The Guide Always Wants to Run (GL) - Chapter 64

Qin Xiao was currently teaching Yu Jing some absurd tricks. After all, pulling off someone’s pants was really quite simple. Since Yu Jing was essentially a fish anyway, she could just drag the person near a body of water, push them in, and knock them out afterward…

Qin Xiao chattered on about all kinds of ridiculous tactics, completely oblivious to the undercurrent of tension in the air ahead.

“Madam.”

“You remember everything I just told you, right? You need to get it right the first time. Don’t say I didn’t help. You absolutely have a way to knock her out first and then quickly pull off that, um, you know what I mean, right?”

What the hell.

Yu Jing felt like she was about to turn into a rogue. She shifted her eyes and finally noticed who had just arrived. Turning her body slightly, she exaggeratedly winked at Qin Xiao for a while before finally whispering, “Qin Xiao, Her Highness Yuzhu is here.”

Qin Xiao froze. She turned her head stiffly and saw a woman standing beside Yan Ningjin. The woman was only slightly shorter than Yan Ningjin, but it was her face that stood out. It had been badly roughed up by Hunqiu. It was so red it looked like she was wearing a mask. Absolutely comical.

Qin Xiao had seen plenty of red faces lately. Though a red face was still better than red eyes, she didn’t immediately recognize that this was Ah Qin’s face.

Yan Ningjin noticed Qin Xiao staring dazedly at Princess Yuzhu. She quickly stepped forward and took Qin Xiao’s hand. “Xiao Xiao, Her Highness came specifically to thank you for saving her life.”

Yuzhu stepped forward. “Madam, I’ve heard that all the brave young men of the royal family were healed by you. I represent them all to thank you for your life-saving grace…”

Qin Xiao stared at that opening and closing mouth, not hearing a single word. What echoed in her mind instead was the conversation she had accidentally overheard yesterday. Though brief, the tone was unmistakable. The person in that conversation was nothing like the steady and composed woman before her. That voice had been impulsive, with every emotion clearly laid bare. It was nothing like this rigid, formal image of royalty, doing their duty whether they liked it or not.

Qin Xiao cut her off directly. “Your Highness, is your face alright?”

She studied Yuzhu’s face carefully, not missing the flicker of madness in the woman’s eyes. Just as she suspected, this one really did care a lot about her face.

“Apologies. It’s a necessary part of the healing process. I hope Your Highness can understand.”

Yuzhu’s twisted expression passed quickly. Thanks to her face now looking like Judge Bao’s, most people couldn’t see her displeasure. After all, every healed Sentinel ended up with a bright red face. Only Yan Ningjin caught the subtle reaction. She stepped forward, wrapped her arm around Qin Xiao’s waist, and drew her close. Tuan Tuan bared his fangs threateningly at the side.

“Your Highness, there’s no need for a thank-you banquet. Saving lives is urgent, and many are still waiting for treatment. I hope you can understand.”

“Xiao Xiao, let’s go.”

“Alright.”

“Since the General is in such a hurry, I won’t insist. Allow me to have someone escort you.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Qin Xiao had really looked forward to meeting Yuzhu, but now she didn’t want to stay a second longer. Aside from the face, this woman was nothing like Ah Qin. She sighed softly.

Yan Ningjin looked worried. “Are you tired?”

Qin Xiao had been dazed for the past few days, and most of her thoughts had revolved around Yan Ningjin. Ever since their unpleasant parting, she hadn’t figured one thing out.

“You… you didn’t just want a trial marriage with me, right?”

Yan Ningjin was surprised that her little Guide had finally asked. She gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind Qin Xiao’s ear, then responded calmly.

“I did.”

Qin Xiao licked her lips. She felt nervous and slightly restless, with a faint tension threading through her, one she didn’t even want to acknowledge. Why she felt nervous, she didn’t care to examine. It just made her feel tangled up inside, more complicated than any cultivation technique.

“Then do you want to marry me?”

Yan Ningjin gazed at her deeply. “I do.”

Qin Xiao’s heart started thudding wildly again. She tried to appear calm, her expression turning serious.

“Yan Ningjin, if I weren’t a Guide, would you still want to marry me?”

That question threw Yan Ningjin off. Few people ever pretended that a known fact wasn’t real. If Qin Xiao had been just an ordinary person and not a Guide, she probably could’ve answered easily. But Qin Xiao was a Guide, and not just any Guide, but one who matched her perfectly. The question suddenly felt… skewed.

