Chapter 110

Chapter Twelve: Clouds of Doubt

　　After the meeting, both parties could relatively accept the outcome, resolving a major life issue.

　　Ding Cheng had just sat back in his guest room, sipping tea and marveling at Yuan Xiaoling’s appearance, living up to her goddess reputation, when he was summoned again before he even got comfortable.

　　In the room, Yuan Xiaoling sat above, Luo Zou Cheng and Wu Bian stood by her side, along with several women and a cool-aura White-haired Maiden, making quite an imposing presence.

　　”Miss Yuan, Boss Luo, Boss Wu,” Ding Cheng said nervously, “What do you need me for?”

　　Yuan Xiaoling gave Wu Bian a nod, and he went over to explain their intentions to Ding Cheng.

　　”It’s about Old Liu.”

　　Though unsure why they valued information on Old Liu so much, Ding Cheng didn’t dare ask too many questions and decided to answer first.

　　”Old Liu’s real name is Liu Yaohua. I never asked where he’s from, but we met by chance and shared a few drinks. Once, after drinking too much, he mentioned that he used to work for the government, but only for a short time.”

　　Yuan Xiaoling exchanged glances with Bai Ling.

　　”Did he specify what he did while working for them?”

　　”No, just a mention during one of our drinking sessions.”

　　”Alright, I understand. That’s all for now,” Yuan Xiaoling said, “Tomorrow, you’ll come with us to contact him.”

　　Ding Cheng had no reason to refuse; anyway, if there were any fights, it wouldn’t be his job. Just tagging along to build some rapport would be pretty easy.

　　After asking the necessary questions, Yuan Xiaoling waved her little hand, dismissing everyone to go about their business.

　　”Phew, finally done with today’s affairs.”

　　The Blonde Busty Girl couldn’t wait to unbutton her collar, letting Dabeitù breathe freely.

　　Bai Ling silently glanced twice, suppressing the flutter in her heart, and softly asked, “Is this person a crucial lead?”

　　”I don’t know, but I hope so,” Yuan Xiaoling said, sitting by the bed, fanning her collar with her small hands, “To learn about Four Squares Academy’s past, aside from waiting for friends to dig up info, we can only find those who’ve worked there. We’re lucky to have stumbled upon someone.”

　　The air was filled with a sweet floral fragrance and a whiff of milk, tickling the senses.

　　Seeing Bai Ling quiet, lost in thought, occasionally sniffing, Yuan Xiaoling wondered aloud:

　　”Are you catching a cold?”

　　”No.”

　　”That’s good. If we encounter troublesome enemies, we’ll rely on your moves.”

　　Yuan Xiaoling completely opened her collar and dramatically lay down, letting Dabeitù bounce around with her body.

　　”Bai Ling, have you heard of Spiritual Energy Manipulators employed by the government?”

　　Bai Ling slightly startled, regaining focus.

　　”Never heard of it, not even in my past life… It seems…”

　　It seemed since she entered this circle, both sides operated independently, as if existing in different worlds.

　　”It wasn’t always like this. Based on clues I gathered, they once cultivated Spiritual Energy Manipulators and even had specialized bases,” Yuan Xiaoling said, “That’s what we’re investigating right now.”

　　Bai Ling sat closer on the bed, near the floral and milk scents, “Four Squares Academy?”

　　She’d been hearing Yuan Xiaoling talk about it often these days.

　　”Yes, more accurately, Four Squares Academy from a year ago.”

　　Yuan Xiaoling looked at her small hands, gripping them tightly.

　　”I believe somewhere in the world, something significant must’ve happened, causing them to entirely abandon cultivating their own manipulators. The incident in Tianhai City might not have had a huge impact, but it’s still a reflection.”

　　Bai Ling nodded lightly.

　　She understood perfectly but remained somewhat absent-minded.

　　”So, if we’re lucky, tomorrow that former employee might give us some information, perhaps revealing glimpses of that era,” Yuan Xiaoling mumbled to herself, “If not, no big deal, we’ll just wait a bit longer.”

　　Until Qiao Lili extracts more info.

　　”So, let’s wait till tomorrow. For now, we should conserve energy and rest…”

　　Before finishing her sentence, Yuan Xiaoling noticed Bai Ling’s hands resting on her.

　　”I said, we should rest,” the Blonde-haired Maiden blinked her eyes, “Conserve energy.”

　　”I know, I don’t need your help,” Bai Ling said, “You rest yours.”

　　”?!”

　　People, Ning Ning has had enough! Encountering a domineering woman who doesn’t care about anything, grabbing and eating without hesitation. Claiming life is short, eating is happiness, disregarding whether it’s rice balls, ice creams, or steamed buns—just eat eat eat eat eat!

