After Marking the Omega Officer Who Was Pretending to Be an Alpha - Chapter 11

After the prayer ended, Shao Enzhuo asked Ren Qiruo to take her to see the gate in District P-43 that led outside.

The two stood at a corner not far away and looked toward the city gate.

There were very few people here.

From a distance, Shao Enzhuo saw a large arched gate in the high wall, about three meters tall. The tightly closed arched gate looked extremely sturdy. It seemed that it could only be opened by being raised upward. There was also a guard booth beside the gate.

Several guards in dark blue uniforms stood motionless at the entrance, their faces expressionless.

“This gate is the one in our District P-43 that leads outside,” Ren Qiruo said, standing beside Shao Enzhuo. “Aside from people from the Hope Organization, Omegas and Betas are not allowed to leave through the gate. They’re not even allowed to come here to play, so almost no one comes to this area.”

Since it was so dangerous outside, not opening the gate to the public was quite reasonable.

Shao Enzhuo did want to see what the outside world looked like now, but if she was not allowed out, then forget it. “Then can we go look around other districts?”

“Of course we can look around other districts. But because of the differences in terrain, every district’s area is a little different,” Ren Qiruo said, withdrawing her gaze and looking at Shao Enzhuo. “For example, our District P-43 is mostly housing, fields, and farms. Other districts also have forests and hills and things like that. Our neighboring District O-42 and District E-44 have that kind of terrain.”

Shao Enzhuo asked, “Want to go over there and take a look?”

Ren Qiruo said, “Sure.”

The two came to the city gate leading to District E-44. The gate to District E-44 was open, and four guards stood at the entrance. One could clearly see that the opposite side of the gate was not housing, but a lush green forest.

A deep, secluded forest that seemed endless at a glance.

When the wind blew, branches and leaves swayed.

“This is the gate leading to District E-44,” Ren Qiruo said, looking at the forest beyond the gate. “The gate closes at ten at night and opens every morning at six.”

Shao Enzhuo fell into thought.

“A long time ago, I once rushed along the road without stopping for an entire day before I could see the residential area of District E-44 from far away,” Ren Qiruo said. In any case, she did not want to walk there again. “If we want to go, we’d probably have to walk for a day and a night before reaching the residential area of District E-44. Borrowing a horse from a farm should be faster.”

Shao Enzhuo looked at the forest with its shifting shadows and had no other thoughts. She had not even finished exploring District P-43, so she did not have the energy to explore other districts. Moreover, she could not stop worrying about Shao Lanzhi. If there was a chance in the future, then she would think about it again.

She withdrew her gaze and turned around.

“Qiruo, let’s go look around somewhere else?”

Ren Qiruo nodded. “Let’s go.”

—

Time passed quickly.

It had already been six days since Shao Enzhuo transmigrated to the Capital of Hope.

Today was the day to receive relief grain.

Ren Qiruo arrived at Shao Enzhuo’s house when the sky had only just begun to brighten. At that moment, Shao Enzhuo was still sleeping in bed. By the time the two went out, the morning sun had already risen.

“We’re finally going to receive relief grain.” Ren Qiruo was extremely excited as they walked along the road. The smile on her face had barely disappeared. “Ah Zhuo, you’ve been bringing food to me these past few days. Once I get the relief grain, I’ll give you half.”

“No need, Qiruo. Your family already has no food, and you still have to take care of your stepmother,” Shao Enzhuo refused without hesitation. “If you give half to me, what will you and your stepmother do afterward?”

Every day, she would take the initiative to send some food for Ren Qiruo and her mother to eat. She had not told Shao Lanzhi about this. She had secretly saved her own portion.

She did not want to make things difficult for Shao Lanzhi.

Because the little food in her own home was not even enough for her and Shao Lanzhi, but she could not bear to watch Ren Qiruo and her mother starve to death. Back in the real world, she had often helped stray cats and dogs, let alone two living people.

She also did not want Ren Qiruo to steal steamed buns from other people’s shops again. After all, no one had it easy in this apocalypse.

So she chose this method.

It was fine. Missing a meal would not kill her anyway.

This was the only way she could help Ren Qiruo.

“But I can’t just eat the food you bring me for nothing,” Ren Qiruo said stubbornly, grabbing Shao Enzhuo’s arm. “Ah Zhuo, just agree, okay? Didn’t I find work at the pasture yesterday? Once I start working, I’ll have money. Then I’ll pay you back for the steamed buns you bought for me last time.”

Shao Enzhuo did not say anything more. If Ren Qiruo insisted on giving her half of the relief grain, then she would accept it and help Ren Qiruo store it. When Ren Qiruo’s family ran out, she would send it back.