When Yan Ningjin didn’t answer for a long time, Qin Xiao puffed her cheeks.

“See? I told you, you just want a Guide. As long as someone matches you, you’d marry her, whether or not that person is me.”

With that, she flung Yan Ningjin’s hand aside and went to sit next to Yu Jing.

Yu Jing blinked. “Didn’t you two just make up? What happened now?”

“Don’t mention her.”

Qin Xiao was absolutely furious, nearly breathing fire.

“In the end, it all boils down to her needing a Guide.”

If another Guide had matched as well, that person would have received Yan Ningjin’s energy crystal, her gentle care, and they would be the ones cuddling in bed at night, perhaps even communicating deeply in the consciousness cloud.

The more Qin Xiao thought about it, the angrier she became. She felt like chucking Yan Ningjin out of the spaceship.

Yu Jing was completely lost, unable to understand what had triggered Qin Xiao this time.

Yan Ningjin was still racking her brain about Qin Xiao’s question. Before she figured it out, they had already arrived at their destination.

This time, Qin Xiao was here to heal soldiers from the Third Corps. Everything had already been arranged. Once they were done, it would be the major families’ turn. The influential families had wanted to cut in line, but they ran into Fang Da Tou. No one could argue with that guy.

Same treatment room, same protocol. Qin Xiao simply had more people carried in and then let Hunqiu do the rest.

Once again, Yan Ningjin was shut out of the treatment room. Bai Xuan and Feng Ming exchanged a knowing glance, both secretly gloating. Their boss was always flaunting her relationship, never once considering the lonely lives of single people like them.

Feng Ming kicked Bai Xuan outside. Bai Xuan coughed and approached Yan Ningjin.

“General, didn’t you and Madam just reconcile? What happened?”

Yan Ningjin looked a little troubled. “Probably because I didn’t answer her question.”

Bai Xuan’s interest piqued. “What question?”

Yan Ningjin repeated it word for word, though she clearly didn’t get it. “It’s just… it doesn’t feel like a question with a right answer.”

Bai Xuan smacked her forehead. “Oh my god, Boss, how are you this dense?”

Yan Ningjin looked thoughtful. “If I say ‘yes,’ it still doesn’t feel right.”

Bai Xuan gave a cold snort. “If I were her, I wouldn’t talk to you either.”

Yan Ningjin: …

Bai Xuan rubbed her temples. “Boss, the question isn’t just about ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ You have to understand why Madam asked it. But hey, congratulations, you’re about to win the beauty’s heart.”

Yan Ningjin looked confused.

It was the first time Bai Xuan had ever seen her with that expression. She found it quite amusing.

“How about this? Let me ask you a few questions, and you answer them honestly.”

Yan Ningjin’s expression tightened. “Go ahead.”

“Boss, if Madam weren’t a Guide, and you hadn’t met her at the matchmaking banquet, would you still have chosen her as your trial marriage partner?”

Yan Ningjin pointed out a flaw. “Bai Xuan, trial marriages are for Guides. If she weren’t a Guide, there wouldn’t be a trial marriage. We could marry directly.”

Bai Xuan groaned. “Boss, do you want her back or not? Answer the hypothetical! Would you give up your Sentinel-Guide match to marry her anyway?”

Yan Ningjin thought about those days on the desolate planet, how she and Qin Xiao had lived together. If they had stayed like that… and one day Qin Xiao had transformed back into a human…

“I would.”

Bai Xuan sighed in relief, then looked at her in disbelief.

“Boss, you’d really give up a matched Guide for her? What do you even like about her?”

Qin Xiao was never just an ordinary person.

Yan Ningjin remembered how she used to chase after Tuan Tuan in her beast form. Back then, she wasn’t a Guide. So from the beginning, her Xiao Xiao had always been someone special.

“Do you need a reason to love someone?”

Bai Xuan raised her thumb. “Boss, say that to her later. She’ll be thrilled.”

Yan Ningjin murmured, “That question Xiao Xiao asked…”

Bai Xuan sighed. “Didn’t we already answer it? She just wants to know if you’re marrying her for real feelings, not just for compatibility. In simple terms, she wants your genuine heart.”

Yan Ningjin’s eyes lit up. She strode straight toward the treatment room.

Bai Xuan dragged her back. “Boss! Now’s not the time to act lovey-dovey. If you must, wait till we’re back home, okay?”

