LABMY CH97.1

Jian Yuanbai sat up in bed and gently rocked Shen Nian, who was curled up in his arms like a small baby. “Longlong, wake up.”

Shen Nian shivered from the movement. His long, thick eyelashes trembled as he opened his eyes, which were moist and glistening. His gaze toward Jian Yuanbai was damp and lingering. “Xiao Ba…”

He looked at Jian Yuanbai like a drowning man reaching toward the shore, but as soon as Jian Yuanbai froze slightly, his eyes gradually cleared.

Shen Nian shifted to the side and mumbled, his voice drowsy, “You get up first. I still want to sleep a little longer.”

Jian Yuanbai paused for a moment before replying in a low voice, “Alright.”

He lifted the blanket, got out of bed, slid his feet into his slippers, and stood up. Step by step, he walked toward the door—his movements were perfectly normal. But his gaze was empty, unfocused, his mind filled with the look in Shen Nian’s eyes just now.

That look—it didn’t seem like someone waking from a deep sleep. Instead, it seemed more like… more like…

Jian Yuanbai placed his hand on the doorknob, his Adam’s apple moving as he swallowed. Opening a door was such a simple, effortless action, yet the veins on the back of his hand bulged as he gripped the handle tightly, his fingers tense. Then, as if exerting great control, he slowly turned the knob, opened the door, and gently closed it behind him.

He seemed to have come to a rather terrible realization. No matter how much he tried to suppress it, to stop himself from thinking such an awful thought about his stepson, thoughts were not something that could be easily controlled.

The ideas in his mind grew worse and worse. Jian Yuanbai skipped breakfast and hurriedly left the house.

The cold wind outside hit him, but all he could hear in his head was that soft, misty call—”Xiao Ba…”

On the bed, Shen Nian turned over and lay on the cold half of the mattress, which lacked any residual body heat. He pulled the blanket over himself, wrapping up tightly.

He was trying to use the cold to suppress the heat in his body, the lingering tension from his dream. Interrupted before reaching the peak, Shen Nian’s eyes were damp. He squeezed them shut, struggling for a long time before biting down on the corner of his pillow with a muffled whimper.

When he finally got out of bed, his legs felt weak. Standing in front of the mirror, he looked at his own flushed face, took a deep breath, and splashed himself with a handful of icy water. The sudden chill made him suck in a sharp breath.

Dreaming like this every night—who could endure that for long?

After composing himself, Shen Nian left the room and saw several fire pits lit in the living room. Su Su, upon seeing him, stood up nervously. “You’re awake?”

“I made some porridge for breakfast. It’s still in the kitchen. I’ll go get it for you.”

Shen Nian shook his head. “No need, I can get it myself.”

After breakfast, he prepared to go out. Su Su, still a bit uneasy, stood up again. “Where are you going?”

Shen Nian: “Looking for a job.”

Su Su let out a surprised “Eh?” and said, “But isn’t Mr. Bai already part of an ability-user squad? Ability users get really good treatment—you don’t have to work.”

Shen Nian paused while wrapping his scarf. “His treatment is good, but that doesn’t mean I should just sit at home.”

“If I stay cooped up in this tiny apartment every day, just waiting for him to come home, then what does that make me?”

“A pet he’s keeping?”

Even if Shen Nian wasn’t good at the usual jobs, he still hoped to awaken an ability one day rather than simply relying on Jian Yuanbai to provide for him.

With that, Shen Nian left, leaving Su Su sitting dumbly in the room, lost in thought. After a while, she started crying.

That day, Shen Nian spent one labor credit and got introduced to another job.

This time, he worked in the large communal cafeteria, washing and chopping vegetables, doing odd jobs.

The cafeteria served both ordinary people and ability users. The meal prices varied, but most were around one labor credit, making it affordable for regular folks.

Shen Nian’s daily wage at the cafeteria was three labor credits.

In other words, a regular person’s full day of labor barely covered three meals.

Yet, even with such circumstances, no one complained or felt dissatisfied. In a world overrun by monsters, simply being able to live in relative safety, with three meals a day, was already a great privilege.

The cafeteria job was physically demanding but manageable for most people. Shen Nian was still a bit clumsy at it.

There was no hot water for washing vegetables. In this freezing weather, dipping his hands into the icy water quickly turned them red with cold. Several fire pits were scattered around the back kitchen, yet the cold still seeped into their bones, making everyone shiver.

Shen Nian’s hands were already numb. After finally washing several large sacks of potatoes, he had to start slicing them with his frozen fingers.

His cooking skills were practically nonexistent. A single potato ended up in a chaotic mess under his knife. The supervising manager, unable to bear watching any longer, sent him off to wash napa cabbage instead.

