Chapter 578 Tao Yao proposes marriage??
Chapter 578 Tao Yao proposes marriage??
early morning.
When the first wisp of wind, filtered through the air purification system and carrying a slightly metallic smell, blew into the rest area from the vents, Tao Yao groggily opened her eyes.
The first thing that catches the eye is Hizakura's quiet and beautiful sleeping face.
The old Hizakura appears more composed than she will be in the future.
Even when she was fast asleep, her body maintained a posture that was ready to deal with any sudden situation. There was no ever-present anxiety in her brows, only a tranquil peace, like the surface of a frozen lake.
This made her appear even quieter than the impulsive and passionate Flame Fairy she would become in the future.
Tao Yao stood there, turned to the side, watching quietly.
Although she had admired that face up close countless times in various circumstances.
But every time, she still couldn't help but sigh in her heart.
Without the blessing of demonic power, he possessed a mortal body, yet his appearance was comparable to that of a god.
Especially the aura and temperament that the former Scarlet Cherry Blossom exudes at this moment.
She won't be like the future, real-life Hiiro, who often acts impulsively and recklessly.
Now, she is truly reckless yet meticulous.
Whether it's making plans or handling emergencies, they are organized, calm, and reliable, making them a very dependable partner.
If, in the future, the Frost Fairy, Sakura, possesses such pure destructive power and reckless heat that Tao Yao cannot help but feel a strong urge to protect her.
Therefore, the former Crimson Cherry Blossom in front of her now is the best person for Tao Yao, who is restricted by the power of Twilight and cannot easily use the power of the Primordial, and can rely on her for the time being.
She is like a precious sword that has sheathed all its sharpness, lying quietly in its sheath, yet able to unleash its most dazzling brilliance whenever she is needed.
Tao Yao's gaze lingered unabashedly on Fei Ying's face.
From her smooth forehead to her straight nose, and then to her beautifully shaped lips, which were now slightly pursed.
She looked at it intently and seriously, as if she were admiring a masterpiece of art.
Time slipped away quietly in this silent gaze.
I don't know how much time has passed.
As Tao Yao's gaze lingered on Fei Ying's long, curled eyelashes, those eyelashes suddenly trembled slightly.
Then, a pair of clear, cold eyes slowly opened.
Those eyes were still a little hazy when they first woke up, but they quickly regained their clarity.
When it focused on that smiling, magnified pretty face, all the haziness and clarity ultimately turned into a trace of helplessness.
"Okay, stop looking."
Fei Ying's voice still carried a hint of morning hoarseness, yet it remained clear and melodious.
"Now that you're awake, get up early."
She tried to sit up, but found that her hand was still being held tightly by the other person.
Why are you staring at me?
When faced with this question, Tao Yao's response was outrageously frank.
"nice."
One word, simple, direct, yet full of persuasiveness.
Hiyori paused for a moment as she prepared to get up.
Faced with Tao Yao's direct praise, she no longer blushed out of embarrassment as she had at the beginning.
Having spent so much time together, she had gradually grown accustomed to Tao Yao's occasional, blunt, and almost shameless praise.
She was just a little helpless.
"Alright, alright, Tao Yao is pretty too."
She responded in a perfunctory, coaxing tone, as if speaking to a child.
"Can we get up and wash up now?"
However, Tao Yao did not compromise.
Instead of letting go, she took advantage of the situation and pulled Fei Ying's hand even closer.
She shook her head, and a perfectly fitting, heart-melting melancholy appeared on her sweet face.
"Such a beautiful cherry blossom, the thought of marrying someone else in the future makes me not want to get up."
This nonsensical remark left Hiyori even more speechless.
"Don't talk nonsense, I've never thought about getting married."
She almost instinctively retorted.
"In this era, monsters roam freely, and the environment in the wasteland is becoming increasingly harsh. Just surviving is a feat in itself."
Her mindset instantly switched to that of a calm and pragmatic wasteland survivor.
"How could I possibly think about getting married? That would only add to my burden."
These words were her truest thoughts, and also the consensus of the vast majority of survivors in this wasteland.
However, after hearing this, Tao Yao's melancholy turned into a regretful expression.
"So, Hiyori didn't have that idea."
Her voice was soft, carrying a kind of regret that was hard to tell was genuine.
"That's such a shame."
"For a moment, I really wanted to marry Hiyori."
