Chapter 56: Her and Her Girlfriend
“So, you’re saying that although only about two hours passed here, Jun Cheng, you spent several days on the uninhabited island? Is that right?”
“Ah, you could say that….”
July 25th, the ninth day of our vacation, in my room.
Lianbing crossed her legs and pared an apple with a fruit knife, the apple peels being cut off in uniform strips.
I knew Lianbing’s behavior meant she was angry. The way she peeled apples was her way of suppressing her rage, like a monk chanting or a Taoist meditating. It was Lianbing’s unique method of staying calm. She would always peel apples like this when I was hospitalized, using it to express her dissatisfaction.
Besides, you could tell from the color of her title.
After returning, I discovered something very surprising. Just as Lianbing said, we had spent several days on the uninhabited island, but in reality, only a few hours had passed…
Lianbing told me the storm stopped soon after. Because we evacuated in time, no one was seriously injured. Only Xun’er and I disappeared. Then, just as they were about to send a rescue party, we returned on our own.
Later, they searched the uninhabited island in the direction we came from, only to find that such a place… didn’t exist.
Where did we drift off to then?
Regarding this temporally displaced experience on the uninhabited island, it could only be classified as an abnormal event. I heard that members of the organization were already investigating. If I hadn’t been injured, I would have been sent to investigate as a member of the Investigation Department.
“Perhaps, but it’s good that we returned safely.”
“Hoo, Cheng…”
“Huh? What is it?”
Lianbing seemed unable to bear it any longer, holding her forehead with her hand and sighing.
Did I say something wrong?
“When you say ‘returned safely,’ you mean without getting injured yourself. Your shoulder… Please take care of yourself.”
Lianbing’s eyes were ice-cold as she pointed the fruit knife at me accusingly.
“Hey, hey, that’s dangerous.”
“Well, I didn’t react in time then. Who knew I’d get bitten…”
This was the honest truth. I really didn’t react at all at the time. I never expected Xun’er to pounce on me like a berserk Li Nai and bite me. Although I saw the color of her title immediately, my body couldn’t… No, I did manage to dodge, but she was too fast. I was bitten before I could even use Thought Acceleration.
And Kuuga didn’t help me, which is why I ended up like this.
As for the injury on my shoulder, I used the same excuse as I did for tricking Xun’er: bitten by a wild animal.
Although Lianbing and the others didn’t believe me at all, I insisted on it, so they couldn’t press me further. This matter absolutely couldn’t be revealed, especially now that Xun’er had become like this. It was even more important not to tell her.
“Jun Cheng, how is your injury?”
Zi’ai opened the door and walked into the room. After we returned, when I explained Zi’ai’s origin, she was taken away by the organization’s members.
However, since Li Nai and Xun’er were with her, I was relieved.
Seeing everyone’s serious expressions, Zi’ai’s existence seemed to be among the top-tier anomalies. Li Nai said she had been classified as the highest S-level. Parallel worlds, thinking about it now, is truly incredible.
Now that she’s back, I guess the questioning is over.
“Mm, my shoulder is fine now. Look.”
I extended my hand and moved my right fingers, appearing very agile. This was to conceal the problematic part.
That’s right, although Bai Lin’s ability repaired my shoulder, there were sequelae: I couldn’t lift my shoulder.
To be precise…
There were no problems with other parts. I could even perform fine motor operations like picking up beans with chopsticks and putting them in my mouth. Lifting heavy objects wouldn’t strain my shoulder, but I just couldn’t lift it high.
If I were a basketball player, this would be a fatal aftereffect. But I’m just an Ordinary person with no special hobbies. At most, it would be inconvenient when hanging clothes or reaching for things on high shelves. Otherwise, it’s nothing.
But my body is getting more and more damaged… Could I end up paralyzed in the future?
“So, this hot, beautiful girl is from another parallel world, you, Cheng?”
I had told Lianbing about Zi’ai. She expressed great interest—hmm, with an expression like she’d discovered a new toy, which was a bit troubling.
Zi’ai shifted her gaze to Lianbing and said unhurriedly, “Yes, my name is An Zi’ai. Zi from ‘Jun Zi,’ Ai from ‘You Ai.'”
“Hehehe, this way of introducing yourself really has Cheng’s style.”
Yes, I thought the same.
“Since you’re also a Cheng, let’s get along well during your stay.”
Lianbing extended her hand first, wearing an impeccable smile. If one wasn’t very familiar with Lianbing, they would think she was a kind and amiable person.
However, this was just the Young Miss’s mask! If you were to develop a good impression of her because of this, you’d fall into her smile trap.
An Ordinary person probably would have fallen for it.
But Zi… she’s me…
My first impression of Lianbing, even without seeing her title, wasn’t exactly good…
“I wouldn’t dare. Young Miss, we are not the same kind of people. Or rather, we’re not from the same world. I probably won’t be staying too long, nor do I need to have too much interaction with you. After all, you are Jun Cheng’s Girlfriend, not mine.”
“Uh, Ai…”
“What’s wrong? Are you hungry? I’ll prepare something to eat for you.”
After saying that, she completely ignored Lianbing and acted as if she only cared about me.
