Chapter 17-1: Isn't Saving the Beauty a Sweet Deal? / Chapter 18-2: I Just Wanted to Give You a Little Kiss

At Qin Xiangyi's explanation, Jing Shuxuan looked apologetic. "I was so happy to see you just now that I forgot about it. I've already got your phone back for you. It's at home."

Qin Xiangyi felt a little more at ease. If she still had her original phone, she wouldn't need to worry about fumbling through the process of getting a new phone plan and giving herself away.

"Sister Shuxuan, thank you so much." Qin Xiangyi expressed her gratitude again.

If school beauty Zhou Muning had been her guide in this world, then Jing Shuxuan was surely her guiding light. She had helped her solve all the problems that came with being new to this place.

"Don't suddenly get so polite. I'm not used to it. Leaving aside your connection to Prince Qin, you're my dear little sister." Jing Shuxuan really wasn't used to Qin Xiangyi's attitude. She reached out and patted Qin Xiangyi on the head, looking a little embarrassed.

Qin Xiangyi raised an eyebrow. "Just your little sister?"

She tried to make their relationship a little more ambiguous. Unfortunately, this wasn't a world where girls fell for girls. Jing Shuxuan didn't react in the slightest and simply smiled before adding, "And my good friend."

Qin Xiangyi knew she couldn't push too hard, lest she be sent back to Baichi Sanatorium. She smiled, indicating that she was satisfied with Jing Shuxuan's answer.

"That's more like it."

Jing Shuxuan smiled too. The two of them chatted as they went shopping, but Qin Xiangyi noticed something: Jing Shuxuan wasn't shopping for herself. She held every piece of clothing up against Qin Xiangyi instead.

"You're going somewhere you don't know, and I don't even know what to get you. I can only buy you a few things to make myself feel better." Jing Shuxuan's eyes reddened again, as though Qin Xiangyi's departure meant they would never see each other again.

Qin Xiangyi continued to comfort her. "It's okay, Sister Shuxuan. I'll be back for winter break."

At that, tears spilled from Jing Shuxuan's eyes, as if she thought simply making it to winter break would be a struggle for Qin Xiangyi. Life in Heaven City was comfortable, but it was also extremely dangerous.

Compared to Ocean City, where Qin Xiangyi was now and where a Chosen One occasionally fell from the sky and killed someone, incidents like that happened every day in Heaven City. Everyone entering the city even had to sign a death waiver. People there truly lived with their lives on the line.

Qin Xiangyi understood that perfectly well, but she didn't want to give Jing Shuxuan any more reason to worry.

These were only characters she had written herself. She shouldn't get any more emotionally invested in them. Having settled on that thought, Qin Xiangyi tried to change the subject. It didn't work very well. Jing Shuxuan remained gloomy as they walked, then said, "If only I were a Chosen One too. At least then I could look out for you in Heaven City."

Jing Shuxuan was still blaming herself. Her voice was filled with helplessness and unease, as if she had gone through something similar before. As they talked, the two of them entered an alley. Qin Xiangyi was just about to answer when Jing Shuxuan grabbed her arm and hurriedly said, "This isn't the right way."

Qin Xiangyi looked at the alley and was about to ask what was wrong with it when several people appeared behind them. They were dressed like a bunch of thugs. At a glance, it was clear they were no good.

It was obvious that Jing Shuxuan thought something was wrong with the alley because she had been hurt there before. But in a novel, any incident could move the plot forward. Qin Xiangyi had already copied an SR-class assassination skill from Shaoyao. She couldn't take on an opponent head-on, but dealing with a few ordinary thugs should be no problem.

Just as she was about to step forward, Jing Shuxuan moved to protect her. Her gaze was resolute, but Qin Xiangyi could see her trembling. She was clearly dreading the situation.

In that moment, Jing Shuxuan seemed to have forgotten that there was a Chosen One beside her. She planned to protect Qin Xiangyi with her own strength.

"Well, aren't you a pretty one?" The man's gaze naturally fell on Jing Shuxuan, who stood in front of Qin Xiangyi. He ignored Qin Xiangyi, who looked utterly ordinary.

Qin Xiangyi understood it was because of the special glasses she wore, but being completely ignored still annoyed her. She was about to step in front of Jing Shuxuan again when Jing Shuxuan turned around and shook her head. She mouthed something, seemingly telling Qin Xiangyi to run.