Shen Nian copied the others, warming his hands over the fire pit for a moment before washing the vegetables. Even so, the cold was unbearable. But when the flickering orange-red flames cast dancing shadows on his fingers, it almost felt a little warmer.

Once all the prep work was done, the back kitchen became a frenzy of activity. Shen Nian was assigned to carry the plates of cooked dishes to the serving window.

During lunchtime, they weren’t allowed to eat. Instead of washing dishes, Shen Nian was tasked with clearing plates and wiping tables.

Staring at the pile of leftover food spat onto the long stainless-steel table by the previous diner, Shen Nian was dazed for a moment. He pulled out the damp rag he had been handed, picked up a metal pan, and swept the scraps into it.

Half a year ago, he never would have imagined himself doing something like this.

Shen Nian had wanted to cling to Jian Yuanbai’s thigh only to secure a little stability in his life. Whether or not Jian Yuanbai asked him to contribute to the heating costs, Shen Nian was always going to work.

Just like he had from the very first day.

He sighed. His movements grew increasingly proficient. After most of the customers had left, an older woman pulled him aside to mop the floor.

It was exhausting, no doubt. But the worst part was the frostbite on his hands. By the time his shift ended that evening, his fingers had turned slightly purple.

With his purple-tinged hands and a face full of sorrow, Shen Nian collected his three labor credits—only to receive notice of his dismissal.

He was too slow at washing vegetables—others had cleaned five full bags while he had barely managed three. His chopping was a mess—potato shreds turned into chunks and crumbs. Whether it was wiping tables or mopping the floor, he lagged behind everyone else.

In the apocalypse, life was cruel to ordinary people. Even for a job as unremarkable as this, employment wasn’t granted on a monthly basis but on a daily one. If you weren’t good enough, you were out.

There were always others desperate to take the position.

Shen Nian walked out with his three labor credits, tears streaming down his face the moment he stepped outside. Big, fat droplets rolled down his cheeks, his heart filled with grievance.

Working was so hard.

Newly arrived ordinary people in the fortress were given three job referral opportunities. These chances were granted only because they had handed over enough supplies upon entry.

Now, he had already been fired twice.

Sniffling, Shen Nian realized that his lack of experience made everything difficult. Even though he put in the effort, his clumsy hands lacked skill, and he just wasn’t good enough.

If he had more time, he would eventually learn these simple tasks. But in times like these, no one was willing to give ordinary people more time.

For everything he struggled with, there were countless others who could do it effortlessly.

As Shen Nian walked home, he had no idea that someone was silently watching him from behind.

When he turned into the next alley, a man suddenly rushed past him, then spun around and covered his mouth and nose. A vehicle sped by, and in an instant, both of them were gone.

The wind howled, and the night deepened. At that moment, Jian Yuanbai had just finished his day’s mission. As he was about to leave, his captain called out to him, lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and said:

“For the past few days, our squad has had the highest mission completion rate. Each of us got a reward of a hundred labor credits. We discussed it—there are five of us, making a total of five hundred credits. You take two hundred sixty, and the rest of us will split sixty each.”

Jian Yuanbai declined. “No need. I’ll just take the hundred I’m supposed to get.”

The captain took another drag of his cigarette. “Just take it. You deserve the bigger share because of your strength. The credits don’t matter—it’s thanks to you that we can go out and come back safely every day. Just for that, we ought to thank you. Besides, the bonus exists to be claimed. The extra sixty is just us benefiting from being on your team.”

Jian Yuanbai frowned slightly. “Is something going on?”

The captain flicked off some ash. “You’re talented. The Ability User Corps has taken notice of you. Starting tomorrow, you don’t need to report to me anymore.”

Jian Yuanbai raised an eyebrow. “One puff of your cigarette, one heavy sigh.”

“Anyone who knows would say I’m talking about the Ability User Corps. Anyone who doesn’t would think I’m about to die.”

“Screw you,” the captain laughed and cursed. “It’s just that you’re leaving soon.”

He grew serious and patted Jian Yuanbai on the shoulder. “Keep your guard up at all times, especially when dealing with the people from the Ability User Corps.”

Jian Yuanbai had saved his life once during a mission. The captain wanted to say more, but in the end, he could only offer a vague reminder to be careful.

After all, he still had family living here—some things were destined to remain unsaid.

Jian Yuanbai nodded and parted ways with the captain.

When he arrived home, he found only Susu sitting on the sofa, nodding off. He had been delayed talking with the captain, so it was already late. “Hasn’t Shen Nian come back yet?”

Susu, startled by his voice, immediately stood up. “No, he left for work this morning and hasn’t returned. Could his new job have a really late shift?”

Jian Yuanbai called Shen Nian’s phone. It rang, but no one answered. He tried again, but it remained unanswered.

He got up to leave, but Susu stopped him. “Mr. Bai, where are you going?”

