Lu Mingfei: What? They're all real!

It's so hot today, the sun is so scorching she wants to curse.

As usual, she crouched in the bushes downstairs, intending to gather information, when she suddenly heard a character—the character representing the King of Bronze and Fire. Once again, it was pronounced with perfect accuracy, something she was almost used to.

Although the sound was extremely faint, and should not have been heard between the upstairs and downstairs floors, it was not mere human language, and she could accurately detect it no matter how faint it was.

In an instant, she started sprinting upstairs with her head down, using both hands and feet.

She was the smartest of her siblings, and analyzing certain things was too easy for her—if Norton was nearby and she didn't feel any blood connection, it could only point to one possibility—Norton was so weak that a gentle push would kill him on the spot.

If Norton were in this state now, there would be so much she could do; she might even be able to find out the whereabouts of the seven swords.

On the other hand, she was more worried about Norton and Lu Mingfei—she could only call him that for now, as she didn't even know his real name—if Norton had any connection with this guy, it might ruin her plans, and she couldn't allow any of her kind to get involved.

She didn't want to keep waiting, even if there was only a slight possibility of something bad happening. Besides, she had planned to look for Lu Mingfei in the next couple of days anyway, and now was the perfect moment.

She had even planned out the extent to which she would control the impact, how to avoid the mixed-race people currently in the city, and the escape route, but when she arrived at Lu Mingfei's room, there was nothing in front of her.

Thinking further, she guessed that Norton might have already hidden in Nibelungen, but she had been lying in wait here for several days and had even learned that Lu Mingfei usually spent all his time online and would sit alone on the rooftop when he was bored. However, she had not found a single clue about Nibelungen.

There probably isn't a land of the dead here, and Norton might not even be here; perhaps Lu Mingfei is just talking to himself...

"Are you so poor that you have to resort to home invasion robbery?" Lu Mingfei asked from behind her. "Unfortunately, I was actually thinking about how to rob my aunt, but she's very shrewd. She hid her bankbook in a very secret place. You might end up empty-handed."

"Ok?"

The girl quickly adjusted her emotions and expression. Now that one goal had failed, she was determined to succeed. She had already gone to great lengths, so she had to achieve another goal—she needed to start trying to gain some trust in him.

She turned around, and all her cunning and slyness vanished in an instant, replaced by a hint of eagerness and a touch of grievance.

"Please, I ran for so long, I almost died! I clearly had important news to tell you, and you're so suspicious of me?" She looked so aggrieved that tears were about to well up in her eyes. In fact, it's not just people who are misled by sympathy; people like them can also be misled at times.

Lu Mingfei apologized with his hands clasped together, a skill he was adept at. Apologizing was second only to playing StarCraft in his strengths. He could apologize for three hours straight without repeating himself. However, he had apologized to many people, and with so many apologies, he inevitably became somewhat perfunctory.

"So what's so important that you barged into my room? And you were looking around so furtively, look, you're still looking now," he asked again.

"I just made sure there were no eavesdroppers..." Xia Mi's little trick, which she thought was fairly discreet, was exposed. Lu Mingfei's question made her feel guilty, and her voice involuntarily became softer.

She glanced furtively at Lu Mingfei's expression and noticed he was staring intently at her. This made her even more flustered. Although she roughly judged that he didn't intend to kill her—otherwise, he would have already made his move—the fact that he hadn't shown any sign of killing meant his intent wasn't actually that strong.

If we rule out the possibility that this guy is actually weaker than her and didn't even notice her lingering outside his territory, then it can only mean that he tacitly approved of her actions, which is already a great act of kindness. But that possibility simply doesn't exist; the fact that he can look directly into the monarch's golden eyes is enough to explain everything.

So he probably really meant no harm.

However, Xia Mi wasn't entirely confident, and a sense of unease lingered in her heart. This guy was too mysterious; the unknown breeds fear, a principle that applies to humans as well as to her.

The girl was conflicted.

Lu Mingfei kept staring at her, making the girl even more guilty. She carefully turned her gaze away and looked at the ground. Suddenly, she began to blame herself. Perhaps it was not a wise move to trespass on someone else's territory. What if those two oddballs outside were actually Lu Mingfei's servants? They might show their fangs in a moment.

Of course, she was absolutely certain that the person standing outside the door was just an ordinary human being—

With a bang, the door was suddenly flung open, revealing a square-shaped figure. Lu Mingze's face was filled with anger and humiliation; he had suffered a complete defeat in his argument with his aunt, and there was a red handprint on his neck.

Seeing the girl standing closely beside Lu Mingfei, displaying seemingly "shy" actions and expressions, his anger and humiliation intensified.

