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  • Back to Three Years Old: Crushing Scumbags on a Parenting Reality Show 132

    Chapter 132

    “Sister Mingming! Tell Dad! I really needed to poop when I fell!”

    “… She really did, I just checked her for external injuries and was about to examine her more closely, but she struggled and ran towards the toilet, even saying…”

    “I said, ‘I don’t want to poop on you!’ Dad, look! My poop was that urgent! Right, Sister Mingming!”

    “… Yes, she did say that.”

    “Didn’t I immediately poop as soon as I sat down! Didn’t I poop a lot! Sister Mingming, you have to tell my dad!”

    “… Yes, she went as soon as she sat down, plop, plop, plop, it sounded like quite a lot.”

    “Dad, look! I’m telling the truth! If I had known the floor was slippery, I wouldn’t have gone in! My poop almost fell out, there were so many people outside, they would be so scared if they saw my poop fall out!”

    …

    Wei Chengli’s hand, holding the water bottle, trembled slightly, what was he looking at…

    It was scary for many people outside to see, but it wasn’t scary for him to hear?

    He was just following the trend, testing the limits of the little dirty dumpling’s intelligence, how come he was being treated like this?

    Did she have to describe it in such detail? He could even imagine the poop falling into the water.

    Although he was her dad… was this really necessary…

    And…

    Wei Chengli looked at the little dirty dumpling, her back straight with pride after getting her witness, so righteous in her words, could she at least remove the chubby paws covering Yan Yan’s ears!

    What!

    Love for Yan Yan, poop for Dad, was that it!

    Looking at the little dirty dumpling, one hand covering Yan Yan’s ears, the other gesturing for Liu Ming to describe the pooping scene in even more detail, Wei Chengli clutched his chest, exasperated.

    With Wei Maomao’s persistence and Liu Ming’s efforts, the scene was recreated, the misunderstanding cleared with a forceful mental attack.

    What else could Wei Chengli say? He could only say thank you.

    Although the little chubby dumpling wasn’t smart enough to notice something was wrong before the incident, and she didn’t love Yan Yan enough to shield her from harm, but Wei Chengli still felt… a bit guilty.

    He had thought the Cheng family was a bit shady before, now it seemed it wasn’t just shady, it was toxic!

    Of course, Yan Yan was innocent, but… in a film, the first to be eliminated was often not the protagonist targeted by the villain, but the people around the protagonist, the so-called cannon fodder.

    Wei Chengli looked at the silly little dumpling, who was still urging Yan Yan to go and shower, carefree, he didn’t want his precious baby to be the cannon fodder!

    But…

    Wei Chengli looked at the thin little girl, shaking her head, pushing his dirty baby into the bathroom, he couldn’t bring himself to do such a heartless thing, sending her back to the Cheng family.

    Liu Ming was also scared by the earlier incident, even though Wei Maomao tried to convince her that there were no bad people here, and nothing unexpected would happen, she still insisted on going into the bathroom with her.

    While the dirty dumpling was showering, the staff helped to bring in their luggage, and Wen Xiang also came to pack his things and move to another room arranged by the program team.

    Finally, after the clean little chubby dumpling came out, Liu Ming took Yan Yan in, Wei Chengli finally had a chance to be alone with his baby, to grab her and have a proper talk.

    “Baby, think about it with your smart little brain, if Cheng Rongrong truly did those things today, isn’t she scary? Isn’t the Cheng family scary?” Wei Chengli whispered into the baby’s ear as he blow-dried her hair with the lowest setting. “You didn’t even do anything, you just fell. Do you still dare to help Yan Yan leave the Cheng family?”

    “Dad!” Wei Maomao said, pushing away the hairdryer, she turned to Wei Chengli, her chubby face full of shock. “The Cheng family is so scary, you want to let Yan Yan stay there?”

    “Don’t talk about me, talk about you…” Wei Chengli said, turning her messy head back and continuing to blow-dry her hair. “What are your thoughts?”

    “I!” Wei Maomao was about to blurt out that she wanted to get Yan Yan out as soon as possible. But she swallowed her words.

    Which parent would want their child to risk their safety for a stranger they just met a few days ago…

    Wei Maomao, judging from Wei Chengli’s earlier behavior, he probably didn’t want it either.

    “Dad, Uncle Cheng is so mean, Cheng Rongrong is so mean, Yan Yan is so pitiful.” Wei Maomao said weakly, leaning against him. “Let’s take Yan Yan away, to a place without Cheng Rongrong. No Uncle Cheng, no Cheng Rongrong, no slippery floor, no falling. You’re the best, Dad~~ You’re the best dad~~ You wouldn’t let Yan Yan stay in that scary place, right?”

    As long as they stayed away from the bad people, there wouldn’t be any danger, Wei Maomao hoped Wei Chengli would understand that the threat didn’t come from Cheng Tingyan.

    The soft, chubby little dumpling, leaning against his leg, Wei Chengli chuckled.

    “What does it matter if I’m good or not? You’ve already decided what to do, haven’t you?” Wei Chengli saw through her, this kind of deliberate flattery only appeared when this little rascal wanted something, especially when it concerned Cheng Tingyan.

    “Aww, we need Dad, we can’t do it without an adult.” Wei Maomao said, switching to her cute and coquettish mode.

    She was starting to worry that Wei Chengli would be scared and take her away from this variety show early.

    The other families might be concerned about the penalty for breaking the contract, but their family had just experienced this incident, and Wei Chengli had a good relationship with Shi Dingshan. If Wei Chengli truly wanted to leave, he might be able to.

    That wouldn’t do!

    The fragrant, soft, chubby little dumpling tilted her head, hugged his leg, and called him “Dad” sweetly… She kept feeding him sweet nothings.

    Initially, Wei Chengli could still watch the little rascal’s performance calmly, his mind remembering that she wasn’t being affectionate because she loved him, but because she wanted to protect Yan Yan.

    But…

    Who could stay indifferent to a cute and coquettish little dumpling?

    It was like stepping into a pet store and seeing a small animal in a transparent enclosure, bouncing around, scratching at the door, rationally, he knew it wasn’t love at first sight, but he couldn’t help but be charmed by its cuteness.

    When the bathroom door opened, and Liu Ming came out with a clean Cheng Tingyan, Wei Chengli realized that he had fallen into the three-year-old menace’s cute trap… He finally had a chance to be alone with his baby, but they didn’t even exchange two proper sentences, he spent the entire time being fed sweet nothings.

    Oh, and he also dried a head of hair…

    Seeing that both of them had been washed by Liu Ming, Wei Chengli finally swallowed his worries and anxieties.

    Whatever, she wouldn’t sneak over and hurt someone in the middle of the night after what just happened today, right?

    He needed some time to think it over.

    After washing the two little ones, Liu Ming mopped the bathroom and the floor outside until it was completely dry, she even dried their slippers, then waited for Wei Chengli, who had gone to another room to use the bathroom, to come back, before finally leaving.

    Finally, only the three of them were left in the room, Wei Chengli looked at the two little ones, huddled together in one bed, like little quails under the blanket, he let out a long sigh. “Sleep well, don’t worry, I’m right outside. If anything happens, just shout, I’ll come in.”

    After saying that, Wei Chengli glanced at the little rascal, who didn’t even bother to cling to him, he hummed inwardly and left.

    Speaking of Wei Chengli outside…

    After closing the door for the two little ones, Wei Chengli went to his… room for tonight.

    A camp bed, an electric fan, Wei Chengli looked around the corridor, which was 1.5 meters wide and over ten meters long, it was… quite airy.

    This way, even if someone came to attack in the middle of the night, they would have to get past him first!

    Wei Chengli turned off the corridor light and lay down on the camp bed by the little ones’ bedroom door, feeling relieved.

    So the question was, what exactly happened today?

    Judging from Shi Dingshan and Liu Ming’s attitude, it seemed they agreed with his little chubby dumpling’s suspicions. If it was Cheng Rongrong, why would she do such a thing? Hating Yan Yan, wanting to hurt her, couldn’t she do it at home? With their family’s level of favoritism, if she hurt Yan Yan at home, no one would even stand up for her, right? Why do it now?

    Even though the cameras in the room would be turned off, it was still a live broadcast, even if she used Yueyue as a scapegoat, with several little babies living together and staff members coming and going, it was much riskier than doing it at home.

    She didn’t do it when she had better conditions before, and now she created the conditions to do it… Why? Whether it was Cheng Rongrong’s own idea or someone behind her instigating it, why were they so impatient?

    Either she suddenly hated Yan Yan so much that she couldn’t wait a few more days to act,

    Or there was something that forced her to act against Yan Yan immediately… What would they gain from Yan Yan being injured?

    To risk doing such a thing, she must be either crazy or have an ulterior motive, right?

    Did she want to extort money from the program team?

    Was a healthy Yan Yan in their way?

    Or… did they discover his little chubby dumpling’s plan and want to make Yan Yan leave the show early, preventing her from using external forces to leave the Cheng family?

    Wei Chengli thought for a while, his limited imagination couldn’t come up with more possibilities, he felt the last two were more likely.

    Just as Wei Chengli was trying to rack his brain further, he suddenly heard soft footsteps coming from the stairs.

    It seemed… someone was coming up from downstairs?

    Wei Chengli had specifically asked when he went to the next room to use the bathroom, Cheng Feiying and Cheng Rongrong were staying in a newly cleaned room on the first floor.

    These footsteps seemed to be coming from downstairs, Wei Chengli, startled, sat up abruptly from the camp bed.

    Click.

    Click.

    Two sounds of switches being pressed, the corridor light turned on for a second, then off again.

    The sudden burst of light made Wei Chengli’s eyes hurt, then he heard Shi Dingshan’s voice in the distance. “Why did you turn off my light?”

    Wei Chengli: “… “ Who turned off whose light!

    The corridor light switches, one was at the top of the stairs, the other was near the balcony on the second floor, where Wei Chengli was, they both pressed the switch almost simultaneously, it was impossible to tell who pressed it the second time.

    Shi Dingshan wasn’t here to argue about this, he walked over in the darkness, patted Wei Chengli’s shoulder, pointed at the balcony door not far away, and whispered, “Let’s talk over there?”

    “I have to guard the door.” Wei Chengli said, patting the bed next to him. “Want to sit?”

    Shi Dingshan glanced at the other closed doors on the second floor, he didn’t sit down, but pushed Wei Chengli instead. “Get up, let’s move the bed against the door, if someone tries to open it, we’ll hear the noise from the balcony.”

    Wei Chengli thought about it, he didn’t object this time.

    Soon, they moved the camp bed against the door and went to the balcony.

    “There were many things going on before, I didn’t have a chance to talk to you properly, so I came over now.” Shi Dingshan said, getting straight to the point. “Everyone was surprised by today’s incident. But I guarantee that nothing like this will happen again in the next few days. I’ve arranged for a few staff members to keep a close eye on Cheng Feiying and Cheng Rongrong, even when we’re not filming, they won’t have a chance to do anything. And for Maomao, Yan Yan, and the other little babies, I’ve also arranged for people to look after them, whether they’re outside or inside, there will always be someone watching over them. Something like today, it will never happen again, don’t worry.”

    “For the next few days, can you avoid having Cheng Rongrong and Maomao… mmm, and Yan Yan do tasks together? The staff can watch, but they can’t be that close, right… If something unexpected happens, they might not be able to react in time.” Wei Chengli said, he was close to Shi Dingshan, so he didn’t bother with formalities, he just stated his request directly.

    Shi Dingshan sighed. “I can only say I’ll try my best to arrange it. If it’s a group task for the babies, then they definitely won’t be in the same group. But if it’s an activity for all the babies, it’s impossible to completely isolate Cheng Rongrong… I think, whether it’s Cheng Feiying or Cheng Rongrong, they wouldn’t risk their own reputation to harm Cheng Tingyan, right? During the tasks, there are so many cameras and staff members, it’s practically full coverage, they wouldn’t do anything bad then. It’s not like a life-or-death feud that needs immediate revenge, they wouldn’t risk everything on this show.”

    “That’s what I don’t understand… If it’s her, or them, they could have done it at home, behind closed doors, no one would even know. Why take the risk now?” Wei Chengli asked, echoing Shi Dingshan’s words, then shared his suspicions.

    But because the little chubby dumpling insisted on keeping it a secret, Wei Chengli changed “They want to prevent Yan Yan from getting external help to leave the Cheng family” to “Yan Yan has become more assertive on the show, she doesn’t seem as easy to control, maybe they want to injure her and have her leave the show early.”

    Even with the changed wording, this was still the most likely scenario in Wei Chengli’s mind.

    However, Shi Dingshan had a different thought.

    When Shi Dingshan heard Wei Chengli’s earlier words, “People always have motives for doing bad things, right? Could it be that a healthy Yan Yan is in their way? Would they gain more benefits without Yan Yan?”, he was shocked.

    He had also discussed it with Qin Sichao earlier, but they were focused on the conflicts and grudges in a blended family… They didn’t even consider this possibility.

    But if they thought about it from this angle, it was… even more terrifying!

    “Wait, I need to make a phone call.” Shi Dingshan said, taking out his phone.

    Three minutes later, Qin Sichao, panting, appeared on the balcony.

    “Hello, Director Wei, we meet again.” Qin Sichao said with a friendly smile, extending his hand.

    “… Hello.” Wei Chengli shook his hand and said hesitantly, “Hello, you look very familiar, have we met before?”

    “Qin Sichao.” Shi Dingshan said, glancing at Wei Chengli. “Didn’t I introduce him to you before?”

    Wei Chengli was startled by the name “Qin Sichao,” wait… Was it Qin Sichao, Director Qin? The famous…

    “Are you dumbstruck?” Shi Dingshan asked, gently nudging the seemingly petrified Wei Chengli. “Didn’t you say you love Director Qin’s films? You could talk about them so eloquently, and now you don’t even recognize him in person?”

    “… “ Wei Chengli was trying to find the resemblance between the chubby middle-aged man in front of him and the photos he had seen before, he was startled by Shi Dingshan’s question, he blurted out, “He’s much fatter than in the photos…”

    Wei Chengli’s rationality made him swallow the last word.

    It didn’t matter if he didn’t finish the sentence, the other two could fill in the blanks.

    Shi Dingshan, who had been tormented by this troublesome matter all night, burst out laughing.

    Qin Sichao’s outstretched hand froze.

    “Director Wei, Director Shi said he wanted you to make more friends on this show, have you made any?” Qin Sichao asked, offering a friendly response.

    Wei Chengli, whose social life had been cut off by the little chubby dumpling from day one: “… “

    Before the ally turned into an “enemy,” Shi Dingshan chuckled, interrupting their “friendly” exchange.

    Once they mentioned the serious matter, the previous jokes became irrelevant.

