Why Won’t the Heroine Break Up With Me? [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 48

At exactly seven in the evening, Tang Congyue jolted awake from her sleep. The first thing she saw was Yun Li lying beside her, facing her and sleeping soundly. She couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. Then, she reached out and touched Yun Li’s forehead to confirm her temperature was normal, finally setting her mind at ease.

After a while, her gaze shifted upward, landing on the pair of black beast ears atop Yun Li’s head.

They were fluffy and looked incredibly soft.

Tang Congyue felt an itch in her fingers. She pursed her lips, trying to restrain herself, but in the end, she couldn’t resist. She extended her index finger and gently poked the tip of Yun Li’s ear.

Although the contact was minimal, Tang Congyue could still feel the softness. Her eyes curved into a smile, and joy spilled out.

She lay on her side, staring at the fluffy beast ears for a long time. Then, as if remembering something, she reluctantly withdrew her gaze, got up, slipped on her slippers, and left the room.

Some time later, Yun Li seemed to sense something. She reached out and felt the space beside her. Finding it empty, the beast ears on her head twitched twice. Soon after, she opened her eyes and murmured, “Congyue?”

Receiving no response, Yun Li became more alert. She climbed out of bed, the tip of her black tail swaying behind her.

“Where is she?”

Yun Li muttered to herself, no longer wanting to sleep. She slipped on her slippers and left the room.

As soon as she stepped out, she came face to face with Zhu Yaqin, who had just emerged from her own room.

Their eyes simultaneously fixed on each other’s heads.

“You…”

“You…”

They spoke at the same time, then paused.

A few seconds later, Yun Li reacted and said, “Yaqin, you’ve grown ears too?”

Initially, Yun Li had struggled to accept the fact of her own mutation, but seeing Zhu Yaqin in the same state, she inexplicably felt relieved.

Hearing this, Zhu Yaqin instinctively touched her own ears. “Yes, I’ve grown ears too. And it’s not just me, Qianwu has also grown ears.”

“Huh? How did this happen?” Yun Li paused, suddenly recalling that all three of them had developed fevers. Could it be that their physical mutations were related to the fever?

Just as she thought this, Zhu Yaqin said, “You were asleep last night, so you didn’t know. Congyue suspects that our ears and tails are connected to the fever and eating monster meat.”

Yun Li also felt it was related to the fever, but monster meat? She didn’t quite understand the connection.

Perhaps Yun Li’s confusion was too evident, as Zhu Yaqin understood and explained, “Congyue said that ordinary people who eat monster meat are prone to mutation.”

Ordinary people who eat monster meat…

Thinking of her own space, Yun Li’s expression shifted slightly. She then looked up at Zhu Yaqin.

Unexpectedly, Zhu Yaqin was also looking at Yun Li’s wrist at that moment.

With that, Yun Li understood everything.

She bit her lip, wanting to say something, but then heard Zhu Yaqin speak in a serious tone, “Yun Li, don’t worry. We won’t reveal your secret.”

Yun Li was stunned. After a moment, she nodded. “Thank you.”

“No need, no need. It’s what I should do.”

Tang Congyue emerged from the kitchen and saw the two of them standing face to face, deep in conversation. She raised an eyebrow slightly.

“You’re both awake?”

The two turned to look at Tang Congyue, and at that moment, they caught the scent of monster meat wafting through the air. Their eyes lit up simultaneously.

“Congyue, did you cook monster meat?” Yun Li asked, her beautiful peach blossom eyes wide open.

Zhu Yaqin also wore an expression of craving.

Though Tang Congyue knew about their intense desire for monster meat after their bodily transformations, she still found it strange every time she witnessed it. Suppressing her own suspicions about the monster meat, she nodded, “I made meat porridge. Come eat after you’ve washed up.”

“Yay!”

Yun Li and Zhu Yaqin entered the bathroom one after another.

Seeing this, a faint smile crossed Tang Congyue’s face.

Knock knock!

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

Tang Congyue walked over and opened it to find Li Qianwu standing outside. Her gaze involuntarily settled on the top of Li Qianwu’s head.

Hmm…

Bunny ears?

Noticing Tang Congyue’s stare, Li Qianwu looked somewhat embarrassed, and the two upright rabbit ears on her head twitched slightly.

“Looks weird, doesn’t it?”

“…Not really.”

“Muhua has already set off. I came up to let you all know.”

“What about the walkie-talkie?”

“I have it with me, but I mainly wanted to check on Yaqin and Yun Li.” Li Qianwu smiled shyly.

