The protagonist who hates losers is so sweet to me.

Song Xinqi’s expression was calm. Seeing the outer zombies and guns, he had expected this result; coming here was just to confirm the situation.
Yu Qing said, “Aren’t there other safe zones? It’s not like City A is the only one with a safe zone. Yesterday, the official website of City B and City C posted updates. We can go there.”
Since encountering Chen Yi, who was supposed to appear in the mid-story but had already died, he couldn’t make sense of the plot anymore. However, as long as Song Xinqi was around, he felt reassured.
Song Xinqi replied, “If City A has fallen, then safe zones might not be so safe. Who knows if we’ll make it to other cities in time.”
“Well, we won’t know until we try, right?”
Song Xinqi wondered where Yu Qing got his confidence from. “The nearest safe zone is nearly a thousand kilometers away.”
A thousand kilometers would take over twenty hours of continuous driving without breaks, let alone in a post-apocalyptic world full of dangers.
Yu Qing had no concept of this distance. “How long would that take?”
“It’s about the same distance as from Tian Luo Town to here.”
He recalled their journey so far. Unlike before, they now lacked supplies and had no navigation. It would be even tougher than Song Xinqi described. “That does sound difficult. What should we do?”
Song Xinqi leaned back in his seat. “Leave it to fate.”
“Alright!”
Song Xinqi chuckled. Despite their bleak future, their attitudes were surprisingly good. With a carefree companion like Yu Qing, despair was hard to come by.
By mentally preparing for the worst, reality often seemed less daunting. They drove aimlessly through the wilderness for half a day until dusk, when they encountered other humans.
They stopped at a distance and watched three people using their abilities to corner and kill a half-human-sized mutant dog, then load it onto their vehicle.
Following the car ahead, they arrived at a small village surrounded by two layers of wooden fences. The first layer had a gate that could fit a car, with two people inspecting the newcomers for injuries before opening the second fence.
Their food supply was running out, but fate had led them to a small safe zone.
Yu Qing perked up, remembering this part of the story. This was where Song Xinqi first encountered a safe zone leader, whose name he couldn’t recall. This place was also where the original character started causing trouble.
The original Yu Qing, feeling neglected by Song Xinqi, flirted around and ended up with the safe zone leader. When the safe zone was overrun, the leader left Song Xinqi behind to cover their escape while Yu Qing clung to the leader for safety.
This was the turning point where Song Xinqi’s hatred for the original Yu Qing solidified.
He glanced at Song Xinqi. He wouldn’t mess around like that, but he needed to warn him to leave before the zombies attacked.
The two gatekeepers were about to close up after ensuring everyone had returned when a desert vehicle approached.
“Wait, wait, wait!” Afraid the guards might leave, Yu Qing stuck his head out of the window and called out to them before the car even stopped. He tucked the sleeping Yu Xiaoxue into his oversized clothes and jumped out as soon as the car halted.
“We’re refugees. Is this a safe zone? Can you let us in too?”
The guards were about to close the gate, but he grabbed one by the sleeve. “Don’t leave!”
“We only take in strong ability users. No abilities, no entry.”
Yu Qing quickly responded, “We have abilities.”
The guard turned, noticing Yu Qing’s young face and showing more patience. “Kid, where are your parents?”
“It’s just us two,” Song Xinqi replied, carrying a backpack.
“Just the two of you?” The guard was surprised, wondering how these two kids managed to survive for so long.
Yu Qing nodded. “We’re strong. Taking us in is worth it.”
The guard didn’t believe him. Two kids, no matter how strong, couldn’t be that capable. With resources scarce, they couldn’t afford to take in freeloaders. He waved them away, “Go find another place. We’re not taking anyone.”
“We’re not kids…”
Before he could finish, the guard shoved Yu Qing, who stumbled back but was caught by Song Xinqi.
“If you know what’s good for you, get lost. Don’t delay our duties.” They were eager to finish and get their share of the meal; being late meant going hungry.
But as the guard turned to leave, he found his body immobile and uncontrollably fell forward, hitting the ground hard.
The other guard, thinking they were causing trouble, waved his hand, sending two vines towards the pair.
Shi Tao, holding a beauty by the waist, strolled down the street. People greeted him constantly, “Boss, out on patrol again?”
“Boss, have you eaten?”
He responded indifferently. The beauty, clutching his arm, fed him some water and complained, “Why did you put that woman in my room? There’s already two of us; we can’t fit another.”
He pinched her waist. “Housing is scarce. Many big guys are sharing rooms with six people. I’m being good to you.”
The beauty knew this but feared Shi Tao might get interested in that woman. She had no abilities and relied on her looks and body to stay. Losing her only asset scared her.
At that moment, someone flew past them, making the beauty scream and hide behind him. He walked over and saw it was the plant-based ability user who was supposed to be on guard.
