Gu Shangse’s words made sense, and the other survivors sided with him.
Bai Shuyi had initially thought Gu Shangse was tactless, but instead, she had been outmaneuvered.
Gritting her teeth, Bai Shuyi, unwilling to concede, clutched her stomach and went to see Wang Qiang, who was groaning in pain, clutching his abdomen.
It was clear that Gu Shangse had used his full strength in that kick.
After Gu Shangse’s self-defense served as a warning to Wang Qiang and his group, he was about to ask Li Yunlong about Su Ling when a sweet, girlish voice, ill-timed, interrupted his plans.
“Shangse—”
Jiao Jiao had fully regained consciousness. She knew Gu Shangse was her only support in this apocalypse.
In front of the women who were ogling and coveting Gu Shangse, Jiao Jiao deliberately called out his name loudly, omitting his surname, intentionally creating the illusion for everyone that her relationship with Gu Shangse was more than casual.
Gu Shangse’s brow twitched almost imperceptibly. Li Yunlong happened to look up and caught this detail.
After calling out Gu Shangse’s name, Jiao Jiao specifically observed the envious or jealous glances from the other women. Then, with the triumphant air of a winner, she walked towards Gu Shangse with a smile on her face, stopping before him and tilting her head up to look at him.
“Do you want to find some clothes in the mall to change into? Your clothes are dirty.”
Gu Shangse’s clothes were indeed dirty, smeared with blood, ash, and a mixture of colors.
Gu Shangse didn’t even look at Jiao Jiao. He continued to look at Li Yunlong and spoke in a clear, gentle voice, “My name is Gu Shangse, and I wanted to ask you if you have—”
The words, before they could be spoken, were cut short as Li Yunlong turned his head to look elsewhere.
Gu Shangse found it strange and followed Li Yunlong’s gaze.
At that sight, he froze.
Su Ling stood outside the crowd, her backpack and katana on her back, wearing a hat and mask.
She seemed to have just arrived, tilting her head slightly, observing the situation with Gu Shangse and the others.
Originally, Su Ling wouldn't have entered the department store through the main entrance.
However, she had seen the Sabretooth Tiger vehicle and, hoping for a stroke of luck, entered through the main door.
As soon as she entered the department store, she heard the commotion from upstairs.
When she appeared on the third floor, she saw several familiar faces, and then, a person who was a team in herself, with an aloof and detached aura – Gu Shangse, whom she had been searching for.
The feeling was quite strange.
She had given up hope, but then, turning around, she encountered him.
Upon seeing Su Ling, Gu Shangse recognized her with a single glance, even though she was covered up with a hat and mask.
Confirming she was unharmed, a subtle hint of joy flickered in his phoenix eyes.
Then, he strode forward with his long legs under his suit pants, passing Jiao Jiao in front of him and leaving Li Yunlong, whom he was about to question, behind. He strode towards Su Ling. Perhaps feeling that walking was too slow, he broke into a run, a gentle breeze following him as he ran towards her.
Su Ling watched Gu Shangse walk towards her, then break into a run.
Before she could fully process it, Gu Shangse was in front of her.
The next second, he embraced her tightly. His clear, gentle voice fell by her ear, “Thank heavens you’re alright. I’ve finally found you.”
“?”
Su Ling was confused by Gu Shangse’s sudden embrace and inexplicable words. She pushed him away slightly, looked up at him, and asked coldly, “Do you know who I am?”
Gu Shangse lowered his head and looked at Su Ling. He nodded, his gaze tender. “Su Ling.”