Chapter 57: The Fire Went Out

If her self-healing ability can really transmit through bodily fluids to others, then she can still guarantee the safety of this group of beastmen.

Bao Jing laughed at Ye Xi'an's words: "How could there be any reason for a male to be protected by a female?"

Ye Xi'an knew Bao Jing didn't know her ability, and for now she had no intention of telling him. She pushed Bao Jing aside and sincerely thanked Lin Zhi Jing: "Thank you just now for saving me, and thank you for helping me get rid of the traitor."

Lin Zhi Jing raised his eyebrows, the phoenix eyes behind his silver-framed glasses showing a relieved smile: "I thought you would blame me for killing him."

"How could that be? He deserved to die. Besides, you saved me." Ye Xi'an said, then took out some fruit from her space: "I don't have much to thank you with, only these."

Looking at the fresh, large fruit on the table, Ye Xi'an lowered her head in embarrassment; it was really too shabby—who uses fruit to repay someone's life-saving kindness?

If this were on Earth, if someone saved her life, she would at least have to give them tens or hundreds of thousands, and then go make a banner of thanks.

Thinking back to when Lin Zhi Jing confessed to her earlier, he wouldn't mistakenly think she was deliberately bullying him because she liked him, and intentionally giving him these shabby things, would he?

Thinking that, Ye Xi'an immediately said again: "Don't worry, I'm about to go out on a mission. If you want anything, just tell me—I'll definitely bring back whatever I can find."

"No need." Lin Zhi Jing picked up a red snake fruit, took a bite—crisp and tasty—and said, "I just love eating fruit."

"But this snake fruit," Ye Xi'an hesitantly pointed at the snake fruit in Lin Zhi Jing's hand, "it seems not washed yet."

Lin Zhi Jing: …… You're such a killjoy.

Bao Jing and Yi Yang carried Ye Ling's corpse to a relatively clean spot in the Slum and buried it. When they returned, Yi Yang's eyes were red; as soon as he entered the door he flung himself into Ye Xi'an's arms, his thick arms wrapping around her slender waist, his furry head pressing against her chin, whimpering pitifully.

"Wife, will I also die someday?"

Ye Xi'an couldn't move in his embrace, only able to lift her head and say: "No."

Even if one had to die, it should be from old age, but the beastmen of Zhu Shen Xing have long lifespans, averaging about a thousand years.

Correspondingly, the females' conception rate is also extremely low, and the children they bear are mostly male, which further skews the female-to-male ratio, raising the status of females.

Yi Yang lifted his head, his chin resting on Ye Xi'an's chest, his round eyes half-filled with tears: "Really?"

"Really." Ye Xi'an felt a pang in her chest where he leaned, but seeing his pitiful look she didn't say anything, just patted his head: "Stand up straight; we need to clean up the blood inside with Jiangci."

Yi Yang immediately stood up, grabbed a rag from nearby and got to work: "Wife, you don't need to; I and Elder Brother Ji are enough."

"Or we can do it together." Ye Xi'an didn't really want to treat them like servants; although she didn't like doing chores, a simple wipe was still doable.

She mainly disliked washing dishes and cooking, especially washing dishes—greasy and sticky, making her whole body uncomfortable.

"By the way, Lin Zhi Jing, when are you heading back?"

Yi Yang and Ji Jiangci, who were working hard nearby, both looked up at once: "This big shot is leaving? I thought I could cling to his thigh."

Meanwhile, Bao Jing, lazily leaning against the door, flashed a glance when he heard Ye Xi'an's words.

Does Ye Xi'an want Lin Zhi Jing to leave? Could it be that she doesn't like Lin Zhi Jing?

With that possibility, Bao Jing's eyes lit up with delight; he had previously thought Ye Xi'an might have a bit of interest in Lin Zhi Jing, after all, such an outstanding male—who would refuse?

Therefore, facing Lin Zhi Jing's open advances, although he felt deeply resistant and uncomfortable inside, for Ye Xi'an's sake he endured it—after all, going out on a mission, relying only on the three of them couldn't fully guarantee her protection.

But if Ye Xi'an didn't actually want to take Lin Zhi Jing in, he would be even happier.

He planted his left foot against the wall, pushed off, stood straight, and strode confidently to Lin Zhi Jing's front: "Exactly, Doctor Lin, you see it too—our place is a wreck, there's nowhere for you to sleep; we might as well head back while it's not completely dark yet."

Lin Zhi Jing's phoenix eyes locked dangerously with Bao Jing's; Bao Jing showed no fear, always wearing a faint smile.

"All right, why don't you see me off?"

"Quite an honor. An'an, let's see Doctor Lin off."

This mannerism, the air of a male host.

Lin Zhi Jing watched Bao Jing's smug smile at the corner of his mouth, then led the way out the door, his drooping eyelids lifting heavily, as if in slow motion.

He and... couldn't wait to see Bao Jing's expression later.

The three of them walked one in front of the other to the side of max.

"Ye Xi'an, I'm leaving now—is it too much to ask for a hug?" Lin Zhi Jing said, gazing at Ye Xi'an the whole time, like the unrequited male lead in a novel, making Ye Xi'an feel a bit guilty and unable to lift her head; she quickly initiated the embrace: "Thanks for putting up with me these days; if I get the chance, I'll definitely come back to see you."

Bao Jing watched the two cling tightly, his back teeth almost grinding to pieces; if he weren't about to leave, he would have already pulled them apart and punched him in the eye, letting him know not to lay hands on someone else's wife.

"Doctor Lin, it's getting dark—hurry up and go." Bao Jing's face darkened a bit; "Just how long is this guy going to keep hugging? Is he addicted?"

Lin Zhi Jing ignored Bao Jing, merely bidding Ye Xi'an farewell: "Then I'm off."

"All right, safe travels."

max's underside spewed blue flames; the immense thrust lifted the whole vehicle off the ground, and then the rear also sprayed two streams. Just as Bao Jing was glad that Lin Zhi Jing was finally leaving, the flames suddenly sputtered like a sneeze—puffing in segments—until they completely stopped.

Lin Zhi Jing rolled down the window and frantically toggled the switch several times.

He finally confirmed the vehicle had no energy left.

He got out of the vehicle with a regretful expression, exaggeratingly describing what had just happened: "Oh dear, what a mess—the vehicle ran out of energy and stalled."

Bao Jing: …… Do you expect me to believe that?

How could such high-tech possibly be ruined by a lack of energy?

Even Zhu Shen Xing's biggest energy-guzzler, the super7 heavy fire-truck, can last a day spraying continuously with just one energy stone; moreover, max has no attack capability—it merely ran for six hours, obviously he did it on purpose.

He must have tampered with something before arriving.

But Ye Xi'an doesn't know much about Zhu Shen Xing's technology, and simply assumed Lin Zhi Jing's vehicle truly had no energy: "Do you have any spare energy then?"

Lin Zhi Jing spread his hands helplessly: "I forgot. But as long as you buy me a piece, I can get back."

(End of chapter)