Chapter 122

Chapter 24: Everyone Makes a Breakthrough

　【Ding dong, congrats to the host for completing Weekly Task: Smack Attack. Reward: Half Tier of Spiritual Power. Current Level: Mid Fourth-tier.】

　The Blonde-haired Maiden sat on the bed with her hands on her hips, brimming with confidence.

　Now you know how powerful Ningning can be!

　But when she looked down, she noticed Bai Ling lying quietly in bed, motionless, and suddenly felt a bit worried.

　”Bai Ling, are… are you alright?”

　It better not turn into a bust-related incident…

　Bai Ling’s head was still buzzing, until after half a minute, the humming in her ears gradually faded away, and the dandelions disappeared from her vision.

　When she came to and focused, she saw the cute little face of the Blonde-haired Maiden looking at her with concern.

　”I’m fine,” she said softly, “just a bit dizzy.”

　”You, you mustn’t get any stupider… I didn’t mean to.”

　Actually, Ningning did it on purpose; she just didn’t expect her Dabeitù to be so effective.

　Bai Ling propped herself up with her arms, trying to sit up again, but Yuan Xiaoling gently pushed her back down.

　”If you’re dizzy, just rest,” the Blonde-haired Maiden said guiltily. “Let me help you relax.”

　While others compensate with medicine fees, Ningning cuts out the middleman and feeds it directly to you, mouth-to-mouth.

　Don’t ask which mouth, just know that gululu.

　In reality, Yuan Xiaoling’s Dabeitù wasn’t that powerful because it was quite soft. The main reason Bai Ling felt dizzy was that she had been deeply meditating and her consciousness was very focused.

　But now she felt much better, and thanks to Ningning’s efforts, she also felt quite comfortable. Unfortunately, due to the dizziness, the sensation wasn’t particularly strong.

　Still, she’d definitely sleep well tonight.

　In this quiet and peaceful night, everything was so beautiful. Yuan Xiaoling advanced by half a tier, and Bai Ling… also grew by half a tier. Although they weren’t the same kind of thing, both had bright futures ahead.

　Zzzz

　The next morning arrived, the sunlight filtering through the clouds just right, neither too big nor too small.

　The White-haired Maiden woke up from her slumber, stretched her body, then reached out to touch the white rabbit, also neither too big nor too small.

　Emmm, upon waking up, she felt a bit swollen, and touching it confirmed that it had grown a little, but when she looked down, it seemed like there wasn’t much change.

　Did it grow? Indeed, it did.

　Forget it, no matter. There were more important things today; she shouldn’t be troubled by adolescent trivialities.

　After getting dressed, Bai Ling gently got off the bed and headed toward the safe house.

　The two “informants” brought back from outside, after spending a day and night together, had completely different spirits.

　As soon as Bai Ling entered, the former journalist Wang Zhen excitedly rushed over.

　”Miss Bai, you’ve finally come.”

　His lips trembled, his expression extremely excited, like someone who had endured days of thirst in the desert and finally found relief.

　Bai Ling looked at him curiously, then glanced at Gong Tao lounging calmly in the corner, asking, “Is he crazy?”

　”He’s never not crazy,” Wang Zhen said bitterly. “Sometimes we’re chatting happily about something, and suddenly he grabs a chair to hit me, scaring the life out of me.”

　”But he didn’t hit you, right?” Bai Ling asked him. “What about you? Did you manage to extract some information, like someone he likes or family members?”

　Wang Zhen’s face became even more bitter. “No, he only has an ex-wife he divorced many years ago, and they haven’t had feelings for each other for a long time. Then he drives around picking up passengers on the street, meeting many people every day, but forgets them the next day, not having a single close friend.”

　”That’s impossible. He must have someone he cares deeply about,” Bai Ling said coolly. “Keep asking.”

　”No, please don’t…”

　Seeing the White-haired Maiden about to leave, Wang Zhen panicked and thought hard. “No, wait, I remembered one.”

　He walked over and whispered to Bai Ling, “He probably has a child.”

　A child?

　Bai Ling raised an eyebrow. “How so?”

　”He’s interested in certain topics, like high school, primary to junior high exams, interest classes, etc.,” Wang Zhen explained seriously. “And that time when he grabbed the chair, pretending to hit me, but didn’t actually do it, it’s very similar to when someone sees their child failing an exam and scares them… You get what I mean, right?”

　Bai Ling’s mouth twitched slightly. Frankly speaking, she didn’t understand.

　Because she was merely an 18-year-old beauty.

　Turning to look at Gong Tao, he had his hands up as if driving, laughing stupidly. In his imagination, there was a steering wheel, unique and fashionable, and driving would surely be awesome.

　”Is it true or false? If he has a child, why does he keep hiding it, and it’s not even in the records.”

　Wang Zhen shrugged. “I don’t know either.”

　Bai Ling thought for a moment, then went straight to ask Gong Tao, “Do you have a child?”

