The air suddenly grew quiet.
Ning Li keenly sensed this abrupt silence.
But over these past days, she had already grown used to the sudden emotional slump from those around her whenever that person was mentioned, so she was conditioned to think this way.
Her friends and classmates, every single one of them, were all die-hard fans of the Former Commander.
The Former Commander’s Fans covered men and women, young and old—this Former Commander could no longer be described simply as “charming.”
One could only say—the destructive power of a dead white moonlight is truly overwhelming.
She subconsciously assumed that this resurrected corpse beside her was the same, falling into sorrow at the mention of the “Anniversary of Death” and mourning the loss of Yin Que.
As they say, the enemy of your enemy is your friend.
Since they were friends, she didn’t mind saying a bit more.
“A few of my classmates prepared a Rosy Bouquet, embroidered a Rose Embroidered Pillow, a Rose Watch, and a Tea Gift Set for him.”
Ning Li’s words carried a deeper meaning—if this friend beside her also had something to give Yin Que, she could bring it to the Mourning Gathering on their behalf.
After all, it was just a small favor.
As soon as she finished speaking, there was another long silence. Was it really that sad?
Just as Ning Li thought this friend had nothing to say, he let out a soft laugh and asked, “And you?”
What did you prepare?
Ning Li, who hadn’t prepared anything: ………………
In an environment where practically everyone was a Fan of the Former Commander, she, a mere bystander, couldn’t help but feel out of place.
But in front of someone who seemed like another Yin Que fanboy, she couldn’t show it.
She had never revealed to Yuan Zi, Lu Shuangshuang, or anyone else that she wasn’t a Fan of Yin Que.
Humans are social creatures.
Sometimes, showing that you fit in is a kind of survival wisdom.
So, Ning Li replied with a straight face, “I prepared a Stone for him.”
“A Stone?”
“Yes.”
Ning Li said calmly, “This gift represents my admiration for him—steadfast as a Stone, unchanged by wind and rain, sun or storm, always the same, never wavering.”
As for where the Stone was?
It was still waiting by the roadside for her to pick up.
After she finished, Ning Li heard a short, low laugh.
Liar.
Yin Que thought leisurely, if she really admired him that much, how could she not even know what he looked like?
He’d heard plenty of sincere praise and heartfelt thanks, but this was the first time he’d heard such a slogan.
Yes, just a slogan, not a trace of emotion, only a performance for show.
Maybe she herself hadn’t noticed—when she spoke these words, it was as calm as reciting lines, even if her tone rose and fell, striving for perfection.
Yin Que actually didn’t need that much praise and gratitude.
To be remembered and thanked meant ordinary citizens were still living in hardship.
When the day came that they no longer needed him, no longer thought of him, that would mean their lives had finally become stable.
Only then would daily life and the Happiness of Family become the main theme of their existence.
And that had always been the direction Yin Que worked toward.
He hoped that one day, Supreme Commander would be just an empty title, a symbol, and ordinary people would no longer see him as a faith.
Ning Li didn’t ask why he laughed.
Although a Stone was cheap and common, who could say her slogan wasn’t loud and clear?
She plopped onto the sofa and said, “Go ahead and eat dinner first. These desserts were made by my classmates; they’re pretty good.”
Yin Que was indeed hungry.
He rarely ate sweets.
He wasn’t fond of sweets to begin with.
But in harsh conditions, he’d eaten stale biscuits and rotten vegetable leaves.
As Yin Que ate the desserts, Ning Li watched him from the side.
His dining manners were elegant, his lashes lowered slightly, and he took every bite seriously, as if the food was something to be cherished.
His porcelain-white fingers loosely held the bread.
Even food that cost just a few Universal Coins seemed extraordinary in his hands.
Xiao Hei kept wanting to snuggle up while he ate.
Yin Que took a moment to gently press its flower crown with the back of his clean hand, making Xiao Hei spin excitedly in place.
Ning Li: …………..
Honestly, she couldn’t bear to look.
After finishing the dessert, Yin Que went to the bathroom to wash his hands.
When he returned, Ning Li spoke formally, “Let’s talk.”
Yin Que cooperated, “Alright.”
Ning Li started by asking, “No Spirit Entity came to my dorm today, right?”
Yin Que, “No.”
Ning Li nodded, took a moment to gather her thoughts, then said, “Recently, I’ve run into a little trouble. To be honest, it has something to do with you.”
Yin Que placed his hands on his knees, not sitting like most men with legs spread wide, but rather in a posture of seriously listening—making Ning Li feel that every word she said would be treated with care.
Her classmates were all about her age, mostly enthusiastic and outgoing, their emotions on display.
This was the first time she’d met such a gentle and restrained gentleman.
Even if, in appearance, he didn’t seem much older than her.
Ning Li took a sip of water and began the conversation in earnest.
“I accidentally picked up something you lost.”
If a Spirit Entity picked it up, it was as if she picked it up herself.
She had no intention of exposing her Spirit Entity’s quirks in front of someone she wasn’t familiar with.
“But I’m sorry—I’ve already used it. I can’t return it to you.”
If Yin Que’s death and resurrection had been an unspoken secret between them, then this thing that couldn’t be returned was also something both tacitly understood.
