The Beautiful, Strong, and Tragic Female Lead is Mine [Transmigration Into a Novel] - Chapter 34

Xie Zhitian was very clear that Luo Yang was right.

For a moment, she couldn’t respond. After a moment of silence, she just nodded slightly.

What was happening before her eyes, although expected, had already exceeded her common sense. But thinking about the apocalypse, transmigration, and aliens she had experienced, perhaps common sense wasn’t that reliable to begin with.

Humans like to summarize and follow patterns to gain a sense of security. But in reality, the scope of human reach is only a small fraction; in the unseen, there is a much vaster unknown world.

Xie Zhitian quickly calmed down and tried to analyze everything that had just happened.

First, since the cat and dog had made this move, it meant they could easily understand human conversation. Second, pouring the contents of the small bag into the well showed they held great malice towards humans, hoping they would die. And after doing all this, the big black dog buried the empty small bag, showing it had learned to dissimulate.

They needed water for everything in their daily lives. If the bag had contained highly toxic rat poison, none of them would have been spared. Of course, the bag contained ordinary flour, a small portion that Xie Zhitian had separated from the flour before entering the house.

Even more chilling was that the cat and dog had almost no communication and completed everything with silent understanding, which made her suspect it was a long-planned act.

Xia Fufeng was a bit nervous, her fingers gripping the curtain tightly. “What do we do now?”

Xie Zhitian said, “We need to catch them alive.”

Although these animals were malevolent, they couldn’t be killed directly. They had to be sent to the relevant department in the district for thorough research.

She got up and walked to the kitchen, describing the situation to Cheng Yiyi in a low voice.

Cheng Yiyi stood there stunned for a while after hearing it.

A moment later, she spoke. “Sister, can Big Black and Little Black go back to how they were?”

She had spent a long time with Big Black and Little Black. When her parents were busy with work, they were the ones who kept her company. She didn’t know why things had turned out this way.

Besides being scared, she was also very sad.

“I don’t know yet. I’ll hand them over to scientists and let them decide.”

Xie Zhitian saw what was on her mind and said gently, “Maybe they’re just sick. Once they’re cured, they can be with you again, but you also have to be prepared for the worst. Yiyi, I know you have feelings for them, but they tried to kill all of us, so you can’t be soft-hearted. Otherwise, it could have very serious consequences. Do you understand?”

Cheng Yiyi pursed her lips, then nodded solemnly. “I understand. Thank you, Sister.”

With Xie Zhitian and Luo Yang there, the capture process was very easy.

In less than a minute, Big Black and Little Black were put into the cages they had prepared.

The cat and dog fiercely resisted but were no match for them. They could only gnaw on the metal cages, making a grating sound that made one’s teeth ache.

Xie Zhitian was unmoved and added two more locks to the cage doors.

After all that, it was already completely dark. Only a few people were on duty at the office at night and they wouldn’t be able to handle their problem. Since the animals couldn’t run away, they decided to go to the office the next morning.

“Let’s take turns watching these two animals tonight, so nothing else happens.”

Xia Fufeng, who had finished eating, rested her chin on her hands and sighed. “I wish Wang Er were here. We could have him watch them.”

Xie Zhitian said helplessly, “Wang Er works hard every day. Let him get a good night’s sleep.”

“You’re right.” Xia Fufeng blinked and then thought of something else. “Oh, right, I heard from Wang Er that the servant you brought got sick as soon as he arrived and is still in bed.”

Xie Zhitian was stunned for a moment, then a playful smile appeared on her lips. “I told him not to come, but he insisted on following me. Now look at him.”

Xiao Wen had been half-dead from the torture of the drug experiments before, and he was originally a homebody who probably didn’t exercise. It was no surprise he got sick after being in the back of a truck, exposed to the wind all the way here.

Xia Fufeng sighed. “Ah, men just aren’t reliable.”