He looked displeased. “Let’s go check it out.”
At the gate, they found four or five ability users drawn by the commotion. Seeing him, one stepped forward, “Boss, it seems like two kids are causing trouble.”
“Two kids?” Shi Tao let go of the beauty and went to see. The other guard was on the ground, clutching his stomach in pain.
Song Xinqi stood there, eyes cold, while Yu Qing tugged his sleeve, whispering, “Stop fighting, stop fighting.”
Shi Tao was surprised. The guards were no pushovers.
In this base, only the strongest are entrusted with ensuring the safety of others. Yet, two of their guards were bested by children.
Recognizing their potential, he feigned kindness. “You have great skills, kids. You want to join us, right? Our base only accepts powerful ability users.
The guards probably underestimated you. Have you eaten? It’s mealtime. Why not join us for dinner and stay the night?”
While Yu Qing tried to restore the guards with his ability, Shi Tao approached Song Xinqi, bending down to speak. Yu Qing, having grasped the knack of his ability, reverted Song Xinqi back to his original form.
Shi Tao watched as Song Xinqi, who had been chest-high, suddenly grew to a height that made even him need to look up.
This intended gesture of closeness now felt imposing. Song Xinqi glanced down dismissively. “Don’t take people for fools.”
Yu Qing, having learned the trick, also reverted himself. He used a bag to hide the small snow leopard on his stomach and moved closer to Song Xinqi.
Shi Tao pieced together the events from others’ accounts and realized it was Song Xinqi alone who had dealt with the guards.
Determined to keep him, he believed having him would significantly boost the base’s strength.
As Yu Qing approached, Shi Tao’s eyes gleamed with admiration. He hadn’t seen such a striking beauty in a long time, not even the woman with him earlier could compare.
He formulated a plan. “It was all a misunderstanding. Given your strength, you must be very capable.”
“But our base only takes useful people. You can stay, but as for the other one…” he paused, then smiled. “I have a proposal. Give me the beauty behind you, and I’ll make you the second-in-command. You’ll have your pick of tasks, and you’ll eat three full meals a day.”
He believed his offer was highly tempting. In the apocalypse, beauty was also a commodity. Many had offered him beauty or resources to stay in the base. He wasn’t picky about gender, only looks.
He assumed Song Xinqi kept Yu Qing for his looks. But comparing beauty to the protection of a base, the latter was clearly more valuable.
Damn, Yu Qing thought, he didn’t want to get involved with the base leader. He felt Shi Tao’s eyes on him and hid behind Song Xinqi.
Uncertain of Song Xinqi’s stance, he was worried. Song Xinqi probably still disliked him and might even leave him behind in a safe zone.
Sensing the movement behind him, Song Xinqi looked back at Yu Qing’s pleading eyes and felt a surge of annoyance.
Did this little trash actually think he would give him away?
His face darkened. Yu Qing, seeing his silence, grew more anxious. Would Song Xinqi really hand him over?
His heart sank to the bottom of the valley. He planned to escape if Song Xinqi agreed, preferring to face zombies rather than the base leader.
Shi Tao shared this sentiment. He didn’t think Song Xinqi would give up such a strong ally for a beauty. The little beauty clearly didn’t understand that relying on the base leader was better than depending on Song Xinqi.
Song Xinqi replied, “No, not interested.”
Yu Qing felt immense relief, while Shi Tao was taken aback.
“What’s wrong? Do you think my offer isn’t good enough? Let me tell you, you might not know now…” He began, but Song Xinqi interrupted impatiently, “I said no, can’t you understand?”
Shi Tao’s face darkened. He was a Level 2 lightning ability user, used to respect. Did this man really think beating two guards made him invincible?
Suddenly, Yu Qing noticed a shadow overhead. He looked up to see clouds gathering, and a lightning bolt struck near Song Xinqi, leaving a black mark.
He jumped, trying to soothe the startled snow leopard in his pocket. Song Xinqi shielded him, still calm and composed.
Shi Tao’s internal sneer turned to an open threat. “Listen, kid. This is the only base for miles. You know City A has fallen, right? We escaped from there. We have numerous ability users and military weapons. You can’t beat us.”
“If you hand over the beauty, I’ll overlook this and make you my second-in-command. But if you refuse, the next bolt will hit you directly. Once you’re dead, the beauty’s life will be far from pleasant.”
Yu Qing smirked, a hint of amusement in his eyes. Shi Tao missed the meaning, but Song Xinqi found the threat amusing. “You can try,” he said.
Shi Tao’s smile faltered. Determined to teach Song Xinqi a lesson, he summoned a larger storm cloud. The environment darkened, wind howled, and onlookers stretched their necks to watch.
The expected lightning bolt arrived but struck Shi Tao instead.