It was clear that Jing Shuxuan didn't believe Qin Xiangyi could take on several muscular-looking grown men.

Qin Xiangyi was about to prove what she could do and earn Jing Shuxuan's favor at the same time, but Shaoyao, who had been watching the whole time, could no longer restrain her eager hands. She attacked the three men.

In Qin Xiangyi's sight, Shaoyao's red ancient-style clothes disappeared, replaced by a black outfit made for moving freely. Strange emblems were embroidered on it, making her look like a member of some assassin organization.

Shaoyao sprang into action, sending the three men flying with one punch and two kicks. They flew more than ten meters before they hit the ground. The three men immediately lost consciousness. Shaoyao casually lowered her leg and said with some regret, "I thought people these days would be good fighters. I didn't expect them to pass out after just one hit."

There was a hint of smugness in her voice. Qin Xiangyi couldn't help looking at her with a little more disdain. It seemed Shaoyao still hadn't figured out where she stood.

Shaoyao really was difficult for ordinary people to deal with, but any skilled Chosen One could beat her like a vegetable. Of course, Qin Xiangyi couldn't say that out loud. She was just about to praise Shaoyao when Jing Shuxuan hurriedly looked at her.

"Xiaoyi, are you okay?"

Qin Xiangyi smiled easily. "I'm fine. I'm perfectly okay. You don't have to thank me too much."

"What are you talking about? Don't you know even a little about Chosen Ones? Using your powers when you don't even understand them can cause headaches and weakness in your limbs. In serious cases, it can damage your brain. Why do you think Chosen Ones all end up in sanatoriums, no matter where they're from?"

Seeing Qin Xiangyi's indifferent attitude, Jing Shuxuan was so upset she nearly cried.

Jing Shuxuan's reminder brought the reason for that setting back to Qin Xiangyi.

"I remember now. After all, there's only a fine line between a genius and a criminal. Chosen Ones are the same." She had wanted to keep Chosen Ones from becoming gods, so she had given them plenty of problems. For example, using their abilities too much could make them pass out or even cough up blood.

Repeatedly using their abilities incorrectly could also cause side effects. Those side effects would last a lifetime, until death. Of course, this wasn't to emphasize the difference between humans and gods. It was originally a benefit she had planned to give the protagonist, allowing him to cure Chosen Ones who had long suffered from side effects and gain friends, comrades-in-arms, and even storylines where they offered him their daughters or granddaughters.

Qin Xiangyi was actually surprised to hear Jing Shuxuan explain the rules of Chosen Ones so early. Ever since she had entered this world, it seemed the characters in it had begun to stray from their original roles.

Looking at Jing Shuxuan, Qin Xiangyi tentatively asked, "Sister Shuxuan, how do you know so much about Chosen Ones?"

Jing Shuxuan shot Qin Xiangyi a look, clearly displeased. "I think your brain really did get burned. Have you forgotten what company I work for?"

Qin Xiangyi really didn't know, so she could only laugh and brush it off. Jing Shuxuan grew more and more anxious and continued, "No, we should go to the hospital first. I really can't stop worrying about you."

As she spoke, she tugged Qin Xiangyi along, ready to leave. But Qin Xiangyi had no problem at all. Even if she did, Hua Nu could take care of all her physical issues. She had no need for a doctor.

"Sister Shuxuan, believe me, I'm really fine... My summoned beast just has a bad temper. It saw those people bullying you and kicked them away." Qin Xiangyi had no choice but to explain again that she hadn't used her powers, blaming everything on Shaoyao instead.

If not for Shaoyao, she would have already gotten to play the hero and earned Jing Shuxuan's favor. Instead, she had scared Jing Shuxuan half to death all over again.

"Really?"

"Really." Qin Xiangyi had no choice but to take off the bracer on her right wrist and show Jing Shuxuan her Chosen One mark.

"This mark was forcibly branded onto me when I entered the sanatorium. Whenever I use my abilities, the chip implanted inside it detects them. Look, it isn't glowing now, which proves I haven't done anything."

Qin Xiangyi explained the purpose of the mark on her wrist. The reason it had been forced on her was that Chosen Ones were so powerful that they had to make something to monitor every one of them.

If the wearer showed no signs of life or removed the chip, the Chosen One Alliance would be alerted and would deal with the Chosen One according to the rules. Of course, Chosen Ones weren't allowed to use their abilities in ordinary cities, either. The mark was both a restriction and a means of surveillance. If Qin Xiangyi had used her powers just now, the police would have arrived right away.

