Chapter 29: Each gets what they need

[Yes.] The system gave an affirmative reply.

Reincarnation had indeed seized a loophole in the world’s consciousness—when the female lead dies, the world resets, and it can bring the host back to the very first day she entered this world.

[Host, do you want to be hit by a car, drown in the sea, or jump off a building or something?]

Liu Qiu wasn’t frightened. When she had first been bound, the system had already told her that she could reincarnate, and that the fastest way to enter reincarnation was to die.

Liu Qiu pulled the quilt over herself, covering her face as tears dripped steadily into the pillow.

[I don’t know. I miss my mom and dad.]

When people are sick, they become fragile—emotionally and behaviorally.

The hospital room was empty except for Liu Qiu.

The rain grew heavier, making the entire room feel even lonelier.

Her sobbing was soft, yet in the silence it sounded especially clear.

The system felt a little annoyed. It had only been joking, trying to distract the host from her sadness, but apparently that hadn’t worked. Its code for analyzing human emotions was still insufficient.

From the moment of her death to being bound by it and entering this world to complete missions, the host had always been remarkably calm. She carried out tasks actively and efficiently, even better than some CEOs, scientists, or politicians it had guided before. It had almost forgotten that she was only a 21-year-old human who had not experienced much of life.

[Host, I’ll turn on the TV for you. That comedy series you liked updated with two new episodes.]

[Thank you, System, but I don’t want to watch right now. I’ll just sleep for a while.]

At that moment, the door opened.

Liu Xia’s gentle voice called out, “Liu Qiu, are you still sleeping?”

Liu Qiu sniffed and pulled the quilt down, revealing her messy curls.

She couldn’t think about it anymore. She was still in the middle of a mission.

“Liu Xia, you’re back.”

Her voice was soft, and the obvious nasal tone made Liu Xia’s fingers tighten slightly around the plastic bag she was holding.

Liu Xia slowly smiled and walked to the bedside, placing the bag on the cabinet. “Mm. I brought you something to eat.”

There were also medicines on the cabinet—she had picked them up at the door earlier. They probably belonged to that woman named Bai Qingqing.

Liu Qiu sat up and leaned against the headboard. “Thank you, Liu Xia.”

Liu Xia took a deep breath, suppressing the surge of emotions in her chest. Her lips curved into the same bright smile as always. “Don’t be so polite with me. Come to think of it, in all these years, you’ve never called me ‘sister.’ I’m a few months older than you, you know.”

The director had picked her up in summer and found Liu Qiu in autumn. She really was older by a few months.

Liu Qiu blinked, hesitated for a long moment, then softly called out, “S-Sister.”

A title wasn’t that hard for her to say, especially since Liu Xia had helped her.

Even from the original host’s perspective, calling Liu Xia “sister” wasn’t wrong.

Liu Xia’s fingers twitched, and she abruptly flipped open the lid of the takeout container.

At the door earlier, she had heard Liu Qiu’s faint, broken sobbing. It had been soft and intermittent, yet it made the listener’s heart tighten.

She was still so young. How could she endure so many grievances?

Seeing Liu Qiu’s swollen, reddened eyes and her faintly flushed, sickly cheeks, Liu Xia’s heart pounded.

She regretted coming back too late.

Truthfully, she wasn’t a particularly good person either. She hadn’t placed Liu Qiu very high in her heart, which was why she had left for eight years.

But now, seeing Liu Qiu’s life reduced to this state, she didn’t know how to describe the complex emotions within her.

They clogged her chest, pressing down on her until her heart ached in waves, making it hard to breathe.

Liu Xia set up the overbed table and placed the rice porridge on it. “Liu Qiu, when you get divorced, do you want me to accompany you?”

She wouldn’t stop her. In fact, a darker part of her even wished Liu Qiu would hurry up and divorce.

A person who could say such cruel things to someone sick—how good could she be?

Liu Qiu shook her head. “No need. I can handle it myself.”

She had already decided to start over, so there was no need to deliberately create scenes of Bai Qingqing and the target together anymore.

Liu Xia fell silent.

She didn’t speak, and neither did Liu Qiu.

