The Beautiful, Strong, and Tragic Female Lead is Mine [Transmigration Into a Novel] - Chapter 22.2

Ding Yu immediately followed his lead. “Yes, Xiao Wen told me too.”

Ren Meng frowned and asked Bai Yang, “Is what they’re saying true?”

“It’s true, Ms. Ren.” Bai Yang was blunt and answered honestly. “When the three of us arrived, Xiao Wen told us about this. And I heard he’s been telling others in District Z too.”

Suddenly, Xiao Wen felt the eyes of the modified humans around him glaring at him like daggers. Even Luo Yang, who was usually calm, looked at him with a hint of hostility.

He backed up a few steps, stammering an explanation. “I-I just heard it and wasn’t sure. I just wanted to ask…”

Xie Zhitian looked at him with a fake smile. “You weren’t sure, but you asked everywhere? You seem more concerned about modified humans than anyone else.”

Sweat beaded on Xiao Wen’s forehead, and his knees buckled, making him fall to his knees. He desperately explained, “I really just heard it. I was just scared and couldn’t help but ask. I know I was wrong. I’m so sorry, so sorry…”

“The government just recently issued a notice stating that no one should discriminate against, slander, or behave improperly towards modified humans.” Ren Meng looked down at him, her voice cold. “You’re asking for trouble. Even if you didn’t start the rumor, spreading it so frequently should be punished.”

Xiao Wen wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. “Ms. Ren, I’ll take the punishment. I’ll do anything you ask.” After spending some time with her, he knew that Ren Meng was a person who responded to a soft approach, not a hard one. If he kept arguing now, he would just annoy her. It was better to admit his mistake and hope she’d be lenient.

Ren Meng was silent for a moment. There were no specific regulations in the district for slandering modified humans, so she didn’t know what to do. But with so many modified humans present, she had to give a satisfactory punishment. As she was thinking, Xie Zhitian spoke. “Ms. Ren, I have an idea.”

Ren Meng looked at her. “What is it, Miss?”

“My method isn’t really a punishment, but a chance for him to make up for his mistake. Since he slandered modified humans, we’ll let him contribute to them.” Xie Zhitian blinked, a smile on her face, and recounted a small detail she had read in a book. “I heard that the district has been working on a medicine for modified humans who have an anomaly. If it’s successful, modified humans can be saved in time even if they have an anomaly. But this medicine is still in the experimental stage, and the side effects are a bit strong, so it’s only been tested on animals. It hasn’t been tested on humans yet.”

Ren Meng immediately understood her meaning. “You mean, let Xiao Wen be the volunteer?”

Xie Zhitian said, “Exactly. But the animal tests didn’t result in any deaths, so it probably won’t be fatal for humans either. The first few human trials have higher risks, so let Xiao Wen take them on. After optimizing the medicine based on the results, we can expand the trial, which won’t cause any harm to others.”

Ren Meng thought it was a viable solution. She asked Xiao Wen, “What do you think?”

Xiao Wen’s face was filled with horror, but he didn’t dare say no. The modified humans around him were watching intently, and he felt that if he refused, he’d be assassinated as soon as he stepped outside. He immediately nodded. “No problem! Thank you, Miss, for giving me this chance to make up for my mistake! I’ll do as many trials as it takes. As long as everyone isn’t mad at me anymore.”

Xiao Wen’s words eased the tension a little. He took the opportunity to ask cautiously, “But… could you tell me a little bit about the trial and the possible side effects?” He was worried his question would upset everyone again and added quickly, “I have no problem with the trial. I’ll obey no matter what. I just want to be mentally prepared.”

Ren Meng’s voice was flat. “You just need to take the medicine as instructed by the researchers. You don’t need to know anything else. As for side effects, there are common ones like nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and headaches. And if you’re unlucky, severe nerve pain and fainting.”

Sweat dripped down Xiao Wen’s forehead. Why did this sound so dangerous? What if he fainted and never woke up?

“Don’t worry, there’s a doctor on-site in the lab. Your life won’t be in danger.” Xie Zhitian looked at his pale face and smiled faintly. “The development of this medicine is a key focus for the district right now. You must cooperate well and do your best to assist the researchers.”

She turned to Ren Meng and said, “Ms. Ren, Xiao Wen has always told me he wants to contribute to the district, but unfortunately, he’s just a weak man with no special skills. Let’s let him be a volunteer and participate in the trials. The Guardian Army is the district’s strongest line of defense, and I’m sure he’d be delighted to be able to contribute.”

Ren Meng looked at Xiao Wen. “You agree?”

Xiao Wen was speechless. He had no idea why he was in this situation. Why was this young Miss targeting him? Was she, like him, trying to break him down so he’d be dependent on her? His mind was in a mess, but ever since Ren Meng found out he was spreading rumors, she had looked at him like he was trash. In this situation, what else could he say but, “Of course I’m happy to. The Guardian Army soldiers are shedding blood and sweat on the battlefield; my little suffering is nothing.”

Ren Meng’s expression softened slightly. “Then from now on, you must be available whenever you’re needed.”

Xiao Wen nodded repeatedly. “I understand, Ms. Ren.”

By making such a huge sacrifice, he finally redeemed himself a little in the eyes of the modified humans. One of them even comforted him. “It’s not that bad. The side effects are mostly temporary. It’s just a bit of physical pain. You just have to grit your teeth and get through it. Oh, right, I heard one side effect lasts for a long time: the male animals in the trial haven’t recovered their sexual function.”