　　…

　　Was it a dream?

　　Weathered streets, retro building fragments floated like bubbles in the low sky.

　　The White-haired Maiden suddenly appeared here, looking around. The sky was gray, dimly lit, like a heavily clouded overcast day.

　　There were many people around, but none had solid footing, instead floating aimlessly in the low sky like those building fragments, unmoving, swaying gently in the breeze.

　　What a bizarre place…

　　”Excuse me,” the maiden asked the nearest person, “Where am I?”

　　She wouldn’t normally say please, but she learned well…or rather poorly, from Yuan Xiaoling.

　　Not expecting a reply since these people obviously weren’t normal, but then countless voices responded simultaneously from various distances:

　　”The geographical location here…is meaningless.”

　　All heads bowed, slanted gazes turned toward her. Everyone answered her with the same words, different voices blending into one.

　　Such a creepy scene sent chills down her spine. She instinctively felt irritated, as she was usually the one scaring others, not the other way around.

　　”Well then, tell me, what does have meaning?” The maiden crossed her arms and asked coldly.

　　Everyone lifted their heads in her direction, their bodies floating uncertainly between reality and illusion. Countless voices of all kinds merged into one:

　　”Join us, and find meaning!”

　　…

　　By late July, despite the heat of Tianhai’s summer, it wasn’t dry, often accompanied by sea breezes carrying moisture toward the city.

　　In the morning, while the lazy girl was still asleep, the sea breeze had already reached the windowsill, blowing the curtains outside rustling.

　　”Don’t eat anymore, don’t eat anymore,” the Blonde Busty Girl murmured in her sleep, “There’s really nothing.”

　　Seems like she had an unhealthy dream.

　　After a while, Yuan Xiaoling slowly opened her eyes, seeing the familiar ceiling, sighing in relief.

　　”It was a dream, thank goodness.”

　　As soon as she finished speaking, she turned her head and saw Bai Ling’s head buried in a bun.

　　…Looks like it wasn’t all a dream.

　　”Get up!” Yuan Xiaoling pushed her irritably, “Stop acting like a miss!”

　　Clearly, Bai Ling slept even deeper than Ning Ning. After being pushed a few times, she didn’t fully wake up and even smacked her lips.

　　”Hisss… Get up quickly, lazy bug!”

　　Through Ning Ning’s relentless efforts, Bai Ling finally woke up. As soon as she opened her eyes, all she could see was white.

　　What blinded her vision… oh, it was food.

　　”Shut up! Get up!”

　　Tsk…

　　Yuan Xiaoling didn’t necessarily insist Bai Ling get up; she just shoved her off herself and left her alone. Bai Ling lay to the side, closing her eyes to think.

　　The scenes from the dream were vivid. Honestly…a bit eerie.

　　Of course, having strange dreams is common for high-tier mental ability users. Most high-tier ones have abnormal mental issues. Like that guy Wu Bian, who has a strong desire to express himself and tends to chatter.

　　Bai Ling also had such abnormalities, but they were always overshadowed by stronger emotions, influencing her dreams accordingly. In her past life, the strong emotion was revenge, and her dreams were full of killing. Now, the strong emotion is… well, hard to say, but her dreams are full of transparency.

　　First time encountering such a strange dream.

　　”Bai Ling, why aren’t you getting up yet?” Yuan Xiaoling turned back and saw her still in bed, putting her hands on her hips and saying, “I told you last night, eating everything will harm you. Can’t even get out of bed now, right?”

　　Bai Ling twitched the corner of her mouth: “No, I’m getting up immediately.”

　　Regarding last night’s incomprehensible dream, she could only set it aside for now and probe further next time they encountered it.

　　Half an hour later, the two girls finally dressed neatly and sat at the dining table. Yuan Xiaoling continued yesterday’s JK outfit since they had errands to run today.

　　After breakfast, the two went downstairs together, finding many people waiting below.

　　”Miss Yuan, the car is ready, and the person has been contacted. We can depart anytime.”

　　”Hmm.”

　　Yuan Xiaoling looked around. Wu Bian and Ding Cheng waited nearby, while Luo Zou Cheng, Ah Lan, Ting Ting, and others stayed behind to guard the hotel.

　　Before transferring the base, the main camp still needed supervision, otherwise, if something happens, they’d return to find no place to sleep.

　　”Let’s go, departure.”

　　Wu Bian drove a six-seater extended sedan, with the leading figures seated inside. On the way, Ding Cheng introduced them.

　　”A month ago, after the Tianhai Tower incident, the chamber of commerce fell apart. That’s when I suddenly remembered—if the bosses of the chamber are struggling to save themselves, isn’t this a golden opportunity? Liu Yaohua and I had the same idea. By the time I arrived, he’d already succeeded, so I had to settle for a nearby spot.”

