The Beautiful, Strong, and Tragic Female Lead is Mine [Transmigration Into a Novel] - Chapter 17

If a certain entity is deemed dangerous, it’s only a matter of a little guidance for people to instinctively attribute bad things to it.

It’s like the rumor that “mutated cyborgs attract xenomorphs.” At first, people wouldn’t take it too seriously, just treating it as a curious piece of gossip to talk about after dinner.

But if xenomorphs really appear nearby, someone will immediately link the two and blame Mo Li.

Xie Zhitian almost certain that this malicious rumor was spread by Xiao Wen. Based on her understanding of him, she knew that he was someone who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

The logic of the whole thing is actually very simple.

To emotionally manipulate Luo Yang, gain points, and completely control her, Xiao Wen wanted to suppress and tarnish the reputation of the cyborg community. Mo Li’s case presented a perfect opportunity for him.

To throw mud on Mo Li, Xiao Wen even set his sights on the xenomorphs. He wanted to attract xenomorphs through some means, then blame it on Molly, making people believe there was some truth to the rumor.

Currently, all industries are resuming production, and the focus is on economic reconstruction. If xenomorphs are truly drawn here, no one will bother to verify if mutated cyborgs actually attract them.

After all, the number of mutated cyborgs is small, and a more cost-effective method is to simply put these people under control. Cyborgs can’t rise together, but they can fall together, so if the rumor becomes a reality, people’s evaluation of the entire cyborg community will also decline.

“When many mouths speak, gold can be melted; when many slanders accumulate, a person can be destroyed.” At that point, Luo Yang’s situation will be difficult and she’ll be ignored. All he’d have to do is show her a little concern, and he could easily win her over.

This scumbag.

Xie Zhitian thought viciously, and her pace quickened involuntarily.

The building at night was much quieter than during the day. Many staff members had gone home, leaving only guards and those on duty. The corridor was empty, with a deep night outside the windows and the occasional sound of howling wind.

“Miss, where are we going now?”

Luo Yang’s voice sounded beside her, light and clear, like a feather brushing against her ear.

Xie Zhitian unconsciously softened her tone, replying, “To find Xiao Wen. I have something to ask him.”

She had been pondering a question.

Xiao Wen is just an ordinary human, so how could he possibly attract xenomorphs?

Playing with fire will eventually get you burned. Doesn’t he fear bringing about his own demise?

However, with Luo Yang around, the probability of that happening is very low. Besides, there are many other cyborg warriors nearby…

She asked Luo Yang, “What are xenomorphs attracted to?”

Luo Yang said, “Hunting is an innate nature for xenomorphs. They’re only interested in food, and they’re particularly sensitive to the smell of blood. On the battlefield, once someone is injured, they immediately become a living target. The attractants used against xenomorphs also require fresh blood to activate, and the combination of the two is more effective.”

Xie Zhitian asked, “Where can I buy attractants?”

Luo Yang replied, “Xenomorph attractants are usually used by the military to lure and then eliminate xenomorphs; they aren’t sold to the public. But I’ve heard that someone tried to sell them at the bartering market in the district, but no one bought them because they were considered bad luck. A few days ago, they were even reported and confiscated, so they should be off the market now.”

Xie Zhitian looked pensive. “How sensitive are xenomorphs to the smell of blood?”

Luo Yang: “Most xenomorphs can sense the smell of blood within a dozen meters. For powerful xenomorphs, the range can be several times greater.”

Xie Zhitian then asked, “Are they only sensitive to human blood, or can animal blood work too?”

Luo Yang replied, “Both human and animal blood work. That’s why areas like Zone Z, which are close to the outside, aren’t allowed to have animal farms. Do you remember that incident when someone in our district killed a few sheep near the wall in Zone Z, and they were unlucky enough to attract a xenomorph?”

She felt a bit strange. This kind of information was common knowledge in the post-apocalyptic world, known to everyone. Why did her Miss act as if she’d never heard of it?

Ever since Xie Zhitian talked to Tian ShanShan, she had been preoccupied, not even bothering to eat, and rushed to find Xiao Wen.

What was the reason?

Luo Yang wanted to ask Xie Zhitian, but seeing her lost in thought with a serious expression, she didn’t want to interrupt.

Xie Zhitian’s heart sank.

The original author’s writing wasn’t great. The focus of the book was always on how to conquer girls and build a harem, and the details were not well-developed. This led her to not learn about this information from the book in time.

Xiao Wen came earlier than her and surely knew about this. Animal blood isn’t hard to get; he could exchange it for supplies. If his system is powerful enough, he might even be able to exchange it directly for points.

However, Luo Yang said that the sale of attractants had already been reported. Xiao Wen probably isn’t lucky enough to get ahold of any. If he doesn’t have the attractants, the probability of attracting a xenomorph is still low.

Considering the worst-case scenario, if Xiao Wen gets the blood and attractants, finds a way to lure a xenomorph, and then pins the blame on Molly, she would be completely unable to clear her name.