    “The fact that I’m interested in Yan Yan, many staff members on my team know about it. After all, it’s not a secret, it was a staff member who recommended Yan Yan’s profile. The fact that I, Xiao Jiang, and Xiao Ni are here, almost the entire team knows.” Qin Sichao said honestly, answering Shi Dingshan’s question.

    “When signing the contract for this variety show, including the later supplementary agreement for the live broadcast, we would confirm the guests’ recent work schedules. The live broadcast agreement was only signed two weeks ago, right? At that time, we hadn’t heard about any other projects the Cheng family was involved in.” Shi Dingshan said, looking at Qin Sichao. “Within such a short time frame, it’s only you.”

    “Seriously? I just had the thought, I haven’t even contacted their family…” Qin Sichao said, still finding it hard to believe. “And besides, I’m making a film, I’m interested in Yan Yan. It’s not like I’m looking for a sacrifice… Would I just take anyone with the Cheng family’s blood? If Yan Yan is injured, would I have to use their Cheng Rongrong? Not to mention anything else, her age isn’t even right, I would have to wait a few more years to film, right?”

    Shi Dingshan thought about it. “What you’re saying does make sense. But it’s hard to say with bad people’s logic, maybe they think you’re like a chicken leg, as long as Yan Yan can’t have it, it’ll end up in Cheng Rongrong’s bowl.”

    “They’re delusional!” Qin Sichao said, then paused. “Who did you just say was like a chicken leg?”

    “What do you think, Director Wei? I think it’s a leak from Director Qin’s side that made the Cheng family do something stupid. Otherwise, why would they be so eager to do this on a live broadcast variety show, just for these few days?” Shi Dingshan asked, looking at his potential ally.

    Honestly, Wei Chengli was a bit confused.

    The chubby Qin Sichao, the chosen Yan Yan, his suspicion actually had some basis now, so many unexpected things, he didn’t know which one to be surprised about first.

    “The problem is, even if there was a leak from Director Qin’s side, even if their logic is that if Yan Yan is out of the picture, Cheng Rongrong will have a chance.” Wei Chengli said hesitantly, looking at the two. “But how did Cheng Rongrong and the others know? Our variety show, we confiscated their phones, they have no contact with the outside world, right?”

    “That’s true for the other families, but it’s hard to say for theirs.” Qin Sichao said, taking out his phone, he showed Wei Chengli the missing information before Shi Dingshan could.

    The bought vegetables, the outsider caught, Cheng Feiying, being lectured by Director Shi, roaring at his wife on the phone…

    Wei Chengli rubbed his forehead, he had truly seen it all today.

    After the two huddled together and watched the video, Shi Dingshan took out a password box from his bag and handed it to Wei Chengli. “Speaking of which, I’ll give you this first. The cameras in the babies’ rooms weren’t on at night, and the cameramen also stopped filming after they returned from the night market. But when Maomao fell, you dads were doing your individual interviews. When Su Li called you, the live broadcast wasn’t turned off immediately, the viewers outside still knew that Maomao fell. Of course, she was fine later, we also explained it on the live broadcast. But your wife… she also saw the live broadcast, she contacted our staff earlier, and the staff also talked to the doctor. But I think…” Shi Dingshan said, under the moonlight, shaking the small password box in his hand. “She probably wants to talk to you. We should have asked Maomao to say a few words too… But children, it’s not good if they accidentally reveal something in front of the other babies or during the live broadcast. You just talk to your wife on behalf of Maomao, I’ll wait inside, after you’re done, take…”

    “Wait for what, let them have a proper chat, it was a big scare. Anyway, we’re not live broadcasting now, you can return it to me in the morning.” Qin Sichao said, pulling Shi Dingshan.

    “… Okay, I’ll have someone come and get it before we start filming in the morning. You make the call on the balcony, it’s best not to let the other guests see, okay?” Shi Dingshan said, after giving his instructions, he looked at Qin Sichao. “Why are you suddenly so nice?” He was just mocking him for having no friends, and now he was being friendly?

    “Hehe, I’m a nice person.” Qin Sichao said, pushing Shi Dingshan away.

    Shi Dingshan: “… “ Who would believe that?

    Anyway, they came, left the phone, and took away their doubts.

    One felt he had comforted Wei Chengli, the other had established a friendly relationship with the guardian of the child he wanted to add to his film. Both of them were… quite satisfied.

    As for Wei Chengli…

    In the cool night breeze, the two-hour phone call swept away all his fatigue from the day.

    Sitting back on the camp bed, Wei Chengli was still wide awake.

    His phone, a good thing.

    Wei Chengli, hiding under the blanket, started to… browse the online comments about the variety show these past few days.

    He shouldn’t have browsed, because after browsing…

    The sky… was bright.

    Seeing Cheng Tingyan again, Wei Chengli’s heart ached.

    It wasn’t the kind of jealousy he felt these past few days because of the little dumpling’s favoritism, it was a genuine heartache.

    It had to be said, there were hidden talents among the common people.

    These past few days, in places Wei Chengli couldn’t see, Yan Yan, sharing the unappetizing mush, Yan Yan, digging tirelessly under the scorching sun for Maomao’s watermelon, Yan Yan, always following Maomao, taking care of her… Yan Yan, being treated with passive-aggression and sarcasm by Cheng Rongrong, Yan Yan, being scolded by Cheng Feiying, Yan Yan, her voice always filled with sadness when talking about her family… The various clips and comments made him laugh until his stomach hurt, and also made his eyes well up several times.

    But… this heartache and touch were quickly ended by a certain little rascal.

    “Yan Yan, have you brushed your teeth?”

    “Mmm.”

    “Really? Let me see your teeth.”

    “Ah… Mmm? Maomao! Your candy!”

    “Hehe! This is truly the last one, I don’t have any more. Eat it quickly.”

    Early in the morning, Wei Chengli, who hadn’t slept all night, had just greeted the two little ones when he was blinded by their excessive sweetness.

    Candy! Who didn’t have any!

    Wei Chengli took out the uneaten candy Shen Jianghe gave him from his pocket yesterday and stuffed it into his mouth.

    Hmph, sweet, sticky, just average!!!

    “Yan Yan, do you think this candy is delicious?”

    “Delicious… Will you eat it next time?”

    “Hehe, do you know why it’s delicious?”

    “Because Maomao gave it to me!”

    “… No, it’s because I put it under the air conditioner last night, it didn’t melt, it’s cold and crispy!”

    …

    ???

    Wei Chengli felt that the candy in his mouth, which was melting and sticky, not crispy at all, wasn’t sweet anymore!

    Hmph!

  • You’re Not Allowed to Kiss Me Anymore! [Quick Transmigration] 50p2

    Chapter 50 p2

    Xu Jingyu followed Xin Yao into the living room, sitting beside her on the sofa.

    Meng Wanqing was busy setting up the DVD player.

    She had brought some classic horror movies, apparently rare and hard to find.

    She didn’t turn around, her back still to them.

    Xu Jingyu scooted closer to Xin Yao, their shoulders touching.

    The room was warm, the heating on high, and they were both dressed lightly.

    Their close proximity, the warmth of their bodies through their thin clothes, made the air between them crackle with tension.

    Xin Yao’s fingers, resting on her lap, twitched nervously.

    Xu Jingyu reached out, her long, slender fingers, their nails neatly trimmed and rounded, brushing against Xin Yao’s.

    Then, slowly, her fingers slid into Xin Yao’s palm, intertwining their fingers.

    Xu Jingyu’s hand was larger than Xin Yao’s, her palm warm and slightly sweaty, enveloping Xin Yao’s hand completely.

    But her fingers trembled slightly, her grip both gentle and firm, a mix of tenderness and possessiveness.

    Xin Yao glanced at Xu Jingyu’s beautiful profile, then at Meng Wanqing’s back, and playfully scratched Xu Jingyu’s palm with her fingertip.

    As if to say: Meng Wanqing is still here! You’re so bold!

    Her playful touch sent a shiver down Xu Jingyu’s spine, her eyelashes fluttering, her lips pressing together as she tightened her grip, reluctant to let go.

    Only when Meng Wanqing, having finally chosen a movie, turned around and ran towards them, did they reluctantly separate their hands.

    But Meng Wanqing, in her excitement, didn’t notice their intertwined fingers and plopped down between them on the sofa, separating them.

    Xin Yao and Xu Jingyu exchanged glances.

    Meng Wanqing, oblivious, turned to Xu Jingyu.

    “Scoot over! It’s crowded! I have to sit between you two! I feel safer that way.”

    Xu Jingyu glanced at Xin Yao, who was smiling wryly, and sighed inwardly.

    She wasn’t known for her patience, her cold demeanor usually enough to keep people at bay.

    But…

    She had been far too lenient with Meng Wanqing, allowing her to live this long.

    Perhaps her gaze was a bit too intense, because Meng Wanqing suddenly seemed to remember something.

    Oh, right! Xu Jingyu was still pursuing Yaoyao!

    She grinned, giving Xu Jingyu a knowing look, then quickly moved to sit beside her, leaving a space between Xu Jingyu and Xin Yao.

    Xu Jingyu, after a pointed look at Meng Wanqing, scooted closer to Xin Yao.

    As she did, Xin Yao reached out and gently tugged at her finger.

    Xu Jingyu’s fingers intertwined with hers, their hands clasped together, their palms warm and slightly sweaty, their touch a mix of comfort and nervousness.

    They sat there, their hands hidden beneath the blanket, their secret intimacy a silent language.

    Just then, the movie began.

    Meng Wanqing, in her infinite wisdom, had chosen a classic horror film, “Hotel Horrors,” its title a chillingly appropriate reflection of Xin Yao’s recent experience.

    The movie’s pacing was fast, the first scare coming just minutes into the film.

    A sudden, loud sound effect made Xin Yao jump, her body instinctively seeking refuge in Xu Jingyu’s arms.

    Xu Jingyu, knowing her fear, held her close, her arms wrapping around Xin Yao’s trembling body.

    The feeling of Xin Yao’s warmth against her, her heartbeat against Xu Jingyu’s chest, her complete dependence on Xu Jingyu, was intoxicating.

    Xu Jingyu’s breath hitched, her heart pounding.

    But just as they embraced, Meng Wanqing, sitting beside them, let out a scream that was even more terrifying than the movie’s sound effects, her voice echoing through the room.

    “Ah!!!”

    And she, for some reason, had thought that having company would make her less afraid.

    She had even brought a large bucket of popcorn.

    Now, terrified, her hands flailing wildly, she accidentally knocked the bucket over, sending popcorn flying through the air, raining down on Xu Jingyu and Xin Yao.

    The romantic moment was shattered, the sound of Meng Wanqing’s screams drowning out even the movie’s sound effects.

    Xin Yao, no longer afraid, simply looked at Xu Jingyu, a bewildered expression on her face.

    Xu Jingyu, closer to Meng Wanqing, had borne the brunt of the popcorn explosion, a few kernels even clinging to her hair.

    She closed her eyes, her arms still around Xin Yao, her expression a mix of annoyance and amusement.

    Then, chaos ensued.

    The old horror movie, with its jump scares and creepy atmosphere, was too much for Meng Wanqing, whose screams echoed through the room, her body flailing wildly.

    It took both Xin Yao and Xu Jingyu to restrain her, pinning her down on the sofa.

    Xu Jingyu, her patience wearing thin, covered Meng Wanqing’s mouth with her hand.

    “Shut up!”

    Xin Yao, no longer afraid, was now simply embarrassed.

    Meng Wanqing’s screams had attracted the attention of the hotel manager, who had knocked on the door, his voice apologetic.

    “Miss Xin, could you please keep it down? We’ve received complaints. People are starting to think the hotel is haunted.”

    Xin Yao, mortified, apologized profusely.

    Back in the room, she glared at Meng Wanqing, ordering her to be quiet.

    Xu Jingyu’s cold stare, however, was even more effective than Xin Yao’s scolding.

    Meng Wanqing, realizing that Xu Jingyu was a greater threat than any fictional ghost, wisely chose to remain silent.

    With the disruptive element subdued, the room returned to normal, the movie’s eerie atmosphere settling over them once more.

    A ghostly face flashed on the screen, the door suddenly opening, the ghost confronting the terrified protagonist.

    The director’s masterful use of silence, the sudden absence of music, amplified the tension.

    Xin Yao, startled, buried her face in Xu Jingyu’s embrace.

    And just then, in the eerie silence…

    The door to their room, mimicking the scene in the movie, suddenly opened.

    Meng Wanqing, terrified, jumped up and ran, her frantic movements sending her crashing into the figure entering the room.

    Her vision blurred, her stomach churning, she didn’t even see who it was before bending over and vomiting.

    The figure, Xue Ning, whom Xin Yao had invited to join them, looked down at the mess on her clothes, then at Meng Wanqing, her face contorted in disgust.

    “Yuck! You disgusting pig!”

    “Meng Wanqing, you’re dead! I’m going to kill you!”

    The movie night ended abruptly.

    Meng Wanqing was dragged away by Xue Ning, presumably to be punished.

    With the disruptive element gone, the room fell silent again.

    Xin Yao turned off the television, looking at the mess, the popcorn scattered everywhere, the remnants of their movie night more comical than terrifying.

    Xu Jingyu, who had been in a foul mood all day, first because of Meng Wanqing’s interruption, then because of the argument with the director, now found herself smiling, Xin Yao’s laughter infectious.

    She walked towards Xin Yao, but as she reached her side, she suddenly didn’t know what to say.

    Before they were together, she had always been so direct, so uninhibited.

    But now, just a few hours into their relationship, she found herself feeling strangely shy and nervous.

    Love was a strange thing.

    It made the bold timid, and the timid bold.

    As she hesitated, Xin Yao reached out and gently tugged at her sleeve, her eyes soft and inviting.

    “I’m scared. I can’t sleep alone tonight.”

    Xin Yao had said the same thing before, and it had made Xu Jingyu’s heart race.

    This time, however, it felt different.

    Her heart pounded, her breath catching in her throat, her hand, reaching out to take Xin Yao’s, slightly damp with sweat.

    After a moment, she finally spoke, her voice husky.

    “I’ll stay with you.”

    Later that night, around 11 pm, in Xin Yao’s room…

    Xu Jingyu, having arrived earlier, had already showered. They lay side by side in Xin Yao’s bed.

    It had been snowing lately, the weather cold, and the heating in the room was on high.

    Xin Yao was bundled up in a warm, fluffy pajama set.

    Xu Jingyu, however, seemingly impervious to the cold, was wearing a thin, white nightgown, her arms and legs bare, her skin glowing in the soft light, the sight both alluring and slightly indecent.

    Xin Yao had been startled when she opened the door, her gaze darting around the room, unsure where to look.