“Come in.” Tang Congyue stepped aside to let her enter. “By the way, have you had breakfast yet?”

“I have.”

Despite saying so, Li Qianwu couldn’t help glancing toward the kitchen, she too had caught the aroma of the monster meat.

Seeing this, Tang Congyue said, “Want a bowl? I made meat porridge.”

Li Qianwu reluctantly averted her eyes, looking embarrassed. “I’m not hungry, just craving it…”

“Let me get you a bowl.”

Tang Congyue closed the door and headed to the kitchen to serve Li Qianwu a warm bowl of meat porridge.

“Thank you.” Li Qianwu smiled, pressing her lips together. “Are Yun Li and Yaqin still asleep?”

“They’re awake, just washing up.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Zhu Yaqin emerged from the bathroom. Spotting Li Qianwu seated at the dining table, she hurried over, her eyes also drawn to the ears atop Li Qianwu’s head.

“Bunny ears?!” Zhu Yaqin exclaimed.

Li Qianwu touched her own ears, still somewhat uncomfortable with them. “Yeah, probably bunny ears.”

“They’re super cute! Bunny girls are forever the best!”

Seeing that Zhu Yaqin didn’t seem distressed by her bodily changes and was even admiring the ears, Li Qianwu felt a bit of her frustration fade. She took a careful look at the yellow triangular ears on Zhu Yaqin’s head.

“Your ears…”

“Cute, right?” Zhu Yaqin tilted her head, causing the ears to tremble slightly in sync with her movement.

“Quite cute. I just can’t tell if they’re cat ears or dog ears.”

“Have you ever seen a yellow cat?”

Both Li Qianwu and Tang Congyue found themselves pondering her question.

“I don’t think I have?”

“An orange tabby’s color isn’t quite like this, is it?”

“Right? So I think these are dog ears, specifically, from a Chinese rural dog!”

Hearing this, Li Qianwu and Tang Congyue studied Zhu Yaqin’s ears and tail more intently.

Li Qianwu gently scratched her cheek. “Seems like it…?”

Tang Congyue added, “It does look similar.”

“Mhm.” Zhu Yaqin hummed lightly. “Mine are dog ears, and Yun Li’s are cat ears! Black cat ears, at that!”

As if summoned by the mention, Yun Li stepped out of the bathroom, droplets of water still glistening on her cheeks. Hearing Zhu Yaqin’s words, she reached up to touch her own ears.

Cat ears?

Probably so.

Thinking this, Yun Li looked past Zhu Yaqin and caught sight of Li Qianwu’s rabbit ears.

Wow!

So cute!

Yun Li felt an urge to reach out and touch Li Qianwu’s bunny ears, but she restrained herself, after all, there was a jealous kingpin watching closely nearby.

She walked over to the dining table and sat down. Before long, a steaming bowl of meat porridge was placed in front of her.

Yun Li smiled. “Congyue, thank you.”

Zhu Yaqin hurried over as well. “Congyue, Congyue! I want some too!”

Hearing this, Tang Congyue shook her head helplessly and ladled out a bowl for Zhu Yaqin as well.

Zhu Yaqin picked up a spoon and took a mouthful of the meat porridge, savoring it with delight.

Waking up to a warm meal, ahh, how wonderful!

Tang Congyue also served herself a bowl of meat porridge and sat down beside Yun Li.

The four of them ate their porridge while discussing the changes in their bodies after the mutation.

Zhu Yaqin: “I feel so much more energetic!”

Li Qianwu: “I think I’ve gotten faster!”

Yun Li: “I feel like my strength has increased a lot!”

After saying this, Yun Li sneakily glanced at Tang Congyue.

She still remembered, last night, Tang Congyue had almost overpowered her.

At the thought, Yun Li’s lips curved into a wide grin.

“It seems this mutation isn’t completely useless after all!” Zhu Yaqin licked her lips.

Li Qianwu, however, furrowed her brows. “But it’s so strange. Why did we grow ears and tails?”

Yun Li shook her head. “I don’t know.”

“Hopefully, Zeng Muhua will bring back some useful information from the base.”

Mentioning Zeng Muhua reminded Yun Li that he, who was practically inseparable from Li Qianwu, wasn’t around. Connecting that with what Li Qianwu had said, she realized Zeng Muhua must have gone to the Southern City Base.

Southern City Base…

Yun Li’s eyes flickered thoughtfully.

Soon, the four of them finished their bowls of porridge. Zhu Yaqin, still unsatisfied after one bowl, went for another. Meanwhile, Yun Li and Li Qianwu were full. Yun Li stood up and began wandering around the room.

