Chapter 181: The Most Shameful Game
March 2, Monday.
Longquan Mountain, Hyacinth Villa.
The debate over whether Jiang Yao has “wings” or “tentacles” has been the hottest and most mysterious topic of discussion within Hyacinth Villa for the past two days.
Even though Wanyue issued a gag order and Zheng Shaolin and Xiaoling provided supervision and guidance, it was impossible to completely eliminate some private discussions.
Hyacinth Villa is too remote; although it’s possible to access the internet, the lack of stimulating topics makes it hard to maintain interest in daily life.
Zhong Jing also arrived yesterday. After keeping watch over Jiang Yao for an entire day, Su Xiaomeng’s surgical team barely made it to Hyacinth Villa, bringing with them precious anesthetics usable by blood clans.
The irreversible changes that come from blood boiling often accompany deeper deterioration of physiological functions, which severely affects the blood clan’s own blood protein renewal mechanisms and bodily stability. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it a blood clan tumor.
Even if necrotic and deformed tissues appear, they must be completely excised and cleaned up; otherwise, the aberrant tissue can inexplicably flare up again, growing uncontrollably and ultimately distorting the entire body.
The surgery must be incredibly careful and cautious; a moment’s negligence could leave the blood clan with lifelong health issues.
Thus, although Wanyue appeared calm, she didn’t dare operate directly and had to rely on the technical manpower from the Wang family at Shengci Hospital.
The surgical operation to remove the aberrant form from Jiang Yao’s back lasted from 9 AM to 4 PM, a full seven hours during which Su Xiaomeng and her team from the Wang family were extremely cautious.
Finally, the nearly necrotic aberrant tissue on Jiang Yao’s back was removed, along with transitional mutated tissue from her back muscles and even her spine.
Now, Jiang Yao cannot wear a bra and has to wrap her entire chest with several layers of gauze, then put on a loose jacket, while closely monitoring the healing condition of her back. If any residual aberrant tissue grows back, a second surgery will be unavoidable.
The surgery not only represented a heavy burden for Su Xiaomeng’s team, but was also a nightmare for Jiang Yao. When she saw the stainless steel basin filled with the excised aberrant tissue, she was so shocked that her breath stopped for several seconds.
Coupled with what she heard from Wanyue about her own condition, the thought of exhausting her blood protein in actual combat and ending up with something so useless frightened her to the point of losing her composure.
However, because of this sad turn of events, Wanyue no longer pursued Jiang Yao’s “reflection,” and instead allowed her to enjoy the highest level of care for her recovery, fully catered to.
Aside from the unerasable pain, Jiang Yao’s most immediate postoperative sensation was that her weight had dropped by about four kilograms, making her seem a little thinner — after all, the aberrant tissue did not appear from thin air.
The bone spurs of the Caucasian baron and the “Thousand Hands” of the Altai blood clan, while highly effective in actual combat, often lead to losses in bodily quality. Therefore, those above the rank of baron in Caucasian or Altai blood clans usually pursue a more robust physique.
Regarding this, Jiang Yao has had her first impression. Although she was somewhat reluctant, under Wanyue’s strict orders and supervision, her food intake continued to rise.
…
In bed, Jiang Yao could only sleep on her stomach, propping her head up with a pillow to alleviate the pressure on her chest.
“Ugh, my back still hurts so much. Hey, Zhong Jing, I want to eat fruit.”
While playing on her phone, Jiang Yao glanced at Zhong Jing by the bedside and lazily hummed a request.
Zhong Jing quickly got up and grabbed a bunch of bananas.
“Ugh… I don’t want to eat bananas anymore. I want apples, the kind that need to be peeled.”
Jiang Yao rolled her eyes, putting down her phone, her tone growing even weaker.
“Miss, bananas are so convenient to eat, they’re high in calories and sugar, and they have more protein than apples… With your appetite, how long will I have to peel apples for you?”