    She had simply been scared and had asked Xu Jingyu to stay with her, nothing more.

    But Xu Jingyu’s attire, her apparent preparedness, made Xin Yao nervous.

    Flustered, she excused herself to get some water.

    Xu Jingyu, watching her go, her eyes narrowing slightly, didn’t say anything, simply picking up the remote and turning up the heat.

    The soft clicks echoed through the room.

    Xin Yao, returning from the kitchen, felt the increased warmth, but it wasn’t unbearable, so she didn’t comment.

    But as she got into bed, snuggling beside Xu Jingyu, she saw Xu Jingyu reach for the remote again, turning up the heat even further.

    “Isn’t it a bit too warm?” she asked.

    Xu Jingyu paused. “I’m a little cold.”

    She turned up the heat again.

    And you’re wearing that?

    Xin Yao muttered under her breath, then, worried that Xu Jingyu might catch a cold, she tucked the blanket more securely around her.

    Xu Jingyu smiled, her eyes shimmering like jade in the soft light.

    “What are you smiling about?” Xin Yao asked, curious.

    Xu Jingyu didn’t answer, simply pulling Xin Yao closer, her arms wrapping around her waist, her leg pressing against Xin Yao’s thigh, her touch warm and clingy.

    But the temperature in the room…

    While Xu Jingyu might have found it comfortable, Xin Yao, bundled up in her warm pajamas, was starting to feel a little too warm.

    Especially with Xu Jingyu’s embrace so tight, her long limbs holding Xin Yao captive, she felt like she was trapped in a warm embrace, her body burning.

    A thin sheen of sweat coated her forehead and the back of her neck.

    She let out a soft moan, tugging at her collar.

    Xu Jingyu, her arms still tightly around Xin Yao, seeing her flushed face, her eyes flickering with a sudden understanding, murmured, “Are you warm? Your clothes are too thick. Why don’t you take them off?”

    Her words made Xin Yao realize what was happening. She gently pushed Xu Jingyu away and grabbed the remote.

    Seeing the temperature setting, she couldn’t help but laugh.

    “You turned the heat up to 38 degrees! Of course I’m warm! Why didn’t you just set it to 40?”

    Xu Jingyu, lying there, her scheme exposed, simply replied, “That would have been too obvious.”

    Xin Yao laughed, pinching Xu Jingyu’s waist playfully. “And this isn’t obvious? What are you up to?”

    “I want,” Xu Jingyu captured Xin Yao’s hand, her eyes, dark and intense, fixed on Xin Yao’s face, “to be close to you.”

    Close?

    Xin Yao blinked. “But we’re already close.”

    Xu Jingyu smiled, pulling Xin Yao closer, her lips brushing against her cheek.

    Then, her lips close to Xin Yao’s ear, she whispered, “Yaoyao, I have skin hunger. I crave your touch, I crave your closeness, you know that.”

    “So, the kind of closeness I’m talking about is skin against skin, flesh against flesh, no barriers, no clothes, just our bodies intertwined, our souls merging.”

    “Every inch of our skin touching, our hearts and minds connected.”

    She chuckled softly. “How can we be truly close with clothes on?”

    She was so close that her breath tickled Xin Yao’s ear, her words even more arousing than her touch.

    Xin Yao’s face burned, her heart pounding, her body trembling slightly.

    “How can you say such things?!” she exclaimed, pushing Xu Jingyu away, her voice a mix of embarrassment and amusement. “You’re so shameless!”

    “Then,” Xu Jingyu’s eyes, dark and intense, fixed on Xin Yao’s face, “is that a yes?”

    Xin Yao hesitated, her lips pressed together, then she finally murmured, “I… suppose so…”

     

  • Sickly Girl Doesn’t Die in Zombie Simulator 136p2

    Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Six: Perfect Hunt p2

    Custom Waypoint?

    The Hideout had been fully upgraded?

    Could everything inside be upgraded?

    It seemed that not only her mental power and evolution, but the evolution of the loggable zombies was also counted in the unlocking conditions of the Hideout.

    This meant that Lin Jiayao could try to evolve the 【Control Center】 again, making the login cooldown and evolution time shorter, and gaining more slots.

    In an instant, Lin Jiayao felt a pain in her liver.

    It felt like a game developer constantly giving you “fatigue potions” and rewards, but your liver couldn’t keep up.

    In any case, she should first control A4 to successfully extract, and then think about the Hideout.

    Thinking this, Lin Jiayao looked at the locations of the four Extraction Points again.

    None of these Extraction Point locations were close, and except for the Beijiang Bridge Extraction Point to the north, the other three Extraction Points had already left Fuzhou City.

    Zhujiang Bridge was in Yangzhou City, Yuejiang Bridge was in Qingzhou City, and Lion Head Mountain Extraction Point was in Chongshan City.

    According to the method of judging danger by distance, Yangzhou City to the east was the closest and most dangerous, and Chongshan City to the south was second.

    Yangzhou City… was now judged by the system to be the most dangerous place?

    These two dangerous places were, without exception, close to the sea, while Qingzhou City to the west and the direction to the north were relatively far from the sea.

    Coupled with the continuous heavy rain, Lin Jiayao had a bad feeling.

    Why was it raining again…

    The continuous heavy rain was definitely not normal. Even a typhoon couldn’t last this long, and the rain had already stopped when Lin Jiayao and her sister left Fuzhou City before.

    This rain was not a natural disaster, but most likely some kind of phenomenon.

    A phenomenon that Lin Jiayao had not yet explored… and it was probably related to the sea.

    Should she go to the seaside?

    Lin Jiayao thought for a moment and gave up the idea of letting A4 take the risk.

    Although A4 was already B-rank, Lin Jiayao had felt the shaking from the bottom of the sea from a long distance when she was in Dongying… That was not a strength that an ordinary B-rank could resist.

    The ocean, which occupies about 71% of the Blue Star, breeds zombies that are far more terrifying than land zombies…

    Exclude the seaside. Lin Jiayao still needed to keep A4 to constantly harvest evolutions from it. She couldn’t let it go to the seaside and die.

    As for whether to go north or west, Lin Jiayao chose to go west.

    Now that she could choose the Extraction Point herself, she would let A4 try to go in the direction of Kun Province, so they could support each other.

    Uh… referring to A4 being able to support Lin Jiayao’s main body.

    A4 could rush over a thousand kilometers in one day, so a mere 90 kilometers was naturally nothing.

    Therefore, Lin Jiayao wasn’t in a hurry to retreat immediately. Instead, she briefly activated the wide-area super-sense and searched for stronger mutated zombies in Fuzhou City.

    At this time, there were no traces of Awakened or ordinary people in Fuzhou City. It was a veritable ghost city.

    Soon, Lin Jiayao marked all the C-rank mutated zombies and started running towards the Hunter closest to her.

    “Thump—”
    “Thump—”

    Lin Jiayao’s figure kept jumping between the buildings, and soon arrived outside a bathhouse a kilometer away.

    “Clang—”

    Her figure flashed in the air, accurately smashing through a huge piece of glass, and landed in a room in the bathhouse. She swept a whip kick at a three-meter-tall Hunter that was crouched over a Biter corpse

    “Roar—”

    The C-rank Hunter only had time to let out an angry roar. Before it could see who the attacker was, it was pierced through the heart by a black sword.

    The blood-red tendrils attached to the sword frantically decomposed and devoured this large Hunter. The tendrils quickly wrapped its entire body and “melted” into the sword.

    The energy in it was then quickly transmitted to Lin Jiayao’s body through the tendrils connected to the sword.

    Precise positioning, fast hunting, efficient devouring. Lin Jiayao was like a killing machine without emotion, repeating this set of killing actions.

    She was replenishing the energy consumed by verifying some of her abilities just now, to avoid encountering any danger on the road.

    There were countless treasures on every B-rank zombie waiting for Lin Jiayao to obtain one by one. She couldn’t let these B-rank zombies die in her hands. She had to be cautious.

    A black and red figure was rapidly killing in Fuzhou City under the night. Later, in order to increase the recovery speed, she didn’t let go of any mutated zombies along the way. Finally, after half an hour, she recovered her body to almost peak level.

    Although her body had recovered, Lin Jiayao’s mental power definitely couldn’t support her to play with instant building slicing again. The most important thing now was to get to the vicinity of the Extraction Point first.

    If she “Lost” the logged-in zombie not because of battle or accident, but because she didn’t reach the Extraction Point, that would be the most infuriating thing.

    After feeling that her body had almost recovered, Lin Jiayao aimed at the direction of the Yuejiang Bridge Extraction Point and rushed straight over.

    “Boom—”

    When her speed increased to near the apex, Lin Jiayao stomped on the ground fiercely. With a sound of the ground exploding, her body flew upwards diagonally like a cannonball.

    “Whoosh—”

    The fierce wind and rain swept past Lin Jiayao’s ears. In the air, the flesh of her lower torso gradually began to shrink until only the flesh tightly clinging to the bones remained.

    And the armor plates on her wings, scapula, and the wing-like tendril nets began to emerge, supporting her like a hang glider and gliding forward.

    She streaked across the night sky in a blood-red stream of light, gliding forward in a parabola for several kilometers.

    “Boom—!”

    Then, when she was about to fall to the ground, her legs began to swell and fill with energy again. She stomped on the ground fiercely, crushing a large area of the road again, and bounced out.

    And this bounce made her speed so fast that it was almost blurry to the human eye. A blood-red thread nearly ten meters long was also pulled out from the tail of her tendril wings, as if the tendrils at the tail couldn’t keep up with her speed.

    Under such extreme speed jumping and running, she was rapidly approaching the direction of the Yuejiang Bridge Extraction Point in Qingzhou City.

    It was imaginable how terrifying the damage would be if she pounced on an enemy at this speed.

    It seemed that A4 was constantly evolving towards the perfect hunter, efficient.

    Now Lin Jiayao understood what Huayibai meant by the blonde mommy “flying away” and “couldn’t be caught up with”.

    If the system was in control, the system could calculate the most suitable force and the most perfect landing point, which could indeed create an effect of “flying”.

    But if Lin Jiayao trained more in the Training Grounds and developed muscle memory and conditioned reflexes, she should also be able to achieve that level.

    But that was all for later.

    In this state of high-speed “flying”, Lin Jiayao approached the Extraction Point at a speed faster than she had imagined.

    Until Lin Jiayao used a large number of bone spikes to “emergency brake” on the road in front of the Extraction Point, creating a “brake track” nearly fifty meters long that looked like it had been plowed, she steadily stopped in front of the Extraction Point located on the bridge.

    After seeing the Extraction Point, Lin Jiayao didn’t feel relaxed, but frowned.

    The river in front of her… Was the water level rising a little too exaggeratedly?

    The river was surging in an abnormally fierce manner. With the help of the heavy rain, it had already submerged the riverside path below the slope.

    Although there was still a long way to go before it submerged the road and the bridge, it was not difficult to suspect that if the heavy rain continued like this, the water level would rise sooner or later.

    This reminded Lin Jiayao of Yangzhou City before she left. Due to its proximity to the sea and the unprecedentedly strong typhoon, the water level had already submerged the road before Lin Jiayao left.

    Although she didn’t know what the situation in Yangzhou City was now, judging from the intensity of the heavy rain around, the situation should not be optimistic.

    Lin Jiayao looked at her extraction time. There were still about three hours left, thanks to A4’s ability to run.

    Anyway, whether she extracted early or late, the mental consumption was about the same. Thinking that she had already reached the Extraction Point and could earn a little, Lin Jiayao activated the wide-area super-sense.

    Most of Qingzhou City turned into countless threads in Lin Jiayao’s eyes. Her vision could almost penetrate all the threads and detect all the blood crystals inside.

    Not surprisingly, in addition to the roaring zombies, there were many survivors wandering around in Qingzhou City. She even heard the sound of a camp, and Lin Jiayao could even hear their conversations.

    It should be the Qingzhou University Camp.

    Not surprisingly, this super-sense ability was definitely a fusion of Blood Crystal Vision and Bone Spike Lurker’s evolved version. Lin Jiayao wondered if she could choose this evolution.

    Although the consumption was a bit high, it was really useful.

    Coupled with Lin Jiayao’s own 【Hemophagy】 talent, she could almost achieve true “full map perspective” and “full map pursuit”.

    Lin Jiayao slowly calmed down and began to carefully identify the large amount of information transmitted to her ears, locating the zombies with higher evolution levels.

    But soon, a different piece of information was captured by Lin Jiayao.

    “Ah this… buzz… but I have to ask my Mommy… buzz…”

    This sound should have been quickly buried in the information flow, but because the voice was too familiar, Lin Jiayao still found it.

    Through the ultra-long-distance vision, Lin Jiayao could see that this was a small silver thread woven object making the sound. There were a circle of humans standing around this instrument.

    This was… a radio?

    Huayibai?

    Hadn’t she already written down those planting methods and ended the call?

    Why was she still chatting on the radio?

    Lin Jiayao quickly switched her consciousness, returned to her main body, and opened her eyes.

    As soon as she opened her eyes, she could only see darkness, and even breathing was a little difficult.

    Of course, this wasn’t because she was injured or sick, but just because of some external factors.

    She slowly raised her head and looked in the direction of Huayibai on the next bed.

    Unexpectedly, Huayibai was also sitting cross-legged on the bed, looking innocently in Lin Jiayao’s direction, her hands nervously pinching her white stockings.

    Like a child who had done something wrong and was waiting for punishment.

    In order not to disturb her sister’s rest, Lin Jiayao and Huayibai exchanged thoughts using a small strand of mycelium(tendrils) buried in each other’s bodies.

    “What’s wrong?” Lin Jiayao asked silently, looking in Huayibai’s direction.

    “I… don’t know…” Huayibai was so nervous that she even forgot to speak with the mycelium and spoke directly in a trembling voice.

    Although Huayibai’s voice was very soft, it was still captured by the sleeping Lin Xiwan.

    Lin Xiwan was very relaxed now and sleeping soundly, but the high alertness brought about by the long escape was still maintained.

    The moment she woke up, Lin Xiwan subconsciously hugged her sister to her chest with her left hand, and then quickly propped herself up with her right hand, also bringing Lin Jiayao to sit up.

    After protecting her sister in her arms, Lin Xiwan opened her eyes and looked around in a daze.

    “Hmm?” Seeing that there was nothing wrong around, Lin Xiwan breathed a sigh of relief. She hugged her sister and leaned against the wall, then rubbed her eyes with her freed right hand.

    “Ha… what’s wrong? Why are you all awake?” Lin Xiwan yawned and looked at her sister and Huayibai sitting in the hazy moonlight.

