Chapter Thirty-Two: Are You Hurt?

After he left, Lu Meng walked out of the cafeteria side-by-side with Wen Er.

Lu Meng glanced at him, and finally, unable to hold back her curiosity, she asked, "Do the two of you not get along?"

Wen Er paused slightly, then replied, "I wouldn't say we don't get along. In competitive sparring, friction is inevitable."

His tone was very flat. Looking at his expression, it didn't seem like he held any particular grudge against Major Ace. Lu Meng couldn't help but recall the tense, confrontational atmosphere between the two just moments ago.

Eh... never mind. Perhaps in Wen Er's view, that didn't count as not getting along. Sentinels were raised with a warrior's mindset from childhood; it was only natural for them to be different from others. Thinking this, she said nothing more.

Wen Er looked at her and asked, feigning indifference, "How did you meet him?"

When the topic turned to this, Lu Meng had plenty to say. "It was that day I messaged you saying I was lost. Do you remember?"

"I remember."

"After I finished asking you for directions and was heading back to my apartment, a huge snake suddenly lunged out from the side of the road!" Lu Meng gestured with her hands, her expression vivid.

Wen Er frowned slightly. That day...

He had gone to find her himself to escort her back to the apartment. As a Guide who had yet to develop psychokinetic powers and was unfamiliar with the military district, it had been his oversight.

Lu Meng, oblivious to his thoughts, continued, "That snake was terrifying! It chased me, and I was so scared I just ran for my life! After a while, I saw someone on the path ahead, and I just jumped right onto him..."

"And that’s how we met, though we only saw each other that one time."

Wen Er’s brow furrowed tightly. "Were you hurt that day?"

Lu Meng was stunned. She had expected him to tease her or perhaps just laugh it off as if it were a story, but she hadn't expected his first reaction to be concern for her safety. A warm sensation flowed through her heart.

She smiled and shook her head. "I wasn't hurt. I was just scared, but it was fine."

In Wen Er's eyes, her smile seemed like a forced attempt to look brave. He felt as if his heart were being pricked by countless needles—not a sharp, agonizing pain, but a deep, aching tug.

Recalling something, he took a circular object from his optical computer, which looked like a piece of sophisticated equipment.

"This is a teleporter chip. It is bound to my psychokinetic energy. If you bind it to your optical computer, it will automatically detect if you are in danger. My energy will be the first to protect you, and I will arrive as quickly as possible. Next time you encounter danger, you won't have to be afraid."

Lu Meng shifted her gaze from his concerned eyes to the palm of his hand. Her heart stirred. She hesitated for a moment to reach out, then pretended nothing was wrong and politely declined.

"That's not necessary, is it? We're in the military district; I shouldn't run into any danger, haha!"

Wen Er’s fingers twitched, and he withdrew his hand.

Though he felt a bit dejected, he couldn't help but wonder: Did he make her feel uncomfortable? It was his oversight.

Seeing that she had turned down his kindness, Lu Meng felt a pang of guilt. Seeing him look so disappointed, that guilt only deepened. Finally, she stopped and looked at Wen Er, her gaze sincere and earnest.

"Wen Er, I am very happy that you would treat me this way, truly! It has been a long time since anyone cared about me or was this good to me."

She paused, then continued hesitantly, "But because you are so good to me, I feel burdened. We haven't known each other long, and I haven't done anything for you. I can't just accept your kindness so easily."

Wen Er looked at her, his heart softening completely. How could there be such a cute and sincere little Guide? She was nothing like any of the haughty, condescending Guides he had met before. None of them would ever feel burdened by accepting a Sentinel's protection.

He couldn't help but reach out and stroke her soft hair. "I don't need you to do anything for me. I am willing to protect you; it is my own choice, so you don't need to feel any burden at all."

His words were devout and tender.