Chapter 249 - 248: The Coquettish Bear

’Ling Yanzhi would never like Si Yan.’

Jian Yu froze the moment the thought surfaced.

She shook her head, dazed, trying to rid herself of the strange feeling.

But if she could have six or seven partners, why couldn’t Ling Yanzhi?

Wasn’t that a double standard?

A strong wave of self-loathing washed over her. Jian Yu lowered her head, dejected. Her heart ached with a sour, heavy feeling, tinged with... a strange anger.

Ji Shiyin took the initiative to hold her hand. "I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought someone else up."

The Little Flying Bear looked up at her expectantly.

"It has nothing to do with you." Jian Yu snapped out of it, pulling the Little Flying Bear into her arms and patting it gently.

She asked doubtfully, "Can we even get a marriage license at our age?"

One was eighteen, the other nineteen.

’What kind of license could we possibly get?’

Ji Shiyin paused, a soft, sweet smile gracing his lips. "Normally, we couldn’t. But... we’re not exactly normal."

They were the chief students of Weis Lan Noble Academy, but they also belonged to the military.

The Alliance was practically desperate for High-level Awakeners with superior genes like them to get married and have children as soon as possible.

"Xi Yu’s father once had a close friend who died on the battlefield."

Ji Shiyin pressed his lips together and said softly, "The man was also a 3S Awakener. He had a fiancée in his clan, and they were deeply in love, but they hadn’t reached the legal age for marriage. Their family rules stated they had to be officially married before... well, so they never had any children."

This was the Alliance’s greatest regret.

After that, the marriage law was amended with special provisions for 2S-3S Awakeners.

The conditions for a license are: the male must be sixteen or older, and the female must be nineteen or older.

Jian Yu looked at Ji Shiyin with a strange expression. "You want to have children?"

’According to Shi Zhao, my children will belong only to me. They won’t be related to any man.’

’Because the Yuan Beast Clan reproduces through parthenogenesis.’

Ji Shiyin denied it without hesitation. "Children aren’t important. I want to get the license."

"?" Jian Yu’s words reached her lips, but she swallowed them back down.

’Every family’s rules are different. Ji Shiyin’s family...’

’To become the new Family Head, the first condition seems to be getting married first.’

Jian Yu lowered her head, her fingers rubbing the back of Yin Jiu’s head. "We’ll talk about it when we get back."

"Okay. I’ll listen to you." Ji Shiyin’s lips curved up, his tone gentle and soft.

Seeing Jian Yu’s cold expression, his smile gradually faded.

Ji Shiyin observed her expression and couldn’t help but explain in a low voice, "I’m not just using you."

He did want to get the license quickly so he could drive those people out.

Ji Shiyin chose his words carefully. "You’re wonderful. I really do want to give things a try with you."

Although he had always been the one initiating and testing the waters, he had to admit that he felt very comfortable every time he was with Jian Yu.

Even if the two of them said nothing at all.

And...

The Little Flying Bear jumped in. "That time Master almost fell, it was her who caught him. Master hates being touched by others. If someone touches him by accident, he’ll be angry for a long time. But when she touched Master, Master was very happy."

It argued its case, "Master is different with her, so it must be love!"

Ji Shiyin looked at Jian Yu, tacitly agreeing.

His lips curved into a smile that revealed dimples, the mirth reaching his eyes. The wind ruffled his curly, chestnut-colored hair, making him look even softer.

Jian Yu met Ji Shiyin’s determined gaze.

The sour, angry feeling from before gradually faded.

She liked being chosen, especially being chosen with such conviction.

Sheng Yue was right. If she had to choose from the seven of them, she could be with any one of them.

Although the system had messed up when transmitting the plot to Jian Yu, sending fanfiction instead of the original story.

But she had to admit, since transmigrating into the book, these male leads—even as they became more vivid and real—were still just "stepping stones" for her to use.

’So, is it really necessary to care whether Si Yan and Ling Yanzhi get together?’

’It’s not.’ Jian Yu tried to convince herself.

Jian Yu averted her gaze, avoiding Ji Shiyin’s eyes.

She looked down, one hand unconsciously fiddling with the pattern on her dress.

The Little Flying Bear, in its high-pitched voice, was still laying on the sweet talk.

