My heart’s choice brother

Could the boss truly be this loquacious? It was quite surprising.

While their company boasted numerous offices across the nation, the boss seldom graced S City with his presence.

It was only after their department’s product exploded in popularity that his visits became more frequent.

As a department manager, he had encountered the boss a handful of times, yet the man typically maintained a cool demeanor, offering little more than a curt nod upon meeting.

Such detachment was hardly unexpected, for he was, after all, merely one among a multitude of employees.

Chi Bai scratched his head, a slight awkwardness in his gesture. “Oh, it’s nothing much, just awakened an ability, you know.

But, Boss, what brings you here? And who are all these people…?”

From behind the boss emerged a group of individuals, some of whom Chi Bai found quite familiar, while others remained strangers.

As they fully stepped into view, Chi Bai immediately grasped the situation: they were subtly divided into two distinct factions.

Those Chi Bai recognized positioned themselves behind the boss, whereas the others aligned themselves behind the man Chi Bai had mentally dubbed his ‘ideal type’.

As the sole familiar face in the room, it was the boss who once again took the lead in speaking. “Ah, yes, about this,” he began, gesturing for Chi Bai to observe the man standing beside him—none other than Chi Bai’s ‘ideal type’.

“This is Teacher Tang Hao, whom we extended an invitation to yesterday from Hong Kong University.

Our original intention was to accompany Teacher Tang to the company today, to facilitate an exchange and introduction with your department.

We never anticipated such an unfortunate turn of events.”

Given that the supermarket was situated beneath a hotel, Chi Bai refrained from further inquiry after the boss’s explanation.

The individuals accompanying them showed no inclination to introduce themselves, yet their collective gazes made Chi Bai distinctly uneasy.

Some, having been eyewitnesses to Chi Bai’s formidable display of power, regarded him with unadulterated admiration.

Others, however, exhibited blatant disdain, though Chi Bai was at a loss to comprehend the source of their haughtiness.

While one particular man was impeccably dressed in a high-end business suit, Chi Bai knew well that in S City, such attire typically belonged to either sales associates or security guards.

Thus, he felt no intimidation whatsoever.

Treating them all with equal indifference, he offered a curt nod of acknowledgment, and that was that.

Then, addressing the boss (though his gaze subtly flickered towards his ‘ideal type’ standing beside him), Chi Bai suggested, “Perhaps we should head outside first?

We can discuss our next steps at the rally point.

It’s hardly safe to linger here.”

The boss replied, “This all happened so abruptly.

We’ve been preoccupied with evading the zombies, leaving no time for anything else.

So, Little Chi, where exactly is this rally point you’re referring to?”

Chi Bai understood implicitly and was about to elaborate when his ‘ideal type’—Tang Hao—interrupted, speaking for the first time. “Check your system panels,” he instructed, his voice even.

“You should all have them.

Join the local group chat; the district channel mentions a rally point at xxx location.

There’s a map displayed above it, showing it’s at the xx Sports Arena near your company.”

Noticing the collective bewildered stares, he calmly brushed a speck of dust from his shirt. “While we were sheltering inside earlier,” he explained, “I took some time to examine the system panel.

You might want to do the same.

You can also view your personal information to ascertain what abilities you’ve awakened.”

The moment his ‘ideal type’ spoke, everyone’s eyes glazed over, their hands busily manipulating something unseen.

Simultaneously, Chi Bai glanced at his ‘ideal type’, only to find, to his surprise, that the man was already looking back at him.

Instinctively, Chi Bai scratched his head and averted his gaze towards the ceiling.

‘Damn it! How utterly lame!’ Chi Bai fumed internally, so consumed by self-reproach that he entirely missed the subtle upturn of Tang Hao’s lips.

He remained blissfully unaware of the crimson flush currently spreading across his ears.

****

After a brief wait, Chi Bai observed the boss and the others lowering their hands.

He deliberated for a moment before speaking directly. “Boss, did any of you come by car?” he inquired.

“I checked earlier, and the stadium is less than ten kilometers from here.

Walking there isn’t just a long trek; it’s incredibly perilous.

I alone can’t possibly protect such a large group.”

As Chi Bai uttered these words, one of the men let out a derisive scoff.

Chi Bai merely shot him a fleeting glance, feigning deafness, and pressed on, “We could drive there.”

The boss found no fault with the suggestion.

They had just confirmed that, apart from Chi Bai, only their ‘Arrogant Guy’ possessed an awakened ability.

Tang Hao had not disclosed his own, and they dared not inquire, effectively leaving them with only two viable combatants.

Furthermore, the ‘Arrogant Guy’s’ ability was body enhancement, meaning only Chi Bai could execute ranged attacks and area-of-effect (AOE) damage.

Protecting the remaining ten individuals would indeed prove challenging.

At long last, Tang Hao spoke, his voice a low, pristine resonance, like snowmelt cascading over ancient bluestone, chillingly clear. “There are twelve of us in total,” he articulated, “and, conveniently, we have three vehicles.

Li Wei, you’ll take one car with them.

The rest of you will occupy another.

As for you,” Tang Hao’s gaze settled on Chi Bai, “you’ll ride with Boss Zhang.

The remaining individuals without awakened abilities will accompany me.

We’ll travel abreast, facilitating mutual support.”

With meticulous clarity, he laid out the itinerary, instructing the ‘Arrogant Guy’ (Li Wei) and his companions to first scout the vicinity for any suitable weapons they could use for self-defense.

They had, after all, just sprinted from the food section, encountering nothing useful along their path.

Li Wei, ever pragmatic, immediately resourceful, sourced some oddly shaped rebar from their immediate surroundings, distributing it among those without awakened abilities for their protection.

Tang Hao certainly possessed the demeanor of a natural leader; the moment he spoke, others obediently complied.

The group coalesced, organized by vehicle, and moved together.

The zombies on this floor had evidently been thoroughly purged by Chi Bai moments prior, for not a single one was sighted on their entire journey to the underground parking garage.

Even the zombies lingering at the garage entrance had been partially cleared by the combined efforts of Chi Bai and Li Wei.

Yet, just as Chi Bai pulled open the boss’s car door, poised to enter, a zombie nobody had anticipated suddenly sprang from a hidden corner, launching itself directly at Chi Bai—a threat entirely unseen within his visual blind spot.

Seated within the car, the boss had a clear view of the unfolding scene.

He promptly reached out, intending to yank Chi Bai inside, but his movements proved just a fraction too slow.

In that precise, critical instant, the zombie abruptly froze, then collapsed, revealing Tang Hao behind it, rebar in hand, having delivered a decisive blow.

Noticing Chi Bai’s momentary daze, Tang Hao raised an eyebrow and inquired, “Are you not getting in?”

Chi Bai snapped back to awareness, then quickly settled into the seat and closed the door.

With that, the three vehicles began to move, pulling away from the garage.