Chapter 29: Alliance
Fu Yue’s big eyes spun rapidly, and in an instant, she pieced together the whole situation.
She had never met the new healing-type psychic, but she had heard plenty of rumors about her.
“End-of-the-world’s rarest beauty?”
“Definitely the city lord’s wife?”
“Fu Xingyan’s exclusive experimental subject?”
No matter how you looked at it, the woman’s name was always connected to either the city lord or Fu Xingyan. Anyone linked to both brothers at the same time—and under such ambiguous, scandalous rumors—was clearly no ordinary woman.
Fu Yue felt a mixture of admiration and longing, but she also knew her own abilities and limits, and understood instinctively that she should keep her distance.
Watching the green psychic energy heal Fu Xingyan’s injuries, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of worry—and a faint jealousy—and spoke up.
“I don’t think you genuinely like the city lord’s wife.”
Fu Xingyan’s breath hitched for a moment, and his gaze shot daggers at Fu Yue.
“What did you say?”
Swallowing nervously, Fu Yue gathered her courage and continued, “Back then, the city lord and Mu Jiaojiao had mutual feelings. You pursued Mu Jiaojiao, but when the city lord, due to his condition, couldn’t take things further with her and decided to keep his distance, you lost some of your attachment.
This time is no different. You knew the lady is the only person who can truly touch the city lord. Rumor has it they slept together on the very first day they met, yet you still insisted on using her as your experimental subject, and now you even confront the city lord over her.
Have you noticed? You always follow the city lord’s lead—you choose what he chooses, like who he likes, you like too. You have no personal opinions. Can that even be called affection?”
Bang!
Fu Xingyan yanked his hand back sharply. When he stood up, his movement was so forceful that the chair toppled and shattered into pieces with a clatter.
He stood tall, towering over the terrified Fu Yue. His eyes darkened with a sharp, dangerous glint, each word dripping with intensity, pounding on Fu Yue’s heart like stomps of fury.
“Perhaps I pursued Mu Jiaojiao out of jealousy and admiration for my brother, but Yan Yan is different.”
Mentioning Shao Leyan made Fu Xingyan think involuntarily of her innocent eyes, graceful body, rosy lips, and pure smile. His Adam’s apple moved as he swallowed, and his gaze grew deeper, unfathomable.
“Compared to the unwilling city lord’s wife, she is more suited to be the director’s lady, free to do as she pleases. You wouldn’t understand. She is the angel sent by heaven to save me.”
Fu Yue stared gravely at the obsessive, almost unhinged Fu Xingyan, feeling suddenly as though she had never known him. His expression was so sinister and unfamiliar that a suffocating ache rose in her chest.
“But no matter her status, authority, or influence, the director can never surpass the city lord. Just like you’ve never been able to beat your brother since childhood.”
Her words were met with a thunderous slam of a door, like an explosion in her ears.
Fu Yue looked at the hands that had just healed her beloved, and a single crystalline tear fell into her palm, pain searing through her chest.
Fu Xingyan strode toward the staircase and collided at the corner with Lin Ying, who had just stopped her nosebleed.
He stepped back, creating distance, furrowing his brow, and quickly restored his usual cold, detached expression. He tried to bypass her, but Lin Ying was quick and grabbed his arm.
He frowned impatiently and easily shook her off, but this caused him to pause.
“Why are you stopping me?”
Lin Ying’s expression was firmer than ever.
“I can’t stand seeing Yan Yan with Fu Xingchen. I know you feel the same. Why don’t we form an alliance and work together to separate them as soon as possible?”
Fu Xingyan’s interest was piqued. A faint, sly smile curved his lips. “Are you doing this to pursue my brother, or…?”
Lin Ying’s fair cheeks still carried a hint of blush. She pressed her fist to her lips, coughed lightly, and said firmly:
“Of course it’s for the underground city! Fu Cheng is nothing like Mu Sheng from Central City—a frivolous man living for pleasure!
He has only ever been with one woman, Yan Yan, and surely wants to have children with her and spend his life properly.
But Yan Yan is the most valuable psychic in this apocalypse. Early marriage and childbirth would hinder talent utilization and base development. And the city lord is constantly busy, like a spinning top.
Competition and tension among the three cities are at a critical peak. Dating… especially someone like Yan Yan, would take up most of his energy and time!”
Fu Xingyan nodded thoughtfully. “You’re right. And locking Yan Yan by his side, even giving me only three hours for the research experiment I tailored for her, seriously delays our progress.”
Lin Ying curled her lips in disdain. “Three hours is far too much. Such a delicate girl can hardly withstand your twisted experiments. And how can you lay hands on her like that? If it were me, I’d treasure her, not hurt her. You’re a cold demon, a cruel executioner!”
Fu Xingyan was momentarily dumbfounded, scoffing at Lin Ying’s fangirl-like display.
“A few hours ago, you still had lingering feelings for my brother. Now your every word is about Yan Yan, not a word about Fu Xingchen? Lin Ying, your heart really moves fast!”
Lin Ying flipped her hair, waving her hand dismissively. “I wanted your brother just to complete the Zodiac set, but Yan Yan is different. She’s my goddess, my dream girl. Fu Xingchen can’t compare.”
Fu Xingyan showed a look of knowing amusement and extended his hand.
“In that case, let’s cooperate happily.”
The next day.
After much persuasion, softening, and insistence, Shao Leyan finally got Fu Xingchen to relent and allow her into the research lab.
After scanning her pupils, the green light turned on, and the door opened.
Shao Leyan stepped into the lab and immediately spotted Fu Xingyan at the desk, focused on his work.
He wore a pair of seldom-used gold-rimmed glasses, with the top two buttons of his shirt undone, revealing his exquisite collarbones and a hint of chest muscles.
Shao Leyan had seen Fu Xingchen’s body, but never Fu Xingyan’s. As twins, they looked identical, and their physiques were likely similar.
Suddenly, Fu Xingyan looked up instinctively, their eyes meeting.
Shao Leyan, who had just been imagining Fu Xingyan’s body, blushed fiercely, lowered her gaze, and avoided looking again.
As she walked over, her left foot stumbled over her right, nearly falling, but two strong arms caught her in midair.
