Chapter 178: Are You Two Together?
Chapter 178: Chapter 178: Are You Two Together?
Chu Tian had only meant to talk some sense into Liang Xiaoxiao. He never thought that after saying so much, all he’d get in return was a question like that.
He froze, completely at a loss for how to respond.
’Only Shen Yan could probably answer that,’ he thought.
When Chu Tian didn’t reply, Liang Xiaoxiao spoke up again. "What’s so great about that Xu Qingsui? Why would he choose her?"
Chu Tian was already embarrassed from being put on the spot by Liang Xiaoxiao’s last question.
Now, her second question gave him the perfect opening.
After all, before coming down here, he hadn’t thought much of Xu Qingsui either.
But this whole ordeal had completely changed his opinion of her.
So he immediately started singing her praises without a filter. "Guide Xu really is outstanding. I’ve never met a guide like her. Not only does she go to the front lines without putting on any airs, but her skills are impressive, and she’s a kind person who doesn’t hold grudges..."
Chu Tian rattled on eloquently until he caught sight of Liang Xiaoxiao’s dark expression. Only then did he realize he’d completely failed to read the room.
’This is one of those trick questions where you’re dead no matter what you say,’ he thought. ’I completely misread it and then ran my mouth. I was just asking for trouble!’
Annoyed with himself, Chu Tian wanted to smack himself across the face.
Seeing Liang Xiaoxiao’s stormy gaze still fixed on his face, he had no choice but to change the subject.
"Oh, look at us, just standing here talking. They’re already far ahead. Miss Liang, we should head up!"
With that, Chu Tian started walking, not daring to look at Liang Xiaoxiao as he went ahead.
But he didn’t dare leave her behind entirely, so he slowed his pace, his ears pricked for the sound of her footsteps.
Only when he heard her footsteps following him did Chu Tian dare to resume his normal pace.
But clearly, Liang Xiaoxiao wasn’t about to let him off the hook. She caught up to him and demanded, "You didn’t finish what you were saying before!"
Chu Tian stumbled, nearly tripping over his own feet.
’Isn’t she just torturing herself?’
’Why does she have to keep pressing me to say things she doesn’t want to hear?’
Chu Tian suspected she was doing it on purpose, just so she could vent her frustrations on him later.
He suddenly understood the profound meaning of an old saying: "Women and petty men are the most difficult to deal with."
Not wanting any more trouble, Chu Tian gritted his teeth and kept walking, ignoring Liang Xiaoxiao’s question.
Seeing this, Liang Xiaoxiao tried again. "Then tell me, why would Shen Yan want to be with her?"
By now, Chu Tian wanted to avoid answering any of her questions, worried that the more he said, the more trouble he’d cause for himself.
But despite himself, her question made him think.
’If it were me, I’d choose Xu Qingsui too,’ he mused.
’Setting aside her guidance abilities for a moment—the very fact that she could guide Shen Yan proves her capabilities are beyond question.’
’Anyone would want a guide like that by their side. It’s like having a cheat code.’
’Plus, Xu Qingsui is so genuine and easy to get along with. That’s another point in her favor.’
Still receiving no answer from Chu Tian, Liang Xiaoxiao finally fell silent.
The return trip was quick. Before long, the group was back in the plaza above ground.
Because of what happened to the five-person team earlier, word had gotten out that there was trouble in the pit, and a crowd of onlookers had gathered.
When they saw Shen Yan and Xu Qingsui emerge safely, the crowd started murmuring, wondering if the problem below had been solved.
Shen Yan had no time to explain, but fortunately, Chu Tian and Liang Xiaoxiao emerged soon after.
As if making a getaway, Chu Tian quickly briefed the onlookers, assuring them that the situation was resolved and the curfew was lifted.
Seeing Chu Tian’s confident assurances, the crowd’s collective anxiety finally subsided.
Meanwhile, Shen Yan invited Xu Qingsui to accompany him back to the lab, but she flatly refused.
The Mutant problem was solved. Whatever happened next, whatever arrangements the lab made, had nothing to do with her.
Just then, Lu Jingyu arrived with his team, and as it happened, she had a few questions for him. Although displeased by Xu Qingsui’s rejection, Shen Yan didn’t try to stop her. After all, he couldn’t afford a reputation for casting people aside the moment he was done with them.
Without giving him a chance to say anything else, Xu Qingsui immediately led Lu Jingyu and his group back to her room in the dormitory.
Seeing Xu Qingsui so eager to talk to him that she’d even rejected Shen Yan’s invitation, Lu Jingyu was beyond thrilled.
As he left, he shot a pointed look at Shen Yan, his eyes filled with an unconcealable, gloating pride.
Shen Yan said nothing, silently calculating. ’This is my turf, anyway,’ he thought. ’There will be plenty of opportunities to deal with Lu Jingyu later.’
The rooms were designed as single-person dorms, so while it was normally comfortable for Xu Qingsui, it felt extremely cramped with so many people suddenly squeezed inside.
Lu Jingyu wanted to speak with Xu Qingsui alone anyway, so he immediately said, "The rest of you can wait outside. I’ll call you if I need anything."
The men exchanged glances. This wasn’t Zone 9; they had nowhere to stay here. If they went outside, were they supposed to just stand around?
Noticing their awkward predicament, Lu Jingyu realized his words had been thoughtless.
They had just arrived in the 27th District when they ran into the five-person team and learned that Xu Qingsui was in trouble.
They hadn’t even found a place to settle in yet, so asking them to leave now was indeed putting them in a difficult spot.
"The camp vehicle is parked right outside," Xu Qingsui spoke up. "You can go rest there for a bit. I’ll talk to Shen Yan later and have him arrange accommodations for you."
Hearing Xu Qingsui mention Shen Yan, Lu Jingyu felt a pang of jealousy.
Once everyone else had left, he could no longer hold it in. "You seem to be on very good terms with Shen Yan."
Xu Qingsui didn’t read too much into it, waving a dismissive hand. "It’s just asking him to arrange a place to stay. There are plenty of rooms here; it’s no trouble to house a few more people."
"That may be, but safe zones are typically exclusive. They probably won’t be too happy about letting us settle in here."
Xu Qingsui frowned, actually giving it a moment of serious thought. "It’ll be fine. I’m sure he’ll do it as a favor to me."
Seeing her so certain, Lu Jingyu couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something going on between her and Shen Yan.
He couldn’t hold back any longer and asked her directly, "Is it because you’re already with him?"
Having finally said the words, Lu Jingyu stared intently at Xu Qingsui, waiting for her answer.
Xu Qingsui was taken aback, not understanding where he was coming from with that question.
"What are you talking about? When did I ever get together with him? You saw Liang Xiaoxiao. He just asked me to play along and help him get rid of her. That’s it."
Hearing Xu Qingsui’s explanation, the knot in Lu Jingyu’s chest finally loosened.
A wave of relief washed over him, knowing that she wasn’t with Shen Yan.
But remembering how terrified he had been, he knew he had to confess his feelings.
He couldn’t put it off any longer. If he waited, some other Tom, Dick, or Harry might show up and get between them first, and that would be a disaster.