Chapter 107: This Matter Is Truly Quite Troublesome

At Su Yao’s remark, Meng Qingwan’s face flushed red again, and she kept fanning her cheeks with her hands.

"It’s too hot; I’m drenched in sweat. Xiaoya, could I borrow your bathroom for a quick rinse?" Meng Qingwan wanted to find a place to hide from this embarrassment.

"Of course! Let me take you to my room." Xu Jiya led Meng Qingwan straight upstairs.

"Xiaonan, there’s something suspicious going on between you two," Su Yao said, eyeing Xiang Nan sideways.

"You big wildcat, are you acting like this because you’re jealous? How about next time I take you up the mountain for some dual cultivation too?" Xiang Nan said with a cheeky grin.

"Forget it! I’m allergic to vinegar, and I have even less interest in dual cultivation!" Su Yao rolled her eyes at him and went back to her comic book.

Unexpectedly, Xiang Nan snatched the comic book away and leaned in close to sniff it.

"I don’t believe you. Let me smell if there’s any sourness. You cat-folk are actually quite cute when you’re jealous."

"Get lost, you never take anything seriously. Captain Lone Wolf is still waiting for you." Su Yao snatched the book back. "I’m going upstairs. You guys can chat."

Nearby, Li Mu’s eyes widened, his face full of envy. "Xiang Nan, you’re the only one who could get along so harmoniously with three girls."

Leng Ruoshuang, however, shook her head slightly and muttered, "Childish!"

"Hey, hey, Sister Lone Wolf, that’s where you’re wrong. Being childish makes me happy! You’re just too mature and too rigid; think of how much fun you’re missing out on," Xiang Nan said dismissively.

"I actually agree with Xiang Nan on that..." Li Mu blurted out, but after feeling a sharp gaze sweep over from the side, he quickly changed his tune. "I mean, I disagree. A person shouldn't be stagnant, right? It’s not appropriate to act childish when you’re an adult. Someone like our captain is just right."

"Just right? Like lukewarm water?"

"Hey, what kind of tone is that? Our captain isn't a dish on a menu."

"That’s what you said. I notice you keep saying 'our captain'—Li Mu, are you secretly in love with Sister Lone Wolf? Come on, man, if you like her, just say it. What’s there to be afraid of?"

"I’m afraid? Who says I’m afraid?" Li Mu was goaded into a blush, then paused. "Wait, when did I ever harbor a crush on our captain? Xiang Nan, stop talking nonsense!"

"You might wish you did, but it seems your captain already has someone in her heart. Tsk tsk, you’re out of luck," Xiang Nan said, shaking his head in mock sympathy.

"Someone? Who?" Li Mu blurted out without thinking.

"That’s enough!" Unable to listen any longer, Leng Ruoshuang stood up abruptly. "Li Mu, have you forgotten why we’re here?"

"Oh, right. Why are you guys looking for me again?" Xiang Nan blinked his innocent little eyes at Leng Ruoshuang.

Thrown off by Xiang Nan’s antics, Leng Ruoshuang suddenly found herself at a loss for how to start.

***

Meanwhile, upstairs.

Xu Jiya brought Meng Qingwan into her room.

"This is my bathroom; it has everything you need. There are clean clothes in my wardrobe—take whatever you like, our figures are about the same anyway..."

"Alright, thank you, Xiaoya." Meng Qingwan still seemed a bit reserved.

"Don't stand on ceremony with me. Just let me know if you need anything."

Meng Qingwan agreed and took off her jacket. Just then, a small, translucent white bead fell out.

"Huh, what’s this?" Xu Jiya picked it up. "Oh, it’s a Rebirth Pill. Brother Xiang Nan gave this to you, right?"

Meng Qingwan smiled faintly. "Yes. It’s been a few days, but I keep forgetting to take it."

"Then what are you waiting for? Take it before your shower; you’re in for a surprise." Xu Jiya held the pill out to Meng Qingwan.

"Now? Just eat it?" Meng Qingwan hesitated; she remembered Xiang Nan specifically telling her to take it when she was home alone.

"Just eat it, don't dawdle. It’s good stuff; I’ve already taken several."

Seeing Xu Jiya so insistent, Meng Qingwan hesitated no longer and swallowed the Rebirth Pill.

***

Back in the living room, the three of them sat in silence for a moment before Xiang Nan spoke first.

"Alright, I’ve thought about it, and since you sold me out, I’ve decided to forgive you."

Li Mu frowned. "Sold you out? Hey, Xiang Nan, that’s a bit harsh..."

"Li Mu! That’s enough, we were in the wrong," Leng Ruoshuang interrupted, turning to Xiang Nan. "He is our superior; we couldn't keep it from him. I just didn't expect things to turn out like this. I know you didn't want the Life-Resurrection Grass to be exposed. If this causes you any trouble, I am very sorry."

"Is that it?" Xiang Nan pursed his lips, but looking at Leng Ruoshuang, he realized she wasn't acting. She probably didn't know what Yuan Ao had written to him—a blatant threat and coercion.

Even if he told her now, she wouldn't believe him. Let alone her, the entire nation wouldn't believe that their idol, the Great General who guarded the country, could be a traitor.

"This matter is actually quite troublesome. Now the whole country is asking me for the Life-Resurrection Grass. I’ve got biology research institutes, pharmaceutical labs, and the Spirit Martial Association all calling me one after another. Some are even trying to snatch it by force!" Xiang Nan said, deliberately exaggerating.

"It’s only been an afternoon, and it’s already that extreme?" Li Mu said sympathetically.

"Why do you think I hid up in the mountains? I had no choice!" Xiang Nan began his serious-faced nonsense.

"Didn't you just say you went up to cultivate? And 'dual cultivation' at that?"

"Nonsense, those girls are there—as a man, could I let them worry about me?"

"Wow, you make a lot of sense."

"Sigh, if I can't afford to provoke them, I can at least hide, right? But hiding isn't a long-term solution. Even in the mountains, they’ll find me eventually. It’s so stressful!" Xiang Nan rolled his eyes. "The main problem is that my cultivation is too low. I can't beat anyone. If my cultivation were higher... it’s just a pity I don't have any Spirit Orbs with Spirit Skills, otherwise I could make rapid progress and wouldn't have to fear these people."

"Don't worry about the Spirit Orbs; I’ll find a way to help you," Leng Ruoshuang said, clearly catching his drift. Having felt guilty toward him, she was happy to be of service if it could help.

"That’s great! Third-tier or above would be best, fourth-tier would be even better, and of course, fifth-tier would be perfect," Xiang Nan said, beaming with joy.

"No problem, I’ll get them for you as soon as possible," Leng Ruoshuang replied decisively.

Li Mu gave a cheeky thumbs-up from the side and mouthed to Xiang Nan, "You’ve really got a way with them!"

Xiang Nan pretended not to see and just kept grinning happily. Now that his Qi Sea was opened, with the nourishment of high-tier Spirit Orbs, who could stop his cultivation from soaring?

"Sister Lone Wolf is the best! If I run into any trouble later, I’ll be sure to call you first."

In his moment of triumph, he didn't forget to butter her up. If he held onto this thick thigh, he wouldn't have to worry about Spirit Orbs again.

"Mhm," Leng Ruoshuang replied softly. Her heavy heart felt significantly lighter.