Jian Yuanbai: “To find him.”

“Maybe we should wait a little longer?” Susu suggested. “His new job might just have a late shift, or something might have delayed him. Let’s wait and see if he picks up his phone.”

This time, Jian Yuanbai didn’t reply. He turned around and left. As he stepped out, he dialed Shen Nian’s number again, but there was still no answer.

It was already 11:30 p.m.

Ordinary people had very few job opportunities. Jian Yuanbai had been to the job assignment hall where Shen Nian sought work, so he knew most of the available positions.

The weather was freezing, and the temperature at night was even lower. Even with a fire pit, one could wake up shivering multiple times. No job for an ordinary person would keep them past 11:30 p.m.—unless they intended to let people freeze to death.

Bang, bang, bang— Urgent knocks sounded at the door. Qu Wenxuan, who had just gotten home and barely rested, opened it and was startled.

Jian Yuanbai stood at the doorway, his expression dark and terrifying. “I need your help.”

He, Qu Wenxuan, and Yang Jinhang split up to search for possible places where Shen Nian might be. Before setting out, Jian Yuanbai listed several locations. “These are places he might have been assigned to work.”

Qu Wenxuan was surprised. “Aren’t jobs at the assignment hall handed out on the same day? When Shen Nian went job hunting, you were on a mission with us. How do you know these places?”

Jian Yuanbai: “I checked out the assignment hall before. I memorized the places that had frequent job openings.”

Qu Wenxuan was puzzled about why he had done that, but now wasn’t the time to ask. Following Jian Yuanbai’s judgment, the group split up and set out.

Meanwhile, in his mind, Jian Yuanbai called out to the system: “System, can you find out where Shen Nian is?”

“Aren’t you the Long AoTian Support System? You should be able to locate him, right?”

The system let out a silent sigh. “Sorry, I can’t.”

“I can only detect Shen Nian’s position within a 100-meter radius.”

A hundred meters—only enough to save Jian Yuanbai from having to shout and wake up people sleeping in the nearby buildings.

Jian Yuanbai had only known a rough estimate of how big Fortress S was. Tonight, he measured it for himself.

On the deserted, freezing streets, his speed was so fast that he left behind afterimages.

Relying on the system’s simple radar, he searched for Shen Nian.

During this time, he kept calling Shen Nian’s phone over and over—

But no one ever picked up.

As the first light of dawn lifted the curtain of night, Jian Yuanbai, Qu Wenxuan, and Yang Jinhang met at the fortress gates.

Jian Yuanbai had searched all night, yet he did not look exhausted—only terrifyingly cold. Qu Wenxuan glanced at him and felt that the biting hostility surrounding him was even more chilling than the extreme weather itself.

Yang Jinhang, who had been running around all night, was panting heavily. “How could someone just disappear like that?”

“We’ve only been here for a short time. It’s not like we’ve made any enemies.”

Enemies.

That single word suddenly jolted Jian Yuanbai awake. Without a word, he turned and walked away. Qu Wenxuan and Yang Jinhang exchanged a look before immediately chasing after him.

They ran at full speed, yet Jian Yuanbai’s figure soon disappeared from sight. Yang Jinhang gasped for air. “At that speed… is he even human?”

Qu Wenxuan grabbed him by the arm. “Shen Nian is missing. Mr. Bai is anxious right now. Let’s go and see if we can help.”

Yang Jinhang muttered, “But we can’t even see where he went…”

Qu Wenxuan frowned in thought. “It seems like he’s heading back home. Let’s check there first.”

When they arrived, they indeed found Jian Yuanbai—along with Susu, who was leading the way, sobbing.

Qu Wenxuan quickly asked, “Where are we going?”

The icy aura between Jian Yuanbai’s brows made Susu tremble with fear. Returning to Wang Li’s place frightened her even more. “To find Wang Li.”

It wasn’t that she was unwilling, but her fear was unavoidable.

From Susu’s broken explanation, Qu Wenxuan and Yang Jinhang pieced together why they were going to find Wang Li.

Guilt immediately flashed across Yang Jinhang’s face. He opened his mouth to apologize, but when he looked up and saw Jian Yuanbai’s expression, he swallowed his words. Finding Shen Nian was the priority right now.

Jian Yuanbai had initially assumed that Shen Nian, being an ordinary person, had simply encountered trouble at work. He had spent the entire night regretting letting him take the job instead of keeping him close. Since Wang Li’s betrayal had been aimed at him and had nothing to do with Shen Nian, it had never even crossed his mind that Wang Li might be involved.

He hadn’t paid the matter any mind at all, assuming that if those people wanted to come after him, they would.

After a fruitless night of searching, Yang Jinhang’s comment about making enemies finally made him realize the connection.