　”Child? Where?,” Gong Tao’s eyes were crystal clear, as if he had never gone to school. “You’re so young, and you already have a child?”

　”…”

　Note it down for now, deal with it later.

　Upon leaving the safe house, Bai Ling saw Yuan Xiaoling in the meeting room. She was surprised by how early she had risen and then proceeded to recount what she had just heard.

　Yuan Xiaoling blinked her eyes. “So he has a child?”

　”Wang Zhen says he probably has one,” Bai Ling hadn’t fully confirmed yet. “But why hasn’t he ever mentioned it? After all, he’s currently in a prolonged state of confusion.”

　After surviving the Foundation Stone power explosion, his consciousness became mentally unstable during the impact, basically becoming defenseless. It should be like those whose minds Bai Ling invaded; they answer whatever is asked.

　”Ah, I remember he’s someone who ran away from Four Squares Academy,” Liu Yaohua’s voice came from ahead. “When everyone joined Four Squares Academy, they were required to sign a confidentiality agreement, hiding all familial relationships. They said that if your enemies find out, your family might face disaster.”

　Then Wu Bian also chimed in, “They don’t care about your family’s safety; they’re just afraid enemies secretly capture your family as leverage to force you to become a spy.”

　Bai Ling mulled it over.

　Gong Tao, a taxi driver, forgot a lot during the Four Squares Academy incident, becoming mentally unstable, yet he alone remembered to protect his child.

　If that’s the case, it means her conjecture is correct; the two’s mental anchors have been found.

　Moreover, Bai Ling noticed another matter: “Why are all of you here so early? Is there a meeting?”

　”Not a meeting, my informant is coming,” Yuan Xiaoling hummed. “We’re about to unveil the veil of time and uncover the truth of Four Squares Academy!”

　Since Bai Ling had made progress, how could she fall behind? Ningning’s strength is not inferior to anyone’s.

　”Lao Liu!” The Blonde-haired Maiden called out ahead. “It’s all up to you in a bit!”

　Li Li’s informant was also a staff member of Four Squares Academy, barely considered a former colleague of Liu Yaohua. And since they worked there, it’s suitable to let…

　”Don’t worry, Sister Ning, I’ve got everything ready!”

　Liu Yaohua slapped three things onto the table, and everyone focused. There was a pack of soft Zhonghua cigarettes, a Zippo lighter, and a bottle of Wuliangye liquor.

　”Regardless of whether the person coming is a young one or an old hand, drink a couple of cups first, smoke a few cigarettes, chat with me for a while, and I’ll guarantee they’ll spill everything.”

　Good guy, truly prepared thoroughly.

　Yuan Xiaoling thought for a moment. “I’ll make you some boneless chicken claws. Wu Bian, go buy a bag of Ghost Peanuts, and check if there’s any crayfish left in the kitchen.”

　Just as everyone was about to act, the Blonde-haired Maiden’s mobile phone rang.

　”What? Already downstairs? So fast?”

　”Yeah, I accidentally overslept a bit and started late,” Li Li said on the phone. “As long as we set out as early as possible, we won’t be discovered by those tardy office workers.”

　”…”

　Fine, as long as the person’s here, Yuan Xiaoling patted her skirt, preparing to welcome her informant.

　A few minutes later.

　Xiao Su was a young woman in her twenties, fresh out of college and immediately starting work. Although she already had several years of work experience, it was all within Four Squares Academy, and today was her first time doing fieldwork.

　At that moment, she held a stack of “Business Transfer Documents,” looking at these people surrounding her – the uncle with a weird smile on his face, the youth with artistic braids, the pretty and cold White-haired Maiden, and the blonde with large breasts.

　”Sister Li, are we really here to deliver stuff?”

　Xiao Su’s delicate body trembled slightly.

　Li Li glanced at her, thinking naturally, didn’t she just bring her here?

　On Yuan Xiaoling’s side, everyone originally expected someone like Liu Yaohua, an old hand, but unexpectedly, it turned out to be a young girl, causing a moment of hesitation.

　Old Lao Liu gave a questioning look, meaning, do I still need to offer a cigarette?

　Yuan Xiaoling replied with her eyes, don’t bother, just stay calm.

　Then the Blonde-haired Maiden approached Xiao Su, extending her white and tender little hand:

　”Don’t be nervous, we’re not good people.”

　”…Ah?”

　”Cough, let me introduce you,” Li Li couldn’t bear it anymore and stepped forward. “Miss Yuan, this is our office clerk Xiao Su. Don’t look down on her because she’s young, but she already has several years of work experience. Xiao Su, this is Miss Yuan Xiaoling, the strongest person in Tianhai City.”

　”…Not at all, not at all, too kind.” Yuan Xiaoling silently rubbed her hands, sneaking a glance at Bai Ling.

　Wu Bian also looked at the White-haired Maiden, thinking that she was truly the strongest in Tianhai… unless she was henpecked, in which case it would be a different story.