Xin Yao was currently trapped in a restraint field.
Although she was in an “Overload” state, her combat effectiveness was quite limited because she was so severely injured.
“Where is Lin Yu? I want to see him!”
In her chaotic mind, the only thing she remembered was the young man who had been by her side at the end.
The team members around her began to whisper among themselves when they heard this.
“Who is Lin Yu?”
“You don’t know? He’s Section Chief Lin’s younger brother. He was the one who provided the intel earlier. Otherwise, this squad would have likely suffered heavy casualties.”
“Oh, so what’s his relationship with Captain Xin Yao?”
The latter shrugged. “No idea.”
Basically, no one thought much of it. Records of “Overload” were varied and erratic, and people often did bizarre things while in that state. Simply calling out a name didn’t prove anything.
“Where is he? Let him come take a look.”
“He should be with Section Chief Lin. Oh? Isn’t that him? By the way, who’s the one next to him…”
Feeling the curious and probing gazes from everyone around them, Lin Yu whispered, “Class — *cough* — Liuli, can you let go of me? People are going to misunderstand.”
Lin Yu wanted to keep as low a profile as possible and had no desire to show off.
Unfortunately, Mu Liuli did not think that way, nor did she care.
“What is there to misunderstand? We are classmates and friends. Don’t worry about it.”
“…” ‘You say that so easily… having such a strong heart is actually quite enviable!’
What could Lin Yu do? He had no choice at all; their difference in physical strength was just too great.
When they arrived in front of Xin Yao, she didn’t even notice Mu Liuli standing there. The moment she saw Lin Yu, her eyes turned bloodshot. She reached out from the restraint field, trying to grab him while repeatedly murmuring his name.
If someone who didn’t know the truth saw this, they would truly think it was a scene from a tragic melodrama.
At this point, even Mu Liuli began to suspect whether Lin Yu had done something to the captain. Even if he was the last person she saw, it shouldn’t be like this, right?
‘She’s in Overload, but what’s with this intense craving in her voice?’
She narrowed her eyes at the boy next to her, her gaze seemingly saying, ‘You’d better explain this to me later!’
“…”
‘Wait, why is she getting jealous over nothing? Strictly speaking, we aren’t even in a relationship yet.’
It was said that profound sound is often silent; Lin Yu was currently so speechless that he had no thoughts left.
‘Whatever makes you guys happy…’
Mu Liuli raised her hand, and threads with a hypnotic effect touched Xin Yao’s forehead.
Her ability, “Puppet Mastery,” was mainly divided into two parts. One was controlling inanimate objects, allowing her to move them.
The other was influencing creatures with chaotic thoughts. For example, ordinary Rift Beasts had almost no cognitive ability; they simply received and executed commands from higher-ranking beasts. Therefore, her principle for controlling Rift Beasts was to cut off the signal from the other side and issue her own commands.
Currently, Xin Yao was in a state of extreme mental confusion, so Mu Liuli’s ability could affect her. She might not be able to control her actions, but she could at least make her quiet down.
Sure enough, the affected Xin Yao gradually stopped being so violent. However, her eyes remained fixed on Lin Yu, filled with a strange sense of resentment, like a child who couldn’t get the toy they wanted.
Lin Yu was also puzzled by the sight. To be honest, this was his first time attempting to actively trigger an “Overload” state in an ability user.
The situation had been urgent, and it was the only way he could think of to save Xin Yao’s life.
‘Could there be side effects?’
Unfortunately, there were no precedents for this, and he didn’t know who to ask.
He wasn’t needed for the rest of the procedures.
With the King Beast repelled, all members of the Hunter Squad were recovered. Fortunately, there were no fatalities. Overall, it could be considered a modest victory.
When Mu Qingqing saw the finalized report, the weight in her heart finally dropped.
After receiving Xin Yao’s emergency communication, she had nearly fainted from the stress. Who could have imagined that on her first day as Acting Section Chief, she would encounter such a major crisis?
