Unexpected Reunions and Stubborn Hearts

Inside Mo Linyu’s bedroom.

Having only entered the guest room on her previous visit, Li Yue had not yet had the chance to see Mo Linyu’s private chambers. As expected, it was a remarkably opulent bedroom, though notably devoid of European architectural influences.

The four individuals emerging from the bathroom were ushered by Mo Linyu into her most private sanctuary.

“Oh, who could have foreseen this?” Li Yue sighed, a note of exasperation in her voice.

Not only had Gongliang Kuixi failed to recover her past life memories, but Alezno had actually lost the memories of her other persona.

“On the bright side, at least we now know how to switch between Alezno’s current persona and her past persona,” Mo Linyu offered optimistically.

Yet, this was clearly not the outcome Li Yue desired; Alezno’s return to her current self, only to lose the memories of her past persona, made Li Yue feel as though all their efforts had been in vain.

Still, she knew better than to voice such a sentiment aloud.

“Then why didn’t meeting me restore her memories? Even touching your wound proved useless,” Li Yue pressed.

Since touching the scar had yielded no results, Li Yue had even resorted to a headbutt for Gongliang Kuixi.

However, the latter still showed no signs of recovering her past life memories.

“No, it wasn’t entirely useless,” Gongliang Kuixi herself interjected at that moment. “I did feel something from that scar…”

“What was it?”

“I felt something stir deep within my heart, but… but ultimately, it didn’t succeed.”

Li Yue mused aloud, “So, it really does require burying her forehead in your chest?”

“No, I don’t think that’s the missing piece… Perhaps it’s lacking some kind of catalyst?”

Her past life memories undoubtedly existed, yet for some reason, they couldn’t be roused.

“Do you feel… that the memory itself is resisting?” Mo Linyu inquired.

Gongliang Kuixi nodded, stating candidly:

“Yes, though I don’t know who my past self was, it seems unwilling to emerge.”

“In that case, let’s set it aside for now,” Mo Linyu declared magnanimously, ready to move on. “We should respect the individual’s wishes. After all, we just need to gather the otherworldly souls; the Goddess never said they had to recover their past life memories… Still, I’ll need your help when we’re short-handed later.”

Gongliang Kuixi merely sighed. “Collecting souls scattered across Earth… Even if I can believe your words, such a mission still sounds somewhat beyond reality and imagination.”

Mo Linyu’s arrangement was perfectly reasonable, but Li Yue found it difficult to accept.

“But Officer, your body might hold the memories of my companions,” she began. “My willingness to assist the Demon Lord stems from my hope of seeing them again… If there’s a chance, please…”

Li Yue had always assumed that others would be like the Demon Lord, where awakening past life memories wouldn’t hinder their present lives, blending harmoniously.

In reality, however, Alezno’s current persona and her past persona could not coexist.

The memories within Gongliang Kuixi even resisted being awakened.

“What if you can’t see them?”

Mo Linyu countered, “After reincarnation, if a memory still doesn’t wish to awaken even when given the chance, there might be a reason. Forcibly disturbing them might not be right.”

“But…”

Li Yue, unwilling to give up, hesitated, her words trailing off. Mo Linyu continued:

“Judging by Alezno’s situation, memories of a past life and the current life cannot coexist. My own case might simply be an anomaly… If that’s the case, perhaps merely finding the otherworldly souls and gathering them is enough.”

“The deceased who wish not to be disturbed, those who do not want to share their lives with their past selves – all their desires must be respected,” Mo Linyu said, glancing at Alezno.

Having her body occupied by a strange version of herself, even if only for two days, had been an unpleasant experience for her.

“Don’t be scared, Alezno. Your past self exists within your soul; she is one with you… She wouldn’t harm you.”

Still, Alezno reiterated, “Even if you say that, I don’t like the feeling of waking up only to find two or three days of my life have been stolen.”

Just then, Gongliang Kuixi suddenly looked up at the door. “I smell something sweet.”

No sooner had she spoken than a knock sounded on the bedroom door.

“Young Mistress, I’ve brought the tea and pastries.”

“Come in, Xia Xi. You’ve worked hard too.”

“For the Young Mistress, it is my duty.”

The person who entered was Xia Xi, her eyes still a little red, having cried tears of joy once more over Mo Linyu’s return.

Xia Xi’s arrival, however, brought the topic of otherworldly matters to a close.

Gongliang Kuixi retrieved her notebook.

“Let’s discuss today’s case instead.”

****

Late into the night.

Gongliang Kuixi had to return to the station to report, so staying over was out of the question.

Alezno, feeling a bit afraid to go back, even wanted to stay at Mo Linyu’s house, but Gongliang Kuixi forcefully dragged her away, leaving no room for negotiation.

Li Yue and Mo Linyu stood at the manor’s entrance, watching the two motorbikes recede into the distance.

“…In the end, we still didn’t clarify who those two really are.”

“It doesn’t matter~ The main thing is, how many days has it been? Look, we’ve already found two souls.”

Mo Linyu seemed quite pleased; perhaps this was a blessing in disguise.

“Hero, I really must thank you properly for this incident. Is there anything you desire?”

Li Yue, not one to be modest, actually stroked her chin in thought.

“Let me think…”

However, at present, there seemed to be nothing she couldn’t obtain on her own.

After all, the Goddess sent money regularly; theoretically, she could afford most normal things herself. Moreover, if she asked Mo Linyu for money now, wouldn’t she be no better than a kidnapper?

“Hmm, an ID card?”

“That’s it? Oh, I see…” Mo Linyu was a little surprised.

Li Yue’s request was not excessive, but it was indeed something she couldn’t manage on her own.

“So, can you help me get an ID card and household registration? Being unregistered is really inconvenient.”

“Dong Lu said it would be difficult before, but not impossible. I’ll have my father think of a way.”

“Phew—”

Li Yue finally breathed a sigh of relief, feeling reassured.

“What about you? Are you going back?” Mo Linyu asked.

Alezno had been taken away by Gongliang Kuixi, and Li Yue lacked a portable ‘gender stabilizer.’ If she were to return now, she might very well transform back into Li Longkang on the way.

If someone saw a grown man riding a motorcycle in women’s denim shorts, Li Yue would be in the news tomorrow and likely summoned for affecting public decency the day after.

As for asking Mo Linyu to drive her back…

That was even less plausible. Not to mention whether Dong Lu and Mo Changhong would allow her to leave now, Li Yue herself would be too embarrassed to ask.

Given all this, Li Yue simply sighed helplessly:

“Please ask Miss Dong Lu to prepare a guest room.”

“What guest room? Just sleep with me tonight.”

“No.” She refused decisively. “I’ve had enough of your teasing. Even going back like this is better than being tricked into bed by you.”

“…I wasn’t thinking of anything like that. Why do you make me sound like some playboy?” Mo Linyu shook her head helplessly, then asked, “What if I absolutely refuse to prepare a guest room for you? Do you plan to go back like that?”

“Of course.” Li Yue nodded with equal determination.

Mo Linyu let out a long, drawn-out sigh of disappointment.

“Sigh, I thought after this incident, our relationship might grow a little closer.”

Li Yue instinctively replied, “Impossible. You are the Demon Lord, I am the Hero. We still have many scores to settle. This is merely a temporary collaboration…”

Mo Linyu’s expression had already turned quite displeased.

“You stubborn-headed Hero! Then go back by yourself!”

Mo Linyu closed the door, leaving Li Yue locked outside the manor.

The latter stood outside the manor gate, pondered for a moment, then slapped herself hard across the face…

Finally, she turned and headed towards the garage.