In such a dangerous, terrifying setting, Jiang Qianyu’s words felt utterly out of place—analyzing their situation would’ve been far more appropriate.
Yet those very words shattered Lu Yunzhi’s tightly held composure.
"Xiaoyu… I’m sorry…"
Her voice hitched slightly as she raised a hand to wipe the tears gathering at the corners of her eyes.
Jiang Qianyu couldn’t see, but she knew Lu Yunzhi was crying.
Honestly, this girl was so oblivious. Jiang Qianyu’s sudden calm was clearly *out of character*—who becomes this enlightened in three days? A total personality shift, and Xiaoyu noticed nothing.
Then again… call her oblivious, yet she’d still sensed the raw emotion beneath the words.
Still, Xiaoyu’s interpretation surely differed.
She was likely recalling their talk about meeting parents—and misreading Jiang Qianyu’s past tantrums as playful pouting.
*So this is what Xiaoyu truly felt… How low of me to consider using her as leverage with Dad. To resent her for lashing out at the wrong time.*
*I’m the real monster—the one who never valued family.*
Roughly that.
"No need to apologize. I’ve reflected a lot lately. I wasn’t easy to live with before. You enduring my temper without divorcing me… that’s already more than I deserved. Anyone else would’ve left."
Jiang Qianyu added with dry self-mockery, "I know exactly who I am."
"Just like I said—starting today, let’s treat everything as a fresh beginning."
She spoke it for Lu Yunzhi. And for herself.
A brand-new life. A wife who felt like a stranger.
If her body instinctively craved Lu Yunzhi… why not try accepting it?
Time smooths all edges. She’d simply learn to live with Lu Yunzhi’s presence.
If it fit—happy ending.
If not—by then, the instinct would’ve faded. Parting later wouldn’t be too late.
Better than forcing separation. Even if she was a Witch… and Lu Yunzhi, a Hunter.
Human or Witch—life needs hope. A pillar inside.
Jiang Qianyu was certain: without this plan, she’d surely "snap," becoming a full monster.
Crafting souls daily like this? Sanity wouldn’t last.
Watching those Hunters earlier, she’d wondered: what truly separated her "Witch" self from these mutated Nightwatchers?
Pathetic. She was forging her own shackles. Leaping straight into the pit.
While Jiang Qianyu drifted in thought, Lu Yunzhi nodded firmly. "You’re right, Xiaoyu. Let’s restart!"
After a quiet pause: "And… thank you for tonight. Name your reward when we’re home—I owe you."
Jiang Qianyu didn’t know how deeply those words reshaped Lu Yunzhi.
Nor the bittersweet trials awaiting her because of them.
She missed one truth: though *she* seemed to lead, Lu Yunzhi’s resolve and action utterly overshadowed her. The "clumsy with words, steady with hands" type.
After all—Lu Yunzhi was the one who proposed.
A girl bold enough to propose to another girl…
What "proper" person does that?
...
...
Over twenty minutes passed before Nightwatcher Headquarters reinforcements arrived.
A Grade A Hunter—*and* the mission supervisor—dead during a Class B mission. No small matter, especially after five Hunters had already fallen.
Four squads mobilized, backed by police units.
Too many bodies in Mingri Apartments. Nightwatchers alone couldn’t manage aftermath—family notifications, disposal protocols. Their authority here was limited.
Watching corpses carried away one by one, Lu Yunzhi finally felt free to leave.
She wouldn’t return home tonight. Report duty at Headquarters awaited.
Sole survivor privilege.
"Xiaoyu, I’m heading back to Headquarters. Devices aren’t allowed inside, so I’ll shut the camera off. Don’t worry—we’re safe now. The rest isn’t my concern."
Lu Yunzhi seized a quiet moment, whispering into her earpiece: "I’ll file a report, debrief with the captain about the Witch. Not sure I’ll make it back tonight—don’t wait up. I’ll call if I return."
"Recording?" Jiang Qianyu frowned.
"Yeah. Think bodycam. Activated when the prior squad sent distress signals—recorded everything. Retrieve the device, replay the footage."
Lu Yunzhi explained simply. Zero suspicion left. She now saw Jiang Qianyu as a teammate.
"Mm. Go ahead. I’ll wait at home."
"Rest early too. It’s late. I’ve got my key."
"Mm."
Call ended. Jiang Qianyu leaned back in her wheelchair.
She never expected Hunters carried recorders.
So *everything* she did tonight was already footage en route to Nightwatcher Headquarters?
She pictured it clearly:
A dim room. Them replaying her kills. Scrutinizing every word, every flicker of expression.
"Tch. Troublesome."
Meanwhile, her puppet—disguised via Soul Threads—had already boarded a taxi.
Severed head? Reattach it. Rooftop jump? Trivial. She had ways to land safely.
Hiding the puppet was the real headache. No legal ID. Must avoid tracking, cameras, *any* clue for Nightwatchers.
Thankfully, Mingri Apartments sat camera-free.
"Might as well stay across the street. Perfect spot." Jiang Qianyu glanced up at the two-story building opposite.
The fire-damaged room? Abandoned. Ideal hiding place.
"Lie low for now. Or secure a mission site before Nightwatchers do—build there."
She stroked her chin. A plan settled in.
...
...