Zhong Jing’s mouth twitched helplessly as he picked up a fruit knife and a large bag of apples.
“I only have a tiny request, and you’re so impatient about it?”
Jiang Yao furrowed her brows and let her face drop, speaking sharply: “Who said I considered you a sister?”
“Ha, if I had known I would have a sister with tentacles on her back, I’d stay as far away as possible.”
Zhong Jing grumbled in annoyance, and as expected, he was hit on the head by a throw pillow Jiang Yao tossed at him.
“That’s called ‘Thousand Hands’! It’s the big move of the Altai blood clan, like an aloe vera leaf wing. I can shoot out four at once! Stop calling them tentacles, it makes me sound like a freak!”
Jiang Yao was furious, sitting up in bed to grab Zhong Jing, only for the blanket to slide down and reveal her upper body, which was only covered by white gauze. The strained muscles in her waist and spine triggered excruciating pain in her back, twisting her face in agony.
Feeling as if all her strength had been drained, Jiang Yao’s body tilted toward the edge of the bed, and she was about to fall headfirst off.
Zhong Jing reacted quickly and leaped forward to catch Jiang Yao.
The warmth enveloped her, accompanied by that special subtle scent, and it seemed even clearer than before. Zhong Jing felt dazed, and his hands inadvertently wandered.
Jiang Yao, too, found courage from somewhere and wrapped her arms around the young man’s waist, her gaze somewhat dazed, a mixture of thrill and enjoyment.
Since the last time she awoke from that strange dream, Jiang Yao had found her body becoming increasingly sensitive — not just the blood clan’s unique enhancements to her all-around perception, but also some feelings that made her nervous and shy to the point of being inexpressible.
Her face flushed, her eyes misty, and Jiang Yao didn’t know why, but she pressed her entire body against Zhong Jing’s chest and couldn’t help but squirm a little.
“Hey, keep it to yourself, don’t rub up against me…”
Zhong Jing’s heart raced; he sensed something was off and hurriedly supported her shoulders, attempting to guide her back to bed.
But then Jiang Yao leaned closer again, seemingly forgetting the pain in her body, this time wrapping both arms tightly around his neck, nearly hanging onto him, with her eyes shimmering like water, filled with unknown emotion.
“Xiao Yao, dinner is ready… what are you two doing?”
The door opened, and Jiang Yan rolled in with a food cart. When she saw this scene, she froze in place and then visibly tensed up.
“Uh… she said she felt a bit cold, do you believe it?”
Zhong Jing awkwardly turned his head, blush creeping onto his cheeks as he raised both hands in a surrender gesture.
“Haha, do you think I’m blind?”
Jiang Yao smirked, crossing her arms over her chest.
“No, I feel a bit hot…”
Jiang Yao, still somewhat dazed, slowly leaned her head against Zhong Jing’s face, half-closing her eyes as if enchanted.
“She feels cold one minute, hot the next… Jiang Yan, quick, help me!”
Zhong Jing quickly nodded and tried to pull Jiang Yao’s hands away, wanting to detach her body from his.
What’s wrong with Xiao Yao? Why does she feel like… like she’s being controlled by something…
This time it was Jiang Yan’s turn to flush, quickly approaching to press her hand against Jiang Yao’s forehead, attempting to release a calming aura to influence her.
“Go get Su Xiaomeng and bring her a sedation injection!”
Wanyue appeared in the doorway, and just a glance at the scene caused her brows to furrow tightly. She hurried in, using her pheromone interference ability to stabilize Jiang Yao’s mental and physical state through suppression of stimulation.
At this moment, Jiang Yao was like a person with a high fever, her face flushed, mumbling incoherently; fortunately, she gradually relaxed and was gently laid back onto the bed by Wanyue.
“Master, what happened to her?”
The more Zhong Jing observed Jiang Yao’s abnormal condition today, the more concerned he became, and he hurriedly whispered his inquiry.
