34

The day after her encounter with Yu Mingjiao, Cen Lingqiu asked the system about Yu Mingjiao's self-destructive tendencies. The system informed her that they were gradually stabilizing, and that the completion of the mission was within sight.

However, Cen Lingqiu couldn't find it in herself to be happy. She had come to realize that Yu Mingjiao was an extremely unstable individual, a ticking time bomb that could explode at any moment.

This temporary stability meant nothing. Yu Mingjiao's emotions were unpredictable, childlike, and lacked reason. It was a complicated problem with no clear solution.

Cen Lingqiu couldn't deny that she was very fond of Yu Mingjiao. In her nearly thirty years of life, Yu Mingjiao was the person she liked the most. This affection was complex and difficult to understand, and Cen Lingqiu herself couldn't fully explain the feelings she had.

She was confused in every sense of the word. It seemed she had only just realized the sharp dangers hidden behind the warmth they shared. She wanted to do something, but found herself unable to.

As Yu Mingjiao's self-destructive tendencies continued to stabilize, Cen Lingqiu knew that once the system detected the mission's imminent completion, she would have to leave this world. No employee could stay in a mission world indefinitely.

The thought of leaving this world didn't sit well with her, but what worried her more was Yu Mingjiao's mental state.

Yu Mingjiao's words weren't empty threats; she was serious, and Cen Lingqiu truly believed that Yu Mingjiao would follow through on them.

This wasn't what she wanted.

Yu Mingjiao was too dependent on her—so much so that it bordered on irrationality.

Cen Lingqiu even considered whether she needed to start maintaining some distance to reduce Yu Mingjiao's dependency. But if she did that, she couldn't predict how Yu Mingjiao would react.

Moreover, she couldn't bring herself to refuse Yu Mingjiao's calm yet pleading gaze.

Yu Mingjiao always knew how to exploit her weaknesses.

Cen Lingqiu's thoughts were a tangled mess these days. Every time she saw Yu Mingjiao, her worries and concerns would rise to the surface, making it difficult for her to face Yu Mingjiao properly.

She began to distance herself from Yu Mingjiao, a cowardly act of avoidance that even Cen Lingqiu found repulsive. But every time she was with Yu Mingjiao, she couldn't help but imagine the emotional fallout if she were to leave this world.

She didn't want Yu Mingjiao to live solely for her.

After all, she was just a person who had already died, now merely living on borrowed time.

Their closeness was just a slow-burning fuse, waiting to explode.

Though by now, it was too late to mend the situation.

Cen Lingqiu had promised to take Yu Mingjiao to a French restaurant for dinner today. Lately, Yu Mingjiao had seemed to sense the tension between them and had become increasingly insistent, both in a playful and desperate way, that Cen Lingqiu accompany her.

Cen Lingqiu was well aware of her own strange behavior recently. She was usually powerless against Yu Mingjiao and, feeling guilty for her recent coldness, agreed to go.

The previous night, she had gone back home, and after getting ready in the morning, she headed downstairs. As she reached the living room, Zhang Li called out to her. "Xiao Qiu."

"Come here, this is Uncle He's son. You used to play together when you were kids. Come over and say hello."

Cen Lingqiu had no interest in meeting the son of some uncle. "Mom, I have to go."

"You child," Zhang Li scolded lightly. "Just come and say hi."

Cen Lingqiu hesitated, then, not wanting to argue, she walked over to the sofa and met the man's gaze.

The man recognized her and smiled, waving. "Hello, we meet again."

Cen Lingqiu had a good memory and instantly recognized him as the man who had misbuttoned his shirt the last time they met.

What was his name again?

Oh, He Hanzhou.

The name sounded familiar. Where had she heard it before?

He Hanzhou rested his chin on his hand, staring at Cen Lingqiu with interest.

The woman's expression was cold, her features shrouded in a mysterious, aloof aura, making it impossible to read her emotions—almost as if she were hiding many secrets.

He Hanzhou had never encountered someone like her before, and it piqued his interest, making him want to uncover her secrets.

Since their last meeting, He Hanzhou had found himself thinking about her clear and sharp features at odd moments.

Cen Lingqiu caught He Hanzhou's playful gaze and felt nothing but boredom and disgust.

She spoke indifferently, "Mom, I really have to go. I'm running late."

