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  • The Heroine Fell Deeply For Her [Quick Transmigration] 80

    Chapter 80: Disciple and Wife (End)

    “I was wrong. I was so wrong. I’ll never do it again. Please, change back.”

    A soft, pleading voice, like a lover’s murmur, echoed through the quiet courtyard.

    A flock of sparrows perched on the wall, their heads tilted, observing the scene within.

    A woman in elaborate robes sat on the veranda, her back to them, her long, dark hair loosely gathered with a single ribbon.

    Either she was a late riser, or simply… lazy. Her robes were also disheveled, the outer layer slipping off one shoulder, revealing the thin undergarment beneath.

    Before her stood a half-person-tall coral bird stand, a small, fluffy white bird perched on top.

    The bird, a rare and unusual creature, not native to the mortal realm, had a single crimson feather on its left wing.

    It ignored the small, ice-blue spirit fruit offered to it, its eyes closed, its feathers ruffled in a silent sulk.

    It refused to open its eyes, fearing the sight of the woman’s face would summon another torrential downpour over the unsuspecting capital.

    Tao Ning, however, was quick to apologize, her sincerity, if not her remorse, undeniable.

    “I know it was wrong. I just… I couldn’t help myself…”

    The Shangxi bird’s every feather screamed, I’m not listening! Lalala!

    The only response was the incessant chirping of the sparrows outside. The bird before her remained motionless.

    Shangxi birds, revered as divine creatures in the Demonic Beast Realm, attracted other birds wherever they went.

    The neighbors had noticed the increased avian activity, the constant chirping, the early morning bird conferences.

    Today was especially crowded, even a few escaped pet parrots with golden chains on their legs joining the gathering.

    Tao Ning sighed, shielding the sulking bird with her sleeve, turning to glare at the onlookers, waving her other sleeve dismissively. “There’s nothing to see here. Go away.”

    The colorful flock of birds chirped in response.

    Tao Ning, not understanding their language, assumed she was being mocked.

    The Shangxi bird’s vision darkened as Tao Ning draped her sleeve over it, her voice echoing softly.

    “If you don’t leave, I’ll resort to… less gentle methods.”

    Whether it was her tone, or the implied threat, the birds scattered, leaving behind a few stray feathers.

    Tao Ning turned back, muttering, “Honestly, don’t they have their own… companions…? So rude, staring at someone else’s.”

    The Shangxi bird: …Childish.

    It remained motionless, its eyes still closed.

    520, unable to bear it any longer, said, 【I told you! Pull your robe down further! Expose your shoulder! Who seduces someone in a plain white undergarment?!】 While unsure what Tao Ning had done to offend the bird, it considered itself an expert in such matters, its extensive knowledge of dramas and romance novels a valuable resource.

    Tao Ning: “…”

    Having exhausted all other options, she hesitantly placed her hand on her shoulder, sliding the fabric downwards. “Like this?”

    520, exasperated: 【With a little more enthusiasm!】

    Just as she was about to comply, she felt a gaze on her, and she turned, abandoning her attempts at seduction, her eyes meeting the Shangxi bird’s, which were now open, fixed on the sliver of exposed skin above her collarbone.

    The birds watching from the nearby trees saw the woman who had just shooed them away suddenly scoop up the white bird and disappear inside, the door closing softly behind them.

    A few bolder birds flew closer, peering curiously at the closed door.

    No entry. How stingy.

    Inside, the room was much quieter. Cen Dianshuang, finally coaxed back into her human form, was gently pushed onto the bed.

    Her clothes were neat, her hair still perfectly styled. Tao Ning, however, looked like a seductive fox spirit, her robes disheveled, her lips curved into a playful smile.

    Cen Dianshuang sometimes wondered who was the true demon.

    Tao Ning’s robes pooled around them, the soft rustle of silk accompanying her movements as she leaned closer, her voice a husky whisper. “Perhaps we should try…”

    The rest of the sentence was whispered into Cen Dianshuang’s ear, her warm breath sending shivers down her spine.

    Cen Dianshuang’s face flushed crimson, her voice a stammering whisper. “But… but we already… dual cultivated… last night…”

    Tao Ning’s lips brushed against hers, her words a soft murmur against Cen Dianshuang’s mouth. “We haven’t tried… spiritual communion.”

    Some time later, Tao Ning, still only partially dressed, leaned against the headboard, recounting her various misdeeds, offering no promises of reform.

    The figure under the covers remained motionless, avoiding Tao Ning’s gaze, the memory of her arms around Tao Ning’s neck, her whispered pleas, still too… embarrassing.

    Such a lack of self-control…

    Days after the Mid-Autumn Festival, Princess Changping was still haunted by the image she had seen.

    “I wasn’t drunk! I really saw immortals!”

    A maid, offering a plate of fruits, suggested gently, “If you wish to find them, Princess, perhaps you could draw their portraits? The guards can search for them.”

    Silence fell over the room.

    The maid: …? Did I say something wrong? She was new to the princess’s service, unaware of her mistress’s exceptional artistic talent, her paintings often praised as “divine works.”

    Princess Changping, however, was struck by inspiration. “That’s a brilliant idea!”

    She clapped her hands excitedly. “Someone bring me my brushes and ink! I’ll paint their portraits myself!”

    The maids, who had seen the princess’s previous works: “…Yes, Princess.”

    They hurried to prepare the materials, their minds already composing elaborate praises for the princess’s artistic genius.

    Their expectations, however, were unmet. The princess, after a few frustrated attempts, threw down her brush, her face pressed against the railing, her gaze fixed on the street below.

    “Immortals! The immortals I told you about!”

    Below, Tao Ning and Cen Dianshuang strolled through the streets, Tao Ning’s wide sleeve concealing their clasped hands.

    “I heard the Qujiang Restaurant has a new chef, with many unique dishes. Let’s try them.”

    While mortal food couldn’t compare to the spirit-infused cuisine of the Radiant Realm, experiencing the local flavors was part of the adventure.

    Cen Dianshuang, mentally calculating the number of cleansing pills she would need upon their return, agreed. “Alright.”

    She had never been interested in anything beyond cultivation, but now, she found herself enjoying these mundane experiences… simply because Tao Ning was there.

    “No wonder so many Radiant Realm cultivators struggle with the Path of No Emotions. If it were me, I would also abandon it.”

    Tao Ning chuckled, then turned to the approaching innkeeper, who greeted them with a smile. “Your private room is ready, honored guests. Please, follow me.”

    Just as they were about to follow him, a voice called out from the stairs. “Please wait!”

    Two maids, their attire more elaborate than typical servants, jade tokens bearing the characters “Changping” hanging at their waists, hurried down the stairs.

    Even their servants were dressed like noblewomen. Their mistress must be someone of high status.

    Tao Ning and Cen Dianshuang turned, Tao Ning’s gaze lingering on the jade tokens. “What can we do for you, ladies?”

    The taller maid replied, “Our mistress invites you to a banquet.”

    Tao Ning, exchanging a look with Cen Dianshuang, her eyebrow arching slightly, echoed, “Mistress?”

    In a private room, Princess Changping, adjusting her appearance in the mirror, asked anxiously, “Is this… appropriate?”

    A maid reassured her. “You look stunning, Princess. You won’t disappoint your guests.”

    Hearing approaching footsteps, Princess Changping jumped to her feet, almost opening the door herself.

    As the door opened, she froze, her gaze fixed on the two figures before her, then, composing herself, her cheeks flushing slightly, she said, “Forgive my rudeness.”

    “I was captivated by your… ethereal presence that night. I’m overjoyed to meet you again. It’s… a dream come true.”

    On their way upstairs, Tao Ning had discreetly relayed Princess Changping’s background to Cen Dianshuang.

    Her mother was the current Empress, her brother the Crown Prince, yet she yearned for adventure, her attempts to explore the world beyond the palace walls always thwarted.

    Her last attempt, ending with a false accusation of theft, had been so humiliating that she had reported the incident to the magistrate herself, her dreams of adventure crushed.

    Tao Ning smiled politely. “It’s our honor to receive your invitation, Princess.”

    Princess Changping, seeing her maids’ surprised expressions, realized they hadn’t revealed her identity. “How did you know I was the princess?”

    Tao Ning: “Your reputation precedes you, Princess. Your fondness for making new acquaintances is well known.”

    She had a habit of gathering information wherever she went, her knowledge of local customs and influential figures now encyclopedic.

    Even a random stranger on the street… she could likely recite their life story.

    Cen Dianshuang had only recently discovered this, but wasn’t surprised.

    Tao Ning, regardless of her surroundings, always found a way to excel, even in the mortal realm.

    Princess Changping clapped her hands delightedly. “I like your directness! Refreshing!”

    Gesturing towards the table, she said, “Please, be seated.”

    They sat down, their actions so natural, so unassuming, that even the palace maids didn’t question their audacity.

    Once they were seated, the servants began serving the dishes.

    Princess Changping, eager to make a good impression, had even revealed her name.

    Her eyes shone with curiosity. “You both seem… extraordinary. I’ve never seen such… elegance… Are you… from a… secluded sect, perhaps?”

    Before Tao Ning could answer, she continued, her excitement growing. “Judging by your demeanor, it must be a prominent sect. Only years of leadership could cultivate such… presence.”

    Cen Dianshuang, looking at her eager, expectant expression, was reminded of the younger disciples at the Hanshan Sect.

    Except they wouldn’t dare smile so freely in her presence, their expressions always carefully respectful.

    Princess Changping was talkative, but her youthful enthusiasm was endearing, not annoying.

    Cen Dianshuang: “We’re from the Hanshan Sect.”

    Princess Changping blinked. “Hanshan Sect? Is that… far from the capital?”

    Tao Ning and Cen Dianshuang exchanged a look, then smiled.

    This princess was amusing. She didn’t ask if it was a minor sect, but if it was far away.

    As a princess, especially one interested in the world beyond the palace walls, she would surely know the names of the major sects.

    Tao Ning nodded. “Quite far.”

    Princess Changping: “Then your journey must have been arduous.”

    Cen Dianshuang: “Not really.”

    Wanting to enjoy the scenery, they hadn’t rushed, traveling sometimes on puppet horses, sometimes flying, their journey leisurely.

    Princess Changping, a mortal, couldn’t comprehend the concept of cultivators flying, assuming it was simply exceptional lightness skill. But even the most skilled martial artists experienced fatigue. She assumed they were simply being polite.

    Tao Ning, seeing the princess’s thoughtful expression, knew what she was thinking, taking a slow sip of her tea.

    The imperial cuisine was, indeed, of exceptional quality.

    Princess Changping: “You seem close. Senior sisters, perhaps?”

    Cen Dianshuang’s expression turned complicated.

    Princess Changping, despite her youth, was perceptive, her years in the palace honing her ability to read people. “No? Then… what is your relationship?”

    Two voices, spoken simultaneously.

    Cen Dianshuang: “Grand Ancestor.”

    Tao Ning: “Master.”

    Princess Changping: “Huh?” That’s… confusing.

    Tao Ning coughed, covering her mouth with her hand. “We didn’t intend to reveal this, but since you’ve been so kind, Princess, and we feel a certain connection…”

    Cen Dianshuang, glancing away, recognized the mischievous glint in Tao Ning’s eyes. She was about to do something regrettable.

    Tao Ning continued, her voice soft and sincere, “We’re Dao companions.”

    Princess Changping stared at them, speechless, the revelation unexpected.

    After a long moment of stunned silence, she suddenly exclaimed, slapping the table excitedly, “I understand! Your sect forbade your relationship! They exiled you!”

    Tao Ning choked on her tea. “Cough! Cough!”

    She hadn’t expected the princess, after such a long pause, to arrive at that conclusion.

    Cen Dianshuang: …This princess has quite the imagination. She handed Tao Ning a handkerchief, a faint smile playing on her lips. Let’s see how you handle this.

    Tao Ning, accepting the handkerchief, her sleeve concealing her mouth as she wiped away the spilled tea, shook her head, unwilling to speak further, not wanting to stain her robes and unable to use a cleansing technique without revealing her true nature.

    Princess Changping, interpreting this as confirmation, felt a pang of sympathy.

    She struggled to find the right words, eventually offering some words of comfort. “It’s alright. If your sect doesn’t accept you, there are others who will. You’re both extraordinary. Your departure is their loss, not yours.”

    Tao Ning smiled. “You’re very kind, Princess.”

    Princess Changping, slightly embarrassed, replied, “Am I? I think so too.”

    Cen Dianshuang, hiding her smile behind her teacup, enjoyed Tao Ning’s rare moment of awkwardness.

    Life was full of surprises. Some strangers remained strangers, while others became instant friends.

    Princess Changping, finding their company delightful, their conversation refreshingly honest and insightful, invited them to a chrysanthemum appreciation banquet a few days later.

    They readily accepted.

    The princess, delighted, instructed her servants to prepare a special, secluded area for her new friends, ensuring their comfort.

    The day after the banquet, Princess Changping, having recovered from the festivities, received a letter, delivered by a maid.

    “The two ladies are gone, Princess. They left these behind.”

    A letter and a small vial.

    The letter was brief, thanking her for her hospitality, expressing their enjoyment of her company, and announcing their departure. Assuming the princess lacked nothing, they wished her a long and healthy life.

    Princess Changping sighed, folding the letter carefully. “A pity. Perhaps our paths will cross again.”

    Years later, she would still remember them, regretting their missed opportunity for future gatherings.

    But she imagined them traveling the world, eventually settling down in a peaceful, secluded place.

    Together, until the end of their days.

  • Qin Auntie, Save Me [Rebirth] 79

    Chapter 79

    Shen Yiqiu wasn’t athletic; her long-distance running test scores had always been borderline passing. But now, running towards the Xinting Hotel, she felt no fatigue, no fear of slowing down.

    The rustling of her down jacket against her body, she ran relentlessly, her throat dry and scratchy, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She felt like crying, but tears now would only hinder her.

    Shen Yiqiu bit her lip hard, forcing herself to stay focused and calm. She clutched her phone tightly, having repeatedly dialed Qin Qianrou’s number in the taxi, only to be met with the cold, automated message, “The subscriber you have dialed is powered off.”

    Warm tears fell onto her hand, then onto her phone, staining it, but Shen Yiqiu didn’t notice. She blamed herself for becoming complacent, for not taking her premonitions seriously, there had been so many opportunities to warn Jiejie, yet she had only offered a few casual reminders.

    Her hand ached from gripping the cold phone, her fingers white from the pressure, the cold wind biting at her skin, almost numbing her hand.

    Finally, she reached the Xinting Hotel.

    She didn’t alert the receptionist, but calmed her breathing, composing herself, walking through the lobby like any other guest. She joined others in the elevator, leaning against the back corner, her eyes closed.

    She hadn’t known where Qin Qianrou was, only that her premonition had led her to this hotel. But the moment she stepped into the lobby, another premonition came,

    This time, she saw the room number.

    2332, not a particularly high floor, yet it felt as distant as the heavens. She messaged Li Wan the details, then, unable to wait any longer, she rushed upstairs, even alone, she had to save Jiejie.

    Finding room 2332, Shen Yiqiu pressed the doorbell, but there was no response.

    She knocked anxiously, still no reaction.

    Shen Yiqiu frowned, she was almost ready to force the door open. She switched the phone to her other hand, having noticed just before entering the elevator, her hand was covered in blood.

    The blood had dried, but the warmth of the hotel and the sweat on her palms had softened the dried bloodstains, the bright red stark against her pale skin.

    She jiggled the doorknob forcefully, and suddenly, with a click, the door unlocked.

    After a brief moment of surprise, Shen Yiqiu rushed inside like a bolt of lightning.