Liu Qiu began eating the porridge in front of her. She didn’t have much appetite, but Liu Xia had bought it for her, so she forced herself to eat some.

Liu Xia sat in the chair, watching her take small bites.

Liu Qiu looked as though she had no memory whatsoever of the kiss. She shouldn’t dwell on it so much.

It had only been an accident.

Her gaze fell on Liu Qiu’s lips, slightly moist from the porridge. Liu Xia’s eyes flickered. Yes, just an accident. She had been overthinking it for too long.

Maybe it was because it had been her first kiss. Humans always cared especially about their first time experiencing something.

Liu Qiu ate less than half a bowl before stopping.

Just then, Shi Ran arrived.

Her hair tips and pant legs were damp, and she looked slightly disheveled.

Without her glamorous makeup and sexy outfit, she wore only a simple T-shirt and jeans. Yet because of her looks, even such plain attire made her appear refreshing and strikingly beautiful.

Shi Ran swept her gaze around the ward. Of the four beds, only one was occupied. Without hesitation, she walked toward Liu Qiu.

“Two days without seeing you, and you’ve already landed yourself in the hospital. What kind of alpha is as weak as you?” she mocked.

Her eyes landed on the figure sitting with her back to her. Shi Ran raised a brow. Bai Qingqing?

After stepping closer, she got her answer.

It wasn’t Bai Qingqing—just another beta.

For a fleeting second, a thought crossed her mind: had Liu Qiu found a replacement who looked like Bai Qingqing?

The idea vanished just as quickly. It had nothing to do with her.

Her current target was Liu Qiu.

She refused to believe that an omega like her couldn’t handle an inferior alpha who had never even been favored by an omega before.

After interacting with her, she had discovered that this fool Liu Qiu did have her merits.

Compared to those arrogant, overbearing alphas, someone as timid and obedient as Liu Qiu—well, at least she had some self-control and a bit of thoughtfulness.

After all, when she had been blatantly in heat, Liu Qiu’s nose had even pressed against her gland, yet she hadn’t done anything. Stupid and dull.

If they got married, she would probably treat her the same way she treated Bai Qingqing.

But first, there was an obstacle—Bai Qingqing.

Shi Ran stepped to the other side of Liu Qiu’s bed. Seeing her swollen eyes, she reached out and touched her forehead, smiling wickedly. “Oh? Crying over a fever at your age?”

Liu Qiu felt embarrassed and tightened her grip on the blanket. “Shi Ran, thank you for coming to see me. I’m already better.”

Shi Ran snorted and plopped into the chair, crossing her legs and folding her arms. “Of course I came. My dear neighbor.”

“If I’d known I was going to get beaten up, I would’ve made a move sooner. Maybe your first kiss would’ve been mine.”

“Anyway, Bai Qingqing never kisses you. Kissing me would’ve been just fine. It was my first kiss too.”

Liu Xia lowered her lashes, her heart pounding.

What a strange feeling.

Liu Qiu… was also a first kiss?

Liu Qiu’s ears buzzed. Her eyes widened as she stammered, “Shi-Shi Ran, what are you talking about?”

Shi Ran lifted her chin slightly and smirked. “Relax, neighbor. I’m joking.”

Then she looked toward the silent stranger beside her. “By the way, Liu Qiu, who is she? Aren’t you going to introduce us?”

Grateful that the topic had changed, Liu Qiu said, “Her name is Liu Xia. She’s my… sister.”

That should be correct.

Liu Xia’s lashes trembled faintly. Sister.

She turned to Shi Ran and offered a polite, composed smile. “Hello. I’m Liu Xia.”

Shi Ran narrowed her eyes. “Hello. I’m Shi Ran, Liu Qiu’s neighbor across the hall.”

Perhaps because Liu Xia somewhat resembled Bai Qingqing, Shi Ran felt little goodwill toward this sudden “sister.”

Her gaze returned to Liu Qiu. “So, where’s your wife?”

“I don’t know,” Liu Qiu replied softly. “She went home.”

Maybe. She didn’t actually know where Bai Qingqing had gone.

Shi Ran stood up. “If you’re fine, then come back with me.”

