445: Chapter 89 I knew you wouldn't want to part with me

"I heard from Chu Lan that she and Zhang Lingyu seem to have something going on..." After hearing Meng Li's words, Xu Si suddenly remembered a bit of gossip he'd heard from Zhang Chulan during a casual chat and mentioned it.

Meng Li paused for a moment, then exhaled a smoke ring and smiled. "Is that so?"

"I heard that Immortal Master Lingyu is a refined gentleman, yet he's entangled with a witch from Quan Xing."

"This drama is a bit too old-fashioned and melodramatic."

"But it doesn't matter, as long as they haven't registered for marriage."

Xu Si was startled for a moment, then laughed. "That's true."

Romantic entanglements between men and women are inherently difficult to handle, and many matters in the Inhuman circle have no laws to follow, so this situation is truly hard to judge.

If Xia He weren't from Quan Xing, one might be able to argue from a moral standpoint.

But since she is from Quan Xing, the entire circle tacitly agrees that rules and morality can be ignored when dealing with her.

Under these circumstances, even if she suffered injustice and humiliation or had a substantial relationship with Zhang Lingyu, the latter would find it hard to say anything—even if he has Zhang Zhiwei, The Pinnacle, standing behind him. Because Zhang Zhiwei is the Celestial Master, it's impossible for him to endorse or intervene in such personal romantic affairs.

Not to mention that the relationship between Zhang Lingyu and Xia He falls into the category of being 'unclear'.

Thinking of this, Xu Si said no more.

At this point, Meng Li asked about Wang Zhenqiu and Xiao Zizai: "What's the deal with Wang Zhenqiu and Xiao Zizai?"

"If I remember correctly, they should be Temporary Workers from other districts, right?"

"How did they end up coming here with you and Baobao?"

He wasn't surprised that Zhang Chulan, Feng Baobao, and Xu Si had come.

After all, Zhao Fang Xu had mentioned earlier that the Company would send people to provide backup and prevent the situation from spiraling out of control. Since Xu Si and the others were close to him, and with the death of Xu Xiang and the involvement of Ma Xianhong, it was only logical for them to come.

If it weren't for the fact that someone had to handle the affairs of the Lu Bei District, Xu San would likely have come along as well.

Hearing this, Xu Si scratched his head and said thoughtfully, "These two... how should I put it? They could be considered your opponents this time."

"The Company is actually quite reluctant to let the Eight Peculiar Skills spread, and I'm sure you understand why—it's for the sake of maintaining stability. So, the higher-ups issued a mission: if you accidentally let things get out of hand this time, they are to pull the situation back together."

"But this isn't a glorious task, so they could only call in people like Bao'er."

"There were supposed to be two more, but they were both out on missions and couldn't make it in time."

"Aside from the mission, the two who came also wanted to join the fun. I've looked into it; one has psychological issues and the other has personality problems. They'll likely end up crossing paths with you. Just be prepared and keep the fight within limits."

Meng Li nodded, indicating he understood, and didn't pay it much mind.

His main goal this time was to fight; two more or two fewer didn't make a difference.

Just as they finished talking, Zhang Chulan came over to call them, saying the food was ready.

Meng Li and Xu Si immediately put out their cigarettes and sat down to eat.

During the meal, Zhang Chulan, Feng Xingtong, Xu Si, Meng Li, Xiao Zizai, and Wang Zhenqiu chatted about everything under the sun over drinks.

Feng Baobao and Chen Duo—one being pure-minded and the other being quiet—focused entirely on devouring the food.

Whether influenced by the atmosphere or something else, Feng Sha Yan and Xia He unexpectedly started chatting together.

When the moon reached the middle of the sky, the group finally dispersed.

Returning to the hotel, Meng Li parted ways with the Feng siblings, watched Chen Duo enter her room, and prepared to return to his own.

Xia He followed behind him. Meng Li didn't mind because her room was the one further down, right next to his.

As it turned out, when he opened his door to enter, she followed him in and took the initiative to lock the door.

