Shen Yuqing abruptly halted in his tracks, and even the system in his mind blurted out an expletive in shock.
[What?! Host, Song Lejin is actually a reincarnator?!] The system’s data codes began to scramble, this revelation was far too overwhelming for it.
In contrast, Shen Yuqing remained eerily calm. No wonder.
Everything made sense now. Since Song Lejin had been reborn, of course he wouldn’t need to investigate to know Song Wangzhuo’s true identity. His relentless targeting of Song Wangzhuo suddenly required no further explanation.
He simply wanted Song Wangzhuo dead.
Slowly turning around, Shen Yuqing replied with deliberate calm, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Have you been watching too many dramas or reading too many novels?”
Song Lejin let out a cold laugh and took a step closer, lowering his voice so only the two of them could hear. “I’ve seen through you long ago, Shen Yuqing. I don’t want to be your enemy, so stay out of Song Wangzhuo’s affairs.”
Shen Yuqing’s gaze fixed on his face. “I don’t want to be your enemy either, but I will interfere in Song Wangzhuo’s matters.”
Song Lejin raised a hand and rested it on Shen Yuqing’s shoulder. “In your past life, after he returned to the Song family, he dealt a crushing blow to the Shen family. Shouldn’t we join forces this time and eliminate him first? Are you really content to let him trample over you again? Shen Yuqing, we should be allies, not adversaries.”
Shen Yuqing brushed his hand away, but Song Lejin remained unfazed. “I’ve said all I need to. Think it over.”
Taking a small step back, Song Lejin moved to walk past Shen Yuqing when the latter suddenly asked, “And what if I still choose to protect him?”
Song Lejin merely smiled. “You won’t be able to.”
Their eyes locked in a silent standoff before Song Lejin finally withdrew his smirk and left.
Shen Yuqing stood rooted in place.
The system in his head had short-circuited, utterly failing to process the situation.
After all their meticulous calculations and countless possibilities considered, they had never once factored in reincarnation.
[This world has gone completely off the rails.] The system didn’t even know how to respond.
Originally, in the novel’s plot, Song Lejin had merely been an obstacle to Song Wangzhuo’s return to the Song family. But now? Thanks to his rebirth, he had elevated himself straight to the role of the main antagonist.
Who could’ve predicted this?
And even after being reborn, he had other paths he could’ve taken yet he chose to stand firmly against the protagonist.
In the original story, Song Wangzhuo had even left him some breathing room later on. Had Song Lejin chosen reconciliation, given Song Wangzhuo’s character, he wouldn’t have treated him poorly. The system sighed.
Shen Yuqing cut in, [Enough sighing. We need to figure out our next move. Song Lejin confronting me like this means he’s planning something.]
The system muttered gloomily, [If I’d known it would come to this, I wouldn’t have stopped you when you first suggested exposing Song Wangzhuo’s identity.]
[It’s not too late. Have you found anything while monitoring Nie Xiu?] Shen Yuqing hadn’t been in a hurry before, but now he had no choice.
The system replied, [Nie Xiu just returned. The report should be ready by this afternoon.]
It had been diligently tracking Nie Xiu’s movements as instructed. Initially, Nie Xiu hadn’t shown any major reactions, but after one particular visit to Song Lejin’s home, something about her seemed to change.
What’s more crucial is that the genes of Song Wangzhuo, which should have been sealed in the hospital, were secretly obtained by Nie Xiu. Not only that, but she also extracted the genes of Song’s father, Song Lejin, and herself to conduct a paternity test.
[“I remember she did a genetic comparison a long time ago,”] Shen Yuqing wondered. [“Am I remembering wrong?”]
[“No, you’re not,”] the system replied. [“After the genetic comparison was done earlier, she went on a business trip for company matters.”]
[“But couldn’t the paternity report be sent to her neural interface anytime?”] Shen Yuqing asked. [“She could check it whenever she wanted.”]
[“That, I don’t know,”] the system admitted honestly. [“But Host, what do you plan to do? Song Lejin has already shown his hand.”]
Shen Yuqing moved, slowly walking back as he pondered his next steps.
He didn’t know what Song Lejin was planning, but one thing was certain he wanted Song Wangzhuo dead. In this remote wilderness, despite the live-streaming cameras running, there were too many blind spots. Committing an act here would be all too convenient.
[“We’ll take it one step at a time,”] Shen Yuqing said.
The only certainty was that from now on, he and Song Wangzhuo would have to stick together like conjoined twins. Otherwise, he feared he might not react in time.
When Shen Yuqing returned to the group, everyone was resting and replenishing their energy.
After walking for so long, they were exhausted. Now that they finally had a chance to relax, the atmosphere had grown more laid-back.
As soon as Shen Yuqing returned, he met Song Wangzhuo’s bright, expectant eyes as if he had been waiting for him the whole time.