“But with my stepmother’s current condition… she probably won’t be able to hold on for much longer.” As Ren Qiruo spoke, she suddenly withdrew her smile. Her brows furrowed tightly, and her eyes reddened slightly. “My stepmother’s illness can’t be cured. My mom left me too. From now on, I’ll be an orphan…”

The apocalyptic world’s medical equipment and medical resources surely could not cure serious diseases. Ren Yiyao was probably already beyond saving and was only bitterly holding on now.

Sigh…

“Qiruo, in the days ahead, stay home more and talk with your stepmother. Your stepmother definitely won’t feel at ease leaving you alone,” Shao Enzhuo said, patting Ren Qiruo’s shoulder and comforting her gently. “You don’t have to worry about not having family either. From now on, my grandma and I are both your family.”

“Really, Ah Zhuo?” Ren Qiruo looked at Shao Enzhuo in disbelief. A thin layer of mist gradually rose in her eyes. “You’re willing to let me be your family?”

“Mm.” Shao Enzhuo nodded. “Really.”

“Wuwuwu, thank you, Ah Zhuo.” Ren Qiruo hugged Shao Enzhuo with endless gratitude. “Thank you for letting me be your family. Thank you for being so good to me.”

Shao Enzhuo gently patted Ren Qiruo’s back.

“No need to thank me.”

Ren Qiruo secretly swore in her heart that she definitely would not let down Shao Enzhuo’s care for her. She took Shao Enzhuo’s hand and walked forward. “Let’s hurry to the farmers’ market and line up. The sooner we receive the relief grain, the sooner we can feel at ease.”

Shao Enzhuo obediently followed behind her.

—

A gentle breeze blew, and the sun shone brightly.

Shao Enzhuo and Ren Qiruo turned this way and that, passing through street after street before arriving at the farmers’ market. The farmers’ market was not very large. It was made up of wooden sheds built from wood and straw, and the surroundings were already crowded and very lively.

Inside the wooden sheds, some people sold vegetables and fruits, some sold grains and cereals, and others sold chickens, ducks, fish, or cattle, sheep, and horses. Looking farther ahead, an old man was working hard to milk a cow inside a wooden shed.

The things sold here were quite complete.

Walking farther inside,

a very long line had already formed ahead.

From the looks of it, they were all people here to receive relief grain.

“There are so many people today…” Ren Qiruo looked up at the crowded line in front of them and could not help complaining. “They can’t all be here to see the new commander, right?”

Shao Enzhuo said, “It’s possible.”

“I’m actually really looking forward to seeing the new commander.” After saying that, Ren Qiruo pulled Shao Enzhuo to the end of the line and stood there to wait. “Ah Zhuo, have you received relief grain before?”

Shao Enzhuo said, “I don’t remember…”

“I forgot to tell you before that each person can only receive relief grain three times a year. This is my last time receiving it this year.” Ren Qiruo suddenly reached out and gently touched Shao Enzhuo’s head, smiling sweetly. “It’s fine if that little head of yours doesn’t remember. The grain protectors have records. If you haven’t received it three times yet, you can still receive it.”

Just then, a commotion suddenly came from ahead.

“The people from the City Guard Department are here.”

“Is that female Alpha walking in front the new commander of our district? She’s so beautiful…”

“Wow, the new commander is actually this beautiful.”

“Isn’t the commander too young?”

“She’s Han Yilü?”

…

Exclamations kept rising and falling from ahead.

“It looks like the commander and the others are here.” Hearing the movement ahead, Ren Qiruo stood on tiptoe and lifted her chin, trying to see what was happening in front. But the area ahead was already packed with people. “There are too many people. I can’t see anything at all…”

Shao Enzhuo also stood on tiptoe and looked forward.

She was half a head taller than Ren Qiruo, but she still could not see what was going on ahead. “I can’t see either.”

Ren Qiruo said, “I really want to see the new commander.”

Shao Enzhuo could not see anything, so she simply gave up.

Although she could not see the new commander, judging from the reactions of the crowd ahead, this new commander Han Yilü was very beautiful. Although Shao Enzhuo’s impression of the Hope Organization was extremely poor, vanguards were different in her eyes. Not to mention that this was a commander who led the vanguards.

She was quite curious what kind of appearance a female Alpha who had become a commander of the Reconnaissance Department at only twenty-four would have.

More and more people gathered ahead.

Soon,

Shao Enzhuo saw someone slowly walking over from ahead while carrying a small bag of flour, two cabbages, and a piece of meat about the size of a fist. A happy smile hung on their face. This food would be enough to eat for a while.

The line began moving forward little by little.

