Addition to the team

Jinhai just quietly followed her towards the house,silently appraising the whole environment,as they got close,he was greeted with 3 cubs running towards Qianqian.

Qianqian happily crouched down and played with her kids a bit,she referred to them as her children for some weird reason.

Jinhai just stood aside and watched with a blank face.

"Hey,I know they're cute but can we just address the elephant in the room.",Echo reminded her,pulling her attention back to Jinhai.

Qianqian let out a deep sigh,"let's go in then we'll talk". She then proceeded into the house and straight to the main room.

Jinhai hummed and quietly followed her,the three cubs not far behind.

As they got to the room,Qianqian sat on a couch and just watched as Jinhai tried to take everything in.

Jinhai had been quietly paying attention since they arrived. They room looked neat and simple except for a lot of sticky notes and papers almost everywhere.

As he moved he read what was written on some notes and was more confused,then he stumbled on the list Qianqian had written.

He picked it up and glanced at her with a questioning look.

Her heart pounded as she began. "I know this is going to sound insane, but… the world is going to end in a year."

Jinhai stared at her, his expression unreadable. "What are you talking about, Qianqian?"

"I mean it. An apocalypse. Zombies, mutated animals, plants—everything we know will change. The world as we know it will collapse."

He didn't say anything, his sharp gaze locked on hers, as if trying to gauge whether she was joking but somehow he doubted that she was.

He quietly sat and and let her continue, "I know because I've lived through it before," she continued. "I died, Jinhai. I died fighting to survive in that world, and somehow, I was given a second chance. And it's not just me. You were there too."

She quietly whispered the last part,she didn't want to tell him about his disappearance, what he doesn't know won't hurt him,she thought.

His eyes narrowed slightly, but there was no mockery in his voice when he finally spoke. "You're serious."

"Yes," she said, her voice steady. "And that's not all. This time… I have something that might help us survive...a system." She paused and looked at him trying to gauge his reaction.

"Is that how you got...all these?", he glanced around. She hummed in agreement,"The system is more like a game. It gives me missions, rewards, and tools to prepare for what's coming. It's already helped me stockpile supplies and improve my skills."

Qianqian focused on the inventory tab, willing a small flashlight into her hand. It materialized in an instant, and she held it out to him.

Jinhai's eyes widened. "Where did that come from?"

"Wait, there's more." She placed the flashlight on the desk, then willed it back into the inventory. Before his eyes, the flashlight vanished.

"Wait...let me get this straight ",Jinhai stood up and started pacing around then turned back to face her,"you have some sort of su-superpowers now?!"

Qianqian laughed, " yeah...a little,come let me show you something ". She stood up and moved out of the room heading outside.

"Wait,where are we going?",Jinhai questioned before quickly moving to catch up with her.

Qianqian jogged towards the warehouse and opened it."Okay...here we are,so-",she paused as she turned around expecting to see her brother beside her.

"Wait,where's he?",she turned asking no one in particular.

Echo scoffed, " You really have to take it easy,how exactly did you expect him to catch up with you with the speed you were using. I've told you to learn to control your speed and strength so you don't stand out but noo,you just never listen." Echo ended with an eyeroll.

Qianqian turned around facing the direction she just came from and indeed saw her brother running towards her. She laughed and waited patiently.

When he was close enough she shouted,"Take it easy,ge. There's no ambulance nearby." She laughed along with Echo.

Upon reaching his sister,Jinhai slumped on the grass and just lay there trying to catch his breath.

Qianqian laughed as she took out a bottled water from her inventory and handed it over to him," I did tell you to take it easy didn't I,here take this."

Jinhai turned towards her and then sat up,took the water and had a big gulp out of it."Why did you have to keep the warehouse so far from the house,huh?"He asked after catching his breath.

Qianqian sat down beside him as she tried to explain," Hmm,well,it's for the future,when the time comes this place would be Like a refuge,the warehouse can't be too close to the residential area."

Jinhai turned towards her,eyes wide and asked," Wait,just how big are you planning on making this place to be."

Qianqian looked towards the distance, "as big as possible."

Jinhai turned around taking in the expanse of green grasses," well,this area,doesn't seem that big though, or are you planning on cutting down the trees?"

