Chapter 23: Ungrateful

Chapter 23: Ungrateful

Yu Ren started the car while yawning, the slap mark still visible on his face. "I can drive you, but you at least have to tell me where you live."

"Canglan International, Phase One."

Upon hearing this, Yu Ren’s hand, resting on the gear shift, suddenly stiffened. His brows furrowed as if he had recalled some unpleasant memory, and without another word, he started the car.

Luo Lan did not notice these details. Her mind was entirely occupied by how to save Tian Hu from imprisonment within the next three hours.

Since Canglan International was located near the western suburbs, they had to cross the entire city to reach it. After driving for over an hour, they reached the city center, where traffic began to thicken. Yet, Yu Ren’s speed never faltered; he navigated several sudden incidents with skillful, steady maneuvers.

"You're a good driver." Luo Lan couldn't help but think of the accident from the previous night. If the taxi driver had possessed Yu Ren’s skills, that tragedy might not have occurred. Even so, she remembered a detail: at the time of the crash, the taxi driver’s expression had been vacant, like an empty shell devoid of a soul.

"I told you, I wanted to be a race car driver," Yu Ren said calmly. He seemed like a different person since waking up, far less talkative than he had been the night before.

Luo Lan noticed the shift in his mood. Upon reflection, he was helping her, and she had been rather abusive by hitting him repeatedly. "I was a bit excessive in hitting you earlier. Don't worry, once we get home, I will give you plenty of money as compensation."

"Money... can money compensate for everything?" Yu Ren accelerated, as if venting his frustration at someone. "I’ll get you to the gate as fast as I can, then you get out!"

"Ungrateful." Luo Lan had no energy to concern herself with his attitude. She glanced at the dashboard clock; ninety minutes had passed, and she still hadn't found a way to save Tian Hu. She didn't even know where he was being held, and she had smashed her phone before leaving the bar the night before. She began to blame herself for such a rookie mistake—she had only worried about being tracked if she kept the phone, forgetting to memorize Tian Hu’s number.

In her previous transmigrations, Luo Lan had usually completed her missions at a leisurely pace. Unless the world she entered was truly repulsive, she was never in a rush to leave, often living out the rest of her life as the host. Even when she returned to her original world, she had no family or friends, which only made her feel more isolated.

Back then, Luo Lan would often wait until she was old in a given world before seeking out her mission targets to ask how they were doing. In most cases, she still completed her tasks, which led to the startling discovery that many people spent their entire lives with someone they didn't truly love, only realizing who their true love was when they were old and on their deathbed.

What a tragic thing that was.

She realized that among the couples of the world, those who compromised were many, while those who found true love were few, all because they lacked the courage to pursue it when they were young, deterred by reality and the advice of others.

Luo Lan snapped back to reality, chiding herself for indulging in such meaningless reflection. Given the time remaining, she had no choice but to go home, arm herself, and prepare for a jailbreak.

It wasn't until the car reached the street named after Pinshan that Luo Lan suddenly remembered: Tian Hu was a subordinate of Pan Long, and Pan Long was located in the back alley just two streets away.

"Take a right at the next intersection. I’m not going home yet."

Yu Ren was more than happy to hear this. Ever since he heard she lived in Canglan International Phase One, he no longer felt sorry for her. He knew what kind of status living there implied, which explained why this girl was so hot-tempered and prone to violence—people there didn't treat others like human beings. Having been kicked out of there at the age of ten, Yu Ren understood this all too well.

The car stopped at the back alley. From the moment Luo Lan stepped out, Yu Ren did not say another word.

By day, he sought inspiration for his photography; by night, he attended parties, filling every moment to avoid the residential complex that flickered into his mind unbidden. Even after nearly twenty years, he could not forget the artificial sky, the starlit canopy that looked as if it belonged to another world.

Canglan International had six phases in total, with the sixth still in development. The subsequent four phases had been built solely to make Phase One appear ordinary by comparison. During the sales period for Phase One, the price per square meter had been very affordable—cheaper, even, than housing in other suburban areas. Yet, most people were told: "Sorry, it has already been sold out."

In reality, though Phase One consisted of six units, it housed few residents. Shen Yi, the version of him in this world, loved the environment of the complex during the day. After moving in, he would go outside every morning to exercise and enjoy the comfortable light refracted by the crystals.

The ice-themed elevator opened on the ground floor. Dressed in sportswear, he stepped out and stretched. "Hah—what cool, pleasant air."

The AI bowed respectfully. "Your satisfaction is our honor. Have a wonderful morning workout."

"Achoo!"

The sneeze was timely. Shen Yi hadn't initially noticed the girl in the corner. As he walked past, he saw her curled up like a shrimp; though she was fast asleep, her expression was pained, her brows tightly knitted.

"Isn't this the girl who was causing trouble yesterday?" Shen Yi watched her for a moment, thinking it best not to meddle. Her sister was also a resident here; it wasn't his place as an outsider to intervene. Perhaps the sister had kicked her out to teach her a lesson, and interfering now would be crossing the sister.

Unauthorized interference in the private affairs of other members of the same rank was strictly forbidden by the Tower.

"Help me..." Li Mengling wasn't asleep; she was simply in too much pain to keep her eyes open. Realizing someone was there, she felt as if she had met a savior. "Please, I'm so cold..."

Shen Yi bent down and touched her forehead; it was as hot as a furnace. He quickly scooped her up and said to the AI, "Call me a warmer elevator and get a doctor to my place!"

A while later, Li Mengling was finally tucked into a warm bed, fulfilling the wish she had held all night. But now, she was unable to open her eyes to see who her savior was.