Hearing Qin Xiangyi explain, Jing Shuxuan finally let out a breath of relief. "Good thing you're a summoner. Otherwise, we'd probably be heading to the police station now."

Qin Xiangyi smiled awkwardly, but Jing Shuxuan suddenly hugged her. "Xiaoyi, I'm getting more and more worried about you."

Faced with the woman's sudden show of affection, Qin Xiangyi's hands didn't know where to go. Of course, she knew Jing Shuxuan wasn't about to kiss her so soon. What had just happened had been too sudden, and Jing Shuxuan had been frightened.

"It's okay..."

"But it's not okay for me."

Jing Shuxuan's voice grew even quieter. Qin Xiangyi looked up in confusion and saw Jing Shuxuan press her lips together. She said, a little embarrassed, "I got scared just now. I can't walk anymore."

The tense, sorrowful atmosphere eased, and Jing Shuxuan let her vulnerable side show. Qin Xiangyi couldn't help laughing. She crouched down, then lifted Jing Shuxuan into her arms in one smooth motion.

Jing Shuxuan cried out in surprise and clung to Qin Xiangyi, as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing.

Qin Xiangyi, who had once struggled even to open a bottle, was now carrying her so effortlessly.

"Y-you... What happened to your body?"

"I've been exercising every day in the hospital." Qin Xiangyi explained. In truth, she had indeed been exercising during her time at Baichi Sanatorium, but every night she went to exercise in the space inside the Flower God Ring.

One day there equaled a month, and the honey and dew inside the Flower God Ring had greatly improved Qin Xiangyi's physical condition. Even if she ran into a Chosen One now, she could handle them without relying on the flower people.

"What kind of exercise could change you this much?" Jing Shuxuan couldn't believe it. She felt Qin Xiangyi was hiding something from her.

"Sister Shuxuan, the time isn't right yet. When I'm able to protect you, I'll tell you the truth, okay?" Qin Xiangyi had no choice. She knew she couldn't fool her, so she tried another way to tell Jing Shuxuan what she had in mind.

Jing Shuxuan looked at Qin Xiangyi, thought for a moment, then replied, "Okay. I'll wait."

She really didn't ask anything else. She simply rested in Qin Xiangyi's arms. Qin Xiangyi let out a breath of relief, then quickly realized she was facing a second problem.

"Sister Shuxuan, I don't know the way." She awkwardly explained her predicament. This time, Jing Shuxuan didn't doubt her. She simply pointed out the route and let Qin Xiangyi carry her.

After a while, Jing Shuxuan couldn't take the awkwardness of being carried in a bridal carry any longer, so she climbed down herself. She moved very slowly, but at least she was walking.

"Sister Shuxuan, shouldn't we do something about those three men?" Qin Xiangyi remembered that they had left the three men behind without dealing with them.

Jing Shuxuan shook her head. "There's nothing we can do."

Qin Xiangyi raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"

"There are no surveillance cameras there. They could even twist the story around." Jing Shuxuan looked helpless. Qin Xiangyi thought that even so, it should be obvious something was wrong. How could they just let the men get away with it?

Jing Shuxuan seemed to realize Qin Xiangyi didn't understand. She pointed to the mark on Qin Xiangyi's wrist. "Normally, they could be convicted. But once Chosen Ones are involved, everything gets turned on its head."

Qin Xiangyi couldn't believe it. She hadn't written anything that dark. After all, this was only a wish-fulfillment novel. But she hadn't expected the world to fill in the details like this without her knowing.

If children were the protected group on Earth, then ordinary people were the protected group here. As luck would have it, the mayor of Ocean City was an anti-Chosen One. He was trying to drive all those dangerous people away.

"But the mayor probably never dreamed Baichi Sanatorium would be in Ocean City." Seeing Qin Xiangyi's expression grow more and more troubled, Jing Shuxuan tried to lighten the mood with a little joke.

Qin Xiangyi wanted to play along and laugh, but she couldn't. Once her identity had changed, everything she had understood from an omniscient viewpoint was completely different from what she experienced firsthand.

Jing Shuxuan fell silent and simply took Qin Xiangyi's hand. Everything went unsaid, but everything could only go unsaid.

Neither of them lingered outside. They soon returned home. Qin Xiangyi sat on the sofa and watched TV while Jing Shuxuan stepped away for a while, heading somewhere unknown.

