Chapter 241: Strange Provocation
May 2nd, Saturday, 3 AM, Jinhe Club.
Meng Huai couldn’t sleep. Other than the endless grinding and the nightmares of lost memories in a basement in Myanmar, this was the first time he truly experienced insomnia since becoming a vampire.
In Meng Huai’s mind, he kept replaying the conversation from the meeting with Han Jieqian the day before.
That day, from start to finish, Meng Huai maintained control over his emotions and expressions, behaving more like a curious listener, absorbing all sorts of bizarre theories from Han Jieqian, mostly remaining indifferent.
Han Jieqian’s last remarks did have some validity… There were too many unknowns about his grandmother; besides blood corruption and sowing seeds, she must have other unknown abilities that were simply a cognitive blind spot for them.
“Jiang Yan and Jiang Yao should be part of this unknown situation, and they existed even before Operation 430. I must be overthinking it… She said she joined Wind Iris ten years ago, she wouldn’t lie to me…”
The more he self-suggested, the more anxious and restless he became. Meng Huai wondered if he had developed a split personality disorder; no matter what thought emerged, another self would pop up, contradicting his previous self.
He heard that this was a personality flaw called internal consumption… After checking the time again, Meng Huai sighed deeply.
After several deep breaths, Meng Huai began to apply the hormonal control techniques taught by Liang Tai, influencing his autonomic nervous system to force himself into a light sleep state.
In a few hours, he was supposed to meet Jiang Yan at Qinglong Wetland Park; if he didn’t sleep, he would inevitably show signs of fatigue.
…
In a daze, Meng Huai found himself wearing the Wind Iris combat uniform and tactical gear, walking inside the familiar base of the Xuanyuan Corps.
There was a faint mist everywhere, with no one in sight and no sounds heard. It was as if, only moments before, nearly a thousand members of the Xuanyuan Corps had simultaneously relocated or gone out, leaving behind an empty, desolate base.
There was no sense of heartache, nor was it like the bizarre dreams he had previously been lost in; instead, it felt like he had entered a passageway to the past of the Xuanyuan Corps as an outsider.
Ahead was the familiar office of the squad leader, the door ajar. That was the place where he had spent the most time, where many good and bad events had transpired within that small office.
Meng Huai walked up to the door and suddenly froze. He saw another self existing in the office, or rather, a past version of himself, wearing the combat uniform of Dark Arrow, rigid to the extreme.
Meng Huai frowned silently; he suddenly felt that his former self seemed somewhat detestable.
Xia Yan didn’t say much; she just smiled. The calmness in her expression and the slight smile at the corner of her mouth made Meng Huai, who was observing from the side, feel a sense of familiarity.
“In a few days, the higher-ups will hold a collective commendation ceremony for second-class merit; I applied for you to receive an award. With this, you can choose any civil service position after you retire.”
The former Meng Huai also smiled, happy that the subordinates and close comrades he had carefully cultivated over the past two and a half years could receive recognition from everyone and become the future successors of the Xuanyuan Corps.
“Meng, I’m fine. Let this commendation go to Second Lieutenant Tao.”
Xia Yan was a bit surprised; after a few seconds, she straightened her back and gently shook her head: “I’m from C City, and now I’m an officer. The retirement placement process is very easy. At the very least, my retirement pension will be enough for me to open a small restaurant.”
The former Meng Huai was stunned for a moment, perhaps still guessing the real reason for Xia Yan’s humility—that the award from Dark Arrow had a high gold content, and upon retirement, it would directly translate to a third-class merit. Even in C City, it would guarantee a job with a good position.
And Meng Huai, sitting in the corner, felt a strange discomfort in his heart. He knew that in just six months, the Xuanyuan Corps would face a catastrophe, and Xia Yan would also fall in that bloody battle.
Moreover, given the combat traditions of Dark Arrow, how many of the backbone members like team leaders and squad leaders would truly survive to retire normally?
“Xia Yan, do you like Tao Qiao’er?”
The former Meng Huai tapped a pen on the documents, suddenly raised his head to look at Xia Yan, his brow gradually tightening, his expression growing unusually cold: “Have you forgotten the rules of the team!? Don’t bring me some overly intimate stuff!”
The temperature in the office seemed to plummet to freezing point, and Xia Yan moved her lips several times but didn’t speak.
In the corner, Meng Huai clenched his fists tightly, looking down at the floor, a hint of guilt-like pain began to stir in his heart.
“Meng, I’m about to become the acting squad leader; do I still need an award?”
After a few seconds, Xia Yan shook her head, her emotions as calm as ever: “Meng, I just think that Tao Qiao’er was a kindergarten teacher in the county before; she needs some highlights on her resume.”
After hearing Xia Yan’s explanation, the former Meng Huai dropped his pen, crossed his arms, and stared hard at Xia Yan, probably wanting to extract the truth from her eyes.
“Xia Yan, you’d better be telling the truth… Remember, we are soldiers treading the blade; we could sacrifice at any time… Of course, if you had a girlfriend before joining the army, I won’t interfere, but you absolutely cannot play these games in the Xuanyuan Corps!”
