Chapter 113: Sequencing Results

—— Eight hours before Miss Nuo’s call ——

“Very good.”

Miss Nuo exchanged all the materials she needed with satisfaction, then began extracting DNA samples using the Anionic Detergent Method.

One sample was Wu Xiaomi’s hair, the other was bloodstains on her clothes.

Using Dodecyl Sodium Sulfate, she broke down the cell walls and altered the protein charges.

Next came the separation process.

Then staining, recording the sequences, and comparison.

Miss Nuo held up a thick report printed on A4 paper, lost in thought.

……

— At this very moment —

“Xiaomi, I’m going out for a bit.”

“Uh-huh~”

The girl nodded lazily.

Bai Xiaozhi opened the door and left the room, heading to a soundproof corner before answering Miss Nuo’s call.

“The results are out?”

[Yes. There’s good news, bad news, and a so-so piece of news. Which do you want to hear first?]

“Bad news, I guess.”

[Wu Xiaomi’s DNA barely has any telomeres.]

“……”

[Telomeres have three main functions in the human body: 1. Protect chromosomes from degradation by nucleases. 2. Prevent chromosomes from fusing with each other. 3. Provide substrates for telomerase, solving the DNA End-Replication Problem and ensuring complete chromosome replication.

In simpler terms, each time a cell divides, the telomeres shorten a bit. When the telomeres disappear entirely, the body’s cells lose their ability to replicate, and life reaches its end.]

“So, Wu Xiaomi…”

[This is likely the root cause of her illness. Since her cells have lost their regenerative ability, she needs the Witch’s manual updates periodically.]

“And the good news?”

[The good news is, I may have discovered how the sequences interact with Lingyuan—the Faith of the Spirit of Abundance truly can alter the DNA sequences of the entire body!

That explains why believers in the Spirit of Abundance grow fox features, and believers in the Spirit of Rainfall grow dragon horns. I think faith is actually a form of DNA assimilation, which is why the sequences a believer can use depend on their faith.]

“And Wu Xiaomi’s DNA…”

[The absence of telomeres isn’t necessarily bad for her. Her DNA composition is too complicated—full of all sorts of chaotic information.

With such an enormous amount of data, if the DNA replicated itself naturally, it would almost certainly produce errors.

The result would be bodily malfunctions, collapse, and sudden death.]

“So, no solution?”

[Look on the bright side: if the Witches can keep updating her cells, she could essentially be immortal. Though that’s hardly realistic.]

Thanks to this test, Bai Xiaozhi finally understood the girl’s illness.

But the cause meant her life force had been completely exhausted.

There was no answer.

No telling how many more times the Witches could help her.

“Alright, let’s get to the point. The so-so news—is that the test result?”

[Correct~ Guess what it is?]

“My brother is dead?”

[Guess again.]

“……Wu Xiaomi’s hair and the blood on her clothes have the same DNA?”

[Correct.]

Bai Xiaozhi’s breathing suddenly grew rapid.

Though she had long suspected it, seeing the definitive proof before her still made her flustered.

She didn’t know how to face this truth.

[Though I don’t know why that girl wanted to pretend to be your brother, I guess she means well. Don’t be mad at her.]

Miss Nuo was unaware of the full story.

But Bai Xiaozhi knew.

Bai Xiaozhi had spoken with that “brother” before; they talked about many childhood memories—secrets belonging only to the two of them.

Neither could ever share those secrets with a third party.

Even if “Wu Xiaomi” had told those secrets to “Wu Xiaomi,” that person’s gestures, speech, and mannerisms were impossible to imitate.

If she was sure “this brother was real,” that would mean the soft-spoken girl was… her own brother?

It was too unbelievable.

Bai Xiaozhi suddenly recalled the attack before the social gathering—the girl had unhesitatingly stood in front of her.

That determined silhouette perfectly overlapped with his.

[Looks like you need some time to calm down. I’ll hang up now.]

“Okay.”

Bai Xiaozhi’s mind was a tangle.

Why—why had her brother become like this, with depleted telomeres… what had he been through?

Sliding down to lean weakly against the wall, she suddenly didn’t know how to face the girl…

They had just confirmed their relationship today, yet after their two figures overlapped and Bai Xiaozhi uncovered the secret hidden in the girl’s heart, she suddenly felt afraid—afraid her acceptance was merely out of care.

[What’s wrong?]

Opening her eyes, she saw a familiar little note and the girl’s beautiful face, brows furrowed.

She shook the note again, worry filling her eyes.

[Why are you hiding here? You seem… unhappy?]

“No.”

Bai Xiaozhi forced a smile.

[Are you feeling unwell?]

She shook her head.

Moonlight streamed through the corridor window, drawing a cold line between the two.

But the next second, the petite girl reached out, brazenly breaking the boundary of light, placing her hand on Bai Xiaozhi’s head.

[If something’s wrong, just tell me~ Aren’t we lovers?]

[Though I don’t know exactly what lovers are supposed to do, if there’s a problem, we face it together and support each other—that’s the basic rule, right?]

Seeing Xiaozhi remain still, Wu Xiaomi clenched her teeth as if gathering all her courage.

Leaning forward, she slowly wrapped her arms around Xiaozhi’s neck.

She pressed herself fully into the other’s embrace.

Crossing that line completely.

[A lot has happened these days. I was a bit tired. But I was really happy to receive your confession, Xiaozhi. Life suddenly became full of light.]

[You must tell me if anything’s wrong!]

The girl puffed out her cheeks. [Isn’t this what love is about?]

Watching the girl’s clawing, desperate attempt to lift her spirits, Bai Xiaozhi couldn’t help but cover her mouth and smile.

“It’s nothing,” she said. “It’s just… all this time, I’ve selfishly held onto you and taken your protection for granted. I’ve called myself the elder sister, but I’ve always been the one being spoiled…”

[No way!]

“So I can’t help but wonder—are you taking care of me again…

Wu Xiaomi, I like you. I can be one hundred percent sure I like you, no matter what you’re like. But what about you?

Do you like me… or are you just indulging and taking care of my selfishness?”

Wu Xiaomi froze slightly.

She’d never thought about this before…

She didn’t know what “liking someone romantically” really meant.

Should she feel her heart flutter? But what feeling counted as that?

She accepted Xiaozhi’s confession probably because—

Well, she’d never been in love before, so since Xiaozhi confessed, why not just give it a try Ov0.

Plus, refusing would make her sad.

It was really that simple.

Ah… what is this feeling called?

Hmm?

Hmm???

Looking at Xiaozhi’s face, so close, Wu Xiaomi suddenly realized her heart was beating faster.

A rosy warmth spread throughout the hotel room.

Accompanied by a dizzying, intoxicating fragrance.

……

Outside the hotel.

Lulutina looked at the Hypnosis Incense in the Witch’s hand and gave a thumbs-up.