Yan Ningjin shook her head. “This can’t wait.”

Bai Xuan muttered, “Another serving of couple drama.”

Yan Ningjin entered the treatment room and gave a sharp order to Yu Jing.

“Leave. I need to talk to Xiao Xiao.”

Qin Xiao still had that simmering anger in her chest, neither rising nor falling. Seeing Yan Ningjin only made her more irritated.

“There’s nothing to talk about.”

Yu Jing, following Yan Ningjin’s signal, slipped away at once.

Qin Xiao cursed, “That backstabbing little fish. One day I’ll cook her into braised fish and eat her.”

Yan Ningjin stepped up to her quickly. “Xiao Xiao, I have an answer to your question now. Let me tell you.”

Qin Xiao rolled her eyes. “I don’t want to hear it.”

Yan Ningjin said gently, “Alright. If you don’t want to hear it, I won’t say it.”

Qin Xiao: …

Yan Ningjin couldn’t stop smiling after Bai Xuan’s explanation. It all made sense now. She took advantage of Qin Xiao’s stunned expression, stepped forward, and placed Qin Xiao’s hand over her heart.

“Xiao Xiao, whether you are that little beast from the desolate planet—”

Qin Xiao tried to pull her hand away. The word ‘beast’ made her want to punch someone.

Yan Ningjin gripped her hand tightly. “Xiao Xiao, let me finish. Whether you were that strange little creature or an ordinary person, when Lady Luo took you away, both Tuan Tuan and I felt a sense of loss. When I saw you again, I felt déjà vu. If it weren’t you, I wouldn’t have eloped. The title of Madam Yan belongs only to you. Do you understand?”

Qin Xiao felt the warmth in her palm spread. Something was racing inside her hand, and it matched the wild thumping in her chest. Their heartbeats were slowly syncing.

She struggled several times but couldn’t pull her hand free. Taking a deep breath, she finally calmed herself and looked at Yan Ningjin. “Did you hear me talking with Yu Jing?”

Yan Ningjin paused, glanced down at her feet, and said, “I did.”

Qin Xiao nodded. “Yan Ningjin, I won’t lie to you. I came to this place because I’m looking for someone.”

Yan Ningjin spoke with quiet bitterness. “Is it Ah Qin? Or Yuzhu? Is Her Highness Yuzhu the one you’ve been searching for all along?”

Had this question come a few days earlier, Qin Xiao might have given a firm answer. Now, she felt completely uncertain. Was the one she sought truly that vain princess Yuzhu, or someone else entirely…

“I don’t know anymore.”

“You don’t know?” A flicker of hope sparked in Yan Ningjin’s eyes. “If you don’t know, then how will you find her?”

Qin Xiao even began to doubt whether she and Ah Qin had ever belonged to the same world. The so-called divine artifact might indeed be able to split the skies, but whether it could cross the boundary between life and death was still unclear. And that damn thing? She had no idea where it ended up.

“I don’t know that either.”

“Xiao Xiao, if you know nothing, how can you be certain she’s still alive?” Yan Ningjin gripped her slender wrist tightly. “Why not let me take care of you instead?”

Qin Xiao met her sincere gaze and almost agreed on the spot. But after a moment’s thought, she pulled her hand away. “Yan Yan, I might still go look for her.”

Yan Ningjin’s expression grew pained. “Is she really that important to you?”

Qin Xiao hesitated. Wasn’t her entire reason for coming to this world to find Ah Qin? Yet now she wavered, and it was because of Yan Ningjin. She couldn’t help but wonder whether Yan Ningjin’s presence was too powerful, or if Ah Qin was simply fading from memory.

Seeing the frown on her face, Yan Ningjin stepped forward. “Xiao Xiao, until you find her, let me stay by your side. You’re a Guide. Out there on your own, you’ll be vulnerable, and I promised Mama Eva that I’d take care of you.”

Qin Xiao: …

Way to hit the sore spot.

Qin Xiao rubbed her forehead, not knowing what to say. A strange guilt stirred within her. She felt like she owed Yan Ningjin a great deal.

Yan Ningjin took the chance to pull her into a tight embrace. “If you insist on finding Ah Qin, I’ll go with you. Just don’t keep everything from me. I get worried. I can’t help feeling afraid.”

