In that instant, Ji Huan swung his hand.
A streak of silver cut through the air, colliding with a cold glint just less than a fist’s distance from Yuan Li’s temple.
Both objects flew past her face, slicing through a few strands of her hair.
Yuan Li froze in place. Her eyes widened, and without hesitation, she clutched her backpack to her chest.
Inside the backpack, ShuangTang struggled, but the force held it in place. Its surge of anger quieted instantly—afraid it might hurt Yuan Li.
Moreover, its Mental power had completely enveloped her. Nothing could harm Yuan Li now.
The sensation of being enveloped felt as though Yuan Li were safely inside its body, utterly protected. It calmed it down significantly.
“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid.” Yuan Li looked toward the direction Aunt Shui and Liu Jiao had run off and ran straight toward Ji Huan without hesitation.
Ji Huan glanced at her, amused. “I thought you were going to run off with them again.”
Yuan Li smiled awkwardly but didn’t feel guilty. “Why would I? You’re stronger. Of course, I want someone stronger to protect me.”
“If you really thought that way, today wouldn’t have happened,” Ji Huan said, implying something.
Yuan Li feigned ignorance. “How would I know I’m so unlucky?”
The Cleaning Department hadn’t explicitly said anyone was watching her, so she pretended she didn’t know.
So what if she went out for a walk at noon with her colleagues?
It was perfectly reasonable!
With that thought, Yuan Li felt braver.
Ji Huan looked at her in surprise. “Your courage suddenly grew? And you’re not even hiding. Aren’t you afraid danger will strike again?”
“You’re chatting with me now, so there shouldn’t be any danger, right?”
As for courage?
Yuan Li was simply giving up.
She had been walking normally, danger had suddenly appeared, and suddenly someone who logically shouldn’t have saved her did—yet he wasn’t surprised at all. Anyone with half a brain would know something was off.
It was probably a leftover problem from that laboratory.
Besides, with rent outside at 1,300 a month being so dangerous, she needed the ability to protect herself if she wanted to move out.
As for everything else… she would endure for now.
Aunt Shui had said it right: surviving was the most important thing.
The person who had attacked Yuan Li remotely didn’t appear again. Ji Huan retrieved the weapon he had thrown—it was a small knife.
Yuan Li asked curiously, “Are you a Doctor too?”
“Kind of.”
Ji Huan smiled, not denying it. After all, forensics were still medical.
Yuan Li mumbled, “Are all Doctors at the Cleaning Department this strong?”
She didn’t ask further and went to find Liu Jiao and Aunt Shui.
The two were hiding at the corner between two buildings. When Yuan Li approached, they held pig-slaughtering knives they seemed to have pulled from somewhere, eyes wary and defensive.
Seeing Yuan Li unharmed, Liu Jiao blurted, “You’re not dead?”
“No, no, I didn’t mean that!” Realizing what she had said, Liu Jiao nearly broke into a cold sweat, hastily explaining herself.
Especially when she saw Ji Huan standing behind Yuan Li—she felt her life was over.
But Yuan Li didn’t think much of it. “Ji Huan saved me. I’m fine now. It’s about time; we should head back to work.”
Liu Jiao’s legs went weak.
Wait… you’re going back to work?
Taking a deep breath, Liu Jiao turned to Aunt Shui. “Aunt Shui, you go back first. I’ll head to work.”
Aunt Shui tried to say something but hesitated, considering Yuan Li was there. She finally stayed silent.
Liu Jiao smiled. “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”
After a two-second pause, Aunt Shui let go.
On the way back, Yuan Li and Liu Jiao walked ahead, Ji Huan followed behind.
Since Ji Huan had already discovered them, there was no need for sneaky entrances. Yuan Li confidently entered through the front door.
Once inside, Liu Jiao still looked dazed.
She suddenly said, “It wasn’t my fault you were attacked today. I didn’t want to harm you.”
“You were worried about that just now?” Yuan Li was surprised.
She didn’t know why Liu Jiao would think that but said, “I insisted on making you take me there, and you know I’ve registered with the Cleaning Department. I know you wouldn’t want anything to happen to me.”
Liu Jiao carefully studied Yuan Li, confirming her sincerity before finally exhaling.
However, she then showed a slightly embarrassed, anxious expression. “Can you… help explain things to the Cleaning Department for me?”
Saying it, she looked both embarrassed and uneasy, cheeks flushing red.
Yuan Li understood completely.
“I’ll definitely help you. After all, I dragged you into this. But don’t worry—they’re not tyrants. Even if they ask you a few questions, nothing will happen.”
Liu Jiao twitched her lips.
If they weren’t tyrants… then what were they?
She even wanted to impulsively ask what image the Cleaning Department held in Yuan Li’s eyes.
The afternoon shift went smoothly.
After work, Yuan Li earned another 60 bucks. She carefully tucked the money into her bag and stepped out, seeing Ji Huan waiting for her.
After the remote assassination attempt at noon, Ji Huan didn’t bother hiding anymore. He openly stationed himself at a glass-walled drink shop across the street.
Seeing Yuan Li emerge, he smiled. “Get in.”
The passenger seat remained his choice.
Yuan Li buckled her seatbelt, hesitating before asking, “Can I come to work tomorrow?”
Knowing the current cost of living, she didn’t want to lose this job.
“As long as you dare show up, we’re fine with it,” Ji Huan said, tapping the steering wheel. “I haven’t been busy anyway.”
Although she had expected this, Yuan Li still frowned. “Are you sure they’re after me?”
“See this?” Ji Huan held a small blade in his right hand while keeping the left on the wheel.
Yuan Li carefully examined it, puzzled. “What’s wrong with this blade?”
“The little mark at the tip? That’s the lab’s insignia. They might have noticed a loose end like you and don’t intend to let you go.”
Yuan Li ground her teeth. “Is that necessary? I don’t even remember anything.”
“Who knows?” Ji Huan replied half-heartedly. “If you do know something, tell us. At least the Cleaning Department saved you; we won’t waste time killing you.”
“I trust you, but I really don’t remember!” Yuan Li frowned. “If I did, I’d tell everything and have you catch all those perverts using me for experiments, and just—bam bam bam!”
Ji Huan looked incredulous. “Cleaning Department… has morals?”
Yuan Li: “?”
Was that really the point?
Seeing her shocked expression, Ji Huan couldn’t help laughing and casually encouraged, “Then try to recall carefully. If there’s any clue, you can help take them all down.”
Yuan Li hugged her bag silently, ignoring him.
Ji Huan didn’t mind.
This time, he drove her to the parking lot.
“Familiarize yourself with my car. I’ll wait here for you tomorrow—it’s a bit closer than the entrance.”
Yuan Li didn’t rush out. She looked at Ji Huan. “Can you teach me how to fight?”
“You want to learn from me? Sure, but I’ll need a payment,” Ji Huan said, smiling at her clutching her backpack. “Give me your little pet…”
Yuan Li’s expression changed instantly. She jumped out of the car. “Goodbye!”