    “There seems to be something going on with Huayibai…” Lin Jiayao said directly, as there was no need to hide these things from her sister, “But I don’t know what happened. I have to ask Huayibai.”

    “Something going on?”

    Hearing this, Lin Xiwan was a little confused.

    They were very safe here. Even if someone came, the building-trees would resist first. There shouldn’t be any danger.

    But hearing her sister say this, Lin Xiwan still loosened her legs that were clamping her sister, helped her sister adjust to a more comfortable sitting position, let her lean on herself, and then Lin Xiwan rested her chin on her sister’s shoulder, the two of them cheek to cheek, and looked at Huayibai together.

    Under the gaze of the two, Huayibai, under great pressure, pursed her lips and said weakly:

    “When I was about to end the call, a voice said ‘request to interrupt’, and then started talking to itself.”

    “Someone you know?” Lin Jiayao asked.

    Lin Xiwan knew that Huayibai wouldn’t talk to a stranger for no reason. It was very likely that it was someone Huayibai knew before.

    “Yes.” Huayibai nodded at her mother, and said with a crying face, “It’s Aunt Jiang, she used to give me candy…”

    “Aunt Jiang?” Lin Xiwan was confused.

    And Lin Jiayao, after recalling for a moment, asked, “Is it from Survivor’s Light?”

    Huayibai evolved from Survivor’s Light. If she had any acquaintances, it could only be people from Survivor’s Light.

    A woman, surnamed Jiang, without a doubt, it was Jiang Chun, the red-haired big sister who played the speaker in the ten-thousand-person speech that Lin Jiayao took Huayibai to listen to that day.

    As for why Huayibai had the memory of Jiang Chun giving her candy, it was also easy to explain.

    Huayibai’s memory didn’t come out of thin air. Like other mycelia, she would devour the host’s memory.

    When Huayibai was still an ordinary mycelium, she had already occupied a human body. Then, by chance, she gained her own thinking ability, but she instinctively still thought she was the original “Huayibai”.

    According to when Lin Jiayao intervened in Survivor’s Light, before the B-rank Awakened Gu Wangran self-destructed to warn the world, Huayibai’s identity seemed to be the little granddaughter adopted by the B-rank Awakened in the apocalypse.

    But… why would someone from Survivor’s Light suddenly contact Huayibai?

    Did they hear her voice? Recognize Huayibai?

    Lin Jiayao guessed, but she didn’t directly ask Huayibai. Instead, she beckoned to Huayibai.

    “Hmm?” Huayibai was a little puzzled by her mother’s action, but she still obediently moved towards her mother and climbed onto her mother’s bed.

    After Lin Jiayao’s hand could reach Huayibai, she reached out and rubbed Huayibai’s head, smiling and comforting her:

    “It’s okay, take your time.”

    Lin Jiayao’s attitude seemed to give Huayibai great courage, and Huayibai was no longer so cautious.

    While enjoying her mother’s touch, she said:

    “Aunt Jiang… as soon as she spoke, she asked if Huayibai’s organization was in the seed bank, and then said something like, if it wasn’t in the seed bank, there wouldn’t be so many kinds of seeds…”

    “It seems that when Huayibai was talking to that Aunt Wan Zi, she was guessed to be in which place… but neither Aunt Wan Zi nor Aunt Jiang said this place.”

    “Hmm…” Lin Jiayao rubbed Huayibai’s head and comforted her, “It’s okay. Survivor’s Light had pioneers who came to Kun Province before. Their understanding of this place is no less than ours. It’s normal to guess.”

    While Lin Jiayao and Huayibai were communicating, Lin Xiwan, who was holding her sister, slowly widened her eyes.

    Survivor’s Light? They… were still alive?

    And Survivor’s Light’s B-rank Awakened Jiang Chun was still alive!

    This was definitely good news for the survivors of China, at least much better than the people of the bottomless Voodoo Cult surviving.

    Lin Xiwan also wanted to know the situation of Survivor’s Light. She couldn’t help holding her breath at this time, her sleepiness completely gone, and she listened carefully to the conversation between the two.

    “What did she say after that?” Lin Jiayao saw that Huayibai was not afraid, so she continued to ask.

    “Well… she said she wanted to talk to my superior, and asked me to report it. Then I told her that I didn’t have a superior, but I had a mother.”

    Lin Xiwan and Lin Jiayao took a deep breath at the same time, but they still suppressed the urge to complain.

    It could only be said that this way of thinking was very Huayibai.

     

  • The Delicate Female Lead Only Wants to be Loved by the Villainous Young Ladies 311-312

    Cha Keke is now Chacoco

    Chapter 311: Profiling

    Just as Adele’s imagination ran wild, Seraph proved with her actions that the girl’s fanciful thoughts…weren’t wrong at all! What Seraph wanted to do was indeed to incite Adele’s desire.

    Thinking about it, it was clear that Seraph didn’t possess the typical societal concepts of chastity or modesty. In the era when angels were born, there weren’t as many rules created for social stability as there were today. Freedom was the hallmark of that time. Romantic in some ways, cruel in others.

    Therefore, Seraph’s approach was always direct and pragmatic. But also extremely effective. Because only in this way could Adele recapture that feeling from before—that is, “to trace back to the scene where strong emotions occurred, to witness it firsthand, and even to experience it empathetically…”

    Seraph also had a memory she wanted Adele to experience again: their first meeting. Seraph had helped Adele transform into a witch. It was an experience that was incredibly painful, yet also incredibly blissful for that frail body. During this transformation, Adele lost almost all reason, becoming a beast driven solely by desire.

    Seraph was prepared to sacrifice a part of her life essence to create a new body if necessary. Yes, even though Seraph always casually told Adele, “This body was created for you to use and break as you please,” sounding like she didn’t care about this created vessel, in reality, it was equivalent to exercising the authority of “creating life” within her angelic space, a power originally only the Lord could wield. She would expend a significant amount of mental and life force for this. It was just that Adele had never known this until now.

    But fortunately, the girl was always a classic example of someone tough on the outside but soft on the inside. Every time she said she would thoroughly “ravage” Seraph, when they went to the bathroom to clean up afterward, the marks Seraph bore were actually quite light. Seraph could easily repair them, and only with simple healing magic.

    The silver-haired angel, without a word, slowly removed her clothes in front of Adele, revealing small but shapely breasts and a slender waist. Further down was the slightly concave…indescribable area.

    Adele pretended to be shy, covering her face with her hands, her ears bright red. But through the gaps between her fingers, one could see her wide-open eyes. Adele didn’t even dare to blink, instead eagerly taking in the sight of Seraph’s body, that exquisite and wondrous creation.

    Whether due to the cold air or something else, under Adele’s furtive gaze, Seraph’s breathing became unusually rapid. And as she exhaled shakily, a certain part of the girl instantly became flushed and erect.

    “…”

    Seraph looked puzzled by this change, tilting her head in a rather adorable way. Like a programmer baffled by a program suddenly running automatically. But this further fueled Adele’s imagination of this innocent and naive girl being unexpectedly alluring. The more innocent and pure Seraph acted, the more excited Adele became.

    After a brief moment of confusion, Seraph gave up on trying to understand and turned to Adele, “Can…you suck it?”

    “Like last time, bite it hard.”

    “Honestly, I was surprised you didn’t bite it off last time…”

    “Um! You mean…” Adele finally realized what Seraph wanted to do. She actually wanted her to relive the scene of her transformation into a witch, to experience that experience again. If she could do it, then the day Adele could freely use this witch’s ability…wouldn’t be far off.

    It was conceivable that at that time, whether looking at an object or a person, Adele could trace back to the original scene through the smallest of clues, uncovering secrets and truths hidden or even buried in time. And all she would need might be an expression identical to that of the past, an unchanged gaze, or an object left behind.

    For example, by touching a warrior’s sword, feeling the mottled rust and bloodstains, she could be transported back to that battlefield, experiencing the warrior’s fight. With luck, she might even witness their final moments. Or, for example, by touching a girl’s wet panties, she could experience that girl’s previous…ahem, let’s not mention that for now.

    Although Adele was startled, she couldn’t deny that Seraph’s choice was very appealing. Because Adele’s memory of her transformation into a witch wasn’t very clear. Or rather, it was just a few fragmented images. After all, Adele at that time was no different from a beast driven by desire. She had vented on Seraph’s body, acting recklessly, doing many…rough things.

    But as Seraph said, even in such a rough state, Adele hadn’t caused much damage to Seraph’s body. She hadn’t broken her arms or legs, turning her into something immobile that could only be…well, you get the idea. Perhaps it was because the girl’s nature was gentle. Although Seraph herself didn’t care much. Her goal at the time was simply to guide Adele’s transformation into a witch.

    Just like now, she was equally happy to see Adele break through the limitations of a witch and become a new witch with the ability of “Profiling.” As for why it was called “Profiling” here, perhaps it was the best description, or perhaps it had something to do with the original author of the book?

    “Let’s try it.” Seraph interrupted the girl’s blushing thoughts. She raised her small bottom, kneeling between Adele’s legs, and offered her small but exquisite breasts to the girl’s lips without hesitation.

    “W-Whoa, t-this kind of thing…”

    “Let me prepare…Let me…Ha, um…”

    However, angels always had their own way. While Adele was still struggling to speak and stop her, Seraph seized the opportunity and pushed her…into Adele’s mouth. Then, the girl subconsciously began to suck and lick. Even Seraph, the human doll who could usually withstand a high degree of pleasure without breaking, couldn’t help but moan.

    “Ah~”

    Was this Adele…saying no with her mouth but yes with her body?

    At the same time, as the intimate acts between Adele and Seraph intensified, reaching a point of excitement, a massive, intense memory flooded into Adele’s mind! Along with it came some flickering, fragmented small pieces… Perhaps, that wasn’t what Seraph wanted the girl to read?

    Chapter 312: The Fall

    First, it was the memory of that night, the girl breaking out of her cocoon and transforming. Adele only had a vague impression. But for Seraph, it was an unforgettable event, even in her long angelic life.

    Even now, Seraph couldn’t explain why a unique emotion suddenly arose within her emotionally barren heart the moment she met Adele that night. What aspect of Adele’s breathtaking presence captivated her, causing ripples to spread through her heart, which hadn’t stirred for over a thousand years?

    It was for this reason that Seraph chose to reveal herself to Adele. And, unprecedentedly, she decided to guide Adele to become a witch. The angel accepted the sacrifices she made for this with indifference, without a care. She desperately wanted to understand everything about the being that stirred her emotions, namely, “Adele.”

    Chacoco, the Fallen Angel…of course, she didn’t have that name in ancient times. Seraph didn’t need to mention her true name. But she had once said something to Seraph: “My fall began the moment I desired to understand that girl.”

    What did that mean? Seraph vaguely grasped it, yet couldn’t truly understand. But in the moments of pleasure with Adele, besides indifferently observing the witch’s transformation, was there ever a fleeting moment where Seraph felt that falling like this might also be a good choice?

    ………………

    Seraph’s bewildered feelings at that time, along with many other sensations—pleasure, pain—were all empathetically experienced by Adele at this moment. She also saw herself through Seraph’s perspective, her own charming, lust-filled face. She saw her own writhing body…

    What was this…watching a super close-up, 3D surround, high-definition version of her own…activities? And she could even empathize with Seraph’s experience at the time. Wasn’t this ability a bit too strange!? Or was it that to become an exceptional witch, one must first have a deep and personal experience and understanding of human emotions, of the seven deadly sins?

    Although Adele could comfort and understand herself with this explanation, she was still surprised by the “perverted” nature of witches. This was an experience that even a “hentai” like Adele found somewhat “perverted.”

    Fortunately, Adele began to learn to perceive the surroundings and Seraph’s feelings from Seraph’s perspective, not just everything her own image presented to her. Using this method, she found that she could look for clues from that time. For instance, through Seraph’s peripheral vision, Adele noticed that the window in the room was open, certainly due to a certain kitten’s carelessness. Although First Snow could use short-range teleportation magic, under normal circumstances, she preferred jumping out the window and flying away with her wings.

    Also, Seraph’s state of mind was unusually calm even in such an aroused state. If it were Adele, under her own fierce “offensive,” she would have already raised her hands in a V-sign, her eyes rolling slightly upward. This discovery made Adele a little discouraged. It was like working hard in the fields, while the girl beneath her said, “Ah, so good, I love it,” but was actually thinking, “When will this be over?” It was quite a mood killer.

    Fortunately, through Adele’s continuous efforts and the development of her “Profiling” ability, she finally captured the moment when Seraph’s heart wavered, even wanting to succumb to the pleasure. Adele felt like she had eaten a piece of honey. This was her great victory! Hmph, even the coldest girl had a warm heart, meow~ And could be completely conquered~

    But then, following Seraph’s perspective and thoughts, Adele captured other images from Seraph’s distant memories.

    The first scene was of a sky-obscuring fire falling towards a city, a supreme deity attempting to subdue something with infinite power. The earth trembled, the sea reversed its flow, and countless races were displaced. Some tried to resist the deity, but they were ruthlessly slaughtered by angels. Those white wings and strange eyes together became one of the sources of fear for all races.

    Adele shuddered. But for the angels at the time, this seemed like an ordinary event. Even Adele’s own perspective…was that of Seraph, one of the angels, bringing divine punishment to the world.

    The second scene was the fall of an angel. An angel, already transformed into a breathtakingly beautiful human form, fell from the vast, high heavens like a swan with broken wings. During her descent, her six wings, with thousands of pure white feathers, were stained from the base with the filth representing all the sins of the world. She was completely banished from the heavenly kingdom of God. But for the woman, this wasn’t exile. It was her resolute departure.

    Countless blinking eyes appeared in the sky. It was an extremely distorted and unsettling scene. Adele knew that countless angels were watching their compatriot, their former comrade, fall towards an unknown shore. And within their own hearts, an unknown emotion arose. Like Pandora’s Box being opened. Perhaps after that angel fell, more angels would continue to fall. Because their world no longer consisted solely of the duty to carry out God’s commands. Someone had blazed a new path for them.

    Curiosity was the greatest original sin. Wasn’t it because of curiosity about the taste of the forbidden fruit that the ancestors of humanity were eternally banished from paradise? And now, even angels were tainted by a similar sin.

    For some reason, God didn’t appear. Perhaps at this time, the angels’ “Lord,” that mysterious deity, had already vanished. He was unable to prevent the collapse of faith, the fall of angels.

    As time passed, the angels disappeared one by one. How many remained in the human world today? No one could tell Adele the answer.

    Then another fragmented image came. Adele became even more curious about Seraph’s past, so she focused her mind even more. However, at that moment, a sudden jolt, like an electric current, ran through her mind. Seraph actively severed the connection between herself and the girl, seemingly unwilling to let her continue watching.