Xiao Wen was stunned. “Sexual… function?”

The man replied, “Yes, in short, impotence.”

Someone started to giggle. Others seriously advised him. “It’s better than losing your life, right? Besides, a man’s sexual function starts to decline after 25 anyway. It’s bound to happen. Hope you come to terms with your impotence soon.”

Xiao Wen couldn’t breathe. Impotence? This was a death sentence for his family line! But he couldn’t go back on his word to Ren Meng. Since it had come to this, he could only take it one step at a time. If all else fails, he’d just use his points to buy viagra from the system after the trials were over.

Ren Meng seemed completely unfazed by his embarrassing side effect. She just said to Bai Yang, “The outcome for Xiao Wen should be announced to the entire district as a warning. If anyone else deliberately spreads rumors or slanders modified humans, they will be severely punished.”

Bai Yang replied, “Understood, Ms. Ren.”

Xie Zhitian almost laughed out loud. Announce it to the entire district? That was like branding him with the word “impotent”! She was very satisfied with the result. She had just given a random suggestion and it had this unexpected benefit. A terrible man and impotence were a perfect match.

Xie Zhitian glanced at Xiao Wen and saw that he looked like the world was ending, his eyes empty, unable to utter a single word of thanks. Before leaving, Xie Zhitian gave Tian Shanshan, Ding Yu, and Bai Yang 500 tokens each as a reward for reporting Xiao Wen. The three happily accepted and thanked her, telling her to call on them if she ever needed anything.

On the way back, Xie Zhitian replayed the whole situation in her mind. Based on everyone’s behavior and stances, she could guess the original plot of this part of the story, which wasn’t in the book.

During the negotiation with Zhao Jie, Jasmine’s mental state was stimulated, and her wounds hadn’t fully healed, causing an anomaly. In a state of temporary change, she killed her abusive husband. Xiao Wen tampered with the crime scene, secretly hiding the key evidence—the coded box. He then painstakingly spread rumors that modified humans who have an anomaly attract aliens, and even used blood and lures to attract aliens, using public opinion to mentally break Jasmine down.

Jasmine was already in a bad mental state, and with her only evidence gone, she would have suspected Ren Meng of intentionally destroying the evidence due to her prejudice against modified humans. Unable to prove her innocence, she would be completely devastated and would have no choice but to die.

Xie Zhitian’s eyes darkened. Xiao Wen was twisted and had no morals. She had to find a way to empty his points and make him pay the price he deserved.

After spending time with Ren Meng these past few days, her initial fear had turned into admiration. She assumed Ren Meng’s impression of her had also changed; otherwise, she wouldn’t have said what she did when they parted ways. “Miss has matured a lot recently… I heard you had an excellent performance on the battlefield last night. I hope you can keep it up. I look forward to working with you in the future.”

Xie Zhitian was very pleased. All her efforts these past few days hadn’t been in vain. She had resolved Jasmine’s situation and won Ren Meng’s favor. And her relationship with Luo Yang seemed to have gotten closer. She looked at Luo Yang walking beside her and saw that she was also looking at her.

The sun was bright, and Luo Yang’s skin was so pale it looked transparent, with a fragile quality as if it could shatter at a touch. The pale blue light of the sky reflected in her clear, autumn-like eyes, making them even more pure.

Xie Zhitian smiled at her. “Are you relieved about Jasmine’s situation now?”

“Yes,” Luo Yang replied, but her eyes seemed to hold something, as if she was about to speak but couldn’t.

Xie Zhitian asked, “What’s on your mind?”

“I’m wondering…” Luo Yang was silent for a few seconds before speaking. “Is there any relationship in this world that’s reliable?”

Xie Zhitian had been very kind to her and was working hard for the modified humans. So, she had been thinking about Xie Zhitian’s offer. But she was still hesitant about staying by her side. After what happened with Jasmine, she was even more confused. If a person’s kindness can change, what is there to believe in?

Xie Zhitian was a little startled but quickly realized Luo Yang was talking about Jasmine’s husband. At first, Zhao Jie was very kind to Jasmine, but then everything changed. Xie Zhitian had been getting closer to Luo Yang, asking her to be her bodyguard and friend, and Luo Yang was probably worried about the same thing. She was afraid that Xie Zhitian would revert to her original self. If she gave her trust and was then betrayed, it would be devastating for her.

Xie Zhitian thought for a moment and then answered seriously, “Luo Yang, no matter what our relationship is, you are free. I won’t bind you with any contracts or rules. You know how our district operates; with a reliable leader like Ren Meng, you don’t have to worry about the self-destruct system remote control.”

She looked into Luo Yang’s clear eyes, her tone solemn, like she was making a promise. “If you’re ever unhappy, or you get tired of being with me, or if you find a better place to go, I won’t stop you. The choice is yours. You can go anywhere you want.”

The sky was a clear blue, and the scattered sunlight fell on Xie Zhitian’s eyelashes, like bright, flowing notes. Luo Yang looked up and saw a few birds soaring happily in the sky, singing joyfully as they bathed in the sunlight. She used to envy the birds’ freedom, but now she felt she was luckier than they were.

She was free, but she also had a branch to rest on. It seemed… there was nothing left to hesitate about.

“Miss, thank you for everything you’ve done for the modified humans.” Luo Yang smiled faintly. “From now on, I will be loyal to you.”

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