Luo Yang agreed. “Tiantian, you shouldn’t bring him next time. He’s useless.”

It seemed that Xiao Wen’s two potential targets had a poor impression of him.

Xie Zhitian felt very relieved and content hearing this. “Indeed, he’s clumsy and not very smart.”

Xia Fufeng’s movements paused for a moment, and her expression was slightly unnatural.

She looked up and saw the two people across from her looking at her with questioning eyes. Knowing that this momentary lapse couldn’t be hidden, she confessed, “It’s nothing, I just feel like what you said also applies to me.”

Xie Zhitian was surprised. “Why would you think that?”

“I’m too ordinary. I’m not particularly smart, and I can’t fight.”

There was a hint of sadness in Xia Fufeng’s eyes. “In District 14, it’s the same whether I’m here or not. I also want to be as capable as you, or like my sister, so I can do a lot for everyone.”

Just like with the animal anomaly, even with her talent for taming animals, she couldn’t use it. It had been Xie Zhitian and Luo Yang who did all the work, which made her feel very ashamed.

“That’s not true, Xiaoxia.”

Xie Zhitian’s voice rang out across from her, interrupting her thoughts. “Why do you need to be like others? You don’t need to compare yourself to anyone. You are you, unique and irreplaceable.”

She smiled at Xia Fufeng and continued, “Every position has its purpose. In your position, you’ve done well enough. And there must be something that only you can do, you just haven’t realized it yet.”

Xia Fufeng looked at her blankly, and the gloom in her heart suddenly dissipated.

She curled her lips and regained her usual vibrant spirit. “Alright, alright, I’ll drink this bowl of chicken soup.”

After a pause, she said softly, “Thank you.”

Early the next morning, the group took Big Black and Little Black directly to the office.

They arrived so early that the person in charge of the office hadn’t started work yet. The four of them waited at the entrance for half an hour before finally meeting their target.

“Sister Bai Jin, you’re here.”

When Xia Fufeng saw the person, her eyes lit up and she quickly went to greet her.

Bai Jin looked at the four people in front of her, then at the two metal cages in the hallway, and her face was full of questions. “Xiaoxia, what are you doing?”

Xia Fufeng said solemnly, “We have an important matter to report.”

Seeing her demeanor, Bai Jin’s expression also became somewhat serious.

She took out the key and opened the door. “Okay, come in and tell me.”

They sat down on the long sofa next to the desk. Xia Fufeng had already prepared what to say and immediately recounted the story from beginning to end.

She concluded, “That’s what happened. Sister Bai Jin, can you help us contact the scientific research department? I want to get to the bottom of the reason for the animal anomalies.”

After listening, Bai Jin bowed her head and was silent for a while.

She looked at the two animals in the cages, a cat and a dog, who were lying down and didn’t seem to be acting strangely.

She pondered, “So you’re saying that these two animals suddenly started exhibiting human-like behaviors and tried to harm you?”

“Yes, it’s absolutely true.”

Xia Fufeng was a bit anxious. “Sister Bai Jin, please believe us. We’re telling the truth.”

“Xiaoxia, I’m not saying I don’t believe you.”

Bai Jin smiled and replied in a reassuring tone, “I’m just wondering if the anomalies in these two animals are a widespread phenomenon. Are there other undiscovered animal anomalies in other parts of the district?”

Bai Jin had watched Xia Fufeng grow up little by little. She was a very sincere, warm-hearted, and lovable girl. She always completed her assigned work in the district conscientiously, without complaint. Also, Xia Fufeng had always been sensitive to animals, so she trusted Xia Fufeng’s judgment.

Although she didn’t know much about Xie Zhitian and Luo Yang, they were sent by District 16, which had a close relationship with their district. Moreover, the two of them had come to the office to help out the day before, working tirelessly and with great efficiency. They weren’t people who would act recklessly.

Therefore, Bai Jin believed in their findings.

