Chapter 139: Chapter 139: Contrast! Shen Yan’s Identity

Even though the moon was setting and they were starving, the guards didn’t dare disturb their boss.

After all, this was the first time they had ever seen their boss sleeping so peacefully after being properly soothed from a frenzy.

But waiting out in the wilderness all night wasn’t a solution, either. A few of them hesitated, muttering amongst themselves as they debated who should be the one to wake him, and how.

Though no one officially approached, the sound of their chattering still reached Xu Qingsui and Shen Yan’s ears.

Shen Yan felt this was the most comfortable sleep he’d had since his frenzies began, and he was reluctant to wake up.

The noise stirred his displeasure. His brow twitched, and through the sliver of his barely open eyes, he saw the pitch-black night sky. Only then did he realize how long he had slept.

He shifted slightly and suddenly realized there was someone in his arms.

He lowered his gaze, and his heart leaped when he saw Xu Qingsui’s profile.

’It’s her!’

’She’s the one who soothed me! She let me sleep soundly for so long.’

As he considered the surprise she represented, his gaze landed on her again, now holding a new, brilliant sparkle.

’She’s getting more and more interesting!’

’Maybe she could stay forever!’

’Or maybe... she could be the one to solve *that* problem!’

A flicker of excitement crossed Shen Yan’s face, but it was gone in an instant.

He opened his eyes and, feigning that he’d only just noticed her, hastily put some distance between them.

He turned to Xu Qingsui with an apologetic look. "Was it you who soothed me? Thank you. And... sorry about that. I haven’t felt this relaxed in a long time. I can’t believe I slept so long that it’s already gotten dark."

Having stood for so long, Xu Qingsui’s entire body ached. But pinned in Shen Yan’s embrace, she hadn’t been able to move an inch and could only endure it.

Finally free, she stretched her stiff limbs and shook her head. "Don’t mention it. As a guide, it’s my duty."

"It’s late, and this is no place to talk. Why don’t you come back with me to the safe zone? We can talk on the way."

Xu Qingsui nodded. Regardless of what kind of person Shen Yan truly was, she had to complete the mission the system had given her.

Going back with him to the 27th District now would save her the trouble of figuring out how to get close to him later.

With Xu Qingsui’s agreement, Shen Yan turned to his few remaining guards. "Prepare to head back. Get yourselves sorted out first. Try to bring back the remains of all our fallen team members. If any are too difficult to collect, just mark the coordinates for now. We’ll send a team to handle it tomorrow."

Seeing that Shen Yan was awake, the guards’ expressions returned to normal. They acknowledged his command and began to carry out his orders.

Shen Yan glanced at his guards, then at Xu Qingsui and her RV. "Let’s leave them to it," he said. "Would you mind if we went on ahead in your vehicle? I can give you directions."

Xu Qingsui nodded, and they both climbed into the RV.

As soon as he was inside, Shen Yan subtly scanned the interior, taking in all of her equipment and supplies at a glance.

’A woman driving such a well-equipped RV on her own is definitely no simple person.’

Considering that, plus the fact she had successfully soothed him, Shen Yan was already connecting her to the Imperial City in his mind.

"As a gentleman, I feel I should offer to drive. But only if you’re comfortable with it, of course. If you have any reservations, I’ll stick to giving directions."

Without a second thought, Xu Qingsui moved out of the driver’s seat for Shen Yan.

’She had her doubts about his character, but it was clear he held a high position in the 27th District.’

’He wouldn’t be so shameless as to steal from someone who just saved him; his pride wouldn’t allow it.’

Shen Yan was slightly surprised by her casual trust, but then a genuine smile spread across his face.

Seated in the driver’s seat, he didn’t wait for his guards, simply starting the engine and pulling away.

As they drove past the spot where the guards were regrouping, Xu Qingsui noticed a large truck parked to the side. It was outfitted with a massive cage, inside of which were several unconscious Mutants.

The sight reminded Xu Qingsui of how Shen Yan had been shouting for his guards to capture the Mutants alive earlier.

She couldn’t help but frown. Most places wanted to slaughter every last Mutant to prevent them from running rampant. This was the first time she had ever seen them being captured alive.

She glanced at Shen Yan, wondering what he was up to.

Noticing her gaze, Shen Yan glanced at the truck outside and instantly guessed what was on her mind.

"Allow me to reintroduce myself. My name is Shen Yan, and I’m the director of the 27th District’s Genetic Laboratory. Our lab’s primary focus is researching the source of contamination, Mutants, and the genetic makeup of Sentinels and guides."

"We’re dedicated to finding a serum that can eliminate the source of contamination and reverse the mutation process, as well as unlocking the genetic codes within guides and Sentinels. The goal is to rapidly enhance their abilities so we can better protect this world."

Xu Qingsui was surprised to learn Shen Yan’s true identity.

Seeing him dressed so sharply and hearing his guards call him ’boss,’ she had assumed he was the young master of some wealthy family or the head of a major corporation. She never would have guessed he was a researcher.

’She couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. In her mind, she’d always pictured top researchers as stuffy bookworms or socially awkward recluses.’

’She made a mental note to herself: never judge a book by its cover.’

"Because we need to study the source of the contamination and the Mutants themselves, the lab frequently sends teams out to capture specimens for research. We were out today to collect test subjects, and I certainly didn’t expect to run into you."

Something about the way he said that felt off to Xu Qingsui. Seeing the broad smile on his face, her own brow furrowed. "You don’t want to study me too, do you?"

"Of course not. I was just marveling at my luck in running into a High level Guide," Shen Yan said, his eyes flicking to the D level insignia on her chest. "One who also saved me at a critical moment. It’s my good fortune. You’re my savior. How could I possibly think of you as a lab rat?"

Xu Qingsui pursed her lips. Even though he vehemently denied it, she felt that a ’smiling tiger’ like him was always the most cunning.

’Compared to him, Lu Jingyu was much easier to deal with. Even though he had an ice-cold expression when they first met, at least he wasn’t full of schemes.’

’She never had to worry about Lu Jingyu plotting something.’

’But with Shen Yan, she told herself she had to be on guard. Otherwise, she could fall into a trap and be sold out before she even knew what was happening.’

Not wanting to continue down that path, she recalled the changes she’d seen in his body when he’d fought earlier and decided to change the subject.

"When you were fighting earlier, I noticed something about your condition. What was that? How do you not have a transition period?"

Xu Qingsui’s question made Shen Yan’s hands pause on the steering wheel for a fraction of a second. But he was a true smiling tiger; in the blink of an eye, the smile was back on his face.

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