Chapter 40: Is She Trying to Avoid Responsibility?

Was she worried?

Wen Er did not know.

He opened his optical computer again, as if trying to discern her state of mind at the moment she sent the message from those few short words.

Was she worried about him?

But she had told him to stay safe—that should imply she cared, right? Or was it merely a polite, perfunctory remark?

Adi, sharp-eyed, leaned in close to sneak a peek while his guard was down. He couldn't help but click his tongue. "Oh my, 'waiting for your return,' 'stay safe'—how sweet!"

Hearing the teasing tone, Wen Er instinctively clamped a hand over Adi's face, his earlobes turning a deep, vivid red. "Shut up."

Seeing that he was truly annoyed, Adi hurriedly and obediently promised not to say another word, and Wen Er finally let him go.

Adi remained quiet for a moment, but couldn't resist. He leaned back in, his curiosity getting the better of him. "But Captain, how far have you two actually progressed? Has that little Guide mentioned when she’ll make you her exclusive Sentinel?"

Wen Er paused, his gaze dropping as he recalled what she had said to Ace in the cafeteria that day.

"We... are still just friends."

"Friends?"

Adi looked as if his jaw might hit the floor. "You’ve reached this point, and you’re still just friends?"

He couldn't fathom it. "No, since when is there such a thing as 'friendship' between a Sentinel and a Guide? Maybe that little Guide has amnesia and doesn't understand, but has your brain stopped working too, Captain?"

He grew increasingly agitated. "Or is it that she simply doesn't want to take responsibility for you? Captain, have you been played?!"

Wen Er frowned. "Don't talk nonsense! She hasn't done anything to me."

And she had no need to take responsibility for him, either.

Adi rolled his eyes, truly at his wit's end. His captain was the type to be sold off and still help count the money for the buyer!

"What do you mean she hasn't done anything?" he exclaimed, indignant. "Weren't you two all over each other on the road yesterday?"

The Captain had simply never been around a Guide before, which was why he was so easily deceived! Those Guides were far from innocent. He had heard that many of them loved to toy with a Sentinel's affections, chasing thrills without ever intending to give the Sentinel a formal commitment.

"Shut up!"

Wen Er was genuinely angry now. Meeting the shocked stares of the surrounding Sentinels, the heat in his ears spread rapidly down to his neck. That Adi—he had no filter!

It was then that Adi realized he had been too excited and had spoken aloud instead of using their mental link. Facing Wen Er’s icy glare, he shivered, silently looking away and playing dead.

No, no, don't look at him like that... he swore he hadn't meant to do it.

The surrounding Sentinels were buzzing, as if they had just stumbled upon a massive scandal. All over each other? Wow, who knew the Captain was so bold? They began exchanging glances, the atmosphere suddenly quite lively.

Wen Er closed his eyes, choosing to see nothing and keep his peace.

...

Lu Meng closed her optical computer and looked at the dishes she had finished preparing. She lifted the lid of the pot, and the fragrant aroma of coconut chicken wafted out.

She couldn't help but sigh.

Was today just not a good day to invite people over for dinner? Why did everyone have something else to do?

Now, she was all alone.

It was a pity, really. She had worked so hard on this food, and now she would have to eat it all by herself.

Still, if she ate it alone, it would last her for several days. That was fine, too; at least she wouldn't have to buy meals for a while!

Lu Meng comforted herself, turned off the stove, and carried the coconut chicken to the dining table. Even if she was eating alone, she would do so happily.

She clapped her hands together. "Time to eat!"

She pulled out a chair, sat down, and poured herself a glass of water.

She couldn't help but glance back.

She wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but today she kept feeling as though something was watching her, yet every time she looked around, there was nothing there.

It was starting to give her the creeps.

Could this world... possibly have ghosts?

It was already miraculous enough that she had transmigrated here; it wouldn't be that strange if ghosts existed, too.

Lu Meng hurriedly stood up and bowed in every direction, muttering under her breath, "No offense intended, no offense intended. Every debt has its debtor and every grievance its source—if someone wronged you, go find them! I'm just a powerless little girl. We have no grudges, so please, don't haunt me..."

In the corner, a small snake flicked its tongue, its eyes filled with confusion.

What on earth was she doing?