After spending all this time together, Qin Xiao had nearly grown used to Yan Ningjin’s domineering sentinel energy and those occasional psychic entanglements. Now, she was starting to feel reluctant to part.

“Squeak squeak squeak!”

“Ah, Hunqiu.”

Just like always, Hunqiu rolled off the patient’s face and let out several sharp cries. The two of them ignored it as if it didn’t exist. Then it leaped off the floor and scurried away, squealing all the while.

Qin Xiao saw a flash of fire streak by and immediately shoved Yan Ningjin out of the way, pulling Yu Jing in to take her place.

One misstep and they might have caused a major fire.

“Squeak squeak.”

Hunqiu let out a few satisfied cries as water drenched its fur.

Qin Xiao spent the next few days lost in this mixture of hope and fear.

More than a month passed in what she called “seclusion.” By the time she emerged, Hunqiu had grown into a much rounder ball. It barely fit inside her pocket anymore, puffing it up conspicuously. Its favorite pastime had become dashing from one end of the space to the other like a gust of wind.

Sometimes Qin Xiao imagined if Hunqiu had wings, it would probably shoot across the room in a blink. Of course, it was just a silly thought.

Soon, the Cloud Pavilion reopened, and business skyrocketed beyond anything Qin Xiao had expected.

Yu Jing was overwhelmed just handling guests.

Qin Xiao worked herself to the brink clearing out the Sentinels’ manic episodes. Her spiritual power was often drained completely. Yet each night, when she curled up beside Yan Ningjin, it not only recovered, it surged even higher. This outcome was nothing short of delightful.

“Madam, I’m here to serve you like an ox or a horse.”

“…?”

A stranger stood at the Cloud Pavilion’s entrance, declaring loudly. He startled Yu Jing, who was still receiving clients. The line of Sentinels waiting outside all began to jeer and laugh.

“Madam already has a General. How do you plan to serve her like an ox or a horse?”

The newcomer was Guan Dong, the very first Sentinel Qin Xiao had healed. Hearing the comment, he roared back at the soldier, “Disrespect Madam, and you disrespect the General. Step out here. I challenge you!”

…

By the time Qin Xiao came out, a crowd had already gathered outside. As expected, the Cloud Pavilion once again topped the Star Network gossip charts.

She couldn’t squeeze in at all. Most of these Sentinels were from the three major military branches. They were all tall and broad-shouldered.

“What’s going on?” she called above the cheering.

Yu Jing hesitated. “It looks like that guy Guan Dong came to repay a favor. Someone mouthed off, and the two of them started brawling.”

Qin Xiao waved her off. “Let them fight. Once they’re tired, they’ll stop.”

Yu Jing agreed there was no need to interfere. She was about to head off when Qin Xiao stopped her.

“Xiao Yu, did you use the trick I taught you? Is Bai Xuan really the one you’re looking for?”

The moment she brought it up, Yu Jing’s face darkened. She glared hard at Qin Xiao. “It didn’t work.”

Qin Xiao blinked in disbelief and followed after her. “What do you mean it didn’t work? The underwater world is your domain. If you want her dizzy, she’ll be dizzy. If you want her soaked, she’ll be soaked. Where did it go wrong?”

Yu Jing clenched her teeth in frustration. “Your method was fine, but Bai Xuan is a Sentinel.”

Qin Xiao tilted her head. “…Yes, and?”

Just thinking about that day made Yu Jing want to bury herself alive. She had actually tried Qin Xiao’s method.

“I pretended to fall into the river. Bai Xuan caught me effortlessly and landed safely.”

Usually, Yu Jing was the one teasing Bai Xuan. But that day, Bai Xuan’s smugness was off the charts. She even lectured Yu Jing for half an hour.

Qin Xiao gasped. “She actually caught you? I thought with the way you two bicker, she’d just let you fall in and sit on the bank to watch the show.”

Yu Jing: …

Qin Xiao really is a despicable human being.

Qin Xiao patted her shoulder. “Seeing how pitiful you are, you couldn’t even pull off a river-dive scene. Looks like I’ll have to step in.”

Yu Jing looked at her, deeply suspicious. “You?”

Qin Xiao nodded proudly. “Watch me.”

After sending everyone off, Qin Xiao personally brought Yu Jing to the military headquarters.

The suppressant incident had thrown the entire Capital Star into chaos. Fortunately, the three major military departments joined forces and successfully recalled all suppressants previously sold by the Qin family. They checked each distribution address and identified where the suppressants had been used. Any rampaging Sentinels found were sent to the Xiao Corps for Qin Xiao to treat.

