Chapter 60: Oh My God, Big Sister

That promise not to leave was, of course, a lie.

Maybe it was because she had already told enough lies that You Xue could say those words with a calm expression.

Looking into his firm black eyes, what kind of emotion lay hidden within them?

Sincerity, warmth, concern, and a plea to stay—all released with such intense emotion that it felt as though he had already spoken the words “Don’t go.”

You Xue couldn’t answer him honestly.

Concealment and deception had always been her way of surviving in this world.

She didn’t need to feel sorry toward Su Li, because everything she did was for that beautiful ending.

In the ending she imagined, Su Li would no longer be alone, would not be deeply mired in pain and helplessness.

He would see the bouquet of hope blooming in the world, as if everything had awakened to usher in the dawn.

So You Xue pretended to be at ease as she said those words.

After watching him finish his medicine, she pushed the glass of water toward him.

“Thank you.”

Su Li then downed the warm water in one gulp.

“Still dizzy?”

You Xue asked.

“A little,” Su Li replied.

You Xue tilted her head and studied him.

After taking the medicine, he leaned back on the sofa and propped his chin up with his hand.

A little?

The truth seemed far from what Su Li had said.

In fact, as far as You Xue could see, his cheeks were as red as an apple—hardly a sign of improvement.

He said no one should push themselves, yet he couldn’t even follow his own rule.

You Xue hid her smile and thought to herself, ‘Then even if she did something similar, he wouldn’t have a reason to blame her.’

“Mm, you still seem uncomfortable. Since it’s a holiday, just stay here and rest,” You Xue said.

She looked at Su Li for a long while before he reluctantly uttered a single word.

“Okay.”

After letting the air cool for a moment, You Xue spoke in as calm a tone as she could manage.

“I need to go out this afternoon.”

“Where to?”

“I was unconscious in the hospital for a few days, then stayed at the Academy for a while. I do have a job. I’m not going to do anything dangerous—just reporting in and asking about work.”

You Xue explained unhurriedly.

“Sister Ying… that is, my boss, called this morning. I can’t keep not showing up.”

That was also a lie.

She had already called Sanjian Ying in the morning and asked for leave, so there was no need to go.

What she actually had was an appointment with Anbian Du in the afternoon—she needed to pick up the medicine.

Maybe she had been taking too many painkillers.

Lately, her stomach often felt queasy, and her head was dizzy.

But taking just one or two didn’t seem as effective as before, so she had to slightly increase the dose.

She had only taken a moderate amount, but it still came with side effects.

The Magic Blocker was indeed more effective, so she had to get it today.

This was definitely something she couldn’t let Su Li know, so You Xue had made up an excuse to go out.

Su Li stared at You Xue for a long moment before finally nodding slowly.

“Okay, go ahead.”

His next words carried a hint of envy.

“An Engraver… that’s really impressive. Must pay well, right?”

You Xue agreed with that, though she didn’t actually have much money because of her illness.

After getting the free medication from Anbian Du, her situation had improved a lot, and she could save up.

“I’m just an apprentice now, nothing too impressive. I don’t have that much money, but once I get promoted, I’ll definitely earn a lot,” You Xue said with a smile, planning to leave good things for the future.

After all, for her, the arrival of the future was never guaranteed at any given moment.

Su Li smiled too, a bit helplessly.

“I hope I can become a powerful Superpowered Individual someday, make a lot of money, and live a good life.”

“You definitely will,” You Xue affirmed firmly.

Because she firmly believed that Su Li would become a remarkable person, a hero who saves others—even if he was still far too inexperienced now.

Having read the Original Story over and over in her Previous Life, You Xue always saw him as that hero.

The difference between present and future was not great—only some determination and immense power.

***

That afternoon, You Xue went out.

You Xue remembered the cafe Anbian Du had mentioned—it was right next to the milk tea shop where Su Li had taken her last time.

As the distance shrank, she soon spotted that scruffy, bearded weirdo—Anbian Du—standing casually in front of the cafe.

He was still smoking.

Some passing students pointed at him behind his back.

As a Fourth-Tier Esper, there was no way he couldn’t hear them, but he clearly didn’t care at all.

“Yo, you’re here fast,” he greeted when he saw You Xue, then tossed the cigarette butt and crushed the spark with his shoe.

At least he knew to respect a patient now, You Xue thought.

Anbian Du didn’t enter the cafe.

He just said, “We won’t talk over coffee today. The Academy’s Research Department happens to need your sample, so we’ll go together. I’ll give you the medicine after the sample is taken, since taking the medicine would affect the results.”

You Xue didn’t show much reaction and simply nodded.

“Mm. If you want to drink, I can treat you to a cup,” she said.

Anbian Du scratched his head.

“No need.”

You Xue shook her head and declined.

***

In silence, the two soon arrived at the Academy’s Research Department.

The department was housed in a tall, orderly building.

The walls were painted a pure white, and windows occupied more area than the walls, glinting blue under the sunlight.

It was one of the rare buildings on campus that lacked classical style.

The angular, reflective structure reminded You Xue of the steel-and-concrete jungles from her Previous Life’s city.

The sign at the entrance read the full name of the department: Department of Magic and Supernatural Phenomenon Research.

In the Original Story, although the department didn’t have a strong presence, it was mentioned in every volume, so You Xue knew a little about it.

As the Academy’s research division, it covered many fields: the influence of Magic Power on Demon Beasts, the correlation between Ability Awakening and mental fluctuations, Ability Awakening and failure, and even the creation of unconventional weapons…

Following behind Anbian Du, weaving through corridors, they finally stopped in front of a room numbered seven.

After a perfunctory knock, Anbian Du pushed the door open.

You Xue looked inside.

The room was filled with silver instruments with gauges, as well as neatly arranged rows of collection tubes and sealed bags.

Sitting inside was a young woman with long purple hair, dressed in a pure white lab coat.

She sat upright, reviewing some documents, looking cold and serious—probably the person in charge of this room.

Hearing the door open, she glanced toward the entrance.

Her gaze first landed on Anbian Du.

“You brought the person?”

Anbian Du nodded and stepped aside, revealing You Xue.

The purple-haired woman’s eyes shifted to You Xue and paused for a moment.

“She’s this young?” she asked, surprised.

Anbian Du shrugged.

“This is already a relatively old patient. Most people with the illness don’t live long enough to reach this age. Plus, since there’s no cure, such patients are rare.”

The young woman ignored Anbian Du’s remark.

Instead, she forced a stiff smile and said in a gentle tone, “Little sister, don’t be scared. Come here—let your big sister give you a hug.”

You Xue froze on the spot.

The woman’s vibe seemed to have changed instantly.

She had expected a serious, meticulous style.

“…”

You Xue opened her mouth, momentarily at a loss for how to respond.

Finally, she said seriously, “I’m not little anymore.”

Although she had only been transmigrated for a little over a year, her mind also held You Xue’s memories.

Adding them together, she was nearly forty.

But the woman seemed to completely ignore her words, narrowing her eyes, curling the corners of her mouth, and making a motion as if pulling something from her pocket.

“Hehe, don’t be scared. Big sister has candy here…”