked Liu Yifang, turning away from the window.
Liu Yifang seemed lost in thought, staring at the rare sight of the heavy rain outside. After a moment, she responded as if on a delay, "Yes."
She then asked, "What about you?"
It was Liu Yifang's turn to inquire.
"If nothing unexpected happens, it should be fine," Yu Zhiwan replied, referring to Pei Yujang. Before coming here, she had entrusted the unconscious Pei Yujang to a trusted confidant. As long as her confidant remained safe, Pei Yujang would be too. As for her family, Liu Yifang had arranged for their protection, so they should also be out of harm's way for now.
Even now, Yu Zhiwan remained calm and composed. Though Liu Yifang knew she wasn't as confident as she appeared, they were about to embark on a high-stakes gamble with no room for retreat. Yet, this seemingly gentle, non-threatening Omega was the one steering the course.
Even though Liu Yifang hadn't paid much attention to Yu Zhiwan before, she now had to take her seriously, mixed with feelings she couldn't quite identify—jealousy, admiration, or something else?
"I wonder how Shuyang is doing now," Liu Yifang said, her voice strained. "If she realizes she's being sent to a prison island, she'll probably cry on the boat. She'll hate me for this."
Yu Zhiwan remained silent.
Perhaps she wasn't the most empathetic person, but she was a good listener. They both stood by the window, gazing at the torrential rain outside. Liu Yifang finally found an outlet for the turmoil and guilt that had been plaguing her, pouring it all out to Yu Zhiwan like beans spilling from a jar.
Her recounting was fragmented, sometimes pausing to recall details, but she managed to convey the story.
Though her voice didn't choke, her eyes were rimmed with red, tears welling up only to dry again as she spoke. By the end, Liu Yifang's gaze drifted, landing on Yu Zhiwan's long eyelashes, noticing her seemingly indifferent expression. She sighed, a sense of unease growing within her.
Staring at Yu Zhiwan, she slowed her words:
"You're lucky. I envy you."
She was referring to how Yu Zhiwan and Pei Yujang were on the same side, their relationship balanced by their shared cause. Everything else seemed trivial by comparison.
Liu Yifang expected Yu Zhiwan to at least express some empathy, but instead, she remained indifferent:
"Everyone chooses their own path." Yu Zhiwan paused. "Besides, you already gave her a second chance."
Liu Yifang fell silent.
After a few seconds, she couldn't resist asking again:
"But what if Pei Yujang had made such a choice? Would you…" Could you still stand here so calmly?
Finally, Yu Zhiwan turned to face her.
The Omega had soft, delicate features, especially her clear, almond-shaped eyes, capable of holding and blending all the emotions the world could offer. Her limpid gaze was unforgettable, but as those eyes locked onto Liu Yifang's, she felt an unprecedented pressure.
Yu Zhiwan no longer looked outside but instead fixed her gaze on Liu Yifang's eyes, replying earnestly:
"I could. If she chose that path, our relationship would have ended from the start."
Liu Yifang's question was pointless, and Yu Zhiwan couldn't empathize. While she understood Liu Yifang's pain over her marital breakdown, she wasn't the most patient person and found it tiresome to entertain such pointless questions, even if they were on the same side.
Chen Shuyang had pursued money, power, and status at the expense of others, which Yu Zhiwan found neither sympathetic nor forgivable. It was sheer stupidity.
If Pei Yujang had been that foolish, Yu Zhiwan wouldn't have given her a second glance from the beginning.
Though Pei Yujang could be naive in some ways, Yu Zhiwan loved her for her unwavering sincerity and determination. If Pei Yujang hadn't extended a hand to her, hadn't approached her even after suspecting something was amiss, they wouldn't be together now.
Liu Yifang's speculation about Pei Yujang was, to Yu Zhiwan, incredibly dull—almost an insult to Pei Yujang.
This was the first time Liu Yifang had seen such a look in Yu Zhiwan's eyes, as heavy as the clouds outside. Quickly, she pulled herself from her sorrow, apologizing to Yu Zhiwan.
The sturdy RV had now entered Yaocheng's territory, and the navigation system was leading them toward the outskirts of Yicheng.
Yicheng and Xiangcheng weren't far apart. The rain came with a ferocity, sweeping across half the nation's mainland, much like the typhoon that had flooded Yicheng. The apocalyptic downpour forced people to stay indoors, fueling fear and rumors.
In the suburbs of Yicheng, inside a massive underground bunker, people in uniform hurriedly moved equipment back and forth. Among them, a middle-aged man with graying hair turned to look at the laboratory he had worked in for years, his emotions a tangled mess as he silently followed the others.
They had received orders to cease operations a few days ago, but they hadn't expected the situation to escalate so quickly. The internal power struggle had shifted in favor of the "righteous faction," which, after gathering enough evidence, launched an all-out offensive to dismantle the organization.
But they had always planned for an escape.
The underground lab's exit led abroad, but before retreating, the organization would unleash a fierce counterattack. The middle-aged man, his face expressionless, watched the team hastily prepare for evacuation. His gaze then shifted to the ticking alarm, warning of approaching intruders, and a slight smile curled his lips.