    The room wasn’t large. Past a short hallway, she saw a large double bed in the center. Everything else in the room seemed to fade away, her gaze fixed on the figure lying motionless on the bed.

    Qin Qianrou’s coat was discarded on the footstool at the end of the bed, she lay there, her eyes closed, seemingly peaceful, oblivious to the intruder.

    Shen Yiqiu knew her, Qin Qianrou wouldn’t sleep so soundly, not reacting to such a commotion.

    She rushed to the bedside, ignoring her own dishevelled appearance, and gently touched Qin Qianrou’s face, her frantic heart finally calming slightly upon seeing her.

    “Jiejie, wake up.” Shen Yiqiu whispered, although she didn’t know why Qin Qianrou was unconscious, they had to leave this place immediately.

    The scene was similar to her premonition, yet also different. For example, Qin Qianrou was alone in the room, there was no young man in a yellow tie, and she was still wearing her shirt.

    The room seemed… too tidy, too undisturbed, as if Qin Qianrou had been brought here and then simply left.

    Whatever the reason, seeing Jiejie like this made Shen Yiqiu’s heart ache. She quickly called Li Wan, telling her she had found Qin Qianrou and urging her to come quickly.

    Li Wan had been frantic, too anxious to drive herself. She hadn’t been able to find a taxi after leaving the station and hadn’t dared to ask her colleagues for help, afraid of the rumors spreading and affecting Qin Qianrou’s reputation.

    Her family driver had naturally responded quickly, but it had still taken some time, and Li Wan, unable to bear waiting at the station, had set off on foot, despite wearing moderately high heels, her arms wrapped around herself against the cold.

    “Shen Yiqiu, I’m downstairs, I’ll be right there.”

    Shen Yiqiu called Qin Qianrou’s name a few more times, and seeing she remained unconscious, helped her sit up. Her cashmere sweater had been removed and discarded on the other side of the bed, thankfully, her shirt was still intact. Shen Yiqiu reached for her down jacket at the foot of the bed, wanting to put it on her.

    Just then, she heard a soft moan and immediately turned around.

    “Jiejie?”

    “Mm…”

    Qin Qianrou responded softly, either a reflex or perhaps having actually heard Shen Yiqiu’s voice.

    Shen Yiqiu cautiously glanced at the door, no one was there.

    This place wasn’t safe, they had to leave immediately.

    Shen Yiqiu helped her put on her jacket and supported her as they got out of bed, but Qin Qianrou’s body was limp, her entire weight leaning against Shen Yiqiu.

    “I’ll take you home.”

    Shen Yiqiu gently kissed her cheek, the faint bloodstains from her earlier touch stark against her skin.

    “Qiu…” Qin Qianrou’s consciousness returned slightly, but she still felt weak.

    She opened her eyes with some effort and saw Shen Yiqiu beside her. She wanted to smile, but she didn’t have the energy.

    “It’s me, I’m sorry I’m late.” Shen Yiqiu sniffled, forcing herself to remain calm. “Let’s go.”

    Footsteps approached from the hallway, a hurried, chaotic sound, and Shen Yiqiu held Qin Qianrou closer, protectively.

    Thankfully, it was Li Wan and her driver.

    “How is Qianrou?”

    “Not good, let’s get her out of here.”

    With the driver’s help, Qin Qianrou was quickly transferred to Li Wan’s car.

    They closed the door and headed straight to the hospital.

    “What happened?”

    Shen Yiqiu held Qin Qianrou close, gently smoothing her hair, staring at her closed eyes.

    Qin Qianrou occasionally regained consciousness briefly, then drifted back to sleep; this was clearly not normal.

    “I don’t know.” Shen Yiqiu’s voice was hoarse and strained.

    Having rushed over, she hadn’t even had a chance to drink any water. Her throat ached with every word, but this pain was nothing compared to the ache in her heart.

    Li Wan, sitting in the passenger seat, turned and looked at Shen Yiqiu and Qin Qianrou in the back.

    Qin Qianrou, usually so strong and capable, seemingly invincible, now leaned against Shen Yiqiu, weak and helpless, oblivious to her surroundings. And Shen Yiqiu, usually so gentle and cheerful, was now supporting Qin Qianrou, her young shoulders bearing the weight of her hope.

    For the first time, Li Wan saw a strength and a calmness in Shen Yiqiu’s youthful face that reassured her.

    Li Wan’s car had barely arrived at the hospital when doctors and nurses, alerted during their journey, rushed out to meet them.

    They rarely came to this private hospital, but they still had connections, and the doctor, being an acquaintance of Rong Fei’s, had naturally taken Li Wan’s call seriously.

    “Don’t worry, we’ll take care of her.” The nurses wheeled Qin Qianrou away, and the doctor gently patted Li Wan’s shoulder, offering Shen Yiqiu a reassuring look.

    Before leaving, he glanced at Shen Yiqiu’s hand and asked, “Does your hand need to be treated?”

    Shen Yiqiu, only now having the time to look at her own hand, quickly shook her head, refusing. “No, it’s not injured.”

    Seeing her insistence, the doctor didn’t press further and hurried away.

    “Let’s wait over there, don’t worry.” Li Wan’s voice still trembled slightly; it had been a while since she had felt so frantic.

    Shen Yiqiu took off her backpack and her down jacket, finally realizing how uncomfortable she felt. But she had no time to worry about that, her gaze constantly drifting towards the direction the nurses had taken Qin Qianrou.

    “Now that we’re at the hospital, don’t worry too much, she’s safe here.”

    Shen Yiqiu nodded, she believed that. But she was still shaken, the lingering fear of almost losing Jiejie clinging to her.

    “Go wash your hands first.” Li Wan couldn’t bear to look at the bloodstains on Shen Yiqiu’s hand.

    “I’ll be right back.”

    Shen Yiqiu not only needed to clean the bloodstains, but also to wash her face and clear her head, she had been running on pure adrenaline, she needed a moment to breathe.

    Looking at her reflection in the mirror, the same face, but the lingering fear was still evident. She didn’t even dare to recall the panic she had felt before finding Qin Qianrou.

    At that moment, she had been truly terrified, afraid she had been too late.

    After washing her face and her hands, she returned to the waiting area, and Li Wan handed her a cup of hot milk tea.

    “Drink some.”

    “Thank you, Sister Li Wan.” Shen Yiqiu leaned against the wall, her legs still trembling slightly.

    “This whole incident was truly terrifying.”

    Shen Yiqiu didn’t respond, taking a sip of the milk tea, her throat feeling a little better.

    “The Xinting Hotel, and the room number, you sensed all that?” Li Wan finally voiced her question, she hadn’t had time to think about it earlier, but now, it seemed truly incredible.

    “Mm.”

    “Then… could you sense who did this to Qianrou?”

    Shen Yiqiu frowned, shaking her head in frustration.

    “I couldn’t.” If she could, she wouldn’t be sitting here waiting, she would have gone after them already.

    Whoever dared to harm her Jiejie, she would fight them to the death!

    Li Wan was also disappointed, but then, she thought, it was already a fortunate outcome.

    “The nurse just told us her condition is stable, no life-threatening injuries, she said we shouldn’t worry too much.”

    Hearing this, Shen Yiqiu’s spirits lifted slightly.

    But she was still worried, as long as Jiejie wasn’t fully recovered, she wouldn’t be at ease.

    “I need to inform her family. I promised to take care of her in Meng City, this is my responsibility.”

    With that, Li Wan called Wen Shao Ze, then, after a moment of thought, called Wen Yirong as well.

    Before calling Wen Yirong, Li Wan glanced at Shen Yiqiu, seeing no particular reaction, she stepped aside and made the call.

    After briefly explaining the situation, she ended the call.

    Li Wan returned and said carefully, “Qianrou’s family is on their way.”

    Shen Yiqiu simply acknowledged with a quiet “Mm.”

    Li Wan looked at her again, seeing her lost in thought, seemingly indifferent to the news.

    “Qianrou’s mother is coming.”

    “I know, I’ve met Aunt Wen before.” Shen Yiqiu assumed Li Wan was worried about their encounter.

    Li Wan was indeed worried, but seeing Shen Yiqiu’s current state, she couldn’t bring herself to say anything more.

    They would just have to wait and see, perhaps even with Aunt Wen’s arrival, they wouldn’t take Qianrou back to Hai City.

    “That’s good, you’ll have to meet them eventually anyway.” Li Wan changed her tack.

    The doctor had been thorough, conducting a full examination before transferring Qin Qianrou to a ward.

    “Doctor, how is she?”

    “Her condition is stable for now, but she was injected with an unknown substance, we’re still waiting for the lab results.”

    “An unknown substance?”

    Seeing their worried expressions, the doctor reassured them, “Her vital signs are stable, and there’s not much of the substance remaining in her system, it should be metabolized naturally.”

    Li Wan, however, was still uneasy, recalling Shen Yiqiu’s description of Qin Qianrou lying in bed, wearing only a shirt, which wasn’t like her,

    Qin Qianrou rarely slept before nightfall, and even if she needed a nap, in a hotel room, she wouldn’t just be wearing a shirt.

    She hesitated, then asked, “Doctor, what are the effects of this unknown substance? What kind of reaction would it cause?”

    The doctor, seeing their worried expressions, guessed their suspicions.

    “It’s mainly a sedative, it would induce a deep coma within a short period, followed by prolonged unconsciousness.”

    “Just that?”

    “For now, yes.”

    “That’s good.” Li Wan was slightly relieved, it was better than the scenarios she had been imagining.

    “You can visit the patient later, but don’t stay too long.”

    The doctor left again, Shen Yiqiu hadn’t asked anything, but Li Wan had voiced her concerns.

    “Shen Yiqiu, you said you sensed a man…”

    Li Wan’s tone was slightly awkward, even though it hadn’t happened, just imagining it was upsetting, Qin Qianrou was such a proud person, if she had been taken advantage of while unconscious, even if she appeared strong on the surface, it would leave lasting emotional scars.

    “I don’t know why, but on my way to the Xinting Hotel, I kept seeing the same image repeatedly.” Shen Yiqiu, finally feeling a little more at ease, was willing to recall the details.

    “I saw Jiejie, her eyes closed, being helped into the room, then the image kept repeating, like a broken record.”

    A broken record? Li Wan also found it difficult to understand.

    “I was so anxious, my nose started bleeding, I didn’t even realize it, my phone was covered in blood.”

    Li Wan looked at her, hearing her casual tone, then, recalling the bloodstains on her hand, her heart ached.

    “Why is your lip bleeding too?”

    “I bit it, probably contributed to the bloodstains as well.” She had felt a burning pain when drinking the milk tea, but it hadn’t been unbearable.

    “So you only sensed the room number later?”

    “Yes, I almost thought I would have to search the entire hotel, but as soon as I entered the lobby, I had another premonition.”

    Li Wan still found it incredible, but it had truly happened, perhaps such supernatural abilities did exist, simply beyond current scientific understanding.

    “Thankfully you were there, otherwise, I don’t know what we would have done today.”

    **

    Li Wan didn’t stay long in the ward, leaving after confirming Qin Qianrou’s condition was stable. Shen Yiqiu stayed at the hospital, keeping her company. Qin Qianrou was still sleeping peacefully, and Shen Yiqiu pulled a chair over to the bedside, gently holding her hand.

    “Jiejie, don’t sleep for too long, sleeping in a hospital bed isn’t a pleasant experience. If you’re tired, we can go home and rest, okay?”

    Qin Qianrou didn’t respond, and if not for the doctor’s reassurance that it was just the effects of the sedative, Shen Yiqiu would have been truly worried that Jiejie wouldn’t wake up again.

    “I was so scared, I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to find you, afraid you would be hurt, afraid our relationship would be affected. I was also afraid I wasn’t capable enough to save you, afraid I was too slow, too stupid, to find you.”

    Shen Yiqiu’s words tumbled out, her earlier panic and fear resurfacing, she had forced herself to stay calm and composed, and only now, in the safety of Qin Qianrou’s ward, did she allow herself to show her vulnerability.

    “Jiejie, please punish me when you wake up, I’ll accept any punishment.” Shen Yiqiu held Qin Qianrou’s hand against her cheek, her hand slightly cold, and she tried to warm it with her own body heat.

    “So please, wake up soon.”

    Qin Qianrou, sleeping peacefully, looked beautiful, her face slightly paler than when she was nestled in Shen Yiqiu’s arms, but still… her.

    Shen Yiqiu held her hand tightly, tears suddenly streaming down her face.

    “It’s my fault, I should have been with you, protecting you…” Shen Yiqiu lowered her head, burying her face in the blanket, sobbing softly.

    She didn’t know how to release the pent-up fear and anxiety. Earlier, while waiting for the test results, she had realized the only person she could contact was Yuan Qi.

    So, in this world, the only people closest to her now were Qin Qianrou and her cousin.

    Shen Yiqiu didn’t want to experience the pain of losing another loved one again, she just wanted Qin Qianrou to be safe and sound, she even wondered if it was her insistence on bringing down Shao Qidong that had caused this.

    Jiejie, it’s all my fault.

    **

    Yuan Qi had already booked his flight, planning to leave Meng City next week. Ever since their dinner, where he had mentioned his plans to Shen Yiqiu, he had been preparing for his departure, having minimal contact with her.

    Today, receiving her message, he had rushed over immediately.

    Following the nurse’s directions, Yuan Qi headed towards the ward, and he unexpectedly saw a familiar figure in the hallway.

    The person was walking ahead of him, also seemingly on their way to visit someone.

    Yuan Qi instinctively slowed down, wondering if he should come back another time.

    But the person ahead suddenly stopped and turned around, as if sensing his presence. In the empty hallway, the two of them stood facing each other, neither of them speaking.

    Yuan Qi imagined sparks flying, a dramatic confrontation, but his feet felt heavy, as if rooted to the spot.

    Wen Shao Ze walked towards him, and Yuan Qi’s brow furrowed.

    Only when Wen Shao Ze was almost upon him did Yuan Qi snap back to reality. He backed away, almost turning to flee, when a voice stopped him.

    “A-Yuan, don’t go.”

    Yuan Qi’s mind went blank, he hadn’t heard that nickname in a long time. During his travels around the world, others had called him that, but none of them had evoked this… feeling.

    Even after so many years, hearing his voice again brought back a flood of memories.

    “Mr. Wen, it’s been a while.”

    Wen Shao Ze smiled wryly, he still longed for A-Yuan, but A-Yuan only called him “Mr. Wen.”

    But it was better than their last encounter years ago, when the term A-Yuan had used for him was “bastard.”

    “Are you here for Shen Yiqiu?”

    Yuan Qi nodded, then explained, “Xiao Qiu messaged me, I’m here to visit Qianrou.”

    Wen Shao Ze suppressed his joy, he had been searching for A-Yuan in Meng City for so long, silently waiting, and he hadn’t expected their reunion to be here, in this place.

    “Let’s go see Qianrou first.” Wen Shao Ze remembered the matter at hand and knew that only this excuse could prevent Yuan Qi from leaving immediately.

    Shen Yiqiu was surprised to see them both appearing in the ward at the same time.

    “Cousin, Shao Ze-ge, why are you here together?”

    Both Yuan Qi and Wen Shao Ze’s faces twitched slightly, but Shen Yiqiu had no time to pay attention to that.

    “We ran into each other in the hallway, so we came in together.” Yuan Qi walked over to the bedside and glanced at Qin Qianrou.

    “Is she doing okay?”

    Shen Yiqiu carefully tucked Qin Qianrou’s hand back under the covers and softly said, “The doctor said she’s fine, she just needs a few more days of rest.”

    Wen Shao Ze, standing on the other side, watched them silently for a while, then suddenly exclaimed, “I’m going to tear that bastard apart!”

