A Delicate Beauty Holding a Villain’s Script - Chapter 11

Black Mist Forest.

This was an undeveloped, primitive region. From the base of the mountains to the peaks, towering ancient trees were everywhere, their dense, overlapping branches strictly blocking any sunlight from reaching the forest floor.

The woods were perpetually dim. The ground was covered in a thick layer of withered twigs and fallen leaves that “crunched” underfoot. Countless creatures that existed only in databases made this place their home.

The behemoth-like aircraft hovered in mid-air, casting a vast shadow over the rolling green ocean below. The hatch doors opened, and one figure after another jumped out, precisely deploying their parachutes after a brief free-fall.

With a whoosh, the parachutes were filled by the oncoming gale, swelling into perfect arcs. From a distance, they looked like white mushrooms blooming in the sky.

The Alphas had learned these skills in class and none showed panic during the jump. But Li Rangnian had never learned this; standing by the side of the open hatch, his face was deathly pale.

The violent wind howled into the cabin, sending his soft hair dancing wildly across his face. Below him was a drop of ten thousand meters; he could even see white clouds drifting alongside the aircraft. One look was enough to make anyone’s legs go weak.

Seeing that everyone else had jumped with stoic expressions, Li Rangnian took a deep breath, deciding he had to follow suit. But just as he closed his eyes in fear, he was lifted by the scruff of his neck. He immediately glared with wide eyes like a startled cat, hissing in anger: “Who is it! Let go of me!”

Qin Yuan couldn’t help but chuckle. He pulled the youth close to his side and set him down, forcing his lips into a neutral line. His voice was deep: “Li-mei, that was too dangerous! Have you even practiced skydiving before you thought about jumping? What if something happened?”

Li Rangnian felt incredibly wronged. “How else am I supposed to get down if I don’t jump? I never learned…”

Hearing this, Qin Yuan’s heart ached, as if it had been soaked in vinegar.

It was true; Li-mei was born with a weak constitution and had always been raised like an Omega. Other Alphas were exposed to physical training from childhood—skydiving, bungee jumping, and climbing were second nature to them. But Li-mei? He could only stay obediently at home, unable to go anywhere.

He couldn’t jump around or engage in strenuous exercise. He was like a canary in a cage, staring longingly at the excitement of the outside world but never able to reach it.

I’m such a bastard… Qin Yuan regretted his harsh words. His hand twitched at his side before he reached out to grasp the youth’s slender wrist. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have been so stern. Li-mei is very brave, thinking of acting on your own even though you were so scared…”

The little light ball spun around anxiously: (What do we do, Host? It’s too high. 051 doesn’t want Host to be scared.)

“It’s okay, System. I used to be a pilot; I know how to skydive.” Li Rangnian’s heart was perfectly calm, far from the helplessness he displayed on the surface.

(What!) 051 was shocked. (Host has done tasks like that before?)

Li Rangnian gave a bashful smile: “It’s a long story. In previous worlds, I often played the ‘perfect White Moonlight’ character. White Moonlights are always full of grand ambitions and go abroad; it just so happened that in one world, I was a pilot…”

He remembered that world clearly. As a pilot, he flew all over the globe, while the male lead had to stay in the country to take over the family business, causing them to lose contact. However, he had underestimated the male lead’s obsession; the man had pined for years before chasing him across the world in a private jet just to fly alongside him.

(Host is so amazing.) 051’s eyes sparkled. It had chosen Li Rangnian from among countless souls, and he was indeed proving to be an exceptional task-taker.

Qin Yuan, naturally unaware of the conversation between the person and the ball, could only see the beauty’s lowered head. The dark hair drooped, revealing two pale, white ear tips that looked like they were sulking.

I really want to pinch them. Qin Yuan instinctively tightened his grip. Realizing his mistake, he quickly let go and pulled the youth’s wrist up to inspect it. “Li-mei, does it hurt? Sorry, I shouldn’t have used so much force.”

The delicate skin had been gripped only lightly, yet a ring of red marks immediately appeared on the wrist that felt fragile enough to snap. Too delicate. This beauty, who was “more Omega than an Omega,” deserved to be held in the palm of one’s hand and cherished.

“It doesn’t hurt.” Li Rangnian shook his head, his brows furrowing slightly. His eyes were glazed with a layer of mist, making his gaze look unfocused.

To Qin Yuan, it looked as though the beauty was in a daze, staring at him with a watery, unfocused gaze. Anyone else would have thought he had just been bullied.

Qin Yuan’s throat moved as he swallowed. He opened his mouth but didn’t know what to say. Should he tell him not to make such an expression, lest he mistake it for flirting? Or tell him not to cry at the drop of a hat, because it only made him more excited?

As time passed and the howling wind cleared his head, Qin Yuan spoke: “Li-mei, do you want to stay on the aircraft, or…?”

Despite his selfish desire to keep Li-mei away from Shen Yiqing, he was genuinely worried about the youth’s safety.

“If I say I want to follow Brother Qin Yuan, would you agree?” Li Rangnian tilted his small face up, looking at him seriously. The focused look was incredibly cute.

“Of course, my Li-mei. You know I will follow your every command.”

Qin Yuan took the youth’s hand, leaned down, and left a reverent kiss on the back of it. “Leave the rest to me. Please trust me; I won’t let you get hurt.”

