Chapter 152: Naivety, Forever Hard to Let Go

The point is, they never actually assigned a wood-type healer for follow-up treatment.

Bian Changxi’s gaze toward Zhu Yunhua grew even colder. She didn’t know this Wu Hao person—hadn’t met him in her previous life either—but still, it was a life she’d snatched back from the hands of death. Yet the follow-up care had been neglected. When he was discharged, his condition had improved dramatically, better than any other patient. Any random wood-type ability user could have healed him completely. And now, she was being told that his health had deteriorated back to the level of an ordinary patient.

She felt a surge of indignation at their disregard for life, and a bit of frustration that her hard work had gone unacknowledged. She shot Zhu Yunhua a glance. “Mr. Zhu, instead of wasting time here thanking me, why not go back and actually do something for your ‘brother’?”

Zhu Yunhua’s expression stiffened.

He was a bit taken aback. Last time, Bian Changxi had been quite friendly toward him—how had things changed in just a few days? Now she was all cold shoulders and sharp words.

Of course, he had no way of knowing: last time, she hadn’t figured him out yet, so she’d been cautious and polite, partly for Bian Kuang’s sake. But after observing him for several days, she was sure Zhu Yunhua had nothing to do with reincarnation. And with Gu Xu, that powerful ally, standing firmly by her side, why should she keep pretending to be nice?

With her attitude so clear, Zhu Yunhua couldn’t even stay to make small talk. As he stepped back, he nearly bumped into someone. Turning around, he frowned. “Xiao Wen, what’s wrong?”

Wen Mingli was staring absentmindedly at Milk, the creature curled up in Bian Changxi’s arms. After absorbing the essence of several black dogs, Milk was now lazily content, eyes closed, body coiled up in digestion, looking adorably silly. Sensing someone’s gaze, Milk lazily lifted its eyelids. Bian Changxi couldn’t see, but Gu Xu and Zhu Yunhua, as well as Wen Mingli, saw it clearly: those beastly eyes radiated a domineering, disdainful aura, like a predator after a fresh kill. When it saw Wen Mingli, it stared at her for a few extra moments, as if trying to see right through her. Suddenly, it bared its sharp teeth and let out a yowl, fur on its neck bristling.

Wen Mingli stumbled back two steps, face turning pale. She forced a laugh. “Th-this little creature is really cute.”

Bian Changxi quickly stroked Milk’s fur to calm it. “What’s wrong, Milk?”

Milk had never attacked anyone before. Usually, it couldn’t even be bothered to look at most people, let alone react so strongly. Did this mean there was something off about Wen Mingli?

But after a moment, Milk settled down again, staring at Wen Mingli repeatedly before closing its eyes in apparent annoyance and snuggling back into Bian Changxi’s arms, rubbing against her contentedly. It let out a soft, spoiled whine: “Awoo…”

Gu Xu gave Wen Mingli a long, searching look, making her visibly nervous, before finally saying, “Let’s go check over there.” The two of them ignored Zhu Yunhua and the others, strolling away at a leisurely pace. Once they were out of earshot, Bian Changxi muttered, “I don’t like Zhu Yunhua.”

“Oh? Why not?”

“No reason. Just a visceral dislike.” Bian Changxi’s face was expressionless. “I keep thinking about finding a way to mess with him, but then I feel like that’s too petty.”

Taking revenge for grudges from a past life on someone who doesn’t even remember that life—that really is a narrow-minded thing to do. But doing nothing, and seeing him parade around with that polite, charming smile, as if he’s got everyone wrapped around his finger, just makes her uncomfortable.

Gu Xu saw the storm brewing on her face and was about to comfort her, when she continued, “So I think I’ve been waiting for him to give me a reason to retaliate. Then I’d have a legitimate excuse.” Her eyes sparkled mischievously. “Say, do you think that issue with Wu-something, the patient, would be a good excuse? How should I get back at him?”

Gu Xu fell silent.

After a moment, he suddenly asked, “Do you think there are people in this world who can see the future?”

Bian Changxi’s heart skipped a beat. “What do you mean?”

“Five-colored grass,” Gu Xu said. “When I went looking for it, I found that someone had been secretly buying it up for several days. And the circumstances around its discovery don’t quite add up.”

Bian Changxi’s heart pounded. She knew something was off! “So, do you have any leads?”

“No concrete leads. Just some…” He glanced surreptitiously at Wen Mingli. “Some things I can’t quite explain. Maybe I’m just being paranoid.”

Wen Mingli really did give him a sense of calculated intent.

There seemed to be traces of her involvement behind the five-colored grass as well.

He said, “Anyway, dealing with Zhu Yunhua isn’t a big deal. Just be careful around that woman—she’s not simple.”

Simple people aren’t always so cautious, always so elusive. If not for that chance encounter on the rainy Mid-Autumn night, he wouldn’t have paid her any attention. But once he did, he started noticing things that didn’t add up. He just couldn’t quite put his finger on it yet—and he still had too few people he could trust.

At that moment, Wen Mingli was secretly observing the two of them. This was her first time seeing Gu Xu and Bian Changxi standing together, and they were surprisingly well-matched. In her previous life, when had these two started working together?