“This matter is settled. If she wants the commendation, she must achieve something that can convince everyone. This is the army, not a bargaining market… Alright, you can leave!”
Having said that, the former Meng Huai lowered his head and continued scribbling on the documents, ignoring Xia Yan as if he were a machine devoid of emotions.
Xia Yan stood up, tidied her military uniform, saluted, and turned to leave the office.
In the corner, Meng Huai coldly stared at the former self behind the desk, his lips twitching several times, shaking his head gently, and finally turning it into a silent sigh.
“What, still secretly hiding there, not enough of a view?! Ha, a vampire, can’t let go of this place?”
Suddenly, the former Meng Huai behind the desk suddenly raised his head, wearing a strange smile, and said to the dazed Meng Huai in the corner.
As soon as the words fell, the alarm of the entire base suddenly erupted, with red warning lights shaking in almost every passage.
Meng Huai slowly stood up, fearfully looking at his former self, his face gradually turning pale, then suddenly drew a pistol and repeatedly pulled the trigger at the former Meng Huai!
Unfortunately, every bullet passed through a false illusion, causing no harm to the other.
…
“Ha!”
Meng Huai suddenly sat up in bed, looking at the gray light outside the window, realizing he had returned to reality—everything just now was both a real memory and a dream.
The former self and former Xia Yan were now tombstones at the Martyrs’ Cemetery in the East Suburb, quietly forgotten by this world.
Yet even if he remembered, it was mostly gory.
“Was I like this before?”
Meng Huai wiped the sweat from his forehead, slowly raised his hands, and examined them in front of him.
Faced with the former self, he felt an indescribable absurdity, like a poorly acting actor attempting to influence the audience with clumsy self-pity, fully aware of his own faults.
Checking the time, it was after six; there were less than three hours left until the meeting time with Jiang Yan.
Although he had barely slept for two hours, Meng Huai still got up, changed clothes, and washed up.
Soon, Meng Huai, dressed in sportswear, appeared in the lobby on the first floor, nodded slightly to a female Wind Iris attendant on duty, and stepped outside.
…
Qinglong Lake Wetland Park, historically part of the Ming Dynasty’s Shu Fanzhong’s mausoleum area, has now been developed into one of C City’s few ecological leisure scenery parks.
Standing at the subway exit, Meng Huai was slightly dazed.
Approaching him was Jiang Yan, carrying a canvas shoulder bag, dressed in a French-style long-sleeved chiffon dress, white above and black below. With a touch of makeup enhancing her already exquisite beauty, she radiated a refined and dignified air, exuding a fresh aura.
Although it was just the lightest makeup, it differed slightly from her past unadorned elegance, almost making Meng Huai think he had the wrong person.
“It was Ms. Su who suggested this for Xiao Yao to wear to work… My clothes aren’t dry yet, so I temporarily borrowed hers.”
Noticing Meng Huai’s gaze lingering on her, Jiang Yan felt inexplicably nervous, lowering her head slightly, her hands unconsciously fiddling with the strap of her canvas bag.
“You look beautiful; this style suits you even better…”
Meng Huai muttered inexplicably, then took Jiang Yan’s bag from her hands and walked towards the park entrance.
A few minutes later, a small boat carried Meng Huai and Jiang Yan, gently swaying on the clear lake surface.
At some point, the oars had been set aside, and Jiang Yan leaned against Meng Huai’s embrace, relaxed and peaceful, occasionally shifting slightly to make herself more comfortable.
Wan Jie had said that next, Wind Iris would go all out; this might be the key battle to dismantle the Engel family’s conspiracy in China… After that would be the counterattack, the final step for both herself and Xiao Yao to break free from the constraints of fate.
In Jiang Yan’s mind were Wan Yue’s mysterious words from yesterday. Jiang Yan knew Wan Yue’s character—if she used the phrase “going all out,” it likely wasn’t an exaggeration.
By then, everyone in Wind Iris, perhaps including Meng Huai, would be caught up in a battle that would determine their fate and unveil the truth.
For now, they should cherish the tranquility before the storm; everything else was unimportant.
Time flowed slowly; the couple in the boat maintained a strange silence, only the sensation of their bodies against each other reminded them that they were not alone.
“Are you troubled?” Meng Huai asked casually, gently wrapping an arm around Jiang Yan, staring at the canvas bag under their feet, seeking a topic to break the quiet and ambiguous atmosphere, “It’s almost noon… The scenic area has a restaurant; no need to bring food from home.”
What he made would have a better balance of nutrients. And with so many people in the scenic area now, finding seating later could be a challenge; his boxed meal would be convenient, fitting anywhere.
Meng Huai, I’ve hidden many things from you… but I have no ill intentions; even if one day these secrets might be uncovered…
Jiang Yan smiled, pulling away from Meng Huai’s embrace, turning her head in another direction, avoiding his gaze and her reflection on the water’s surface.
