The Cannon Fodder NPC Went Too Far [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 24

Chapter 24

“Boom!” With a deafening sound, the most solemn and inviolable council hall of the Shen family slowly opened before Shen Zheng.

Shen Zheng briefly glanced at the elder who was bowing, opening the door for her with a kindly smile, and strode in.

The council hall was incredibly spacious, with high ceilings, brightly hanging lamps, and a floor paved with reflective black marble.

The walls were lined with portraits of past family heads. The men in the paintings wore luxurious attire and had severe, imposing expressions. They were arranged in chronological order, starting from the entrance, all of them men.

Shen Zheng lifted her gaze, watching the portraits, as she slowly but steadily walked toward the position in the center, which symbolized the head of the Shen family. Every step was firm and powerful.

She thought that in the future, more and more women would also stand among them, perhaps even more brilliant.

She straightened her back, placed her hands on the armrests, and sat firmly in that chair—the position she had coveted for over two decades. In fact, she had never seen its true form before; this was her first time.

She had expected to be excited or thrilled, but there was nothing. Her heart beat calmly and steadily, and from the moment she sat down and surveyed the hall’s layout, it felt natural and inevitable.

She deserved this. If she had been a man, her useless older brothers would have had no say. They would have been eliminated by her a decade earlier.

When she was young, while her brothers were receiving endless affection, she was studying diligently, trying to secure some family resources through her excellence.

Later, while her brothers enjoyed the flattery of countless people at banquets, she was smiling and bowing, toasting, trying to accumulate more power. Therefore, why should she be excited? This was the result of two decades of hard work.

She was even grateful that she was a woman, possessing more stable emotions, richer feelings, and a lover who could accompany her for life.

All these feudal societal dressings and rules—they were all going to change.

This one? Ugly. Change it.

This one? Old-fashioned. Change it.

This one? Little cub won’t like it. Change it.

Shen Zhengming, who rushed over after receiving the news, saw Shen Zheng sitting on what was formerly his seat, one leg crossed, resting her chin in her left hand, and lazily commanding people to renovate the conference room.

He glared and fumed for a while. Seeing that Shen Zheng didn’t even spare him a glance, he took a deep breath. After some thought, he decided to endure it and took a seat below hers.

Shen Zhengming heavily struck the floor a few times with his cane. Seeing Shen Zheng’s indifferent gaze turn to him, he cleared his throat and pretended to be authoritative:

“In a few days, you will be the head of the Shen family. Although the rules of our Shen family state that women are generally not allowed to hold power, due to your remarkable intelligence and your status as the most outstanding young member of the Shen family who has made great contributions, I and the entire Council of Elders have jointly resolved to appoint you as the next family head of the Shen family.”

Looking at Shen Zhengming’s nauseating pretense, Shen Zheng let out a cold snort. She didn’t even look at him, boredly playing with the fountain pen on the table, giving him no respect whatsoever.

He’s really trying to save face. What “joint resolution appointment” from the Council of Elders? They clearly had no choice but her, didn’t they?

Besides, how many elders were left now? After she purged a large group, only a few old men with canes and no power to resist remained. Only he was left, relying on their bl00d relation to criticize her.

They should be begging her to take over. If she continued operating like this, the Shen family would collapse.

She thought this and voiced it without hesitation.

Shen Zhengming’s face twitched. He struck the floor several times with his cane. Remembering the purpose of his visit, he suppressed his anger and spoke loudly: “Since you are already the head of the Shen family, you should take responsibility for the entire family. I and the elders have discussed it these past few days. We will choose a husband for you. Get married in a while and have a few sons named Shen to continue the family line.”

“A thirty-year-old woman without a son—what kind of talk is that?”

Clang! Shen Zheng casually dropped the fountain pen onto the floor. The sharp sound instantly interrupted Shen Zhengming.

Before Shen Zhengming could shout his anger, Shen Zheng clapped her hands. The tightly shut door opened immediately, and several muscular bodyguards rushed toward Shen Zheng.

