Mutated Tao

Li Huowang’s heart trembled when he heard Yang Na’s words. He looked into her pure eyes, at a loss for how to express his emotions.

Finally, he cupped her face and kissed her passionately.

Yang Na felt awkward since they were in front of Qian Fu. “Let’s go home. Auntie wakes up early. She’ll notice if we don’t return soon.”

She saw Li Huowang glance at Qian Fu again and said, “You don’t need to worry during the day. I’ll keep an eye on him, and we can stay in touch by phone.”

“Alright,” Li Huowang nodded. Things would be much easier with Yang Na’s help, and he wouldn’t have to worry about Qian Fu escaping.

Li Huowang got home and lay down in his bed. When he thought about what had just happened, he found himself restless and unable to sleep.

He had desperately longed for Yang Na to believe him, but a persistent thought kept surfacing in his mind.

It was understandable if Yang Na didn’t want to trust him. He would find such a ridiculous explanation hard to believe if he were in her position.

But... Li Huowang hesitated. He was caught in a dilemma.

As he was about to get out of bed to see who it was, he felt a warm, soft body slip into his arms.

“Miaomiao, what’s wrong?” Li Huowang recognized the familiar scent of her hair. He stroked the hairpin and felt smooth scales under her white fur slide across his body.

When her actions became increasingly inappropriate, he quickly restrained her hands. “No, Miaomiao, you’re still injured.”

Bai Lingmiao’s body went limp, and her bloody tears soaked through the silk covering her eyes. “Li Huowang, do you dislike me now? Do you think I’m ugly?”

Li Huowang sensed the sadness in her tone, and he gently embraced her, then kissed the scales beneath her fur.

“No. When I left Zephyr Temple in a manic state, you never disliked me. How could I ever dislike you?”

“Besides—” Li Huowang fell silent as Bai Lingmiao kissed him again. Her forked tongue flicked out between her sharp teeth, wrapping around his tongue like a nimble rope.

Li Huowang was about to struggle when he felt another body lean lightly against his back. It was also Bai Lingmiao.

The oil lamp was knocked to the floor, and the room was plunged into darkness.

Li Huowang could still see clearly. “Besides, Miaomiao, you are simply beautiful now.”

“…………”

“…………”

As the dark night slowly faded into the soft light of dawn, a slender, pale arm emerged from under the quilt to lift a corner of the starry curtain. Sunlight flooded in, causing both of them to squint against it.

“I’ll get up first to watch that crazy uncle. You sleep a bit more,” Yang Na said as she covered her chest and reached for the white sweater on the floor.

Li Huowang's exposed back rested against the headboard as he silently watched the fantastic scene before him.

His gaze made Yang Na blush. “Get some sleep. You didn’t sleep at all last night.”

Fearing he might have improper thoughts, Yang Na quickly clarified, “I mean, you ran out to save that lunatic from the psychiatric hospital.”

“Why?” Li Huowang asked.

“Because we are childhood sweethearts, and I truly believe what you say. I’m not just trying to keep you calm and call the police secretly.”

Li Huowang took Yang Na’s hand. He was ashamed for doubting her. Why had he suspected her?

Yang Na kissed him lightly and turned to leave. It was obvious she was a little uncomfortable, as she clutched her stomach and moved slowly.

Li Huowang was left alone in the room. He sighed deeply and felt a rare sense of contentment.

Unlike before, he was no longer alone in facing anything. Yang Na would always be by his side, and this companionship felt terrific.

Knock, knock, knock. Someone was at the door. Yang Na had just left, so it couldn’t be her.

“Son, I heard Nana has been accompanying you to the hospital lately?”

“I’m not saying anything, but it’s good for young people to play together. You both should go together. I promise not to interfere.”

After that, there was silence. When Li Huowang thought his mother had left, she continued softly, “You two should be careful. Don’t cause any accidents.”

Li Huowang buried his head under the covers. He did not want to discuss this topic with his mother.

Time passed slowly. During the day, Li Huowang had to be cautious of Madam Qi and others watching him, so he stayed in the neighborhood.

He only dared to venture out at night to check on Qian Fu.

After about ten days, Qian Fu’s personality finally switched back.

“Not bad, tying me up was a good idea, Ji Zai. Thank you,” Qian Fu said.

He continued, “Without your help, the Leotians would have used their advanced technology to control my body from afar and trap me again!”

After ten days of waiting, Li Huowang’s patience was wearing thin.

“Weren’t you supposed to find allies to deal with them together? Now that you’re clear-headed, can we go find them?”

“Yes, yes!” Qian Fu nodded and massaged the marks on his wrists. “Don’t worry. We can’t just sit and wait for them to attack us. We need to take the initiative! I’ll go find our allies now!”

Li Huowang stopped him as he was about to leave. “Wait, tell me who your friends are and where they are now.”

“Uh...” Qian Fu hesitated. “I know the place, but I don’t know how to explain it.”

“How can you not know? There’s a location app here. Point out the exact location,” Li Huowang said as he handed his phone to Qian Fu.

After some clumsy gesturing, a location appeared on Li Huowang’s screen—Sixth People’s Hospital.

“Are you sure your allies are here?” Li Huowang’s brows furrowed. From what he knew, the Sixth People’s Hospital was also a public psychiatric hospital.

“Your friends aren’t also mentally ill, are they?” Li Huowang wasn’t surprised by this possibility.

“Yes, my friends live there. No need to worry since it’s their territory.”

After thinking it over, Li Huowang said, “Alright, go wait at the entrance of the Sixth People’s Hospital. We’ll go together during the day.”

“Huowang, you can’t go. You’re being watched by many people.”

Li Huowang shook his head confidently. “It’s fine. I can’t freely go to other places, but I can definitely go to a psychiatric hospital.”