Zhang Li frowned. "What's gotten into you? I wanted you to have lunch with Xiao He. Your brother is also having lunch in town today. What was the name of that restaurant again…"

Before Zhang Li could remember, Cen Lingqiu grabbed her bag and left the living room.

Leaving Zhang Li looking helpless.

—

Cen Lingqiu went to a French restaurant they had missed in Paris, which happened to have a branch in Lan City. She and Yu Mingjiao had planned to dine there.

Because of traffic, by the time Cen Lingqiu arrived, Yu Mingjiao was already there, sipping on fruit tea.

"Sorry, I'm late," Cen Lingqiu said, sitting across from her. "Have you been waiting long?"

Yu Mingjiao shook her head.

Cen Lingqiu noticed she was only wearing a deep red sweatshirt and frowned. "Why are you dressed so lightly? Aren't you cold?"

It was November in Lan City, and the temperature had dropped significantly. A sweatshirt alone wouldn't keep her warm.

Yu Mingjiao took a small sip of her tea, her voice cold and faintly mocking, "Are you worried about me now?"

The sarcasm in her voice was unmistakable. Cen Lingqiu wasn't oblivious; she could easily tell. She sighed and attempted to lighten the mood, "Isn't it obvious?"

Yu Mingjiao's words were laced with thorns, "What does it matter if I freeze to death? You don't care about me anyway."

Cen Lingqiu pressed her fingers to her forehead.

Here we go again.

That familiar, biting tone.

She knew Yu Mingjiao was upset about her recent behavior.

Cen Lingqiu couldn't refute it; after all, it was her own weakness that led to her actions.

"I didn't mean to make you feel that way," Cen Lingqiu said, her tone gentle. "I won't stop caring about you, Jiao Jiao. You don't need to doubt that."

"Oh, really?" Yu Mingjiao propped her chin on her hand, stirring her straw lazily, her expression dark and her words sharp, "You just keep lying to me, toying with me, treating me like a fool."

Cen Lingqiu: "..."

"You're really…" Cen Lingqiu felt a headache coming on, "What are you even saying?"

"Am I wrong?" Yu Mingjiao's voice grew colder and more cutting. "Why are you avoiding me? Do you think I can't tell? What did I do wrong, and why are you doing this?"

Cen Lingqiu bit her lip, her voice barely above a whisper, "Jiao Jiao, you didn't do anything wrong. It's me… I'm the one who's wrong."

Yu Mingjiao was about to shred the straw in her cup, her dark eyes fixed on Cen Lingqiu without blinking.

"You can't avoid me."

Her tone was firm, laced with deep, intense obsession.

"It hurts me," Yu Mingjiao's voice softened, growing more fragile.

Cen Lingqiu's heart softened, too. Yu Mingjiao was clearly her kryptonite.

Why else would she surrender so completely to a few simple words?

"I…" Cen Lingqiu opened her mouth, but the words caught in her throat. She could only force herself to speak, half resigned, "Okay, I won't avoid you anymore."

Only then did Yu Mingjiao's expression relax a little.

After the food arrived, Cen Lingqiu excused herself to the restroom.

While Yu Mingjiao waited at the table, she didn't see Cen Lingqiu return. Instead, the last person she wanted to see appeared.

Lin Dong sat down across from her, staring straight at her. "Mingjiao."

Yu Mingjiao's expression was cold. "If you're not here for anything, then get lost."

"Wow, so fierce," He Hanzhou suddenly appeared, sitting next to Lin Dong, grinning. "So, you're Yu Mingjiao. You know, you remind me of someone."

Lin Dong glared at him. "Shut up, He."

He Hanzhou shrugged, "I'm not wrong, though." He turned back to Yu Mingjiao, "But you're much prettier than her."

Yu Mingjiao didn't even want to acknowledge this flamboyant man. She continued eating her salad, not sparing them a single glance.

Lin Dong stared at Yu Mingjiao. He hadn't seen her in a long time.

Since Cen Lingqiu's accident, his responsibilities had piled up, and his grandfather's strict restrictions, along with his sister's warning to stay away from Yu Mingjiao, had kept him from seeing her.

For all those reasons, he hadn't sought out Yu Mingjiao again.

Seeing her now, he wasn't sure what he felt—perhaps it was affection, or maybe it was indifference.

But in truth, he was only looking for a glimpse of another person in Yu Mingjiao.

