Chapter Thirty-Nine: Contrary to One’s Wishes

Jiang Hu clung tightly to Mo Nianian all the way, refusing to let go for even a moment. The two police officers snickered quietly to themselves, murmuring how affectionate these two young people were. Only Mo Nianian knew what this rascal was really up to.

Her cheeks flushed as she signaled him to restrain himself, but Jiang Hu just grinned at her, growing even more audacious. Pretending to whisper to Mo Nianian, he turned and took her earlobe gently between his lips. Fury burned within her, but she dared not show it.

She had set up this persona herself—now she had no choice but to see it through, even if it meant crawling to the end. Mo Nianian took a deep breath, quelling the urge to lash out. Secretly, she pinched Jiang Hu hard. He let out a low, amused chuckle.

“Sister, I find myself loving you more every day,” he murmured against her, his deep voice trailing upward at the end.

The police watched them along the way, half-convinced by the outlandish explanation the two had given. The couple did seem genuinely close—young people, after all, easily caught up in their passions; a bit of mischief between lovers was not impossible. Even so, the case was bizarre in the extreme.

Bai Wei shrank into a corner, gripped by fear. The look in Jiang Hu’s eyes had made her feel as if death itself were drawing near. When they finally arrived at the station, Bai Wei was the first to dart away, vanishing in a flash.

“Please come with us.”

Jiang Hu’s expression remained unchanged; he’d already decided what he would say. But to his surprise, they were questioned separately.

Jiang Hu began to panic. “Can’t we be questioned together? I want to stay with my sister.”

“Sorry, that’s not permitted.”

Irritation flashed through him, and suddenly Jiang Hu understood Mo Nianian’s intent: getting the police involved was only the first step.

Mo Nianian smiled serenely, putting on a show of broad-mindedness. “It’s all right—it’ll only be a moment.”

Jiang Hu’s insistence drew several sideways glances from the officers. If he persisted, he was certain to arouse suspicion. Suppressing his frustration, Jiang Hu forced a smile. “Then, sister, you must wait for me.”

Mo Nianian returned his smile gently. “Of course.”

He cast her a long, meaningful look. Did she really think she could escape? She was far too naive—but that was all right; he was willing to coax her. After all, they had a lifetime ahead of them.

Separated, both Jiang Hu and Mo Nianian answered the police flawlessly, leaving no gaps or inconsistencies. The officers found no loopholes; Mo Nianian had been found and was unharmed—thus the case was closed.

Jiang Hu was escorted out by the police, who gave him a stern warning: “Don’t do this again. Even between lovers, there are limits—this is no joking matter.”

He was quite pleased with being called her lover and took no offense at the scolding. When he stepped outside, as expected, Mo Nianian was nowhere to be seen.

So, she was still being disobedient.

How could he make her stay by his side in peace? Why couldn’t she simply listen to him? Did she really want to force his hand, make him use certain… special means?

Jiang Hu turned on his phone and tracked her location, following at a leisurely pace. Mo Nianian’s signal came to a halt at a certain spot. When he arrived, however, all that remained was a chip with a tracking device.

He picked it up, his eyes flickering. “Careless,” he muttered.

So she was even cleverer than he’d imagined. He crushed the chip with a single hand.

Mo Nianian had retreated to a secluded corner, waiting tensely. This system was utterly useless—at such a critical moment, there was still one percent of its progress left to complete. Truly worthless. Once this task was over, she vowed to replace it.

The system whimpered, “I really didn’t know it would be so complicated, QAQ.”

It had only come into being less than a month ago before the main system forced it to bind with Mo Nianian for missions; much was still unclear to it. Besides, building a passage between two minor worlds was incredibly complex!

Perched in a tree, Mo Nianian gazed up at the stars. At last, she was about to leave—finally, she would be free.

“Host, the passage is about to be completed. Please prepa—”

“Sister, I’ve found you.”

A hand shot out from below the tree and yanked Mo Nianian down.

The scene was strangely chilling.

For a moment, Mo Nianian thought she’d seen a ghost. “What are you doing here?”

Jiang Hu flashed his pearly teeth. “No matter where you are, I’ll always be able to find you.”

“Have you had enough fun? If so, come back with me.”

“The passage is complete. Host, would you like to leave now? Yes/No. Please make your choice within ten seconds.”

“Yes! Yes! Yes!” Mo Nianian was terrified—she couldn’t bear to stay another moment.

“System transferring. Please prepare.”

“Ten… nine…”

Her figure began to fade, growing more and more transparent. Jiang Hu’s pupils contracted; a tidal wave of dread crashed over him. He lunged forward, trying to hold her.

“Sister!!”

But his arms passed straight through her.

He screamed her name like a madman. “Sister!! Don’t leave me! Please!”

He lunged again, throwing himself straight into the tree, splitting his forehead open.

“Sister, don’t go, I beg you! I can’t live without you, you’re all I have left!” Jiang Hu was on the brink of madness, desperately calling for her.

“Six… five…”

The system’s voice softened. “Host, are we really leaving like this?”

Mo Nianian watched coldly, her fingers trembling. “…Yes.”

Her form faded even faster—she was nearly transparent now.

Jiang Hu lost his mind completely. “Sister!! You promised to stay with me forever! You lied!”

He produced a knife from somewhere and pressed it to his throat, his eyes red as blood. “The moment you leave, I will die right here!”

He had only her left. There was nothing else. He couldn’t imagine what life would be like without her.

With a hard motion, Jiang Hu sliced a long gash across his neck. Blood poured out.

Expressionless, his bloodshot, stubborn eyes locked onto Mo Nianian.

She frowned. “Jiang Hu, go back.”

He drew the blade across his throat a second time, making his stance clear.

What meaning did life hold without her? He could not stay in a world where she did not exist.

Jiang Hu showed no restraint. Blood gushed from his wounds, soaking his clothes and draining his strength.

“…Host, the protagonist is about to die.”

A stabbing pain gripped Mo Nianian’s heart. “…Will his death affect this minor world?”

“No,” the system replied dully.

How heartless the host was! Not a trace of compassion! The protagonist was in such a state—it felt so sorry for him, yet the host didn’t care at all!

“The passage is established. Preparing to transfer.”