The Real Heiress Just Wants to Be a Lazy Fish - Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Living Together

Inside the hospital room, after Jiang Zitan left with the doctor, Tao Yitong opened the team’s communication channel.

Captain! Are you alright? This transmission was initiated privately by “Little Fish.” Seeing the Captain’s location at a hospital in the middle of the night made Little Fish’s heart skip a beat.

“I’m fine, just a fall.” If she hadn’t landed directly on her old wound, she wouldn’t have scared Jiang Zitan into rushing her to the hospital. Yitong lifted the hem of her patient gown, revealing her snowy-white abdomen.

Her faint, well-defined abdominal muscles looked remarkably athletic a sharp contrast to her delicate, fragile face. The body hidden beneath her clothes radiated a sense of “power.”

At a glance, her body seemed perfectly fine. Yitong listened for movement outside, and after confirming no one was coming, she peeled a piece of “artificial skin” larger than a palm from the left side of her waist.

This artificial skin, which could seamlessly blend with real flesh, was derived from a rare mystical beast. In this era, such creatures were nearly extinct, and the Special Affairs Bureau possessed very little of this material. It didn’t just hide scars; more importantly, it helped heal stubborn wounds that were difficult to close. Standard medical equipment could not detect it at all.

Once the artificial skin was removed, a hideous, terrifying wound was revealed. It looked like a deep gash from something sharp, over an inch long. The flesh around the edges was discolored, and once the covering was gone, blood began to seep out slowly.

She had accidentally strained the wound while saving Jiang Zitan in the residential complex, and then put direct pressure on it during the fall at the villa. Yitong took out a small jar of unlabeled green ointment and applied half of it to the wound. The medicine was a strong stimulant; she hissed through her teeth in pain.

“Little Fish, you’ve already returned to Haishi, right?”

Yes. What do you need me to do?

“I discovered some abnormal phenomena at the Jiang house today. Jiang Zitan has a scent that is incredibly attractive to ghosts and monsters… including me.”

What? Attractive to you?

“…I believe I said it was the scent.” Yitong felt a hint of teasing in Little Fish’s tone.

Right, right. A scent. A very fragrant scent?

“Yes. Jiang Zitan was attacked twice tonight. Both times were likely for the fragrance of her flesh and blood.”

Little Fish thought back. She had known Jiang Zitan for a long time and had met her several times, but she had never smelled the fragrance the Captain described. Perhaps the sense of smell of the Captain and these monsters was different from that of ordinary humans?

“To an Ogre, she is absolute gourmet-level food. A monster that has already consumed so many people will have lost its humanity; I don’t think it will let her go. Since the Ogre is colluding with the Jiang family, it’s impossible for it not to know about her special nature.”

“So… Little Fish, do you think Jiang Zitan is being ‘raised’ as food?” Yitong had thought a lot while lying in bed. In a single night, Zitan had encountered two supernatural events that an ordinary person might not face in a lifetime. This proved her attraction wasn’t just limited to Yitong herself.

Then how had Zitan survived for over twenty years before meeting her? The most likely answer was that someone or something had been shielding her, keeping other monsters at bay.

But if that were the case, why was she being attacked now, at this specific moment?

Silence fell over both the hospital room and the communication channel, leaving only the sound of their breathing.

Captain, could Jiang Zitan be bait released by the other side to test us? The Bureau’s previous moles had all lost contact. The enemy surely guessed that newcomers had been sent in. If they couldn’t find the new plants immediately, they might choose to “lure the snake out of the hole.”

They didn’t value human life, but the Bureau did. In this regard, the Bureau was at a disadvantage.

“That’s exactly what I’m worried about.” Despite the risk, she had to protect Zitan’s safety. For insurance, she planned to use external help. “I can’t protect her every second, so I want to borrow one of your little pets. I recall those little guys can set up a barrier to mask a human’s presence in the dark?”

Understood. I’ll send ‘A-Fu’ over. Just give him your orders.

I’ll also have A-Fu bring you some supplies. You definitely aren’t eating well at the Jiang house. I had no idea the Jiang family was that kind of people… Little Fish sniffled. Her Captain was suffering so much—she couldn’t even get a full meal, so how was she supposed to recover?

“No need for supplies. I just landed a short-term ‘meal ticket.’ I don’t have to worry about hunger for now.” Moreover, it was a “human meal ticket” that could satiate her just by being nearby!

Is it Jiang Zitan?

“It’s her.”

I feel much better knowing she’s taking care of you.

However, regarding your background… Old Tan intercepted a conversation between Jiang Xianglu and Zhao Jinhui. We find it extremely suspicious. I’m transferring it to you now.

“Got it.” Yitong was about to receive the data when she heard footsteps approaching the room. “Jiang Zitan is back. I’ll contact you later.”

Understood.

Jiang Zitan paused briefly at the door. She composed herself, making sure her expression wasn’t too grim before pushing the door open.

Inside, she saw her sister lying on the bed, looking at her quietly and obediently. The unease in Zitan’s heart seemed to settle.

“The doctor said you don’t have any major issues, but you are malnourished and anemic. It’s late, so get some rest. I’ll have someone pick you up tomorrow,” Zitan whispered by the bedside.