After regrouping, the units set off back to Ring Star Town to prepare for the upcoming counterattack.
During the journey, Lin Yu stayed by his sister’s side, while Mu Liuli stayed with Xin Yao to monitor her condition.
—
Inside a quiet ward within the Ring Star Town fortress.
Looking at his sister’s sleeping face in the stasis pod, Lin Yu’s mind was elsewhere.
First, it seemed he had invited trouble by getting involved with Mu Liuli, but there had been no other way. If he hadn’t sought her help, the outcome would have been obvious.
Second, how was he going to shut that woman up?
He didn’t know Xin Yao. His understanding of her came entirely from Mu Liuli’s brief mentions in the past, saying she was a captain and an older sister figure who looked after her. That was it.
If that woman reported the fact that he was a Harmonizer, all the work he had done to stay hidden would go down the drain.
He could explain away this incident as having been well-taught by his sister, but being a Harmonizer… that would be difficult.
“Sigh…” He let out a sigh of complicated emotions.
*Click.* The sound of the door opening made him look back. He was surprised to see the newcomer. “Eh? Why are you here?”
Xia Yanran smiled at him, her healthy, tan legs carrying her toward him. “Why can’t I be here? On the contrary, you went out to have fun and didn’t even call me.”
The girl pouted before looking at Lin Mowei with concern. “How is Sister Lin?”
A sunny fragrance filled Lin Yu’s nose as she approached.
“She’s okay. It’s just bone injuries; she’ll recover quickly.”
He frowned as another thought occurred to him. “Since you’re here, does that mean Aunt Qin is here too?”
Xia Yanran answered nonchalantly, “Yeah. I wouldn’t have been able to get in without my mom leading the way. She was invited by that Acting Section Chief because someone went into Overload.”
She grabbed a chair and sat down next to Lin Yu, keeping a moderate distance between them.
“I didn’t know my mom was so amazing. She never told me before.”
Aside from being a bit dejected, the girl didn’t seem to resent her mother for the secrecy. Lin Yu didn’t know much about it either. He had asked Qin Wuyue about it before, but the response had been, “Stop poking your nose into things that aren’t your business. Have you rested enough?”
“Maybe the time wasn’t right yet,” he replied casually.
Both lost in their own thoughts, the atmosphere fell into a silent lull.
Finally, Xia Yanran, who had been stealing glances at Lin Yu, was just about to say something when the door opened again.
The two of them looked back.
Lin Yu’s eye twitched. This was bad…
“What are you doing here?” Xia Yanran snapped like a puppy guarding its food. She pressed one hand on Lin Yu’s shoulder while questioning Mu Liuli in an unfriendly tone.
As if she hadn’t expected Xia Yanran to be there, Mu Liuli was startled for a moment. Then, she said calmly:
“Nothing much. I came to find Lin Yu. I want him to come see the captain; Dr. Qin is almost finished on her end.”
As she spoke, she winked at Lin Yu, causing Xia Yanran to knit her brows.
Lin Yu suddenly understood what she meant.
Xin Yao also knew that he was a Harmonizer, so Mu Liuli wanted him to be there the moment Xin Yao woke up.
Xia Yanran looked at Lin Yu, not understanding why they needed him to go.
Then she heard him say, “Okay. Yanran, please help me look after my sister here. I’ll be right back.”
Xia Yanran didn’t want Lin Yu and Mu Liuli to be together, but she really had no reason to refuse.
She could only lower her head and avoid looking at him. “Fine… then come back quickly.”
“I will.”
After the two left, Xia Yanran remained with her head bowed, her eyes full of frustration.
On her way here, she had heard that the person she had always considered a rival was actually an ability user already — and an exceptional one at that.
‘So, have you been playing with me all this time?’
Her hands clenched into tight fists on her knees as a deep sense of defeat wellled up in her heart.