Qianqian laughed, " No way,these trees and forest will be like a defensive system for me,no way. The system would upgrade the area if I continue to complete Missions."

Jinhai nodded, " oh,I get,so...no walls?"

Qianqian turned to him,gave him a look over and sat up walking towards the warehouse door.

Jinhai quickly followed," what? I'm just asking"

"Of course there will be a wall,a big one infact",There was no way,she wouldn't build a wall,no freaking way. If possible she needed one as high and thick as possible.

One that would be able to handle the influx of zombified animals when the time comes.

Qianqian led him through the large, steel doors. Inside, shelves stretched from floor to ceiling, packed with clothing, medical supplies, tools, camping equipment, and more.

Jinhai took a slow, deliberate walk down one aisle, his eyes wide with disbelief. "How… how did you get all this?"

"Delibrate planning with Echo and the system of course", she explained,standing at the entrance with her arms crossed.

Jinhai turned to her,eyebrows raised,"Echo?"

"Yeah,he's more Like a companion, he's been with me since I woke up months ago,I honestly don't know what I would have done without him."

Jinhai's eyebrows shot up, his posture straightening. "He? What do you mean, he?"

Qianqian blinked, confused by his sudden change in tone. "What?"

Jinhai narrowed his eyes. "Why didn't you mention this earlier? How close are you two?"

Qianqian's jaw dropped. "Close? He's a disembodied voice in my head! It's not like we're having candlelit dinners together!"

"Well, we could try that," Echo's amused voice piped up in her mind, laced with mischief. "Though I'd have to settle for providing commentary instead of holding a fork."

"Echo, not now," she muttered under her breath, her cheeks heating up.

Jinhai noticed her expression and stepped closer. "Is he talking to you right now? What's he saying?"

Qianqian groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Jinhai, he's not real. He's just a tool the system gave me to help me navigate everything. And he's playful—annoyingly so. You don't have to take him so seriously!"

"Annoyingly so? I'm hurt," Echo quipped. "But let's be honest, Qianqian, I'm the most charming part of this whole apocalyptic adventure."

"See?" she said, exasperated. "That's what I deal with all day."

Jinhai crossed his arms again, his expression darkening. "I don't like this. You don't need anyone—or anything—except me. I've got your back, Qianqian. Always have, always will. This Echo better stay in his lane."

"Jinhai, you're being ridiculous," Qianqian said, trying not to laugh.

"Ridiculous? No, no, let him continue," Echo teased. "This is highly entertaining. Your brother's possessiveness is practically legendary."

"Echo!" Qianqian snapped, but there was a small smile tugging at her lips.

Jinhai shook his head, clearly unimpressed. "I don't trust this thing, Qianqian. You're my sister, and if anything—or anyone—tries to mess with you, system or not, they'll have to deal with me."

Qianqian sighed, though her heart warmed at his protective streak. "Echo isn't trying to mess with me. He's here to help. And besides, nothing can come between us, ge. You're my family."

Jinhai relaxed slightly, though he still looked suspicious. "Fine. But I'm watching him."

"Oh no," Echo said dryly. "How ever will I survive the scrutiny of the mighty Jinhai?"

Qianqian rolled her eyes. "See what I mean? He's impossible."

Jinhai huffed but finally cracked a small grin,"Fine,what do we need to do now?"

Qianqian immediately stood straight, "Wait,you're being serious, you'll help?"

"Of course I will,I've already seen enough evidence to conclude that don't need a month at the asylum."

Qianqian rolled her eyes,"ha ha ha,very funny,well then let's go back to the house."

Jinhai groaned, "no way,I'm tired, I'm not going."

Qianqian laughed at this while walking out the warehouse, Jinhai had no other option but to follow.

Deep down,she felt relieved,she wasn't alone anymore.

"Awwwn,I'm hurt,I can't believe you didn't consider me here as well," Echo remarked playfully.

"Shut up,"Qianqian replied out loud.

"Ugh,I don't like this guy,you heard her dumbass,stop talking to her," Jinhai who was behind imputed as he jogged up to meet them.

They all moved foward together,it was time to get to work