As she strolled, Yun Li felt like breathing in some fresh air and headed toward the balcony. She gazed at the buildings in the distance for a while, then lowered her gaze. The moment she saw something, her pupils contracted sharply.

“There’s a monster!”

Yun Li’s exclamation drew the attention of Tang Congyue and the others. They hurried over to the balcony and looked down.

Oh no!

There really was a monster!

The creature looked somewhat like a rat, but with patches of fur missing here and there, making it rather unsightly. Unlike a rat, however, its tail was long and slender like a snake’s, covered in gray scales!

So ugly!

Yun Li felt the monster was an eyesore.

Li Qianwu and Zhu Yaqin also frowned.

Tang Congyue, however, noticed something unusual and narrowed her dark eyes.

Just then, Yun Li retrieved a bow and arrows from her space, intending to kill the monster from the balcony. But the distance was too far, and she wasn’t confident in her accuracy.

As she hesitated, Tang Congyue placed a hand on hers.

“Congyue?”

“Let me handle it. This monster’s head might contain a beast core.”

A beast core?!

Didn’t that mean the monster was highly dangerous?!

Yun Li and the others felt their hearts tighten.

“I’ll fight it with you!” Zhu Yaqin dashed back to her room and retrieved her bloodstained spiked club.

“I’ll join too! Wait for me, I’ll get my weapon!” Li Qianwu clenched her fists.

Seeing this, Yun Li also said, “I’m coming too! Let’s see if there’s a chance to shoot this monster.”

With that, Yun Li took a Tang sword out of her spatial storage and handed it to Tang Congyue.

Tang Congyue accepted the sword and quickly left the room.

Yun Li and Zhu Yaqin followed closely behind her.

As they reached the fifth floor, they met Li Qianwu, who was carrying an axe.

“Let’s go! We’ll head down together!”

They hurried down and soon arrived on the first floor.

Their movements caught the attention of the monster, which had been sniffing around the off-road vehicle. It turned its head, its bird-egg-sized eyes gleaming as it stared at the stairwell entrance of Building Two. Its dark, moist nostrils twitched as it caught the scent of living humans, and a flash of excitement crossed its beastly eyes.

“Squeak!”

“Squeak, squeak!”

The monster kicked off with its hind legs and charged toward the stairwell entrance of Building Two.

Tang Congyue, leading the way, sensed the monster’s movement and swiftly kicked out.

She put all her strength into the kick, striking the monster squarely in the head and sending it flying several meters backward.

“Damn monster, take this!”

Zhu Yaqin shouted, brandishing a spiked club as she charged forward.

The sudden kick from Tang Congyue left the monster disoriented. Before it could react, the delicious-looking human was already upon it. Squeaking frantically, it whipped its long, snake-like tail around, wrapping the tip around the spiked club and halting Zhu Yaqin’s advance.

But what it didn’t expect was a sharp arrow shooting from a distance, piercing its hide and embedding itself deep into its flesh.

“Squeak!!!”

The monster shrieked in pain, and with a sudden burst of strength, it wrenched the spiked club from Zhu Yaqin’s grasp and hurled it back at her.

“Yaqin, watch out!”

Tang Congyue’s voice rang out as she appeared in front of the monster. Their eyes met, and the monster’s fierce gaze wavered for a few seconds.

With a swift motion, Tang Congyue drew the Tang sword and slashed it down hard on the monster’s head.

The gleaming blade cut through the monster’s flesh and struck its skull, but to her surprise, the skull was so tough that the Tang sword snapped in two!

The intense pain jolted the monster awake. It let out another series of squeaks, and its snake-like tail lashed through the air.

Tang Congyue narrowed her eyes, reached out, and grabbed the tail as it swung toward her, but the sheer force sent her stumbling back several steps.

Seeing this, the monster bared its teeth and tried to bite her, but Tang Congyue reacted quickly, blocking the attack with the broken half of the Tang sword.

Whoosh!

Another arrow shot over, embedding itself deep into the monster’s body.

Overwhelmed by pain, the monster went berserk and charged at Tang Congyue.

Tang Congyue pulled out the broken sword and kicked the monster with all her might.

The powerful kick sent the monster stumbling back several steps.

By then, Zhu Yaqin had retrieved her spiked club and roared as she lunged at the monster.

Not to be outdone, Tang Congyue rushed forward with her broken sword.

The monster’s snake-like tail once again wrapped around Zhu Yaqin’s spiked club, but it had overlooked Tang Congyue. Seizing the opportunity, she drove the broken half of the Tang sword upward into the monster’s throat.