Shen Zheng jutted her chin toward Shen Zhengming’s direction. The bodyguards quickly surrounded Shen Zhengming. Against the several muscular bodies, the encircled old man looked exceptionally small.

The posture suggested that with one order from Shen Zheng, they would not hesitate to eliminate him.

“Rebellious daughter! Are you trying to murder your own father?!” Shen Zhengming was enraged. His neck was rigid, and he ignored his predicament, yelling at Shen Zheng.

Shen Zheng nonchalantly rubbed her ear, curved her lips, and smiled at Shen Zhengming, saying dismissively:

“Murder is too strong a word. I think for a father who loves power as much as you do, seeing yourself defenseless and powerless is probably worse than death.”

“Claiming to select a husband for me, I suspect your true intention is not the wine but the cup, to tamper with the selection or perhaps to anticipate some accident during my pregnancy, allowing you to reclaim power over the Shen family.”

“Rebellious daughter, is that truly what you think of your father? You are my own daughter. Even if I favor you less, I would never harm your life.” Shen Zhengming’s face was crimson. He heavily patted his chest a few times, and genuine tears appeared in his muddy eyes at being questioned.

“Enough, Father. Don’t pretend. I don’t buy it. Don’t I know you? As the saying goes, a leopard never changes its spots. I know exactly what you’re like. If there were a chance for you to regain power, you would agree without hesitation, even if it meant sacrificing the lives of all your children.”

Under Shen Zheng’s sarcastic remarks, the exposed Shen Zhengming’s face turned white, then green. His chest heaved violently. A leaky, broken bellows sound emerged from his throat. He looked like he was about to faint from anger.

Shen Zheng narrowed her eyes and waved her hand at the bodyguards. They respectfully retreated a few steps, leaving a space for Shen Zhengming to breathe fresh air.

Shen Zheng slowly stood up and walked unhurriedly toward Shen Zhengming, her long black hair swirling around her.

She stopped in front of Shen Zhengming, looking down at his labored breathing. She reached out and lightly straightened Shen Zhengming’s messy collar, whispering:

“Father, have you not realized your situation? Do you need your daughter to remind you?”

Her tone became sharp, and the force in her hand suddenly increased, fiercely gripping Shen Zhengming’s collar.

“When I’m in a good mood and give you respect, you are the former head of the Shen family. When I’m not, you’re nothing.”

Has she been too nice lately, giving him a few pleasant faces, causing him to misjudge the situation and overstep his bounds?

There weren’t many people in this world who dared to overstep their bounds in front of her anymore, which made her feel a novel urge to personally teach him a lesson.

“What should you be calling me now?”

Shen Zheng bent down, meeting the eye level of the red-faced Shen Zhengming. Her smile was gentle and warm. From a distance, it truly looked like a daughter tenderly adjusting her father’s collar—if one ignored the fingers that were turning white from the force of her grip.

Shen Zheng leisurely continued to tighten Shen Zhengming’s collar, watching Shen Zhengming’s heavy, rapid breathing with interest.

“Shen… Shen family… Head.” After a long stalemate, long enough for Shen Zhengming’s face to turn from red to purple, he could no longer hold on. He finally lowered his stance and called out to Shen Zheng.

Shen Zheng curved her eyes in satisfaction and immediately loosened her grip. Ignoring Shen Zhengming’s loud, gasping coughs, she gently straightened his collar.

After she finished, she straightened her back and, speaking as if discussing everyday matters, sat down next to Shen Zhengming. She smoothed the hair scattered across her face and spoke softly with a cheerful smile:

“Father, I consider myself a very kind and benevolent person. I haven’t locked you in a dark room to starve for days, nor have I lashed you dozens of times—the kind of corporal punishment that was practically commonplace in my childhood. Your daughter has not used any of that on you. You should be content that I’ve gone this far.”

“After all, do you remember how my grandfather, your father, died? Starved to death in his room. When he died, rats and cockroaches were crawling all over him. His father, my great-grandfather, also died a mysterious death.”

“Almost every former head of the Shen family died this way. Fratricide and patricide have always been the tradition of succession in our Shen family. You did this to your own father, but when it came to yourself, you became afraid. You diligently cultivated your heir, spending so many years on him, even though he was useless, at least he was filial to you.”

