In Xu Chuyao’s eyes, this was just like when your ex-girlfriend, who you were madly in love with just yesterday and finally broke up with, stands by your bed grinning mischievously and asks you, “Aren’t my propellers impressive?”
There might even be a sound effect—“man1”.
Provocation. This was absolutely a provocation.
Chuyao was fuming inside. She had always been the one teasing others like this; when had she ever been provoked by someone else?
That was the reason for her embarrassment, but as for the shame… well, it was because… it actually felt pretty good.
So good she nearly passed out.
But Chuyao was a pure-hearted girl, so she could only grit her teeth and shoot over two words, then say to her roommate:
“Damn it, ahhh, Shen Ning has gone too far this time. I will definitely get my revenge!”
Mi Xiaolu nodded obediently. “Okay, I believe you.”
[Chuyao doesn’t want to chew her fingers: Down bad!]
She got scolded—serves her right.
Shen Ning silently opened the System, wanting to check the next milestone quest, but saw a notification instead:
[Milestone quest frozen. In order to simulate true Sage Mode and protect the host’s physical and mental health, all ‘Highly Lewd Quests’ rated four stars or above have a one-week cooldown.]
“Tch.” The Repressed Shadow was indignant. “Sage Mode is just for people without strength to act virtuous. I’ve never had to rely on Sage Mode.”
At first, Shen Ning thought the cooldown was a bad thing, but after hearing that, she felt the freeze mechanism was actually quite necessary.
She didn’t want to end up like that.
[In addition, during the milestone freeze period, daily quests will be issued randomly every two to three days as compensation. Each small quest will randomly reward a minor skill or a small amount of Spirit Power level.]
That was actually pretty good.
If she kept following the milestones like this, she’d feel down bad even without Xu Chuyao scolding her.
A young girl didn’t want to become another version of herself.
“Who are you judging, huh? Acting all lofty now—wait till you fall, then you’ll know what’s up.”
Whatever the case, the power that was supposed to come only two years later was now already in her hands. In this world where one’s fate was rarely their own, she could at least grasp a bit of her destiny now.
It had been some time since the last time the Special Team gathered in the activity room. The most obvious change was that they no longer called themselves the Special Team.
Now, they were the Crisis Response Team.
All the crisis response members gathered together, discussing the city’s security.
“You knew all along that leader and Shen Ning were a thing?”
One was the beautiful young officer of the Crisis Response Team, the other the team’s fiercest female warrior. Their relationship problems could be considered related to city security, right?
Yu Yuwei smiled and nodded. “Yes… I thought you all already knew.”
“How could we? If it weren’t for watching the concert livestream, I’d still be totally clueless.”
Xu Chuyao’s on-camera kiss with Shen Ning during the broadcast didn’t just turn the girl from a killer queen into a bashful little sister; it also shocked many people who knew her.
Not just the people in the Crisis Response Team, but even some elders found out.
Yu Jing actually wasn’t that surprised. Back in the office, when she’d asked Shen Ning about her relationship with Xu Chuyao, the girl’s reaction made it clear something was going on between them. She just hadn’t expected they’d be making out in public already.
As for Principal Lü, regarding the “improper” relationship between the two girls at his school, he said very seriously:
“Well done, Xu Chuyao!”
If the Rockmorgan Family ever came to claim someone, he could say, “A married daughter is like water poured out, and besides, she’s not even your daughter anymore. Can’t just break up a happy couple, right?”
In fact, Principal Lü had no idea how the higher-ups viewed Shen Ning’s identity—he only knew things seemed complicated. Placing her at Shengling Academy was just to help her develop her potential through regular studies.
But now, whether it was Shen Ning’s leveling speed or Xu Chuyao’s promotion rate, both were bound to change some things.
Back in the activity room, the team members were all shocked.
“You know, I’ve always been curious about Shen Ning. It’s obvious she’s amazing, and those rumors—like fighting from the mall basement up to the sixth floor of the plaza without blinking, a cold-blooded killer queen…”
Shi Lei said, “But in our team, she never expresses her own opinion, but when leader gives an order, she’s always the first to act, works harder than anyone, her execution is off the charts. I never understood why she was so obedient to leader. Now I get it—it’s because of this and that…”
A few people in the room nodded in agreement, while most tried to give him meaningful glances, especially the girls from the same grade.
“Yujia, why are you looking at me like that? And coughing nonstop—are you unwell? Want me to look over there? What’s over there, I—oh, crap!”
Shi Lei was startled by the white-haired girl who’d appeared silently nearby.
“Shen Ning, when did you get here? Ah, you came at just the right time. We were saying you and leader are a perfect match, right everyone?”
Shen Ning’s mouth twitched. “I’ve been here since you said you were clueless.”
So she’d heard the whole thing from start to finish.
Shi Lei rubbed his hands awkwardly. “Well, uh, best wishes for a hundred years of happiness.”