The more Yin Jiu listened, the more miserable it became.

’He’s too good with words.’

’I’m no match for that useless little bear.’

Yin Jiu’s eyes widened, misting over until its blue pupils were glistening with unshed tears.

It let out a miserable howl, [Master!!!]

"..." Sheng Yue jumped in surprise.

Having been ignored for some time, he looked at Jian Yu, wanting to speak but hesitating.

He hadn’t forgotten who Si Yan was; he just didn’t think her name was worth remembering.

He also didn’t want Jian Yu to get the wrong idea and think he had another woman on his mind.

But he hadn’t expected Jian Yu to look so upset after hearing Si Yan’s name.

’Perhaps... Jian Yu isn’t as indifferent to Ling Yanzhi as she seems.’

’It makes sense. After meeting Jian Yu, Ling Yanzhi became a different person—gentle, considerate, and meticulous, making the rest of them look worse by comparison.’

Sheng Yue cut off his chaotic train of thought, but he couldn’t hide the bitterness in his heart.

"It’s about time. We should get back to the group." He looked at Ji Shiyin. "Where are you headed next?"

The Little Flying Bear tilted its head. "Can’t we follow her?"

It lifted a corner of its bib with its paw and pitifully wiped at its tears. "Master, I want to stay with her~"

Yin Jiu: "..."

Jian Yu’s heart softened as she coaxed it, "Are you hungry? I’ll take you to get something to eat."

She turned and started walking.

Ji Shiyin smiled at Sheng Yue. "Brother Yue, I’ll tag along with you guys for now. I haven’t received any new orders from the Alliance yet, anyway."

Sheng Yue: "..."

’He expects to get orders after entering the Ultimate Eye?’

’There’s no service here!’

Jian Yu walked toward the group, holding the two Little Soul Beasts.

Ji Shiyin followed close behind, his steps light and easy.

Sheng Yue’s lips tightened, a cold aura radiating from him.

He quickly strode past Ji Shiyin, returning to the group first.

Ji Shiyin didn’t understand, his eyes filled with confusion.

’What’s the rush?’

Jian Yu was already back in her original spot.

Ji Shiyin glanced at Sheng Yue, who was sitting firmly beside Jian Yu.

He understood.

His smile didn’t change and his eyes narrowed slightly, but the moment he lowered his head, the upturned corners of his mouth flattened into a straight line.

Lu Yi’s eyes lit up. "Chairman Sheng."

Her ship was back.

Zhang Qin and the others stood up. "Chief Ji."

Ji Shiyin found a spot and sat down. "Hello, everyone."

Sheng Yue’s return made the atmosphere in the group even more oppressive.

Lu Yi’s eyes darted around. "Chief Ji, you’re not leaving?"

Everyone pricked up their ears, sneaking glances from the corners of their eyes.

Ji Shiyin smiled warmly. "That’s right. I thought I’d rest here for a few days. I’ll be in your care, my dear juniors."

Their eyes were full of gossip, but their replies were respectfully obedient.

The hope Lu Yi had been clinging to finally died.

It wasn’t that she disliked Ji Shiyin; on the contrary, she quite liked him.

It was just that, compared to the gentle senior, she preferred to ship the cold and aloof type like Chairman Sheng.

Lu Yi flopped onto Jiang Fei, her eyes sweeping back and forth between Sheng Yue, Jian Yu, and Ji Shiyin.

Jian Yu was used to Lu Yi’s constant sidelong glances.

She methodically gave Yin Jiu a large piece of pork knuckle.

When it was the Little Flying Bear’s turn, it whimpered, "Miss, I want to drink milk."

"Milk? Panda formula?" Jian Yu took out all sorts of cow’s milk and goat’s milk from her Space Ring.

She didn’t know what kind of milk pandas drank.

"I brought my own." The Little Flying Bear took out its own baby bottle and a carton of milk.

Jian Yu glanced at them and helped it pour the milk into the baby bottle.

The Little Flying Bear hugged the bottle tightly. "Miss~ I want it warm."

Jian Yu reached out and took the bottle.

’Warm it? I don’t have the right tools for that.’

"Let me." Ji Shiyin offered, taking on the task.

He shook the bottle to mix it, warmed it for two minutes, and handed it to the Little Flying Bear.

"Thank you, Master~"