Chapter 12: Only She Can See

The scene continued.

The female insect appeared confident, leaning aside as she watched Xu Rui’s frantic evasive maneuvers.

The male insect launched several attacks, and Xu Rui rolled aside to dodge.

After several evasions, Xu Rui was beginning to tire.

Though agile and strong, she was still young and unarmed, forced into a defensive stance with no choice but to keep dodging.

After a moment, gasping for breath, she knelt on one knee, supporting her weary body.

The male insect was about to strike again, but the female insect waved him off.

With Sana’s voice—soft, gentle, yet eerily strange—she spoke.

“Enough, little Rui. Obediently come with us, and we might spare you and your brother.”

Xu Rui, panting and drenched in sweat, gritted her teeth. “You’re insects! There are many humans nearby with weapons to deal with you. You won’t escape!”

Then she shouted loudly, “Help! There are insects here!”

The crowd in the square held their breath.

Yes! Seeing insects, that was exactly what to do!

All the humans hated the insects with a burning passion. As long as the adults came armed, they would be safe!

But the attitude of the two insects sent a chill through everyone’s hearts.

The female insect chuckled softly. “Dear, she actually thinks she can call for help.”

The male insect laughed heartily, clutching his belly. “Go ahead and call. Even if help comes, we’re not afraid.”

Xu Rui’s helpless voice echoed through the cabin until her throat grew hoarse.

The female insect smiled. “Well? Think it over. Agree to come with us, and you can freely use the gene extractor.”

Xu Rui wiped the sweat from her forehead. “You’re not going to kill me?”

The female insect giggled. “Why would we kill you? We mean no harm to you or your brother.”

“We’re just passing through and happened to meet you two siblings. We find you agreeable and wish to adopt you.”

The red glow in the female’s compound eyes intensified. “We, as a couple, are very friendly.”

...

“Don’t agree! The insects are cunning! This is a trap!”

Though they knew this was a memory replay, they still anxiously shouted at the sight.

Earlier, through Xu Rui’s memories, they had clearly heard the insects’ plan to use her to breed larvae.

If Xu Rui agreed, their siblings’ lives would be utterly destroyed.

Xu Chu’s expression was tense, his breath quickened.

So, did Xu Rui agree?

Did she push him off the ship to protect him?

...

Xu Rui regained some strength and stood up, appearing obedient and sweet. “Really? You want to take us away from here?”

The female insect nodded excitedly. “Of course. You should go back to sleep. We’ll leave once we get the pass tomorrow.”

Xu Rui nodded. “Okay.”

She turned and walked toward Xu Chu’s cabin.

She must not stay! They had to leave quickly!

Xu Rui hurried into the room and shook Xu Chu’s shoulder violently. “Wake up! We have to leave right away!”

Xu Chu, still groggy and yawning, asked, “Sister, what’s wrong?”

Xu Rui’s pupils suddenly contracted. She grabbed Xu Chu’s wrist and, without hesitation, dragged him out.

They had to leave and expose the truth about the insect couple; otherwise, more people would be harmed!

She was confident that even if those two insects remained outside, she could still take Xu Chu through them.

Her breath was rapid. Through her red-tinted vision, she saw the two insects calmly sitting at a table drinking tea.

The two insects were composed, showing no intention to stop them.

Xu Rui pushed off with her toes, holding Xu Chu’s arm, and dashed to the door.

She shielded Xu Chu’s line of sight.

“Xu Chu, don’t look that way!”

Just then, the female insect’s gentle, smiling voice came from behind. “Little Rui, little Chu, why aren’t you sleeping this late? It’s dangerous outside.”

Xu Chu looked up toward the voice.

“Don’t look!”

A wave of gasps rippled through the crowd.

Two insects standing as tall as a person, if seen by children, would surely become lifelong psychological scars.

Xu Rui wanted to stop him, but Xu Chu’s gaze was already fixed on the insects.

Yet, no scene of terror or screams followed.

Xu Chu smiled brightly. “Aunt Sana, what are you drinking?”

“What’s going on? Why is he reacting like that?”

Sana smiled. “Want some? I made this fruit tea myself.”

“Yes!” Xu Chu shook off Xu Rui’s hand and happily ran toward them.

Xu Rui was stunned, frozen in place.

She was so shocked she forgot to hold Xu Chu’s hand.

In her view, she could clearly see the two insects’ forms.

Like mantises, with hard, smooth shells and strong exoskeletons.

But why couldn’t Xu Chu see them?

The female insect pulled out a chair for Xu Chu, grabbed his arm, helped him sit firmly beside her, then looked at Xu Rui with a mocking challenge.

“Come here, uncle will pour you some tea.”

Finally, Xu Rui snapped back and shouted sharply, “Xu Chu, come here! Those two are insects!”

Xu Chu heard her voice, looked around confused, and repeated, “No, they’re Silvan and Sana.”

No, no—they’re insects! They are!

Xu Rui’s face turned deathly pale. She spun around and shouted outside, “Help! Someone come quick! There are insects here!”

Neither insect stopped her, sitting calmly at the table drinking tea.

Soon, a group of people arrived, armed.

“What? Insects? Where?”

“Heard there are insects? I’ll take them down!”

“Who called? Where are the insects?”

Seeing the reinforcements come, the crowd in the square breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Thank goodness help had arrived.

Maybe these two insects could finally be dealt with.

Tang Feng exhaled and clenched his fist tightly.

“Good. Humans and insects are mortal enemies. No matter why these escaped insects are here, they must be eradicated!”

“Boss Chu, the ones adopting Xu Rui should be the real Bailey couple.”

Xu Chu gritted his teeth, his voice hoarse. “No, we can’t see them.”

Tang Feng frowned. “What do you mean?”

However—

When everyone crowded at the cabin door with weapons raised, their eyes swept over the two insects suspiciously, then turned to Xu Rui. “Where are the insects? Where?”

Xu Rui rubbed her eyes. In her red world, the two insects sat at the table.

She pointed to the couple. “There! They are the insects!”

But soon, the red faded from her eyes; everything returned to normal, and the couple appeared as ordinary humans.

The Baileys exchanged a glance and chuckled silently.

Sana smiled gently. “Sorry, this child had a nightmare.”

“Late at night, I thought there really were insects, but it was just a bad dream.”

“Kid, if you make a fuss again, I’ll kill you!”

“Take care of your child and stop her from crying out.”

Sana apologized repeatedly, handing each arrival a bottle of spices, which calmed their anger. Grumbling, they left.

Xu Rui’s eyes widened, blinking fiercely.

It seemed she could control it and once again saw the couple’s true insect forms.

Only she could see it?