    In reality, Adele also let out a whimper and separated from Seraph. Both girls were disheveled, panting heavily. Adele clutched her forehead, her aggrieved expression inviting pity and comfort. Normally, Seraph might have been unable to resist comforting her. But at this moment, the angel, unusually departing from her usual calm demeanor, was panting heavily. She stared intently at Adele’s face, as if trying to see through her skin, wanting to know what kind of soul resided within her body.

    Because Adele’s ability was far beyond Seraph’s expectations. In fact, most witches could only grasp partial memories and feelings related to an action or object. Only Adele was an exception, unique. She could actually peek into other memories of hers. And such distant memories. Her mental power was clearly weak, could she really withstand tracing back thousands of years? Such a vast amount of complex information was unbearable for ordinary people. Even long-lived races had various ways to periodically clear their memories to ensure their brains functioned normally.

    Like elves, they would go to the holy spring in the Fairy Forest every once in a while to wash away their “worries.” In reality, it was a ritual to remove unimportant memories that wasted brain space. Or like Cat-Birds…they were a special case, pure of heart. To put it nicely, they were innocent; to put it less nicely, they were a little foolish. They ate, drank, slept, and were happy every day, never bothering to remember complicated things, so they hardly needed to clear their memories.

    This caused them to mature much later than many other races. The one Adele raised was, to a certain extent, forced to mature by her…

    Angels were a special race, created by God. So they could remember countless pieces of information. Adele, without these conditions…how could she do it? Or perhaps it wasn’t Adele who traced back those memories. Perhaps those fragments sought out Adele?

    Such an absurd thought suddenly arose in Seraph’s mind. But it was impossible. Because Adele wasn’t a witness to those memories. She shouldn’t have resonated with the “Profiling” ability.

  • Dear, it’s time for your medicine! 282

    Chapter 282: The Empress’s Madness

    Seeing the wooden statue turn its head and smile at him sent chills down Qin Chu’s spine, despite all he had experienced.

    Visions flooded his mind. Beautiful women danced around him, their bodies swaying enticingly, a feast for the eyes.

    A seductive fragrance filled his nostrils.

    The women drew closer.

    Qin Chu knew something was wrong. He tried to move, but his legs were like lead. He could only watch as these alluring figures, perfectly embodying his fantasies, pressed against him.

    He felt their soft, yielding bodies against his back.

    On either side, more enchanting women appeared.

    This was the epitome of a honey trap.

    Sweet, seductive whispers echoed in his ears, like feathers tickling his heart, fanning the flames of desire.

    It was a paradise designed to ensnare any man.

    Qin Chu knew it was an illusion.

    The strange statue’s influence.

    But escaping wasn’t easy. This was unlike any illusion he had encountered before. It was more vivid, more insidious.

    As the women’s actions grew more suggestive, Qin Chu bit down hard on his tongue.

    The sharp pain, combined with his powerful mental fortitude, shattered the illusion.

    The beautiful faces turned grotesque, transforming into screaming specters with sharp claws, lunging at him.

    But before they could touch him, their forms shattered like broken glass, their screams fading into nothingness.

    Whoosh…

    Qin Chu exhaled, feeling the veins throbbing in his forehead. The brief encounter had exerted immense pressure, his clothes soaked with sweat.

    Carol, Angelica, and Wadsworth looked at him with concern. His eyes were bloodshot.

    “Brother, what’s wrong?” Wadsworth asked anxiously. “You’ve been acting strange since you saw that statue…”

    Qin Chu didn’t answer, his gaze fixed on the statue, which had returned to normal, as if the vision had been a mere hallucination.

    Then… he walked forward, grabbed the statue, and plunged it face-first into the dirt.

    Not satisfied, he spotted a nearby latrine and tossed the statue into the pit.

    Aren’t you the god of desire, elegance, and nobility?

    Then enjoy your elegance and nobility in a pit of filth.

    He thought he heard a furious roar, but dismissed it as his imagination.

    Damn it.

    Qin Chu spat.

    His actions puzzled Wadsworth and the others. While it was a statue of an Evil God, wasn’t throwing it into a latrine a bit much?

    “Heh…” Qin Chu grinned. “That thing’s will tried to invade my soul. Just returning the favor.”

    After a brief explanation, he glanced around: “Brother, it seems your Empress isn’t here. She must have guessed her identity was exposed and gone into hiding.”

    “I’ll leave the rest to you. Contact me if you need any help.”

    Tracking and investigation were Wadsworth’s forte.

    As Emperor, he commanded the Auville Empire’s most powerful intelligence network. Utilizing their resources was far more efficient than Qin Chu blindly searching.

    He walked over to Angelica and, to her slight embarrassment, lifted her into his arms. He nodded farewell to Wadsworth and Carol, then returned to the Hero’s Residence.

    The journey was silent.

    Angelica rested against Qin Chu’s chest, listening to his heartbeat.

    She clutched his clothes, a happy smile on her face.

    She cherished these moments. Even without the intimacy of their bedchamber, his embrace brought her happiness.

    “Master, I can walk…” she murmured. It felt improper for a maid to be carried by her master.

    “Do you plan to wobble all the way home and arrive tomorrow morning?” Qin Chu teased gently.

    Angelica puffed out her cheeks. She knew he meant well, but couldn’t he have phrased it more kindly?

    “Ange…”

    She shivered slightly, sensing the seriousness in his voice.

    “Yes…”

    “Do you remember what I told you before?”

    “No matter what happens, your life comes first. Information is important, but your life is more important,” Qin Chu said quietly.

    Angelica bit her lip, unsure how to respond.

    He had indeed said those words, but in that situation, she had been focused on uncovering the enemy’s plan, protecting her master. She hadn’t had time to think about her own safety.

    “I was wrong,” she admitted softly.

    But inwardly, she knew she would likely make the same choice again.

    “Since you were wrong, you must be punished.”

    Punished?

    Angelica’s eyes widened. How? She instinctively covered her backside. Was he going to spank her?

    Please be gentle.

    As she braced herself, Qin Chu lowered his head and captured her lips.

    …

    Meanwhile, Wadsworth remained in the palace.

    As Qin Chu had anticipated, he mobilized his entire intelligence network to search for Empress Mavis.

    He also began arresting the individuals on Angela’s list.

    However, his expression grew increasingly grim.

    “Your Majesty, Consort Penny isn’t in the palace. According to her maids, she left this afternoon to meet with friends.”

    “Your Majesty, Consort Jennifer isn’t in the palace…”

    “The Thirteenth Princess isn’t in the palace.”

    The reports brought only bad news. The two consorts and the princess on the list, along with Empress Mavis, had all vanished.

    Wadsworth’s face twisted, his fists clenching.

    As more reports arrived, his expression darkened further.

    “Marquis Michel’s wife and daughter left their residence this afternoon and haven’t been seen since.”

    “Count Yellen’s seven wives are all missing.”

    “Viscount Aral’s six daughters are all missing…”

    Everyone on Angela’s list had disappeared, all leaving their residences that afternoon, their whereabouts unknown.

    It seemed Angela and Sharon had been pawns from the start.

    While they were plotting to use him to eliminate Qin Chu, Mavis had already initiated her next move, evacuating the Witch Society members from the palace. Angela and Sharon’s success would have been a bonus, but their failure didn’t derail her plans.

    She had even evacuated all her followers from the Imperial City.

    What was this woman planning?

    Wadsworth frowned.

    Suddenly, his eyes widened, remembering the three photographs in the Empress’s quarters: her son’s, Qin Chu’s, and his own.

    And Angela’s death.

    That foolish, pitiful consort had tried to birth a Divine Fetus, to bring a god’s bloodline into this world. But her lack of strength and insufficient sustenance had resulted in a monstrous aberration.

    A chilling thought struck him, making his scalp tingle. Could Mavis be planning a true Divine Descent ritual? Was she trying to bring an Evil God’s bloodline into this world?

    Was she insane?

    Didn’t she realize the catastrophic consequences?

    An Empress, a princess, two consorts… and the 646 noble ladies and misses on Angela’s list.

    The list hadn’t included commoners, but Wadsworth suspected their numbers were even greater.

    Mavis would be a far more suitable vessel than Angela.

    Hundreds of witches, and ten, perhaps even twenty times as many men… the sustenance might be sufficient.

    …

    Elsewhere.

    Near the city walls stood a large, abandoned church.

    The former site of the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess.

    This had once been their main church within the Imperial City, but as their influence grew, it had become too small. They had then constructed their current grand cathedral, leaving this old church to decay.

    Though abandoned, it still belonged to the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess.

    But tonight, the deserted church was filled with people.

    Torches flickered in the darkness, casting long, dancing shadows.

    The church echoed with the screams of women and the roars of men.

    The firelight illuminated the women’s pale skin, making it gleam.

    The most sought-after were Consort Penny and Consort Jennifer… their tall, voluptuous figures surrounded by dozens of men.

    Noble sons, burly soldiers, and even filthy commoners.

    Indulgence and depravity.

    The commoners seemed to have been brought in as fillers. They weren’t even followers of the Lord of Pleasure. But when had they ever seen such beautiful women?

    Women they wouldn’t dare even look at on a normal day were now writhing before them.

    Who could resist such temptation?

    Not just the consorts, but countless other noble ladies and misses were engaged in similar acts.

    They formed a large circle.

    In the center stood the woman who had frozen Angelica, Wadsworth’s Empress, the mother of the First Prince, Mavis.

    A twisted smile played on her lips as she watched the scene unfold.

    She felt faint threads of energy converging upon her.

  • My Girlfriend is a Cold and Aloof Sickly Beauty 51

    Chapter 51: Holding the Red Fox

    Although Uncle Seuss’s reasoning sounded plausible, Jiang Xue and Jiang Mei, who knew him well, knew not to take it completely at face value.

    However, it was still nice to hear it as a blessing.

    The winter in this country wasn’t as cold as back home. Jiang Xue took a sip of the still-warm black tea and, finding it to her liking, poured a small cup for Xiao Luohan and sent it over.

    The Crown Prince hadn’t only burned books last night, but had also dismissed the servants of Wangmei Pavilion, leaving only enough supplies and water for three days. Although Xiao Luohan hadn’t taken the things the Emperor sent during the “move,” after witnessing the Emperor’s disgusting behavior, she didn’t even want to touch his tea.

    Jiang Xue knew that she actually liked tea and would try to savor it when her health improved, but drinking too much would make her feel unwell, so she only poured a small amount, lest she “overindulge.”

    Xiao Luohan quickly wrote back, saying that both the pastries and the tea were to her liking.

    Precisely because she was feeling content, she brought up another concern: 【Does Uncle Seuss like calligraphy and paintings?】

    Jiang Xue immediately understood. Xiao Luohan wanted to repay Uncle Seuss for the afternoon tea, but she had no suitable gifts left, only her calligraphy and paintings.

    She thought for a moment and asked Uncle Seuss, “Do you mind the supplies given by the Emperor of Daying? I remember there was tea, precious medicinal herbs, incense, porcelain, fabrics…”

    Before she could finish listing them, Uncle Seuss readily agreed. “You can even tell her that your uncle’s place is a garbage dump. I’ll accept any of that ominous stuff from the dog of a Crown Prince and the dog emperor.”

    So all the gifts were moved into Uncle Seuss’s warehouse.

    “Although they’re all brand new and can’t be sold as antiques, they’re all royal-grade, durable and practical.” Uncle Seuss’s smile was as bright as sunshine. “Tell her that I’m satisfied with this generous gift, it’s enough for ‘tuition,’ and she shouldn’t worry about it.”

    After they finished afternoon tea, Uncle Seuss took them to his indoor gym.

    The gym was divided into two sections, one with exercise equipment and various melee weapons, and the other a small shooting range.

    “We won’t be using this room for now.” Uncle Seuss went straight to the shooting range. “I originally wanted to simulate the scene in the Eastern Palace, but A-Xue probably hasn’t been there, right? Should we discuss it with Xiao Linghan tonight?”

    “Since she doesn’t want you to go to the Eastern Palace, she must have been there and knows what it’s like. Just ask her to tell you what we need to recreate to increase the chances of success in our simulation. It’s best to replicate the actual environment.”

    Jiang Xue quickly nodded. “I’ll ask her when I enter the dream tonight!”

    She actually understood Elder Sister Red Fox’s concerns.

    Some things, when left at the speculation stage, allowed those who knew to hold onto hope. Once there was concrete evidence, and that hope was extinguished, the blow might affect the plan.

    But if this influence was to increase their chances of success, she felt it was necessary to clarify and ask.

    After receiving her promise, Uncle Seuss pointed to the large screen behind the human-shaped target.

    “I usually use an AR game a friend gave me to simulate specific scenarios,” he said. “If I have a knowledgeable friend with me, they can give instructions from the outside and correct me in real-time. If not, I can record it and review it later. It’s very convenient.”

    “In AR, you can use unlimited ammunition, and the guns don’t wear out, but that’s not the case in reality.” He took out the AR equipment from a locker. “But since you’re teaching that little princess in a dream, it’s fine to just familiarize yourself with the feeling of using AR first.”

    Jiang Xue took the AR equipment and suddenly understood one of the points in the plan.

    Before the practical training, she had to familiarize herself with how to use a gun.

    At dusk, Xiao Luohan, who was about to make instant noodles, received food from Jiang Xue.

    【It’s creamy mushroom pasta made by my older sister!】

    【Do you want a drink? There’s fresh orange juice and coconut milk.】

    The pasta was already rich and creamy, so Xiao Luohan hesitated for a moment, then asked for orange juice.

    The room temperature in that country was just right, so the juice wasn’t cold in her hands.

    She sipped the juice and ate the pasta while it was still hot, finishing everything.

    Perhaps because of the increased frequency of “feeding” recently, she noticed that Jiang Xue and the others were becoming more precise with the portion sizes, neither too little nor too much.

    After eating and drinking her fill, she rolled up her sleeves, carefully washed the dishes and glass, dried them with a cloth, and returned them.

    After doing all this, she lit some incense, started the charcoal brazier, and sat down to warm herself by the fire, holding the gun-related materials Jiang Xue had just sent. She read each sheet, then tossed it into the brazier.

    She still kept the charcoal and incense she had used for the initial offering to the ghost or spirit, and still remembered the ritual, but she didn’t know if her elder sister could see the materials this way.

    If she could, this would be the last and most meaningful thing she did for Beiliao.

    Since ancient times, if a reigning emperor was too incompetent, there would always be capable and ambitious people to replace him. If this could eradicate Beiliao’s deep-rooted problems, perhaps her mother wouldn’t have to continue living in the cold palace.

    The stack of materials turned to ashes in the brazier. Xiao Luohan stirred the ashes, making sure nothing remained, then extinguished the fire and opened the door for ventilation.

