54: The Wind Rises in Mata City

The soldier left with the command token.

Tu Nan guessed he was going to find Kong Jiamu.

She had just rolled the dice again. However, the moment the soldier mentioned the token belonged to "Colonel Kong," everything she had said was essentially set in stone.

Not a single word she had just spoken was true.

But those few words were enough for the soldier to take her seriously; after all, she had accurately named both Hain and Kong Jiamu at the same time.

Tu Nan also believed that even if Kong Jiamu went to ask Hain, there would be no problem.

It was only after Hain left that she found the token in her pocket; she really didn't know when Hain had secretly slipped it to her.

Since he left the token behind, he was naturally prepared for it to be used. Moreover, the request Tu Nan made was not something difficult to satisfy.

Kong Jiamu and Hain must be very close friends. Otherwise, Hain wouldn't have given her Kong Jiamu's token... He probably guessed that Tu Nan would need it in Mata City.

What did he guess?

Tu Nan didn't know.

In just two days and two encounters, that man's gentleness, magnanimity, and his understanding and empathy for women had deeply touched Tu Nan.

What a pity.

***

"Are you saying that Male Beast might be the Chaotic Beast I'm looking for?"

Kong Jiamu was flipping the command token between his fingertips.

"Yes, Chaotic Beasts are too rare. Although he was masked before, his build and ears are very similar. He's injured."

The soldier faithfully reported what he had seen to his superior.

"And that Female Beast, her identity is also forged..."

He intended to continue, but his superior interrupted him.

"She said Hain gave her this token, she wants to settle in Mata City, and she wants me to take care of her?"

The soldier corrected him meticulously: "No, she said you would know."

"Tch." Kong Jiamu tucked the token back into his chest pocket and looked up at the starry sky.

"That Hain! No wonder he suddenly said he was going back to Sea Soul Star... It seems he ran away after getting caught in a romantic debt, and ended up dumping his Female Beast for me to look after?"

"I think... maybe you should contact Lord Hain."

"Contact him for what? A greenhorn like him is the shyest. If I expose him now and he decides not to come back, what then? No calling!"

"Then... will you go meet that lady?"

Kong Jiamu's mouth twitched. He acted as if he hadn't heard the question and simply instructed his subordinate.

"You go. See what they need and look after them a bit."

As for himself, it was better to stay as far away as possible. He was well aware of his reputation as a philanderer and was very confident in his attraction to the opposite sex.

This was the first time Hain had fallen for someone; he didn't want to mess it up.

***

The caravan finally entered the city.

Tu Nan went alone to say goodbye to the caravan on behalf of Gaia and Li. Under Zhuang Qi's meaningful gaze, she expressed her gratitude for the caravan's care and stated that they had reached their destination and intended to stay there.

Before that, Tu Nan went to find Ji Yu first. She pulled Ji Yu aside to test the waters.

"If I were to ask Ken or Zhuang Qi to let you stay here with me, what would you think? Would you be willing?"

She was somewhat worried; after all, Ji Yu was close to giving birth, and the caravan would only stay in the city for one day before setting off again. In Mata City, only the military required a large caravan like Oasis, so their efficiency was very high.

Ji Yu hugged her and rubbed her slightly rough cheek against Tu Nan's.

"Don't ask, it's very offensive." Despite saying this, Ji Yu seemed to be in a very good mood, her laughter falling as lightly as a feather.

"Getting to know you is one of the happiest things in my life. It only ranks after giving birth to those Children."

Tu Nan's brow remained furrowed, unable to relax.

She could scheme against those Male Beasts, scheme against Fiona, and kill Gray. But... facing this Foster Mother of the lowest status, she was completely helpless.

"I can try, as long as you're willing."

"I'm not willing," Ji Yu refused her gently but firmly. "I'm about to give birth. My child must be born under his father's watch. Only then will his identity be proven and will he receive the attention he deserves."

She straightened Tu Nan's hair. "I'm sorry, Tu Nan. But I am a mother, and my child is my priority..." Her eyes shimmered like flowing water.

"You've already begun to experience it gradually, haven't you?"

Tu Nan looked down at her own stomach.

Ji Yu smiled, her expression full of understanding and cunning. She leaned in and whispered into Tu Nan's ear.

"It's for the sake of this child that you chose him..."

Tu Nan froze, then after a moment, she gave a faint nod.

Although Ji Yu assumed she was like all Foster Mothers, wanting her child to be born under the father's watch and thus giving up on Hain.

But... the conclusion reached was indeed much the same.

"So, we both have our own paths to walk. We must both strive forward so that we have no regrets."

Ji Yu's smile was warm, but Tu Nan read an ominous meaning in it, especially when she gave her final instructions.

"I know Little Bear will be fine, and Ken is a responsible person; he will be good to the child."

"But... if one day... please look after them."

Leaving behind those words, Ji Yu bid Tu Nan farewell. She stayed where she was, watching Tu Nan walk toward her Male Beast, leaving the caravan with that fake "lover."

Walking further and further away.

Ji Yu remained in place, waving.

Go... Tu Nan, you are different from us. My life is nearing its end, while yours has just begun.

I know you are bound to have a magnificent life. Bless you.

***

Tu Nan, Gaia, and Li were once again walking together on the streets. The only difference was that Li was sitting on the back of the golden-furred Gaia, being carried along.

They needed to find a suitable place to live. Combining all the money Gaia, Li, and Tu Nan had, they should be able to rent a small house here for a short term.

That's right, Gaia had also saved some money during this time. He had been helping Ken and the others, and before they left, Ken had transferred a large sum of wages to him. It was clear he liked Gaia very much.

But even so, the three of them had to replan their future lives. Every aspect of living in the city was far more complex than in the River Valley.

This wasn't a place where strength alone could do the talking.

"Miss Tu Nan!" someone called from behind. Li and Gaia immediately became alert, and the golden-furred beast instantly turned around, shielding Tu Nan behind him.

Unexpectedly, the newcomer was the soldier who had just been at the Beetle inspection.

"What a coincidence, meeting you again. Where are you planning to go?" he said with a cold face and incongruous words.

"What do you want?" Li's hand had already quietly dropped to his side, where his scimitar hung.

Tu Nan gently pressed his hand and took a step forward, taking over the responsibility of external communication for the team.

She asked politely: "We are planning to go to an agency to rent a house. May I ask if there are additional questions you need me to answer?"

This soldier had clearly come specifically for her, Tu Nan thought; he couldn't hide his expression at all.

"That's perfect. I happen to have a small courtyard here that belongs to the military. It's quite a waste to leave it empty, so you can go live there. You don't need to pay rent, just help us maintain it. We can even pay you a fee of 10,000 Karu per month."

Tu Nan blinked... these conditions sounded like a trap.

Sure enough, even Gaia felt something was wrong.

"You pay us? To let us live there?"

"What are you trying to do!"

What was with Kong Jiamu's men... making up such a transparent lie, it was hard not to be suspicious.

Tu Nan pressed her forehead.

Or... was this actually Kong Jiamu's intention?

What did he want?