  • Miss Luo Yan’s Feet Are Buried With Corpses v3c18

    Witch’s Night: Chapter 18 Manor Transformation

    Initially, Luo Yan had only changed into men’s clothing at Hua Qingling’s request.

    Only later did she discover that this banquet was full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, and her Life Hacks, which had been foolproof in Yan City, repeatedly failed.

    Tina and Chris aside, Norian’s nervous appearance also forced Luo Yan to undo the masking effect.

    Fortunately, she had also changed her appearance, so she wasn’t overly conspicuous.

    Luo Yan’s straightforward admission was somewhat unexpected for Chris, but she quickly recovered. Seeing Luo Yan looking at her with questioning eyes, seemingly waiting for her next question, Chris subconsciously turned her head away. Luo Yan said softly,

    “Miss Chris, have you met me before?”

    Logically, with Luo Yan’s current level of control, she didn’t have to worry about losing control of her power for at least three or four months.

    In other words, the problem of something possibly happening when she looked directly into someone’s eyes wouldn’t occur in the short term, unless she deliberately used her ability.

    But Chris’s reaction was as if she had been looked at directly.

    “No…”

    Chris immediately denied it.

    “Mm.”

    Luo Yan simply nodded indifferently at the answer and didn’t pursue it further.

    Whether they had met before wasn’t important; Luo Yan had just asked casually.

    After politely bowing, Luo Yan turned and left the room, leaving Chris alone.

    “…Indeed a bit scary.”

    Chris slumped slightly in her chair and breathed a sigh of relief.

    Luo Yan hadn’t shown any malice from beginning to end, but Chris knew her identity and had faced her eyes directly, which was why she felt so much pressure.

    At the same time, Chris could also understand why Luo Yan had maintained an indifferent attitude, seemingly uninterested in her appearance.

    Although it had only been a fleeting glimpse, she had been captivated by Luo Yan’s eyes, but that silver figure had left a deep impression on Chris.

    “She is indeed more beautiful than me…”

    Chris sighed, but then became nervous.

    Wait, Sister Qingling… had been living with such a beautiful and charming person all this time!

    Chris had always regarded Luo Yan as a non-human existence, but after interacting with her, she found that, aside from her identity, Miss Luo Yan was a very ordinary girl.

    Innocent, liked to be alone, very polite when interacting with others, and more importantly, very beautiful, even more beautiful than Chris.

    This way…

    “Could something have happened between them?”

    Chris suddenly became restless, thinking she still had to go find Sister Qingling.

    Although Sister Qingling was currently carrying out Magistrate Norian’s commission and was on a mission.

    But as a Shadow Guard, she also had the ability to participate in this unknown operation.

    The distraught Chris just wanted to stay by Hua Qingling’s side; only this could give her a sense of security.

    Just like many years ago, Sister Qingling, holding her young self, had fought their way through a Calamity…

    Chris took out the Shadow Guard equipment she carried with her and opened the door with a serious expression.

    …Then she saw Miss Luo Yan, who was just about to raise her hand to knock, staring blankly at her.

    “…Hmm?”

    Luo Yan’s gaze shifted slightly downwards, landing on the somewhat familiar clothes in Chris’s hand, and she suddenly realized,

    “So it was you.”

    Discovered!

    A look of panic appeared on Chris’s face. She immediately stepped back several steps, hid the clothes behind her, and exclaimed,

    “It wasn’t me! You’ve mistaken me.”

    “…”

    Luo Yan’s eyelids twitched.

    …Miss Chris seemed particularly fond of deceiving herself.

    Of course… in the end, she still had to admit it; she was caught red-handed with undeniable evidence.

    Chris sat obediently in the chair, waiting for Luo Yan to reprimand her.

    She was the one peeping; she was in the wrong.

    “So you were there to see Sister Qingling?” Luo Yan thought carefully about the scene at that time and nodded thoughtfully. “I see… There’s no need to go to such lengths. You could have just knocked on the door and come in. She’s quite fond of you and wouldn’t shut you out.”

    Fond of your money.

    As for you as a person… that’s unclear.

    Anyway, every time Hua Qingling mentioned Chris, she would focus on the meals Chris treated her to and her extravagant spending, making Luo Yan’s impression of Chris only that of a rich person.

    Actually, Chris had wanted to go through the main entrance, but at that time, she didn’t know what kind of existence Luo Yan was, so she could only check on Hua Qingling in this way.

    “Miss Luo Yan, aren’t you angry?” Chris asked tentatively.

    “Not angry. Aren’t you Sister Qingling’s little fan?” Luo Yan touched her chin. “Peeping, stalking, drugging, aren’t these all things a little fan would do? In Hua Qiling’s storybooks, the younger sister always likes to do these things to the older sister…”

    (Background: Hua Qiling had a large collection of Yuri manga.)

    “…I think Miss Luo Yan must have misunderstood something.”

    Chris broke out in a cold sweat. She wasn’t that kind of perverted fanatic, okay? Besides, what was this about a younger sister and older sister?

    Wait, Hua Qiling?

    She seemed to have heard Sister Qingling mention that it was her younger sister…

    Suddenly, it seemed rather terrifying.

    Of course, this irrelevant small talk didn’t last long. Luo Yan hadn’t come back specifically to run into Chris; there was another reason.

    “I just walked around and found that many unfamiliar faces have appeared in Spencer Manor.” Luo Yan’s expression became a little serious. “I know some of them are Magistrate Norian’s people, but besides them, there are others… who give me a very uncomfortable feeling.”

    “What kind of feeling?” Chris asked.

    “Like the feeling Sister Qingling would have if she suddenly learned that a little fan was secretly peeping at her with ill intentions?”

    Chris: “…Please, don’t.”

    “No, I’m just purely describing the feeling. I always feel like these people are looking for me… Although they can’t detect my presence because of my Life Hacks.”

    Luo Yan’s expression was serious. “I don’t know the situation in Lannister, but I instinctively feel that something’s wrong, so I came back to find you, Miss Chris.”

    “But I don’t know either.” Chris widened her innocent eyes. “I’m just an ordinary idol.”

    “An idol can’t…”

    “But I’m also the second daughter of the Lequista family, and I’ve mastered our family’s inherited ability!”

    Looking at Chris’s aggrieved expression, Luo Yan felt like a creepy old man from a storybook who liked to blackmail innocent girls, although the old men in the storybooks she read usually met tragic ends.

    “I just want to confirm what happened in Spencer Manor,” Luo Yan sighed. “I have a strange intuition that they’re after me… Hopefully, it’s just an illusion.”

    Hearing this, Chris also realized that something wasn’t right.

    Thinking about it calmly, Sister Qingling suddenly taking on a commission from Magistrate Norian and leaving the banquet was quite suspicious in itself.

    What kind of urgent commission would make Magistrate Norian trouble Sister Qingling, who was attending the banquet?

    Lannister wasn’t Yan City. Its strength ranked among the top five in the entire Free Federation. Several powerful “Peril” level ability users resided in the city, and coupled with the abundant energy of the “Ember Formation,” they were enough to deal with all Calamities below “Destruction” level.

    If it were truly a “Destruction” level Calamity, Lannister wouldn’t be as calm as it was now, and the banquet wouldn’t still be going on.

    Unless… the number of Calamities was so large that even Lannister didn’t have enough manpower and was forced to hire additional adventurers.

    Now that something strange was happening in Spencer Manor, Chris didn’t think Luo Yan was lying and believed her intuition.

    “I’ll go with you, Miss Luo Yan.” A determined look appeared on Chris’s delicate face. “Moreover, if something unexpected really happens, and you have to leave Spencer Manor, I must go with you.”

    “Suit yourself.”

    Luo Yan shrugged and walked out.

    ……

    “Still haven’t found her? Could it be… that she left?”

    “I think it was Count Spencer’s misjudgment.”

    “Count Spencer wouldn’t send unnecessary information to fellow travelers, and I can sense the aura of the Gods spreading in the manor.”

    “The Bishop has summoned the projection of the Gods, and the aura of the Gods is enveloping the entire Lannister, including Spencer Manor… This has no direct connection to whether she’s in the manor or not.”

    “No, I feel the favor of the ‘God of Hope’ here… I am Her loyal follower, please trust my judgment.”

    Several figures whispered, uttering vague words in strange syllables. If ordinary people heard their conversation, they would instantly fall into confusion and lose themselves.

    If Luo Yan were here, she would be able to understand these words and would discover that these people were using a language similar to “True Names,” but the amount of information contained was far less vast than that of “True Names.”

    At best, it could only be considered encrypted and accelerated information exchange, after all, a whole sentence could be completed with just two or three syllables.

    They only exchanged information when passing each other, uttering a few syllables. This made it very difficult to distinguish the followers of the Church of the End Gods from the numerous servants in Spencer Manor.

    On the other hand, with Count Spencer as their inside man, and since these members of the Church of the End Gods already had Lannister identities, they didn’t need to use any force to come to the banquet and take Luo Yan away.

    While Calamities created by the Church of the End Gods were erupting all over Lannister, Spencer Manor remained peaceful and undisturbed.

    The disguised followers of the Church of the End Gods shuttled through Spencer Manor, searching for a phantom that was clearly right beside them, yet nowhere to be found.

    “The sixth one…”

    Chris opened her eyes and watched an indifferent servant pass by without even glancing at her.

    This novel experience amazed Chris. She would never have thought that “Envy” could be used for this.

    In current human records, “Envy” was considered a highly dangerous demonic power, involving the distortion of souls and wills.

    Just like during the Yan City war, when Qin Wen touched “Envy,” she instantly fell from a steadfast demon slayer into a Devil’s Minion.

    Silently changing a person’s thoughts and ideas, even reshaping their soul and body, this was the most terrifying aspect of “Envy.”

    …But Miss Luo Yan was only using this ability to reduce her presence and change how others perceived her appearance, making Chris, who was also a mental ability user, feel the absurd sense of using a cannon to kill a mosquito.

    “Unable to be attracted by your singing… their minds have been corrupted.” Luo Yan exhaled, her expression serious. “Are they Devil’s Minions? But they’re not as crazy as the Devil’s Minions I’ve seen before…”

    Even as the pinnacle of mental abilities, “Envy” wasn’t omnipotent.

    When it came to discerning abnormalities in people’s minds, Chris’s “Siren’s Song” was more effective.

    The healing effect of “Siren’s Song” on the mind wasn’t “treatment,” but “guidance.”

    Those affected would be immersed in this gentle singing, the restlessness of their souls calmed like never before, and their mental trauma and fatigue would gradually heal in this process.

    On the other hand, Chris could also use a weaker version of this singing to distinguish between ordinary people and ability users, and between ordinary ability users and Devil’s Minions.

    Ordinary people would be instantly immersed in the singing upon contact, while the minds of ability users would show slight ripples. But Devil’s Minions would only hear a series of incoherent noises, perhaps not even noticing them.

    Luo Yan couldn’t do this. If she sang, she would probably be buffing these Devil’s Minions…

    Using this method, Chris and Luo Yan had identified six suspected Devil’s Minions among the servants along the way, but these people weren’t like the Devil’s Minions in common perception.

    Or rather, on the surface, they looked exactly like ordinary people.

    How could this be…

    “I’ve heard of a cult that once spread across the land, almost covering the entire sky.” Chris said in a low voice. “These people, called the ‘Church of the End Gods,’ were a lingering nightmare for humanity during the barbaric era.

    “But now, they are gradually disappearing… That’s what we’ve always believed.”

    “But is it really the case?”

    Chris looked at another servant slowly walking past. Her weak “Siren’s Song” had no effect on this servant at all.

    The seventh one.

    “Is everything we once believed in true? Or is it what they want us to see?”

    “Perhaps the Church of the End Gods never disappeared,” Chris whispered a terrifying guess. “They were just waiting, waiting for… the return of the Demons.”

    Chris wasn’t just a national idol, not just a descendant of an ancient noble family, not just a Shadow Guard.

    She was also what the Church of the End Gods called an Errant.

    One of the current Saint candidates.

    This was an achievement even her mother hadn’t attained.

  • Devilish Disciple [Transmigration] 67p2

    Chapter 67: “Will Master Marry Me?” p2

    Li Yu’s affirmation clearly pleased Mu Tao.

    But the joy was fleeting.

    Her expression became more complex, her brow furrowing slightly, as if struggling with something.

    “Mu Tao, what’s wrong?” Li Yu couldn’t help but ask, worried.

    “Even if I remove this barrier, Master…will you truly stay in the Demon Realm with me?”

    “I’ve never considered leaving.” Li Yu explained earnestly, “What happened before…I had no choice, and I can’t explain why. If I had a choice, I would never have abandoned you.”

    Mu Tao’s eyes reddened, tears blurring her vision.

    She asked softly, “Do you…truly care about me that much, Master?”

    Li Yu: “I do!”

    Mu Tao: “I know you have your reasons, and I won’t ask why you abandoned me… But I really want to know…in your heart, besides our master-disciple bond, do you truly…have no other feelings for me?”

    Li Yu: “…”

    Could she answer this?

    Mu Tao: “Is it…that difficult to answer?”

    Li Yu: “…”

    In Mu Tao’s current, clearly unstable state, if she admitted to having romantic feelings, wouldn’t Mu Tao immediately…

    Seeing Li Yu’s silence, Mu Tao wiped away her tears, her voice choked with emotion. “During the Cloud Platform Trial, Master, to save me, you recklessly broke through your cultivation despite your injuries…”

    “You knew…I had the Heavenly Demon’s Demon Bone, the most dangerous thing in this world. Even if you couldn’t bring yourself to kill me, for the sake of the world, you should have kept me weak and trapped on Mount Chao Yao.” She couldn’t help but ask, her voice filled with confusion, “Didn’t you do that for over two hundred years? Why…why did you suddenly change your mind, giving me the manual, taking me to the human realm, teaching me spells?”

    “In the City of the Undying, to find me, you endured the backlash, broke through the illusion…”

    “In the bamboo forest of Lingzhou, when I lost control, you risked your life to awaken me…”

    “When everyone wanted me dead, you abandoned everything, endured severe injuries, took me away from Mount Chao Yao, protected me, and sent me to the Demon Realm…”

    “Was it all…just my wishful thinking?”

    Mu Tao raised her right hand.

    With a flash of dark light, a string of silver bells, tied with a red string, appeared on her wrist.

    The broken string, the cracked bells, all repaired with a spell.

    The oath was broken; they were just ordinary bells now, yet she still wore them, concealed by a spell.

    “The Harmony Bells…they represent a lifelong promise, right? I didn’t know that before, but Master…didn’t you?” She asked, her voice filled with a quiet desperation. “When we first went to the human realm, you personally tied them on me…was that also…just my wishful thinking?”

    Mu Tao said, “Master, I’ve always…always believed you had your reasons.”

    But even with those reasons, her master still left.

    Without a single explanation.

    In that darkness, she saw her master’s tears for the first time.

    That single pearl, left behind, like a final memento.

    She had thought about it countless times, what her master’s reasons were…

    And what those tears meant…

    She couldn’t understand her master’s reasons.

    But she believed that pearl, that tear, was proof that her master still cared.

    But was a single tear enough?

    Perhaps her master was just…in pain…

    But if her master truly didn’t care anymore, how could she find the courage to survive alone in the Demon Realm?

    She was so conflicted.

    So conflicted that a single tear could wage war in her heart for so long.

    Regarding her master’s affection, she both desperately wanted to believe it and didn’t dare to.

    Every day and night in the Demon Realm, she had repeatedly told herself—even though the Harmony Bells were broken, it didn’t mean her master didn’t care anymore.

    Her master was still the one who would do anything for her, defy the world for her.

    Her master’s feelings for her couldn’t be less than her love for her master.