“Nothing much, just a girl going through her first crush… What’s wrong, are you happy?” Wanyue remarked nonchalantly, her lips curling slightly. “Or are you saying you were getting handsy with her just now?”
As the words fell, Jiang Yan, who had been heading towards the door, nearly stumbled, and Zhong Jing was left speechless.
“Not at all… I just caught her when she was about to faint!”
Zhong Jing immediately regretted his words, slowly standing up and, under the questioning gazes of Wanyue and Jiang Yan, cautiously backing away as if facing a formidable enemy.
…
After administering the sedative, Jiang Yao finally settled down and slowly fell asleep. Zhong Jing, uncertain of who called, hurriedly left.
“Wanyue, I feel like after Xiao Yao entered this state, she seems to be controlled by something.”
In the hallway, Jiang Yan followed closely beside Wanyue, softly voicing the question weighing on her heart.
“Any concern for Jiang Yao right now is unfounded guesswork.”
Wanyue slowed her pace, deep in thought: “Probably except for the Engel family, no one truly understands the Queen, but just now, in Jiang Yao’s eyes, I saw a kind of… reproductive instinct.”
The former Tianzhong family participated in the Progenitor Plan, and the Fujiwara family has some information. Do you remember when you and Jiang Yao were blood-infested by Grandmother? That was not what we thought of as blood infestation; rather, it was a forced seeding once the blood type matured, seeking a developing embryo.
“So, following this logic, the blood type cannot be physically separated; once it develops to a certain point, the embryo officially becomes the Queen, and the duty of the Queen is to… return the blood type to the Progenitor?”
After speaking, Wanyue’s brow furrowed, as she felt there was something about this logic that couldn’t be explained.
“Wanyue, should we let Xiao Yao understand her current situation? Now even Zhong Jing knows about it, I’m worried she’ll be kept in the dark, and later on…”
Jiang Yan whispered, feeling increasingly torn.
“No, her temperament is very unstable. I even suspect her body might be unstable as well. The Queen is often likened by the Wang family to a demon that has come out of hell…
She has always been in a state of leap growth; we cannot let her gain a third lineage ability. Instead, we should focus on stabilizing her boiling blood; otherwise, I’m truly afraid the situation will get out of hand.”
As for you, you give me the feeling of gradual accumulation, with deep foundations but insufficient opportunities to enter the Queen’s realm.
Wanyue stood in the elevator area, turned back, and gave Jiang Yan a playful smile: “I heard Meng Han has slipped back to the small farm and isn’t bothering you anymore?”
Jiang Yan’s face flushed slightly as she nodded: “After going to the East Suburbs Martyrs’ Cemetery, he’s been troubled these past couple of days, but it’s not as entangled as before.”
The elevator doors opened, and just before Wanyue entered, she patted Jiang Yan on the head, speaking softly: “Jiang Yan, be prepared mentally. He carries two worlds within him, but there is only one Jiang Yan; perhaps he will have to make a choice.”
No matter which world he chooses, I can accept, but you may not. So, follow your heart and influence his choice…
The elevator doors closed, and Jiang Yan mulled over Wanyue’s words, feeling a bit uneasy.
…
In the evening, Zhong Jing finally arrived at a five-star hotel in C City, where Takumi Haruka had been waiting outside since earlier.
As soon as Zhong Jing got out of the car, Takumi Haruka came up to him, indicating the top of the hotel with her eyes: “Jing-kun, Miss Emma of the Engel family is already waiting in the room.”
“Hmm, we’re twenty minutes later than scheduled.” Zhong Jing adjusted his suit as he raised his watch, “Let’s head up together.”
“Can I…?”
Takumi Haruka seemed nervous, possibly fearing her presence would arouse unnecessary suspicion from the Engel family.
“Haha, to the Engel family, you and they are part of the same group. Furthermore, in your world, I have privileges to do as I please; otherwise, why would they seek me out?”