Xie Zhitian thought, and her expression gradually became serious.

The wind outside the window intensified, slamming against the slightly ajar glass windows in the corridor, making a clattering sound. A hint of coldness seeped in, blowing a few strands of hair against her ear.

Xiao Wen’s inquiries to Ding Yu and Tian ShanShan about xenomorph sightings in the afternoon were probably for this very purpose.

Zone Z is only separated from the outside by a single wall. With the strong winds at night recently, placing the lure device at a high point near the wall could possibly attract xenomorphs. If it succeeds, it’s a huge gain. Even if it fails, it doesn’t matter. The cost is so low, it’s a small risk for Xiao Wen and worth a try.

Xiao Wen and Bai Yang’s room was at the other end of the corridor, now within sight.

Xie Zhitian quickened her steps and knocked on the door. It was Bai Yang who answered.

He had already changed into his loungewear and looked like he was about to rest. Seeing the two of them, he looked confused and asked, “Miss, is something wrong?”

Xie Zhitian asked, “Is Xiao Wen here?”

Her gaze swept past Bai Yang’s shoulder, peering into the room. The room was small, and she could see everything with a single glance.

The room was somewhat empty; there was no one else inside.

Bai Yang replied, “Xiao Wen said he was going for a walk nearby this afternoon and hasn’t returned.”

Xie Zhitian’s heart sank.

Could it be that Xiao Wen had already acted?

Before hearing about the rumor Xiao Wen concocted, Xie Zhitian never thought that his questions about xenomorphs were actually meant to lure them here. She was a step too slow after all.

And even if she had known, what could she do? She couldn’t watch Xiao Wen 24/7. As long as he had the intention of tarnishing the cyborgs’ reputation, this would happen sooner or later.

The city walls are so extensive, and visibility is poor at night. Even if she and Luo Yang started searching now, they wouldn’t be able to quickly find where Xiao Wen had set up the device.

“Miss, has something happened?”

Bai Yang saw that Xie Zhitian wasn’t speaking and thought she was worried about Xiao Wen’s safety. He said cautiously, “Xiao Wen will be fine. There are alarms outside the wall. If a xenomorph gets close, the alarm will go off, and the cyborgs stationed there will rush over to clear it out immediately. Besides, the wall is so high, xenomorphs can’t get in.”

Xie Zhitian subconsciously glanced at Luo Yang. Seeing the thoughtful expression on her face, she was afraid Bai Yang would mislead Luo Yang into thinking she was genuinely worried about Xiao Wen. So she found an excuse to explain: “You misunderstood. I came to find you because I heard a strange rumor and wanted to tell you to be careful. Don’t spread things without a basis.”

Bai Yang was surprised. “What rumor?”

Xie Zhitian immediately repeated what Tian ShanShan had said about “mutated cyborgs can attract xenomorphs” and told Bai Yang that it was false and not to spread it. If anyone asked, he should say he hadn’t heard of it, so as to avoid unnecessary discussion.

Luo Yang listened from the side, her eyes slightly widened in surprise.

The Miss, who didn’t even eat her meal and rushed over in such a hurry, was here just to clarify a rumor about cyborgs?

She gently pursed her lips, lowering her head to hide the swirling emotions in her eyes.

“What kind of idiot came up with that? Would anyone really believe it?”

Bai Yang was also angry after hearing it. “Don’t worry, Miss, I’ll do as you say.”

Xie Zhitian nodded. “That’s good, you…”

Before she could finish her sentence, an alarm suddenly blared in the corridor.

“Beep—”

“Beep, beep—”

“Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep—”

It was piercing and abrupt, tearing a hole in the quiet night. Each beep was more urgent than the last.

All three people’s expressions changed at the same time. Xie Zhitian asked Bai Yang, “Didn’t you say the alarm is outside the wall? Why is the alarm in the building going off?”

Bai Yang was covered in sweat. “Miss, I don’t know either. In theory, xenomorphs can’t get in…”

Just then, someone from the other end of the corridor shouted, “Bai Yang, this building needs to be sealed off immediately. We’re short on people, hurry and help!”

Bai Yang immediately responded, “Coming!”

He urgently instructed Xie Zhitian, “Miss, there are guards outside responsible for organizing evacuation. You should go there quickly, and they’ll take you to a safe place.”

With that, he turned and left, leaving only a hurried back.

Luo Yang saw that Xie Zhitian seemed a bit confused and took the initiative to explain, “Miss, if a xenomorph gets close to the city wall, the nearby alarm will go off, which quickly helps the cyborgs determine the xenomorph’s location. But if a xenomorph invades the interior of the district, the alarms in all buildings within a five-kilometer radius will sound, warning people to take shelter in a safe place in time.”

Xie Zhitian’s heart was pounding. “Are you saying, a xenomorph got in?”

Luo Yang replied, “Yes, the possibility of the alarm malfunctioning is extremely low.”

She looked out the window. In the pitch-black night, faint flickering lights could be seen.

The hunt has begun.

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