Before Meng Li could ask, he was pulled into a full embrace, his mouth blocked by two soft lips.

"Feeling better?" Meng Li asked with a smile once Xia He let go to catch her breath.

"Mhm," Xia He responded softly. While sniffing the scent of his neck, she began to undress him. "You smell of alcohol. Let me wash you up."

Smell of alcohol? He had mastered the Six Treasury Immortal Thief.

Meng Li smiled inwardly and softly agreed, "Alright."

Soon, the two arrived in the bathroom.

"Meng Li, thank you."

After things had officially gotten underway, Xia He suddenly whispered in Meng Li's ear.

"Thank me for what?" Meng Li didn't quite understand.

While putting in the effort to express her gratitude through her actions, Xia He panted as she replied, "Thank you for helping me resolve the troubles brought by my ability."

She then explained, "Ever since I had my Awakening and learned of the Company's existence, I've never dared to have too much contact with ordinary people. Because I often can't control my ability myself, I was afraid that interacting with them too much would cross a line and bring the Company after me."

"Whether it was death or imprisonment, both were unacceptable to me."

"You never thought about finding someone to help solve it?" Meng Li reached out to grab her hair, playing with it idly as he asked.

Xia He replied in a low voice, "I thought about it at first, but none of the people I found could solve it. Instead, they would be affected by my ability. So, I just stopped looking."

"Then why did you join Quan Xing?" Meng Li gave her long pink hair a mischievous little tug as he pressed further.

"Because I met Dou Mei," Xia He responded, then elaborated, "Her Inhuman ability can weaken mine to a certain extent. I couldn't find any other way at the time and had nowhere else to stay, so I followed her and joined Quan Xing."

Meng Li reached out to tilt her chin up and smiled. "So, you could say you were forced by circumstances."

Xia He shook her head. "Not entirely. Because I don't hate this ability; in fact, I quite like it."

"It allows me to feel pleasure anytime, anywhere, and it can make people willing to be my dogs."

"I quite enjoy those things."

"So, little Chen Duo wasn't wrong; I am essentially a bad woman. Otherwise, I wouldn't find the effects of this ability enjoyable."

"It's just that sometimes, I get troubled by it too. I can't sleep well, I can't control my urges, and I have to avoid crowded places."

"But now, those troubles have disappeared."

"So, thank you, Meng Li."

Meng Li frowned. "That sounds a bit like a farewell from a TV drama. What, are you planning to leave?"

As he spoke, he reached out and gave her long pink hair a couple of firm strokes.

Xia He let out a soft moan and smiled seductively. "That's right, I'm leaving tomorrow."

"Can't bear to let me go?"

"Then just wear me out until I can't get out of bed."

"Or put shackles on me. That way, I'll only be able to stay by your side and won't have any other thoughts until I die."

"Which of these two methods do you want to choose? Master~"

Meng Li didn't answer.

He chose to respond with action.

...

The next morning.

Xia He slowly woke up and found that her body didn't ache as much as before, though the intensity of last night was very real.

Instantly, she understood that Meng Li must have used some means to treat her body.

Thinking of last night's conversation, she curled her lip and turned to look at Meng Li, who was coming out of the bathroom and preparing to put on his jacket. She rose and lunged at him, clinging to him like a koala, staring into his eyes as she asked, "You really don't want to keep me here?"

"Mhm. We're friends; we come and go as we please."

Xia He pinched his face and said through gritted teeth, "You dog of a man, would it kill you to coax me a little?"

Meng Li brushed away her mischievous hand. "Remember to pay back the money."

"I won't!"

"Then don't think about leaving."

"Pfft, I knew you couldn't bear to let me go." Xia He's anger turned to a smile, and she gave him a hard kiss on the cheek.

Meng Li wiped his face in mock disgust and urged, "Go brush your teeth."

"Yes, Master."

Watching Xia He walk obediently into the bathroom with a skip in her step, Meng Li reflected on her behavior, his eyes showing a hint of thought.

She couldn't have developed Stockholm Syndrome, could she?