Blood Queen

The harsh, blinding shadowless surgical lights filled the entire sterile operating room with a pale and cruel atmosphere.

Xia Yan lay quietly on the operating table, waiting for fate's verdict.

Before the bone marrow transplant surgery came a week-long chemotherapy to clear the bone marrow. Even though Xia Yan was strong, for a boy who was only twelve years old, this was an exhausting nightmare challenge for both body and mind.

Many children in the welfare institute were abandoned after birth due to various unfortunate conditions. Xia Yan, who appeared healthy on the surface, was even more unlucky to be diagnosed with leukemia after his elementary school graduation exams. Bone marrow matching transplantation was the only effective treatment.

Perhaps the dice thrown by heaven are always full of incredible coincidences. Xia Yan's bone marrow match turned out to be Gu Yao, who was also at the welfare institute, a little boy who had just turned nine, an orphan abandoned by his birth parents due to congenital cleft lip and webbed fingers.

Xia Yan was probably the only boy who wouldn't mock Gu Yao's face, which still bore obvious traces from the cleft lip correction surgery. From then on, Gu Yao became like a little brother following Xia Yan around.

But this time, it was Gu Yao who gave him a chance at life; the ultimate reward for his kindness and love.

The doctor said that if the surgery was successful, he could return to normal life in about a month, and from then on, his blood type would be the same as Gu Yao's.

At that time, they would truly be like real brothers, wouldn't they?

He heard that to pay for this surgery, the entire welfare institute had lowered its meal standards. Director Grandma Jiang had even started setting up street stalls to ease the financial pressure.

The anesthetic's effect quietly arrived, and Xia Yan's consciousness sank into silence without any resistance.

October 16th, Wednesday, dusk.

The familiar employee break room again, with various medical instruments arranged all around. On the bed, Jiang Yao slept like she was in hibernation, her face pale as paper.

It had been three days already, and Jiang Yao still showed no signs of awakening. According to Xiao Dong, Jiang Yao's injuries had roughly recovered about one-third, with deep-level bodily self-repair still ongoing. It was estimated that it would take at least another week before the recovery of the missing chest and abdominal parts could barely be seen with the naked eye.

Xiao Ai and Xiao Ling were unwrapping the gauze from Jiang Yao's body, cleaning wounds that ordinary people couldn't bear to look at. Various expensive medications and nutrients were flowing through IV tubes into the broken and weak body of the light golden-haired girl.

In front of the bed, Jiang Yan hung her head deeply, her face ashen, not daring to look at the wound treatment process even once.

From time to time, Xiao Ai and Xiao Ling would steal glances back at Jiang Yan.

The girl on the bed truly made them feel pity and heartache, while Jiang Yan beside the bed filled them with sympathy mixed with deep fear.

This terrible blood explosion damage would be effortless for Wan Yue, a half-step Viscount, perhaps even exceeded. But it was hard to imagine this was caused by Jiang Yan, who had just advanced to Lower-tier Knight.

Even without Zhao Peng's gag order, Xiao Ai and Xiao Ling probably wouldn't have the courage to inquire about or spread gossip.

"This is a process of exploring truth and understanding each other, but it's absolutely not your fault."

Wan Yue walked in, and Xiao Ai and Xiao Ling exchanged glances before quickly leaving.

Although Xiao Ai and Xiao Ling were both Wan Yue's trusted subordinates, as more and more shocking developments unfolded around the Jiang sisters, the two no longer dared to see or hear too much.

When the door gently closed behind them, Wan Yue finally placed her hand gently on Jiang Yan's shoulder, her words carrying a trace of guilt: "I didn't expect you could use blood explosion either. I underestimated many things."

"Sister Wan, what kind of monsters are Xiao Yao and I... why can I use blood explosion... isn't that an ability only Barons can possess?"

Jiang Yan raised her head, looking miserably at the Hyacinth leader before her, her eyes showing a longing gaze.

"I don't know either. We're all searching for answers. As I said before, if you want true freedom, you first need to know who you really are. Consider these as the price."

Wan Yue shook her head gently and sighed deeply: "The Engel Family, Hermit Alliance, Japan's Fujiwara Family, and possibly even the Wang Family are all secretly watching you. I don't know if they're also waiting for some result."

"Sister Wan, my only way out now is to continue growing, until they all fear me..."

Jiang Yan touched the face of the girl on the bed, a trace of coldness appearing in her eyes.

"Perhaps. I can't find a more correct answer than this anymore. Hyacinth will eventually become everyone's target."

