And her daughter, her tiny daughter... she couldn't fight for her, and she couldn't even decide what she would have for her own dinner.
She couldn't bear to see the Wen family become a plaything in the hands of men, nor see her daughter become a pawn for political marriage just as she had been.
To marry, to give birth, to pass on their name, and then be cast aside like trash once the surface-level appearances were satisfied.
She had long wanted to end her life, but she couldn't leave her daughter behind.
She did her absolute best to raise her daughter into adulthood.
Then she died on the day after her daughter's fourteenth birthday—the day her husband decided to form an alliance with the president's family.
But now, Wen Xiang Yuan felt it was enough.
Her mother had done enough.
From now on, this was the path she had to walk.
The people around her remained silent. Although Wen Xiang Yuan was a noble of the Federation, her fate was strikingly similar to theirs.
Nan Yue waited for Wen Xiang Yuan to state her demands. This was a negotiation, a partnership.
It wasn't about their feelings or the fact that they were companions.
The standards for evaluation were laid out on the table. Both sides needed to see if the other had what they needed, if their interests were free of conflict, and if... they were resolute enough to leave themselves no way back.
For Nan Yue, countless scavengers had fallen on the road to freedom.
Even if their sacrifices seemed laughable now, what they pursued had never changed.
Nan Yue was the best among them.
Now, she needed to see what Wen Xiang Yuan wanted.
The head of the Wen family... Nan Yue didn't know how she could help her achieve that, but if successful, Wen Xiang Yuan could indeed fulfill her word.
Helping scavengers escape their fate as expendables.
"So, my request is this."
Wen Xiang Yuan looked up at Nan Yue. In that moment, the person meeting Nan Yue's gaze was not the delicate and beautiful Wen Xiang Yuan, nor the clever and spirited Wen Xiang Yuan.
Instead, she saw a woman of the Wen family who had clawed a path to survival out of the swamp of power—the one who had created a legend in the Federation.
"Help me destroy the Federation."
Nan Yue's eyes widened. She had considered many things, but this was absolutely not within the scope of her guesses.
"The Federation is already rotten. It's beyond saving, from the roots to the leaves."
"The Wen family has no way to change any of this. The soil is rotten, so the tree cannot survive."
"I want to destroy the Federation government."
Wen Xiang Yuan's heart beat rapidly, the fast-flowing blood making her feel slightly dazed.
She heard Gu Xiang Kai ask, "Then what about everyone else?"
Wen Xiang Yuan felt like laughing and crying at the same time.
While the people of the Federation world viewed scavengers as the lowest of the low, things worse than machines, these scavengers, upon learning the truth, were worried about "everyone else."
How ironic!
"A world cannot exist without fear or negative energy. If a world cannot digest its own negative energy and requires external force to intervene, then that world itself is already nearing destruction."
"Destroying the Federation government is for the Wen family, for my mother's revenge and mine. As for how things are reshuffled afterward or what they develop into—that is the free choice of the world will."
"Whether it moves toward correction or continues to rot is an unknown."
Wen Xiang Yuan's meaning was clear. She didn't care what happened to the remaining people. When the world fell into chaos, someone would always step up to take the lead.
The chaotic order would eventually move toward peace.
Nan Yue was silent for a moment. "How do we help you?"
Wen Xiang Yuan looked at Nan Yue. "The pollution on you."
Nan Yue understood instantly. She could absorb pollution and use it.
The Federation had no ability to handle pollution. Their only solution was to throw the scavengers they produced and raised into the small worlds projected by the pollution.
Whether it was the vengeful spirits killing the scavengers or the scavengers resolving the spirits' regrets to eliminate the pollution, both achieved the goal.
But Nan Yue was an exception. She didn't eliminate it; she absorbed it.
That pollution was still inside her body.
It was a sharp weapon to destroy the Federation.
"But you aren't strong enough yet."
Wen Xiang Yuan pointed this out. "To be able to negotiate with the Federation to stall for time, and eventually destroy them in one fell swoop, the pollution in your body isn't enough."
Even the Federation followed the laws of cause and effect. The vast majority of pollution came from tragedies caused by rigid social stratification.
Corrupt soil, evil flowers.
This pollution would eventually find those at the top of the pyramid who enjoyed the sacrifices and pain of others.
"So what I need to do is continue purifying and absorbing pollution."
Wen Xiang Yuan nodded. "And I can find the worlds with the most pollution, specifically targeting the high-level officials of the Federation, to deploy you."
"However, those worlds are very dangerous."
Zhu Xi Ning suddenly interrupted their conversation. "This cooperation doesn't seem fair. What you can provide isn't enough."
Wen Xiang Yuan nodded candidly. "Yes. I am not an artificial human, so I won't develop an awakened ability. I can't give you much help during missions. Surviving and clearing the stages depends entirely on you."
"But I am your only connection to the Federation."
Nan Yue looked at Wen Xiang Yuan for a long time. She was indeed different—more mature, rational, and powerful.
These plans must have been conceived in that heavily monitored home of hers. It was indeed the only way to break the deadlock.
Nan Yue and Wen Xiang Yuan were each other's only choice.
Regardless of which side failed, the other's end would be miserable.
The risk Wen Xiang Yuan had to bear was no lower than theirs.
"When is your wedding with the president's house?"
Wen Xiang Yuan was a bit surprised. She hadn't expected Nan Yue to still be considering her at this stage.
"In one year."
Nan Yue nodded. "So our plan needs to be completed within a year."
"It doesn't have to be."
Wen Xiang Yuan smiled faintly. "I'm here for revenge. Since I'm the one taking up the blade, I can't expect to pay no price at all."
"Besides, this isn't something that needs to be deliberately avoided. As long as I can achieve my wish, I can accept any price."
The way Zhu Xi Ning looked at Wen Xiang Yuan changed. Only now did she feel from this girl the kind of resolute madness an avenger should have.
The movie had reached its midpoint. Bursts of laughter accompanied by background music drifted over, pulling them back to the mission world.
"Why can you only communicate with us in the mission world?"
Wen Xiang Yuan's expression cooled. "My brother already knows about you."
"I was the one who told him."
Nan Yue didn't react much. Although the truth of the matter was worlds apart from what she had imagined, Wen Xiang Yuan was real, and the fact that they had faced life and death together was real.
She knew the other girl must have her own considerations.
"I made a deal with him. Until I'm married, I have the freedom to explore my interests and befriend scavengers."
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