Lu Mingze's tone was firm and resolute, as if he were shouting insults at an enemy on the battlefield, but the question he asked was utterly pathetic, causing his already waning momentum to dissipate even further. He asked, "Lu Mingfei! Mom is asking what you're planning to eat! She needs to prepare dinner!"

He was clearly saying nice things, so why wasn't he being nice at all...? Xia Mi was a little confused about the situation of this "family." In fact, from her observation, she didn't think this was Lu Mingfei's disguise in human society; it seemed more like a genuine blood relationship...

She couldn't understand this relationship; she had always been a child drowning in loneliness and darkness.

Chapter 34 Of course I'm on your side

"What would you like to eat?" Lu Mingfei asked in a light tone. "Although Auntie's cooking skills aren't great, it's enough to fill your stomach. Just name it, Auntie is very generous."

The girl waved her hands repeatedly. She didn't have the courage to stay in someone else's nest to eat; she was afraid she would become "food."

"Don't be shy, your aunt won't charge you for your meals. I've already put the food costs on my tab." Lu Mingfei, acting like a generous host, patted the girl's shoulder and then waved to Lu Mingze, ordering as if he were taking orders from a waiter, "Just prepare whatever you like, but remember to make sure there's plenty, I'm afraid she won't have enough to eat."

It seems that all girls in the world would react strongly to the topic of "having a big appetite." Xia Mi's neck turned slightly red, and she wanted to argue, but Lu Mingfei happened to leave her side, waving his hand to drive Lu Mingze away from the doorway. He fiercely warned his cousin not to eavesdrop on the adults' conversation, and then locked the door amidst Lu Mingze's protest of "I'm going to tell Chen Wenwen!"

The sound of the door locking made the girl a little flustered, and she argued while her mind wandered.

"Didn't you tell me the other day that you hadn't had a proper meal in a long time? It's pitiful to be hungry. Now that you have the chance, don't mistreat yourself." Lu Mingfei turned around and gave the girl an unexpected smile. He remembered that Xia Mi had cried to him about being hungry a few days ago.

The girl's arguing voice seemed to have been thrown into a boiler, turning into indistinct murmurs, and then slowly into incoherent sobs. She seemed to have no idea that Lu Mingfei would remember this for so long, as if no one had ever remembered what she said.

"Then... let's eat something." She nodded as if possessed.

Although she regretted it as soon as the words left her mouth.

She began to add another item to her mind, figuring out how to decline the dinner invitation—human dinner parties are incredibly complicated matters, even she, who prides herself on being extremely intelligent, finds them somewhat incomprehensible.

Lu Mingfei's smile deepened. He leisurely returned to his dilapidated computer desk, which could hardly be called a desk, but suddenly realized that there wasn't even a proper place for the girl to sit down in his room. He could only get up from his chair and wave his hand to invite the girl to sit there.

"You're quite the gentleman."

Xia Mi was perhaps a little resentful that she always embarrassed herself whenever she met this guy, so her words were slightly sarcastic. However, her attitude was inexplicably obedient. She carefully bent down and shuffled into Lu Mingfei's chair.

"Why do you always look like a thief?" Lu Mingfei said, pursing his lips.

"How am I a thief? I'm the center of attention wherever I go! Everyone's always staring at me, how can I have a chance to steal?" the girl protested loudly. "Why are you always targeting me? I've been working so hard to think of you, I've even gotten a tan these past two days."

"That's truly a sin," Lu Mingfei apologized again, albeit perfunctorily.

"Well, since you're somewhat sincere, I'll tell you then." Xia Mi gently shook her head, happy that she had finally gotten some backing. She closed her eyes, and her words floated softly from her mouth, "I'm only telling you this because we have a good relationship."

Lu Mingfei readily agreed, although he didn't think his relationship with the girl could be any better. He always had a vague urge to tear her apart. How could that be considered a good relationship? Was it a love-hate relationship?

"According to my overheard intelligence, the people in Kassel have you cornered. If Chen Motong's plan fails, they intend to kidnap you. The route is to first take control of you here, then drive to the coast, take a speedboat into international waters, then take a helicopter to a more distant location where a helicopter carrier will provide support, and then travel across the Pacific Ocean directly to San Francisco—"

"You mean an aircraft carrier?" Lu Mingfei's voice rose a full octave, interrupting Xia Mi. "Are you sure it's an aircraft carrier?"

“Yes, a US Navy aircraft carrier~” Xia Mi started speaking in English with a genuine East Coast accent, “The transfer order has already been drafted, so you can’t refuse to cooperate, or there will be danger.”

She was genuinely worried about Lu Mingfei when she said this, after all, he had just "identified" her in the lobby. If he were to be exposed by mistake, she would definitely be implicated as well.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but get angry. Her delicate little nose slowly wrinkled up, and she complained, "Who told you to talk nonsense in front of those guys? Now we're in the same boat, and I'm in danger too. It's all your fault."