“So you thought you broke the curse, is that right?” Shen Zheng chuckled softly, shaking her head regretfully and sighing.

“It’s a pity, you bet on the wrong person and backed the wrong horse. The one succeeding now is me, not your treasured eldest son.”

Noticing Shen Zheng’s repeated use of the formal ‘you’ (您), while her words carried not an ounce of respect, Shen Zhengming’s newly calmed anger flared up again.

She was clearly doing it on purpose. Intentionally using respectful language to disgust him.

Yes, I am doing it on purpose. What can you do to me? Shen Zheng seemed to have understood Shen Zhengming’s inner thoughts. She raised an eyebrow provocatively, appearing reckless and uninhibited.

“Oh, by the way, Father. I have one more thing to inform you of in advance. I already have someone I love, so there’s no need for you to trouble yourself.”

Shen Zhengming’s eyes widened. Before he could speak, Shen Zheng lowered her voice, a trace of tenderness flashing in her eyes.

“She is a woman, exceptionally intelligent, noble, and proud. She radiates a dazzling brilliance, the most captivating presence in any crowd. I have decided to spend the rest of my life with her.”

Shen Zhengming was stunned. Before he could voice his opinion, Qin Ying rushed in with a grave expression and whispered in Shen Zheng’s ear:

“CEO Shen, Miss Xia has been kidnapped by Shen Tingyu.”

“Ah, to run along this small path and still bump into Shen Tingyu—that’s just terribly unlucky.”

Xia Yu was wearing a single layer of clothing, which was covered in wrinkles that looked deliberately created but lacked the normal distribution of creases, making them seem odd.

Her fair cheeks were smeared with black dirt, making her look like a soot-covered kitten. Even falling into a mud pit, she still held her head up high, her two large eyes bright and clear. She was running quickly on her tiptoes along the path.

Xia Yu, pretending to have escaped from the basement, ran out of Shen Zheng’s villa gate. Following the route precisely planned by the system, she trod on the crushed stone path, passed through rockeries and a park, heading toward her destination.

Shen Zheng’s villa was located in a famous wealthy area, nestled against the mountains and waters, owning over a dozen mountains of various sizes and countless valuable trees. If one truly wished to walk through it all, it would take days.

Shen Tingyu leaned against a van with no license plate, slowly puffing out layers of smoke rings.

The swirling smoke almost completely obscured the emotions on his face. He tossed the cigarette butt on the ground and viciously ground it out with the sole of his shoe.

Under Shen Zheng’s aggressive crackdown these past few days, he had been hiding like a stray dog, terrified that he would wake up and be arrested by Shen Zheng like his other family members.

Fewer and fewer people remained by his side. Even the last bit of power his father left him was dwindling, leaving only a scattered few.

Shen Tingyu snatched the binoculars from his subordinate’s hand and observed a specific direction with narrowed eyes for a long time.

The small mountain where he was hiding was located behind Shen Zheng’s villa. With the binoculars, he could just barely observe Shen Zheng’s daily comings and goings.

No one expected that with the Shen family collectively terrified and willingly surrendering, he would still dare to hide right under Shen Zheng’s nose.

Though the general situation was decided, and Shen Zheng would inherit the headship of the Shen family in a few days, he felt a sense of confusion, countless thoughts raging in his mind.

It shouldn’t be like this at all. He was the eldest grandson of the Shen family, born to inherit it.

He should have the power to be reckless, women kneeling beneath him, and a few children inheriting his looks and abilities…

That was supposed to be his life.

All of it was ruined by Shen Zheng. A woman, and an outsider who married in—what right did she have to inherit the Shen family?

If Shen Zheng died, everything in the Shen family would still be his. He might as well go all the way and eliminate her.

“Young Master, someone is coming.”

The subordinate, who was hiding in the bushes and observing the surroundings, quietly reported to Shen Tingyu.

A look of ruthlessness flashed in Shen Tingyu’s eyes. He had been staking out this place for some time. This area was remote, and since they were careful, they had never been discovered.