"If you want to see her, go die," Yu Mingjiao noticed Lin Dong's gaze and took a slow sip of water, her tone light and indifferent, "You can only be together in death."

Lin Dong frowned, "You—"

He Hanzhou burst into laughter. "Lin Dong, she's way fiercer than Ning Jia."

He Hanzhou ordered two bottles of good wine and some signature dishes for the table.

He found Yu Mingjiao's sharp tongue interesting and wanted to talk to her more. He kept serving her dishes and pouring her drinks, but Yu Mingjiao didn't even spare him a glance, treating him as if he didn't exist.

When Cen Lingqiu returned from the restroom, she saw He Hanzhou pouring Yu Mingjiao more wine and pushing dishes toward her with a smile, while Lin Dong sat there with a dark expression.

Cen Lingqiu's eyes narrowed, feeling a surge of discomfort at He Hanzhou's approach.

Only then did she remember who He Hanzhou was.

He was the second male lead in the novel, a friend of the male protagonist. He had fallen in love with the female lead at first sight and had helped her escape from the estate, eventually becoming a supporting figure in her life.

The story's plot had already gone off the rails, and Cen Lingqiu had completely forgotten about the second male lead.

She felt a wave of irritation.

He Hanzhou's attention to Yu Mingjiao made Cen Lingqiu very uncomfortable.

She walked over and sat beside Yu Mingjiao, gently touching her cheek. "Jiao Jiao."

Yu Mingjiao finally looked up, her eyes fixed on Cen Lingqiu's face, staring intently.

"Meeting for the second time today, huh," He Hanzhou said with a smile.

Yu Mingjiao's gaze darkened, shooting a glance at He Hanzhou.

Cen Lingqiu didn't look at him, instead turning to Lin Dong. "Why are you here? Still not giving up, are you?"

"No," Lin Dong leaned back in his chair. "I'm here to have lunch with someone."

"Okay," Cen Lingqiu said bluntly, "Then hurry up and leave."

"No."

"I'll call Grandpa."

"I'm going." Lin Dong sighed in frustration, grabbing He Hanzhou by the collar. "You're coming, too."

He Hanzhou shook him off. "Hey, I don't have a grandpa, so I'll stay a bit longer."

Lin Dong didn't bother with him and left directly.

Yu Mingjiao noticed the way He Hanzhou kept looking at Cen Lingqiu, his gaze blatant and suggestive.

Yu Mingjiao's eyes turned cold, her expression dark and dangerous.

How dare he look at her like that.

"Why are you still here?" Cen Lingqiu frowned.

"Your mother asked me to chat with you," He Hanzhou replied lazily. "So, do you have a boyfriend?"

Yu Mingjiao's hand clenched into a fist inside her sleeve, her eyes as dark and venomous as a snake lurking in the night.

A wave of irrational anger swept over her, filling her with the urge to tear this man's mouth apart.

That way, he wouldn't be able to say anything anymore.

Cen Lingqiu felt irritated by him, brushing him off, "It's none of your business."

He Hanzhou was thick-skinned. "Let's be friends. No need to push me away."

As he spoke, he suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. When he looked over, he met Yu Mingjiao's icy, calm gaze. She tilted her head slightly, her movement innocent yet chilling.

He Hanzhou frowned. That look made him deeply uncomfortable, like being stared down by a cold-blooded creature, damp and eerie.

Yu Mingjiao tugged on Cen Lingqiu's sleeve, her eyes still fixed on He Hanzhou as she spoke in a soft, vulnerable tone.

"Lin Qiu, I want to leave. Take me home."

"Are you feeling tired?" Cen Lingqiu asked.

"Yes."

"Alright," Cen Lingqiu said. "Let's go home."

"Leaving so soon?" He Hanzhou asked as the two women stood up. "How about staying a bit longer to chat?"

Cen Lingqiu remembered how He Hanzhou and Yu Mingjiao had had a brief relationship in the novel and felt annoyed. She didn't want to see this man anywhere near Yu Mingjiao.

"There's no need," Cen Lingqiu replied calmly. "It's pointless."

As she pushed Yu Mingjiao's wheelchair, they passed by He Hanzhou.

At that moment, Yu Mingjiao turned her head slightly and gave him a cold, mocking smile, as if ridiculing his failed attempt.

He Hanzhou: "..."

This woman was nothing like the soft, harmless person Lin Dong had described.

She was an entirely different creature.

The woman in front of him was a snake through and through.