“Huff…”

“Huff, huff…”

The monster spat blood, its eyes fixed hatefully on Tang Congyue. But when its gaze met her calm, dark eyes, it froze momentarily.

Seizing the chance, Tang Congyue pulled out the broken sword and plunged it into the monster’s forehead.

Crack!

It felt as if something had cracked.

Tang Congyue sensed danger and swiftly pulled the arrow from the monster’s body, then thrust it upward into the creature’s throat. She withdrew it quickly, only to stab it again.

She repeated this motion several times, her clothes splattered with blood.

Tang Congyue stared unblinkingly at the monster, making sure it was dead before pulling out the arrow and watching it collapse to the ground with a heavy thud.

“Congyue, impressive!”

Zhu Yaqin, who had retrieved her spiked club, gave Tang Congyue a thumbs-up.

Tang Congyue accepted the praise calmly, but when her gaze fell upon the Tang blade still embedded in the monster’s forehead, a trace of regret flickered in her eyes.

She had grown quite accustomed to using this blade, yet it had broken in less than a few months.

Tang Congyue frowned slightly.

Just then, Yun Li and Li Qianwu hurried over.

“Are you all right?”

As Yun Li spoke, she glanced at Tang Congyue’s left hand, which had earlier grabbed the monster’s tail.

Tang Congyue averted her eyes guiltily, but after a moment, she turned back to Yun Li and opened her palm.

“It’s just a minor injury. It’s nothing.”

Yun Li looked closely and saw that aside from a few healed scars, there was only a red mark on her palm. She breathed a slight sigh of relief.

“A-Li, put the monster away. The smell of blood is too strong.”

Yun Li hummed in agreement and stored the hideous, battered monster in her spatial storage.

Li Qianwu rubbed her nose. “I didn’t really help much.”

She had brought her axe for nothing.

“No big deal.” Zhu Yaqin said cheerfully, patting Li Qianwu on the shoulder.

“Let’s head back. Congyue, you’re covered in blood.”

“Alright.”

No sooner had she spoken than the black beast ears on Yun Li’s head twitched several times. Zhu Yaqin and Li Qianwu reacted similarly, all three turning their attention toward the direction of the residential gate.

Noticing this, Tang Congyue couldn’t help but ask, “What’s wrong?”

“Someone’s coming,” Yun Li replied.

Tang Congyue was slightly surprised.

“I wonder who it is.” Zhu Yaqin said, tightening her grip on the spiked club.

Before long, a familiar white car came into view.

“Hey? Isn’t that Muhua’s car?!”

“Didn’t she go to the Southern City Base? How is she back so soon?”

“Wait, look, there’s a black off-road vehicle following Muhua!”

“Who is it?”

“Who did Muhua bring back?”

Puzzled, the four of them watched as the two vehicles drew closer.

When they finally stopped in front of them, Zeng Muhua stepped out of her car, followed by someone emerging from the black off-road vehicle behind her.

Coincidentally, Yun Li and the others recognized this person, it was Zhao Jinhe.

Besides Zhao Jinhe, there was also an unfamiliar man.

Yun Li and the others didn’t know the man, so their attention remained fixed on Zhao Jinhe.

“Brother Zhao?!” Zhu Yaqin’s eyes widened. “Brother Zhao, what brings you here?”

She had thought he wouldn’t come, but…

Why did he look so haggard?

Zhao Jinhe nodded at Zhu Yaqin, then his gaze settled on Yun Li. Seeing that she was alive and well, the tension that had gripped him finally eased.

“Yun Li…”

Zhao Jinhe murmured her name softly.

Thank goodness she was safe. Thank goodness Yun Li was unharmed.

After the mutation, Yun Li’s hearing had become exceptionally sharp. She caught Zhao Jinhe’s murmur, her gaze faltering slightly as she stole a glance at Tang Congyue.

Tang Congyue seemed to sense something and looked over, only to find that Yun Li had already averted her eyes just as quickly.

“How did you all run into each other?” Zhu Yaqin couldn’t help but ask.

“We met on the way. He said he was looking for Yun Li and Congyue, and also wanted to tell us about the situation at the Southern City Base, so I brought them back.” Zeng Muhua said, glancing at Tang Congyue, whose clothes were splattered with blood.

Had they encountered monsters?

Zeng Muhua’s gaze swept around, landing on a pool of blood not far from Yun Li.

“Let’s go upstairs first. It’s not good to stay down here.” Yun Li suggested.

“Alright, let’s go upstairs. To your place or mine?” Zeng Muhua asked.

“Better come to my place.” Zhu Yaqin decided.

