Why Are the Psychos Obsessed with a Mere NPC?

Whenever a situation turned awkward, Jian Yu had a habit of avoiding eye contact.

She offered a polite, "Thank you, Chairman Sheng."

Sheng Yue’s lips moved slightly.

Teacher Hu rushed over with the entire team. "Chief, you’ve finally arrived."

Zhang Qin and the others meekly fell into line, calling out in unison, "Chairman Sheng."

"Mm," Sheng Yue acknowledged with a slight nod.

His cool, aloof eyes held no trace of lewd fantasy, only a hint of frustration and disappointment that flickered across his brow.

’Too many people.’

Jian Yu twisted her fingers, her fingertips tracing across her cool palm.

She could feel everyone’s eyes on her.

Or more accurately, on Yin Jiu, who was nestled in her arms.

Jian Yu wanted to put Yin Jiu down.

But she was a moment too slow. Yin Jiu had already curled into a ball, snuggling deeper into her arms and letting out soft snores.

As everyone shot her strange looks, Jian Yu decided to just roll with it.

She relaxed her grip, letting her palm rest on Yin Jiu’s back.

It was so fluffy and fleshy. She curled her fingers slightly, feeling she could scoop it up in one handful.

Jian Yu’s heart melted. ’So cute.’

Ignoring everyone else, she reached out and took one of Yin Jiu’s paws in her hand.

She first examined its delicate pink paw pads, then gave the paw a little shake—up and down, left and right.

Zhang Qin nearly gasped.

He clutched his heart in silence. It was a surge of paternal affection. ’So cute.’

Yin Jiu kept its eyes shut, feigning sleep. ’AHHHHHH! Master! I’ve finally made it!’

A tickle rose in Sheng Yue’s throat. The tips of his beast ears, hidden behind his dark hair, twitched.

Teacher Hu asked in a low, conspiratorial voice, "Chairman Sheng, it seems like only our team, along with Teams 1, 6, and 9, have any results. Have the other teams not encountered any Mutant Beasts yet?"

Sheng Yue snapped out of his daze. "Not yet."

Everyone could see the real-time rankings. Currently, the team led by Teacher Hu was ranked first.

Everyone could tell that Teacher Hu was trying to brag a little while his team was doing well, hoping to leave a strong impression on Sheng Yue.

Everyone else stood as quiet as quails, none daring to interrupt.

Teacher Hu could see that Sheng Yue’s attention was on Jian Yu.

But he rarely had the chance to interact with Sheng Yue, so he feigned ignorance, seized the opportunity, and continued to chat cheerfully.

Sheng Yue gave a few half-hearted replies, his mind already elsewhere.

"We were lucky this time." While Teacher Hu was certainly experienced, it was also true that this was his first time seeing a Level 2S Mutant Beast.

He began to lavish praise on Sheng Yue, complimenting the team on their unity and camaraderie, Jian Yu on her incredible Healing, and even throwing in a good word for himself for staying calm and steady in a crisis.

"Of the 27 Healing Attribute Mutant Beasts, there were three Level 2S, four S-rank, seven B-rank..."

Teacher Hu launched into a long-winded speech.

Lu Yi and the others exchanged blank looks.

Jian Yu was starting to get drowsy.

She forced a yawn back down her throat, her eyes watering as she pressed her lips together.

Teacher Hu suddenly called on her. "Jian Yu, wouldn’t you agree?"

Jian Yu lifted her eyes blankly. "Uh, yes."

The fatigue from an early start and a day of tension made Jian Yu’s eyes well up.

Her moist eyes glittered as if they held the reflection of a bright pearl.

Zhang Qin immediately clicked his tongue twice, shooting a look at Wang Hu.

Wang Hu smiled and shook his head.

Lu Qi, who rarely spoke up, interrupted Teacher Hu in a deferential tone. "Teacher Hu, the concealed cave is ready. Shouldn’t we go in and set up our sleeping arrangements?"

The last trace of dusk disappeared from the sky, and the darkened Beast Forest was rife with hidden dangers.

Teacher Hu cut his speech short.

He no longer had time for small talk. Leading a few of the boys back to the cave they had blasted open, he said, "You guys secure the entrance first. The others can handle the rest."

