Chapter 177: Only One of You Can Live - It’s the Cyber Age—Still Playing a Traditional Villain?

Chapter 177: Only One of You Can Live "If meeting again means teary eyes, can we still blush at the sight of each other?" Xu Shi had always been intrigued by this notion, and so, with a playful pinch on Xia Wuyou's cheek, he asked with interest, "Why are you here?" "I..." Xia Wuyou gave him a puzzled look in response. Wasn't it you who summoned me? After the great battle, post-war reconstruction and repairs could just be left to the subordinates. The field team had nothing urgent, and she had even planned to go out shopping with her aunt. Yet, before lunch could be finished, Xu Shi's call came through. If Xu Shi called, the director Xia naturally had to respond. Upon arrival, she realized what this was all about. Smart as she was, she immediately figured out Xu Shi's intentions and couldn't help but roll her eyes at him. What a rascal, intentionally bringing her here to provoke Shen He. Sure, Xu Shi was always a bit of a scoundrel... but provoking Shen He like this wouldn't really help, right? In her view, her relationship with Shen He had been completely severed months ago; she felt nothing for him now, so why would he feel anything? Yet, the truth was evident. If Shen He seemed composed while conversing with Xu Shi earlier, now he certainly was not—at least, not with the murderous glare and increasingly unsteady breathing that he failed to conceal. Clearly, Xu Shi's actions had stirred his emotions. It was apparent he still harbored resentment for Xia Wuyou's prior "betrayal"… To be honest, it would be a miracle if he had let it go, given there was not only old grudges but also new ones, particularly with his sister Shen Qin captured, in part due to Xia Wuyou's actions. Otherwise, why call her here, right? (doge) Truth be told, Xu Shi suddenly had a thought—if he managed to counteract Shen He in a situation involving all female leads, wouldn't a family reunion scenario be all the more entertaining? Unfortunately, such a scenario would not unfold—besides Xia Wuyou, who had interacted with Shen He, who among the others would even recognize him now? If they were merely called to witness without context, wouldn't that be incredibly dull? Yet, even with just Xia Wuyou, the effect seemed satisfactory. "Well, it's a workday today; you were expected to come." Thinking this, Xu Shi's smile grew more intricate. Toying with emotions was quite entertaining... As he spoke, he pulled Xia Wuyou closer, "So, you're here to see him off one last time? Do you want to stay and watch?" "You are incorrigible." Xia Wuyou glanced at him, whispering in a tone only Xu Shi could hear—a playful chiding, exasperated yet affectionate. Despite her feigned annoyance, she nestled comfortably into his embrace, nodding obediently, "Hmm." "…Bastard!" Witnessing this, Shen He could no longer contain himself, eyes bloodshot, angrily roaring. Though he hated to admit it, he couldn’t lie to himself; even after their fallout, there lingered an undeniable possessiveness towards Xia Wuyou. Having grown up together as childhood playmates, there were emotions so complex that even he struggled to articulate them, comforting himself often during exile, believing she was merely swayed by Xu Shi and hoping that upon exacting vengeance, reconciliation wasn’t impossible. But it was merely self-consolation; Xia Wuyou’s involvement in capturing his sister, as well as her submissiveness to Xu Shi, was a crushing blow, dismantling his final fantasy. Clearly, Xia Wuyou was no longer the girl of his memory; she had entirely transformed to reflect Xu Shi. More critically now, he had no opportunity for resurgence. Luck favored him last time with his escape using the "Beacon," but not this time—having surrendered in a bid to save his sister, his greatest asset now fell into Xu Shi's hands. He only now realized he was at the end of his rope, and recognizing this, there was no maintaining composure. Even witnessing the intimacy between Xu Shi and Xia Wuyou drove him insane—frustration, rage, jealousy... emotions tangled in a messy knot, with cursing as his only outlet. But alas, even that right was denied by Xu Shi. Before Shen He finished speaking, Xu Shi struck him forcefully with the cane, right at the chest, causing him to spew blood uncontrollably. "You, are annoying." Xu Shi cast him a condescending glance, "She turns you down and thus becomes a 'bastard'? You overestimate yourself. The fool would be the one who stuck with you." Xia Wuyou merely sighed at this. Shen He's words did not anger her; much like before, his every action just left her overwhelmingly disappointed. Still, no girl enjoys being labeled as such, yet Xu Shi did not disregard how she felt. To her, his actions seemed like a means of standing up for her. This left Xia Wuyou touched, warmth filling her heart—although her experiences toughened her, she cherished the care and concern from someone she liked. Perhaps he deserved a reward tonight, and maybe there was still time to buy a new outfit... "Bastard, I'll kill you..." Shen He, already in poor condition, was dizzy from the blow, yet he gritted his teeth, glaring with all his might. "Voicing impossibilities only makes you seem foolish." Xu Shi expressed indifference, merely observing him with an amused grin, "You know, your actions remind me of a story." "There once was an old man obsessed with creating a tool to drink tea directly. After years of effort, he fashioned one but burned himself on the first sip.” Xu Shi narrated like a storyteller, "Unyielding, he made a second attempt, yet still failed." “He incessantly tried, tweaking this and that, refusing to give up after countless failed attempts.” “Admirable determination overshadowed by ignoring a basic fact—you can't drink boiling water directly." "Tell me, don't you see the resemblance to the old man?" Frankly, Shen He's journey mirrored this—it wasn't initially failing but persisted stubbornly, not realizing he was doomed to fail, an unchangeable reality despite all his strategies. The outcome was