Chapter 149: The Aftermath and a New Journey

“Liu Ying, calm down. What medicine do you need?”

When Liu Ying suddenly cried out for medicine, the police officers restraining her, preventing her from harming herself, were utterly bewildered. They had no idea what kind of medicine she was looking for.

‘Could the victim have a physiological or psychological condition that requires medication to maintain stability when she gets agitated?’ they wondered.

“No, you don’t have it. I want the medicine that man gave me. *Smack!* See, just like that. It makes you happy instantly.”

Lin Qing and Su Yao did not turn back to acknowledge Liu Ying’s raving, wishing to avoid any further unnecessary trouble. However, Liu Hong, harboring a sliver of old affection, cast one last glance back at her.

He saw Liu Ying’s face contort into a strange smile, revealing a square red patch precisely in the middle of her wrist.

She babbled incoherently, her words jumbled and impossible to understand.

Liu Hong sighed helplessly, then averted his gaze. He followed Lin Qing and the others, leaving the rooftop and heading back to their classroom.

Before descending from the rooftop, Liu Hong spoke to the police, explaining that he would go to the police station to give a statement after the school festival concluded. Aside from not wanting to interrupt the fun of the festival, Liu Hong felt he couldn’t possibly appear at the police station in a maid outfit.

If others saw him, who knew what they would whisper? ‘A muscle battle maid at the police station…’

After hearing the term ‘muscle battle maid,’ Liu Hong’s initial anger had evaporated, replaced by a sense of resignation. By now, he had accepted it with remarkable composure.

“Liu Hong, I was too busy just now and forgot to ask… Are you alright?”

On the way back, Lin Qing lifted his hand to untie his blindfold. After handing it to Su Yao, he immediately turned his head to look at Liu Hong.

Just yesterday, Lin Qing had been listening to Liu Hong’s constant murmuring, the name Xiao Yu always on his lips.

Now, the harsh reality lay before them, without even a moment of reprieve.

Lin Qing could already imagine Liu Hong’s heart shattered into countless fragments.

However, Lin Qing had no experience in comforting others. He didn’t know how to console Liu Hong in this moment.

“No, I’m not! But I’m used to it. It’s always me who gets hurt, anyway. I have to be strong.”

Upon hearing Lin Qing’s question, Liu Hong’s face froze, then a wave of sorrow immediately washed over him. His eyes grew despondent, and he couldn’t help but sigh, seamlessly slipping into a heartbroken state.

Despite Liu Ying’s final, deranged appearance, which had extinguished his affection, how could he possibly forget a crush he had harbored for so long?

The word ‘love’ was the most hurtful of all.

Liu Hong believed it would take a considerable amount of time to return to normal.

Thankfully, it wouldn’t impact his daily life; he just felt a little sad and wanted to cry.

It wasn’t a major crisis.

“Wow, a melancholic muscle battle maid! Just like in the anime!”

“Is this role-playing? It’s so realistic!”

“Maid-sama, please whip me!”

“Waaah, me too! Where’s your whip?!”

Just as Liu Hong was about to continue his heartbroken lament, the voices around him made him clench his teeth in frustration. He wished he could beat these people who had nothing but ‘muscle battle maids’ on their minds!

His fists hardened.

“It’s good that you’re alright. If you have time later, let’s go traveling!”

Liu Hong was contemplating whether to kick the backsides of these annoying individuals when he suddenly heard Lin Qing’s words. He instantly forgot about the irritating crowd before him, turning to Lin Qing with a look of utter astonishment.

He could barely believe his ears.

He felt as if he must have misheard.

Lin Qing actually wanted to go traveling with him!

‘Could this be it? Unlucky in love, but friendship endures?’

“Lin Qing, do you really want to go traveling with me?!”

“Yes. Didn’t you say before that the best way to heal a broken heart is to travel? However, let’s not go too far. I don’t have much money.”

Lin Qing looked at Liu Hong’s disbelieving expression and nodded earnestly, indicating that he wasn’t joking.

Regardless of how bad Liu Hong might appear in the eyes of others, he had always been genuinely good to Lin Qing. Lin Qing was not someone who would simply accept others’ kindness without reciprocation.

Therefore, he wanted to repay Liu Hong and his friends.

Seizing this opportunity, with Liu Hong heartbroken once more, Lin Qing decided to go on a trip with them.

He had never traveled before in his life, and this was the perfect chance to make up for it.

Moreover, the prospect of traveling with peers filled Lin Qing with a certain anticipation.

“Waaah, Lin Qing, you’re so good to me!”

After seeing Lin Qing’s earnest nod, Liu Hong’s face was filled with emotion. Unable to contain his excitement, he immediately pulled Lin Qing into a bear hug.

Liu Hong was so overwhelmed with emotion that he didn’t know what to say.

It was like an old farmer who had painstakingly tended his crops, and after a period of waiting, looked upon the plants laden with ripe fruit. An incomparable sense of satisfaction welled up in his heart.

It was the joy of a bountiful harvest!

“Wow, the muscle battle maid bravely expressing love!”

“Go for it! We support you! Don’t be self-conscious about your muscles!”