    Her master left because something stood between them.

    She didn’t know what it was, but even though her master had returned, that obstacle still remained.

    Even her tears and tantrums couldn’t elicit an answer.

    She had thought countless times—her master’s words must be true, but sincerity in the present couldn’t guarantee the future.

    It wasn’t that she didn’t want to believe her master, but if those reasons could make her master leave once, couldn’t they make her leave again?

    —She couldn’t bear to lose her master a second time.

    Mu Tao’s voice choked with tears.

    Li Yu wanted to make a promise, but promises seemed meaningless now.

    Unless the system’s restrictions were lifted, allowing her to explain everything.

    But that was impossible.

    Mu Tao wiped away her tears and looked up at Li Yu, her eyes filled with a quiet desperation, asking again, “Do you truly…only have master-disciple feelings for me?”

    Li Yu looked into Mu Tao’s eyes, the crimson deepening, and felt a sharp pang in her chest.

    Was it because of the curse that she couldn’t respond to these genuine feelings?

    She hesitated, unsure, afraid to answer, lowering her gaze to avoid Mu Tao’s eyes.

    She desperately tried to untangle the mess in her mind, to find a reason—a reason to confess her true feelings.

    What was the hidden main storyline the system insisted on?

    She still had 30% of her mission left, and this 30% had clearly deviated from the original story.

    The system had said that her purpose was to preserve the crucial plot points while guiding the story back to its original, more logical outline…

    Although she didn’t want to admit it, this outline must be related to the Heavenly Demon.

    The Upper Spirit Lamp, containing the Heavenly Demon’s soul fragment, was guarded by Mount Chao Yao. The novel repeatedly mentioned the ancient battle, yet the Heavenly Demon itself never appeared.

    The only time the Lamp played a significant role was when it broke the seal on Mu Tao’s Demon Bone.

    After that, it was resealed and never mentioned again.

    Even the crucial information about Mu Tao’s Demon Bone being connected to the Heavenly Demon was omitted by the author.

    And the black-robed figure, who didn’t exist in the original story, Weisheng Xuanzhu, who was essentially a background character for half the novel and then conveniently killed off, was the one trying to revive the Heavenly Demon.

    The starting point of this entire story seemed to be the centuries-old resentment of the southern kingdom.

    And this resentment wouldn’t have become so potent without Weisheng Xuanzhu’s influence.

    So, the revival of the Heavenly Demon was planned from the beginning.

    But the author, finding it too difficult to write, drastically changed the plot before the clues were fully revealed?

    So, in the revised story, the Demon Bone was no longer connected to the Heavenly Demon, and the hidden antagonist, plotting the Demon’s revival, became a disposable character.

    The foreshadowing was never resolved, the plot couldn’t continue logically, and forcing a new storyline onto the existing foundation caused the entire story, both characters and plot, to collapse.

    Now, everything was back on track—so, the little protagonist’s final mission, with her Demon Bone, would be to confront the Heavenly Demon?

    If so, staying here was just delaying the inevitable, not changing the outcome.

    If she couldn’t tell Mu Tao any of this,

    Then she could at least try to face it with her,

    Instead of pushing her away out of fear…

    Although she had so much she couldn’t say, she could at least tell Mu Tao her true feelings!

    As for the curse, as long as Mu Tao was calm, she could surely find a way to subtly warn her.

    Only then could she regain her freedom and discuss the Heavenly Demon with Mu Tao as equals.

    Thinking this, Li Yu looked up at Mu Tao, a sense of relief washing over her.

    “Mu Tao, I…”

    Just as she spoke, Mu Tao stood up and walked towards her.

    She gently cupped the back of Li Yu’s neck.

    As her fingers tangled in Li Yu’s hair, she leaned in, silencing Li Yu with a kiss.

    The kiss was forceful, possessive, making Li Yu’s breath catch.

    She instinctively tried to pull away,

    But Mu Tao pushed her onto the stone table, her knee pressing against Li Yu’s legs, making her freeze.

    She tried to push Mu Tao away, but the silver bells on her wrist chimed softly, the sound seemingly encouraging Mu Tao.

    What was this? Had she gone mad?

    Li Yu struggled harder.

    Mu Tao, sensing her labored breathing, briefly released her lips.

    Li Yu gasped, trying to speak, but Mu Tao kissed her again, silencing her.

    This was insane…

    Li Yu’s cheeks burned.

    Thankfully, this kiss was gentler, less forceful.

    Like a dragonfly skimming the water, soft touches, like an apology, a plea.

    But she wouldn’t stop, afraid that if she did, Li Yu would say something she didn’t want to hear.

    Every shared breath was a desperate plea.

    Li Yu gradually stopped struggling, trying to calm Mu Tao by responding to her kisses.

    Tears fell, each drop echoing loudly in the silent room.

    Mu Tao finally released her, a deep-seated resentment in her tear-filled eyes.

    “Master always has so many concerns, I never know…where I stand with you.”

    “But you…you’re the only one in my heart…”

    “This isn’t…fair…”

    “Please…don’t make me…just watch from afar anymore…”

    She whispered these words, a dark red aura enveloping them.

    Li Yu wanted to speak, but her mind felt foggy.

    “Master…do you think…what we’re doing…is inappropriate?”

    “Yes, I’m being unreasonable, I shouldn’t be so hasty…”

    “Will Master marry me?”

    “With a proper title…would you…stop rejecting me?”

    As the aura dissipated, the blue in Li Yu’s eyes faded.

    All her worries, her hesitation, her surprise, vanished.

    She whispered, “Alright, I’ll marry you.”

    Mu Tao finally heard the words she longed for.

    After a moment of silence, she wiped away her tears and knelt at Li Yu’s feet,

    Like she used to, when watching the stars alone.

    She extended a finger, counting the fallen pearls, one by one.

  • You’re Not Allowed to Kiss Me Anymore! [Quick Transmigration] 55p1

    Chapter 55 p1

    As the year drew to a close, January 1st, New Year’s Day arrived.

    On this day, Li Xu and the wealthy heiress, Mo Yuwei, were to be engaged.

    It had to be admitted, the scumbag had some skills.

    He came from a humble background, so Mo Yuwei’s parents strongly disapproved of their relationship, especially after the recent scandal with Xin Yao.

    Yet, despite their objections, he had somehow managed to convince Mo Yuwei to go ahead with the engagement.

    The engagement ceremony was held at a luxurious hotel in City A.

    The venue was lavishly decorated, white roses and flowing drapes creating an elegant backdrop, crystal chandeliers illuminating the rows of seats, the atmosphere grand and opulent.

    After all, the Mo family was prominent in City A, and while her parents disapproved, it was their only daughter’s engagement, a significant event they couldn’t entirely ignore.

    So, they had invited everyone they could, from family and friends to influential figures in business and society.

    Mo Yuwei and her parents stood at the entrance, greeting their guests, Li Xu by her side, his back slightly bent, a constant smile plastered on his face, the picture of a subservient fiancé.

    It was the bride’s family hosting the event, their relatives and friends filling the room, the engagement party funded entirely by them.

    The groom, however, stood there alone, no family, no friends, no parents.

    He had told the Mo family that he had a strained relationship with his parents, claiming they had abused him as a child, and that he had cut ties with them after becoming independent.

    His story had earned him Mo Yuwei’s sympathy, and she had showered him with gifts, wanting to heal his childhood wounds.

    His claims of a difficult relationship with his parents, and their estrangement, were true.

    But it wasn’t the whole story.

    Xin Yao, having inherited the original owner’s memories, knew the truth about Li Xu’s family.

    His family had been poor, desperately poor.

    They had collected and sold scrap metal, their small, dilapidated courtyard filled with piles of junk, leaving barely any space to walk.

    As the piles grew higher, their home had become a dark, cluttered space, the air thick with the smell of rust and decay, especially during the summer months.

    As a child, Li Xu had helped his parents with their work, dutifully sorting through the scrap metal, his small hands diligently separating the valuable pieces from the worthless debris.

    Until one day, a classmate had seen him rummaging through a trash can.

    The classmate, from a wealthy family, his clothes bright and new, his backpack the latest model, had looked like a shining beacon of light against the backdrop of the grimy, cluttered courtyard.

    And Li Xu, his own clothes patched and worn, had felt a pang of shame for the first time.

    The next day, the news had spread through the school: Li Xu’s family were garbage collectors.

    They had mocked him, calling him “Trash Xu,” throwing empty water bottles at him, asking if he wanted them.

    Then, they had started to avoid him, claiming he smelled bad, their exaggerated reactions a constant reminder of his lower social status.

    The daily taunts and ostracism had become unbearable, Li Xu often getting into fights with his classmates, refusing to explain his anger.

    He had become a problem child, his behavior a source of annoyance for his teachers and neighbors.

    Sometimes, his teachers, exasperated by his constant fighting, had called his parents to the school.

    He had hated those moments.

    Because his mother would arrive on her three-wheeled cart, piled high with scrap metal, her appearance a stark reminder of his poverty, his shame.

    He had felt so humiliated.

    And he had raged inwardly: Why am I so poor? Why can’t I have a better life? Why do I have to endure their scorn?

    He had wanted to appear respectable, even if it was just a facade.

    He had started demanding new clothes, new shoes, the latest phone, expensive pens, his requests growing more extravagant with each passing day.

    His parents, wanting to ease his pain, to protect him from the world’s cruelty, had worked harder, sacrificing their own needs to fulfill his every whim.

    But it had never been enough.

    No matter how much he demanded, he could never match the effortless wealth and privilege of his classmates.

    He had watched them, his envy and resentment growing with each passing day.

    He had hated his cluttered home, the smell of garbage, the constant reminder of his poverty.

    Why had he been born into such a family? Why did he have to live like this?

    He had even hated his parents.

    If they couldn’t give him a better life, why had they even brought him into this world?

    Making him live like this, wasn’t that a form of abuse?

    He couldn’t stay here. He had to escape, to climb to the top, and never look back.

    So, after starting university, he had cut ties with his parents, who couldn’t even afford his tuition, never returning to their home, never contacting them again.

    He had ignored their calls, their messages, eventually blocking them completely.

    Even now, he still believed that his childhood had been a form of abuse.

    He had completely forgotten that the new phone he had demanded in high school, the phone he had begged and pleaded for, had been bought with his parents’ blood money.

    Today, at his engagement party, he hadn’t even considered inviting his parents. He hadn’t thought about them in years.

    Xin Yao, sitting in a quiet corner of the lavishly decorated ballroom, dressed in black, her face hidden behind sunglasses, shook her head, remembering Li Xu’s past.

    Then, feeling a twinge of boredom, she offered a candy to the woman sitting beside her, also dressed in black, her hair slightly shorter.

    “Peach-flavored. Want one?”

    The woman, her brow furrowed, her expression a mix of anxiety and excitement, shook her head.

    “No, thanks. Don’t you think it’s disgusting? How can you even eat that?”

    It was Xin Yao and Ying Xi, of course.

    Xin Yao, the one with longer hair, shrugged, unwrapping the candy and popping it into her mouth.

    “Candy is innocent. Besides, it’s a joyous occasion! We should be celebrating! Enjoying the sweetness!”

    Xin Yao and Ying Xi, of course, hadn’t been invited to Li Xu’s engagement party, but with Liu Nuan Nuan’s help, sneaking in had been easy.

    As they chatted, the guests arrived, and the ceremony began.

    The moment Xin Yao had been waiting for since the beginning of her mission had finally arrived.

    The lights dimmed, the crystal chandeliers sparkling brightly, and the emcee walked onto the stage, his voice smooth and practiced.

    After a brief introduction and a welcome message, it was time for the parents of the bride and groom to give their speeches.

    But Mo Yuwei’s father disliked Li Xu, and Li Xu’s parents weren’t present, so that part of the ceremony was skipped.

    Then, it was the couple’s turn to speak, to exchange vows.

    Li Xu, dressed in a suit, looking respectable and polished, stood on stage, the spotlight illuminating his face, his gaze fixed on Mo Yuwei, who stood opposite him in an elegant white dress.

    He spoke into the microphone, his voice filled with emotion.

    “Yuwei, I love you.”

    “You always ask me if I love you, and I always tell you that I do. But today, on this special occasion, I want to express my love for you once again…”

    Being a scumbag, Li Xu was a skilled orator, his words carefully crafted, his delivery flawless.

    He spoke of their love, his voice trembling with emotion, bringing tears to Mo Yuwei’s eyes, even softening the expressions of her disapproving parents.

    Only Xin Yao and Ying Xi, sitting in a quiet corner, remained unimpressed.

    Xin Yao, her arms crossed, raised an eyebrow, while Ying Xi looked like she was about to be sick.

    But then their expressions changed, Ying Xi sitting up straight, her eyes shining with excitement, even Xin Yao leaning forward slightly.

    After the couple’s exchange of vows, a video montage, showcasing their love story, began playing on the large screen behind them.

    Li Xu and Mo Yuwei, holding hands, looked up at the screen, their faces filled with love and happiness.

    Xin Yao and Ying Xi, sitting below, also looked up expectantly.

    Soft music filled the air as the video began, a series of photos and short clips depicting their relationship.

    The video started from Li Xu’s perspective, describing how he had been captivated by Mo Yuwei’s bright and cheerful personality, his heart fluttering with each encounter.

    He spoke of his initial hesitation, his fear of not being good enough for her, his self-doubt battling with his undeniable attraction.

    Mo Yuwei, her hand tightening around Li Xu’s, her eyes filled with tears, murmured, “I didn’t know you felt that way.”

    Li Xu squeezed her hand, his voice filled with love.

    “I can never be too careful when it comes to you.”

    As his words faded, the music swelled, its tempo increasing, signaling the moment of his confession.

    Li Xu, holding a bouquet of flowers, knelt before Mo Yuwei, surrounded by heart-shaped candles.

    Mo Yuwei gasped, her hand covering her mouth, her eyes wide with surprise and delight.

    Li Xu looked at her, his expression a mix of nervousness and sincerity.

    “Yuwei, I love you. Will you be with me? I’ll love you forever!”

    But just as he uttered those words, the video glitched, the scene shifting abruptly.

    The brightly lit outdoor setting, the romantic candlelight, was replaced by a dimly lit interior, a single lamp illuminating the room.

    Li Xu, still kneeling, holding a bouquet of flowers, his pose identical to the previous scene, was now facing a different woman, her reaction mirroring Mo Yuwei’s, her hand covering her mouth, her eyes filled with tears.

    The music stopped, the room falling silent.

    While the two scenes featured different women, the similarities – Li Xu kneeling, holding flowers – made the guests assume it was a technical glitch.

    Then, Li Xu’s voice, filled with emotion, echoed through the silent ballroom.

    “Baby, I love you. I’ll love you forever.”

    Silence.

    One second.

    Two seconds.

    Then, the room erupted in a cacophony of gasps and whispers, the guests finally realizing that the woman in the second scene wasn’t Mo Yuwei.

    Baby?

    Who was this “baby”?

    Wasn’t this Mo Yuwei and Li Xu’s engagement party? Who was he confessing his love to?

    Confused murmurs filled the room.

    Then, they recognized the woman in the video. It was Xin Yao, the actress!

    Li Xu had claimed that Xin Yao had been stalking him, trying to sabotage his relationship, and yet, here he was, confessing his love for her, down on one knee!

    Those who had followed the scandal from the beginning were instantly alert, their phones recording the scene.

    And the date in the corner of the screen, deliberately enlarged, clearly showed that the confession had taken place six years ago!

    Six years ago, Li Xu had been with another woman! And judging by their reactions, neither woman had been aware of the other’s existence.

    He had been two-timing them!