These words, so lightly, landed in Fei Ying's ears.
Hiyori was stunned for a moment.
marry?
And Peach Blossom?
This thought, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, stirred up subtle ripples in her heart.
Looking at Tao Yao's face, which held a hint of regret yet also a mischievous smile, her mind went blank for a moment.
After regaining her senses, the helplessness she felt because of Tao Yao's antics became even stronger.
But beneath this helplessness lay a hint of indulgent pampering that she herself was unaware of.
"Okay, okay, stop joking."
She gently withdrew her hand and then sat up.
"Get up."
She didn't look at Tao Yao again, but instead began to tidy up her slightly disheveled clothes.
She always chose to be tolerant of Tao Yao's sometimes whimsical liveliness and the jokes that occasionally popped up, which were hard to tell if they were true or not.
Because she knew that this bad woman was just expressing closeness in her own way.
Looking at Fei Ying's slightly stiff back and the faint blush on her ears, Tao Yao's face finally blossomed into a smile.
She knew that today's joke had reached its perfect point.
If this continues, this aloof little cat might really start to get angry.
She didn't bother Fei Ying any further, but slowly sat up from the simple bed and stretched comfortably.
When the two of them finished washing up and getting ready, they came out of the rest area.
The living area of the underground safe house was already bustling with activity.
Ling Yue, A Que, and the businesswoman who was forced to become a logistics supplier had all woken up early.
Ling Yue was standing in front of a makeshift kitchen counter, humming an off-key tune, preparing breakfast using ingredients she had scavenged from the warehouse.
The sizzling, fried meat patties exuded an enticing aroma.
Meanwhile, A-Que carefully checked the supplies planned yesterday, categorizing and packing them in preparation for the upcoming "paradise construction plan."
As for the businesswoman, she was alone, arms crossed, leaning against the farthest corner of the wall.
Her face was dark, and she exuded a low-pressure atmosphere of "I'm very unhappy" and "Don't mess with me," which was completely out of place with the lively atmosphere here.
After noticing that Tao Yao and Fei Ying came out.
The previously harmonious atmosphere in the living area suddenly underwent a subtle change.
Ling Yue, who was humming a song, paused for a moment.
A-Que, who was counting the supplies, almost dropped the box in her hand.
Even the businesswoman who had been sulking subconsciously raised her head.
The three of them, without prior arrangement, focused their gazes on the two people who had just appeared.
Then, that gaze took on a slightly strange quality.
Hiyori naturally noticed this strange gaze as well.
She calmly turned her head, her cool gaze sweeping over the faces of Ling Yue, A Que, and the businesswoman.
"Why are you all staring at us?"
Her voice was flat, revealing no emotional fluctuations.
"Do your own thing."
This simple statement carries an undeniable sense of command.
Ling Yue jolted awake and quickly lowered her head, focusing intently on the nearly burnt piece of synthetic meat in the pan.
Aque quickly looked away and pretended to be seriously organizing the supply box in front of her.
Only the businesswoman snorted and turned her head to the other side, but her perked-up ears betrayed the gossip burning within her.
The faint, eerie atmosphere in the air finally dissipated slightly.
They all knew that Tao Yao and Fei Ying had a very good relationship and were inseparable.
But these two were the last to rest last night, and they were the last to get up this morning.
It's hard not to wonder what might happen between the two of them in this secluded underground safe house, after everyone else has gone to sleep.
However, Tao Yao and Fei Ying themselves did not seem to care about such ambiguous speculations.
The two found a place to wash up quickly, then sat down to enjoy breakfast.
After Ling Yue brought the pan-fried pork chops and the heated nutritious soup to the table, Fei Ying wiped her hands with a napkin and broke the silence at the table by speaking first.
"Tao Yao has already discussed it with me."
Her words instantly drew everyone's attention.
"To build our ideal paradise, we have to take it one step at a time."
"The most reasonable and best way is to first establish a survivor camp."
Hiyori's thinking was clear and organized, demonstrating the qualities a qualified leader should possess.
"Then, isolate all dangers and gradually improve this camp to prevent it from being easily destroyed like other short-lived camps in the wasteland. In time, this place will naturally become a true paradise."
"You should have known about this idea last night as well."
She paused, then continued.
"However, the most difficult challenge now is that we need to find a suitable position."
“Site selection is the first and most important step. After a suitable site is selected, subsequent construction, as well as how to deal with potential calamities or even the rumored demonic scourge, are all issues that need to be planned in advance.”