At that moment, not only Meng Huai’s eyes but the entire Qinglong Lake seemed to be gazing at the dark-haired girl, making her realize she couldn’t hide at all.
Meng Huai, as if already anticipating this, lightly nodded without responding.
“You’re speaking even less today… Meng Huai, why did you invite me to go boating?”
Other tourists’ boats were at least a hundred meters away, and Jiang Yan finally turned back, earnestly studying Meng Huai’s face.
“It was Liang Ge and Dong Jie who suggested it to me… I didn’t know if you would like it?”
Meng Huai was honest, directly revealing the mastermind behind it all, wearing an innocent look.
“Haha, I knew it; otherwise, why would you take the initiative…”
Hearing the name Dong Jie, Jiang Yan couldn’t help but smile wryly: “But it seems we neither have sufficient psychological preparation, like we’re just going through the motions for others to see…”
“Is it like being matched by someone?”
Meng Huai pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled after a few seconds: “I remember back in Dark Arrow, someone once tried to match me up. Han Xiao, you met her once or twice. A few years ago, the Han family had me and her lined up together.”
Saying this, Meng Huai mockingly shook his head. In the past, he had always maintained a respectful distance from the Han family, and it remained so.
Regarding the rumors of Meng Huai being favored by the Han family, Jiang Yan couldn’t possibly be unaware. In fact, the image of a spirited and fiery beautiful major captain popped into her mind.
However, back then, it was merely gossip. It wasn’t until he was blood-corrupted that Jiang Yan truly saw another side of Meng Huai’s life—sensitive yet detached from emotions.
“Jiang Yan, did you… have a boyfriend before? Over the years, either in Wind Iris or the Wang family, wasn’t there someone you liked?”
Looking at a large rock jutting above the water in the distance, Meng Huai casually asked as he paddled around it, while secretly observing Jiang Yan’s expression changes from the corner of his eye.
Before? A boyfriend?
Jiang Yan was somewhat stunned, suddenly unsure how to answer this question… Though, she vaguely recalled there was a female soldier in the team who looked pretty good while she was serving.
But why did he suddenly ask such a sharp question, overtly probing me?
Someone like me should be desired by some man, or is it that I should simply like some man?
Yes, Wan Jie did indeed try to match us, and I don’t dislike you that much, but that’s it! What you need may not even be this world itself, nor how friendly I can be to you.
“Jiang Yan suddenly felt uncomfortable all over, her tone growing colder.
Meng Huai fell silent, slightly turned his head, staring at Jiang Yan’s reflection on the water, beginning to zone out.
…
Jiang Yan left, but the last glance she cast back was as cold as ice, visibly in a bad mood.
However, the boxed meal she brought wasn’t wasted; Meng Huai sat alone in the rest area, slowly finishing it.
“What am I even asking these things for… Am I suffering from some psychological illness?”
Looking at the box, cleaned as if a dog had licked it, a bitter smile appeared at the corner of Meng Huai’s mouth.
For certain, Xia Yan wasn’t a lesbian.
As for Jiang Yan, she didn’t seem as dependent on men as he had imagined, and most of the issues probably lay within himself.
So should he be happy or disappointed? And why must he scrutinize these two together?
In Meng Huai’s mind, the images of Xia Yan and Jiang Yan began to reappear, like two magnets with fluctuating poles, occasionally sticking together tightly and then sometimes repelling each other.
…
On the holiday subway, there were very few passengers.
Jiang Yan sat alone at one end of a long bench in the carriage, her canvas shoulder bag on her lap, her head buried in it, completely still, as if she were asleep.
In her mind, scenes from the last meal Meng Huai had invited her and Jiang Yao to suddenly flooded back.
Recalling some of Meng Huai’s intentional or unintentional topics during that meal, it seemed they all verified that he was in a strange state of suspicion and anxiety.
The so-called remittances to former comrades in arms were merely an excuse; was he testing something, gathering evidence?
Was Meng Huai already suspecting that I am Xia Yan, was he probing, or was it an absurd starting point?
But how did he notice it?
No, it can’t be. I must be overthinking; he just isn’t good at getting close to women, and perhaps he’s a bit insecure, which is why he asked about my past and whether I had a boyfriend, rather than confirming similarities between me and Xia Yan, or our sexual orientation…
Today was perhaps another confused display from Meng Huai—he had escaped the chaotic nightmare world only to fall into another abyss that seemed real yet was even more terrifying.
“Xia Yan, you’re already dead; why do you keep lingering… Meng Huai, just leave me alone, okay?”
“Meng Huai, I’m not a character from a romance; you’re not a playboy either. I truly have no intentions towards you; I just feel you’re too pitiful…”
“Meng Huai, it seems like our closeness is just two pitiful people huddling together for warmth, not real feelings… Is it necessary to deceive each other to accept our new identities?”
The next station arrived. The doors of the carriage opened, and several men and women entered. Jiang Yan lifted her head, casually fixing her hair, turning her gaze towards the window.
The dark tunnel, illuminated by flickering advertisements, roared like an invisible monster, devouring everything.