    Someone was already on the phone. “Breaking news! Chaos at Mo Yuwei’s engagement party! Major drama! Get here now!”

    Excited whispers filled the room.

    It was the video Xin Yao had recovered shortly after arriving in this world.

    She hadn’t released it immediately, choosing to wait for the perfect moment, for maximum impact.

    And now, the room was in chaos.

    Ying Xi, sitting beside Xin Yao, was struggling to contain her laughter, tears streaming down her face.

    Li Xu, however, his face pale and his body trembling, was in shock.

    He had destroyed that camera! How could this video even exist?!

    And why now? Who was behind this?

    He tried to maintain his composure, reassuring Mo Yuwei.

    “Yuwei, it’s just a misunderstanding. I’ll take care of it. I’ll explain everything later.”

    He walked towards the back of the room, his brow furrowed, his voice sharp.

    “What are you doing?!”

    He tried to unplug the projector, but the plug seemed to be stuck, refusing to budge.

    On the screen, the video continued playing, Li Xu’s heartfelt confession echoing through the room.

    The words were almost identical to the ones he had just spoken to Mo Yuwei, just a different name, the same script.

    It was absurd.

    Li Xu’s carefully crafted image, his perfect facade, finally cracked, his hand slamming against the wall, the loud bang startling the nearby staff.

    The usually gentle and charming actor was terrifying.

    Or perhaps, this was his true nature?

    Ignoring the stares, he tried to turn off the projector, but the switch wouldn’t budge.

    Liu Nuan Nuan, the tech-savvy system, watching from the sidelines, smirked, her mission accomplished.

    The video finally ended.

    The guests, their initial shock giving way to a morbid curiosity, were buzzing with excitement.

    Li Xu, relieved, was about to return to the stage when the screen flickered, the scene shifting.

    The dimly lit room where he had confessed his love for Xin Yao was replaced by a bright, modern hotel room.

    A young woman in a sexy nightgown set down a camera, adjusting its angle, then ran towards the bed.

    She waited, and the door opened.

    Another young woman, dressed in pajamas, her face lit up with a smile, rushed towards the newcomer, jumping into their arms.

    Their figures disappeared from view for a moment, then reappeared by the bed.

    The man, holding the woman in his arms, his hand resting on her thigh, his head lowered, his face clearly visible, while the woman’s face was hidden, was Li Xu.

    But the woman in his arms wasn’t Xin Yao, or Mo Yuwei.

    Who was she?

    So, he wasn’t two-timing them. He was three-timing them! Was he planning to start a harem?

    The woman, of course, was Ying Xi.

    In the video, Ying Xi, clinging to Li Xu, kissed him passionately, then, cupping his face in her hands, asked, her voice filled with insecurity, “Do you love me?”

    And Li Xu, his voice echoing through the silent ballroom, his gaze filled with a feigned sincerity, replied, “Of course I love you. I’ll love you forever.”

    This video also had a timestamp: three years ago, after Xin Yao, but before Mo Yuwei.

    The appearance of another victim only intensified the drama.

    Even the wealthy and influential guests, their usual composure shattered by this unexpected scandal, couldn’t help but gossip.

    A young man, his legs crossed, muttered, “Damn, this guy has enough love to go around.”

    Someone else scoffed. “He’s like an octopus, a centipede! Shameless!”

    Mo Yuwei’s father, unable to contain himself any longer, stood up, his face ashen.

    “What is the meaning of this?”

    Mo Yuwei, who had felt like she was falling into an icy abyss the moment she saw the first video, now stood there, her mind blank, her body swaying slightly.

    Li Xu, rushing back from the projection room, seeing the second video playing on the screen, his face paled, his heart sinking.

    He couldn’t even think of a plausible excuse.

    Compared to their shock and disbelief, Ying Xi was delighted.

    She was smarter and bolder than the original Xin Yao.

    She had simply wanted to record a few intimate moments with her boyfriend, a memento to cherish during their long separations.

    She hadn’t expected it to become the weapon that would destroy him.

    And this video was even more incriminating than Xin Yao’s, their conversation and their kisses far more explicit.

    The guests, who had simply come for an engagement party, were now enjoying a front-row seat to a real-life drama, their morbid curiosity piqued.

    The stares, the whispers, the judgment of their relatives, friends, and business associates, were like daggers piercing the Mo family’s hearts.

    Especially Mo Yuwei and Li Xu.

    They stood there, exposed and humiliated, the subjects of public ridicule, unable to defend themselves, unable to silence the whispers or shield themselves from the judging eyes.

    Some people were even recording the scene.

    It was a mirror image of what the original Xin Yao had endured, publicly humiliated and accused of being a homewrecker, unable to defend herself, the target of everyone’s scorn.

    Mo’s father, his face ashen, glared at the gossiping guests, then turned and walked towards the projection room, his voice sharp.

    “Get rid of the guests! Tell them to delete the videos! And turn off that damn projector!”

    The staff rushed to comply, but it was no use.

    Mo’s father, his anger growing, yelled, “Then cut the wires!”

    They scrambled to find some scissors.

  • On How to Conquer System Fairies and Make Them Your Wives 207

    Chapter 207: I Owe You a Proper Confession

    Fu Zhe glared at Chen Yin, who stood at the bottom of the chasm.

    “…Chen Yin.”

    The name of the man who was a thorn in the Divine Son’s side, the man he both feared and loathed.

    He wasn’t even a Chosen One, yet he had killed several members of Shen Li.

    Fu Zhe had always thought that someone who wasn’t a Chosen One, someone who hadn’t even reached the Grand Clarity Realm, was no threat.

    But that sword strike… it had been terrifying.

    …It wasn’t just the essence of the Dao. It was the sword intent of someone who had fully comprehended it.

    “Impossible,”

    He gritted his teeth. “Someone who has comprehended the Dao, even if they haven’t ascended, must be suppressing their cultivation at the peak of Grand Clarity. You’re only at the Supreme Clarity Realm, how can you wield such power?”

    Chen Yin ignored him.

    He carefully examined Qingying’s injuries, making sure she wasn’t in mortal danger, then casually flicked his wrist.

    Fu Zhe’s eyes widened in horror.

    A blindingly fast sword light sliced through the air, severing half of Fu Zhe’s body in an instant.

    He had only survived because he had instinctively dodged at the last moment.

    Otherwise, unless he had another Life Substitution Puppet…

    …he would be nothing but a bloody mist.

    “System!”

    Fu Zhe roared in pain and anger, a shimmering pill appearing in his hand. He swallowed it without hesitation, and his mangled body began to regenerate rapidly.

    “This guy… how is he so strong?!”

    The System was silent for a moment. “If you don’t want to die, you better leave.”

    Fu Zhe gritted his teeth, about to retort, when another sword light flashed before his eyes, so fast that it seemed to appear out of thin air.

    A chilling sense of danger washed over him, stronger than anything he had ever felt.

    Even the Divine Son hadn’t made him feel this terrified.

    He was truly afraid.

    He barely managed to send a thought to his System, which immediately used all his remaining points to exchange for another Life Substitution Puppet.

    The moment the exchange was complete,

    His body exploded into a bloody mist.

    Chen Yin hadn’t even blinked.

    He gently pulled Qingying closer, his arms tightening around her.

    She struggled slightly, but it was useless.

    “Mmm!”

    Qingying was surprised by his embrace.

    She had been close to him before, even more intimate than this.

    But this time, his embrace was different. It was tight, protective, almost desperate.

    “What’s wrong?”

    “You’re… holding me too tight…”

    Qingying looked down, her face flushed. “…It hurts.”

    But Chen Yin didn’t loosen his grip.

    “Why are you holding me so tight?”

    Although she complained, her voice softened.

    She understood.

    …He was afraid of losing her.

    Qingying had never experienced this before.

    “Are you… worried about me?” she asked softly.

    “What else would I be doing?” Chen Yin frowned.

    “But…” she lowered her head, “I never knew I was worth worrying about.”

    She had always thought she was just a plaything, a temporary amusement.

    He was attracted to her physically, yes, and he had promised her brother to take care of her.

    But she hadn’t thought he truly cared about her.

    “I’m… not worth it.”

    She said awkwardly, “I’ve been through worse in the secret division… I’m your bodyguard, it’s my duty to protect you, so a little danger—”

    She stopped mid-sentence, seeing the look in his eyes. She shrank back slightly, a flicker of fear in her eyes.

    Chen Yin’s frown deepened.

    “If you really think that,” he said seriously, “we’ll have a long talk tonight.”

    His words made her eyes well up with tears. “W-what?”

    “B-but I really thought so! You still resent me for trying to kill you! You’re just using me!”

    Seeing her pitiful expression, Chen Yin’s anger softened into a gentle exasperation.

    “Is that what you really think?”

    “Isn’t it?” Qingying looked at him cautiously.

    “If you really thought so, why didn’t you refuse when I… teased you?”

    “I did!”

    Qingying protested weakly, then lowered her head. “Besides…”

    “I just thought you didn’t like me.”

    “But I never said… I didn’t like you.” Her voice trailed off, her gaze averted.

    Chen Yin paused.

    Her confession, so clumsy and awkward, yet so sweet and sincere, made his heart ache.

    He suddenly understood.

    This silly girl had always been like this.

    Easily flustered by his teasing, her face turning crimson as she struggled to find the right words, often storming off in anger.

    Even when she was jealous, she would just glare at him, her words turning into sharp barbs instead of honest confessions.

    …She had always been like this.

    He had simply gotten used to it and stopped noticing.

    Qingying’s head was lowered, her heart pounding nervously. Chen Yin gently lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him.

    “Wh-what?”

    She tried to pull away. “Don’t look… my face is dirty.”

    She knew her face was smeared with blood. She must look awful.

    But Chen Yin’s gaze was gentle and unwavering.

    He leaned down and kissed the bloodstain on her lips.

    “Ah!”

    Qingying flinched and tried to pull away, but he held her tightly.

    She could only close her eyes as his tongue gently licked the blood from her lips.

    The warmth of his touch sent shivers down her spine.

    Finally, her face burning with embarrassment, he looked up at her.

    “…I was careless.”

    “I thought you understood my feelings that night, when you didn’t refuse.”

    “It seems I overestimated your emotional intelligence.”

    Qingying was both touched and annoyed. She wanted to scold him for calling her stupid, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. She just glared at him, her cheeks flushed.

    Chen Yin gently stroked her hair.

    “My bad.”

    “I guess… I owe you a proper confession.”

  • Back to Three Years Old: Crushing Scumbags on a Parenting Reality Show 137

    Chapter 137

    The amusement park was brightly lit, the roaring of the idle machines created a technological buzz.

    At the entrance, Wei Chengli’s fear was fake, but after entering, in this vast amusement park without ordinary visitors, they truly felt a sense of loneliness.

    Thankfully, the chubby paw in his hand was still warm and strong, the soft, bouncy flesh allowing Wei Chengli to secretly relieve his stress and maintain the facade of a brave father.

    Wei Maomao, with Yan Yan on her left and her old father on her right, excitedly entered the amusement park without queues.

    But after entering, when Wei Maomao received her amusement park map and saw the numerous “Xs” on it, she realized she couldn’t play this, she couldn’t play that…

    “I can’t play this either? It looks like a cartoon.” Wei Maomao said, holding up her map, pointing at the theater with a bear head drawn on it, which was marked with an “X,” she was shocked. She had to pretend she couldn’t read, otherwise she would have asked directly, a cartoon movie, wasn’t it the most suitable for children!

    She wanted to watch a movie with Yan Yan!

    “This is a 5D cartoon movie. The seats will lift into the air, and they’ll also move and shake according to the plot, so there’s a height requirement… It has to be 102 cm, you’re not tall enough, little one.” The amusement park staff member explained patiently, squatting down.

    Wei Maomao: “… “ Hearing the explanation, it sounded even more fun.

    102 cm…

    Wei Maomao tugged at Cheng Tingyan’s hand, which was holding the map, she tiptoed and peeked.

    As expected, Yan Yan’s map had far fewer “Xs” than hers!

    She finally came to an amusement park without queues with the person she wanted to go with the most, but… The world was truly unfair to a three-year-old who was less than a meter tall!

    Wei Maomao’s energy, full just a moment ago, deflated.

    Cheng Tingyan also saw the map full of “Xs” in the little chubby bunny’s hand, just as she was studying the differences between their maps, she noticed the little chubby bunny’s obvious dejection.

    This wouldn’t do.

    “Maomao, let’s go, let’s go to the carousel, we can both play that. Or this little dinosaur ride, it’s also nearby, I wonder what it is… And this little teacup ride…” Cheng Tingyan said, pointing at Wei Maomao’s map.

    Wei Maomao realized that the places she could go to on her map were either just watching performances or… rides for toddlers! Several rides that Cheng Tingyan had mentioned wanting to try in her previous life were all marked with “Xs” on her map. They were already at the amusement park, they didn’t even have to queue, of course, they should play the exciting ones, the ones Yan Yan wanted to play!

    “No.” Wei Maomao said, closing her map and patting the one in Cheng Tingyan’s hand. “Let’s go to the places you want to go, I want to watch Yan Yan play on the rides I can’t play! Yan Yan is the best! Play for me, okay?”

    Cheng Tingyan was stunned.

    Why did these words sound so familiar?

    When did she hear them last time…

    Oh… It was when they were selling candied tomatoes, and when they were tallying the points, the little chubby bunny said to her with the same cuteness and sincerity, “I just want to see Yan Yan get first place, Yan Yan is the best! Get first place for me, okay?”

    Cheng Tingyan only remembered that she couldn’t find any words to refute the little chubby bunny’s soft, childish voice, and she ended up getting first place.

    And now… Hmph, she wouldn’t go and play alone.

    Just as Wei Maomao was looking at Cheng Tingyan’s map, deciding which ride to go to first, Cheng Tingyan abruptly closed her map. Not only did she close it, she even ran forward, threw it into a trash can, and came back, as if nothing had happened, patting the map in the little chubby bunny’s hand.

    Wei Maomao: “… “

    “Okay, where should we go?” Cheng Tingyan asked, standing back in her original spot.

    Wei Maomao: “Carousel…”

    “Ahem, well…” The staff member, who had witnessed the whole thing, trying to hold back his laughter from the little babies’ cuteness, cleared his throat and said, “Our little friend who’s less than a meter tall, she has to sit in the carriage with an adult, she can’t ride the horses. And this friend who’s over a meter tall, she can ride a horse by herself.”

    “We’ll sit in the carriage together.” Cheng Tingyan said, holding the little chubby bunny’s paw, she looked around, her gaze landing on Wei Chengli, who was leaning against the wall, yawning. “Uncle Wei, will you sit in the carriage with us?”

    “No, I’m not Uncle Wei.” Wei Chengli said, raising his chin proudly. “From now on, please call me ‘Adult’!”

    Cheng Tingyan: “… “

    “Dad, be nice!” Wei Maomao said, walking towards him, she patted his leg.

    “No, I’m not Dad, I’m an adult! Hmph, the adult you’re forced to bring along when you want to play!” Wei Chengli said, feeling sour.

    “Dad, won’t you play with us? If you don’t, I’ll ask this sister to sit with us.” Wei Maomao said, walking towards the amusement park staff member.

    Wei Chengli: “… “ Mmm, another day of being manipulated.

    But in the end, they couldn’t form a team of three.

    The other families gradually finished studying their maps, led by the easily scared Wen Dongyu, they decided to stick together. They would first go to the places they could all play at, based on Maomao’s map, which had the most restrictions, then if they had time and energy, the older and taller children could continue playing on the other rides.

    After briefly discussing the map at the entrance, the group set off, heading straight for the first ride… the carousel.

    Wei Maomao was quite satisfied with this, she could play with Cheng Tingyan, and later, Cheng Tingyan could go and play on the other rides.