“I’ll… go back later,” Liu Qiu said. She was afraid of seeing Bai Qingqing. It would be awkward. Maybe she would find a hotel for the night and return tomorrow to collect documents for the divorce.

There was no property dispute anyway. The apartment was rented, and the original host had no savings or house. The divorce would be simple.

Shi Ran wasn’t stupid. She saw through Liu Qiu’s odd behavior instantly. Combined with how Bai Qingqing had dragged her away earlier, they must have fought.

“You argued with Bai Qingqing?”

Liu Qiu nodded. “Mm.”

After hesitating, she said softly, “We’re getting divorced.”

Shi Ran processed the words, then broke into laughter. “Divorce? What a pity.”

She tried to restrain herself but failed.

“Don’t be too sad. There’s someone better waiting for you.”

Liu Xia watched silently, frowning at the unmistakable possessiveness in Shi Ran’s eyes.

This was the second person she had seen beside Liu Qiu—and she didn’t look particularly good either.

When Liu Xia’s scrutinizing gaze lingered too long, Shi Ran glanced over. “Is there something, Sister? You’ve been staring at me.”

Liu Xia smiled faintly. “Your hair and clothes are still wet. Perhaps you should go home and shower before catching a cold.”

Liu Qiu nodded in agreement. “Yes, you might get sick.”

Shi Ran suddenly clutched her stomach. “Ah. Liu Qiu, my stomach hurts.”

Liu Qiu looked worried. “Is it because that day—”

Shi Ran grabbed her slender wrist, cutting her off. “Probably. You have to take responsibility for me. The doctor said it’s fine, but it still hurts sometimes.”

“It was Bai Qingqing’s fault. Come stay at my place for a couple of days and take care of me.”

It was such an obvious lie that Liu Xia saw through it immediately.

But Liu Qiu completely believed her.

Liu Xia inhaled sharply. She shouldn’t have come back so late. Liu Qiu had changed—become too kind, too easy to deceive.

Outside, the rain had stopped, though the sky remained gloomy.

Liu Qiu stood by the roadside, Liu Xia on one side and Shi Ran on the other.

A taxi pulled up.

“Liu Xia, I’m sorry I can’t take you home to see it,” Liu Qiu said apologetically.

“It’s alright,” Liu Xia replied with a smile. “Call me anytime, okay?”

Liu Qiu nodded.

Shi Ran had already opened the car door. “Get in.”

Her imposing presence left Liu Qiu unable to refuse.

Through the window, Liu Qiu said, “Thank you, Liu Xia.”

Watching the car disappear, Liu Xia slowly let her smile fade.

Why did her chest feel so empty the moment Liu Qiu vanished from sight?

She popped a mint candy into her mouth, the cool taste calming her racing thoughts.

She had never felt like this before.

---

That night, as Liu Qiu slept on the sofa at Shi Ran’s place, a sudden notification rang in her mind.

[Green Hat Value +1]

Her drowsiness vanished instantly.

The living room was empty, moonlight casting faint shadows through the window.

She lay back down with a sigh.

Bai Qingqing was probably with the target right now.

That was fine. At least she wouldn’t worry about her safety.

Soon, exhaustion overcame her, and she fell into a deep sleep.

The moon was swallowed by dark clouds.

A snow-white snake slithered through the crack in the window and climbed onto the sofa.

It extended its tongue and licked the scabbed wound on Liu Qiu’s palm.

The wound healed visibly, leaving only faint pink skin behind.

“In the end, you couldn’t wait for your wife at home, could you?”

“What a fool. She’s divorcing you and moving into someone else’s house, and here you are, sneaking over at night to heal her.”

“Have you really fallen in love with a human?”

The heart demon’s voice echoed endlessly.

Bai Qingqing’s eyes glowed red, but she ignored it.

Tomorrow, she would give Liu Qiu one more chance.

Liu Qiu didn’t love her anyway—she had only been drawn to her face because it resembled someone else’s.

Their marriage had always been mutual use.

There was no need to let it end in divorce.

And she wouldn’t mind that Liu Qiu was sleeping at someone else’s place.

After all, it was just the sofa.