Reborn As A Doomsday Villainess -
Chapter 194: I’m sorry I couldn’t save you
Chapter 194: I’m sorry I couldn’t save you
Yu Song and Meng Nian came over quickly, wiping sweat from their brows, while Fang Mokin handed his clipboard to one of the junior workers before following them toward Qingran.
They moved a little away from the busiest area, stopping near one of the tool benches stacked with bolts and neatly coiled wires.
Fang Mokin started first. "We’ve finished the outline and the first foundation layer. The concrete’s curing faster than expected with this heat. By dusk, we should be able to start placing the upper frame for the central hall."
Meng Nian added, "We’ve got enough insulated panels to cover about 60% of the outer walls. We’ll need to reinforce the north-facing side. It’s exposed to wind, so we’re doubling the support braces there."
Yu Song opened a small notepad, flipping it open. "The water lines were tricky, but we managed a workaround with the existing pipes in the hotel’s perimeter. We’ll branch them off to connect through the base’s rear service wall. We also mapped out the best place for the generators. A small compartment will be created in the building, then we’ll connect power to the dam walls so they can drain the water"
Qingran nodded slowly, absorbing the details. "Good. That will reduce noise and prevent overheating too. What about interior divisions?"
"We’ve marked them with chalk lines," Fang Mokin answered. "Once the frames go up, we’ll start slotting in pre-built partitions. The med wing will be closest to the hotel, and the weapons and supply sections on the far end."
Qingran looked between them. "We’ll need to finish this core building before we even consider the water dam walls."
She turned to Yu Song, expression serious. "Once the building’s covered and powered, I want a secure cold room installed. If the infection spreads further, we’ll need a way to store medicine long-term."
"Understood."
Yu Song nodded briskly, already noting it down. "We’ll start insulating one of the corner rooms. Once the generator’s wired in, we’ll keep the temperature stable."
Qingran let out a breath, short but approving. "That’ll do. Get some rest now. You’ve all done more than enough through the night."
They exchanged looks, clearly reluctant but recognizing the order in her tone.
Fang Mokin gave a short bow before waving over his team to begin switching shifts. Meng Nian lingered a moment longer, squinting at her.
"You sure you’re okay, Qingran?"
"I’m fine," she replied, her voice soft but firm. "I’ll check on things here, then rest a little if there’s time."
He didn’t argue, only touched her shoulder briefly before turning to follow the others toward the lift.
Qingran watched them go. As the early sunlight climbed higher and day-shift workers emerged from the hotel doors, she stepped away from the construction site and turned back toward the building.
Inside, the lobby was cooler, quiet in comparison. She passed a few familiar faces, most of them just waking up or reporting for their tasks.
A few greeted her with nods, to which she responded politely. Her footsteps echoed softly as she took the elevator to the thirty-fourth floor, the familiar hum and slight tremor of the lift a moment of silence before she faced what waited upstairs.
When the doors slid open, the hallway was dim. The lights here were kept low to conserve power. She moved quietly, pausing outside one of the rooms.
The heavy door was closed, but she could feel the tension bleeding out from behind it.
Qingran opened it gently.
The patient lay sprawled on the bed.
Blankets had been kicked off at some point, his limbs contorted unnaturally across the mattress.
His chest rose and fell in staggered rhythm, like a machine struggling to run on broken gears.
And his skin...Her brows knit tightly.
The black veins had spread across his neck and arms, winding like a curse beneath the skin.
His eyes were closed, but his jaw twitched. His hands clawed at the sheets intermittently, though no strength remained in them.
Lingquan’s voice was grim in her mind.
[This is bad. The infection’s accelerated.]
She stepped closer, careful, measured. The fevered heat radiating off his body was nearly palpable. She could smell it, the faint rot and acidic sweat.
He wasn’t gone yet, but the transformation had progressed too far.
"There’s no salvaging this." Her voice was low, steady.
[No. He’s half gone already. That’s not a human heartbeat anymore.]
She closed her eyes briefly.
This had happened before. People who’d been bitten and hidden it, hoping the infection wouldn’t take hold. Some even begged to be saved, but this man hadn’t even gotten to the stage of pleading. He’d lost consciousness before he could even recognize his situation...
She reached for the drawer at the bedside cabinet and retrieved a cloth. She dampened it with water from the table and laid it gently on his forehead, even though she knew it wouldn’t help.
This was his final comfort.
Then, she reached into her coat and pulled out a slim, short blade, no longer than her hand.
It wasn’t a weapon for battle, but one meant for quiet peace.
One strike. It would be clean and painless.
"May you find peace in the next life. I’m sorry I couldn’t save you or gave you the chancd to plead for your life" she murmured.
His eyes flickered open in that moment.
Not fully but just enough to reveal the black creeping into the white.
No clarity, no humanity, only instinct and fragmented awareness.
A low, rattling exhale left his throat, and his fingers twitched toward her.
But she was already moving.
Her hand pressed his shoulder gently down as the blade slipped into the side of his neck, severing the artery before the virus could claim what was left.
He didn’t even have time to cry out.
Blood welled up, it was dark and thick, before slowing in a sluggish ooze. Qingran held her position for a moment longer, ensuring the job was done.
Then she wiped the blade clean and stepped back.
The room was still again.
She pulled the blanket up over his body, covering him completely. She’d arrange for the remains to be burned laternquietly.
No need to scare the others. She locked the room behind her and made her way back toward the elevator, her face a calm mask but her heart just a shade heavier.
[You did what had to be done] Lingquan offered softly.
"I know."
[Though it doesn’t make it any easier.]
She said nothing.
Back downstairs, the day-shift workers were in full swing. The sharp clang of metal striking metal resumed. Qingran stepped back out into the morning light, the scent of steel and dust grounding her again.
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