Wan Yue took out cigarettes, but seeing the wound cleaning in progress on the bed, she put the cigarettes back in her pocket and showed Jiang Yan a slight smile: "You haven't slept for several days either. Go home and rest well for a few days, don't come to work. Leave this to Xiao Dong. She used to be a clinical surgical medicine doctorate, and besides, don't underestimate a Knight's physical recovery ability."

At some point, only Jiang Yan remained alone in the room, sitting blankly by the bedside, looking at Jiang Yao's pale face with a bewildered expression.

"Sister Xiao Yan, you should go rest. I'll watch here. You haven't slept for two days and two nights..."

A lower-tier Attendant girl who rarely communicated walked in, carrying a lunchbox in her hands, carefully persuading: "You're also having your period these days. If you keep torturing yourself like this, you'll have problems too."

"Thank you. Please take care of Xiao Yao. I'll go lie down for a while."

Looking at the lunchbox in the other person's hands, Jiang Yan forced a smile, then got up and walked out the door, finally locking herself in a break room deep in the employee corridor.

Locking the door tightly and looking around, Jiang Yan suddenly grabbed a wooden stool and smashed it hard against the wooden steps of the bunk bed.

The powerful impact shattered both the stool and the wooden bed steps simultaneously. With another lifting leg press, the bed surface instantly collapsed.

Metal, plastic, glass, wood; all the furnishings in the room became victims of Jiang Yan's inner venting. Within a few minutes, everything was unrecognizable until her palms and backs of hands were bloody, and the girl finally collapsed weakly to the ground.

Turning her head, she discovered her phone had somehow slipped out of her jeans pocket and fallen to the ground, the screen protector glass cracked.

Slowly picking up the phone and tearing off the shattered screen protector glass, she accidentally touched the message icon. There was an unread message inside, still from a month ago.

The sender was Meng Huai: I'm going to Beijing, goodbye.

Perhaps due to his quirky personal lifestyle, Meng Huai had never even used social media apps, which meant that throughout their acquaintance, even though they had exchanged phone numbers, neither had ever called the other once.

Meng Huai was in Stage Three and was forcibly sent to Beijing headquarters for treatment... Haha, he was currently only suffering from acute liver failure, but as time passed, more organ diseases would follow. Could he withstand it?

No matter how tough his appearance, how strong his will, how cold his nature, his fate was even more fragile than Xiao Yao's.

Jiang Yan felt her head splitting with pain. Various negative emotions in her heart ignited again at this moment, almost unable to control the urge to smash the phone.

Her raised hand froze in mid-air for more than ten seconds, but she finally suppressed the inner violence. Jiang Yan brought the phone back to her eyes and clicked on the message again, staring blankly.

After a few seconds, she quickly typed: Bon voyage, take care of your health, wish you a speedy recovery.

After hesitating for a long time, Jiang Yan pressed send, then suddenly let out a dry, self-mocking low laugh.

Jiang Yan knew Meng Huai's personality. Perhaps in one or two months, he might not even see this message.

Because she was also replying now, a month after the other party had sent the previous message. They were really both the same.

This was the absurd affair between two absurd acquaintances, seemingly within reach of realistic greetings, yet separated as if by mirrors, distant as light-years.

…

…

Shadow Arrow Western Surveillance District, Xuan Jia Squad stationed base.

Although possessing unlimited leave and special freedom of action granted by Shadow Arrow headquarters, Meng Huai still returned to C City, withdrawing into his personal quarters at the base.

The Xuan Jia Squad had long been removed from combat readiness duty according to superior orders and transferred to daily training. Though still as orderly as ever, it no longer had the tense, urgent atmosphere of before.

As day-by-day internal investigations unfolded, all officers and soldiers of the entire squad fell into a kind of inexplicable panic. Now, this panic had added even more eerie elements with Meng Huai's sudden return.

Meng Huai's name wasn't on the internal investigation list, but no one knew what his current position was.

There were rumors of internal transfers, talk of career changes, and even news of forced retirement. But none clarified what Meng Huai should do now, what he could do, and what he couldn't do.

On the wall of the squad leader's quarters were more than ten document sheets: from the Fujiwara Family to Zhong Pharmaceuticals Group, from Tsurumi Financial Group to Tsurumi Miyuka, then to Tsurumi Haruka. Each document recorded more or less information that Meng Huai had collected so far.

Meng Huai didn't know how many times he had read this information in the days since returning to base, how many strange associations he had developed, and how much inspiration he had gained.