Shen Zheng always had bodyguards when she went in and out. There were too many people, and he could never find an opportunity to strike.

He only had one chance; he couldn’t let these ants ruin it.

Shen Tingyu silently made a throat-slitting gesture. He then got into the van, thinking that bl00d shouldn’t stain his clothes.

He saw the young girl running along the mountain path, heading directly for their location.

Xia Yu! Shen Tingyu’s pupils suddenly contracted. He seemed to realize something and burst into loud laughter.

Heaven is truly helping him! He had been considering targeting her if he couldn’t find an opportunity for Shen Zheng. He never expected her to deliver herself to his door.

This time, she wouldn’t escape.

Shen Tingyu signaled his subordinates. They took out their weapons, crouched low, and moved through the dense bushes, blocking all necessary escape routes.

Xia Yu saw the dilapidated van and the extinguished bonfire nearby from a distance. She let out a snort. How pathetic.

She thought this and voiced it out loud.

“Oh, isn’t this the eldest grandson of the Shen family? How did you fall to this state after a few days?” Xia Yu stopped not far from the van, her head held high, eyebrows slightly raised, looking contemptuously at Shen Tingyu.

Her tone of ridicule and mockery was extremely provocative.

Under the series of blows and setbacks these past few days, Shen Tingyu seemed to have matured a bit. He looked coldly at Xia Yu, remaining silent and not outwardly enraged.

His chilling gaze scanned Xia Yu from head to toe, then he let out a cold laugh.

“This time, you won’t escape.”

That venomous look gave Xia Yu the chills. What was wrong with Shen Tingyu?

Xia Yu, seemingly unarmed and walking into a wolf’s den, appeared unprepared and suicidal. In reality, a detailed map was displayed in Xia Yu’s mind, marking the enemies hidden around her, including their weapons.

The overly worried system had even plotted the optimal escape route. Xia Yu’s muscles were tense. She watched Shen Tingyu vigilantly. Her ears twitched slightly, listening to the movement in the surrounding bushes, ready to retreat at any moment.

Almost simultaneously with Shen Tingyu’s words, Xia Yu and the surrounding ambushes moved. She pushed off the ground with both feet, bolting toward the path behind her like an arrow from a bow. She deftly avoided the people rushing toward her, her figure weaving through their arms, turning left and right, moving as if she could predict their actions.

“Host, Host, focus on that person! He has a silenced weapon!” The system nervously watched the battle unfolding. A red dot flashed urgently in Xia Yu’s mind. The system even magnified the man, analyzing his movements through various minute details.

She had reached the halfway point of the mountain. Xia Yu wiped the sweat that was about to drip into her eyes. Faster, faster.

Before she came to provoke Shen Tingyu, she had checked: the security in this area was extremely tight. By her calculations, as long as she successfully got down the mountain, she would run into the patrolling security.

The man who was the focus of attention received Shen Tingyu’s nod, quickly pulled out his weapon, aimed it at Xia Yu from a distance, and fired a shot.

“Host!”

Bang! With a muffled sound, the bullet, carrying scorching power, went straight into Xia Yu’s left shoulder.

Perhaps afraid of complications, or perhaps sensing something unusual about Xia Yu, the person who fired the shot this time did not slowly take out a gun and aim for a long time, giving Xia Yu time to dodge, unlike the previous old man.

Xia Yu let out a muffled grunt. An excruciating pain instantly exploded from her shoulder, instantly submerging her consciousness like a surging tide.

Bl00d splattered out. Her body uncontrollably stumbled forward a few steps. She fiercely bit her lip, and the metallic taste of bl00d immediately permeated her mouth. She rolled to the side and continued to run outward.

“System, block the pain sensation.”

Xia Yu tightly covered the constantly bleeding wound with her right hand. Bl00d continuously leaked from between her fingers, staining her single layer of clothing red.

Countless black dots densely occupied her vision. As if she felt no pain, she rushed outward without regard for anything.

As bl00d kept gushing out, her face grew paler, but only her eyes remained shining brightly, like an inextinguishable torch in the cold night.

