Ling Zhuang observed Chen Ran’s stiff posture and suddenly chuckled softly.
"Even if I’m right, there’s no need to be so nervous. After all, it’s not a cri, is it?"
"Professor Ling, you must be joking. What rebirth? Is this a novel?" Chen Ran tried to sound calm and smooth things over, but his expression only grew more awkward.
"It seems you’re still worried..." Ling Zhuang said, shaking his head gently. "I told you, even if I’m right, there’s no reason to be afraid. After all, you’ve been doing good things, including recomnding to the A City base. Don’t worry, I won’t expose your secret unless you wish it."
As for Jiang Jiamian...
The mont Ling Zhuang discovered this and recalled certain details, he began to suspect that Jiang Jiamian might have known the truth all along.
The most obvious clue had been when Chen Ran once said, "You too..."
Jiang Jiamian’s expression back then hadn’t been one of confusion, but of curious interest. He’d subtly changed the subject.
By that point, Jiang Jiamian must have already known about Chen Ran’s rebirth.
After all, both of them possessed a kind of dinsional power that wasn’t a standard space ability, and both demonstrated uncanny awareness, sotis almost prophetic insight. Could they share the sa origin?
Was Jiang Jiamian also reborn?
But no.... that didn’t seem right.
He and the ’previous’ Jiang Jiamian were clearly two different people.
Even after rebirth, one’s essence didn’t change, and it was impossible to completely beco soone else.
Chen Ran stayed silent for several minutes.
Under Ling Zhuang’s constant gaze, one that looked gentle but only grew heavier with pressure, he finally broke. "How did you find out?"
"It doesn’t matter."
Ling Zhuang finally looked away, walking a few steps before placing the scalpel in his hand back onto the tal tray beside him. "What did you want to tell Jiang Jiamian? I can pass on the ssage for you."
Chen Ran’s throat was dry. His voice ca out hoarse. "I’ll wait for him to co back."
"Wait for who to co back?"
Just as he finished speaking, there was a faint sound at the door, and Jiang Jiamian walked in with his usual easy smile.
He headed straight for the sofa, slouched down, crossed his legs, and propped them on the coffee table. "Professor Ling, where’s the chicken soup I ordered before I left? Why can’t I sll it?"
Ling Zhuang: "..."
Ling Zhuang calmly adjusted his glasses, looking every bit the picture of patience. Then he picked the scalpel back up and walked toward the kitchen. "I’ll make it right now. It won’t take long."
Chen Ran’s expression turned rigid as he looked between the two of them, the easy familiarity, the casual way they moved around each other. His lips trembled before he finally spoke in a strained voice, "Jiang Jiamian... what are the two of you doing?"
So it was true. These two really had reached that kind of relationship?
A man as brilliant as Jiang Jiamian, actually willing to be with a professor who didn’t even have an awakened ability?
"Huh?" Jiang Jiamian blinked, puzzled. "What do you an? What are we doing? Obviously, we’re together. Sure, maybe it seems fast, but co on, it’s the end of the world. You could die any day. Who still believes in long courtships? If you see soone you like, of course you have to make a move!"
"Y-yes, yes... that’s right..."
Chen Ran forced a stiff smile, unable to face the topic directly. Desperate to change the subject, he blurted out, "Jiang Jiamian, did Fang Jing assign you any tasks?"
Jiang Jiamian nodded. "Yeah. He said there’s a power plant in B City, west of the base. The equipnt there still works, so he wants to take two people and bring so of it back."
"Don’t go!"
Chen Ran’s sudden shout made both of them pause. He looked frantic.
Jiang Jiamian raised a brow. "Oh? Why? Chief Fang said B City’s already within our base periter, a safe zone. Besides, you’ve seen what I can do. A mission like this is beneath ."
"You don’t understand!"
Chen Ran’s voice trembled with urgency. "City B isn’t safe at all! Advanced zombies have started appearing everywhere. No one has any idea how many are in there! You can’t go. It’s too dangerous!"
Jiang Jiamian leaned back lazily. "You can’t just stay cooped up forever. Even if there are advanced zombies, I can destroy them."
He sounded utterly calm.
Why would he be afraid?
He was the Zombie King; zombies couldn’t harm him. Even if he didn’t command them, he could crush them easily.
But to Chen Ran, that indifference looked like reckless ignorance, a man refusing to listen to reason.
Gritting his teeth, Chen Ran decided to risk everything. If even Ling Zhuang knew his secret, then hiding it no longer mattered. All that mattered was stopping Jiang Jiamian from marching to his death.
"Jiang Jiamian, listen to . I have reliable information: a large number of advanced zombies have appeared in City B. A whole group! Even the strongest power user wouldn’t survive! Fang Jing knows this, he’s deliberately sending you there to die! Please, don’t go!"
If he refused, Fang Jing might grow suspicious, but at least he would live. If he went, he’d be walking straight into a trap.
Jiang Jiamian froze, montarily caught off guard by Chen Ran’s emotional outburst. He hadn’t expected him to reveal so much so openly. Subconsciously, his gaze drifted toward the kitchen.
The door was tightly closed.
But he knew Ling Zhuang could hear every word. That man missed nothing.
In the original storyline, Ling Zhuang had been the first to uncover the protagonist’s secret of rebirth, though he never said it aloud.
Now, however, the protagonist himself had almost admitted it.
Noticing Jiang Jiamian’s glance toward the kitchen, Chen Ran bit his lip and said decisively, "I know you might doubt , but Professor Ling already knows. I am a reborn person. I even suspected you, but now I’m not sure."
If Jiang Jiamian truly was reborn, he should understand and heed this warning.
If not... then perhaps, just as in the last life, this powerful man really did et an unexpected end on that sa road, disappearing without a trace.
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