    But Wei Chengli…

    Holding the little chubby dumpling tightly, controlling his pace, Wei Chengli tried to stay behind the Cheng family, but still within sight. He had been on high alert all day, from the aquarium to the swimming pool, afraid that those two would cause more trouble.

    Wei Chengli had thought that he could finally relax his tense mind at night, but they were still playing together at this amusement park… Truly, endless overtime.

    But Wei Chengli didn’t know that Cheng Rongrong, discouraged and doubting herself after her failed plan, wasn’t planning on causing any more trouble for now. However, someone outside had taken over her ambition, reviving the game.

    Jin Youliang had been following the group to the aquarium this morning, and throughout the day, in front of Qin Sichao, he had seemingly effortlessly displayed all his skills, showcasing his ability to be a head director and manage a variety show. So tonight, at the amusement park, he naturally had to show his professionalism, his willingness to share the burden with his colleagues, and came to oversee things.

    But Jin Youliang didn’t expect that he came to the amusement park, but there was no joy to be found.

    Trailing behind the group, Jin Youliang walked slower and slower, gradually disappearing into the darkness. The only light came from his phone screen. The messages on the screen, like steel bars, pierced towards him, forming a cage, trapping him inside.

    Jin Youliang opened a newly received picture, it was a transaction he had almost forgotten about, something from years ago, it was actually dug up.

    Hehe, truly impressive!

    The light from the screen illuminated Jin Youliang’s twisted smile.

    A few months ago, when he first received a message from this strange person, Jin Youliang thought it was spam, a scam.

    But the person actually knew about the money he embezzled from a previous project. That project had already been completed, the finances settled, no one within their team had even noticed, but this person knew everything. And… they even pointed out his recent shady income.

    Everything this person mentioned could cost Jin Youliang his job.

    But this person, they weren’t trying to report him to the authorities, nor were they trying to extort money from him, they offered him an irresistible temptation.

    Thinking this person, who knew so much about him, must be either a hacker or someone powerful, Jin Youliang, following their instructions, investigated Shi Dingshan’s family matters while using his position as assistant director to subtly manipulate the “Where’s Baby Going” Season 3 project. He investigated the affair. He threatened someone into switching the medicine. Just when he thought this person was a god, Shi Dingshan turned the tables. Thankfully, he was cautious, otherwise, he would have been the one in trouble, not Shi Dingshan. And thankfully, when following their orders, he didn’t forget to cover his tracks.

    The things he was being blackmailed with had been dealt with, the collaboration was over, there was no more to be gained, so Jin Youliang stopped responding. Although he hadn’t disposed of the SIM card he used for contacting them, he hadn’t replied to their messages for days. And the other party had also been quiet for many days… Jin Youliang had always suspected that this person was related to the Cheng family, after all, the things they asked him to manipulate in the variety show were all beneficial to the Cheng family. Come to think of it, the timing of them stopping sending messages coincided with the start of the show’s filming, Jin Youliang’s biggest suspect was Cheng Feiying.

    But…

    Tonight, he knew he was wrong.

    Cheng Feiying was still filming the variety show, but the messages from that person arrived.

    And not only did they arrive, they weren’t like the last few messages he had ignored, filled with empty threats and annoying instructions. But… evidence.

    Jin Youliang had always thought that this person only knew about his deeds, they didn’t have any concrete evidence. Otherwise, why would they only be able to rage helplessly after he stopped responding?

    But he was wrong.

    This person not only had evidence of the things he mentioned, they had even more…

    His attempt to cover his tracks was just a clown show in their eyes.

    With such capabilities, why use him as a middleman, why not just go after Shi Dingshan directly!

    Jin Youliang, his face ashen, scrolled through the newly received messages, he pressed the phone screen with enough force to crush it. [What do you want?]

    What else could he want? He had already single-handedly sent Shi Dingshan to the hospital today, did he want him to go and assassinate him?

    The reply came quickly, a long paragraph, as if it had been written in advance, just waiting for him to ask.

    Jin Youliang read their request, then, his eyes widening, he read it again. His thumb, pressing on the screen to reply, used enough force to crush the phone. [Was it you who had someone make Wei Maomao fall in the bathroom yesterday? And now you want to do it again after just one day, do you think the viewers are idiots?]

    In the pink children’s bedroom, Bai Lei looked at the newly received message on the screen, her index finger gently tapping on the table, she thought back. She seemed to have seen a few comments this morning about that little chubby menace falling, what, just because one person fell, another person couldn’t fall after a day?

    [Tell me more about what happened yesterday.]

    Jin Youliang, looking at the message, sneered and started typing his reply.

    He only found out that last night’s incident might not have been entirely an accident after Wen Qiming came to find Zeng Huanian this afternoon. They were the assistant directors, but Shi Dingshan didn’t even tell them about such a big matter, so when Wen Qiming came looking for answers, the head director was gone, and the two assistant directors were clueless.

    [The order for showering yesterday was Wei Maomao, Wen Jiangyue, then Cheng Rongrong. Cheng Tingyan was supposed to be next, but Wei Maomao needed to use the toilet and cut in line, then she slipped and fell, many staff members know about this. If something happens to Cheng Tingyan again, people will definitely think it’s intentional. Wouldn’t it be safer to do it privately, after the show ends, instead of during the live broadcast?]

    Jin Youliang didn’t want to follow their instructions, but he had to be tactful because of the evidence, so he offered a suggestion.

    Bai Lei admitted that he had a point.

    But…

    Bai Lei looked at the key information she had extracted from the original novel, written on the A4 paper in front of her.

    Who knew when that first step towards success would come, if she had known Cheng Tingyan had that kind of opportunity, she wouldn’t have waited until now to act.

    The timing now was indeed a bit awkward.

    Based on what Jin Youliang said, someone must be suspecting that Rongrong was behind last night’s incident. If something happened again after they went back, it would be difficult to explain, it was better to do it during the show…

    Heh, Liu Qiongfang’s child, wanting to climb onto Qin Sichao’s ladder to success, was she even worthy?

    Bai Lei, having made up her mind, didn’t argue with Jin Youliang, she just sent him two more photos as evidence of his wrongdoings.

    [If you don’t want me to expose this, then do as I said, I want to see results tomorrow.]

    After sending the last message, Bai Lei put down her phone, gently stroking its worn edges, she smiled.

    The prophetic memos, the plan to step by step drag Cheng Tingyan into the mud, the messages detailing the execution of the plan.

    Ha, truly interesting, my little miracle.

    She didn’t misjudge you, you, who hate them just like I do, you’re truly my good daughter.

    It didn’t matter if the plan went off track, I’ll fix it for you.

    Bai Lei picked up her phone and paid the hefty remaining balance for the evidence she had acquired.

    At the amusement park, Jin Youliang, who had rejoined the group, felt like he was sitting on pins and needles in this summer night.

    Logically, his previous attempt to use Shi Dingshan’s illness to bring him down before the show started filming was even more serious than what this person was asking him to do now. But he had something to gain from the former, while the latter was pure blackmail.

    Jin Youliang looked at the brightly lit carousel, at the smiling faces.

    He truly… hated it…

    In the illuminated areas, warmth and joy filled the air, no one knew that in the shadows, malice was brewing.

    They arrived late, and as they played, night deepened, they hadn’t even tried all the rides on Wei Maomao’s map when the babies started to get sleepy.

    After getting all the babies’ consent, the amusement park staff arranged the last ride for them.

    Swoosh… Boom, boom, boom… Bang, bang, bang, bang…

    The lights shot into the sky, exploding into a dazzling fireworks display.

    “Little bunny!” Cheng Tingyan exclaimed, one hand pointing at the sky on the far right, the other hand quickly squeezing the little chubby paw in her hand.

    Wei Chengli, squatting behind them, followed Cheng Tingyan’s finger and saw, mmm, a chubby bunny face, no wonder she sounded so happy.

    “Yan Yan…” Wei Chengli leaned closer and whispered mischievously, “Do you like the white, chubby, and silly little bunny in the sky, or the gray, skinny, and clever little bunny we saw at the puppy ride earlier?”

    “I like… the white, chubby, and clever one.” Cheng Tingyan said, she had her own opinions now.

    “Oh.” Wei Chengli nodded, he placed his hand on the little chubby dumpling’s messy head and whispered, “Baby…”

    “Dad!” Wei Maomao swatted Wei Chengli’s hand away and glared at him. “Are you saying I’m white, chubby, and silly?”

    “No, you’re white, chubby, and clever.” Cheng Tingyan said, answering before Wei Chengli could.

    “… “ Wei Chengli, his attempt to tease his child failed, took two steps back, speechless. “Yan Yan, you need to eat less candy! You’re so sweet… My teeth hurt!”

    “I didn’t…” Cheng Tingyan said, unable to respond to Wei Chengli’s complaint.

    “Yan Yan, I’ll buy you lots of candy when we get back, I’ll make my dad get his teeth pulled.” Wei Maomao said, pulling Cheng Tingyan’s hand and pointing at the sky. “Look, there’s a little bear!”

    “Maomao, why would Uncle Wei’s teeth hurt if I eat candy?” Cheng Tingyan asked, looking at the little bear, seeking an explanation.

    Wei Maomao: “… “ Because the six-year-old Yan Yan, you’re truly… very sweet…

    The colorful and diverse fireworks show marked a satisfying… comma… for the little babies’ amusement park adventure.

    Wei Maomao, on the bus ride back, started to feel sleepy again, then she saw Cheng Tingyan folding something. Struggling to keep her eyes open, Wei Maomao recognized it, wasn’t it the map she wanted to throw away earlier, the one Yan Yan took?

    “Yan Yan… This…” Wei Maomao said, yawning twice, unable to finish her sentence.

    Cheng Tingyan understood, she folded the map, put it in her bag, and patted it. “When you’re a meter tall, we’ll come again. To watch the little bear cartoon you want to watch.”

    Wei Maomao was stunned, she sat up straight, no longer sleepy.

    Wei Chengli turned around and made a face at the little chubby dumpling.

    Wei Maomao: “… “

    A new life, a new journey, a new promise.

    On the bus ride back, Wei Maomao glanced at Cheng Tingyan, who was already asleep, next to her.

    It was another dreamlike day, although they were at an unexpected age and in unexpected appearances, but they had truly gone to the amusement park together. And they would… go again.

    “Dad, do you remember what you said to us before breakfast?” Wei Maomao asked, her heart filled with warmth, she couldn’t even wait until they got back to the villa and the cameras and microphones were turned off, she whispered, her voice a bit muffled.

    “I remember. I’ll do it when we get back.” Wei Chengli said, glancing back at Cheng Tingyan, who was sleeping peacefully.

    Jealous as he was, he wouldn’t forget about the important matter.

    Wei Chengli was true to his word, as soon as they got back to the villa and the live broadcast ended, he asked Liu Ming to take the two children to shower, while he went to the villa next door to find someone.

    But he couldn’t find Shi Dingshan, he was almost fooled by Zeng Huanian’s evasive answers. It was only when Qin Sichao arrived that Wei Chengli found out Shi Dingshan had been taken to the hospital this morning.

    “He stayed up late last night, then he was triggered by the trending topics this morning.”

    “As soon as something was wrong, we gave him his medicine, the ambulance arrived quickly.”

    “He’s done the checkups, it’s an old problem, there’s no immediate danger, but the doctor wants to keep him under observation.”

    “He’ll stay for one night, we’ll see how he’s doing tomorrow. Lao Shan said he wants to come back tomorrow.”

    “Don’t worry, the arrangements that needed to be made have been made, we can continue filming as scheduled.”

    Wen Qiming’s matter was stopped by Zeng Huanian earlier, afraid of disturbing Shi Dingshan, they waited until night to ask. Shi Dingshan asked Qin Sichao to explain it to his two assistant directors. Qin Sichao had just finished explaining to them and was about to pour himself a glass of water when Wei Chengli arrived.

    Unlike Zeng Huanian, Qin Sichao knew Wei Chengli was close to Shi Dingshan, so he naturally told him everything, there was nothing to hide. Zeng Huanian and Jin Youliang also heard it.

    Zeng Huanian was fine, Shi Dingshan’s message earlier meant that Qin Sichao would be in charge while he was away, he just had to listen.

    But Jin Youliang was different.

    That matter was already difficult and troublesome. And now, without his knowledge, the protection had been arranged, and there was even Qin Sichao, who knew the situation, overseeing things…

    He had done so much, even risked using the clues from that person to send Shi Dingshan to the hospital, just to show off his abilities in front of Qin Sichao.

    But now, it seemed like he wouldn’t be just showing off, he would be completely exposed.

    What should he do…

    Jin Youliang felt a headache coming on.

    He wasn’t the only one with a headache.

    Wei Chengli, after making his rounds, his task unaccomplished, and even more worried, reached the door of his bedroom and heard the two little ones’ laughter inside, soft and sweet…

    He hesitated for a moment, then turned and decided to go to the balcony for some fresh air.

    Since there was nothing he could do for now, he would let them be happy for a while longer.

    In a place Wei Chengli couldn’t hear, the laughter in the bedroom gradually subsided.

    Wei Maomao yawned, rubbed her eyes, and tried to look at the door. “Why isn’t Dad back yet?”

    “Go to sleep, your dad will be back when you wake up.” Cheng Tingyan said, patting the little chubby bunny.

    “No… I want to wait… for Dad… I want to know… what he and Uncle Shi…”

    Her unfinished sentence trailed off.

    Cheng Tingyan turned slightly and looked at the little chubby bunny next to her.

    As expected, she was already sound asleep.

    White, chubby… silly…

    Cheng Tingyan suddenly thought of the little chubby bunny’s dad’s words when they were watching the fireworks.

    Mmm… Sometimes clever, sometimes silly.

    In a flash, Cheng Tingyan, who had been reminiscing, took out her handkerchief from the pillow and gently wiped the little chubby bunny’s mouth.

    Mmm… Silly when sleeping.

    But she was the best little chubby bunny in the world!

    They had ridden the carousel, the boat ride, the teacup ride, the puppy ride… They had watched many performances, and they had watched the most beautiful fireworks together.

    She wanted to play more with the little chubby bunny in the future, see more things together.

    Just thinking about those possibilities made Cheng Tingyan’s heart overflow with sweetness. Just thinking about it made her eyes curve into crescents and the corners of her mouth lift.

    She wanted a future, she truly wanted that kind of future.

    Cheng Tingyan, exhausted after a long day, comfortably lying in bed after a shower, also felt sleepy. As she thought and thought, her mind became hazy, her thoughts wandering.

    She felt sweet, very sweet, she was sweet… Dad’s teeth…

    As Cheng Tingyan struggled to keep her eyes open, finally succumbing to sleepiness, the soft click of the bedroom door made her wake up again.

    “Not asleep yet?” Wei Chengli asked softly, peeking his head in, looking at the two little ones on the bed. “Yan Yan, why aren’t you sleeping?”

    Cheng Tingyan, already half asleep, looked at the head peeking in at the door, she wanted to speak, but couldn’t help but close her eyes.

    “Why aren’t you sleeping? What are you thinking about, silly girl?” Wei Chengli asked, trying to coax her to sleep, his task unaccomplished.

    “Thinking… I, very sweet. You, teeth hurt. Pitiful…” Cheng Tingyan mumbled, her eyes closed, struggling, then she fell asleep.

    Wei Chengli: “… “ Little one, wake up, pick up your manners, then sleep!

  • Transformed into a Female Villain, But Captured by My Beautiful Girl Disciples v2c22

    22. Murder in the Forest 

     

    Even with over three hundred people, the chances of encountering others in the vast forest were slim.