As more people filled the streets, their presence—three ability users escorting a sobbing, ordinary girl—drew many stares. But no one dared to interfere.

Susu led them to the entrance of a high-end residential complex and said, “□□ lives on the thirteenth floor.”

When they reached the floor, she had barely pointed out Wang Li’s door before Jian Yuanbai stepped forward and knocked.

Bang! The stainless steel door let out a dull, strained sound.

Bang! A dent appeared where Jian Yuanbai’s hand struck.

Bang! The entire door suddenly blasted inward, crashing straight into the room.

Jian Yuanbai stepped inside and immediately saw Wang Li, who had risen from bed at the noise, wearing only a pair of shorts.

Lipstick marks were still visible on his body. He was clearly in high spirits, but upon seeing Jian Yuanbai, he forcibly straightened his posture. “What do you want?”

Jian Yuanbai’s voice was frigid. “Where is Shen Nian?”

Wang Li feigned confusion. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Jian Yuanbai chuckled. His hand lifted, slowly curling into a grasping motion.

Wang Li suddenly felt an invisible force constricting his throat, lifting him off the ground. His legs flailed desperately as he struggled.

His hands clawed at his own neck, but there was nothing there. As Jian Yuanbai’s fingers tightened, the suffocating pressure intensified.

Jian Yuanbai’s voice was like ice scraping against stone. “I’ll ask again. Where is Shen Nian?”

Wang Li weakly moved his fingers. A thick bolt of lightning suddenly crackled into existence, striking straight at Jian Yuanbai. A twisted grin spread across Wang Li’s face. “You think you’re the only one with abilities?”

“You still think I’m just some security guard who drove you around?”

The moment those words left his mouth, his eyes widened in disbelief.

The lightning had stopped—suspended in midair right in front of Jian Yuanbai.

Without even blinking, Jian Yuanbai lashed out. The very bolt Wang Li had summoned turned against him, snapping like a whip across his face.

Crack! The electric crackle exploded, and Wang Li’s hair stood on end as a bloodcurdling scream tore from his throat. “Aaaaaahhhhhh!!”

Jian Yuanbai had lost all patience. With just a slight crook of his finger, Wang Li’s body lifted off the ground as if gravity no longer applied to him.

Then, Jian Yuanbai grabbed his shoulder, delivered a swift kick to the back of his knee, and pressed down hard.

A sharp, agonized wail burst from Wang Li’s mouth.

His kneecaps shattered instantly, and the floor beneath him fractured outward from the impact, blood seeping through the cracks.

Despite his injuries, Jian Yuanbai held him firmly by the shoulder, preventing him from collapsing or even moving.

This time, his voice was eerily soft. “I’ll ask one last time. Where is Shen Nian?”

Fear overwhelmed Wang Li. His mind shattered under the pressure. He sobbed and pleaded, “I don’t know! I really don’t know! Please, have mercy! I swear, I’ve never seen Shen Nian—I don’t know where he is!”

Jian Yuanbai studied him coldly. Seeing that his terror seemed genuine, he changed his approach. “Then tell me—who did you tell about my ability to cleanse pollution?”

Wang Li dared not hide anything. Without hesitation, he shouted, “He Hu! It was He Hu! It has to be him! You have to find him! I swear, I’ve never seen Shen Nian—I really haven’t!”

His face was a mess of tears and snot. The backlash from his redirected lightning had left a long, raised welt on his cheek, stripping away all his earlier arrogance.

A woman huddled in the corner, too terrified to make a sound, covering her mouth to stifle any whimpers.

Jian Yuanbai’s tone remained cold. “Then take me to him.”

He didn’t allow Wang Li to get dressed. He didn’t give him any dignity. He simply used his ability to levitate him, making him float half-suspended as he led the way.

Wang Li trembled, the searing pain in his shattered knees and the continuous loss of blood making him fear he would be crippled. “You can’t just take me like this! You need to stop the bleeding! Have Yang Jinhang heal my leg! Otherwise, I’d rather die than take you to He Hu!”

Jian Yuanbai’s brow furrowed slightly. Wang Li thought his threat had worked—until Jian Yuanbai spoke.

“You think I’d kill you for refusing?”

“I won’t.”

“Have you ever heard of renzhi?”

“Death is the easiest escape. I have ten thousand ways to make you live in agony.”

His voice was light, almost casual. Yet in Wang Li’s ears, it was the whisper of a devil.

Terror gripped Wang Li as he stared into Jian Yuanbai’s eyes—calm, detached, utterly devoid of mercy.

Finally, he understood.

This was not a man who could be threatened or controlled.

He should have realized it earlier. He should have known the moment Shen Nian had fallen ill.

By now, the commotion had drawn countless onlookers. Many who lived in such an upscale district were ability users themselves—and they could clearly see Jian Yuanbai’s overwhelming strength.