“Fine.”

Zhu Yaqin turned to Zhao Jinhe. “Brother Zhao, follow me.”

Zhao Jinhe snapped out of his thoughts, his eyes briefly resting on Zhu Yaqin’s head, not particularly surprised, and nodded. “Okay.”

Zhu Yaqin led Zhao Jinhe upstairs, with the unfamiliar man following closely behind. Yun Li and the others trailed after them.

Once they reached the sixth floor, Zhu Yaqin gestured for Zhao Jinhe and the others to sit down, then eagerly asked, “Brother Zhao, how is the Southern City Base now?”

“It was chaotic for a while, but it’s under control now.”

“Chaotic? What do you mean?”

“The survivors who had fevers mutated.” Zhao Jinhe said, a flicker of fear in his eyes as if recalling something.

Zhu Yaqin, however, seemed unfazed. “Just mutations? Are they really that terrifying?”

“Of course. You’re lucky you didn’t see the other kind of mutation.”

Another kind of mutation?

Everyone except the unfamiliar man turned to look at Zhao Jinhe.

“Those like you, who only grew ears and tails, underwent benign mutations. But there’s also a malignant mutation, they turned into monsters! Not only did they grow ears and tails, but their entire bodies became covered in fur, turning into literal humanoid beasts that attack and eat people on sight!”

“H-how could that be?!” Zhu Yaqin’s eyes widened in shock, and the others were equally stunned.

“Right? You can’t believe it, but it’s true! Almost half of the feverish survivors in the base turned into humanoid monsters. If the higher-ups hadn’t acted quickly to contain them, the Southern City Base would’ve… would’ve…” been finished.

Zhao Jinhe didn’t utter the last two words.

Hearing this, Yun Li and the others, who had undergone mutations themselves, broke out in a cold sweat.

“After investigating, the Southern City Base discovered that it wasn’t an outbreak of the flu. Ordinary people who ate monster meat developed fevers, and the mutations were caused by the monster meat! Once they reached this conclusion, the higher-ups decided to stop consuming monster meat. But it didn’t work!”

“Why not?” Tang Congyue asked.

“Because the benign mutants can’t go without monster meat! Even though they didn’t turn into humanoid monsters, they’ve become dependent on monster meat. Only monster meat can satisfy their hunger and keep them rational and physically strong!”

This revelation made everything click for Yun Li and the others.

No wonder!

No wonder they craved monster meat so intensely after their mutations. So that’s how it was!

Staying rational…

These words reminded them of Yun Li’s frenzy when she was starving.

Tang Congyue couldn’t help but frown.

“It’s a good thing you’re all okay.”

As he said this, Zhao Jinhe gave Yun Li a meaningful look.

Zhu Yaqin, noticing this, couldn’t help but twitch her lips.

So, you still haven’t forgotten about Yun Li!

This trip was probably for her sake, after all!

Tsk tsk, what a devoted man, but what a pity he already has a girlfriend!

Zhu Yaqin lit a metaphorical candle for him in her heart, but soon, as a thought struck her, she couldn’t help but ask, “Brother Zhao, what happened to the people who came out of University A?”

Zhao Jinhe fell silent. After a long pause, his voice strained, he replied, “One-third of them mutated into humanoid monsters.”

Zhu Yaqin was speechless.

She let out a sigh.

“Brother Zhao, my condolences.”

Zhao Jinhe wiped his face and gave a bitter laugh.

“Aside from relying on monster meat, are there any other drawbacks for the benignly mutated survivors?” Li Qianwu was more interested in this.

Zhao Jinhe shook his head. “It’s unclear. The base might still be researching it.”

“Alright.” Li Qianwu sighed quietly.

“Well, now that you know the situation at the Southern City Base, I’ll take my leave.” Zhao Jinhe said, standing up.

Zhu Yaqin was slightly surprised. “So soon? Brother Zhao, won’t you stay a little longer?”

“No need.”

He was relieved to see Yun Li was safe and didn’t want to overstay his welcome.

“Alright, then I’ll see you out.”

“Okay.”

With that, Zhu Yaqin escorted Zhao Jinhe out.

When she returned, a sudden realization hit her, and she slapped her thigh in frustration.

“Damn! I forgot to ask about the monster cores!”

“The base probably hasn’t disclosed anything about the monster cores, otherwise, Zhao Jinhe would have mentioned it.” Tang Congyue analyzed.

Zhu Yaqin agreed with Tang Congyue’s reasoning and breathed a sigh of relief.

Yet, almost in unison, everyone began pondering the purpose of the monster cores.