NOVPUB
Chapter 88: Chapter 88: Falling Out
After returning to the base, they encountered a minor trouble.
According to the base’s regulations, to prevent the spread of the virus, the entry of living organisms was strictly prohibited. However, their mission specifically required them to deliver a live Alien Species. The staff at the base entrance had never encountered such a situation and needed to consult their superiors.
Thus, Han Yi and his group stopped at the security checkpoint. Given the size of the specimen, they weren’t worried about it being stolen, so they simply parked the car outside and went to get their medical checkups first, as the blood tests would take fifteen minutes to deliver results.
Before long, a military truck drove over from inside the base. Several people got off the truck, rushing towards them. The person in the lead was short and skinny, wearing thick glasses, clearly someone from the research team. As he walked, he quickly asked, "Where is it? Where?"
The security staff led him to the outside of the base. The man walked around the twisted and deformed car twice, seemingly in disbelief that the Alien Species was still alive. He kicked the car, and the Alien Species inside immediately emitted a deeply threatening rumble from deep within its throat.
Upon hearing this, the man was both alarmed and delighted, and laughed excitedly, "It’s alive! Alive! This is great! Hurry, hurry! Transport it back!"
The back of the military truck contained a sealed container with a high-carbon alloy steel cage inside, perfect for transporting an Alien Species. In case of any mishap, the security staff would not need to take responsibility.
However, after they finally managed to get the car into the container, they faced another issue.
—How to get the Alien Species out?
The Alien Species was tightly wedged inside. Question: How do you restore a crumpled soda can back to its original shape?
The staff could only respectfully request Han Yi’s assistance.
If Han Yi was able to twist the car with his spiritual power, he should be able to unfold it as well, right?
Han Yi patted Han Jiaojiao on the head and instructed, "Brother will be back soon, wait here."
"Okay," Han Jiaojiao nodded and obediently sat on the chair.
It was nearing evening, and no one was leaving the base entrance; only occasionally would a vehicle return from a mission. Yan Xiao and Bai Kairui were chuckling and discussing how they should celebrate that evening, while Xiao Jian silently pondered absorbing the Crystal Core that night. Han Jiaojiao, bored out of her mind, waited for the blood test results.
Suddenly, a gentle voice called out, "Jiaojiao!"
Han Jiaojiao turned around to see Su Xue jumping off a military jeep and walking towards her.
She lacked her usual meticulous makeup, but still looked dignified and graceful.
Han Jiaojiao truly did not want to see Su Xue. Seeing Su Xue reminded her of how foolish and pathetic she had been in her previous life. —Su Xue said a woman needs to be independent and strong, so she joined the Special Training Team. Su Xue said her own Ability was too weak, so she went on missions to fight for Crystal Cores. Su Xue would get scared staying out overnight on missions, so she covered night duties for Su Xue. When Su Xue was kicked out of the Special Training Team, she offered half of her room to shelter Su Xue. When Su Xue couldn’t find a job, she shared her food with Su Xue...
Qin Nanyi harmed her, and she hated Qin Nanyi; Su Xue harmed her, and she hated Su Xue too, but within this hatred, there was more pain, as well as resentment towards herself!
She really did not want to dwell on the past anymore. In her previous life, she had already taken her revenge. In this life, as long as these people did not trouble her again, she just wanted to live well with her brother. The apocalyptic world was ruthless, and life was too precious. Since she was still alive and well, she wanted to live a better life.
But sometimes, when you see these disgusting faces, it’s hard to control your emotions...
"When did you arrive at the base? Why didn’t you tell me?" Su Xue glanced at the two vehicles next to Han Jiaojiao, noting the tires stained with the unique dark green-black fluid of Alien Species, "...You just finished a mission too, right?"
Han Jiaojiao looked at her expressionlessly and remained silent.
Su Xue forced a smile and said hesitantly, "Jiaojiao really has guts. I was on a mission today too and almost cried from fright... But my teammates are all very nice to me. With them around, I’m not so scared. Jiaojiao, why don’t you join my side? I’m now in the Special Training Team, and the missions aren’t as dangerous as in the Ability Team..."
Such a familiar invitation...
Han Jiaojiao’s expressionless face suddenly cracked a smile.
"Su Xue," Han Jiaojiao coolly looked at her, word by word, "from now on, do not speak to me anymore."
Su Xue’s face stiffened, and she asked with a slightly unnatural expression, "What do you mean?" n𝚘𝚟pub.𝚌o𝚖
"It means exactly what it says," Han Jiaojiao said calmly, "from now on, you don’t know me, and I don’t know you."
Because, she really couldn’t do it. Couldn’t chat calmly, play pretense, feign politeness—she simply couldn’t! Even if Su Xue was innocent in this life, even if Su Xue hadn’t done anything, Han Jiaojiao just couldn’t do it! Seeing Su Xue caused her to hate, to resent, to suffer!
Su Xue’s facial expression changed, her smile twisted, and after a long moment, she seemed to squeeze a few words through clenched teeth—"What is this supposed to mean..."
Seeing her reaction, Han Jiaojiao couldn’t help but laugh at herself, feeling even more sorry for her past self.
Su Xue thought that Han Jiaojiao was mocking her, her resentment deepening. She lowered her voice to a whisper and said, "It’s nothing but vulgar tactics relying on men, what are you so proud of? It’s laughable... Han Jiaojiao, do you realize how pitiful you are?"
Han Jiaojiao quietly watched her, saying nothing.
"The girls in class look down on you because you’re an orphan. If I hadn’t been friends with you, who do you think would have cared about you?"
"Who called me crying in the middle of the night asking me to come over? Who insisted on attending the same school as me? Do you think I was begging you to be friends?"
"Han Jiaojiao, I pity you! Do you know how pitiful you are?!"
Han Jiaojiao was unmoved, not angry in the slightest. She smiled slightly and said in a low voice, "Is it really not because you’re jealous of me?"
Su Xue’s mouth curled into a cold sneer, madness glittering in her eyes. "What about you is there for me to be jealous of? You, a pampered rich girl, will forever live a shallow and ignorant life, like a decorative, bland accessory with no self! I pity you!"
Han Jiaojiao slightly raised her head, looking straight at her, "So this is how you’ve always seen me, right? Pretending to be my friend on the surface, but in reality, you’ve always looked down on me."
Before Su Xue could respond, Han Jiaojiao continued, "So you’ve never really considered me a friend, have you? That’s why you never told me about your adoption."
Su Xue’s body stiffened, her face showing utter shock. She had never told Han Jiaojiao about that!
"Both of us were orphans, yet after being adopted, you didn’t live as well as I did. Your foster parents had their own children, and you tried harder in studying, were more filial and loving to your elders, always striving to be perfect. You’ve been insecure all along, haven’t you? Afraid that your foster parents would regret adopting you, afraid of being looked down upon. When you saw me being ostracized by my classmates and stepped in to save me, did you feel a sense of achievement? Like redeeming yourself?"
"How... how do you know..." Su Xue looked at Han Jiaojiao, stunned, as if she never truly knew her.
Han Jiaojiao gave a bitter smile. Of course, she didn’t know these things; it was Hong Yun who told her after she left the Special Training Team...
"Seeing me doing well, wanting me to join the Special Training Team, was just to make me live a life like yours. If I really went, let me guess, unfamiliar with life, I would have to turn to you for help, and then you could continue to control my life as a leader... Su Xue, you’ve never really wanted to see me do better than you, have you?"