Fei Ying's words instantly made Ling Yue and A Que, who were just immersed in the gossip atmosphere, become serious.
Ling Yue swallowed a piece of meat chop in her mouth and spoke somewhat nervously.
"So... Second Sister."
She chose her words carefully.
"Are we... going to look for a suitable address later today?"
Fei Ying glanced at Tao Yao beside her, then nodded.
"Yes."
“I have a few preliminary selections. Next, we will conduct on-site inspections based on the markings on the map.”
As she spoke, Tao Yao, who was standing to the side, was holding a glass of warm water and glanced at the businesswoman who was still sulking in the corner.
This subtle movement was immediately noticed by the businesswoman who was keeping a close eye on the situation.
She instantly bristled.
"What do you mean?"
She suddenly stood up straight, hands on her hips.
"Why are you staring at me like that?!"
"While my map has a certain time sensitivity, it's not entirely inaccurate, okay? The terrain and locations of major ruins marked on it are absolutely the most accurate in the entire wasteland!"
She continued to try her best to maintain her crumbling professional dignity, stubbornly clinging to her beliefs to the extreme.
However, her explanation only earned her a dismissive chuckle from Tao Yao.
"I hope so."
Tao Yao's voice was light and airy, yet it was filled with a captivating magic.
……
After a simple breakfast, the group gathered together again for a brief discussion on the several alternative locations suggested by Fei Ying.
Finally, they finalized their route for today's expedition and prepared to set off.
As the heavy alloy door slowly rose with a hiss, and the hazy light and dusty air from outside rushed in, everyone subconsciously squinted.
Ling Yue and A Que were the first to climb out and begin a final pre-departure inspection of the off-road vehicles and heavy trucks parked in the ruins.
Fill up the fuel tank, check the engine, and remove any debris from the tires.
Soon, with the roar of engines, both cars were started and ready to go.
The businesswoman was assigned to the passenger seat of the heavy truck, responsible for providing map information at critical moments.
Aque also got on the heavy truck to guard the supplies behind it.
Fei Ying and Tao Yao prepared to board the more agile off-road vehicle, which was driven by Ling Yue.
However, just as Hiyori opened the car door and was about to get in...
Tao Yao, who was following behind her, suddenly stopped in her tracks.
Fei Ying immediately noticed something was wrong. She turned around and looked at Tao Yao, who was standing still, with some confusion.
"what happened?"
Tao Yao still wore that gentle and harmless smile on her face, but her clear eyes were gazing in a certain direction deep within the ruins.
"You and Xiaoyue go first."
She spoke, her voice soft.
"I followed shortly after."
These words made Hiyori stop in her tracks.
She didn't obey immediately; instead, she frowned.
She followed Tao Yao's gaze and saw nothing but ruins and broken walls.
But she understood Tao Yao.
This mischievous woman, who always likes to cause trouble, would never make such a request at a time like this without a reason.
After a brief moment of thought, Hiyori made her decision.
She didn't ask any more questions, but simply turned around and walked to the driver's seat of the SUV, knocking on the window.
Ling Yue rolled down the car window, looking puzzled.
Hiyori leaned closer and whispered a few words to her.
Ling Yue was stunned for a moment, then nodded heavily and started the car.
The SUV and the heavy truck behind it did not stop at all; they immediately turned around and slowly drove away from the ruins along the predetermined route.
Hiyori herself stayed behind.
She walked to Tao Yao's side and stood beside her, gazing together at the empty ruins.
Tao Yao watched the two cars disappear around the corner of the ruins, then glanced at Fei Ying beside her, whose calm expression revealed her determination through her actions, and couldn't help but sigh in her heart.
If it were the future Flame Fairy, she could probably be tricked away with any excuse.
But the old cherry blossoms...
He's impulsive yet meticulous, calm and reliable, and far from being easily fooled.
This helplessness was tinged with a warmth that even she herself hadn't anticipated.
Just as Hiyori parted her lips slightly, about to ask what had happened,
Two subtle yet incredibly chilling fluctuations of demonic energy suddenly emerged from the shadows of the ruins on either side of them without warning.
Immediately afterwards, the air began to distort.
Two faint humanoid figures slowly coalesced in the distorted air.
A dense, suffocating surge of demonic energy instantly enveloped the entire area.
met free