19: Chapter 19 The Observer

The image authorization for Fujian has been accepted by the original artist. Thank you for the support, boss!

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Seeing that Fujian refused to speak even if it killed her, Li Ming sighed helplessly. From his perspective, he didn't want to force her. Having been soft-tempered his whole life, Li Ming found it hard to even muster a stern attitude when facing his own people; saying a few words that sounded like a forced confrontation was already his limit.

There was nothing for it; Fujian already looked to be in some pain, and Li Ming didn't want her to dwell on it any further.

After settling her in, Li Ming felt a sudden wave of irritation for no reason. Although Fujian had repeatedly insisted on following him even in her state, Li Ming still chose to go out for a stroll after making sure she had fallen asleep.

Since they hadn't deliberately set up living facilities in the Industrial Zone, the two of them could only sleep in a room with a temporarily moved-in double bed. It was lucky the weather hadn't heated up yet; otherwise, this unventilated room would be stiflingly hot.

Li Ming quietly turned over. Fujian's sleeping posture was very good—she didn't toss and turn, didn't snore, and didn't talk in her sleep.

But now, she seemed to be having a nightmare?

By the faint light coming through the crack in the door, Li Ming could clearly see her brow furrowed tightly and her expression somewhat distorted. Touching the bedsheet, he found it was already soaked. Was she breaking out in a cold sweat?

Usually, she would wake up at the slightest sound...

She suddenly murmured something, turned over, and stretched a smooth arm out from under the quilt. At the same time, her sleeping posture became just as disheveled as Li Ming's.

“...” She...

Trying to move her slightly and finding that she wouldn't wake up at all, Li Ming grew a bit bolder and tucked her into his own bed.

...She really didn't wake up? Li Ming was astonished. Even if he were sleeping like the dead, it would be impossible not to wake up like this...

Or was she already awake and pretending to sleep? Heaven knows... After tucking her in, Li Ming quietly left the room.

According to his past habits, insomnia shouldn't have occurred, but today he had no sleepiness at all. He wondered if it was because of what happened during the day.

The Industrial Zone didn't stop operating even late at night. The noise of the factory systems seemed even more clamorous in the silence of the night. Furthermore, because he initially thought it unnecessary and only installed safety lights, the entire area was very dim, making it hard to even see the road. Li Ming had to walk forward with a flashlight.

The cold wind whistled into his T-shirt, making him shrink his neck. Following the path he had taken during the day, he returned to the beach.

The sound of the waves seemed much quieter compared to the industrial noise, causing Li Ming to stop in his tracks.

For some reason, he was just very irritable. There was a very uncomfortable feeling, like the sensation of your girlfriend constantly talking about her ex-boyfriend?

Thinking about it this way, some of the things that felt out of place seemed to make sense, but he suddenly felt it might have been better not to understand, because now he seemed even more depressed.

Honestly, after finally finding someone who is good to me, I really don't want this relationship to end like this.

With a sigh, Li Ming seemed to hear the wailing of his past self from not long ago.

It craved redemption, craved direction, craved being cared for and needed, and finally drowned at the moment the story in the dream under the pen ended.

Its footsteps were so clear, as if it were chasing him from behind, about to completely overlap with him...

Wait a minute, footsteps?

It must be said that he still lacked combat experience. Li Ming hadn't brought a gun this time, so he could only abruptly swing the flashlight around while turning his body.

Instead, he saw a face that was somewhat pale but wore a playful smile, with golden eyes shimmering with an ominous light.

Observer.

After freezing for a few seconds and determining that he was probably still alive, Li Ming felt relieved.

“...What are you here for?” There was no particular tone, just a flat inquiry into a fact. After all, if she wanted to kill him, it would be instantaneous; why would she need to let him see her like this?

“What? Am I not welcome?”

She walked up, stood side-by-side with him, and then sat down facing the direction of the sea.

After a moment of hesitation, Li Ming also turned around and sat down.

“You're not afraid at all. I thought you'd be a bit nervous.”

“I think based on our relationship alone, I shouldn't be afraid anymore, right?” Li Ming answered naturally. “On the other hand, every time I run into you, there's either trouble or you're brewing some kind of mischief.”

“That's true...” Observer giggled. “But this time is an exception.”

“I believe you.” Li Ming's eyes turned into dots.

“It's good that you believe me.” Observer acted as if she didn't hear the subtext in his words and just turned her head to look at him.

Li Ming had no reaction.

“Your little Ship Girls have already told you about the situation of your port, right?”

Li Ming nodded.

“According to the plan, the second batch of people should be evacuating outward now. However, after our research, we still cannot stabilize the Webway they must pass through. Therefore, when they try to come over, they will basically be scattered again.”

Li Ming nodded.

“The good news is that because of the different world characteristics of this planet and this universe, they don't need to worry about being teleported to some strange place. At the same time, this is a planet inhabited by humans of the same language and race as you, with its own unique culture and lifestyle. However, you know the abilities of your Ship Girls; there's no need to worry about them encountering too much danger in human society.”

“So, outside of society?”

“This world really has 'gods'. To be precise, they have their own magic system.”

“As expected, nothing good happens when you show up.” Li Ming felt helpless.

Observer squinted her eyes and smiled, not denying the statement.

“And why are you telling me all this?” Li Ming lay back on the beach; he felt as if a crab had already crawled onto his trouser leg. “Aren't you the Experimental Terminal?”

“Stereotypes, stereotypes.” Observer picked up the crab from his trouser leg. “Don't you remember? I broke away from that 'script' a long time ago.”

True, Li Ming thought about it; in the event plots, Observer had already become an autonomous existence.

“You definitely didn't come here just to tell me this.” After thinking for a bit, he asked tentatively.

“Your guess is very accurate. After all, I'm quite interested in the subsequent development of the story, but if I don't give you a push, the story seems like it's going to get stuck here...”

“Story?”

“Hehe, just take it as me talking in my sleep~” Observer set the crab aside and let it escape on its own. “More importantly, I want to know, where exactly do you position yourself?”

“Huh? What?” Li Ming was puzzled.

Observer didn't answer him, but simply redeployed her rigging.

“Your little girlfriend is coming~ Also, there's a shipwreck underwater five nautical miles to the north. There might be something you're interested in there—”

Then she slipped away, leaving Li Ming alone, bewildered in the wind.

After a while, he heard hurried footsteps and turned around to see a white female ghost (not really) pouncing toward him.

...

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