Rapid Collapse (GL) - Chapter 11

“You’re hurt.” Shen Xi looked gently at her wound. Han Ning couldn’t describe the feeling—it was warm and tingling, as if her soft gaze had the power to heal. She didn’t feel any pain from the small wound at all and instead smiled, “It doesn’t hurt…”

“Go home and apply some ointment; it will heal faster,” Shen Xi advised.

“I don’t have any ointment at home…” Han Ning blinked and looked at her pleadingly.

Shen Xi thought for a moment. “I think I have some at home…”

Han Ning pouted and looked down, pretending to be pitiful. “But I haven’t eaten yet. I talked to the police for so long, and now I’m really tired…”

Shen Xi couldn’t help but laugh at her dramatic acting. She reached out and pulled Han Ning up. “Stop whining. I owe you one. Let me buy you dinner.”

“Yay!” Han Ning happily let herself be dragged along. After walking a few steps, they both turned to look at each other. “Wait… we’re missing someone.”

Ten minutes later, Coco walked out of a café holding three drinks. From a distance, she saw the empty pavilion. She looked around, searching for them, but couldn’t see anyone. She muttered to herself, “Where did they go?”

Her phone rang in her pocket. She checked the caller ID and answered. “Hello, Ning, I got the coffee. Where are you guys?”

Sitting in the back seat of a taxi, Han Ning pretended to explain, “Here’s the thing, Coco. I’m feeling a little pain and thought I should get checked at the hospital. Shen happened to be free, so we left first.”

Coco, being gullible, gasped. “Oh no! You should get checked! What if you have internal injuries? That Nie Lan is so ruthless… Hello?” She looked at her phone. “Did she just hang up?”

Next to her, Shen Xi leaned against the window, resting her head on her hand. Without turning around, she said softly, “You’re such a trickster…”

Han Ning smugly turned off her phone, rocking her head from side to side in triumph. Not long after, the taxi stopped, and the two of them got out, crossing the street to a nearby restaurant.

Not long after they sat down, a waiter approached with a warm smile and handed them the menu. Han Ning picked her favorites and, after glancing at Shen Xi, who was busy with her phone, secretly added two spicy dishes before returning the menu.

“Alright, please wait a moment.”

As they waited for the food, Shen Xi was absorbed in writing. Several times, Han Ning wanted to talk to her but didn’t want to interrupt. She ended up sipping her drink in silence.

When the food arrived, Shen Xi finally saved her document and put down her phone. She looked up and saw two spicy dishes in front of her. Han Ning, acting innocent, was busy rinsing a cup with hot water.

A faint smile appeared on Shen Xi’s face. She leaned forward slightly and tilted her head.

“Did you order these for me?”

Han Ning looked up at her with a hint of pride. “Of course. Who else? It’s not like the restaurant gave them for free.” She stared at Shen Xi’s face and frowned. “So unfair… You eat spicy food all the time, yet you don’t even get a single pimple.”

Shen Xi chuckled and picked up a slice of beef, dipping it in the sauce before chewing.

Han Ning watched her eat with wide eyes, swallowing a mouthful of saliva. “Is it good?”

“Yeah, it’s delicious.” Shen Xi nodded. “Want some? If you don’t use too much sauce, you should be able to handle the spice.” She pushed the beef toward her.

Han Ning hesitated but then took a piece, dipping it lightly in the sauce before putting it in her mouth. A few seconds later, her face twisted in pain. She struggled to swallow, grabbed her drink, and downed it in one go. Still feeling the burn, she poured herself a large glass of water and gulped it down before finally feeling better.

“How do you eat this without showing any reaction?” Han Ning looked at Shen Xi with teary eyes, both amazed and skeptical.

Shen Xi casually scooped a spoonful of chili and, under Han Ning’s shocked gaze, said, “I could even drink the sauce. Want to see?”

Han Ning was both impressed and horrified. In her mind, Shen Xi instantly became the undefeated champion of spicy food.

“I’m going to the restroom,” Han Ning said, wiping her mouth before getting up.

Shen Xi watched her leave, then quickly drank her juice in one gulp. She put down the glass, licked her lips, and stared at the remaining chilies, muttering, “…That was too much.”

At 9 PM, the two of them left the restaurant. After walking about 300 meters, they would reach Yuhe Xingyuan.

Since it was close, they decided to walk. The ground was slightly wet from a recent drizzle, and the air was cool and refreshing. Han Ning took a deep breath, enjoying the moment. She glanced at Shen Xi, who was walking beside her in silence. Shen Xi wasn’t on her phone, but she seemed to have something on her mind.

Han Ning turned away, looking straight ahead. She pressed her lips together, suppressing her curiosity.

She knew Shen Xi had her reasons for staying silent.

Shen Xi’s thoughts kept returning to the idea of escape—escaping this place and her mother’s control. She knew Han Ning had been watching her with concern. Instead of acknowledging it, she chose to pretend not to notice. Should she confide in Han Ning?

More than fearing Han Ning knowing her past, she feared Han Ning would distance herself after learning the truth.

Would someone as bright and carefree as Han Ning want to know about her darkness?

Shen Xi looked up at the dark sky, feeling suffocated. She lowered her head and softly asked, “Have you ever thought about leaving this place?”

The sudden question surprised Han Ning. She then smiled. “I guess it depends. If work requires it, I might leave. But…” She gazed at the towering landmark of Lingchao City in the distance. Memories of her mother’s last words echoed in her ears, making her eyes turn red. Fortunately, the dim light concealed it. She turned back to Shen Xi with a mysterious smile. “I still have a mission. I can’t leave yet—I need to find someone. I don’t know when I’ll find him…”

Shen Xi stopped walking and looked at her with concern. “You’re looking for someone?”

Han Ning nodded, turning slightly away. She quickly wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes.

Shen Xi noticed but said nothing. She simply took Han Ning’s hand, and they walked back in silence.

A few minutes later, they arrived at Shen Xi’s home. She searched the medicine box, found hydrogen peroxide and ointment, checked the expiration dates, and then walked into the living room.

Han Ning was hugging a cat, giving it kisses. The cat resisted with its paws, meowing pitifully. Shen Xi chuckled helplessly and pulled Han Ning to the couch. After treating her wound, Han Ning thanked her softly.

Outside, rain poured heavily. Han Ning smirked. “How will I get home in this rain?”

Shen Xi raised an eyebrow. “Are you planning to stay?”

“Oh? Are you inviting me? Then I humbly accept!”

Shen Xi sighed. “Actually, I have an umbrella.”

Han Ning: “Oh? You don’t write on a tablet?”