The members of this team were generally of low status and power.

Even the Yan Brothers, despite being Awakeners, had been exiled from Emperor Wolf Star long ago for offending someone.

Lu Yi hugged her backpack. "Did any of you bring blankets? If not, I have a couple of light fleece ones."

Jiang Fei instinctively glanced at Jian Yu.

So did everyone else.

Jian Yu met their gazes, looking a little dazed. "I brought my own," she said.

Lu Yi looked at the others.

Everyone said they didn’t need one.

Jiang Fei raised her hand. "Lu Yi, I need one."

Jian Yu had assumed everyone else had brought their own.

She glanced at her Space Ring and murmured, "I brought a lot, too."

Wang Hu couldn’t help but ask, "How many did you bring?"

Facing their slightly odd stares, Jian Yu paused before answering, "One hundred and fifty sets of bedding. All new."

Zhang Qin blushed. "Could you... sell me one?"

Jian Yu froze, her expression turning peculiar.

Zhang Qin quickly waved his hands in explanation. "It’s hard to travel with too much stuff, so I just brought my gear, medical supplies, and some food and water."

He gestured to the group. "We’re all wearing specially made thermal clothing, and our packs are filled with essentials."

Lu Yi declared matter-of-factly, "I need to sleep comfortably to have the energy to fight tomorrow."

"I see..." Jian Yu wanted to salvage Pei Yin’s reputation.

She pursed her lips and decided to tell the truth. "Alright, I’ll give them to you all in a bit. Pei Yin said you might need them, so that’s why I brought them along."

Pei Yin’s original words had been: ’On missions like this, most people can’t carry bulky things. You should bring some. That way, they’ll be more inclined to protect you. Small favors like this are the easiest way to earn their gratitude.’

The teammates’ faces lit up with excitement. "Thanks, Junior!" they said, all starting to transfer money to her.

It would seem pretentious to refuse, so Jian Yu accepted the payments.

She took a quick look and noticed that almost all of them had paid five times the market price.

’A nice little profit.’

Zhang Qin smacked his lips and said, against his better judgment, "Chief Pei is such a great guy."

Wang Hu glanced at Sheng Yue’s stony expression and pulled Zhang Qin away. "It’ll be dark soon. The faster we get set up, the sooner we can rest."

And just like that, only Jian Yu and Sheng Yue remained.

Jian Yu lowered her head, stroking Yin Jiu’s long fur.

A mutated snow leopard, pure white without a single disruptive marking.

’I heard this kind of albino mutation is extremely rare.’

Jian Yu handed Yin Jiu back to Sheng Yue.

Yin Jiu was wide awake now. It clung to Jian Yu’s arm with its paws. "I want to stay with you."

Yin Jiu gazed at Jian Yu with wide, watery blue eyes.

Sheng Yue turned away. "I’m going to check on the other teams. I’ll be back tonight."

His figure vanished on the spot.

But the red thread on Jian Yu’s wrist pointed unerringly toward a large tree a hundred meters away.

Yin Jiu snorted.

The sound was a soft whine, like a spoiled child.

But to Jian Yu, it sounded strangely like a jeer.

Her fingers sank into the soft, fluffy fur, and Jian Yu snapped back to reality.

She held Yin Jiu, meeting its eyes. With a sidelong glance in the direction Sheng Yue had disappeared, she said pointedly, "You’re too timid."

Yin Jiu’s ears twitched. It craned its neck back and replied, "It won’t happen again."

It buried its head in Jian Yu’s arms.

Lu Yi appeared at the mouth of the cave, poking her head out. "Yu, hurry over and pick a spot to sleep."

Jian Yu turned, the hem of her dress fluttering. "Coming!"

A faint, sweet scent lingered in the air.

Like a phantom, Sheng Yue reappeared, his fingers closing gently on empty air.

’There were so many things he wanted to say, but the words would never come out.’

’Why can’t I ever say them...?’

Sheng Yue faced the cave entrance alone, clenching his fists.

He knew he had a difficult personality. He could only lower his head, take a deep breath, and turn his face into the cold wind.

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