Zhong Jing chuckled, seemingly unbothered.
Jing-kun’s condition seems to have worsened since before. He hasn’t taken any medication that could alleviate his condition. What is he waiting for…
Takumi Haruka felt a pang of gloom and anxiety, but she maintained an elegant smile on the surface, gently linking her arm with Zhong Jing’s, and the two walked slowly into the hotel.
In the presidential suite on the top floor, Emma was still dressed in her rigid professional attire, wearing a cold expression, seated alone on the living room sofa.
“Mr. Zhong, you haven’t taken the medication I provided? Are you still doubting the authenticity and safety of the drug?”
“Sorry, I smelled the odor of your worsening condition. This is not something you should have judged.”
As soon as Zhong Jing entered, Emma stood up, frowning slightly, casting a glance at Takumi Haruka beside him — no cat means no hostility.
“You didn’t even state your price; this goodwill, I can set aside for now.”
Zhong Jing sat down, took the initiative to pour three glasses of red wine.
“Mr. Zhong doesn’t intend to check the safety of the medicine through the Wang family?”
Emma seldom smiled as she gently swirled her wine glass in her hand: “Given your importance in the Wang family, I believe they will treat this matter with the utmost seriousness.”
“I won’t easily trust anyone’s promises. To me, the Wang family and the Engel family are essentially the same. I’d prefer to trust Miss Haruka; at the very least, she only made a mistake but is on my side.”
“If that doesn’t work, I’ll seek help from Dark Arrow; their concern for me comes without conditions.”
As that was said, Takumi Haruka quickly bowed her head, not daring to look at Zhong Jing.
“Indeed, the Engel family does have more effective drugs… Mr. Zhong, you are very wise, even your life can become a bargaining chip in negotiations. But to put it bluntly, your bargaining chip is too insignificant.”
Emma’s face revealed a hint of a cold smile, turning against her relations.
“Then why have you contacted me so many times?” Zhong Jing, sipping his red wine, remained unfazed. “I have also done quite a bit for the Wang family, Hyacinth, and the Fujiwara family; I’ve already guessed what you want.”
Saying this, Zhong Jing looked over at the silent Takumi Haruka, his smile growing increasingly evident: “Jiang Yan and Jiang Yao, in the old Chinese saying, are treasures; everyone wants them.”
Since you came to me first, they are my biggest bargaining chips. If I can’t obtain the best treatment method in this world, I will ensure that Dark Arrow gets to them.
“To be honest, I have set up an automatic email management function; as long as I don’t intervene in the system for twenty-four hours, a certain email will be automatically sent to Dark Arrow.”
“I am very interested in cooperating with the Engel family, but the premise is to cure my body first, without any side effects.”
Zhong Jing lit a cigarette, relaxed and unafraid.
Emma stood up, looking at the brazen young man before her in disbelief, completely unprepared for him to turn the tables in such a foul manner.
She couldn’t even discern the true intentions behind this, and even the previously quiet Takumi Haruka couldn’t help but glance at Zhong Jing.
Zhong Jing’s thought process was extremely unusual; it appeared he would go to any lengths to achieve his goals, surprising everyone.
In a word, audacious!
Mr. Zhong, threatening a duke’s family like this is meaningless!
In that instant, Emma even felt her blood boiling, as though she might tear Zhong Jing apart in the next second.
“Miss Emma, please mind your demeanor!”
Even Takumi Haruka stood up at this point, while Zhong Jing activated his boiling blood, his red eyes locked onto Emma.
An unarmed Rhine baron without a blood beast and a British baron without blood beasts turned out to be equally matched.
The fierce boiling blood auras of similar strength filled the room, intertwining and colliding wildly.
Seconds later, Emma unclenched her fists, holding back her fury, retracting the boiling blood, and slowly sat back down, her expression even colder.
Haha, life is the greatest significance, not distinguishing between ordinary humans and blood clans… Haruka, pass the list to Miss Emma.
