RITAAB 63.2

PART 2

“Oh, is that really a problem? If that’s the case, even if the sky falls, there will be a tall person to hold it up first. With such powerful variant beastman, our lives in the city will be much safer from now on.”

“Hey, did you guys feel the powerful aura just now?”

“Yeah! Now that you mention it, I also realized it. This must be the natural dominance of a strong animal over a weak one, like the concept of territorial claims in nature, right?”

“Just now, it felt like we had invaded the territory of a super powerful animal, the natural sense of oppression was so real. But after transforming back to human form, the feeling disappeared.”

Liu Zhongyuan and Qin Jiulin left quickly, not knowing what the others were discussing. But it didn’t matter to them, as they wouldn’t care anyway.

As for Qi Yue, after separating from them, he of course continued heading back. From now on, he would have to carry out missions every day, so he should take the opportunity to rest well.

Little did he know, his luck would turn bad. On the way back, he unexpectedly encountered Qi Jinglan sweeping the street. Qi Jinglan was also momentarily taken aback when she saw Qi Yue.

Perhaps even she didn’t expect to run into Qi Yue while sweeping the street. And she probably couldn’t have imagined herself doing such a task.

In fact, this street sweeping job was quite easy. Many others were doing the more physically demanding work. And at this point, the area had been mostly cleaned up. The remaining people from the military camp had all been transferred here, now living in a small community.

Since they had all come here, the food, water, and other supplies were no longer freely provided. They had to work to earn these necessities, or have their beastman family members bring back their share. In short, they had to find ways to support themselves.

As this area became cleaner, job opportunities decreased. This street sweeping job was one that Qi Jinglan had managed to snatch through her own means.

Qi Yue stood there, glancing at Qi Jinglan for a moment, then turned and left. He had no intention of talking to her or having any further involvement.

But Qi Jinglan couldn’t let this good opportunity slip away. With Qi Yue here alone, without the other two from his team, this was an amazing chance! If she let it go, she might regret it for a long time.

Qi Jinglan, “Ah Yue, wait, Ah Yue?!”

Qi Yue kept walking, as if he hadn’t heard Qi Jinglan calling his name behind him. But he didn’t speed up or stop either.

So Qi Jinglan quickly jogged over and grabbed Qi Yue’s sleeve, “Ah Yue, wait, let me say something…”

Qi Yue stood there quietly, watching her. Qi Jinglan noticed his gaze, feeling that Qi Yue seemed to be waiting for her to make some kind of excuse.

But this only lasted for a moment, and she felt she must have imagined it.

“Ah Yue, it’s been a long time. You… you seem to be doing well.”

Qi Yue smiled and said, “Yes, as a variant beastman, of course I’m doing well. I’ve even joined Liuge and Qinge’s variant beastman team. Not only am I doing better than ordinary people, but even better than other variant beastman. Do you have anything else?”

Qi Jinglan wiped the corner of her eye, “No, I just saw you and came to say a few words. Don’t be angry, I… I didn’t mean to waste your time. It’s just been so long…”

Qi Yue tilted his head, looking at her puzzledly. “Didn’t you want me dead? How come after just a short while, you miss me now? What’s the reasoning behind that?”

Qi Jinglan wiped her eyes again. “No, that’s not it… that’s not it…”

Qi Yue said, “Are you trying to elicit sympathy by crying in front of me? Do you think the near-death experience I gained isn’t enough to make me wary of you and Duan Qiufeng?”

Qi Jinglan looked at him, wanting to say something but holding back. Her eyes were brimming with tears, as if she had some unspoken secret. But in the end, she said nothing. “I… I still have work, I won’t bother you anymore.”

She then turned and slowly walked back to her work area. This left Qi Yue in an awkward position – what did she mean by this?

She had caught such a good opportunity to be alone with him, but didn’t plan to say some nice words to appease him? Or at least try to shift the blame entirely onto Duan Qiufeng?

She just left like that? Qi Yue felt irritated and uneasy, in an in-between state of discomfort. But he wouldn’t go back to find Qi Jinglan either. He stood there for a moment, then continued walking forward, not looking back.

The only difference from before was that his pace had quickened, almost as if he was fleeing. To others, it may not have been noticeable. But Qi Jinglan, who had lived with Qi Yue for so long, could see at a glance that his heart was unsettled.