In the Command Center, dozens of large and small holographic screens projected into the air, showing real-time feeds from cameras installed throughout the Black Mist Forest. The instructors gathered there, drinking and chatting in a relatively relaxed atmosphere.

“You haven’t told them the news yet?” a female Beta asked in a gentle tone, speaking to a muscular Alpha. “T1 Squad will be selecting elite talents directly from the Federal First Military Academy based on the results of this survival training to be drafted into the frontline army?”

T1 Squad was the elite of the frontline, only recruiting the absolute best.

The Alpha’s face was mostly obscured by his bottle, leaving only a pair of sharp, eagle-like eyes. “So, what if I tell them? At this level, they aren’t even fit to do logistics for T1.”

The woman shook her head with a hint of reproach. “Professor Lin, you are too harsh. Not everyone can become famous at a young age like you. However, I remember you have an S-Rank student under you who is performing quite well?”

Perhaps thinking of something, the Alpha tilted his head and downed a swig of strong liquor. “That kid Qin Yuan… his character is resilient, and he has plenty of strength, but his technique is lacking and he lacks real combat experience.”

Seeing through his reaction, the Beta chuckled. “It seems you are satisfied with this student. That’s good. However, ” Her tone shifted. “Professor Lin, haven’t you noticed? In the past, the army recruited during graduation year. But now, even new recruits who have barely started training…”

“Is the army really that short on people?”

“The war on the frontline is becoming dire.” A sharp, dark light flashed in Professor Lin’s eyes. He slammed his glass onto the table with a clack, splashing the liquid. “Those disgusting things that can’t be killed or wiped out seem to be getting more rational. Although there’s no data showing anomalies yet, the soldiers can clearly feel… their intelligence is growing.”

The Beta was startled. “Why do you say that? Don’t their brains just follow their hunger?”

Professor Lin looked at her with an unreadable gaze. “You underestimate the speed of biological evolution. Put it this way: two years ago, when faced with our soldiers’ weapons, the ‘Xeno-species’ wouldn’t dodge; they would just charge forward in waves. Now, they not only dodge, but they’ve even learned to play dead to ambush soldiers during the battlefield cleanup.”

“…” The Beta was speechless, looking away as if to escape the horrifying implications. “So that’s the Federation’s plan… preparing for a rainy day.”

By skipping the normal recruit selection and integration period, they were cultivating a batch of elite soldiers in advance to be deployed directly to the front lines.

The two fell into silence, both looking up at the projections. She sighed softly: “I truly hope these children don’t disappoint.”

Entering the Black Mist Forest felt like entering a sealed space. Under the overlapping branches, the sun provided no light. Massive vines wound around the ancient trees, hanging down from the branches like serpents.

The vegetation on the ground grew wildly atop a thick layer of humus. It felt soft and spongy underfoot, and moisture oozed out with every step, like treading on a water-logged sponge. As time passed and the sun began to set, the forest grew even darker, the leaves forming eerie shadows and the branches reaching out like claws.

Qin Yuan found a relatively dry spot. His polished boots were covered in mud, and seeds from unknown plants clung to his black combat uniform. A massive tree root had broken through the ground, coiled around a rock like a python.

Li Rangnian sat obediently on the rock, clutching his backpack. With his legs dangling and his bright, vivid features, he looked like an elf guarded by the forest roots.

“Li-mei, be good and don’t come down. I’m going to gather some firewood.”

Qin Yuan raised his hand and used his Mental Power to construct a protective shield, completely enveloping the youth. He whispered, “There’s water and canned food in the bag. Take whatever you want, okay?”

“Okay, go ahead.” Li Rangnian nodded, watching the tall figure disappear into the woods.

Once the man was gone, Li Rangnian began to consider how to complete his task. According to the plot, there were several survival trainings. The most crucial one occurred in the graduation year, where the villain lured Xeno-species in, causing casualties and framing the Protagonist Gong, only to be exposed by the Protagonist Shou.

For now, this was just a regular training. Li Rangnian thought he would just go through the motions without being too wicked. Hmm… I’ll just order the lead to do this and that while I do nothing, making him resentful. That should count, right?

Qin Yuan soon returned with a large bundle of dry wood and started a fire using primitive methods. The forest was now pitch black; only the pile of fire provided brightness, illuminating the immediate area. A mist that had been drifting faintly began to thicken like porridge, swirling through every corner of the forest.

Li Rangnian felt a chill and shrunk his neck. Tossing his chin up, he commanded: “Brother Qin Yuan, carry me over.”

“…” Without a word, Qin Yuan stood up and strode over. With one long arm, he scooped the youth up and pressed him firmly into his chest.

His muscular arms were firm and powerful, and his embrace was warm. He walked with ease and steady steps, providing an immense sense of security.

It was Li Rangnian who had made the request, yet it was also Li Rangnian who was silently blushing in the man’s arms, his small face buried against the full chest muscles as he instinctively nuzzled them.

Gently placing the youth onto the ground where he had spread his own outer coat, Qin Yuan knelt to add more wood to the fire. The wood crackled and popped, the flames leaping higher. The flickering light reflected in Li Rangnian’s eyes like two bursts of fireworks.