Chapter 240: Chapter 240: What’s the Grudge Between Us?

Deep in the forest, one white and one red figure could be glimpsed among the thick tree branches.

Huang Ying was cradled in Fenglin’s arms, resting with her eyes closed. Fenglin, meanwhile, gazed adoringly at her peaceful expression as she slept.

What he didn’t know was that Huang Ying wasn’t asleep at all.

’I told you to keep an eye on Qiao Xixi. What’s the status?’

’I am. She hasn’t been alone. Be patient.’

’She’s so vigilant. I wonder what her condition is right now.’

’I’ve detected that her system has been dormant. Quiet! I need to use this chance to attack and destroy it completely. Shit!’

Startled by the system’s voice, Huang Ying sat up. "What’s wrong?"

’That dumbass system just reactivated! Fuck, fuck, fuck! My virus attack was so aggressive, how could it reactivate? I’m going to fucking kill it.’

Huang Ying’s mind was filled with the CLACK-CLACK-CLACK-CLACK of keyboard typing, making her even more irritated.

In the wooden cabin at the Salt Field, Qiao Xixi was still listening to Little Demon’s indignant tirade.

’That morally bankrupt, third-rate piece of shit! It actually dared to attack me! It made me lose so many files. Next time it shows up, I’ll fucking... BLEEP! BLEEP BLEEP... Speaking of which, it’s here! It’s really here... BLEEP BLEEP!’

The noise was giving Qiao Xixi a headache. "Can you please get to the point? What is going on? What kind of grudge is there between me and Huang Ying? Hurry up and tell me."

’She... BLEEP BLEEP... FUCK FUCK FUCK, it’s attacking me! She’s the protagonist’s mother in the book. Her mission is to make sure the novel’s plot runs its course, that the female lead rises to the top of the beast world, and that all the villains get the punishment they deserve... And you, Host, are here to save the villain cubs... BLEEP BLEEP!’

"So what’s the difference between her system and yours?"

’The difference is huge... BLEEP, BLEEP! This heartless piece of junk doesn’t give a damn about the beast world’s ecosystem! BLEEP! Why should our beast world’s cubs be forced to become villains? If they were able to grow up healthy, they could also be... BLEEP BLEEP... wonderful cubs!’

Qiao Xixi seized the opportunity to ask, "So, I actually transmigrated here a long time ago. But because I accidentally ruined Huang Ying’s mission, she started targeting me way back then, is that right?"

’Yes!’

’Her system discovered my existence and saw that you’d derailed the book’s plot, so it came after you. You’re the vicious villain’s mother, so naturally, the whole point was for you to give birth to him. But you refused... so she used her system to interfere with you, BLEEP! Aaaah, I can’t take it anymore! I’m going to go fuck it up right now!’

The voice in her mind vanished completely, and Qiao Xixi’s suspicions were confirmed.

Everything she had dreamed about had actually happened. As for why she had no prior memory of Sangze and Xijing, it was most likely because Huang Ying had maliciously destroyed her memories, causing her to forget they even existed.

’Then... who was the one who abused Qiao Lie and the others?’

’Was it me? Or the body’s original owner? Or was it me, but under Huang Ying’s control?’

’There were no answers yet.’

But there was another question, and Qiao Xixi felt that Sangze was the one who could answer it.

The cabin door was pushed open, and Sunxiao walked in holding a stone bowl.

"Awake?"

Qiao Xixi nodded. As she recalled the cool touch that had soothed her when she was burning up with fever, her eyes curved into a smile as she looked at Sunxiao.

Sunxiao couldn’t resist her sweet, silly expression; it was enough to melt him completely.

"What’s so funny?"

Qiao Xixi reached for the stone bowl, but he pulled it away. He moved to sit behind her, letting her lean back into his arms as he brought the bowl to her lips.

"I’m smiling because you’re so handsome. And the more handsome you look, the happier I feel."

The corners of Sunxiao’s eyes lifted, revealing his cheerful mood.

"This is medicine from the merfolk. Your fever just broke, so you’re still weak. You’ll feel better after drinking this."

The liquid was a pale, greenish-blue and had the fresh scent of grass. Qiao Xixi didn’t mind it, and let Sunxiao hold the bowl as she drank it all. The concoction was refreshingly sweet, and it soothed her throat as it went down.

"Is Sangze around?"

The pleased curve of the great snake’s lips slowly fell. "You’ve been saying his name since last night."

Qiao Xixi paused. "Was I?" She turned and hugged the jealous snake’s waist. "Don’t you dare accuse me wrongly. I was with *you* last night."

The great snake’s downturned lips curved upward again. "So you do remember it was me last night."

"Of course I do." She tilted her head up, leaned close to his ear, and whispered, "Your body is always cooler. It’s different."

Excellent. The great snake had been successfully placated, his lips curling into a smile. Leaning against his chest, Qiao Xixi silently let out a sigh of relief.

’Truth be told, she had been pretty out of it last night. But when she was... enjoying herself with him, she could still tell them apart. They... ahem, they all felt different.’

"Mother, are you feeling better?"

Several small heads poked in through the doorway.

Qiao Xixi beckoned to them, and the cubs pushed the door open and came inside.

"Mother’s all better now. I’m sorry for making you worry."

Qiao Qiao took Qiao Xixi’s hand. After feeling that her temperature was back to normal, she happily planted a kiss on it. "That’s wonderful! I was using my ability to heal you all morning, Mother, but you wouldn’t wake up. We were so scared."

The cubs nodded in agreement. In truth, Qiao Xixi’s fever had already broken by then, but she just wouldn’t wake up. The little cubs had been on the verge of tears with worry.

Qiao Xixi patted their little heads and smiled. "Maybe Mother was just too tired lately, so I slept in a little. Now that I’ve had a good rest, don’t you see? I’m back to normal."

Qiao Ang’s little brow furrowed. He held Qiao Xixi’s hand and nodded. "But Mother, why do you smell like Father Sunxiao? Does kissing and hugging Father Sunxiao cure illnesses?"

Qiao Xixi: "..."

’Beastman cubs have such a keen sense of smell,’ Qiao Xixi reflected. ’Sometimes, that’s really not a good thing at all!’

Qiao Lie tugged on Qiao Ang’s arm. His expression was placid, his calm eyes fixed on his brother with immense seriousness. "You’re right, big brother. So, from now on, you have to let my father be with Mother every day."

Qiao Ang looked confused, his round face scrunching up. "Why?"

Qiao Lie tilted his little head, his expression still serious. "Because he can treat Mother and make her feel better."

Qiao Ang’s face lit up with understanding, and even Sangqi wore an expression that said, "Oh, so that’s why!"

"Qiao Lie, you’re so smart."

The two cubs turned to Sunxiao in unison. "Father Sunxiao, you have to stay with Mother every day from now on."

Qiao Xixi: "..."

Qiao Qiao, Xiya: "..."

Qiao Xixi was actually feeling much better. Today, she wanted to go check on the Seven-color Salt Field.

Once Sunxiao confirmed that she had mostly recovered, he helped her into a beast-hide tunic and led her out of the cabin by the hand.

Just as Qiao Xixi was about to ask where Jin Ling and the others had gone, a loud CRACK suddenly exploded in her mind.