In the end, it was Chi Ying who helped Yun Ling finish preparing the meal.
Yun Ling felt both ashamed and deeply moved.
Only the system cried and howled internally, collecting 200 Holy Mother points while clutching its virtual heart.
Looking at the refreshed points balance, the resentment it had been harboring since yesterday finally dissipated a little.
【Thank God~ Thank you~ Thank you to our dearest, cutest darling~】
Chi Ying: “…”
Her system… seemed to be getting more and more abnormal.
Afterwards, Yun Ling became familiar with her and insisted on following Chi Ying to see where she lived, saying she wanted to be able to find her easily in the future.
Even when Chi Ying explained that she would be leaving in two days, Yun Ling remained unmoved.
“Wuhan has always warned me that people outside are very complicated, and I should be careful…” Yun Ling said while sitting cross-legged on Chi Ying’s bed, pouting.
Turns out he was too young and narrow-minded — he had never met someone like Chi Ying.
Chi Ying glanced at her, a little puzzled.
Ye Wuhan… a hero figure… how did he end up with Yun Ling?
[The system can answer that!] the system chimed in, appearing cheerfully without even being summoned.
[Yun Ling is actually the spiritual consciousness of the Lingquan Space. Ye Wuhan is the master of that space, so in Yun Ling’s perception, the male protagonist is also her “master.” Thus, when Ye Wuhan later asked her to be with him, she accepted naturally.]
I see…
Chi Ying pursed her lips and hesitated before asking, “Can I ask… do you like him?”
Since Yun Ling was the heroine, it seemed only natural she would like the hero.
But thinking about Ye Wuhan’s actions yesterday, Chi Ying’s brow furrowed slightly.
If Yun Ling truly liked him, things might get very complicated.
Yun Ling froze for a moment, then said seriously, “I don’t.”
Chi Ying breathed a silent sigh of relief.
“That’s good.”
Yun Ling was still a little confused, not quite understanding why Chi Ying brought it up.
Chi Ying spoke with a solemn face, “The road to strength allows no distractions. Once you let your heart wander, it’s easy for everything to collapse.”
The system immediately complained: 【Host, you’re messing with the natural order of the world!】
“So that’s it!” Yun Ling’s eyes lit up. “Thank you for your guidance!”
At the same time, Chi Ying heard the beautiful sound of 10,000 points dropping into her account.
The system sighed sweetly: Forget the heavens, this is better.
—
After dinner, Gu Chi called Chi Ying to meet with the rest of the team.
They set the time for eight o’clock, and at exactly eight, everyone except Song Shi had gathered at the designated place.
After a full day’s rest, everyone’s condition was excellent. Their outfits were casual—shorts, sandals—comfortable and relaxed.
Lu Yunfei glanced at the time. It was already ten past eight.
“Captain, why did you call us here? If it’s not urgent, let Mu Yu send the details to Song Shi later.”
Gu Chi didn’t want to delay the team’s break either, so he nodded. “Okay. Mu Yu, I’ll leave it to you to inform Song Shi.”
“Got it.”
Gu Chi turned toward the group. “There’s only one thing I called you all here for today.” His eyes fell on Chi Ying. “Starting today, Chi Ying will officially be part of our team.”
His voice was steady and calm, but the room instantly fell into complete silence.
The atmosphere was so tense Chi Ying felt a little nervous.
“F*ck!” Lu Yunfei was the first to react, nearly shouting, “Captain, are you serious?”
Mu Yu, a little calmer, turned to Chi Ying and smiled. “Welcome to the team.”
Lin Xun also nodded, giving a rare warm welcome. “Welcome.”
“No, seriously, why the sudden change?” Lu Yunfei still couldn’t understand.
Hadn’t Gu Chi been determined to send Chi Ying to the safe zone?
“Chi Ying has a space ability,” Gu Chi said, his tone even. “Unlike Mu Yu, her space ability ensures we won’t run short on supplies. It’s a huge advantage for us.”
He paused, and his eyes softened slightly as he looked at Chi Ying.
“Besides… it’s her own wish.”
—
When Song Shi finally arrived, only Lin Xun and Mu Yu were still waiting.
Mu Yu was slightly surprised when she saw her.
Tonight, Song Shi looked even more stunning than usual. She wore a slim-fitting black dress, matching black heels, and her long hair flowed loosely over her shoulders. She wore no jewelry, making her beautiful features stand out even more.
“Song Shi, why are you so late?”
“I ran into someone strange on the way and got delayed.”
Song Shi gritted her teeth in frustration.
She wouldn’t have been late if not for that lunatic she bumped into—a girl carrying something even taller than herself. It was wrapped in cloth, but somehow still managed to brush a thick coat of mud onto her dress!
“And where’s Brother Gu?”
Even though she knew Gu Chi had probably left, she still couldn’t help asking.
Mu Yu replied lightly, “Captain Gu already left with Chi Ying.”
“Chi Ying?” Song Shi’s expression stiffened.
Wasn’t this just a team meeting? Why was Chi Ying involved?
“Ah, right, I was just about to tell you,” Mu Yu said with a smile. “Chi Ying’s part of the team now.”
Song Shi froze.
“…What?”
“Captain Gu gathered us just to announce it.”
Seeing her frozen expression, Mu Yu hesitated. “Hmm… are you not happy?”
“No…” Song Shi forced a stiff smile. “It’s just… a little sudden.”
“Yeah, we were all surprised when we heard it too…”
Song Shi lowered her eyes, hiding the sharp chill gathering inside.
Chi Ying again.
Always Chi Ying.
—
Since they lived close by, Chi Ying walked back with Gu Chi.
Along the way, people greeted them constantly. In just ten minutes, Chi Ying heard no fewer than twenty rounds of “Hello, Commander Gu.”
But what embarrassed her far more was the way everyone looked at her—subtle, meaningful glances that made her scalp tingle.
Gu Chi clearly noticed too. When they finally reached a quiet corridor, he said, “Sorry. They’re a bit… gossipy.”
Chi Ying tilted her head. “Gossip?”
Walking closely side by side, Chi Ying noticed for the first time just how much taller Gu Chi was. She had to crane her neck to meet his eyes politely—something the system’s “Human Interaction Guide” had advised was necessary for “respectful communication.”
Gu Chi pursed his lips. “It’s nothing.”
“Oh.”
Chi Ying suddenly thought of something. “Then… should I start calling you ‘Captain’ now?”
She remembered Gu Chi once mentioning that her lack of a title for him had been a problem, but they hadn’t resolved it.
“No need,” Gu Chi said.
Chi Ying blinked up at him.
…Huh?
Gu Chi lowered his gaze slightly.
“Just call me Gu Chi.”
Chi Ying opened her mouth to say something but hesitated.
Wasn’t he the one who minded being called by his name before? Why the sudden reversal?
Before she could ask, a cheerful voice cut through the air.
“Chi Ying!”
Chi Ying looked up in surprise.
At the door to her room stood Yun Ling, smiling brightly. Next to her was… a giant white radish, mud still clinging to its roots. It gleamed like fine jade.
However…
Chi Ying stared blankly at the nearly two-meter-long radish, thick as a washtub.
“…”
Had… no one really noticed her dragging that all the way here?
Author’s note:
Trying to slightly control the word count… but still ended up being a few million characters over… 😭
Lucien On ABRWF Chapter 34.1