He walked over and sat down beside Song Wangzhuo, who immediately handed him a piece of bread. “This one’s good,” he said.
Shen Yuqing thanked him, tore open the packaging, and took a bite, but his gaze kept scanning the surroundings.
On his way back, he had been thinking: If he were Song Lejin, what would he do?
His eyes landed on Song Lejin, who was chatting and laughing with Lin Sui, holding the same bread as if nothing had happened earlier.
Shen Yuqing took another bite and continued surveying the area until his eyes fell on the allergic alpha sitting in the shade.
Even though it was cooler now with no direct sunlight, the alpha was still bundled up tightly. Wasn’t he hot?
Shen Yuqing pursed his lips and was about to look away when something occurred to him. He turned his attention back to the two alphas.
The alpha was sitting on a bench, partially facing their direction, but more importantly, his gaze was fixed on Song Lejin.
Shen Yuqing narrowed his eyes and took another bite of bread. Ah, found it.
Song Wangzhuo unscrewed a water bottle and handed it to him. “What are you looking at?” he asked.
Shen Yuqing snapped out of his thoughts and accepted the water with a thanks. “Nothing,” he said.
But then he tilted his head and asked with a playful smile, “Song Wangzhuo, do you know the three things that can’t be hidden in this world?”
Song Wangzhuo thought for a moment. “No, I don’t.”
Shen Yuqing said, “First is coughing, second is poverty, and third ” His gaze returned to the alpha. “Third is loving someone.”
Song Wangzhuo didn’t understand but nodded anyway. “You’re right.” Then he asked, “Why bring this up out of the blue?”
Chewing his bread, Shen Yuqing replied, “Because I’ve just uncovered a shocking secret.”
Song Wangzhuo played along with an expression of surprise. Shen Yuqing took a sip of water and was about to screw the cap back on when Song Wangzhuo naturally took the bottle from his hand and sealed it for him.
The motion was so fluid it seemed like he’d been waiting to do just that.
Shen Yuqing was momentarily stunned by the gesture before recovering with a “Thanks.”
Song Wangzhuo glanced at his arm. “Shouldn’t you reapply the ointment?”
After several hours, the medicinal cream on his hand had long worn off.
Shen Yuqing waved it off. “No rush. Once we start moving again, I’ll just sweat it off. I’ll reapply when we rest tonight.”
He finished the bread in his hand in a few quick bites.
Song Wangzhuo stood up. “I’m heading to the restroom. Give me your trash I’ll throw it away.”
Shen Yuqing had been wondering where to dispose of it, so he gladly handed it over.
Though he remained seated, his gaze never left Song Lejin and that alpha.
Fortunately, they made no moves before Song Wangzhuo returned.
After another ten minutes or so of rest, Lin Sui announced, “Everyone should be rested up by now. You’ve got five minutes to pack your things use the restroom if needed. We’ve decided the descent will be easier, so we won’t take breaks. We’ll go straight to the checkpoint.”
No one objected. The sooner they arrived, the more downtime they’d have.
Shen Yuqing stood, dusted himself off, and repacked his bag.
The resupply had added noticeable weight, but at least they were heading downhill now. Another uphill climb might have killed him before reaching the checkpoint.
Still, the half-hour break had left the group refreshed.
As Shen Yuqing stretched, he noticed his backpack felt lighter. Turning, he saw Song Wangzhuo had detached his sleeping bag and hung it on his own pack.
Though lightweight, it wasn’t insignificant. “I’ll carry it,” Song Wangzhuo said.
Shen Yuqing protested, “No need I’ve got it. Your abdomen is still injured.”
“It’s healed. Let’s go.”
Without the strict marching order from the ascent, the group descended more casually no other teams were following anyway.
Shen Yuqing and Song Wangzhuo lingered at the rear, while Song Lejin, as the sole omega, enjoyed VIP treatment. Lin Sui and the other alphas carried his gear, leaving him unburdened.
Yet his stamina still lagged. Gradually, he too fell toward the back.
Lin Sui stayed by his side, fanning him with an impromptu handheld fan. “Holding up?”
Song Lejin nodded. “I’m fine.”
The descent was easier, but exhaustion lingered. Were it not for unfinished business, he might have quit already rankings held no appeal.
Lin Sui glanced at Shen Yuqing. “You doing okay?”
“Surviving,” Shen Yuqing quipped.
“Ugh, don’t jinx us in the wilderness!” Lin Sui spat twice for luck.
Shen Yuqing scoffed. “Superstitious!”
Even Song Wangzhuo chimed in, “Spit twice. Kids’ words don’t count.”
Shen Yuqing nearly failed to contain the expression on his face. Very well, even in his twenties, he still spoke with the innocent frankness of a child.