The surrounding thugs rapidly charged toward her. Xia Yu dragged her weak body, lightly dodging the punches coming her way.

However, two fists cannot rival four hands. She evaded a stick from the front, but under the system’s sudden piercing alarm, a heavy club struck her head. Xia Yu stumbled, her legs gave way, and she collapsed to the ground.

The world spun around her. All sights twisted into a blurry mess of light and shadow. She opened her mouth, glanced one last time at the main road outside the mountain, and then everything went black as she passed out.

When she opened her eyes again, Xia Yu’s mind was still buzzing. She blinked hazily, her memory stopping at the moment of the extremely fast gunshot.

She instinctively tried to move, only to find she couldn’t move at all. Her limbs were tightly bound by ropes, cutting into her flesh. The cold cement floor pressed against her cheek. The pungent smell of rust and damp mold assailed her nose. After a moment, she looked around.

A few flickering light bulbs hung from the steel frame above. Surrounding her were overturned shelves. Large patches of white plaster had peeled off the walls, revealing the mottled red bricks underneath. It looked like an abandoned warehouse.

She looked toward the poorly-maintained balcony on the second floor, which was completely exposed with virtually no protection.

“Host, are you okay?” The little blue ball, seeing Xia Yu finally regain consciousness, flew anxiously in front of her, its voice tinged with a sob.

“The system is useless! I saw the Host being dragged into the car and driven and tied up in this abandoned warehouse, but I couldn’t do anything! I could only spend some energy to stop the bleeding in the Host’s shoulder.” The little blue ball pouted. Several dark clouds gathered above its head, pouring down light rain.

“What should I do? The system can’t undo the ropes on the Host, nor can it calculate a safe escape plan. The system can only contact the big villain, and she won’t get here that fast. Boo-hoo-hoo X﹏X”

“That damned male lead won’t harm the Host, will he? The system doesn’t want anything to happen to the Host. The Host is so good. Boo-hoo-hoo X﹏X”

Clearly, the little system on its first mission had no experience dealing with such a situation and was crying loudly while hugging Little Xia Yu’s hand.

Xia Yu’s eyes, which had been languid and indifferent because the situation was out of her control, warmed up. She pulled the little blue ball out of the dark clouds, reached out, and rubbed its round body, comforting it with a clear voice:

“It’s okay, stop crying. I’m fine. Since he didn’t harm me while I was unconscious but tied me up here, it means he won’t hurt me for now. My life is not in danger for the moment.”

Shen Tingyu probably wants to use me to threaten Shen Zheng. Thinking of Shen Tingyu’s disgusting motive, Xia Yu’s eyelids trembled. Her slender eyebrows drooped coldly, the tips carrying a sharp edge. Even her usually vibrant eyes were covered with a thin layer of gloom. The alternating light and shadow made it impossible to discern the emotion in her eyes.

“Miss Xia, you’re finally awake.” A pair of leather shoes appeared in Xia Yu’s line of sight.

Shen Tingyu watched with interest as Xia Yu struggled and writhed on the floor.

The wound on her shoulder cracked open again due to the excessive movement. Crimson bl00d beads rolled onto the floor. Her white single layer of clothing was murky and dirty, its original color barely visible.

Xia Yu straightened her back, rolled over to sit on the floor, and looked up at Shen Tingyu.

Shen Tingyu frowned, took a deep breath, and tried hard to suppress the surging murderous intent in his heart. Even though he was looking down at Xia Yu, there was not a hint of joy in his heart. It felt as if their roles had been reversed.

Seeing Xia Yu, even in dire straits, still holding her head up high, her entire being radiating defiance, Shen Tingyu kicked a nearby wooden chair. With a crash, the already loose chair shattered into pieces, sending dust flying.

This proud posture is truly detestable. It makes one want to completely smash her defiance and crush it into the mud.

“Miss Xia, if you kneel on the floor and kowtow a few times, perhaps I’ll be merciful and let you go,” Shen Tingyu folded his arms across his chest, looking contemptuously at Xia Yu, the malice in his eyes unconcealed.