Lu Mingfei subconsciously offered a perfunctory apology, but he really didn't expect an aircraft carrier to be deployed. Just a few minutes ago, he was still suspecting that Kassel was a private intelligence agency, but now he was starting to suspect that these guys were the rumored Area 51.

He swallowed carefully.

"Okay, here's another piece of news." Xia Mi clapped her hands, waking him from his chaotic state. "It's good news. That boy in your class who you don't get along with seems to be planning to confess his feelings tomorrow, and he's making a big show of it. He also has designs on you. Most people in your class know about it now. Although it seems that Chen Wenwen likes you quite a bit, I think she probably can't resist that kind of glamorous and extravagant scene."

"What kind of good news is this?"

Lu Mingfei instantly dismissed any thoughts about the aircraft carrier. He now felt a strange sense of lingering fear. If he hadn't bumped his head, hadn't undergone that earth-shattering change in his soul, if he still saw Chen Wenwen as his ultimate goal in life, if he had still been encouraged by Chen Motong to confess his feelings, and had bumped into Zhao Menghua—

He dared not imagine what state he would end up in...

"Aren't you going to back down now? So you really like that girl!" Xia Mi clearly misunderstood the reason for Lu Mingfei's excitement. She clicked her tongue in amazement. "I really didn't expect that. I thought they were just talking nonsense, or that you had some long-term plan."

"I can't explain it to you." Lu Mingfei was in a state of confusion, his brows furrowed.

"Don't be nervous. Whether you genuinely like that girl or have some grand plan in mind, I'm here for you." Xia Mi smiled, finally revealing her true intentions and finding an opportunity to promote herself.

That was her main purpose.

She stood up from her seat, her flat chest held high, like a hero making a dazzling appearance in a time of crisis.

She said, "Don't worry, I'll be the one to save the day. Although it seems you might not be able to go to Tokyo for the time being and will have to leave with the people from Kassel, just leave tomorrow's affairs to me. I won't let them succeed. Trying to bully us? They don't even know who they are!"

The girl spoke passionately, like Sun Wukong waving his cassock to protect Liu Chenxiang, almost pointing to the sky and cursing loudly.

Lu Mingfei suddenly felt a little sore. Although it sounded a bit pathetic, this seemed to be the first time in his life that someone had patted his chest and promised to stand by his side. Even his mother had never had the chance to do that.

"But why did you do that?" His voice became soft.

Xia Mi laughed out loud in her heart.

She had always loved the story of "the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind," a story she heard before Zhuangzi even died. She also loved the tale of the snipe and the clam fighting, with the fisherman reaping the benefits; she always wanted to be the one to profit from the chaos.

Kassel's people set up a trap and plotted schemes, but she reaped all the benefits, making her the one who profited the most.

The girl was good at observing, and even better at reading emotions. The emotion written clearly on the face in front of her was not something she was faking.

She reached out and patted Lu Mingfei's shoulder hard.

“We’re the same kind of people,” she said. “Of course I’m on your side.”

The girl flashed her bright teeth, tilting her face up slightly to meet Lu Mingfei's gaze. Her eyes sparkled, making Lu Mingfei's heart race and leaving him breathless.

Chapter 35 Only loneliness accompanied her.

Xia Mi currently has two plans. One plan is to take advantage of the warming atmosphere to talk about something sensitive—of course, something sensitive to them. She wants to ask Lu Mingfei what his true identity is.

But that would be too sensitive and might undo all her efforts, so she decided to talk about something lighter.

"You're going to Kassel for a reason too?" she asked. "Let's not crash into each other, that would be bad."

Her real intention was to subtly inquire about Lu Mingfei's plans.

Lu Mingfei thought to himself, "Unless you're attracted to girls, you can't possibly have a car accident."

He shook his head: "I didn't have any purpose. To be honest, I never planned to go there. All of this was purely accidental. I was pushed along, you know?"

Xia Mi's eyes widened. She couldn't accept this explanation. She had almost wet her pants from fright, but this guy was saying it was just an "accident"? She didn't believe it! He was probably just unwilling to talk about it.

“Really.” Lu Mingfei noticed her doubt and added, “Didn’t I say back then that I was just going to find someone, to find—”

"Looking for a red-haired girl who looks a lot like Chen Motong?" Xia Mi interrupted him.

Lu Mingfei nodded.

Xia Mi curled her lip and gave her a disdainful look.

"Really, I swear on my honor." Lu Mingfei raised his hand and swore.

Xia Mi was even more skeptical, thinking to herself, "If you were to use something else to guarantee it, that might be fine, but a person's character? Who's in this room right now?"

