A Toast to You

"Can it be treated?"

Jiang Siyan shook his head.

"I suggest against it. This can actually be seen as a self-protection mechanism. Miss Zhu's ability is foresight, which stems from a deep-seated desire to protect herself by avoiding danger."

"However, her heart might still be full of insecurity, which is what triggered the alternate personality."

"This personality can protect her. It's quite useful."

Nan Yue remained silent for a moment. Jiang Siyan could sense her guard was up.

"By the way, did I forget to mention? Our psychological clinic works with Sharp Blade, and it's directly managed by Fu Xi Ming."

"All patient records are confidential. Not even Fu Xi Ming can access them. However, I can review your files to help me better assess the situation."

"You don't need to worry about information leaks."

Nan Yue hadn't expected the system to be so well-developed. While Jiang Siyan had no reason to scheme against small fry like them, she still asked one more question.

"What if you leak it? Or if Fu Xi Ming forces a data share?"

Jiang Siyan smiled. "Because we've partnered with a scavenger."

"That scavenger's ability is to establish a contract. Once a contract is formed, even she cannot modify it."

"In other words, if I or Fu Xi Ming violate the rules, we would be directly obliterated by the ability, much like the rules within a mission. There is no room for negotiation."

"There's an ability like that?" Nan Yue felt as if a door to a new world had opened since entering the high-level city states.

"There is. But such an ability isn't very useful in missions because establishing a contract requires mutual consent, a formal agreement in black and white."

So that was it. It felt similar to how Huo Fuyu had formed some kind of contract with the other party to turn them into his puppet.

The effect wasn't as dominant as this scavenger's direct obliteration for violations, but the conditions for establishing it weren't as strict either.

"Is she also a member of Sharp Blade?"

Jiang Siyan shook his head. "No. She's unwilling to join any organization, and neither am I."

"Many of us just cooperate with Sharp Blade, each taking what we need."

Generally, Jiang Siyan wasn't inclined to explain so much to others. But with Nan Yue, especially after experiencing what she felt, he felt he should show this person more respect.

Nan Yue felt relieved, and her impression of Jiang Siyan improved significantly.

"Thank you."

Nan Yue spoke with sincere gratitude. She nodded to Jiang Siyan. "I hope you have a happy day today."

Jiang Siyan understood Nan Yue's subtext: she hoped he could be happy from now on.

At the very least, that he could let himself go.

Jiang Siyan closed the medical file in his hand, his gaze deep as he watched Nan Yue walk away.

As Nan Yue left, she heard the receptionist nearby on the phone, her voice very low.

"In a moment, replace all the decorations in the doctor's office with fixed ones. Yes, that's right. A young lady just tried to hit Dr. Jiang with a vase..."

Nan Yue turned her head with a complicated expression to look at Zhu Xi Ning, who was walking away humming a song, completely oblivious...

She felt... she should... probably... apologize to Jiang Siyan...

...

After the three of them came out, they found a BBQ shop a bit further from the center district.

The BBQ shop was outdoors. To absorb the smoke, the surrounding vegetation was lush. The owner was a burly man.

He looked a bit fierce, but he was actually quite generous.

When Nan Yue and the others arrived, he was wearing a tank top and starting the charcoal.

"Hey boss, table for three."

Gu Xiang Kai lifted a table and set it down. The boss placed a charcoal brazier nearby and wiped his sweat with the white towel around his neck. "Do you want to grill it yourselves or should I do it?"

Gu Xiang Kai crouched down, fanning the flames with a straw fan. "I'll grill."

"And a crate of beer."

"You got it."

When Wen Xiang Yuan's icon lit up, Gu Xiang Kai had just finished grilling a plate.

The three of them visibly relaxed. Although none of them showed it openly, the atmosphere certainly lightened up.

Strongest A-Nan in History: 【Location】 Come have BBQ.

Wenwen is an Eagle, not a Bird: Coming!!

Gu Xiang Kai was grilling with his back to them, the muscles in his shoulders no longer so tense. "Tell her to come eat."

Wen Xiang Yuan was likely at a nearby teleportation point; she arrived quickly.

"Boss! Xi Ning! Brother Gu!"

Wen Xiang Yuan leaned on Gu Xiang Kai's shoulder, craning her neck to look. "It smells so good!"

Accustomed to Wen Xiang Yuan's sudden ambushes, Gu Xiang Kai no longer got as nervous as before.

"Go sit down. Eat first."

Wen Xiang Yuan gave a couple of giggles, sat down, and started eating chicken wings.

She couldn't handle spicy food very well, and Gu Xiang Kai had added chili according to their usual tastes. Before long, Wen Xiang Yuan had downed two bottles of beer.

"Drink less. I didn't put chili on these skewers."

"No, no, no. I love it. Put it on!"

Wen Xiang Yuan looked at Gu Xiang Kai with tears in her eyes. Gu Xiang Kai pulled a face and sprinkled the chili on.

The atmosphere at the table was great. Wen Xiang Yuan seemed truly hungry; she ate a lot and drank a lot of alcohol.

Nan Yue rested her head on her hand. "You have a high tolerance."

Wen Xiang Yuan swirled her glass. Even drinking beer, she made it look like she was drinking nectar.

"I do. I wouldn't even be drunk if I had three times this much."

Nan Yue let out a "wow." She was already a bit tipsy. "Your tolerance is that high?"

Wen Xiang Yuan looked at the glass in her hand with a smile, her thoughts unknown.

"Wenwen..."

Since they met, none of the four had mentioned the last mission. To be precise, it was as if all four were avoiding it.

But Nan Yue spoke up anyway. She wobbled her glass in front of Wen Xiang Yuan. "This glass... is a toast to you."

Wen Xiang Yuan looked at her in surprise. Nan Yue said with slurred words, "This time... this time, it's thanks to you. You saved us. If it weren't for you, none of us would have survived."

Wen Xiang Yuan's beautiful eyes widened slightly. "Me? Because of me?"

Nan Yue nodded. "Yeah, thanks to you. You're so amazing!"

Nan Yue had drunk a bit much. She grabbed Wen Xiang Yuan's sleeve and mumbled, "How can you be so brave? A girl who looks so soft and cute, yet you're so powerful!"

Wen Xiang Yuan was stunned. "But I... but I regretted it at the time..."

No matter how much mental preparation she had made, and regardless of whether it was the adrenaline at the time, she had shrunk back when it hurt.

She had told them to save her.

She had clearly planned to sacrifice herself so they could leave, but she had shamefully shrunk back.

She didn't want them to go. She was afraid, she regretted it, and she wanted them all to stay and accompany her.

That was why she hadn't dared to mention the mission since she returned. She was afraid they would think she was weak.

She hadn't contributed much to begin with, and then to have such thoughts at the critical moment...

She was afraid they would hate her.

But she hadn't expected Nan Yue to say she was amazing, to say they would all be dead without her, to say she had saved everyone.

"Yeah, Wenwen, it's all thanks to you. And what you said about the dual personalities was true! You really are incredible."