“I’m fine. But it’s so late, Sister—why don’t you rest on the companion bed?” Yitong hoped Zitan would stay as close as possible for easier protection.

“I have some things to handle. I’ll check on you tomorrow morning. If you need anything, just call the nurse.” Zitan smoothed out Yitong’s messy bangs.

“Okay.” Yitong heard a slight movement outside the window. It seemed Little Fish’s “A-Fu” had arrived. With that little guy following Zitan, she felt more at ease.

Jiang Zitan turned off the lights before leaving. The room went dark. After a moment, Yitong got out of bed and opened the window. A small, dark, chubby creature squeezed inside.

“Are you A-Fu?”

The creature was a plump bat. Little Fish had clearly fed him well; he looked somewhat over-nourished.

The little guy nodded.

“Did you remember the human who just left? Protect her for me.” Yitong pricked her finger and squeezed a drop of blood into the bat’s mouth. This established a temporary mental link; if there was a crisis, it could notify her immediately.

The bat flapped its wings to show it understood, then flew back out the window into the night, dissolving into a cloud of black mist.

Yitong checked the time it was nearly 4:00 AM. She wondered what Zitan was still busy with. Ordinary people couldn’t handle this kind of sleep deprivation, and Zitan likely had to work tomorrow. Being a CEO wasn’t easy, but then again, Yitong’s own life was hard too. They were kindred spirits.

However, Yitong could apply for retirement after this mission, while Zitan’s grind as CEO had no end in sight. In comparison, Zitan was the more pitiable one.

Finding a strange sense of comfort in Zitan’s situation, Yitong sat on her bed and began listening to the recording Little Fish had sent.

Old Jiang, find a way to talk to Dad. Why must that girl stay in the house? We have so many properties; wouldn’t it be better to put her anywhere else?

I can’t change Dad’s mind once he decides. Just wait a bit longer; he’ll make arrangements.

Wait, wait is that all you can say? If you’re so capable, why don’t you stay here and suffer with me! You’ve been going on ‘business trips’ to the subsidiaries every day since she came back. Don’t think I don’t know you have someone else over there! You’d better talk some sense into your father, or I’ll expose your mistress to my uncles!

Stop being unreasonable!

Me, unreasonable? Have you forgotten what Mr. Gao said back then! Have you forgotten I almost died several times while I was pregnant with her! I have to be careful even walking down the stairs now, terrified I’ll fall and die! Mr. Gao said that other couple had enough ‘luck’ to carry the burden, yet they met a violent end after only four years! How long can we last?

…Fine. I’ll talk to Dad.

The conversation ended with Jiang Xianglu’s surrender.

Though it was short, Tao Yitong sat bolt upright, her sleepiness completely gone.

What did they mean?

Back then? Mr. Gao? They knew the children were swapped long ago? They even knew the background of my biological parents?!

Who is Mr. Gao? The fortune-teller Auntie Sun mentioned? Is he connected to the Ogre?

The Jiang family matters were more complex than she imagined. The deeper she dug, the more mysteries appeared. It seemed the swap twenty-eight years ago wasn’t an accident. Yitong stared into the dark, planning her next moves until the horizon turned white. She managed a brief nap after the dangerous night passed, but was soon woken by voices outside.

Hearing her own name, Yitong became instantly alert, her eyes clear.

It was Jiang Zitan on the phone outside the door, keeping her voice low to avoid waking Yitong. She didn’t realize how sharp the listener’s ears were.

“I told you she was a jinx! She’s only been back a few days and she almost got you hurt!”

“We shouldn’t have listened to your grandfather and let her stay! It’s a miracle you weren’t injured. If she stays, everyone in the family will have bad luck! You don’t need to worry about this; regardless of what your grandfather says, I am sending her away!” Zhao Jinhui’s reaction to last night’s accident was extreme, as if her daughter’s presence would kill her the very next second.

Jiang Zitan had already explained it was an accident, but she knew she couldn’t reason with her mother. Having not slept all night, her mental state was poor, so she gave up the argument.

She hung up and pushed the door open to find Yitong awake.

Zitan wore a gentle smile, though the exhaustion in her eyes was unmistakable. She had planned to have her secretary bring food, but since she had an appointment with the doctor this morning, she didn’t want to trouble her staff. “I brought some breakfast. After you eat, I’ll take you home.”

The porridge smelled wonderful, likely from a high-end restaurant. But to Yitong, no porridge could smell better than Jiang Zitan. She truly wished she could just tuck this “Power Bank” into her pocket and carry her around all day.

Yitong’s spoon paused. A thought struck her: Would Jiang Zitan disappear for another week?

“Sister, when are you coming home next?”

“I come back every weekend.” Zitan noticed the light in Yitong’s eyes fade the moment she spoke, making her look like an abandoned puppy.

Thinking of her mother’s desperate desire to throw the girl out, Zitan wondered if it was really appropriate to send her back to that house. Staying in such an environment would surely lead to psychological issues. Her heart filled with pity, and she instinctively asked: “If you don’t mind, would you like to come live with me?”

Yitong’s eyes instantly lit up. Her vibrant energy was infectious. Jiang Zitan couldn’t help but smile; the gloom from the night before seemed to dissipate a little.

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