    She wouldn’t forget what Shizhu had taught her.

    She didn’t know where Shizhu was now, or if she also remembered her instructions, to live well for herself no matter what she heard.

    Before going to bed, she placed the diary on the nightstand and the stun gun under her pillow, within easy reach.

    This was something Jiang Xue had reminded her of last night. She was afraid that after the Crown Prince’s outburst, some palace maids would come to bully her again. Even just showing them the electric sparks to scare them away would be good.

    Besides, it was time to take out the stun gun.

    Now that the path ahead was clear, Xiao Luohan slept more soundly. She knew that she needed to stay calm and conserve her energy at this time.

    After a long flight and a long day of gun training, and having accepted Uncle Seuss’s request, Jiang Xue’s thoughts were preoccupied. After falling asleep, she didn’t go to Xiao Luohan’s mindscape first, but instead found herself in the familiar darkness.

    She had been afraid when she first came here, but now, knowing that Elder Sister Red Fox was here, she was much bolder.

    “Elder Sister Red Fox—Your Highness the Broken Plum Blossom Princess—Big Sister Xiao Linghan—” she called out into the darkness, using all three forms of address.

    The red fox appeared in response, but still didn’t say anything, only dropping a rolled-up piece of paper in front of her.

    Jiang Xue quickly picked it up and unfurled it in front of the red fox—it was a map of the Eastern Palace!

    The bedchamber was the most detailed, with the positions of the tables, chairs, counters, lampstands, bed, washbasin, screen… everything marked on the map.

    But after scanning it, Jiang Xue didn’t find any markings related to Xiao Linghan’s body, or any hints of a hidden corpse.

    …Had they all guessed wrong?

    No, if there was nothing in the Eastern Palace, Elder Sister Red Fox wouldn’t have repeatedly stopped them. It could only be hidden somewhere even Elder Sister Red Fox didn’t know about.

    Jiang Xue looked up, wanting to confirm her guess, but the red fox pounced on her, grabbing her collar in its mouth.

    She felt a tightness on the back of her neck, and then her perspective changed. When she came to her senses, she was already in the Wangmei Pavilion of the mindscape.

    She saw Xiao Luohan looking at her in surprise. The next moment, the tightness on her neck loosened, but at the same time, something fluffy brushed against her back.

    “Elder Sister, don’t go!”

    Just as Jiang Xue steadied herself on the soft cushion, she saw Xiao Luohan turn and pounce on the fleeing red fox.

    The red fox didn’t run, but let her hug it, staying like that for about half a minute before transforming into a plum blossom, flying out of Xiao Luohan’s arms and drifting out the window.

    Jiang Xue didn’t interrupt the two sisters, only placing the map of the Eastern Palace, which she had been protecting, on the ground, slowly unfolding it with her paw—she had transformed into the large white cat when the red fox grabbed her collar.

    “I got the map from Elder Sister Red Fox. I’ll draw it for Uncle Seuss tomorrow,” she said softly after Xiao Luohan calmed down. “I only learned how to use a gun today. Uncle Seuss wants us to practice first before the actual training. Now that we have this map, I think he’ll arrange the practical training tomorrow.”

    After hearing her words, Xiao Luohan slowly returned to the desk, picking up Jiang Xue and the map along the way.

    “Practice here?” she asked.

    “Yes, after all, the actual location will be indoors… Although we’ve also considered outdoor scenarios, for basic training, it’s better to start indoors.” Jiang Xue looked around, pointing to an undecorated area. “Let’s go there. I’ll conjure the guns and targets.”

    Xiao Luohan carried her over there, her mind still on the red fox.

    Watching Jiang Xue transform back into a human, conjure two pistols, and set up the targets, she couldn’t help but say, “Elder Sister is a little different now.”

    “Different how?” Jiang Xue turned her head in surprise.

    “Although she was also in the form of a red fox before, she felt like a gust of wind,” Xiao Luohan carefully chose her words. “A bit like… the me in my dreams at first, or the you in your dreams.”

    “Intangible and untouchable?” Jiang Xue understood. “More like a spirit than a physical being?”

    “Yes, but Elder Sister now feels like she’s alive again,” Xiao Luohan continued. “When I hugged her, it was like hugging you—soft and warm fur, I could even feel the slight rise and fall of her chest as she breathed, and her heartbeat…”

    She paused. “I don’t know if it’s because I wanted to hug such a lively Elder Sister, or… or if Elder Sister has truly found a way to strengthen her power.”

    Jiang Xue was about to agree when she heard the second part and frowned.

    She had heard from Xie Xitong that, according to the records of the elders in the Xie family who understood metaphysics, some powerful vengeful spirits strengthened their power by devouring other spirits.

    —”Her elder sister is someone with a deep obsession, willing to pay any price to make this happen.”

    With this speculation and association, she couldn’t help but recall Uncle Seuss’s words that afternoon.

    However, they could only see the so-called “result” now. Since their understanding was limited, there was no need to assume the worst.

    Before she could speak, Xiao Luohan said, “Let’s learn how to use the guns first. Although the night is long, I haven’t been sleeping well recently and might suddenly wake up from the dream.”

    Jiang Xue was also worried about this and nodded vigorously, picking up a pistol. “I’ll teach you right away!”

  • Transformed into a Female Villain, But Captured by My Beautiful Girl Disciples v2c13

    Chapter 13: A Night Market Stroll with the Female Lead

    “Although I advised His Majesty against it…”

    The next day, when Gong Yiling brought up the matter with the Grand Elder, he said,

    “He believes that instead of letting those demonic cultivators scheme in the shadows, it’s better to give them a chance to act openly.”

    “This way, they will come to Yanlie City, and we can also use this opportunity to identify any traitors within the palace.”

    It seemed the Emperor and Grand Elder weren’t as naive as she thought.

    The Fifth Princess being ambushed right after sending her message, and the Emperor’s own poisoning, all pointed to the existence of traitors within the palace walls.

    That day, Yan Chuyue continued the Grand Elder’s acupuncture treatment until dusk.

    Perhaps from days of continuous work, Yan Chuyue swayed slightly when she stood up after removing the needles, almost falling.

    Gong Yiling quickly caught her, then released her awkwardly.

    “Thank you…” Yan Chuyue said, regaining her composure.

    “My fault,” Gong Yiling said without hesitation. “Acupuncture consumes a lot of energy. I was careless.”

    “Actually, it’s not…”

    “Grand Elder,” Gong Yiling interrupted, turning to the elder, “Chuyue is exhausted. Let her rest for the next two days.”

    Yan Chuyue swallowed her words and chuckled softly.

    She appreciated the concern.

    “Isn’t that for you to decide?” The Grand Elder stroked his beard, smiling. “This way, I can also witness your acupuncture skills.”

    He was curious. If the disciple was this skilled at such a young age, how powerful was the master?

    But this made Gong Yiling panic.

    —*Damn it, I boasted too much. I forgot Chuyue was my excuse for not treating him directly.*

    But her mind raced, quickly coming up with an explanation.

    “I’m planning to have my disciples participate in the ancestral worship competition, as a test of their recent progress.”

    “I’ll be guiding them in their cultivation these next two days, so I won’t be available.”

    The Grand Elder didn’t question her. “I understand. I heard you’re traveling with your disciples for training. Such opportunities are rare for young people.”

    “I’ve been feeling much better these past two days. The pain has subsided significantly. I’ll cultivate on my own for the next two days. There’s no need to trouble yourself, Immortal Master.”

    His words were exactly what Miss Gong wanted to hear.

    She declined his offer to stay for dinner and left the palace with Yan Chuyue.

    As soon as they left, Gong Yiling turned to Yan Chuyue and apologized sincerely, “I’m sorry. I promised not to treat you like a tool, but I only realized it today.”

    Yan Chuyue paused, then waved her hand dismissively. “It’s fine. I’m just a bit tired. It’s no different from cultivating.”

    A faint smile appeared on her lips.

    “But,” she continued seriously, “if Miss Lü wants to compensate me, I wouldn’t refuse.”

    “Compensate?”

    Yan Chuyue raised a finger, smiling. “Like, taking me to the night market.”

    “The night market?”

    —Was Yan Chuyue’s character actually this sociable?

    Gong Yiling still felt something was amiss.

    The cold-blooded mercenary from the original story, decisive and ruthless, with no qualms about killing, a pseudo-ice queen with no romantic inclinations towards Jiang Chenmo…

    Would actually suggest strolling through a night market?

    Were mercenaries this carefree now…?

    “Yes, the night market!”

    Yan Chuyue seemed excited.

    “I’ve heard Yanlie City’s night market is amazing, but I’ve never been there.”

    She pointed at the setting sun, her face full of anticipation.

    The real Yan Chuyue wouldn’t be interested in a night market, but the current Yan Chuyue wasn’t a mercenary.

    She was just a girl who spent all her time cooped up, sacrificing her leisure time for her dreams, secretly longing to enjoy things like shopping, movies, and exhibitions like other girls her age.

    Of course, she chose this path herself, so she couldn’t complain. She simply projected her desires onto the world of her novel.

    The night market in Yanlie City was based on her imagination of a bustling and lively night market.

    She had always wanted to visit one, with a friend.

    “Well,”

    Looking into her eyes, Gong Yiling suddenly thought of her younger sister.

    When they were younger, whenever her sister wanted to go somewhere but was too shy to ask their parents directly, she would tell her, looking at her with the same expectant eyes.

    And in the end, Gong Yiling would always ask their parents to take them to the place her sister wanted to go.

    That was a long time ago.

    “Those three will be attending a hotel opening ceremony with Shangguan Lingyue,”

    Gong Yiling smiled. “And I’m hungry. Let’s go to the night market.”

    “Yay—” Yan Chuyue almost cheered, then realizing it was childish, quickly changed her tone. “I mean… let’s go.”

    “But,”

    Gong Yiling looked at her face. “I want to see your real face.”

    “Eh…” Yan Chuyue paused. “How did you know this isn’t my real face?”

    Come on, you’re the female protagonist! Which protagonist had an unremarkable, average face? That was impossible.

    “Disguises are useless before me.” Gong Yiling waved her hand, feigning greatness. “But it’s fine if you don’t want to show me. It was just a whim. I can’t show you my real face either—”

    “If it’s you,”

    Gong Yiling suddenly heard a soft reply.

    “Huh?” she asked uncertainly.

    “I mean…” Yan Chuyue mumbled, “If it’s Youyuan, I don’t mind showing you.”

    “But wait a moment.”

    “It’s fine, I understand. You need to change your disguise, right? Go ahead. Just don’t change so much that I can’t recognize you.”

    Yan Chuyue blinked, giving her a reassuring nod.

    In reality, if she revealed her true appearance, it would be a shock, even to herself. She almost didn’t recognize herself.

    Since this person wanted to see, she would go all out.

  • After Failing to Find Immortality 214

    Chapter 214: A Houseguest and a Riddle

    Outside the study of the Cheng residence lay a quiet courtyard. Because everyone knew that the eldest Miss Cheng disliked being disturbed, few people visited this area. It was usually deserted, with only a couple of flower beds, an old tree, and a stone table with chairs for occasional rest. When tired from managing the household affairs, Cheng Yishi would often come here to relax, reading or enjoying a cup of tea.

    And now…

    A woman with an ethereal aura sat at the stone table, a teacup in her hand, seemingly lost in thought.

    She was dressed in a long, flowing robe that revealed her shoulders and chest, her long, blue hair cascading down her back, her face veiled, her aura mysterious and aloof.

    Although her slender figure and captivating eyes were enough to attract attention, a chilling aura surrounded her, keeping people at a distance.

    And most importantly…

    Ordinary people couldn’t see her.

    Like a ghost, she had been sitting there for over ten days, unnoticed by almost everyone in the Cheng residence. Even the maids who passed by didn’t see her.

    …

    “She’s… a bit scary…”

    The maid shivered, her cute face filled with anxiety.

    Cheng Yishi emerged from the study, her outer robe draped over her shoulders. Hearing her maid’s words, she chuckled. “Are you afraid?”

    Her personal maid was usually fearless and quick-witted, always aware of her surroundings. To see her so nervous was quite unusual.

    “I just feel a chill whenever I get close to her.”

    The maid whispered, “Even with extra layers of clothing, I still feel cold. And there’s this unsettling feeling, as if she’s dangerous.”

    Cheng Yishi pondered her words, then said, “I’ll ask her to restrain her aura. I don’t want her to scare you.”

    “Don’t worry about me, Miss… You should talk to her. Be careful, she might hear us.” The maid whispered, glancing nervously at Yang Chanzhen, clearly worried about being overheard.

    “Alright.”

    Cheng Yishi adjusted her robe and walked towards the stone table.

    Just as she was about to speak, Yang Chanzhen, who had been sipping her tea, suddenly said, “That maid has absorbed some of your Yin energy. Tell her to spend more time in the sun, to avoid attracting unwanted attention from unclean things.”

    Her voice was clear and ethereal, like a mountain spring.

    But her words made Cheng Yishi frown slightly. “Is she in danger?”

    “Yin energy, if not properly regulated, is like a poison to mortals. It can shorten their lifespan and drain their vitality. Just like your white hair.”

    Yang Chanzhen said calmly, “But unlike you, her Yin energy hasn’t seeped into her soul yet. It just makes her more sensitive to things that ordinary people can’t see.”

    “…”

    Cheng Yishi touched her hair, lost in thought.

    It had been ten days since they had met at the Lin residence. And since then, this mysterious woman, Yang Chanzhen, had been sitting in her courtyard, almost without moving.

    At first, she had been wary of her, suspecting some hidden motive or scheme.

    But she had gradually dismissed those thoughts.

    Because Yang Chanzhen hadn’t shown any signs of malice or ill intent. Even when maids passed by, she would just glance at them, occasionally offering a word of advice, seemingly harmless.

    Although Cheng Yishi was still cautious, she wasn’t heartless.

    Even though Yang Chanzhen’s behavior was strange, she was still a guest. Cheng Yishi wouldn’t be rude or hostile, and she even tried to engage her in conversation sometimes.

    But she had quickly discovered that Yang Chanzhen was truly cold and aloof, her emotions hidden, like a deep and still lake.

    However, one thing bothered her…

    The words Yang Chanzhen had spoken when they first met.

    “You’ve been sitting here for days, Miss Yang. Can you finally explain what you meant by those words?”

    Cheng Yishi poured herself a cup of tea. “Why did you call me the ‘Lonely Star of the Southern Isles’?”

    When they had met at the Lin residence, their hands touching, Yang Chanzhen had uttered those strange words, a name she had never heard before.

    The surprise in her voice, so unlike her usual coldness, had clearly been a genuine reaction.