While sweeping the ground, she couldn’t help but smile. It seems there was still a chance. She just couldn’t make a single misstep afterwards, or else…

What awaited her would not be Qi Yue’s forgiveness and indulgence, but the retaliation of Qi Yue and the other two members of his team. As an ordinary person, she would have no advantage.

It would be certain death.

After the day’s work was done and she returned to her residence, Qi Jinglan told Duan Qiufeng about this good news. Duan Qiufeng’s eyes lit up. “Really? Qi Yue didn’t lay a hand on you?”

Qi Jinglan nodded. “Not only did he not lay a hand on me, I even found a loophole. Our previous plan might actually succeed!”

Duan Qiufeng finally revealed a smile. “It was the right decision to send you. If it had been me, he might not have even given me a chance to speak.”

Qi Jinglan said, “Sometimes blood relations can be quite useful.”

Duan Qiufeng moved closer to her. “My dear, thank you for your hard work. You still have to act the part later…”

Qi Jinglan replied, “Yes, that’s true…”

When Qi Yue returned to his residence, he kept trying to warn himself to forget the encounter with Qi Jinglan, but no matter how he tried, it was no use.

The image of Qi Jinglan with tears in her eyes, wanting to say something but ultimately leaving without a word, lingered in his mind. Could it be that Duan Qiufeng had really coerced her?

His reason told him not to believe or sympathize with Qi Jinglan, but he couldn’t help but ponder in that direction.

Lying on the bed, Qi Yue thought it over and over, finally deciding, “Forget it, I’ll talk to Liuge and Qin ge when they get back. They’re adults, they’re definitely smarter than me…”

He muttered to himself, first going to take a shower and change clothes. After he finished washing and drying his clothes, Liu Zhongyuan and Qin Jiulin returned.

They looked dirty and had a strong scent of blood on them. Qi Yue tactfully didn’t bring it up immediately, waiting until they had cleaned up and were sitting on the living room sofa before deciding to communicate with them.

However, Liu Zhongyuan couldn’t help but ask first, “Did you run into any trouble? You look quite troubled. If there’s an issue, just say it.”

Qin Jiulin also looked at him.

Qi Yue’s expression changed slightly. “Is it that obvious?”

Qin Jiulin nodded. “With you this conflicted, it must have something to do with Duan Qiufeng or Qi Jinglan, right?”

Qi Yue’s expression darkened even further.

Well, they had guessed correctly.

Liu Zhongyuan said, “How’s that? Did they come to you with a sad story? Tried to deceive you? Did you waver? Is your heart unsettled?”

Qi Yue took a deep breath and then recounted in detail what had happened on the road.

Qin Jiulin sighed, while Liu Zhongyuan paused, then burst into loud laughter.

“Ahaha… hahaha… Ah, hahaha…”

Liu Zhongyuan laughed uncontrollably, while Qin Jiulin quietly sipped his water, seemingly waiting for Liu Zhongyuan to finish laughing before saying anything else.

But Liu Zhongyuan laughed for a very long time, until Qi Yue had become numb from the mental turmoil, before finally stopping. “Ah, I’m so sorry, it was just too hilarious…”

Qin Jiulin waited until he had finished laughing before speaking. “Qi Yue, do you understand now?”

Qi Yue nodded. “I understand, I’m just a fool who is so easily deceived!”

Duan Qiufeng and Qi Jinglan had been acting in front of him for so long, and while their acting skills may not have been exceptional, they were still good enough to be considered outstanding. So did Qi Jinglan really need much skill to put on an act in front of him?

No, she just needed to think about what approach would be most effective for her! So he had simply been fooled.

But earlier, his brain had been clogged, unable to think clearly. Thankfully, now he finally understood, realizing his foolishness as he watched Liu Zhongyuan mercilessly mocking him.

Hadn’t he already seen through what kind of person Qi Jinglan was? How could he have still been deceived?

Qin Jiulin said, “I reckon, it’s just that she knows you so well, and knows how to deal with you, so you were bound to fall for it at first. But now that you’re prepared, there shouldn’t be any more problems, right?”

Qi Yue nodded sheepishly. “No more problems. If they try to talk to me, I’ll just pretend they’re having a mental breakdown!”

Qin Jiulin asked, “So that means everything’s settled then?”

Qi Yue nodded. “It’s settled.”

He then stood up and gave the two a 90-degree bow. “I’m sorry, I was being foolish! I won’t make the same mistake again!”

Qin Jiulin also unusually spoke seriously, “I remember I told you before, if you ever forgive them, then you can just get lost. Let me repeat that, I hope you remember it well.”