As for those who died during the outbreak, the Qin family was responsible for compensation and burials. Representatives from other noble families were present as supervisors and later reported to the royal family.

Everything proceeded in an orderly fashion. The financial losses were Qin family’s burden now. Qin Xiao had no time to care. From Feng Ming, she occasionally heard that the Qin family lost everything, was forced to sign a year-long waiver by Bai Xuan, and owed large sums in damages. The family’s finances had regressed to the level of ten years ago.

The moment Yan Ningjin heard Qin Xiao had arrived, she came outside to greet her. “Xiao Xiao, are you here to see me?”

Qin Xiao had meant to say no, but the moment she saw Yan Ningjin’s sincere gaze, the words wouldn’t come out. “I finished my business and came to check on you. Go handle your work. I’ll look around. Once you’re done, we can head back.”

Yu Jing: …

Weren’t we here to trick Bai Xuan?

Qin Xiao glanced around. Seeing that Yan Ningjin was indeed busy handling official matters, she slipped away to find Bai Xuan. She asked Feng Ming where Bai Xuan was.

“Yu Jing, it wouldn’t make sense if I asked Bai Xuan to come out with me. But it’s perfect if you do. Just use that usual bossy tone of yours.”

Yu Jing immediately protested, “When have I ever used a bossy tone with her?!”

Qin Xiao herded her off like a duckdog, shooing her out the door.

Sure enough, after about fifteen minutes, Bai Xuan rushed over. “Madam, Miss Yu Jing said you needed me?”

Qin Xiao nodded. “But this isn’t the place to talk. Come with me.”

Before arriving at the military base, she and Yu Jing had researched every waterway in Capital Star. Near the headquarters, they’d found a small river. It flowed out toward the outskirts, making it ideal.

As Bai Xuan followed her further and further away, curiosity grew. “Madam, where exactly are we going?”

Qin Xiao turned to face her. Her mental tendrils gently touched Bai Xuan’s consciousness cloud. She didn’t delve too deeply, just maintained eye contact.

“Now, I need you to jump into that river. Then climb out and take off your pants. Just leave your underpants on.”

She repeated it three times. Bai Xuan walked past them in a daze and stood by the river. Yu Jing was starting to think Qin Xiao’s hypnosis had failed.

Then, Bai Xuan leaped.

The river only came up to her waist.

Yu Jing breathed a sigh of relief. At least she hadn’t been dumb enough to dive in again.

Bai Xuan stayed submerged for a bit, soaking herself completely before climbing out slowly. After a pause, she began undressing right in front of them. The military pants came off easily. She unbuckled the belt, and the pants dropped to her ankles, spinning a bit as they fell.

Qin Xiao was thrilled. She even waved Yu Jing over.

“Come on, Xiao Yu. You do the honors. Pull her pants off yourself. Hurry!”

Yu Jing had just taken a step forward when someone grabbed her from behind, covering her mouth before she could make a sound.

Feng Ming pointed with her chin.

Yu Jing turned in the direction Feng Ming pointed and nearly screamed.

Someone who should have been in the office was now standing right there. Her expression was icy cold.

Yu Jing looked back at the scene. Qin Xiao stood enthusiastically behind Bai Xuan, clearly oblivious. Bai Xuan looked dazed and… practically naked.

Yu Jing wiped away a sorrowful tear and silently lit a row of memorial candles for Qin Xiao.

Qin Xiao’s gaze lingered on Bai Xuan’s pale legs, slowly rising up to her well-shaped hips. If not for Yu Jing’s presence, she might have jumped in herself.

“Quit dawdling. Hurry up—”

Yu Jing shut her eyes and bit her lip. She couldn’t watch anymore.

Qin Xiao waited another moment. She was just about to check what was taking Xiao Yu so long. This was a golden opportunity. Then, in her line of sight, a pair of military boots appeared that were strangely familiar. So were those long legs, weren’t they the same pair that walked around her house every day?

She froze.

Her gaze traveled upward at a ninety-degree angle. Stiffly, she stared at the towering figure before her.

Yan Ningjin.

Her breath caught. Her almond eyes widened.

Yan Ningjin’s face was expressionless. “Xiao Xiao, is there anything here I can help with?”

Qin Xiao: …I’m doomed.