Jiang Qianyu had thought her daughter was special enough—never expecting her wife to possess a special constitution too. She didn’t believe last night’s soul fusion was entirely because of her.
For a fleeting moment, she’d wanted to devour Lu Yunzhi’s soul.
Just like the thought that surfaced last night:
“Lu Yunzhi is a tempting delicacy.”
Her intuition whispered that consuming Lu Yunzhi’s soul would bring a tremendous leap—just like the qualitative shift after devouring Su Qing’s soul.
In her understanding, Grade A Hunters like Su Qing, having undergone transformation, possessed souls fundamentally different from ordinary people: purer, stronger. Consuming them strengthened her own soul.
Soul, spirit, and body were interconnected; the transformation of one inevitably affected the other two.
Other Hunters likely followed the same path: only after completing a Grade A mission and absorbing a Grade A monster’s soul could they ascend to Grade A.
As for Grade S? Jiang Qianyu hadn’t uncovered its secrets yet.
“Then why does Lu Yunzhi, merely a Class B Hunter, give me this sensation of soul-level transformation?”
“Quantity… or quality.”
“No—wait. Was last night even *soul* fusion?”
Jiang Qianyu replayed the sensation. Having handled souls more than anyone, she’d assumed it was fusion. Now, it felt off.
It wasn’t souls. *She* contributed soul energy; Lu Yunzhi offered spiritual energy. *Her* spiritual energy was influencing Jiang Qianyu’s soul.
Shaking off the tangled thoughts, Jiang Qianyu wheeled herself to the table, cleared the plates and cups, rinsed them, and glanced back at Bai Dongqing brewing coffee.
“Watch TV or play games later. Skip studying this morning. After lunch, we’ll go shopping.”
“Shopping?” Bai Dongqing looked up. “Can I come too?”
“Of course. You, me, and Yunzhi—we’ll go together.”
With Lu Yunzhi on rare leave, they finally had time to unwind. And Jiang Qianyu… wanted to see the world outside too.
“Mm! Okay, Mom!” Bai Dongqing nodded vigorously, eyes sparkling with anticipation.
After washing dishes, Jiang Qianyu tidied the shelves. Pulling out discs at random, she noticed many were blank—no content, not even labels. Only on the fifth did “Mingri Apartment” appear.
Most discs were normal. These blanks gave her an odd feeling.
She slid the labeled disc back, stretched.
She already knew their purpose. These blanks would be useful.
That morning, Lu Yunzhi didn’t come downstairs until ten, yawning widely.
“You’re up so early, Xiao Yu.”
She walked behind Bai Dongqing, who was playing a mobile game, and gently tugged her twin braids. “Such cute braids! Did Xiao Yu do them?”
“Mm, Mom did.” Bai Dongqing turned—and froze at the hickeys on Lu Yunzhi’s neck. “Auntie… what’s on your neck?”
Bai Dongqing was Jiang Qianyu’s daughter from before the marriage. After they wed, Lu Yunzhi suggested “Auntie” since neither knew what else to call her. It never strained their bond.
“Ah?” Lu Yunzhi’s fingers flew to button her pajama collar, smile tightening. “Ahaha… nothing! Mosquitoes were bad last night. Got bitten.”
Bai Dongqing blinked. *January’s in ten days. Winter. Mosquitoes?*
*And… that many? That big?*
“Want breakfast? I’ll make some,” Jiang Qianyu said, setting down her coffee cup.
“I hate to admit it… but yeah, I’m starving,” Lu Yunzhi scratched her messy hair. “Hehe, thanks, Xiao Yu~”
Jiang Qianyu wheeled into the kitchen, pulled eggs, bacon, sausages from the fridge, warmed milk.
Two figures lingered at the doorway. Lu Yunzhi hugged Bai Dongqing, whispering, “Xiao Yu *cooks*? Since when? She always bought takeout!”
“Mom’s always known how. She just doesn’t like to.”
“Huh. Never noticed. But this looks way better than that shop across the street. Their baozi tastes weird—sour. Last time I ate half and threw up. Felt awful for hours.”
Lu Yunzhi shuddered at the memory.
Jiang Qianyu’s baozi looked and smelled perfect… until that nauseating sourness hit her tongue.
It wasn’t just the baozi. The atmosphere was eerie too.
Bai Dongqing stood stiffly by the table, head bowed, forcing a smile. Asked if hungry, she just nodded: “Ate already.”
Yet Lu Yunzhi had *heard* her stomach growl ten minutes prior.
And Jiang Qianyu—silent in her wheelchair, staring without blinking.
No matter what Lu Yunzhi said, only one line: *“Eat up. Before it gets cold.”*
“The meat was sour?” Jiang Qianyu frowned, overhearing.
She’d long suspected that restaurant. That sourness… made her think of rumors. *Human flesh carries a distinct sourness.*
“Yeah, sour. Don’t buy there again.” Lu Yunzhi released Bai Dongqing, pinching her cheek. “I’ll change and freshen up. Oh—did Xiao Yu mention shopping this afternoon?”
“Mm. Mom told me.”
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While Lu Yunzhi ate, Jiang Qianyu wheeled outside, basking in sunlight, cradling her half-finished, lukewarm coffee.
She watched the restaurant across the street—locked tight in broad daylight.
Ten minutes later, the roller shutter *jerked* open.
A hulking man, easily two meters tall, waddled out. Chef’s uniform caked in grime and dried blood. Waterproof rubber gloves.
He tossed a trash bag into the bin, turned, and yanked the shutter shut.
·
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