AYLS -Chapter 149

This time, Gu Huayuan’s injury meant he had to rest for a few more days.

He wasn’t in a hurry to go anywhere.

By now, he understood the situation: someone was watching him, trying to harm him—but, oddly, they didn’t want him dead.

Whether it was that they couldn’t or simply didn’t want to, Gu Huayuan didn’t know. He only thought about what the other side could gain by harming him. Every action has a purpose; everyone wants something in return.

Why would such a powerful, mysterious organization focus so much effort on an ordinary person like him, carrying out all these small maneuvers?

Gu Huayuan felt he might need to revise his previous assumptions.

This so-called “powerful organization”… perhaps it had the capability, but it wasn’t mature.

Their methods were a little clumsy, almost like… well, of course, they weren’t Lin Qiao—but maybe their intelligence and experience were comparable to hers.

He watched Lin Qiao bustling around, preparing lunch.

Lin Qiao was pondering what to cook—boiled eggs, or maybe egg drop soup?

After all this time, she still hadn’t learned cooking well. Since Zhenzhen now had a baby, she couldn’t really ask for her help. She glanced back at Gu Huayuan and noticed him watching her.

“What are you looking at?” Lin Qiao touched her face. “Something wrong?”

“Everything’s fine.” Gu Huayuan smiled. “Xiao Qiao, you’re at least a little fairy. Don’t you have some magic that could fix my arm instantly?”

Lin Qiao: “…In your dreams!”

“Oh, nothing then?” Gu Huayuan looked disappointed.

Lin Qiao pouted. “What’s the matter? You’re disappointed? Don’t tell me you’re upset that I don’t have any fairy powers.”

“Of course not! How could I expect that from my wife, Comrade Lin Qiao? I just thought I might get to see it. Besides, I want to get back to training soon.”

“Then forget it. Even if I could, I wouldn’t. You’ll just stay home and recover a few more days. You’ve been worrying people too much lately.”

Gu Huayuan sighed. “You’re right. I do need a few days to rest. Lately, I’ve been acting a bit… off.”

Lin Qiao got a little anxious. “Off? In what way?”

“Feels like there have been quite a few little incidents recently.” He told her about his previous experiences, embellishing a bit for effect. Lin Qiao’s eyes widened; his luck seemed so bad it was like someone had stuck a jinx on him, straight out of a novel.

“Why didn’t you say anything sooner?”

Gu Huayuan hesitated. “It’s… a bit hard to explain. Actually, I have a guess.”

Fat Cat’s fur stood on end.

Lin Qiao asked, “What guess?”

“Could it be that because we got married, your ‘immortal friends’ are unhappy and are deliberately testing me?”

“That’s impossible.” Lin Qiao looked certain. Immortal friends? Where would she even have immortal friends? She knew exactly the truth.

Besides Fat Cat… who else could it be? Fat Cat?

Her eyes widened again.

Gu Huayuan looked at her. “What, is it really true?”

“…This…shouldn’t be the case, right? Even immortals wouldn’t do something like that. You’re overthinking it,” Lin Qiao said dryly, forcing a smile.

Gu Huayuan didn’t dwell on it either. “You’re probably right. Maybe I’ve just been too careless lately. That puts my mind at ease. I was just worried that your immortal friend might get upset and take you away.”

“That’s impossible. They don’t have that ability.”

Lin Qiao thought to herself—if Fat Cat had that ability, how could she still be here?

Gu Huayuan smiled in satisfaction. “Alright, that makes me feel better.”

Because she was hiding something, Lin Qiao didn’t focus much on cooking, and the meal ended up messy.

Gu Huayuan didn’t comment and quietly ate. After finishing, Lin Qiao left. Gu Huayuan propped his head up with his hand and watched her retreating figure, silently smiling.

On the way, Lin Qiao questioned Fat Cat. “Does this have anything to do with Gu Huayuan getting hurt?”

Fat Cat replied, “No, how could it? I’m not that capable.”

“You can even Photoshop photos and pull little tricks. It has to be related to you. Otherwise, Gu Huayuan’s luck would be too miserable.”

“Maybe he’s just that unlucky?” Fat Cat twiddled its fingers.

Lin Qiao narrowed her eyes. “I don’t think you’re being honest.”

Of course, Fat Cat didn’t admit anything—if it did, it was over. After all, Gu Huayuan hadn’t figured it out yet.

As long as he didn’t guess correctly, it could continue its mischief.

It was a shame that so much energy had been wasted before. If it hadn’t hit this time and only made the player feel upset for a while before recovering some energy, it would have suffered a huge loss.

Now, aside from gaining negative energy from this, there was no other source of energy.

Luckily, Gu Huayuan hadn’t discovered it. Next time, it would make sure to strike perfectly. No more waste.

Although Fat Cat denied it, Lin Qiao still had her doubts.

She thought what Gu Huayuan said was strange. Besides Fat Cat, no one else could have done it.

She was a little angry—angry that Fat Cat had caused Gu Huayuan to get hurt.

But she couldn’t deal with Fat Cat. All she could do was be angry.

…

Meanwhile, Gu Huayuan found Xu Yuanzheng to chat.

Xu Yuanzheng had been really busy lately; with spring approaching, he had to focus on improving the border base.

He was occupied every day and had to keep an eye on his wife, so he didn’t really have time to maintain his friendship with Gu Huayuan.

However, he was aware of Gu Huayuan’s situation and sympathized with his old friend.

“What’s going on with you recently?”