Now only leader could save the scene, but—where was she?
Xu Chuyao had overslept.
Can’t blame Chuyao, because she’d had a very long dream. In it, she devoted herself to cultivation, put on a shirt that read “Main Theme: Vengeance is Mine,” found Shen Ning, and launched a battle that shook heaven and earth.
After the battle, Shen Ning ended up with tendon sheath inflammation, rheumatism, carpal tunnel syndrome, and a bunch of other issues—she was no longer arrogant, while Chuyao stood by, hands on her hips, laughing loudly.
“Teach you to be cocky—cough, cough!”
She laughed so hard she woke herself up choking on her own saliva.
Realizing she’d missed the meeting time, Xu Chuyao hurried to get up, wash up, and dress, finally making it to the activity room just before lunch.
As soon as the beautiful young officer entered, everyone quieted down.
“Everyone’s here, right? I’ll keep this brief.”
Xu Chuyao walked up to the front, sneaking a glance at Shen Ning in the corner. Seeing her innocent expression made Chuyao angry all over again.
Sooner or later, I’ll make you get tendon sheath inflammation!
“You all probably saw the notice in the group chat. Our upcoming assignment is to visit the neighboring city for inspection and guidance. As for what kind of work—of course, it’s to deal with the Clown Gang. The Clown Gang in Center City has already been wiped out, but in other cities, they’re still a big problem. It’s time we shared our advanced experience with them.”
As soon as she finished, Zhong Ming raised his hand to ask a question, and Xu Chuyao nodded at him.
“Commander, are we going to visit every main city?”
“Of course not, that’d be exhausting. The neighboring city’s situation is special—they’ve invited us specifically.”
As for what was so special, Xu Chuyao didn’t know either. The original story barely described other places at this stage, since the main perspective, Shen Ning, hadn’t reached Second Rank yet and was still grinding levels at school.
But now, she’d already sent her Second Rank Chuyao over.
Zhong Ming got his answer and sat down again. Then Shi Yan raised his hand to ask:
“Leader, when do we leave?”
“Tomorrow morning. Private jet.”
Since time was tight, Xu Chuyao finished speaking and let everyone go pack their things.
Shen Ning went back too, but it was her first time dealing with this sort of thing and she didn’t know what to bring.
Back when she came to Center City from Mine District 13, she arrived alone and penniless. The Rockmorgan Family’s company and the Academy took care of everything. Now she had to prepare things herself, and it felt kind of novel.
“Didn’t you say you wanted to control your own destiny?” The Repressed Shadow said, “Traveling is part of that.”
Shen Ning decided to ask her few friends for advice.
“That’s easy—bring newspapers! Take a few, and by the time you finish reading them, you’ll be back.”
Asking Xiao Si Nuo was like not asking at all, so she tried Li Renhao.
“Mainly a change of clothes, and the things you use most often. Take two books you like. Also, if you have a girlfriend—oh, right, you do—bring your girlfriend’s change of clothes, anything she wants to read or play with, and her favorite snacks, all of it.”
Shen Ning was puzzled. “Can’t she bring those herself?”
Li Renhao was stunned. “Xu Chuyao pack for herself? Wouldn’t she lose her temper?”
“Why would she get mad?”
What happened next, Shen Ning didn’t know, but the voice on the other end of the call got a little choked up. Anyway, she was grateful for the advice and now knew what to bring.
A change of clothes, towel, toothbrush, and a book called “Beginner’s Handbook.”
Chuyao herself certified it as a good book.
As for Xu Chuyao, there wasn’t much to pack. She had her roommate help gather up a few changes of clothes.
During this, Mi Xiaolu noticed something strange. “Pure white coffin? Didn’t you say you’d never wear such childish panties?”
“They’re not mine, they’re Shen Ning’s.”
“Then how did they end up on you? And there are two pairs.”
“Don’t ask, okay.”
“Okay.”
Thanks to her obedient roommate, Xu Chuyao saved face and made it to departure day.
The airport was on the outskirts of the city. Even taking the Academy bus, it took some time to get there. The team members lugged their bags onto the bus, looking a bit excited for the upcoming trip.
“What’s the neighboring city like? Have you been?”
“Not only have I not been, I don’t even know its name.”
“I heard there are really tall mountains you can climb over there.”
The others chatted together, while Shen Ning, as usual, sat alone by the window, until a bright and adorable big-chested girl came over.
“What’s wrong, Shen Ning? Feeling homesick?”
“No.”
She didn’t have a home, so there was nothing to miss. Nor did a girl long for the rickety mine carts and damp stalactites beneath the mine.
Xu Chuyao scooted closer, a pretty and cute little face showing a mischievous devilish smile. It was as if the sky had cleared, the rain had stopped, and her butt didn’t hurt anymore—Chuyao felt like she was back to herself again.
“First time flying, huh? Feeling nervous? If you’re scared, I’ll be merciful and let you hold my hand.”