Her attitude was beyond cold.
It seemed she had no intention of becoming friends with Lianbing and the others… Although her tone was polite, there was no sense of closeness.
As expected…
These words were almost the same as what I said in a fit of pique when Lianbing cornered me in the restroom the first time I met her.
Seeing Zi’ai, I felt like I was seeing my past self.
However, Lianbing didn’t get angry. Instead, her mood improved. She covered her mouth and laughed heartily, pointing at Zi’ai while speaking to me, a playful expression appearing on her cheeks.
Why are you looking at me…
Zi’ai didn’t have a good impression of Lianbing at all. That’s strange. Given that I fell for Lianbing, shouldn’t she be attracted to her too? Is it a gender difference? Or maybe she hasn’t experienced certain things, so she’s completely indifferent to Lianbing?
The conversation didn’t continue because another visitor arrived.
“Jun Cheng, oh, Zi’ai is here too. Perfect timing. Teacher Lili asked me to inform you both to come see her.”
Lanhua came to deliver the message, and Zi’ai and I answered in unison. “Oh, got it.” x2
“By the way, Zi’ai, you don’t have any spare clothes, do you? It’s not appropriate to keep wearing Cheng’s clothes. I’ve already prepared women’s clothes that fit you! They’re the same size as Cheng’s!”
Why does that sound so strange? Why do you have women’s clothes that fit my size!
Lili probably wants to discuss Zi’ai’s accommodation issue. I wonder what the organization plans to do. Let’s go and see.
“Yo? Acting all familiar, huh? Hehehe.”
Then Lanhua proudly put her hands on her hips and puffed out her chest.
“Hohoho, Zi’ai seems to know me! In her world, we were also acquainted~ Oh my, but the certain Young Miss here doesn’t know me at all!”
“Hehehehe, after all, Little Lanlan, you’re like chewing gum. Even if others dislike you, you’ll just keep sticking to them, right? How disgusting.”
“Better than a certain arrogant Young Miss, right?”
“Here we go again, here we go again…”
The dissolution of the Lian-Lan Alliance signaled the start of a new round of internal conflict, and this conflict seemed to have spread, affecting others… It felt like concubines in a harem forming factions and engaging in covert struggles…
My heart is weary!
Cough, just kidding. I wouldn’t dare consider myself an emperor.
“If you want to argue, go argue outside, okay? You’re disturbing Jun Cheng’s rest.”
“Right, although Jun Cheng can’t say which of us two he likes more, Zi’ai can objectively tell us.”
“Hehehe, indeed. Without any bias, judging from first impressions, An Zi’ai, who do you prefer?”
“Yes! Zi’ai, tell us! Between the two of us, who do you think is better!”
At this moment, Lan suddenly proposed such an unreliable suggestion.
No, Zi’ai and I are already different existences.
She hasn’t experienced the abnormal events I have. She’s just an ordinary girl… If I ask her to judge the two of you, it would probably be…
Just as I expected, Zi’ai just snorted, looked back and forth between Lianbing and Lan, and said with contemptuous eyes like scum, “Two… women.”
However, what I didn’t expect was that Zi’ai would continue to say something “impressive.”
“Do you ever think about how much trouble you’re causing Jun Cheng by fighting over him like this? It’s really tiresome. Do you think you can do whatever you want just because you have pretty faces and good figures? Perhaps Jun Cheng is gentle with you. Unfortunately, he’s gentle with everyone, so don’t assume you’re special to him. To put it harshly, the two of you are a shameless sow and a regretful Young Miss who threw herself at him.”
“Did Jun Cheng actively pursue either of you? You don’t even need to think about it, of course not. He accepted the feelings imposed on him, and you think you’re special? Do you love Jun Cheng or yourselves? …Incomprehensible, narcissistic women beyond salvation.”
My trait of being inarticulate and direct was fully displayed by Zi’ai here. Especially since Zi’ai, as a girl, didn’t need to consider other girls’ feelings and could say all sorts of harsh words…
No wonder she has no friends…
Trembling…
“…Mmph! Amazing… she has a venomous tongue attribute too?… I, I’m actually excited… Ah, this is bad, am I going to awaken like Teacher Lili… Ah~ I’m about to open a new door~”
“Don’t open that door for me!”
Lanhua’s reaction was alright, as she had thicker skin. But Lianbing… Lianbing, the Young Miss with pride higher than the heavens, hearing these words, her title would probably turn red…
Oh no, I need to quickly think of words of comfort!
“Hehehehe, so that’s how it is… This part is also… Is this another opportunity for me to prove myself? Hehe…”
However, to my surprise, Lianbing wasn’t angry at all and said something incomprehensible.
Prove myself? What does that mean?
Lianbing looked directly at Zi’ai and smiled. I could tell it was a genuine smile this time.
“I will make you like me, just like Cheng… Hehehehe.”
Zi’ai turned her face away, looking completely unappreciative.
Isn’t this… is this what they call communication between women?
And my current thought… Zi’ai, you’re so assertive!
You dare to talk to Lianbing like that! I’m about to kowtow in admiration!
You’re the protagonist, aren’t you!