    Qiu Shui and Lu Xinyao followed Lu Xinyao’s knowledge of the forest, searching for rare herbs and adjusting their route based on the time.

    They encountered two teams. One team recognized them and quickly retreated, while the other was scared off by Qiu Shui’s spiritual arts.

    Coincidentally, while encountering the second team, Qiu Shui’s plant manipulation accidentally unearthed a number 7 card.

    “This is…”

    Recalling the other woman’s suggestion, Qiu Shui suddenly realized something.

    Could this be the true meaning of this test? The number cards on them were just a distraction. The real key to victory was the hidden items within the forest…

    “What’s wrong, Qiu Shui?”

    “Look at this.” Qiu Shui handed the number card to Lu Xinyao. “Perhaps that woman really is a good person.”

    Gong Yiling, inexplicably friend-zoned, chuckled awkwardly in the distance.

    “This is…?”

    “She must have guessed that there are other number cards hidden in the forest, so she suggested we split up to search, so she wouldn’t know our scores.”

    Lu Xinyao examined the card, muttering, “Actually, that woman…”

    “That woman?” Qiu Shui turned around, looking at her curiously. “What about her?”

    To Little Heehee’s senses, that woman carried a faint scent of Big Sister.

    As a demonic beast, her instincts were sharp.

    But Big Sister… shouldn’t be here, right?

    “Nothing.” Lu Xinyao shook her head, smiling. “It must be my imagination. Don’t worry about it, Qiu Shui.”

    “Okay, then let’s continue searching for these cards.”

    “Alright.”

    The two were quite efficient together.

    Lu Xinyao knew the locations of the forest’s treasures, while Qiu Shui could communicate with plants, sensing the presence of number cards nearby.

    After confirming their locations, all they had to do was dig them up.

    With this cooperation, they found six number cards in just one hour.

    The numbers were mostly mid-range, adding up to almost 30.

    Since they could only keep three cards, they had already completed the task.

    “It’s almost time.”

    They calculated the time and decided to head back instead of venturing further.

    However, just then, they heard rustling sounds from the bushes ahead, as if someone was approaching.

    As the bushes parted, Qiu Shui sensed a surge of anger from Lu Xinyao.

    Standing before them were Shangguan Qingyun and Young Master Xuli.

    It was them…?

    Qiu Shui’s heart sank. She instinctively pulled Lu Xinyao behind her and addressed them, “Your Highness.”

    Shangguan Qingyun glanced at them, his gaze lingering on the hostile Lu Xinyao. “I heard your master cured my father’s illness?”

    Lu Xinyao had visited the palace a few times, so it was normal for the First Prince to recognize her.

    “Yes…” Lu Xinyao suppressed the urge to transform into Little Heehee and unleash her fury, nodding silently.

    “In that case, I’ll give you face.” The First Prince said, “I won’t do anything to you in this forest. Let’s not interfere with each other. Please.”

    His words were strange.

    Coming here just to say such pointless things, what was his purpose?

    And after saying this, he actually turned and left.

    Young Master Xuli, however, looked at Qiu Shui and Lu Xinyao with lecherous intent.

    But he didn’t say anything and quickly followed the First Prince.

    “What was that about…?”

    Lu Xinyao and Qiu Shui exchanged glances.

    This interlude was both sudden and strange. They didn’t dwell on it and continued towards the meeting point.

    But…

    The closer they got, the more unsettling the silence became.

    Even the wind rustling through the leaves seemed muted… this was definitely not normal.

    Suddenly, the surrounding bushes rustled violently.

    A group of men in black, armed with weapons, emerged, surrounding them. And their target… seemed to be Lu Xinyao.

    “Assassins in the competition grounds?”

    Qiu Shui didn’t hesitate. She channeled her true essence, summoning dozens of towering vines, sweeping them towards the attackers.

    Lu Xinyao was also puzzled. Even the Grand Elder couldn’t see through her disguise. Why were these assassins targeting her?

    But…

    Confusion aside…

    She didn’t hesitate either.

    Several fireballs ignited Qiu Shui’s vines, turning the surrounding forest into a sea of flames.

    Taking advantage of the spreading fire, they slipped away unnoticed.

    But these assassins weren’t pushovers.

    Within seconds, a cultivator with water-type spiritual arts extinguished the flames.

    Having only traveled a short distance, they couldn’t escape the assassins’ notice.

    However, just as the assassins were about to attack again, a blinding flash erupted before them.

    Far brighter than staring directly at the sun, it stunned the assassins.

    When their vision cleared, the two girls were gone.

    Only a talisman, slowly fluttering to the ground, remained.

    “Now what…?”

    The assassins exchanged glances.

    They had just received orders from their employer, and now this…

    Their employer wasn’t known for his patience.

    “I knew this wouldn’t be easy.”

    The First Prince’s voice suddenly rang out as he appeared.

    He glanced at the assassins and sneered. “Prince Changning has truly raised a bunch of useless fools, unable to even handle two girls.”

    “Your Highness… we have failed you!”

    “No need to tell me that.” Shangguan Qingyun glared at them coldly. “I have a way to find them. If this happens again, you know the consequences.”

     

  • The Delicate Female Lead Only Wants to be Loved by the Villainous Young Ladies 323-324

    Chapter 323: Where’s My Key?

    Victoria didn’t specify what felt familiar. Winona didn’t press further, simply accompanying the mage, strolling amongst artifacts that were, ironically, younger than Victoria herself. It felt surreal, even for someone like Winona, a member of the magical world. Victoria looked at the artifacts, some hundreds, even thousands of years old, with the wide-eyed wonder of someone seeing something new. It was truly a magical experience.

    Finally, she stopped before a vase, gazing at it for a long time. This was a product of her era. If they were in a shop, Winona might have considered buying it for Teacher Victoria, a small gesture of hospitality. It wasn’t about gaining Victoria’s favor, just…well, being a good host. If someone liked something, she would buy it for them. But unfortunately, the vase was in a museum. Buying and selling national artifacts was illegal…So Winona couldn’t say, “How about I buy it for you?” She could only silently accompany Teacher Victoria, appreciating and observing the vase.

    After a while, Victoria smiled and said, “It’s so beautiful. It feels like the kind of thing one of my former girlfriends would have liked.”

    “One of your girlfriends…” Winona’s lips twitched. Although she knew Teacher Victoria was the same type of girl as that mischievous Adele, possessing an unimaginable allure and charm that could make many girls fall head over heels for them, she still didn’t want to associate Victoria with Adele in her heart. Teacher Victoria wasn’t as…flippant as Adele.

    So, the reason Victoria stopped was that she remembered the past and an old friend, thinking that it would be nice to buy this vase and give it to her…was that it? So it wasn’t something she liked herself. Winona’s feelings were complicated.

    Moreover, Victoria didn’t make any unreasonable requests. She knew what a museum was. She also knew that the person she wanted to give the gift to might have already… After collecting her thoughts, Victoria still smiled. Her personality could be described as optimistic. Otherwise, if an ordinary person suddenly arrived hundreds or thousands of years in the future, realizing that they were all alone in the world, that the person they loved had long since turned to dust, and everything was unfamiliar, feeling like an outsider, an outcast, most people would become depressed and despairing, perhaps even giving up their hard-won new life.

    Next, Victoria left the porcelain exhibit and went to other areas. Winona bought her a milk tea and some desserts. After tasting them, Victoria showed a surprised expression. Presumably, these were delicacies she couldn’t have tasted in her time.

    “Is there magic added to this!?” she asked with a smile.

    Winona thought, No magic…but probably a lot of food additives. But so what? Many people cared about this, and many others thought that as long as it tasted good, it was enough. They could sacrifice some health for deliciousness. Moreover, some additives weren’t actually harmful to human health.

    “If you like it, I’ll often buy it for you, Teacher Victoria.”

    “Then~ how should I repay you?” Teacher Victoria seemed to lack a sense of propriety. Or maybe this was her charm. She actually took Winona’s hands and stared into her eyes in public. Winona blushed, her heart racing. The gazes of the people around her made her want to bury her head in the sand like an ostrich.

    “N-No need, it’s just a small token of my appreciation for Teacher Victoria!” Winona hurriedly pulled her hands away from Victoria’s. But after pulling away, facing the cold air, she suddenly regretted it, wishing she could have stayed in that warmth a little longer.

    Victoria didn’t give up after Winona’s refusal. She thought for a moment. Winona was a talented mage, but the current magic system had changed over time and was vastly different from the magic of her era. This change had its advantages, but some aspects were inferior to the magic of Victoria’s time. This was the conclusion Victoria reached after observing the magical world for a while. So she thought that for a genius, the best gift was improvement in magic.

    Therefore, Victoria proposed, “How about this, let’s have a magic spar~”. It was called a spar, but it was actually a private lesson. Using a spar as a practical exercise, analyzing and imparting experience. In today’s world, perhaps only Victoria was qualified to offer a “lesson” to a legendary mage.

    Winona understood Victoria’s implication. And she had her own pride. Her eyes lit up. “Really…is that okay, Teacher Victoria!?”

    “Why not? You even call me Teacher~”

    “Is there a place nearby where we can use magic?”

    “This world is ruled by too many muggles, there’s nowhere to use magic.” Victoria said with a wry smile. She certainly wasn’t one of those who believed that mages were superior and should rule the world. But it wasn’t good that ordinary people occupied the entire world, squeezing the living space of mages and preventing them from using magic freely.

    Winona hurriedly replied, “Of course there is, Teacher Victoria!”

    “There’s a magic training ground at the school where I’m the Headmistress.”

    “Oh, Winona is a Headmistress? Hello, Headmistress~”.

    “Don’t tease me, Teacher Victoria…” Winona lowered her head shyly.

    Then, the two prepared to leave the museum and head to Cromwell Academy. It was worth mentioning that they didn’t use magic to teleport away, but took a taxi. It was Victoria’s first time in a taxi, and she felt it was quite novel, praising its comfort, much better than a carriage, with almost no bumps.

    During the ride, Winona introduced Cromwell Academy to Victoria. When she mentioned that the majority of the students were vampires, Victoria’s expression could be described as exaggerated. Winona didn’t know what the reputation of vampires was like in Victoria’s time. But the fact that the “dark day” was caused by a Vampire True Ancestor sacrificing himself to summon an evil god from another world was enough to make the entire magical world, including Victoria, dislike vampires.

    But after teaching for so long, Winona had let go of her prejudice. Because she had met many wonderful vampire children who respected their teachers, excelled in their studies, were elegant, and helpful. She had also met some terrible ones, like Adele. So she was really worried about First Snow being bewitched by that “bad woman” Adele~ Perhaps her relationship with First Snow was that of “best friends” with a significant age gap? So as a best friend, she was naturally unhappy about her good friend being infatuated with a woman.

    Speaking of the age gap, there were actually two meanings. In terms of actual age, First Snow was much older than Winona. But in terms of mental age, Winona was naturally more mature.

    The taxi stopped at the school gate. Cromwell Academy was a famous private aristocratic academy that prohibited outsiders from entering. Therefore, the security guard, who was also an ability user, was in a dilemma. He knew Headmistress Winona, but who was the lady with light blue hair? But then he thought, rules were dead, people were alive. It was best not to offend the Headmistress. So he didn’t stop them, watching as Winona and Victoria entered the academy.

    Winona excused herself to go to her office to get the key to the magic training ground. Actually, mages of their level didn’t need a key. Keys were for students. They could directly teleport inside, even that lazy cat First Snow could easily do it. Winona did this to create a private space for herself and Victoria. So that she could…return Victoria’s staff, “Moon Sprout,” to her!

    Although it was Winona’s prized possession, now that its owner had returned, Winona had to reluctantly part with it, even though she cherished it dearly. It wasn’t that Winona was being forced. She was happy to see Teacher Victoria reclaim her staff. However, returning the staff should be done in the guest room. Winona didn’t dare let Victoria see the room full of her Victoria-related collections, books, figures…

    That’s right, Victoria even had figures… But considering that in many human anime and novel works, ancestors and gods were often depicted in a moe style, it wasn’t too outrageous for the magical world to do this.

    But before Winona could return the staff, she discovered a big problem in her office.

    —Where’s my key!?

    Chapter 324: Xiao Ai’s Move

    Winona’s face alternated between pale and flushed. Victoria was at her desk, tasting the tea of this era, when she smelled an unusual aura and asked softly, “What’s wrong, Winona?”

    “N-Nothing…” She couldn’t tell Teacher Victoria that…a thief had broken into her house! And it was an inside job! Because the magic array Winona had set up for the manor hadn’t been triggered. That meant that only those recognized by the magic array could enter recently. And besides Winona, the only one recognized by the magic array was…

    First Snow, oh First Snow! You’ve really been taught to be a bad kitty! Steal a needle when you’re young, steal gold when you’re older. One takes on the qualities of one’s company. She really shouldn’t have allowed First Snow to interact with that bad girl Adele. Sigh, it was too late now. First Snow had completely become Adele-fied…

    Winona’s heart was filled with regret and annoyance. Oh well, she had a spare key. Winona was going to see what those little ones were up to. The Headmistress was fuming.

    But just then, Victoria called out to her, “Winona, look at this.” Saying this, Victoria handed Winona a note with scribbled handwriting that she had just found on the desk. Winona was stunned, then took it. She was all too familiar with this “cat-scrawled” handwriting. It was clearly from First Snow’s paw!

    —Xiao Wei! I’m going to the training ground to teach Xiao Ai magic, meow! To prove it was her, First Snow had even dipped her paw in red ink used for seals, leaving a cute paw print above the writing.

    Winona couldn’t help but chuckle, her anger instantly dissipating. What she blamed was always “taking without asking,” that is, the act of “stealing.” But if a note was left, then it was “borrowing.” And borrowing the key was to teach Adele magic. This definitely wasn’t something the lazy kitten First Snow would think of doing. Therefore, there was only one possibility. It was Adele, she had started to work hard! And during the holidays, the magic training ground wasn’t open to ordinary students. So she thought of asking First Snow to borrow the key. How surprising.

    But her actions were commendable. She just hoped it wasn’t a fleeting whim. Adele’s magical talent was quite strong. Once she truly grew up, Winona could safely entrust First Snow to her. In the past, it was she who protected the naive First Snow. In the future, it might be Adele’s turn. As a vampire, her lifespan wasn’t short. Perhaps she could accompany First Snow through a long and happy life.

    Thinking of this, Winona’s mood gradually improved. She found her spare key, then instead of leaving the manor directly, she opened the door and walked into a secret room. Victoria politely stayed where she was, tasting the good tea of the modern era, waiting for Winona to return.

    Soon, Winona returned to Victoria’s side, clutching a staff tightly in her hand. With just one glance, Victoria froze, her eyes trembling.

    “Teacher Victoria, you’re back, and this ‘Moon Sprout’ should be returned to its rightful owner.” Winona’s eyes were filled with reluctance, but more with the joy that it could finally return to its owner’s hands.

    “…But I’ve been away for so long, it already belongs to you, Winona.” Victoria’s staff, “Moon Sprout,” held a significant past for her. But she still insisted that the staff should belong to Winona. The life crystal at the top of the staff was emitting a warm glow.

    Winona didn’t argue, and handed “Moon Sprout” to Victoria, who caught it in a fluster. Then Winona said, “As expected, this staff suits Teacher Victoria better.”

    “It just so happens that I have a student practicing magic in the magic training ground.”

    “Why don’t you give her some guidance, Teacher Victoria!” It would be better to use the staff for guidance, as she could teach the student how to use her own staff. In this way, Winona gave Victoria a reason to keep the staff.

    After speaking, Winona opened the door, and the “Arbitrary Staircase” appeared. It was a type of magic that allowed the stairs to move and assemble freely. Whether you were in the basement or the attic, you could reach any room in the house through the “Arbitrary Staircase,” saving a lot of trouble and providing mages with a convenient life.

