Chapter 37: Ineffective p2
The hovercar arrived at the Abisaro Library fifteen minutes later.
The changing weather blurred the dark ink of the sky, dyeing it a light gray.
Ming Fei held Zhu Yiqiao’s hand as they got out of the car. After facial recognition on the first floor, she released Zhu Yiqiao’s hand.
“Jiejie, I want to go to the thirteenth floor.”
Zhu Yiqiao said, “I’ll wait for you in Area A.”
“Okay.”
Entering the library, Ming Fei was like a blue whale returning to the sea.
She had been to the Abisaro Library during her first business trip to Taiya, but time was limited then, and she could only stay for half an hour, so she hadn’t been able to finish reading many materials, leaving her with some regrets.
And at that time, the ancient Abisaro Library hadn’t yet opened online browsing, still maintaining its traditional offline reading mode.
But almost two years later, in response to public demand, the Abisaro Library had opened online browsing channels. Only some very old and precious classical books still needed to be found in the library, and after registering with the librarian, one could obtain a time-limited electronic version.
Ming Fei took the elevator to the thirteenth floor, a smile in her eyes.
She looked at the unique decoration and design style of the thirteenth floor, and then, according to her pre-planned schedule, used the search system to find the books she wanted to read.
It took her half an hour to find all the books.
She carefully placed the heavy books into the automatic rolling book cart and controlled the cart towards the registration desk on the thirteenth floor, expressing her needs to the librarian.
The librarian had gray hair, wore black-framed glasses, and had a kind face, patiently helping her find the electronic versions of these sixty books.
Ming Fei waited quietly, using this time to sit down and open the illustrated guide to paleontology on the far right.
This ancient book was out of print, and only the Abisaro Library still had a copy. Because it was precious, her movements were very light and careful as she flipped through the pages. The librarian, glancing at her from the corner of her eye, gradually became certain that she was a book lover.
Because of this cherishing attitude, the librarian’s gaze became even kinder, and she searched even faster.
Ming Fei didn’t notice the librarian’s change. She was immersed in the knowledge of the book. When she casually flipped to page 113, her gaze paused.
Because—
The illustration of the creature in the book made her feel inexplicably familiar.
It was an extinct ancient creature. People at the time hadn’t even given it an official name, only using a series of numbers to represent its existence.
[W1215304]
In the notes on the left side of the page, the author described it as a creature with unclear abilities, able to accurately predict disasters before they occurred, and capable of fission and proliferation to achieve immortality, and even…
The following introduction was too old and blurred into a mess.
Ming Fei stared at the illustration without blinking. In a flash, the scene at St. Gesali that night flashed through her mind.
She suddenly looked up and told the librarian that she would be back later, then quickly took the elevator down to the first floor with the book.
Area A was sparsely populated, and she quickly found where Zhu Yiqiao was and strode towards her.
Because she was a little anxious, a faint blush crept up her cheeks, but it was completely covered by the mask, so it wasn’t visible at all.
“…Jiejie!”
Zhu Yiqiao looked up: “Mm?”
Ming Fei sat next to her, then directly opened the book to page 113, pointed at the illustration of the creature, and explained to Zhu Yiqiao in a low voice,
“At St. Gesali that night, before I fired, I saw a ring on Bai He’s right pinky finger. The pattern on the ring was exactly the same as this illustration.”
The color of Zhu Yiqiao’s eyes deepened.
She didn’t doubt Ming Fei’s words. After carefully reading the description of the creature on this page, she went with Ming Fei to the library’s office on the twentieth floor and directly presented her Trial Court credentials, requesting to take the book back for further examination.
The library director, knowing the seriousness of the matter, naturally didn’t dare to refuse.
As they left the twentieth floor, Zhu Yiqiao looked at Ming Fei in the elevator mirror and said calmly,
“You did very well.”
Not just right, not just correct, but very well.
This was the second time Ming Fei had heard Zhu Yiqiao’s approval. She smiled shyly, her dimples faintly visible.
“Any citizen of the Independent State of Yi Meng would do the same.”
“I really like the Independent State of Yi Meng,” she whispered. “I hope it can continue to develop healthily.”
“Jiejie has helped me many times. I’m very happy to be able to help Jiejie.”
The elevator reached the thirteenth floor, and Zhu Yiqiao only replied, “It will.”
Entering the thirteenth floor, Ming Fei first thanked the librarian who had transferred the electronic versions, then returned the books according to her memory.
She had a good memory and quickly put the books back, finding their original locations without looking at the search system prompts.
In a short while, fifty-nine books were returned.
Light snow began to fall. As the two left the library, Ming Fei felt a strange sensation in the gland on the back of her neck.
As they sat in the back of the hovercar, and the door automatically closed, the strange feeling in her gland became more pronounced.
Ming Fei hesitated to speak.
When she looked at Zhu Yiqiao for the second time, Zhu Yiqiao, who had already noticed her movements, turned and asked,
“What’s wrong?”
The next moment, the surging pear scent answered the question for Ming Fei.
This time, the pear scent was extremely unusual, as if a switch had been flipped, becoming exceptionally rich, the sweetness mixed with bitterness and a hint of unripe tartness.
When Zhu Yiqiao sensed the familiar pear scent, a dark glint flashed in her usually calm eyes.
Because—
The reverse temporary marking had completely worn off.
Having once been a member of the Ole Empire’s royal family, she knew that the speed at which the marking had worn off on Ming Fei was far too… abnormal. Even renewing the reverse temporary marking would have little effect.
The situation was urgent, and she had to make a decision at this moment.
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