Chapter 166: Panic, Impossible to Accept

Bian Changxi had originally planned to go downstairs, but Aunt Zhao hurried up and said, “Xiao Xi, don’t go down. Let Apei handle them.”

After so long together, Aunt Zhao no longer called everyone “young master” this and “young master” that—she mostly just used names now, except for Gu Xu, who was still “Captain Gu,” and Qiu Feng, who remained “Deputy Captain Qiu.”

Knowing that Gu Pei was also downstairs, Bian Changxi stayed put, leaning against the third-floor railing and peering through the main door at the vague figures in the courtyard.

The visitors had brought quite a crowd, all in military gear, guns in hand, radiating a murderous aura. It looked less like they’d come to request a doctor and more like they were here to raid the place and mete out punishment.

Of course, the villa’s defenses were nothing to scoff at either. She couldn’t see what was outside, but even inside the hall there were a dozen or so cold-faced men and women in black, looking a lot like pre-apocalypse bodyguards. There were two neat rows of people at the entrance, inside and out.

Just a moment ago, Bian Changxi had even spotted two women standing on her balcony. At first glance, she thought they were thieves and got quite a scare.

Had things really gotten so tense, with everyone sleeping with one eye open?

Downstairs, Gu Pei’s clear, commanding voice rang out: “Miss Bian has never made house calls.”

“This is an emergency—Staff Officer Chen’s life is hanging by a thread.”

“As long as he’s still breathing, he can be brought here by car. If you don’t have a reliable vehicle, we can lend you one.” Drag it out as long as possible.

“I didn’t realize there were people who dared ignore Commander Xu!” The voice was now openly threatening.

“I’d also like to know—coming here in force and barging in, just how much respect do you have for Jiangcheng’s leadership?”

Lin Rongrong came upstairs with a cold face, Chen Yisha following behind. As soon as Lin Rongrong saw Bian Changxi, she couldn’t help but complain, “These people are basically bandits! They tried to force their way in just now. I went over to watch the commotion and almost got dragged away myself—I’m so pissed off!”

So that explained the angry shouting earlier.

Bian Changxi asked, “Did it get physical?”

“Yeah.” Lin Rongrong nodded, a bit excited. “As soon as they clashed, it was over. One of their deputy generals had his arm dislocated in the blink of an eye. That finally made them behave. They really were about to storm in.”

Chen Yisha was more composed: “They’re in the courtyard now—basically surrounded by us, though they don’t seem to realize it. I took a peek—there are snipers all around. Relax, Changxi. Why not go back to your room and lie down for a bit?”

Bian Changxi frowned. “How did things escalate this far?”

“You haven’t been to the hospital these past two days, and you didn’t attend the ceremony today. Of course people are going to get suspicious. I don’t know where the rumors started, but word is your powers are acting up and you’ll never be able to heal anyone again. The gossip is pretty loud.” Chen Yisha sat on the edge of the bed. “Some are even saying your wood-type abilities were all fake, and protesters have been blocking the medical center and even causing trouble at our factory. It’s ridiculous.”

“Some people just love making a mountain out of a molehill.” Lin Rongrong scoffed, then quickly waved her hands. “Not that your business is a small thing—honestly, you really gave me a scare. My neighbors have all been asking if you’re okay—they’re worried sick.”

Bian Changxi was stunned. “Why?”

It’s not like she was the only wood-type in Jiangcheng Group.

“You don’t know?” Lin Rongrong looked genuinely surprised. She kicked off her slippers and plopped down on the comforter. “Ever since your reputation as a healer took off, us Jiangcheng folks have been walking around with our heads held high. We get priority for everything, even buying water or cloth. Tons of people have pulled every string they can just to have you look at their old injuries. Our wood-types have special status now, especially the ones you trained—people say they’re the next Bian family in the making. All sorts of small teams are trying to cozy up to us. Some even want to move here—just short of officially joining.”

Milk, who had been lying comfortably on the comforter, suddenly felt a dip as Lin Rongrong sat down. The cat lifted its head, eyes wide, glaring at her backside. Its soft, fragrant blanket—now squashed under someone’s butt?!

It stretched out a paw, glanced at Bian Changxi, and tried to sneak over to push that big butt off.

Lin Rongrong, oblivious, continued, “Newcomers to the base always ask about the power structure, who’s the strongest. When people mention Jiangcheng Group, it’s all about guaranteed medical care and safety.”

“That’s what they call winning the people’s hearts.”

She beamed.

Bian Changxi’s face darkened a bit as she toyed with a green core in her hand.

“I had no idea my powers had such an impact.”

She hadn’t even treated ordinary injuries for regular folks—just some strange illnesses, and the number of beneficiaries was actually quite small.

But now she understood why, after just two days of absence, people were getting restless. If she really went down, it’d be a huge loss for both Jiangcheng and Gu Xu’s group—well, maybe that sounded a bit narcissistic? And with Gu Xu’s status about to rise, it was only natural that people would want to find out the truth, making one last-ditch effort.