unsurprising. Admittedly, Shen He was capable. Had he not clashed with me, focused on developing in Sin City, perhaps he could have achieved something substantial. Or, had he pledged allegiance to me, the story might have been very different. Unfortunately, stubborn to the end, the would-be great inventor merely became a comedic performer. "In playing the Joker, even Heath Ledger likely couldn't picture your life." Indeed, it was rather amusing. Xia Wuyou couldn't help but smile at Xu Shi's whimsical analogy. Even Su Lin, usually stoic, couldn't stifle a chuckle at the image of the scalding old man. What could Shen He do in the face of such ridicule? He could but choose to block out these words to salvage a shred of sanity. "Alright, it's time to hit the road, Shen dear." Xu Shi cleared his throat, loading the cane, "Talk any longer, and I'll become the talkative villain who meets his end." "…Xu Shi, stop!" At this moment, a shout of anger sounded in the air. Perhaps witnessing her brother's humiliation roused her; Shen Qin, from who knows when recovered, desperately dashed towards Xu Shi. Her abilities blocked, she naturally posed no threat, adorably tripping on her way. "No need to hurry, Nan Qian—I mean, Miss Shen Qin." Xu Shi chuckled, sighing slightly, "Once he's done, you're next. No cutting in line." "You… release my brother!" Struggling, Shen Qin stood, glaring defiantly, "Spare him and punish only me for our sins!" "Little Qin!" Hearing this, Shen He's refusal was expected. Her words moved him, but he wasn't so desperate for survival to accept. "Ah, what a touching sibling bond." Xu Shi clapped appreciatively, giving Xia Wuyou's waist a playful pat, "Take notes." "…And who made me the way I am now?" Xia Wuyou shivered, instinctively retorting coyly. She almost bit Xu Shi for that, just moments ago planning a reward for him. Now, no chance. "Honestly, Miss Shen Qin's selflessness is touching." Xu Shi deliberately ignored her plea, turning instead to Shen Qin, who was struggling to stay upright. "Both of you were fated to die, your offer changes nothing." "Negotiations are based on equality, after all, and you have nothing to negotiate with... Or do you have something else?" He seemed to change his mind, putting away his cane and gazing at her with interest. Shen Qin wished she could claim an army was waiting, ready to storm in at her command, but unfortunately, the truth was just as Xu Shi stated—she was powerless, whatever she said or did was futile. However. From his tone, she sensed that there was perhaps a sliver of hope for negotiation. "As long as you spare my brother, I'll do whatever you want." Shen Qin, uncertain of Xu Shi's intentions, could only offer, "Even... even my body, you can..." "Xiao Qin! You mustn't!" Shen He shouted desperately—losing Xia Wuyou was unbearable enough; sacrificing his sister rendered survival meaningless. "With your current state, can't I already do whatever I wish?" Xu Shi spread his hands nonchalantly. "However, I do have a minor question—answer it well, and perhaps I'll consider giving you an opportunity." "…Go ahead." Shen Qin swallowed hard, nodding earnestly. "You have two types of abilities, don't you?" Xu Shi asked slowly, "An apparent physical enhancement and a hidden super self-healing... I'm curious how you can handle it. Was it a mutation during awakening, or have you mastered some special technique?" ! Shen Qin jolted inwardly. So he noticed after all? She thought he hadn't realized... Turns out nothing escapes his eyes. Alas. This was her deepest secret, but as things stood, she had little choice but to relent, defeated, "…As you suspected, the self-healing is transplanted." "Details, please." Xu Shi's eyes lit up; it was exactly as he assumed. Finally, through her reluctant recounting, he learned the full story. Much like protagonists in old novels, not only do they have extraordinary luck, but "long-lost relatives" like her also receive their own fateful opportunities—the technology for ability transplantation was a lifelong project of the senior who took her in at the "Forgotten Ones." After the senior passed away a few years later, the research fell into her hands. Upon awakening her abilities, the backlash of "Blood Release" nearly incapacitated her, forcing her to take a desperate gamble, finding a suitable ability holder and transferring the ability to herself, finally resolving the complications permanently. It was a reckless act because the project was incomplete, with less than a one percent success rate... Nonetheless, she succeeded. She had never mentioned this to any former associate, not even Shen He—primarily because the "Forgotten Ones'" techniques couldn't enhance it further. Originally, she intended to reveal it only after overthrowing Xu Shi. Little did she expect, she'd ultimately invoke it to gamble for survival. "Interesting." Xu Shi nodded thoughtfully, "And the related data? You still have it, right, Miss Shen Qin?" "I have a necklace, it should be with you. The information is stored there." Shen Qin admitted reluctantly. If she didn't divulge it, he'd likely discover it anyway. "Go find it." Xu Shi gestured to Su Lin, who promptly left to retrieve it. "So there you have it. Now... will you spare my brother?" Shen Qin bit her lip, clinging to Xu Shi's vague suggestion of hope. "Rest assured, if I said there's a chance, there's certainly one." Xu Shi didn't answer directly, crossing his arms and glancing at her, "But don't you care about your own life? I believe your brother wouldn't leave you behind, right?" Naturally, Shen He wouldn't do so—especially after such words, he couldn't even if he wanted to save face. "It's not about her, if anyone, release her." He stood protectively in front of Shen Qin, "This is between you and me, she's not involved!" "See? What did I say?" Xu Shi sighed, rubbing his forehead, and from his jacket pocket, he retrieved a "Beacon," dangling it before the Shen siblings. "One of you can leave. Decide and let me know, alright?" Guess who will be released, place your bets now at one-to-one odds. (End of Chapter)