From the drawer, he took out that mysterious document personally signed by headquarters leadership, his gaze slowly scanning those few lines of extremely oppressive questions.

"Comrade Meng Huai, are you certain of your absolute loyalty to our country and people? Even if bearing endless grievances and discrimination, even if paying with your life? Even if abandoning this world, abandoning all who love you and whom you love?"

After reading it once more, three figures appeared simultaneously in Meng Huai's mind: his father Zhong Hai, his mother Meng Xiang, and finally a blurry figure, but also a woman.

Taking a deep breath, Meng Huai picked up his phone, preparing to dial the special phone number at the bottom of the document.

"Hmm?"

Meng Huai noticed a red circle with the number "1" had appeared on his phone's message icon, indicating new content.

Jiang Yan: Bon voyage, take care of your health, wish you a speedy recovery.

Looking at Jiang Yan's reply that came a month later, Meng Huai's lips curved slightly upward. After thinking for more than ten seconds, he slowly typed: All is well, have returned to C City.

His emotions seemed affected by the message. The impulse to dial the mysterious phone number was temporarily suppressed. Meng Huai put the secret document back in the drawer, planning to go to the base cafeteria for something to eat.

Ding! Another new message.

Jiang Yan: Come out for drinks, Yushui Street, where I used to run my shop.

Meng Huai was stunned for a moment, then looked at the time. This reply was sent less than a minute after his own message… surprisingly fast.

Without further thought, he got up and grabbed his military uniform from the clothes rack, but after a few seconds, Meng Huai let go of the uniform and grabbed civilian clothes instead.

…

…

Autumn night, cool and pleasant.

The old street corner from a few months ago still had that lively atmosphere full of human warmth. Small food shops, hair salons, auto repair shops were still doing good business.

When Meng Huai arrived at the old street corner, he hadn't yet seen Jiang Yan's figure.

Without any hesitation, he chose the same shop where he and Jiang Yan first met. The sign still read "Snacks & Cold Drinks," though the owner had long since changed.

Meng Huai unbuttoned his suit jacket and threw it on the chair back, sitting straight at the small table outside the shop, eyes focused ahead. This upright appearance made the shop's waitstaff hesitant to approach.

"Hey, little Jiang, haven't seen you for months and you're even prettier! Come take care of sister's hair salon when you have time!"

A few minutes later, from one end of the street came warm greetings from several shop owners.

"Haha, it's little Jiang! Haven't seen you in four months, right?"

The auto repair shop's big brother and the hair salon's big sister both warmly greeted the approaching girl, while the latter smiled and nodded frequently.

Jiang Yan wore a snow-white short-sleeved shirt with a dark green suspender half-skirt, a school-style bow tie at the collar, her hair straight down her back with a red headband, white sneakers on her feet, and a simple canvas shoulder bag, looking like a female college student returning home from school.

Immediately spotting Meng Huai's distinctively tall figure, Jiang Yan walked straight over, removed her shoulder bag and sat across from the young man. Fresh chapters posted on ⓝovelFire.net

Jiang Yan didn't look much at the other's face, just lowered her head to pick up the menu and order slip from the side.

"I haven't eaten, what about you?"

"Same, you order."

Meng Huai watched the outfit of the girl across from him, his mood suddenly lightening considerably, even a slight smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.

"I shouldn't have texted you... we agreed not to meet."

Jiang Yan lowered her head, marking on the order slip, suddenly saying quietly: "But I wanted to drink, and could only turn to you."

"Hmm... I have a good alcohol tolerance." Meng Huai nodded gently.

"You came out drinking alone, where's your sister?" Meng Huai didn't know what to say, only able to find random topics, "Is she still dating my brother?"

Jiang Yan's hand stopped, and tears immediately began falling uncontrollably. While continuing to select dishes, she quickly reached up to wipe her face, but the more she wiped, the wetter it became.

A stack of napkins was extended before her. Jiang Yan slowly raised her head, her wet face staring straight at Meng Huai.

"If Zhong Jing dares to mess around, I'll break his legs!"

Meng Huai frowned, seeming to understand something from the tear tracks on Jiang Yan's face, his expression immediately turning iron-dark.

Jiang Yan didn't take the napkins, just wiped her face one last time with the back of her hand, then raised her hand toward the shop owner.

"It's not what you think... let's drink. I ordered both liquor and beer."

The food tasted good. Salty, fragrant, spicy, authentic C City flavors, very good with alcohol. Meng Huai and Jiang Yan each had a bottle of liquor, neither speaking, just clinking bottles and drinking.