"And what about you?" Lu Mingfei asked back.

Xia Mi shook her head, then gave a mocking smile. She lowered her voice, making it sound sarcastic, "I'm also looking for someone, someone who looks exactly like you, but you've never seen them before."

"Wow! No wonder you're from Beijing, your accent is authentic Forbidden City!" Lu Mingfei wasn't going to back down now, and he retorted sharply, "I thought the last eunuch in China was Sun Yaoting!"

The girl seemed to have never encountered such an adversary in her life, nor had she ever been retorted to like this before, not even once in thousands of years. She was stunned for a moment, then grimaced and almost jumped up from her chair.

She looked around resentfully, looking for a point to launch a purely personal attack. Then she spotted a poster of the female protagonist from Code Geass on the wall and made a mocking "tsk tsk" sound.

"I'm so sorry, I believe you now. Guys who like CC do tend to have big dreams, always fantasizing about meeting a tall, big-breasted mature woman. It's my fault."

"What's wrong with CC?" Lu Mingfei reacted instantly, jumping up to defend the female character he once liked. "CC is great, okay! What's wrong with men liking mature, tall, busty women? You're being petty!"

Xia Mi was inexplicably agitated. Her eyes widened, her face flushed with anger, and she stood up from her chair, confronting Lu Mingfei like a forward and a defender on a basketball court.

"A Japanese anime fanatic!" Xia Mi unleashed a weapon of mass destruction.

“You’re a member of the Blue Cat forum, right? You seem to be going a bit too far.” Lu Mingfei remained unyielding.

The two of them argued back and forth, like children having a quarrel.

Xia Mi gritted her teeth and commented that Lu Mingfei's spiritual world was too barren, a disgrace to the Supreme One. Lu Mingfei was stunned for a moment, then just kept patting his chest and spouting nonsense, saying that the Supreme One was indeed a barren guy. Xia Mi didn't care about, nor did she want to, save face for the Supreme One, and continued to lecture Lu Mingfei on his shallow idea of ​​only liking big-breasted mature women. Looking at the girl's unusually angry face, Lu Mingfei suddenly had a strange idea, and his gaze couldn't help but secretly move down half an inch—

"How annoying!" The stubborn girl's defenses finally crumbled, and she slumped into the chair in a huff.

She was furious. How could there be such an infuriating person in the world, who wouldn't give her any leeway? Normally, if she just frowned, everyone around her, male or female, would back down—

wrong!

Xia Mi was jolted awake by the last vestiges of her reason. In an instant, terror spread throughout her body. For a brief moment, she had truly believed herself to be a beautiful young girl in her prime. She was genuinely engrossed in arguing with this guy, and even somewhat enjoying it.

She was very engaged and enjoyed it—she couldn't deny that; she had just been completely absorbed in it.

The girl had to admit that no matter how hard she tried to imitate him, she desperately wanted to learn how to express human emotions. She had studied it for a long time, but she could never quite grasp its essence. However, when she was arguing with this guy about something incredibly boring and even a little vulgar, she felt a sense of naturalness, as if she wasn't Jormungandr at all at that moment.

There is only one girl named "Xia Mi" left in the world.

The girl bit her lower lip hard with her upper teeth, and a sweet, fishy taste spread in her mouth instantly, making her feel a little confused.

It was just a moment, she swore it was just a moment, but it really did exist for a moment. She actually felt that this feeling was quite nice. If there was only Xia Mi in this world, if the reason she was so angry that she trembled and almost burst into tears was just arguing with an otaku about whether a big-breasted mature woman was good or not, then she seemed... to be very carefree.

She doesn't need to worry about the tyrannical god, the apocalypse, the people who hunt her, or her silly brother. All she needs to do is rack her brains to argue with the boy. Even if she can't win the argument, it doesn't matter. All she needs to do is vent her emotions.

That really seemed like a kind of happiness, a stable happiness for her.

But reason was the foundation of her existence. Xia Mi clearly understood that such a thing would not happen, that a peaceful life was not for her, and that she was not a human girl worthy of enjoying a happy life.

The cold, hard reality brought her to her senses, but also made her feel depressed. The fleeting happiness left her feeling lost, and then she gradually became disillusioned.

Just then, Lu Mingfei's cousin knocked on the door again, impatiently calling for the two of them to go get something to eat. Lu Mingfei responded with a smile, seemingly unaffected by the argument. It was clear that he was a frequent online troll, but he had a very good attitude.

Xia Mi felt as if her soul had left her body. She seemed to still be in that moment when she was simply being a simple girl, unable to come back to her senses. Lu Mingfei called her to eat, and she got up listlessly and followed behind Lu Mingfei.