Zhong Jing leaned back in his chair, kicking his legs up, not even glancing at Emma, speaking to the British baron next to him as if ordering a servant.
Takumi Haruka took a folded printout from her small bag and gently placed it on the table.
It seems Zhong Jing has completely won over Takumi Haruka; this man is too dangerous. Maybe it was a mistake for the Fujiwara family to choose the Zhong family as a foothold to enter Huaguo…
From the start of the meeting, Emma had been secretly observing Takumi Haruka’s attitude towards Zhong Jing. It was undeniable that the man before her had clearly entered Takumi Haruka’s heart.
“You’re crazy!”
After just a few glances, Emma couldn’t help but stand up, seeming to feel her emotions were fluctuating too much today, her face even turning red.
This list of conditions accurately represents what Zhong Jing wants from the Engel family, overflowing with various high-end clinical drug production patent authorizations monopolized by Europe and the United States, including pain relief and anesthetic drugs specifically for blood clans, not to mention special medicines that can treat Zhong Jing’s current illness.
“Finally, I also want to become a level-three investor in the Progenitor Plan. Note, it’s me, not the Zhong family. My investment is the very thing you desire.”
Rest assured, I will closely cooperate with your EVN group and the Fujiwara family’s Takumi Group to establish a brand new joint venture pharmaceutical company. Whether for ordinary people or blood clans in Huaguo, it represents an extremely large market from which the Engel family, myself, and the Fujiwara family can all benefit!
In the world of ordinary people and the blood clan, reliance and mutual benefit are essential. I never view them as oppositional.
At this moment, Zhong Jing resembled a prime global capitalist: ambitious, profit-driven, and capable of pulling off a con.
I might give you a piece of information worth nothing — many members of Hyacinth have advanced significantly in rank over the past few months; I suspect it must be related to them… Miss Emma, how valuable do you think this news is?
Zhong Jing flicked the cigarette butt aside, stretching his back, seemingly not intending to converse further with someone like Emma, who could only relay messages.
These despicable blood clans in Huaguo actually covet the Starmoon! Emma was stunned, feeling deeply shocked.
Please… give me a few days, and I’ll report back to the family… As for the things we want, I will tell you then.
Emma took a few deep breaths, trying to quell her agitation, slightly bowing before directly exiting — she felt she had completely lost the initiative in negotiating; if she stayed any longer, she feared she would lose control of her emotions.
Jing-kun, has Hyacinth truly found a way to utilize the Queen… are you not afraid the Engel family will change their attitude?
Takumi Haruka finally spoke, standing up and grabbing Zhong Jing’s arm, her expression grave.
Haha, I’m just guessing… No one in the world cares about this secret more than them; regardless of its truth, they won’t leak it out. Do you have a reason to leak it?
Zhong Jing smiled and gently patted Takumi Haruka’s little hand. This is the power of the Queen; Master cannot hide forever, so while they are still within our grasp, let’s use them on those who need it.
I will talk to Master and see if I can help you alleviate your current physical issues.
The stronger you become, the easier it will be to achieve revenge, and the safer I will be. I don’t know about Master, but I’ve already begun to think of you as part of Hyacinth.
Do you know? Master once said that when we become powerful enough, we can challenge any truth, even if it is an illusion of grandeur.
With that, Zhong Jing reached out and gently stroked Takumi Haruka’s face, a particularly frivolous and sly expression on his face.
Takumi Haruka’s heart raced, feeling as if she might faint from sweetness, unable to resist hugging Zhong Jing, kissing his cheek, then resting her head against him, her face completely red.
What she wanted most right now was to heal Zhong Jing’s body, then marry him and have children; her feelings about revenge had dimmed significantly.
It’s strange, the same embrace, the same touch, yet it feels different from Jiang Yao… Zhong Jing looked down at Takumi Haruka in his arms, feeling curious deep in his heart.