A couple? Two people with low emotional intelligence clinking bottles and chugging liquor hardly seemed like a warm date.

Siblings? Even less likely. What siblings would drink competitively like this without saying a word?

The surrounding diners all stared blankly at the handsome, martial young man and the tall, beautiful girl, as if seeing something bizarre.

"First time seeing your alcohol tolerance… not worse than mine, but it shows on your face."

In just ten minutes, they had finished the liquor in their hands. Meng Huai's complexion was still good, just slightly tipsy, but Jiang Yan's face was already completely red, covering her previous coolness.

"In the past, I only drank like this when I made mistakes."

Meng Huai put down the empty bottle, murmuring to himself: "Thinking about it now, punishing yourself with alcohol, isn't that too hypocritical?"

Jiang Yan was startled, leaning forward slightly, gently rubbing her lower abdomen which ached slightly due to her special period, her expression numb.

"Are you uncomfortable? Maybe you shouldn't drink anymore..." Meng Huai showed a trace of concern.

"Boss, another bottle!"

Jiang Yan instantly didn't want to say anything, turning toward the shop and raising her hand again.

A minute later, Jiang Yan raised the new liquor bottle, nodding slightly to Meng Huai, then began drinking again as if no one else existed.

Meng Huai picked at peanuts, the confusion in his eyes growing heavier, but he didn't stop her, just opened a beer from the side and switched to small, slow sips.

At the drinking table, someone always had to stay sober–this was Meng Huai's drinking principle.

Besides Deputy Squad Leader Zhao and Xia Yan, or drinking alone to drown sorrows, Meng Huai rarely had drinking sessions with others outside these years.

"Boss..."

After another few minutes, Jiang Yan raised her hand once more.

"Boss, check please. And one sour plum juice."

Meng Huai frowned deeply, this time directly reaching out to stop the girl's arm, instead considering how to help her sober up.

"You eat your food, why are you managing me... Meng Huai, didn't you say you have good alcohol tolerance? Why aren't you drinking?"

Jiang Yan's upper body was already swaying slightly, the alcohol's effects beginning to show.

Her cheeks and ears were completely red, her large eyes misty, her water-red moist lips pulling at her facial muscles, twisting into a stiff, strange smile.

"You're drunk, and on an empty stomach."

Meng Huai moved his chair next to Jiang Yan and sat down, stopping her from reaching for the beer bottle while bringing the sour plum juice to the girl's lips: "Drink some sour plum juice, it can ease the alcohol."

The world before her was chaotic. Various near and far objects were all distorted from their original appearance in her tilted, swaying vision, including Meng Huai in front of her, who had become a twisted monster as if he'd entered a funhouse mirror.

Jiang Yan looked sideways at Meng Huai, then at the sour plum juice in his hand. The light in her eyes gradually faded, then she immediately covered her chest and abdomen and began bending over.

Meng Huai reacted extremely quickly, immediately pushing away his chair to support Jiang Yan's body, preventing her forehead from hitting the table.

A large amount of pale white vomit with strong alcohol smell gushed out, directly covering a large area of Meng Huai's shirt. The violent vomiting sounds even startled the surrounding diners, who cast mocking glances.

The angle was just right, all the vomit was directly absorbed by Meng Huai's body, not touching Jiang Yan at all.

"My stomach hurts... Commander Meng... I'm a monster."

After vomiting, Jiang Yan clutched her stomach, muttering confused words, her whole body softly leaning back against the chair, curling into a ball.

"Please help me buy a T-shirt from that shop, any price."

Meng Huai spoke to the shop owner who came to clean up the mess while carefully adjusting Jiang Yan's center of gravity, then taking off his shirt and tie covered in alcoholic stains. His strong upper body muscle lines were tough and hard, drawing sideways glances from many nearby women.

More than ten minutes later, wearing an ill-fitting T-shirt, Meng Huai called a taxi, helped Jiang Yan into the car, hesitated briefly, then told the driver the address of Golden River Club.

She called me Commander Meng? Hmm, it must be from last time at First People's Hospital when she heard Tao Qiao'er call me that.

It seemed like he'd encountered Xia Yan drunk and stupid before too. He had carried her back to base like a dead pig, and from then on she never dared to compete with him in drinking again.

The taxi sped through the brilliant, flowing night lights. In the passenger seat, Meng Huai continuously observed the girl lying across the back seat through the rearview mirror, a rare bitter smile appearing on his face.