Bai Jin was also thinking if the animal anomalies could be related to other recent events in the district.

But this was a district secret, and not many people knew about it. Xia Wan had specifically told her not to tell Xia Fufeng, as she didn’t want to get her daughter involved. So Bai Jin didn’t mention it.

Xia Fufeng was relieved. “Then Sister Bai Jin, what do we do now? If there’s anything you need our help with, just say the word.”

Bai Jin said, “I’ll contact the scientific research department and have these two animals sent there for a thorough check. As for the investigation of other animals in the district, the higher-ups will arrange for professional personnel. Don’t worry. When they have results, I’ll have someone notify you. You’ve all been tired these past few days, so you should rest up.”

Xie Zhitian nodded and then said, “Miss Bai, I have a request.”

Bai Jin said, “Go ahead.”

Xie Zhitian glanced at Cheng Yiyi, who hadn’t spoken, and chose her words carefully. “If possible, after the experiments are over, could you try to let these two animals return to their original state?”

Bai Jin was stunned. “You mean…”

Xie Zhitian stroked Cheng Yiyi’s head and said sincerely, “Although their condition is not right, they are still pets that a young girl has had for a long time, and she has feelings for them.”

She stroked Cheng Yiyi’s head. “Of course, the big picture is the priority. The premise is that it doesn’t affect the research and harm more people. Yiyi is a sensible child, isn’t she?”

Cheng Yiyi was stunned. “Yes, thank you, Sister, for speaking up for me.”

She had been wanting to find an opportunity to talk about this, but the atmosphere of the discussion was too serious for her to speak up. She had already caused everyone so much trouble, should she really be asking for more? But she didn’t expect that Xie Zhitian would see what was on her mind and say it for her.

Bai Jin agreed. “I will convey this to the scientific research department.”

She looked at Xie Zhitian, and her eyes held a hint of emotion. She knew that Xie Zhitian said this not to plead for the animals, but to make Cheng Yiyi feel better and to minimize the impact on her.

No matter what the final result was, the child would know that she was being cared for and noticed, and would feel some comfort. She wouldn’t feel that because she was just a child, no one cared about her feelings.

In the chaotic apocalypse, Bai Jin had seen too many people who had lost their empathy and become numb because of hardship. People like Xie Zhitian were very rare. Xie Han shuang really had a good daughter.

Xie Zhitian herself didn’t think much of it. She was just doing what she had promised Cheng Yiyi.

The group came out of Bai Jin’s office, and Xia Fufeng handed the car keys to Xie Zhitian. “You and Luo Yang can take Yiyi back. I have to go to work.”

Xie Zhitian took the keys. “Okay, you go on ahead.”

Cheng Yiyi had been looking down and not talking since they left the office. She seemed a bit sad, so Xie Zhitian planned to spend some time with the grieving little girl.

Luo Yang lowered her eyes and asked gently, “Yiyi, are you hungry?”

They had gotten up very early today, and with a lot on their minds, the four of them hadn’t had a chance to eat.

Cheng Yiyi rubbed her red eyes. “A little bit hungry.”

Luo Yang smiled and took Cheng Yiyi’s hand. “Come on, let’s go get something delicious to eat.”

Since the results of the animal research wouldn’t be out for a while, waiting was too tough. She wanted to spend time with Cheng Yiyi and cheer her up.

Xia Fufeng turned to leave, but then, remembering something, she turned back.

She said, “Oh, by the way, I saw Tang Zhuoran yesterday. But last night I was so busy with the animals that I forgot to tell you.”

Xie Zhitian stopped. “Captain Tang?”

She remembered the purpose of her visit to District 14 and had wanted to talk to the guard captain for a while to see if she could help the district.

“Yes, our Captain Tang.”

Xia Fufeng smiled happily when she mentioned Tang Zhuoran. “Didn’t you two say you had something to ask her? She said she’ll be free tomorrow night. I’ll take you to see her.”

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