    “It’s not relevant to you now. Knowing more won’t benefit you.” Yang Chanzhen’s purple eyes met hers, her gaze calm. “You’re still too weak.”

    “That answer again…”

    Cheng Yishi sighed helplessly.

    She had tried asking several times, but Yang Chanzhen refused to reveal the truth, always dismissing her with vague and evasive answers.

    Yang Chanzhen hesitated for a moment, then continued, “I’m not trying to hide anything from you or upset you. But this concerns the secrets of my Mount Min. I can’t reveal them to outsiders. Just know that we have a connection, a shared fate.”

    “You call me by that name, yet you refuse to explain its meaning?”

    “When your cultivation reaches the Savage Realm, I’ll tell you part of the truth.” Yang Chanzhen’s eyes flickered. “But you’re still too weak, Miss Cheng. You can’t even protect yourself.”

    Savage Realm? Weak?

    Cheng Yishi narrowed her eyes.

    Although she had gained most of her power from Lin Tianlu, and her combat skills were still relatively new, she was confident in her ability to fight even powerful demons and ghosts.

    “So you want to test my strength, Miss Yang?”

    Yang Chanzhen paused, her hand on her teacup. After a moment of silence, she nodded.

    “If you want to try, Miss Cheng, I won’t object.”

    She glanced at the quiet courtyard. “But it’s best if you attack me directly, to avoid damaging the flowers and causing trouble for the maids.”

    Cheng Yishi smiled faintly. “Thank you for your concern, Miss Yang. I’ll be careful.”

    She put down her teacup and stood up, a chilling Yin energy emanating from her, her gaze hardening.

    —This wasn’t a reckless act of impulse.

    She knew that Yang Chanzhen was incredibly powerful, having experienced it firsthand during their previous encounter. She couldn’t defeat her with brute force.

    But that was precisely why she wanted to fight her, to experience the gap between their strength, to understand the true power of the Savage Realm.

    If she remained complacent, overestimating her own abilities, she might endanger herself and Tianlu in the future.

    It was better to test her limits now, to learn and grow, to glimpse the path to a higher realm.

    And if she had overestimated Yang Chanzhen’s strength…

    She could use this opportunity to extract more information.

    Cheng Yishi’s expression turned serious as she raised her hand, a dense Yin energy gathering in her palm.

    Then, she struck out!

    Whoosh

    Her hand, infused with Yin energy, sliced through the air, a sharp wind rustling Yang Chanzhen’s hair.

    But Cheng Yishi’s expression turned grim.

    “Your technique is too simple. You lack experience, Miss Cheng.”

    Yang Chanzhen had anticipated her attack, effortlessly dodging it, not even a single strand of her hair touched.

    She glanced at Cheng Yishi, her expression calm. “But I’m sure you have other tricks up your sleeve.”

    “You’re truly skilled, Miss Yang.”

    Cheng Yishi smiled faintly, her heart calm and steady.

    This was a spar, a test of their skills. There was no need for anger or frustration. All she needed to do was learn and adapt, to absorb every lesson, every insight.

    She flicked her wrist, and black threads of Yin energy materialized, wrapping around her hand like a glove, then she lashed out, her fingers like claws.

    Yang Chanzhen dodged gracefully, her movements fluid and elegant, her eyes sparkling with amusement. She deflected Cheng Yishi’s attack with a flick of her wrist.

    “Ugh?!”

    Cheng Yishi stumbled back, her face pale.

    “That was quite a move, Miss Cheng.” Yang Chanzhen straightened her back and nodded approvingly. “To control your Yin energy with such precision, to transform it into threads… you possess extraordinary talent. With a few more years of practice, you could surpass even seasoned ghost practitioners.”

    “But it seems to have no effect on you, Miss Yang.”

    Cheng Yishi flexed her hand, her expression grim.

    If it weren’t for the protective layer of Yin energy, that flick of her wrist would have numbed her hand.

    “Can you also use this technique, Miss Yang?”

    “Materializing Yin energy into threads is a highly advanced technique. I only know the basics.” Yang Chanzhen raised her hand, and faint, brownish threads of Yin energy appeared, weaving themselves into a glove, thinner and more translucent than Cheng Yishi’s.

    So it wasn’t a unique technique…

    Cheng Yishi took a deep breath, her blood-red eyes gleaming, and a dark red light emanated from her body, transforming into swirling ribbons of energy.

    As Yang Chanzhen watched with surprise, the ribbons converged, forming a tight-fitting black dress that accentuated her curves, giving her an aura of both seductive allure and ethereal beauty, like a snow lotus blooming on a mountain peak.

    Cheng Yishi lunged forward, her movements like a flash of black light!

    Slap!

    Yang Chanzhen’s eyes widened in surprise as Cheng Yishi’s hand landed on her shoulder.

    “I got you!” Cheng Yishi’s face lit up with triumph, but as she was about to press her advantage, she felt her hand grasp at empty air. The figure before her shattered like a mirage, dissolving into a wisp of smoke.

    “What—”

    She looked around, bewildered.

    Could she also teleport like those demons and ghosts?

    “Your strength is truly remarkable, Miss Cheng.” Yang Chanzhen’s voice echoed from behind her.

    Cheng Yishi quickly turned around and saw her standing under a tree, her hair swaying gently in the breeze.

    Although her face was veiled, her purple eyes were filled with admiration.

    “You’ve been reborn, Miss Cheng, possessing abilities that rival even those of demons and ghosts. I’ve never seen such a technique before.”

    “It’s not a common technique?”

    “Not at all. Very few ghost practitioners possess such skill.” Yang Chanzhen explained frankly, “That Yin energy is unique, infused with a blood-red aura. It’s not only effective against mortals, but also against demons and ghosts.”

    “And it seems to hold many secrets—”

    Yang Chanzhen narrowed her eyes, her voice thoughtful. “But even I can’t fully comprehend it.”

    Cheng Yishi bit her lip, her right hand clenching into a fist, then transforming into a black battleaxe. Her aura intensified, her body enveloped in a chilling killing intent.

    “Please allow me to show you my final technique, Miss Yang.”

    “Proceed.” Yang Chanzhen raised her hand, her fingers forming seals, a faint light emanating from her as she prepared her defenses.

    Seeing that she was ready, Cheng Yishi lunged forward, her axe raised high.

    Click

    A faint sound of footsteps reached her ears.

    …

    “Huh?”

    Cheng Yuqing emerged from around a corner, her eyes widening in surprise as she saw the scene in the courtyard. “Sister…?”

    Cheng Yishi was standing close to a strange woman, her hands on the woman’s waist.

    “Yuqing, what are you doing here?”

    Cheng Yishi turned around, a faint smile on her face.

    “I-I just wanted to… see how you were doing, Elder Sister.”

    Cheng Yuqing stammered, bowing slightly. “I didn’t know we had a guest. Please excuse my intrusion. I’ll leave you two alone.”

    She turned and hurried away.

    “…”

    Cheng Yishi’s forced smile faded, and she released the woman, taking a few steps back, her expression awkward.

  • Friend(GL) 108

    Chapter 108: Apology

    “Ding!” The spoon in You Ruxu’s hand slipped, hitting the edge of the lunchbox with a clink. She looked at Wu Xiulian, her expression blank, her eyes instantly welling up with tears. She opened her mouth, but her throat was tight, unable to speak.

    Wu Xiulian looked at her, “Xu Xu, do you remember when you first came to live with us?”

    You Ruxu, after a long moment, found her voice, her voice hoarse, “Does it matter?”

    “When you first arrived, you were so cautious, always trying to please everyone, I knew you were afraid my sister would send you away, regret adopting you. You wanted a home, even a fake one, you pretended to be You Ruxu, suppressed your true self, played the role of a deceased child.” Wu Xiulian said, “My heart ached for you back then.”

    You Ruxu remembered those first few years after being adopted, how kind Wu Xiulian had been to her, taking her out to play, letting her make mistakes, only in front of Wu Xiulian could she truly be herself, not “You Ruxu.”

    Wu Xiulian continued, “You knew my sister just needed something to hold onto, you knew my brother-in-law cared about appearances, so you played the role willingly, because you thought you were a good child, a child deserving of a home.”

    But that notebook.

    Shattered all of You Ruxu’s carefully constructed beliefs.

    She had a persistent fever during that time, on and off for over a week, no other symptoms, just a fever. The doctors told her there was nothing wrong with her physically.

    If there was nothing wrong physically, then it was a mental issue, a sickness of the heart, You Ruxu felt she wasn’t worthy of being a good child, she didn’t deserve it.

    She started to loathe herself.

    If the notebook incident implicated You Ruxu, implicated the You family, You Ruxu, already feeling guilty towards Zhou Qiming, would feel even more guilty towards Wu Xiulian and You Shu.

    She wouldn’t have been able to handle it.

    Back then, You Ruxu would have chosen death over the shame.

    Wu Xiulian’s mother had just lost a daughter, she didn’t want to see her lose another, her sister couldn’t bear it, and she didn’t want to see You Ruxu destroy herself, so she chose to hide the truth.

    You Ruxu’s voice was choked with emotion, “So, the notebook, it wasn’t lost?”

    It was just hidden by Wu Xiulian?

    She shook her head.

    As if unable to accept it.

    Wu Xiulian called out to her, “Xu Xu.”

    You Ruxu was in a daze, wanting to leave, when Zhou Tianzui suddenly grabbed the armrest of her wheelchair. You Ruxu looked down at Zhou Tianzui.

    Her voice choked with tears, “Zhou Tianzui.”

    Zhou Tianzui’s voice was low and steady, “Yes.”

    You Ruxu said, “I’m sorry.”

    Zhou Tianzui said, “I heard you.”

    You Ruxu broke down, “I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry…”

    Zhou Tianzui was speechless.

    This time, she couldn’t say “it’s okay.”

    She knew about the notebook, You Ruxu had told her after confessing everything, she had finally come to terms with it being lost, and now she was told it was hidden all along.

    Logically, she should be angry, disgusted by Wu Xiulian’s actions.

    But emotionally.

    She felt a deep sense of exhaustion and helplessness.

    Wu Xiulian put down her spoon, took the notebook from her bag, and handed it to You Ruxu.

    You Ruxu suddenly didn’t dare take it.

    She asked, “You’ve been carrying it with you all this time?”

    “No.” Wu Xiulian said, “I kept it safe, I came to Jindu this time to tell you about it.”

    But she had been hesitant, unsure whether to tell her.

    Seeing You Ruxu and Zhou Tianzui’s relationship deepen, she didn’t know if she should tell them, or keep the secret forever.

    If it wasn’t for Zhou Qiming’s name being dragged through the mud again, would she have brought it out?

    Or would she have continued to avoid it, like she had countless times before?

    She didn’t know.

    You Ruxu reached out, her hand trembling. She looked at Zhou Tianzui.

    Zhou Tianzui reached out before her and took the notebook, opening it.

    A work journal, the front page usually containing the name of the organization and the person’s name.

    Jindu TV Midday News Team, Zhou Qiming.

    Zhou Tianzui abruptly closed the notebook.

    Wu Xiulian said, “Dr. Zhou…”

    “Get out.” Zhou Tianzui’s voice trembled as she suppressed her emotions. “Both of you, get out.”

    You Ruxu’s eyes burned. She turned her wheelchair and left, Wu Xiulian beside her. Reaching the door, they heard a soft sob from behind, and You Ruxu’s heart clenched, a sharp pain, her hand gripping the wheel of the wheelchair so tightly her knuckles turned white.

    Wu Xiulian opened the door.

    You Ruxu, in a daze, slowly wheeled herself out.

    Her back to Zhou Tianzui, the door gently closing behind her. Wu Xiulian said, “Xu Xu, I’m sorry, it’s my fault.”

    You Ruxu didn’t speak, her voice choked with emotion.

    She said, “Aunt, I need some air.”

    Wu Xiulian said, “I’ll go with you.”

    You Ruxu said, “You stay here, my mother isn’t back yet.”

    Wu Xiulian paused for a few seconds, then nodded.

    You Ruxu took the elevator alone. It was crowded, and people moved aside, giving her space, considerate of her injury. You Ruxu moved to the back of the elevator, her head lowered.

    “How’s that doctor doing?”

    “Which one?”

    “The one who was stabbed.”

    “Oh, the one from the obstetrics department? I heard she’s okay. Hey, didn’t you hear, her father wasn’t a good person, a rapist.”

    “What?”

    You Ruxu closed her eyes.

    The elevator reached the lobby.

    Sounds from all directions assaulted her ears.

    “That child’s mother died.”

    “The one who jumped from the building?”

    “I heard it was attempted rape.”

    “Who said that? She was raped, then she and the man died together, there was also a good samaritan who tried to help, but he was also dragged down with them.”

    “That’s so unlucky, who was the good samaritan?”

    “I don’t know, seems like he didn’t have any family, otherwise, there would have been a huge fuss.”

    “That child was strange, she didn’t even cry.”

    “Her mother was raped, and she didn’t even cry, so cold-blooded.”

    Raped?

    What was “raped”?

    She didn’t know.

    But she knew it wasn’t good, that it meant someone had hurt her mother.

    Her mother had been crying a lot recently, going into a room with that man, then coming out crying. She had asked her mother what was wrong, and her mother always said it was nothing.

    She didn’t like that man, he reminded her of her father.

    She was afraid her mother would be hurt again.

    She hated that man.

    If he wasn’t around, her mother wouldn’t cry anymore.

    “Little girl, don’t be afraid, tell me, which one of these two men hurt your mommy?”

    Numbly, she had pointed at the man.

    The people around her exchanged glances.

    A woman rushed in.

    “You’re lying, aren’t you?!” The woman screamed at her, “You’re lying!”

    She wasn’t lying.

    She wasn’t!

    She wanted to hide.

    Yes, to hide.

    You Ruxu instinctively tried to move, but her leg gave way, and she fell from the wheelchair. People rushed over, their concerned voices surrounding her.

    She sat there, unable to respond.

    She turned the wheelchair and quickly moved away.

    “Hey!”

    The voices faded behind her. You Ruxu couldn’t hear them anymore. She leaned against the cold, white tiles, her head hitting the wall with a thud, and started crying softly.

    She had so many chances to tell the truth.

    So many chances.

    But she didn’t!

    She didn’t!

    She didn’t!!

    You Ruxu kept her head lowered, the weight of her guilt preventing her from straightening her back. If she had told Wu Xiulian earlier, if she had come clean, would Zhou Qiming’s name have been cleared sooner?

    It was her, selfishly enjoying her relationship with Zhou Tianzui, she was the shameless one.

    You Ruxu leaned against the wall, her head resting on the cold tiles, a sharp pain radiating from her heart, those invisible wounds tearing her apart, healing, then reopening, hot oil pouring onto the raw flesh, the pain consuming her.