In his anticipation, Xia Yu might be scared, submissive, or angry. Unexpectedly, Xia Yu curved her eyes and let out a cheerful laugh. As Shen Tingyu’s expression darkened, Xia Yu’s laughter grew louder.

“Shen Tingyu, what are you afraid of? Are you afraid of Shen Zheng?”

The former you would have wanted to tear me to pieces, not tie me up here unharmed.

Shen Tingyu, you are scared.

Shen Tingyu seemed to understand the mockery in Xia Yu’s eyes. Anger immediately surged into his heart. His face instantly flushed crimson, veins bulging on his forehead. He took a step toward Xia Yu, grabbed her collar, and pulled her up. He raised his fist high, clearly furious.

“Xia Yu, don’t think I won’t dare touch you.”

Before he could act, countless engine roars suddenly came from outside the door. Rapid, chaotic footsteps quickly approached.

Shen Tingyu was stunned for a moment, then laughed mockingly. “I never expected the notoriously cold and heartless Shen Zheng to care about you so much. You’ve only been gone for this short while, and before I even sent a message to threaten her, she found her way here herself.”

“What a touching mother-daughter bond.”

Shen Tingyu pulled out a sharp dagger and placed it against Xia Yu’s neck. He dragged Xia Yu to the unprotected balcony on the second floor, exposing her to everyone.

Outside the warehouse, dozens of police cars and black cars surrounded the entire warehouse. Countless police officers and bodyguards descended from the vehicles. The dense sound of footsteps caused Shen Tingyu’s pupils to contract. His left hand instinctively tightened, and a thin line of bl00d slowly appeared on Xia Yu’s neck.

“Shen Zheng, make them leave! I only want to see you alone! Make them leave!”

Shen Tingyu’s eyes were bloodshot. He screamed hoarsely at Shen Zheng, who was standing at the very front.

Crimson bl00d flowed from Xia Yu’s shoulder, almost staining half of her body. Shen Zheng’s heart suddenly clenched, as if it were tightly squeezed by an invisible hand. Her fingers, hidden in her sleeves, quickly tightened, turning white from the force.

“Retreat! Retreat immediately!” Shen Zheng didn’t think twice and immediately yelled back at the crowd.

Qin Ying opened her mouth, about to remind Shen Zheng that the opponent had a gun, but stopped herself at Shen Zheng’s horrified expression.

Everyone exchanged glances and silently retreated, leaving only Shen Zheng fully exposed in the line of sight.

Shen Zheng even raised both hands in the air, signaling that she was unarmed. She walked slowly, step by step, toward the warehouse door.

“Stop!” Shen Tingyu’s body was shaking uncontrollably. Sweat constantly rolled down his forehead, crossing his distorted face. He shouted at Shen Zheng.

Shen Zheng paused, obediently stopping in her tracks.

“Shen Tingyu, what do you want?” Shen Zheng raised her head, placing her trembling hands behind her back, trying to keep her voice as stable as possible.

Calm down, calm down. This is a negotiation. She cannot show any weakness. If she made a mistake, Yu Yu would…

Shen Zheng’s breathing paused uncontrollably for a moment. Tiny beads of sweat covered her forehead. Her eyes instantly turned red.

Shen Tingyu seemed to be seeing Shen Zheng like this for the first time. After being stunned for a few seconds, he laughed wildly, laughing until tears spilled out.

“Shen Zheng, you are actually afraid! You are actually afraid! The usually arrogant and imperious Shen Zheng is actually afraid! Hahahaha!”

Xia Yu’s previously calm face was torn into pieces. Her slender eyelashes fluttered. She bit her lip and, enduring the sharp dagger, gently shook her head at Shen Zheng.

They stared at each other silently.

Shen Zheng, you shouldn’t be like this. You should show your usual negotiating demeanor, straighten your back, lean back slightly, and look disdainfully at Shen Tingyu. That is who you are.

She knew. She knew all the procedures. Even on her way over, her mind had mechanically simulated everything countless times.

But she couldn’t do it. She had lived in the deceitful Shen family since she was a child. Assassinations, kidnappings, and gunshots were commonplace. She should have been used to it long ago.