What could belong to a Sentinel, that once used, couldn’t be returned?
—A Bead.
The Bead left behind after a Sentinel’s death.
“Someone is determined to get this Bead. I’ve been targeted. That person is a Guard Squad Captain, which is a bit of a problem.”
Yin Que sighed softly, “Sorry.”
Ning Li was surprised, “What are you apologizing for?”
Yin Que lowered his gaze.
He still felt he should apologize.
The one targeting Ning Li was probably the Sentinel with a Jellyfish Spirit Entity she’d mentioned before, and it turned out he was a Guard Squad Captain.
Jellyfish Spirit Entities were uncommon, and most had special talents.
Sentinels with such Spirit Entities, once they reached a certain age, were almost always assigned to positions.
For this person to make Captain within five years, he must have already been in the Sentinel Squad five years ago.
The fact that such a scoundrel existed among the Sentinels—and most likely had served in the very squad Yin Que once led—was his own oversight.
Yin Que, “Is there anything you need me to do?”
Ning Li was pleased with his perceptiveness.
“I don’t know who the Water Jellyfish Commander is working for, nor do I know who’s so desperate for that thing, but I think, for now, we’re in the same boat.”
The two of them—one the original owner of the Bead, the other its user—were naturally bound together by it.
Given the ruthless, iron-blooded style of the person behind the scenes, if they were so set on eliminating her, the Bead’s user, they probably wouldn’t treat its original owner any more gently.
Now, they were a community of shared interests.
Before Yin Que could respond, Ning Li continued, “Around nine o’clock this morning, a Forbidden Zone appeared about fifty kilometers from here. Since it’s a newly formed Forbidden Zone, everything inside is unknown. The Spire sent out a call, inviting Sentinels and Guides to explore. I signed up.”
This was likely the open scheme of the Jellyfish Instructor.
Those who signed up would receive ten thousand Universal Coins.
Regardless of whether they found anything valuable in the Forbidden Zone, as long as they made it out alive, they’d get the money.
If a registrant died?
The money would go to their parents or relatives.
If the registrant was an orphan with no family, the money would go to the school as funds.
Ten thousand Universal Coins was a huge temptation for someone short on cash like her.
She was bound to sign up.
This, she knew, and the Water Jellyfish Commander knew too.
No wonder the monitoring Spirit Entity had left. It turned out they’d come up with a new plan.
As long as she was still a Guide and still at the Peripheral Guide Academy, the Water Jellyfish Commander and the others wouldn’t dare do anything to her openly.
But in the Forbidden Zone, it was different.
There, life and death were up to fate.
That was true for her, and just as true for the Water Jellyfish Commander.
Once inside the Forbidden Zone, it would be every person for themselves.
Ning Li reached out to Yin Que, taking the initiative to invite, “So, how about it? Shall we work together?”
He answered by clasping her hand in return.
Surprisingly, his hand was rather cool—not as warm as she’d imagined.
In her spiritual sea, Xiao Hei was leaping about, [He has so many injuries. So, so many.]
Resurrection couldn’t erase Yin Que’s old wounds; the ailments he’d had before still lingered.
Ning Li was actually a bit curious about the cause of this pretty boy’s death.
He didn’t seem to have lived all that well before he came back, either.
But that was too private a question to ask.
Truly interesting.
She had actually found someone who, at the same time, seemed both cold and fragile, and also supremely gentle.
Ning Li relaxed.
“I plan to enter the Forbidden Zone tomorrow. When the time comes, you’ll go with me.”
Then she asked, “You’re not short on money, right?”
If he was, he’d have to sign up; if not, he’d be considered a “wild one” and wouldn’t get the ten thousand coins.
Yin Que, “I’m not signing up.”
Five years had passed, the Commander had changed, and with his identity, he was too sensitive to show himself just yet.
At least not until he fully understood the current situation, before deciding his next move.
Ning Li automatically equated “I’m not signing up” with “I’m not short on money.”
“I’m just a Guide, the Water Jellyfish Commander won’t send too many people after me. Tomorrow, we’ll play it by ear.”
“Alright.”
With that, the heavy conversation came to a temporary pause.
Now that the serious matters were done, it was time to talk about something lighter.
Yin Que asked, “Are there a lot of Guide classes now?”
Otherwise, why do you get out of school so late?
Ning Li: Since they were now partners, some honesty was necessary.
She answered truthfully, “I’m taking remedial classes.”
Yin Que, “Remedial classes?”
Ning Li spread her hands, unconcerned, “That’s right. Cooking Class, Flower Arranging Class, Tea Ceremony Class—I have to make up for all of them.”
Yin Que chuckled, “I see.”
Thinking about how they’d be spending a few days together, Ning Li suddenly asked, “Are you single?”
If he wasn’t, she’d kick him out tonight.
Cooperation was one thing; morals were another.
If he had a girlfriend, it wouldn’t be appropriate for an unmarried man and woman to share a dorm.
Yin Que, “Single.”
“No ex-girlfriend? No fiancée?”
“No.”
Ning Li was completely at ease.
No romantic entanglements meant they could continue working together.
“Well then— Let’s have a good partnership.”
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