“Why doesn’t the muscle maid like me?!”

However, amidst his excitement, Liu Hong felt an urgent need to swat away these annoying ‘bugs.’

‘Muscle battle maids’ every single day! Wasn’t it tiresome?

As Liu Hong released Lin Qing and turned to kick the backsides of those guys, Su Yao glanced at Lin Qing. Recalling his conversation with Liu Hong, she immediately spoke.

“Traveling? Count me in. Food and lodging free.”

“Deal.”

Lin Qing didn’t even hesitate at Su Yao’s smiling suggestion to join. He immediately agreed, recognizing that having the biggest patron onboard would significantly enhance the comfort of the trip.

Even if he had refused, Su Yao would not have given up.

So, Lin Qing decided not to cause himself unnecessary trouble; a swift and decisive agreement was the best approach.

Furthermore, not having to separate from Su Yao, and even getting to enjoy the trip together, filled Lin Qing with anticipation.

‘This time on the trip, Su Yao surely won’t kill anyone, right? I can finally relax a bit.’

Upon seeing Lin Qing’s unhesitating agreement, Su Yao felt a wave of comfort. Her mood brightened, and a heartwarming smile spread across her face.

Then, after she led Lin Qing to the door of Class Six’s classroom, she reluctantly released his hand and pushed the door open.

The annual school festival wasn’t over yet; they still had more fun to enjoy together.

“Su Yao, Lin Qing, you’re finally back! Come over here quickly; we’re about to take a commemorative photo!”

As Su Yao pushed open the door, she heard the class president’s call and smiled, nodding.

The classroom door behind her hadn’t yet closed. Liu Hong, returning after kicking some behinds, heard about the photo and quickly grabbed Lin Qing’s arm, rushing forward to secure the best spot for the picture.

Once the class president had set up the camera, they quickly joined the crowd for the photo.

*Click*—a single sound.

Time froze, and memories were preserved forever.

Even when they looked back at this commemorative photo after the unique school festival had concluded, they would recall the happiness and fun of this moment.

After the group photo was taken, it was time for individual shots.

Su Yao, having the most successful cross-dressing outfit, was swarmed by a group of girls vying for a photo with her, becoming the most sought-after person in the class.

Meanwhile, as a group of boys approached Lin Qing, Liu Hong, standing nearby, immediately blocked his path, unwilling to let Lin Qing take photos with anyone else!

An individual photo with Lin Qing could only be *his*, Liu Hong’s!

However, events unfolded differently than Liu Hong had anticipated. The boys’ target wasn’t Lin Qing; it was Liu Hong, dressed in his maid outfit…

At that moment, no one cared about Liu Hong’s reputation as the class bully. Everyone enthusiastically pulled at him, scrambling for a joint photo.

Thus, Liu Hong inexplicably became the second most popular person, his mind utterly baffled.

Only Zhou Lin and Wang Jian, his two subordinates, leaned against the wall, laughing so hard they couldn’t stand straight.

Their Brother Liu actually had a day where he was this popular.

It was all thanks to the ‘muscle battle maid’ meme.

“Lin Qing, come over here quickly.”

As Lin Qing watched the depressed Liu Hong taking photos with others, Su Yao’s voice suddenly rang out from beside him.

Then, seeing Lin Qing look her way, the class president standing nearby immediately raised the camera, ready to help take a photo.

Lin Qing paused slightly, then didn’t refuse, walking towards Su Yao.

They held hands, smiling gently at the camera.

This moment was perfectly captured.

After the school festival swiftly concluded, Lin Qing, having returned home and finished all his tasks, lay on his bed, ready to rest.

As the night crept in through the window, he looked at the photos he had developed earlier under the lamp. A smile involuntarily curved his lips.

It was a solo photo of him and Su Yao.

Looking at the picture, Lin Qing placed it beside his pillow, hoping he wouldn’t have nightmares tonight.

‘Sweet dreams, come quickly!’

****

“This test subject isn’t very good! She broke down so easily, wasting precious medicine.”

“Shut up. Selecting test subjects is handled by those above us; it has nothing to do with us.”

Inside Comet Hospital, Liu Ying, who had been sent by the police for examination and hospitalization, had now lost her breath.

With a bedsheet tied around her neck, she slumped by the window, her eyes wide open. The other end of the sheet was tied to the window handle, turning the scene into an apparent suicide by hanging.

However, the two men standing nearby looked at the deceased Liu Ying and spoke casually, clearly not bothering themselves with murder.

‘Who told this Liu Ying to be so unlucky?’

‘If the medicine had worked, we might have spared her life… Unfortunately, it had no effect, and she was targeted by the police. Now, she can only die.’

“I was just complaining, not saying anything else! But, isn’t something strange about Lotus City?”

“What’s strange about it?”

“Don’t you know? The Corpse Butcher died in Lotus City… Those top-tier figures, capable of turning the world upside down, died mysteriously. After that, the things the organization needed to deal with accumulated quite a bit, and we don’t even know how to handle them anymore.”

“Oh, stop talking about it. Let’s go quickly!”

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