She could suppress her emotions and control her expressions, but she couldn’t control her most primal, essential instincts, like breathing. She had never been so profoundly aware of the extent of her love for her.

She loves her. Xia Yu’s trembling eyelids drooped, concealing the moisture in her eyes. She knew. She always knew.

Shen Tingyu was operating on a desperate whim. Since he couldn’t kill Shen Zheng, he kidnapped Xia Yu. He never expected his aunt to genuinely care about this stepdaughter whom she hadn’t known for long.

How ironic! She could ruthlessly eliminate family members who shared the same bloodline, yet she was anxious about this unrelated outsider.

Shen Tingyu pressed the dagger against Xia Yu’s neck, drawing more bl00d.

“What do you want?” Shen Zheng took a deep breath, carefully took a step forward, looking up at the violent Shen Tingyu. She softened her severe, cold expression as much as possible, lowering her voice, cautiously trying to reason with him.

“I want the Shen family. I want you to respectfully present everything of the Shen family to me, kneel on the floor, call me the Family Head, and then get out of the Shen family and be permanently disowned.”

Shen Zheng, on one side is the person you love most, and on the other is the power you’ve struggled for decades to obtain. What do you choose?

The moment this question appeared in her mind, Shen Zheng already had the answer.

The skills and abilities she had honed for three decades meant that even if she lost everything, she could rise again. It would just be another few decades, a price she could afford.

As for kneeling, she had been forced to kneel before those old fossils and was beaten until she rolled on the floor when she was young. She was always flexible; this slight humiliation was nothing. She could bend her knee.

She could afford the cost of everything, but Xia Yu—there was only one of her. She couldn’t gamble, and she wouldn’t.

“Good.”

Shen Zheng curved her eyes, smiled tenderly at Xia Yu, and then slightly bent her knees.

Just as Shen Tingyu was laughing wildly, his hand holding the dagger shaking uncontrollably, a look of ruthlessness flashed in Xia Yu’s eyes. Her left shoulder slammed into Shen Tingyu’s shoulder. The dagger clattered to the floor.

The people outside, who had been on guard, fiercely swung their clubs at her. In the distance, a black gun was aimed at her head.

Xia Yu curled her lips provocatively, scoffing with disdain. While Shen Tingyu was still stunned, she tightly gripped his neck with both hands, took a step forward, and pulled Shen Tingyu with her, leaping from the second-floor balcony.

It was dusk. The setting sun stained the sky a vibrant orange-yellow.

Xia Yu was wearing a simple layer of clothing, speckled with bl00d and dirt. Her messy hair flew wildly in the wind. She was like a phoenix soaring with open wings, spreading her fiery red plumage, quietly descending to the mortal world. Golden-red light radiated from the horizon, illuminating the entire sky.

Her eyes were like two burning flames. A pure crimson color churned in her pupils, as if about to set the world on fire. Deep in her pupils was a light so intense it was almost maniacal, as if at any moment, those eyes would be consumed by that extreme heat.

Shen Zheng, I won’t let you choose between me and the Shen family you’ve spent decades humbling yourself to build.

That was your twenty years, too. I can’t bear to let you lose it.

The little phoenix’s pride forbade her from being the cause of another’s suffering, and absolutely forbade the seemingly omnipotent, adored Shen Zheng from groveling.

Shen Zheng should stand out from the crowd, planning strategies, and directing the affairs of the world.

Shen Zheng’s love was gentle and meticulous, nourishing and silent like a flowing stream, yet tinged with possessiveness. She made no secret of her affection for Xia Yu, which was easily seen by all.

Xia Yu, perhaps because it was the young phoenix’s first time in love, was reserved and a bit shy. Perhaps it was her proud nature, or perhaps her remaining reservations, but she rarely spoke of her love.

But her love was equally passionate and dazzling, like fireworks blooming in the world of March. Bang! They exploded, tracing a fiery red feather in the sky, scattering down in a flurry.

“System, if I successfully escape, will my mission be completely over?”

“Yes, Host. At that time, you can choose whether to stay in this world or return to your original world.”