Before long, Jing Shuxuan returned with a phone in her hand.

"Here, your phone."

Qin Xiangyi took it by reflex. It was switched off. She fumbled around trying to find the power button and realized this phone was very different from the ones in her world. Seeing that Qin Xiangyi couldn't find the button, Jing Shuxuan finally helped and pressed a button on the back of the phone.

The back of the phone extended automatically, revealing a button. Qin Xiangyi pressed it and felt the phone vibrate. She turned it over, and a startup animation appeared. Soon, it reached the home screen.

Just a few minutes after it switched on, the phone started making all kinds of sounds. There were a lot of missed calls and text messages.

One of them was a message from the school beauty, Zhou Muning, asking how Qin Xiangyi had been lately. There were also messages from people whose names were saved in her contacts, but whom Qin Xiangyi didn't recognize at all.

"Looks like our Xiaoyi is very popular." Hearing the commotion, Jing Shuxuan turned around and teased Qin Xiangyi about all the messages she had to deal with.

Qin Xiangyi smiled and pretended to casually browse through the rest. Fortunately, all the chat records were still there. As long as she found some time to read them carefully, she'd be fine.

Seeing how relaxed Qin Xiangyi was, Shaoyao, who wasn't satisfied, continued exploring nearby. Whenever she found something new, she would come over and describe it to Qin Xiangyi.

"Flower Master, I've found a lot of strange things, but I don't know which ones are important."

At first, Qin Xiangyi thought she could handle it, but before long, she was struggling to explain. Seeing that Jing Shuxuan was focused on the TV news, Qin Xiangyi decided to go wash off the smell of barbecue.

"Shaoyao, keep at it... I'm going to take a shower."

"Take a shower?" Shaoyao repeated Qin Xiangyi's words, seemingly ready to follow her into the bathroom.

"You don't need to follow me in. Unless you want to help me bathe—in that case, I might consider it." Seeing Shaoyao still at her heels, Qin Xiangyi felt even more helpless.

Shaoyao immediately stopped following her, but she stayed where she was, curiously peering into the bathroom. She seemed eager to understand how all the strange equipment worked, and how the enormous tub could produce hot water automatically.

Qin Xiangyi felt even more helpless. She thought she should go to a bookstore tomorrow and find some books on basic knowledge. If not, these flower people wouldn't just be useless—they'd become a burden.

She also needed to get in touch with Zhou Muning later. She would have to meet her sometime during the next week.

For the moment, she set herself two goals. While taking a shower, she didn't focus on washing at all. Instead, she organized her thoughts.

Before long, she came out wearing pajamas and saw Jing Shuxuan asleep on the sofa. She looked completely defenseless. Compared to the capable woman she was during the day, her sleeping face seemed more delicate.

Because of the way she was lying, her already beautiful legs looked even longer and lovelier from that angle. They were all the more alluring. Qin Xiangyi took a few more looks, but Shaoyao suddenly stepped in front of her and warned her in a displeased voice.

"Flower Master, you can't keep doing this."

Qin Xiangyi was speechless. "What am I doing?"

"Look at her legs. She doesn't even know to cover them up."

"Isn't it normal to look at someone's legs? Besides, we're both women. What is there to be afraid of?"

Qin Xiangyi felt Shaoyao was asking to get smacked, though her attitude toward Jing Shuxuan had improved a little. Seeing Shaoyao look frustrated when she couldn't argue back, Qin Xiangyi teased her. "What, did she win you over with barbecue?"

"No. I just realized she's a good person."

Shaoyao answered honestly. She sounded as if she thought Qin Xiangyi was a bad person. Qin Xiangyi was even more speechless. Seeing that Shaoyao wouldn't move aside, she simply grabbed her and continued, "Oh, so you're going to take on something that shouldn't be your burden?"

Shaoyao froze. She didn't even resist Qin Xiangyi's touch. Qin Xiangyi had no idea what was going on with her. Seeing how docile she was, Qin Xiangyi remembered that she hadn't absorbed any Spiritual Power today and decided to give Shaoyao some first.

Just as she was about to touch Shaoyao, Shaoyao murmured, "It's not like that... I just..."

As she spoke, Shaoyao suddenly realized what Qin Xiangyi was doing and shoved her away. Qin Xiangyi was caught completely off guard. She flew backward and only stopped when she struck the wall. The commotion woke Jing Shuxuan, who had been asleep.