From where Shao Enzhuo stood, she could already see the grain protectors in dark green uniforms, as well as the vanguards in black uniforms. However, she did not see the commander or the station officer.

The sun shone brightly.

Everyone’s face was heated into a thin layer of sweat.

With nothing else to do, Shao Enzhuo observed the farmers’ market.

It was more prosperous than she had imagined.

Ren Qiruo suddenly tugged on Shao Enzhuo’s sleeve and pointed ahead excitedly. “Ah Zhuo! Hurry and look at the new commander! She’s so tall, and she’s so beautiful!”

Shao Enzhuo followed Ren Qiruo’s gaze and looked over.

She saw a woman in a black uniform standing before the crowd ahead. The black uniform on the woman’s body was somewhat more ornate, and beside her stood vanguards and grain protectors.

The woman’s hair was tied into a loose low ponytail. Sparse, slightly curled strands of hair fell on both sides of her face. Her features were exquisite, her nose bridge delicate and straight, her skin as white as jade and smooth as fine cream. Her cherry lips, neither too thin nor too full, were naturally red without makeup. Not a single flaw could be found on her entire face. She was tall, graceful, and upright.

Yet those affectionate peach-blossom eyes revealed coldness.

She had an aloof distance that kept strangers away.

Among the crowd, this beautiful woman radiating a powerful aura was undoubtedly the most dazzling one.

Even if she simply stood there without saying or doing anything,

she could still make someone fall for her at first sight.

Shao Enzhuo looked at the beautiful woman ahead and was momentarily dazed. So she was the new commander, Han Yilü?

She was indeed just as others had said.

So beautiful.

However, the new commander looked very cold and seemed difficult to provoke. There was no expression on that beautiful face, as if a single look from her could cut a person to pieces.

“Officer Han is so beautiful…” Ren Qiruo was immersed in Han Yilü’s beauty. “Such a beautiful Alpha is actually our district’s new commander…”

Who didn’t love beauties?

Shao Enzhuo pressed her lips together and nodded in agreement.

They drew closer and closer to the front.

Han Yilü stood ahead with her arms crossed, watching coldly as the grain protectors distributed relief grain. From far away, not only did she seem devoid of warmth, she also gave off a powerful sense of pressure.

The people receiving relief grain in front did not dare raise their heads to look at her.

Wait.

Shao Enzhuo suddenly realized that Han Yilü’s aura, cold as an ice cellar and carrying a powerful sense of pressure… was very similar to the mysterious woman she had met on the clock tower rooftop. Even their heights were almost exactly the same.

Could Han Yilü be that mysterious woman?

Shao Enzhuo stared blankly at Han Yilü.

It couldn’t be that coincidental, could it…

At that moment, shouts coming from nearby suddenly attracted everyone’s attention in the farmers’ market.

“Stop! Don’t run!”

They were the voices of several men.

“You, stop right there!”

“Don’t run!”

When the surrounding people heard the commotion, they all looked toward the direction the voices came from. They saw a woman suddenly rush out from the crowd, run to the front of the stone platform where relief grain was being distributed, and fall to her knees with a thud.

“Commander! I have a request! I beg the commander to listen to my plea!”

This scene shocked everyone present.

The surroundings became completely silent.

This woman wore a reflective restriction ring on her wrist.

She was an Omega.

Seeing this, several guards hurried forward, wanting to help the Omega stand up, but the Omega refused.

The Omega knelt on the ground, raised her head, looked at Han Yilü, and said in a trembling voice, “Commander! I have something to beg of you. Please, Commander, listen to my plea!”

As soon as she finished speaking,

several guards rushed out from the crowd. Just as they were about to grab the Omega, they saw Han Yilü. Then they walked forward and lowered their heads. “Commander, apologies.”

Han Yilü lowered her eyes and looked expressionlessly at the Omega kneeling on the ground, then asked coldly, “What is going on?”

“A few days ago, a vanguard completed the mission of collecting two thousand walking-corpse heads and drew lots. He drew this Omega’s serial number,” the guard said, glancing at the Omega. “Today, we were supposed to send her to that vanguard’s home.”

Han Yilü’s expression did not change. “Is that so?”

“She accidentally escaped just now,” the guard said, turning to walk toward the Omega. “I’ll take her away now.”

“Please, Commander, let me join the Hope Organization! Please, Commander, let me become a vanguard!” Seeing this, the Omega kept kowtowing and shouted loudly, “I am willing to leave the city and clear out walking corpses! I am willing to dedicate my life to the Hope Organization! I am willing to protect the Capital of Hope with my life! I only beg… I only beg the commander not to assign me to a vanguard.”