“A bit tired, just resting,” Gu Huayuan said, stretching lazily.

Xu Yuanzheng said, “Take it easy. If you keep going like this, the leadership won’t even let you stay in the reconnaissance company.”

This was a crucial post—any negligence could lead to catastrophic consequences during a mission.

Gu Huayuan knew this well, which was why he wasn’t rushing into missions.

He couldn’t drag others down because of his own problems.

That’s why he was eager to catch the fish behind the scenes.

No matter how strong the enemy, he firmly believed there had to be a weakness. As long as there was one, he could seize it.

He couldn’t ask Lin Qiao too much, worried that someone might find out something. So he came to Xu Yuanzheng, hoping to figure out the situation through his wife.

“How’s your wife doing lately?”

Xu Yuanzheng poured him some tea, sat down, and enjoyed a rare moment of leisure. Smiling at the mention of his wife, he said, “She’s doing well.”

“I heard that having a child can change a person’s temperament. Has she changed? Has she said anything strange to you?”

Xu Yuanzheng laughed, “Where did you hear that? She hasn’t changed at all. Everything’s fine.”

“Meanwhile, you—don’t make my wife worry. You’ve been injured a few times, and my wife keeps fretting at home, saying how worried she is about Lin Qiao, how unhappy she is. She even makes my wife worry too. She tells me to remind you to be careful on missions, to take care of yourself, and to watch out more in general.”

Gu Huayuan laughed. “I’ve really caused trouble for you all. Next time I’ll be careful and won’t get hurt.”

Xu Yuanzheng said, “It’s enough that you understand. My wife never worries about me this much.”

Gu Huayuan smiled, thinking that perhaps Xu Yuanzheng’s wife knew more.

She knew he would get hurt?

Xu Yuanzheng’s wife knew more than Lin Qiao did. That afternoon, Gu Huayuan didn’t go anywhere. He stayed in his room, analyzing the information he had gathered.

For instance, the pattern of his injuries: the first time, it was severe; the second time, less so. They couldn’t hurt him too badly.

But he had to get hurt, and after he dodged twice, each subsequent strike became more intense, with increasing frequency until he finally got injured due to misfire, temporarily stopping the cycle.

From these changes, Gu Huayuan roughly analyzed the opponent’s emotional state.

They were desperate for him to get hurt.

Yes—desperate. That was the feeling.

What did his injuries give the other side?

That night, lying in bed, Gu Huayuan murmured to Lin Qiao, “Who do you think would be happiest if I got hurt?”

Lin Qiao carefully lay beside him, eyes fixed on the wound. “I don’t know who would be happiest, but I’m definitely the most worried. I’ve been upset for you so many times.”

Gu Huayuan nodded. “Yes, I made Lin Qiao worry.”

Could it really be for that reason? Gu Huayuan didn’t understand, but he let his thoughts go in that direction.

He couldn’t guess the opponent’s goal, but there was definitely some hidden purpose.

Gu Huayuan decided to test this idea further.

Make Lin Qiao not worry, or even make her happy?

Anyway, just go against what the other side wants.

Lin Qiao had no idea what Gu Huayuan was thinking. In her heart, she felt guilty, thinking she had caused his injury.

The damned Fat Cat, she didn’t understand why, had to target Gu Huayuan.

“Gu Huayuan, just be more careful from now on. I… I don’t know what else to do. You have to take care of yourself.”

As soon as Gu Huayuan heard it, he knew that Lin Qiao had already figured out who was behind his injury.

But from the looks of it, Xiao Qiao couldn’t do anything about it.

Still, Gu Huayuan hadn’t really counted on catching the culprit through her. Before he had a full understanding of the other party, he didn’t want to take any risks, in case the opponent acted rashly and did something to Xiao Qiao.

…

Since he couldn’t go on missions or participate in training, Gu Huayuan simply applied to work at the chicken farm for a few days to relax.

Commander Sheng wasn’t at ease with him going out in his current condition, so he agreed, letting him properly recuperate.

It had been his idea to transfer Gu Huayuan over in the first place, intending to entrust him with important responsibilities and train the reconnaissance company. He didn’t want Gu Huayuan to just sit idle.

Lin Qiao was the happiest about this arrangement.

Even though she pretended to complain, she was thrilled inside. After being together with Gu Huayuan for so long, they had never actually worked together.

And when it came to raising chickens, she was an expert.

Gu Huayuan had to follow her instructions.

Lin Qiao felt a great sense of accomplishment, directing Gu Huayuan to do this and that.

She was happy, and Fat Cat was not.

Whenever Lin Qiao was in a good mood, no negative energy was produced. Before, Fat Cat could at least benefit a little when Lin Qiao was unhappy. Now that she was cheerful every day, it got nothing.

It tried a few times to pour cold water on her, attempting to dampen her mood. But Gu Huayuan, that cunning man, would deliberately tease Lin Qiao while working. Every day, her face would turn bright red, and nothing Fat Cat said got through to her.

“Comrade Xiao Qiao, any further instructions? Just say the word.”

After finishing the work, Gu Huayuan came back, wiped the sweat off, and reported to Lin Qiao.

Lin Qiao put on a serious pose, hands behind her back, and nodded. “Not bad. Keep it up. Comrade Gu Huayuan, our chicken farming enterprise carries great responsibility. You must take it seriously.”

“Yes, leader.” Gu Huayuan complied fully.

Lin Qiao smiled.

Outside the door, Su Weizhen’s teeth ached from jealousy.