    Her phone rang.

    You Ruxu was in a daze. A nurse, passing by, seeing her phone ringing, said, “Your phone’s ringing.”

    She looked up at the nurse.

    The nurse’s voice seemed distant and distorted. You Ruxu only heard the nurse’s concerned voice, a cacophony of sounds assaulting her ears before she closed her eyes, her mind reeling.

    You Ruxu fainted.

    Wu Xiulian rushed to her ward. The doctor said it was an emotional breakdown, nothing physically wrong. Wu Xiulian breathed a sigh of relief, sat by the bed, listening to You Ruxu’s phone ring incessantly. She came back to her senses and answered the call.

    It was Chen Xiang.

    Chen Xiang said, “Teacher You, what time is that interview scheduled for?”

    Wu Xiulian said, “I’m sorry, she’s resting.”

    “Oh—” Chen Xiang realized, “I’m sorry, is this her mother?”

    Wu Xiulian gave a noncommittal “mm-hmm,” “I’m her aunt.”

    “Hello, Auntie.” Chen Xiang said, “Teacher You’s resting? Could you please ask her to call me back when she wakes up?”

    Wu Xiulian said, “Okay.”

    Chen Xiang hung up.

    Just as Wu Xiulian put down the phone, she heard a weak voice behind her, “Aunt.”

    Wu Xiulian turned around.

    You Ruxu was awake, staring at the ceiling. Wu Xiulian leaned closer, “Xu Xu, if you’re unhappy, you can yell at me, but don’t hurt yourself.”

    Yell at her?

    You Ruxu shook her head.

    Wu Xiulian did it for her.

    If it wasn’t for her, Wu Xiulian wouldn’t have done such a thing. She couldn’t yell at her.

    She asked, “Where’s Zhou Tianzui?”

    Wu Xiulian said, “She’s still in her ward, refusing visitors.”

    Yu Qiao was also refusing visitors, saying she needed to rest. Yu Qiao thought it was because of the incident at the hospital and had calmed down somewhat.

    You Ruxu said, “I’m going to see her.”

    Wu Xiulian said, “You should rest…”

    “I can’t rest anymore.” You Ruxu said, “I’ve rested for far too long.”

    Wu Xiulian was silent.

    She wheeled You Ruxu to Zhou Tianzui’s ward, Yu Qiao, seeing them, asked, “What happened to Xiao Tian?”

    You Ruxu said, “I, Auntie, I…” Her eyes reddened before she could speak, her voice choked with emotion, “I’ll go ask her.”

    Yu Qiao looked at her, then after a few seconds, nodded, “Okay, go ahead.”

    You Ruxu opened the door and entered, hearing Zhou Tianzui’s angry voice, “I said, leave me alone!”

    “Zhou Tianzui.” You Ruxu’s voice was soft. Zhou Tianzui opened her eyes and saw You Ruxu in her wheelchair, “Give me the notebook.”

    Zhou Tianzui was holding the notebook, she didn’t dare open it, just looking at the name on the cover had taken all her strength and courage. You Ruxu wheeled herself closer, extended her hand, and said, “Give it to me, I’ll give it to Chen Xiang, she’ll publish the story…”

    She looked at Zhou Tianzui, her face pale and gaunt, her eyes red and swollen, her expression blank. Zhou Tianzui looked at her, then suddenly said, “Hug me.”

    You Ruxu froze.

    Zhou Tianzui repeated, “Can you hug me?”

    You Ruxu bit her lip, her outstretched hand moving to Zhou Tianzui’s shoulder, pulling her into an embrace. She tried to lean closer, but Zhou Tianzui’s hand on her waist, although light, held her in place. You Ruxu buried her face in Zhou Tianzui’s embrace and started crying softly.

    Zhou Tianzui looked away.

    You Ruxu started apologizing again, over and over.

    Zhou Tianzui didn’t respond.

    You Ruxu’s crying intensified, her breathing ragged. Zhou Tianzui handed her the notebook. You Ruxu slowly pulled away, looking at Zhou Tianzui.

    Zhou Tianzui said, “Take it.”

    You Ruxu said, “I’ll ask Chen Xiang to publish it as soon as possible…”

    “You publish it.” Zhou Tianzui interrupted her, opening the drawer of the bedside table, and taking out You Ruxu’s press pass, handing it to her.

    You Ruxu looked down at the press pass, her emotions, tightly coiled, threatening to unravel, her hand trembling as she reached for it, the press pass warm in her hand.

  • Inferior A After Having a Baby with the Top Boss 40p1

    Chapter 40: Pheromone Guidance p1

    Although her knowledge of differentiation was limited, combined with the supplementary explanation that followed, the so-called pheromone guidance and co-regulation weren’t difficult to understand.

    Ming Fei was stunned.

    She even suspected that she had misheard, because… judging from Zhu Yiqiao’s expression, she didn’t seem to be against pheromone guidance.

    As they looked at each other in silence, Ming Fei’s chaotic thoughts gradually cleared.

    She first asked the most important question: “…Jiejie, I want to know why the doctors in this world would make such a judgment? Do they know about the existence of the Ole Empire?”

    Zhu Yiqiao’s tone remained unchanged, as if she was stating a commonplace fact.

    “Mm.”

    “Not them, but a very small number of people, led by the King.”

    “Dr. Tang, who diagnosed your condition, is the chief researcher at the National Academy of Sciences, and also my personal physician.”

    She continued unhurriedly, “Besides us, there are other transmigrators from different space-times in this world, such as Xue Xun, whom you met at the hotel in Taiya. She comes from a post-apocalyptic world.”

    Ming Fei, suddenly receiving so much important information, completely forgot about pheromone guidance.

    She asked uncertainly, “The end of the world?”

    “Mm.”

    Ming Fei had read several classic apocalyptic novels and knew that this world had experienced a virus crisis a hundred years ago, but when asked to imagine a real apocalypse, she still shook her head with pity.

    Because life was precious, respectable, and supremely important.

    After learning that Xue Xun actually came from a post-apocalyptic world, she expressed her admiration from the bottom of her heart: “Ms. Xue is truly amazing.”

    After saying that, she remembered the most crucial matter, the tips of her porcelain-white ears tinged with a light glaze pink.

    “…Jiejie, is pheromone guidance the only option?”

    “Mm.”

    Ming Fei didn’t even dare to look at her. After all, the previous practice and intimacy were just an act, clearly stipulated in the contract. Every time they practiced or put on an act, she required herself to be a dutiful Party B, completing all tasks based on fulfilling her obligations seriously.

    And pheromone guidance was an additional need of hers as Party B, not included in the contract.

    Zhu Yiqiao had no obligation to help her.

    Ming Fei tentatively asked, “Will there be any life-threatening danger if I don’t undergo pheromone guidance?”

    Zhu Yiqiao asked in return, “What if there isn’t?”

    Ming Fei’s eyes lit up: “Then there’s no need for guidance. I’ll find a way to adjust myself.”

    Zhu Yiqiao, standing three steps away, looked down at Ming Fei. Her gaze swept over Ming Fei’s bandaged palm, and she suddenly remembered the scene in the hovercar.

    The alpha, who should have lost control, didn’t hesitate to injure herself to maintain her consciousness and rationality, and even comforted her.

    This was very much in line with… the impression Skwiatowy had left on her.

    Meeting again in a different space-time after nearly thirteen years, she wasn’t actually as calm and indifferent as she appeared. After all… Skwiatowy was different from other friends in her heart.

    Intelligent.

    Gentle.

    Delicate.

    A thirteen-year-old girl who could be described with these words, and who hadn’t even differentiated yet. And because of the three-year age difference, she had treated Skwiatowy as a little sister who needed protection.

    She had even thought, in the eleventh month of knowing her, that if they had the chance to meet in the future, after Skwiatowy differentiated into an omega, she would definitely give her a gun and teach her how to use it to protect herself before leaving.

    But she hadn’t expected—

    That Skwiatowy would differentiate into an alpha, and that in their first meeting in the Independent State of Yi Meng, Skwiatowy would point a gun at her head.

    “Jiejie.”

    The voice of the person in front of her brought Zhu Yiqiao back to her thoughts, and then the question came again.

    “…Can I really do that?”

    Zhu Yiqiao felt that Ming Fei’s thoughts were really easy to guess.

    Her emotions and thoughts were all written in her eyes, and sometimes even directly on her face.

    Like now, Ming Fei’s eyes were filled with a smile, the joy of not needing pheromone guidance, and even a hint of expectation for her affirmation.

    And these smiles and expectations vanished with her next answer.

    “—No.”

    She explained, “Pheromone guidance is the best solution at the moment. If you don’t undergo guidance and let your pheromones remain in an extreme state, it might induce pheromone disorders and other pheromone-related illnesses.”

    The burning hope was extinguished.

    Ming Fei still clung to the remaining spark, trying to find other solutions.

    “Does Dr. Tang think pheromone guidance is possible between two alphas?”

    “Yes.”

    Ming Fei, forced into a corner, her clear almond eyes filled with complex and difficult emotions, didn’t hide her doubts, but asked directly,

    “Then… why is Jiejie willing to help me?”

    “Although I don’t know the specific steps of pheromone guidance, I remember the teacher saying that it’s a rather intimate pheromone contact, and Jiejie just said that it would be accompanied by some intimate contact if necessary.”

    Zhu Yiqiao asked in return, “Do you need a reason?”

    Ming Fei explained, “Because Jiejie has helped me so many times, but I haven’t really helped Jiejie, and… you also added a new rule prohibiting me from releasing pheromones in front of you before. I thought you hated my pheromone scent, so I wanted to understand the reason.”

    “If it’s a mutually beneficial exchange of help, even if you don’t guide me, I would be very willing to help you.”

    Zhu Yiqiao calmly looked at Ming Fei.

    She didn’t plan to tell Ming Fei now that she was One Raccoon Hill from “Supporters of the Rose,” because after her omega mother changed her identity, everything belonging to Eloris had been erased.

    Including the identity of One Raccoon Hill.

    This wasn’t part of her plan back then. Her original plan was indeed to fake her death, change her identity, and apply to the Southern Military Academy, but she hadn’t planned to disappear from Tree of Mystical Jade’s world.

    But her mother had arranged everything for her before she died, and she hadn’t had time to tell the housekeeper who sent her away—that she wanted to keep one account, at least for one more day.

    Before she could make this request, all the data had been erased as quickly as possible by the people her mother had arranged.

    At that time, the matter was settled, and she could only try to register a new account on “Supporters of the Rose” after settling down at the Southern Military Academy and find Tree of Mystical Jade to explain the reason for her disappearance.

    But when she logged into “Supporters of the Rose,” she found that Tree of Mystical Jade’s account… had been deleted.

    From then on, the orange cat avatar and the white dog avatar never lit up again in the snowy nights, worlds apart.

    Now, a long time had passed, and she wasn’t sure what telling Ming Fei her identity would bring.

    Happiness or sadness.

    Surprise or shock.

    Faced with this uncertainty, she decided to keep it a secret and not disturb Ming Fei’s current life.

    When Ming Zaozao returned to the villa, she was greeted by Ming Fei’s gentle smile.

    The cold wind blew, flipping up the hood of Ming Zaozao’s coat. She ran towards Ming Fei, the little panda backpack behind her swinging its long tail, and the ears on both sides flapping in the wind.

    “Mommy!!”

    Ming Fei picked her up, her eyes crinkling with a smile: “Zaozao has grown taller.”

    “Mm-hmm!” Ming Zaozao proudly raised her head. “Baby has grown two centimeters. Auntie Manman said that Baby will grow another twenty centimeters soon!”

    “Wow.” Ming Fei pretended to be amazed. “So amazing.”

    Ming Zaozao’s round eyes curved into crescents with her smile, her dimples deepening. As Ming Fei raised her hand to readjust her hat, she gave Ming Fei a kiss on the cheek.

    “Baby missed Mommy so much.”

    Ming Fei said, “I missed Zaozao very much too.”

    Ming Zaozao became even happier, chattering about the new toys she had received recently all the way, and only noticing the white gauze on Ming Fei’s palm after entering the living room.

    Both mother and daughter sat on the sofa.

    Ming Zaozao frowned with worry: “Mommy, what happened here?”

    Of course, Ming Fei couldn’t tell Ming Zaozao that she had intentionally cut herself. So, she decided to make up a white lie to divert Ming Zaozao’s attention and make her happier.

    “I accidentally fell, it will be completely healed in a few days.”

    Ming Zaozao’s face crumpled, the smile in her eyes instantly disappearing.

    She held Ming Fei’s injured left hand, then lowered her head and blew on it, murmuring softly,

    “Blow, blow, pain fly away.”

    “Mommy, no more pain.”

    Ming Fei’s heart softened, and she pinched her daughter’s little round face with her other hand.

    The usually quiet 008 was recording this moment with its recording function. 0619 was patrolling the villa area outside in the garden. Zhu Yiqiao, having finished her urgent official business, happened to see this scene as she came downstairs.

    She stopped in her tracks.

    At the same time, Ming Fei, noticing Zhu Yiqiao from the corner of her eye, greeted her calmly.

    “Jiejie, are you done with your work?”

    Zhu Yiqiao replied, “Mm.”

    Ming Zaozao also looked over: “Pretty Auntie, Baby is back!”

    Zhu Yiqiao walked towards them: “Zaozao, did you have fun at Auntie Min Man’s house?”

    “Super fun~”

    Ming Zaozao, having blown away the pain, got down from the sofa and reached out to Zhu Yiqiao, wanting to be held.

    Zhu Yiqiao picked her up.

    Then—

    Ming Zaozao asked softly, “Auntie, when did Mommy fall?”

    Ming Fei winked at Zhu Yiqiao, hinting that she should say two days ago.

    Zhu Yiqiao said softly, “Two days ago.”

    Ming Zaozao nodded, seemingly still worried about it, and even said to Zhu Yiqiao,

    “Auntie, next time you go to work with Mommy, can you help remind Mommy?”

    “Mommy is very afraid of pain, super afraid of pain, Baby doesn’t want her to get hurt.”

    Zhu Yiqiao replied, “Okay.”

    “Then pinky promise!”

    “Mm.”

    Ming Fei, watching them make a pinky promise, felt a little embarrassed by her daughter secretly saying that she was super afraid of pain.

    But it was true.

    Her pain receptors were more sensitive than ordinary people’s. Ordinary pain felt several times stronger on her, so much so that during the time her gland was injured, every time the pain flared up, it would torment her to tears.

    Fortunately, the other people in the ward knew that the pain level of a damaged gland was the highest, and even painkillers were useless against it.

    So no one said she was a crybaby, and the nurse would even give her an extra pack of wet wipes to wipe her face.