Xia Yu smiled brightly at Shen Zheng, who was running toward her with bloodshot eyes, a brilliant and radiant sight.

Shen Zheng, if I don’t die, we can be together forever.

That was the little phoenix’s grandest confession.

Shen Zheng, I’m fond of you.

“Host!”

“Xia Yu!”

A heartbreaking scream echoed in Xia Yu’s mind. Xia Yu tightly held the stunned Shen Tingyu, executed the planned posture, used Shen Tingyu as a cushion as they hit the ground, and then rolled over.

“System, calculate the survival rate for jumping from the second floor.” Another line of bl00d appeared on her neck. Xia Yu lowered her eyes, quietly looking at the balcony which was only a short step from the fatal drop.

“Host, this is three to four meters high! Jumping down might break your hands and feet. Let’s think of other ways,” the little blue ball anxiously tugged at Little Xia Yu’s hand, urgently pleading.

“Calculate it.” The only response was a resolute syllable.

The surroundings were silent for a while. The little blue ball whispered: “If there’s absolutely no protection, the probability of walking away unharmed is no more than 50%. If the landing posture is wrong, there’s a high chance of injury to the legs, and a severe injury to the spine. Host…”

Xia Yu narrowed her eyes and coldly interrupted the system: “What if I use Shen Tingyu as a cushion?”

“90%. Host, the system still thinks…”

“Enough. Little system, wish me luck.”

“Doctor! Doctor! Where is the doctor! Hurry and save her! Doctor!”

Shen Zheng knelt on the ground, calling out hoarsely and exhausted. Her hands trembled, hovering a few feet away from Xia Yu, unable to land.

Xia Yu lay on the bl00d-soaked ground, her face pale. She was covered in sticky, crimson liquid.

Her eyelashes fluttered. She struggled to lift her eyes and look at the trembling Shen Zheng, offering a faint smile.

“It’s okay, Shen Zheng. It doesn’t hurt.”

Xia Yu was not lying. After being shot, she had blocked the pain sensation. Now, she truly didn’t feel any pain, only a sensation of cold.

She frowned and shivered. Perhaps after a series of extremely dangerous events, finally escaping the peril, the breath she had been holding in her throat instantly dissipated. She opened her mouth and let out a large yawn. Her drooping almond eyes grew heavier, almost closing.

“How can it not hurt? There’s so much bl00d!” Shen Zheng followed the stretcher. Hearing Xia Yu’s comforting words, her tears could no longer be held back and silently fell.

“That’s all Shen Tingyu’s,” Xia Yu pouted and replied without thinking.

Although her perception was blocked and she wasn’t clear about her own injuries, she felt that she shouldn’t be too badly hurt. After all, she had completely cushioned her fall with Shen Tingyu.

“Shen Zheng, I’m so tired. I’m going to sleep for a bit. You’re not allowed to cry. Crying makes you look bad.” After several big yawns, Xia Yu couldn’t stay awake any longer. In the last second before falling unconscious, she murmured to Shen Zheng.

“Okay, I won’t cry. Little cub, go to sleep. Everything will be fine when you wake up.” Shen Zheng tightly bit her lip, suppressing the sobs in her throat.

She used both hands to wipe away the constantly falling tears, trying to force a smile, but the smile looked worse than crying.

When Xia Yu woke up again, she didn’t know how much time had passed.

She blinked dazedly. The white ceiling greeted her eyes. Sunlight filtered through the fine window screen, casting mottled light and shadow on the hospital bed.

Before Xia Yu could move, her eyes widened. Her entire body was wrapped in thick bandages, especially her legs, which were packaged like a bundle of rice dumplings and suspended high in the air.

“Ah-ah-ah, System! System! System! Are my legs broken?!” Xia Yu scanned the scene with a composed expression, then slowly closed her eyes and lay peacefully on the bed.

In the sea of consciousness, Little Xia Yu shot up and grabbed the little blue ball that was constantly showering her with white confetti.

The little blue ball put on a serious face and said sternly: “Host, you’ll be lying down up there for the foreseeable future.”