　　”I can’t really describe his specific situation, but I believe you’ll hit it off. You’ll understand once you meet.”

　　Said but unsaid, though the destination was nearly reached.

　　Since Ding Cheng had informed ahead of time, Liu Yaohua knew they were coming and thus waited at the entrance of the guesthouse early.

　　”Welcome, welcome! Your arrival truly honors me.”

　　Yuan Xiaoling saw a man around thirty walking toward them. He wore an untied floral shirt, carried nothing else, but specially combed his hair and greeted everyone enthusiastically upon arrival.

　　”Old Ding, long time no see, haha, I’ve prepared some wine you like.”

　　”This must be Mr. Wu Bian, one of the few Fourth-tier powerhouses in Tianhai and one of the three pillars of the former chamber. Truly remarkable.”

　　Wu Bian coughed twice: “All that’s history now. I’ve submitted to Miss Yuan and Miss Bai, serving them loyally.”

　　Yuan Xiaoling quietly rolled her eyes, thinking if it weren’t for the mental lock on him, he’d have fled long ago.

　　Upon hearing Wu Bian’s words, Liu Yaohua approached Yuan Xiaoling and exaggeratedly bowed.

　　”There’s no need to elaborate. Renowned Water Goddess, the number one beauty in the ability user circle worldwide. At such a young age, you’ve already made countless admirers. Today, I’m honored to meet you.”

　　”Hahaha.” Everyone around laughed.

　　”How about that, Miss Yuan, I was right, wasn’t I?” Ding Cheng whispered close by, “Old Liu is quite eloquent.”

　　Yuan Xiaoling hummed lightly, “Alright.”

　　Ding Cheng felt a sense of illusion because Yuan Xiaoling didn’t seem entirely satisfied.

　　Indeed, Yuan Xiaoling believed that the title of ‘world’s most beautiful’ sufficed without the qualifier ‘ability user circle.’

　　Not out of vanity, mainly because this recognition accumulated over ten years of task rewards from her previous life—it was weighty. Do you understand?

　　Understand nothing! And ability user circle? Try finding another among ordinary people!

　　But Liu Yaohua was indeed eloquent, quickly becoming familiar with everyone. His mouth was full of old buddy this and younger brother that, as if going for a foot massage together could instantly make sworn brothers.

　　Wu Bian was already dazzled by his charisma, hooking arms with him and reminiscing about their glorious pasts.

　　”Liu Brother, not to boast, but as you’ve heard, my role in the chamber was crucial. But they didn’t listen! They always thought auxiliary roles were inferior, especially that fierce face, believing no one in Tianhai could beat him, so he didn’t need sensory support. Guess what? Got cut down eventually.”

　　”Tsk, serves him right!”

　　Fortunately, Ding Cheng spent some time with Liu Yaohua, adapting to his exaggerations and not forgetting the main purpose.

　　”Old Liu, let’s get serious. Today, Miss Yuan invited you here not only to discuss cooperation and mergers but also to inquire about certain matters.”

　　”Is that so? Miss Yuan, no need for formality. If there’s anything you want to know, just ask,” Liu Yaohua released his hand, “Old Liu will surely answer without reservation.”

　　”Not in a rush,” Yuan Xiaoling smiled, “Let’s sit down and talk.”

　　She figured out that this person must have worked within the system before; otherwise, how could he speak in such polished phrases? If you let him ramble, he could keep going for days without hitting the point.

　　So Ning Ning planned to be direct.

　　Walking into the guesthouse, everyone sat down. Liu Yaohua ordered a few cups of rich white wine. Before anyone could lift the cups, Yuan Xiaoling’s soft voice spoke up:

　　”Let’s skip the pleasantries, Boss Liu. I heard you once worked for the government, and I want to ask about them.”

　　Then Yuan Xiaoling leaned in closer, “And, was the place you previously worked at the Tianhai Four Squares Academy?”

　　Hearing her two questions, Liu Yaohua froze. Wu Bian and Ding Cheng exchanged puzzled glances.

　　’Do you know?’

　　’I don’t either.’

　　”Haha, Miss Yuan truly gets straight to the point,” Liu Yaohua chuckled, finally raising the wine cup, “However, it’s still early. You’ve just arrived, and I haven’t properly entertained everyone yet, so…”

　　Before he finished his sentence, Yuan Xiaoling waved her little hand, shooing away Wu Bian, Ding Cheng, and the others. Only three remained at the table.

　　Liu Yaohua looked at Yuan Xiaoling’s sweet smile and the icy expression of the white-haired girl, quietly putting down his wine cup.

　　”Alright, Miss Yuan, where would you like to start?”