Back then, Bian Changxi had already joined Zhu Yunhua’s squad. Once, after a particularly disastrous mission, the survivors were all deeply grateful, saying that if it hadn’t been for Captain Gu’s timely help, the whole team would have been wiped out.

They’d prepared gifts to thank him. At the time, Gu Xu was also living in a villa, but his status was that of a base administrator. The whole group waited outside the villa area until dusk, when Gu Xu’s car finally arrived.

A low-key, imposing black car, and a cold, strikingly handsome man. He glanced out from inside the car, his gaze settling in one direction. Then, unexpectedly, he opened the door and stepped out.

Wen Mingli’s fingers twisted together—she remembered how nervous and hopeful she’d been. Someone like Gu Xu was on a whole different level from ordinary people, not to mention his outstanding looks. It was said that countless heiresses and powerful women in the base were chasing after him.

But he walked straight up to Bian Changxi. “There’s a mission tomorrow that needs a wood-type ability user. Are you available?”

From then on, Bian Changxi’s status in the squad skyrocketed. Thanks to her, the team secretly received all kinds of benefits and special treatment. Zhu Yunhua treated her like a treasure, and it was probably around then that his attitude toward her began to change—he became attentive and ambiguous. Later, Wen Mingli had mocked herself, wondering: if Gu Xu knew it was his casual request that made Zhu Yunhua develop feelings he shouldn’t have, would he regret it so much he’d want to bang his head against a wall?

She vaguely remembered that day, the sky already dark, Gu Xu and Bian Changxi standing face to face, harmonious and well-matched—just like today.

Heaven really is unfair. Why did Bian get a second chance? Why did Gu Xu only ever treat her with suspicion? That look he’d given her just now had sent a chill straight to her bones.

And that cat-dog creature—could it really be what she suspected?

No, impossible. It couldn’t be.

If it was, it shouldn’t be so close to Bian Changxi.

Maybe her stare was too intense, because Bian Changxi glanced back at her. Wen Mingli quickly lowered her eyes, playing the role of a dull, invisible person just like in her previous life. Bian Changxi didn’t notice anything unusual and turned away, but silently made a note of Wen Mingli in her heart.

In the distance, people were whispering, and soon a group approached: Bian Kuang, Bian Wei, several members of the Bian family, and a few from the Qiao Base.

“Xiao Xi, you and Captain Gu are here on a mission too?” Bian Kuang asked with a smile.

Seeing his nervousness, Bian Changxi replied irritably, “What else would we be doing here, sightseeing?”

“Well, I actually didn’t want to come. But Weiwei’s a water-type, and she needed to be here. It’s her first time so far from home, and I was worried about her.”

He was making it clear he didn’t approve of the Bian family relying on Xu Chang.

He hadn’t come for any other reason—just to act as Bian Wei’s bodyguard.

But his explanation only made Bian Changxi, who had been calm, start to get annoyed.

Who you worry about is none of my business—you don’t have to report to me. You don’t have to explain why you’re here. But could you please stop being so naive?

You didn’t go to the new district, and instead took a shortcut with the Bian family to Su City Base. Fine, whatever, you made it sound reasonable. You even sent me a carload of supplies—also fine, since I didn’t pay much attention to appearances myself. If you don’t want to leave the Bian family, that’s your business. You’re loyal, and those people are your blood relatives. No matter how much resentment you have, in a disaster like this, your heart should soften a little. But now you’ve come all the way here, standing with Xu Chang’s people and the Bian family—could your intentions be any clearer?

The upper echelons of Su City Base are still fighting over who gets to be in charge, scheming and backstabbing. Vice Commander Xu Chang only has a chance at power. If he fails, and they come for Xu Chang, do you really think they’ll spare you just because you “didn’t agree” with him?

But after thinking all this, she said nothing. Bian Kuang probably wouldn’t listen, and this wasn’t the place for such talk.

She glanced coldly at Bian Wei’s outfit. “Is that so? You’re right to be worried.”

Bian Wei was still wearing a huge sunhat, her long hair tied in a ribboned ponytail, a three-quarter sleeve blouse, cropped pencil pants, and pink flats. Bian Changxi could easily picture it: zombies chasing from behind, Bian Wei clutching her hat, shoes slapping on the ground, bell sleeves snagging on something, or her pants so tight she couldn’t run.

She suddenly burst out laughing. Bian Wei blinked in confusion. “Sister Changxi, I didn’t expect to see you here. Aren’t you going to introduce us?”

She looked up at Gu Xu, eyes bright, and gently took off her hat, her skin glowing in the sunlight.

Bian Changxi rolled her eyes.

Gu Xu frowned slightly.

Bian Wei seemed to notice Bian Changxi’s reluctance to introduce them. Her smile faltered, but she quickly reached out her hand. “Hello, I’m Bian Wei. Our whole family is grateful to you for looking after Sister Changxi.” Her voice dropped, and her pretty face dimmed. “It’s just… Vice Commander Xu has been so good to us…”

Even an idiot could understand the implication.

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There’s still another update coming—halfway done writing it…