    Victoria looked at her staff with deep emotion. Finally, she nodded silently and followed Winona.

    Meanwhile, in the magic training ground, Adele was learning elemental magic under First Snow’s guidance, starting with the basics. There was no need to mention basic spells like Water Ball and Fireball. First Snow was teaching Adele how to construct magic formulas. These formulas were the key to the diverse forms of elemental magic. In a sense, as long as the practitioner had enough magic power, she could memorize all the magic formulas recorded in the elemental magic books and construct them when needed.

    It was worth mentioning that the stronger the elemental vampire, the less they needed this rote memorization method. A genius could manipulate elements freely. That’s why Hermione could easily make it snow around her, or create frost blades and blizzards. It was truly unfair.

    Adele only wanted to learn enough to be useful. Her true reliance was probably still her witch identity. As for what type of magic Adele wanted to learn, she felt that “wind” was more suitable for her. Because it sounded very…carefree. And fun!

    “Hasaki!” The girl imitated the formula First Snow had just taught her, trying to create a small tornado on the ground. Then came the most important part, to push the tornado out forcefully! And sweep up everything and everyone in its path.

    Adele’s magical talent was indeed strong. She quickly created a small tornado in front of her, which would dissipate with the overflow of magic power after a short while. This wouldn’t do, so she practiced again and again, with First Snow guiding her from the side.

    Finally, she succeeded! A tornado about her height formed in front of her, and with Adele’s continuous infusion of magic power, it could last for a long time. Small objects that could be attracted, like dust, leaves, branches, etc., were all sucked into the tornado.

    Next, she would forcefully push it towards the target in the training ground to see its effects and power! The girl took a deep breath, focusing her energy.

    “…Hasaki!” She shouted joyfully.

    The result was, unsurprisingly…it went off course! If this were in the game, it would definitely attract a string of yellow question marks. And going off course wasn’t the worst part. The key was where it went off course…

    Why are there people there, meow!? Adele watched as the ground-level tornado swept towards Headmistress Winona and an elegant lady with light blue hair! It was too late to retract it. The formula had its own duration. To stop it, she would have to use an opposing formula to deconstruct it.

    Crap, I messed up! But not too badly, because in front of Headmistress Winona, this level of magic was child’s play. As expected, Winona frowned, waved her hand, and a wind wall appeared, blocking the tornado. Is this an enemy Yasuo!? She even, to teach Adele a lesson, separated a similar wind from the wind wall and sent it towards Adele.

    Victoria smiled slightly, thinking it was the first time she had seen Winona show such a cute side. The power of this tornado certainly wouldn’t be enough to lift Adele. But her skirt would probably fly up. Then Adele would be “Marilyn Adele Monroe.”

    But at this critical moment, no one expected that Xiao Ai, wrapped in a red hooded coat like Little Red Riding Hood, would suddenly speak.

    —”Hasaki!” Her eyes lit up with fire. Trying to hurt my Mama…I won’t let you succeed!

    She hadn’t practiced magic at all, just quietly watching from the side as First Snow taught Mama Adele. Could it be…that she learned just by watching!? She even learned Adele’s strange verbal tic!

    What was even more terrifying was yet to come. The magic created by Xiao Ai easily reached the seventh rank! A tornado three stories high, mixed with lightning, formed before everyone. It collided with the small tornado Winona used as punishment, shattering it effortlessly and even absorbing its magic power! Then it continued relentlessly towards Winona and Victoria.

    What is this…a nightmare bot game!? Adele was so surprised that she could barely close her mouth.

    What was even more ridiculous was that Xiao Ai felt it wasn’t enough, and was about to chant another childish “Hasaki…” Just how much magic power did she have!?

    Fortunately, Adele hugged Xiao Ai in time.

    “Yamete! Don’t fight the fountain turret, Xiao Ai!” That’s an invincible enemy, meow!

    And it was indeed as Adele said. Seventh-rank magic was child’s play for both Winona and Victoria. However, this time it was Victoria who took action. She used her staff, and a complex formula unfolded in the air. In an instant, the tornado froze in place, and the attached dust fell to the ground as ice shards.

    Before Adele could marvel at how Xiao Ai had surpassed her, Headmistress Winona frowned and walked towards her. The unfamiliar lady kept smiling. Her gaze fell on Adele’s face, and there seemed to be a hint of nostalgia in her eyes.

  • Sickly Girl Doesn’t Die in Zombie Simulator 140p1

    Chapter One Hundred and Forty: Two Jealous Jars p1

    This shop, which was not eroded by moss and vines, happened to be located in the darkest part of the shopping mall.

    Maybe it was because of this reason that it was completely occupied by mycelium.

    After they entered the store, under Huayibai’s friendly communication, those white mycelia all detached from the places where they had taken root, wriggled and shrank to the side, temporarily making way.

    After making way, Lin Xiwan realized that this store was larger than she imagined, and the variety was also very complete, from sportswear to OL skirts.

    But because of the damage caused by the mycelium, the damage was also very serious.

    Soon, in addition to Lin Xiwan, Huayibai and Lin Jiayao also joined the ranks of looking for clothes.

    Under their selection, they quickly found a few sets of fairly intact clothes. Not to mention the size, there were even long-sleeved jackets.

    “Uh…”

    Looking at the several sets of clothes laid on the ground, Lin Xiwan was a little hesitant.

    “Or… shall we go to other places to look around?” Lin Xiwan looked in her sister’s direction and asked.

    “Sister… I don’t want to go shopping anymore.” Lin Jiayao looked at her sister, who seemed to still have more to see, and sighed softly.

    Now Lin Jiayao could only be thankful that most of the clothing stores were covered with damp moss, otherwise she didn’t know how long she would have to accompany her sister.

    Hearing the tiredness in her sister’s tone, Lin Xiwan not only did not feel regret, but the corners of her mouth slightly curled up.

    “If you don’t want to go shopping… the only thing here that fits your size is this dress~”

    Lin Xiwan said, holding a T-shirt full of holes and crumpling it into a ball, wiping the dusty full-length mirror aside.

    Although there were many scratches on the mirror, it was barely usable.

    Looking at the beige dress with white flowers, which was well-packaged in plastic, Lin Jiayao sighed slowly.

    So that’s what she’s after?

    It turned out that her sister’s real purpose was just to see her wear a little dress.

    Forget it, it’s not a big deal anyway. If her sister wanted to see it, she would wear it. At worst, she could control Mask to bring back a set of clothes for herself.

    Letting a B-rank zombie that terrified thousands of people go shopping for clothes… I’m afraid only Lin Jiayao could do such a thing.

    Lin Jiayao, who was sitting on the stool, raised her hands upwards, closed her eyes, looking like she could do whatever she wanted.

    She had completely given up.

    Lin Xiwan was not polite either. She directly pulled up her sister’s clothes, and then put the unpacked dress over her sister’s head.

    After her sister put her arms into the sleeves, Lin Xiwan reached into the dress and pulled off her sister’s somewhat tattered shorts.

    Finally, after picking up her sister and smoothing out the dress, Lin Xiwan put her sister back on the chair.

    “Tsk tsk tsk…” Looking at her sister who was sitting back on the chair, holding the chair with both hands, and her eyes still slightly closed, Lin Xiwan was a little amazed.

    Even such a daily, even somewhat sunny dress worn on her sister could still perfectly match the clothes.

    The face was really too important.

    Not to mention a normal dress, even when she was wearing those tattered clothes before, her sister was so beautiful.

    “Perfect~” Lin Xiwan stretched out her right hand and snapped her fingers, seeming to be praising her own vision.

    Under Lin Xiwan’s gaze, her sister slowly opened her eyes.

    The moment she opened her eyes, the temperament of the beautiful girl next door who was sitting quietly in place instantly vanished.

    Her sister’s cold, seemingly emotionless eyes formed an extreme contrast with her clothes, instantly pulling Lin Xiwan from the warm sun of spring to the cold winter.

    “Hiss…” Lin Xiwan took a slight breath.

    Were her sister’s eyes so scary before? She had been with her sister day and night, and she had never seen such eyes?

    Maybe it had always been like this, but she had only noticed it recently?

    Impossible… She loved to stare at her sister as soon as she woke up. Even when driving, she couldn’t help but sneak a few glances. She would definitely know if there was any change in her sister.

    “Your eyes are so scary,” Lin Xiwan pursed her lips slightly, squatted in front of her sister, and pinched her soft cheeks, “Give me a smile.”

    “Hmm?” Lin Jiayao, who didn’t know why her sister asked this, looked up at herself in the full-length mirror.

    But apart from seeing that she was wearing a dress and feeling a little awkward, Lin Jiayao didn’t find anything different.

    “Huayibai,” Lin Jiayao looked in the direction of Huayibai and asked, “Is there anything different about my eyes from before?”

    Hearing Mommy’s question, Huayibai recalled Mommy’s scary eyes when she just woke up, nodded slightly and said, “Yes…”

    “When Mommy just woke up, her eyes looked like she was going to eat Huayibai, it scared the mycelium to death…”

    Hmm?

    Lin Jiayao rubbed her eyes and could probably guess what was going on.

    It might be because of Hunting Rhythm. Now, as long as a living body appeared in front of Lin Jiayao, she would subconsciously quickly scan the other party’s body and mark the weaknesses.

    This process was completed very quickly, and it was done instinctively, but in the eyes of others, it was a bit unfriendly, and even made the other party feel extreme threat.

    It was like a butcher observing a lamb to be slaughtered, or like a master who had killed fish for ten years when slaughtering fish.

    This was the look of a hunter looking at prey.

    After trying to adjust her facial expressions, Lin Jiayao looked at her sister again and smiled as usual.

    Only when she saw this familiar smile did Lin Xiwan breathe a sigh of relief and reached out to rub her sister’s head.

    Lin Xiwan didn’t ask any more questions. She knew that her sister was also under a lot of pressure, and she couldn’t even rest in her dreams, and was constantly fighting.

    Thinking of the long sleep before, her sister was controlling zombies in her dreams and fighting other powerful zombies endlessly, Lin Xiwan felt a little distressed.

    Her sister was bearing things that she shouldn’t bear at this age… This made her sister mature very quickly, but it also brought another problem.

    Lin Xiwan was worried that her sister was under too much pressure and would be overwhelmed.

    She had to think of a way to relieve her sister’s stress, at least when her sister was awake, let her be relaxed and happy.

    Since her sister didn’t like shopping, let’s change clothes quickly and leave.

    “Wait a minute, I’ll change my clothes and we’ll go… Does Huayibai want new clothes?”

    “Huayibai doesn’t want any.”

    Huayibai seemed to be more resistant to wearing clothes. She could change into whatever style of dress she wanted. Ordinary clothes on her would be damaged as soon as she transformed, and were not very useful.

    There were not many clothes to choose from. Lin Xiwan quickly took a fancy to a pair of black wide sports pants. After comparing the length, she directly took off her broken pants and put on the new ones.

    Pretty good, just the right length.

    In addition, Lin Xiwan also unpacked a very elastic black sports bra. After trying the size a little, she also took off the old one and put on the new sports bra.

    It was a little tight… but just right, it could prevent the chest from shaking during exercise, and there was no need to tie bandages or anything.

    As for the choice of clothes, it was a bit tangled.

    A yellow T-shirt… The size was too small. After Lin Xiwan put it on, the front of the T-shirt was pushed up by her chest, and the good T-shirt became a crop top.

    And it was uncomfortably tight, not suitable for exercise at all.

    After choosing among the few remaining small T-shirts, Lin Xiwan sighed, simply put on a black thin long-sleeved jacket, and was ready to pick up her sister and go out.

    “Wait a minute.”

    Just when Lin Xiwan was about to squat down to pick up her sister, she heard her sister’s voice stopping her.

    “What’s wrong?” Lin Xiwan, who squatted down, looked up at her sister, but saw her sister frowning at her.

    What’s wrong? Did she do something wrong?

    “Stand up.” Lin Jiayao looked at her sister and said calmly.

    “Why?” Although she asked, Lin Xiwan still obeyed her sister’s words and stood up.

    In front of Lin Jiayao, her sister’s outfit was clear at a glance.

    Very simple, a simple pair of sports pants, a black sports bra, and an oversized sports jacket.

    This all-black outfit made her sister’s white abdomen even brighter. Coupled with her abs and vest line, it was full of vigor and vitality, but it also inevitably made people’s imaginations run wild.

    “Too revealing.” Lin Jiayao looked at her sister’s outfit and commented sharply.

    If there were no other people in Kun City, Lin Jiayao would not have any objection even if her sister ran around naked.

    But now, a team of people had settled in the ash area of Kun City, and her sister might have to go over to negotiate frequently. If she dressed like this, wouldn’t she be seen by others?

    “Revealing?” Lin Xiwan looked down and then realized what her sister was talking about, and couldn’t help but laugh.

    She held back her laughter, stretched out her hands and rubbed her sister’s face vigorously, and said with a smile:

    “Okay, I’ll only wear it like this in front of you, okay? It’s too hot. I’ll definitely zip it up when I see people.”

    Why hadn’t she noticed before that her sister had the potential to become a little jealous jar.

    Of course, Lin Xiwan was in no position to talk about her sister.

    Although she liked to let her sister wear dresses and stockings, if someone really stared at her sister’s legs with malicious eyes, she would definitely gouge out the other party’s eyes.

    She would do what she said.

    In this regard, she was as double-standard as her sister. Only she could look, others could not!

    Of course, Huayibai was an exception. Children didn’t understand, it didn’t matter if they looked.

    Hearing her say this, her sister seemed to reluctantly agree, and nodded slightly.

    Maybe her sister didn’t know how cute she looked like this. Coupled with the new dress, the lethality was simply top-notch.

    “Hmm~”

    Lin Xiwan couldn’t hold back her hands, squinted her eyes, and began to rub her sister’s face.

    Only after feeling that her sister was about to get angry did Lin Xiwan release her magic claws and picked up her sister.

    “Let’s go, Huayibai~”

    After calling Huayibai, Lin Xiwan took her sister and walked outside. Now they should go find something to eat.

    Although they had a good meal of grilled ham yesterday, because Lin Xiwan was a muscle-type Awakened, she had a big appetite and good digestion, and a large piece of ham was almost gone.

    It was also because she was settled down that Lin Xiwan ate with an open appetite, which led to a slight shortage of food today.

    It was almost noon, and they hadn’t found anything to eat yet.

    So Lin Xiwan also planned to follow the usual way of scavenging resource points, mark the buildings in the city, look for food factories or warehouses, and see if there were any warehouses storing ham or canned food.

    This city had no living people for a long time, and the resources were still quite rich. The only difficulty might be to distinguish between dried corpses and ham.

    Lin Jiayao was not in a hurry to log in. She also wanted to fill her stomach first.

    Filling her stomach could also make her more energetic.

    Although with Hunting Rhythm, she wouldn’t faint directly after logging in, it was also necessary to make full preparations.

    Fortunately, Yun Province itself had the tradition of eating ham. After walking for a short time, they saw a ham shop covered with mold and vines.

    There were still a lot of hams hanging in the store… Of course, there were also a lot of hanging dried corpses.

    No, there were more corpses than meat. Some meat was taken away, but more people were left here forever.

    However, these urban forests that squeezed every living person, zombie, and animal in this city dry in those years were now all used by Lin Jiayao.

    After taking out a piece of ham from it, washing it with a knife in a nearby puddle, and sharpening the knife on a stone, Lin Xiwan scraped off all the mold and blackened parts on the ham, leaving only a large bone and pink ham.

    Next was to make a fire and grill the meat.