It all made sense.

Bian Changxi paused, gripping the green core. After this brief rest, she could tell her body and powers had fully recovered—she felt better than ever, even stronger, her mind sharp and senses keen.

She didn’t know if her control had improved, but she had a feeling that if she tried manipulating that watermelon vine now, it would be a breeze.

She felt like she was brimming with energy—she could go out right now without a problem.

She thought for a moment, then got up to find some clothes in the wardrobe. It was time to show everyone she was alive and well, so they could stop worrying.

But Lin Rongrong’s next words made her freeze.

She muttered under her breath, “But why did Captain Gu insist on leaving you here alone at a time like this? Isn’t he worried? Isn’t that a bit inconsiderate?”

Milk’s paw, which had just touched her butt, froze, ears pricking up.

Bian Changxi instantly grew alert, though her tone stayed casual. “Why do you say that? There are more important things going on, and there’s no need to fuss over me.”

“How can you say that? You two have that kind of relationship.”

Bian Changxi turned to glare at her. “What kind of relationship?”

…

When Bian Changxi woke up, she wasn’t first relieved at her recovery, nor did she rush to catch up on the world’s changes over the past two days. Instead, she was stunned by the rumors about her love life.

“Living together, always acting as a pair, he gets anxious when something happens to you, you show up whenever he needs you—how is that not a couple?”

It really did look that way. So that’s what people were saying.

She knew that it was common for leaders and outstanding female subordinates to have ambiguous relationships, whether real or just rumors. Sometimes, it was even a way to win people over.

But when she was the female lead, it was like a bucket of cold water over her head, jolting her awake.

It wasn’t right. It couldn’t go on like this. Whether her feelings were real or not, no matter what Gu Xu thought, staying silent and not objecting was a form of tacit approval.

That was wrong.

Seeing Bian Changxi’s hard-won color drain from her face, her whole body tense up and her aura sink, Chen Yisha—who knew her better than Lin Rongrong, having been her college roommate—immediately signaled Lin Rongrong to stop talking.

Bian Changxi changed clothes in the bathroom, then headed downstairs, Milk following close behind. The people in the hall were all startled to see her. Gu Pei, who had just come in from negotiating outside, lit up with surprise when he saw her. “You’re better? Fully recovered? Miss Lin just said you woke up. I was about to come see you. My brother will be so happy when he hears.”

For the first time, Bian Changxi looked at him with a hint of coldness, especially at that last sentence, which made her a bit irritable.

She walked a couple of steps toward the door, then suddenly turned back. “Your brother—he must have worried a lot about me, right?”

Gu Pei, puzzled by her look, replied, “Of course. He hasn’t slept a wink since you fell unconscious. He checks on you every day, and the first thing he does when he gets back is ask if you’ve woken up…”

Gu Pei, knowing his brother’s feelings, was doing his best to paint Gu Xu in a good light.

But Bian Changxi only felt a mix of bitterness and confusion.

She’d heard things like this too many times. At first, she thought Gu Xu was just a thoughtful, caring person, but now, hearing it again, it left a bad taste in her mouth.

Actually, when Aunt Zhao said Gu Xu had chased after her to the wholesale center, she’d already started to suspect—he was going too far. But at the time, she’d just felt uneasy for a moment and carried on as usual. After all, Aunt Zhao had said he treated her like a little sister, and a man with such a strong sense of duty might really think that way.

She should have made her position clear back then.

If she couldn’t accept it, why keep things ambiguous?

She steadied herself. “When will he be back today?” She’d talk to him when he returned.

“I heard that after the ceremony, he still has to visit all the big shots and local bosses at the base, and there’s a banquet tonight,” Gu Pei said. “So you see, my brother set up all these defenses at the villa—he’s afraid we’ll get eaten alive.”

So he wouldn’t be back for a while.

Bian Changxi subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief, then suddenly thought: what if Gu Xu didn’t have those feelings? If she brought it up, wouldn’t it just make things awkward?

She needed to think it through, really think it through.

But with so many people around, she only felt more irritable. Should she keep thinking about it? She dreaded that kind of emptiness—when you’re lonely and anxious, even your breathing echoes in your chest.

And then another matter surfaced in her mind.

“Did Jiang Zhihuan and the others get the mutton-fat jade they need for their research?”

“Not yet, but we’ve narrowed it down to a few jade shops…” Gu Pei started, then caught himself. “Why do you ask?”

ps:

Thanks to the seventh-ranked Peace Talisman!

Thanks to anna0626 for the Peace Talisman!

ps: This chapter’s a bit late, mainly because Xiao Bian’s psychological turning point here is really important and intense. I’m not sure if you’ll find her reasons for “impossible to accept” a stretch, but I’ll explain more as the story goes on."