Chapter 160
by Need_More_SleepChapter 160: An Owed Wish
“Don’t run!”
“Heli.”
Early in the morning, Gloria’s noisy shouts and Mi Xiaoliu’s pleas for help echoed through the small apartment building. The tenants were already accustomed to being awakened by these siblings, but since they were the landlord’s children, no one dared complain—especially since this was already school time.
Mi Xiaoliu wore long sleeves tied together at the cuffs, stumbling in her slippers from her room to Heli’s, hiding behind her.
The events of that day didn’t seem to have affected Gloria much. With the Red Prince gone, her father no longer had a reason to wander and now lived at home like a kept husband.
But the rift caused by the incident six years ago wouldn’t simply disappear with the Red Prince’s death—especially since their mother had dug up Misha’s grave after making her choice.
And because Mi Xiaoliu had helped Gloria eliminate the fake impersonating her sister, Gloria had stopped bullying her from then on, treating her better and better, their relationship growing closer.
Just kidding.
At the time, Gloria had only felt frustration, taking it out on Mi Xiaoliu to vent her emotions. She thought it would make her feel better, but after returning home, she grew angrier, stewing in rage all day.
Then came stealing Mi Xiaoliu’s food, tricking her out of pocket money, and telling her the protagonist of her favorite cartoon died—even though Gloria had never even watched it.
She committed every petty evil, bullying a child—yet this was just their usual routine.
For some reason, seeing Mi Xiaoliu scared made Gloria want to laugh.
This? This is the Black-Clothed One assassin?
Last week, Gloria had even waited until Mi Xiaoliu was asleep before putting on a long black wig and a bathrobe splashed with red dye.
Then, in the dead of night, she crouched by Mi Xiaoliu’s bed, leaning close to stare at her, letting the wig lightly brush her face.
Mi Xiaoliu woke up from the tickling, confused by Gloria’s strange outfit.
Only when Gloria boredly removed the wig did Mi Xiaoliu finally recognize her—and start trembling in fear.
After that, for days, Mi Xiaoliu refused to sleep alone, crawling into Heli’s bed instead.
Heli didn’t mind—aside from clinging, Mi Xiaoliu slept quietly. The real issue was the single bed being too cramped for two, and her room couldn’t fit a larger one.
She’d already confiscated Gloria’s spare key to Mi Xiaoliu’s room, but it didn’t seem to change anything.
“Give it a rest. You’ll be in college after summer,” Heli chided, untying Mi Xiaoliu’s sleeves and patting her head soothingly.
The reminder instantly deflated Gloria’s arrogance.
The ability-user university in Fanzui City was in the northern district. After enrollment, she couldn’t commute anymore, and it was outside her mother’s jurisdiction. She’d have to rebuild her social circle from scratch—and even bullying Mi Xiaoliu would require a long trip back…
Despair.
Today was the annual physical exam day.
As the school nurse, Heli was only responsible for one person’s entire checkup—but no one would complain. After all, it was her adopted son. A little favoritism wasn’t unreasonable.
“Hmm… No growth?” Heli frowned at the height measurement, then checked the weight.
No change there either—in fact, the detailed data showed Mi Xiaoliu was slightly lighter than before, since her clothes had been thicker last time.
Was it because Gloria kept stealing her food?
But this weight was alarmingly low—she could lift Mi Xiaoliu by the scruff like a kitten with one hand.
Shaking her head, Heli lifted Mi Xiaoliu’s shirt and lightly patted her chest.
Soft, yes—but still just as flat as ever. No measurement needed.
Sigh…
A sense of defeat washed over her—she had tried her best to nurture her.
The physical examination for Mi Xiaoliu concluded quickly. Most of the data was copied from the previous report, with only the regenerative ability upgraded to LV3 to account for her rapid recovery after that accidental fall from the building.
Though the process was tedious, Mi Xiaoliu seemed relatively happy this time—mainly because no blood was drawn.
Heli organized the report and filed it among the records of other regenerative ability users. The Chairwoman would likely scrutinize this one carefully, given her longstanding dislike for Mi Xiaoliu. People tended to pay extra attention to those they disapproved of.
Mi Xiaoliu, meanwhile, played with the reflex hammer, mimicking Heli’s earlier actions by tapping her own knee—then immediately rubbing it in discomfort.
That hurt.
“How about I sign you up for a summer hobby class?” Heli pulled out a flyer. “Do you want to learn painting or music?”
Dance was out of the question—her stamina wouldn’t keep up.
The classes weren’t full-day, so after returning, Heli could still teach her proper academics. She wanted to mold her into a refined young lady with useful skills.
Mi Xiaoliu shook her head. “Going to Sunshine City with Yiwen.”
Reluctantly agreed.
“Traveling?” Heli frowned.
When did this child mention that? And with that little white-haired troublemaker?
Heli reached out, pulling the swivel chair—with Mi Xiaoliu still seated—toward her.
“Have you forgotten you’re a girl? Girls need to protect themselves. You can’t just go off alone with others, especially boys.”
Mi Xiaoliu stayed silent, staring at Heli blankly.
After a moment of deliberation, Heli rephrased: “Do you know what a scumbag is?”
Mi Xiaoliu shook her head.
“A scumbag is someone who deceives young girls like you, plays with their feelings, and then takes no responsibility.” Hesitating briefly, Heli continued, “They usually surround themselves with women, keep countless female contacts in their phone, and love showing off. White hair, gray eyes, around 170 cm tall, wearing light green casual clothes…”
“Yiwen?” Mi Xiaoliu caught on.
“See? You said it yourself. I didn’t name anyone.” Heli pinched Mi Xiaoliu’s cheek. “Stay away from her from now on, got it?”
Mi Xiaoliu shook her head. “Yiwen is a girl.”
“Huh?” This was news to Heli. She only knew the white-haired kid was a cop—deduced indirectly when Mi Xiaoliu first visited Yiwen.
After all, she’d only drugged one officer, and that white-haired brat had exhibited identical symptoms.
Thinking back, there was something effeminate about her.
Still, learning Yiwen was female didn’t make Heli view her any more favorably—for reasons she couldn’t explain.
“I’m busy. If you leave, who’ll feed Circle? Gloria?” Heli tapped the desk lightly.
Mi Xiaoliu shook her head.
“Do you actually want to go on this trip?”
Another head shake, followed by Mi Xiaoliu clinging to Heli’s arm.
Dependence.jpg
“Then refuse. That white-haired brat probably tricked you, didn’t she?”
While Heli delivered her “stay away from that one” lecture, Yiwen was enjoying a rare moment of leisure.
Her ability should’ve undergone a lengthy evaluation process, but the Chairwoman had waived it with a single sentence.
Even an ordinary wealthy individual could easily uncover White Whale’s true identity—the ability enforcers’ security system was laughably inadequate. And that missing server still hadn’t been recovered.
———–
Chairwoman’s Office
“He killed my youngest daughter. For years, our family prayed for his gruesome death, yet never had the opportunity.” The Chairwoman stared at the family photo on her computer desktop.
After that incident, they’d never taken another family portrait—it would never be complete again.
“You’re remarkable—so young yet so accomplished. For an LV3 to achieve this… If you weren’t underage, this merit would’ve earned you two promotions.” The Chairwoman didn’t skimp on praise.
“No. My colleagues’ sacrifices made this possible. Their contributions far outweigh mine.” Yiwen spoke truthfully, though the other woman seemed indifferent.
“Within my power, I’ll grant you one wish. Of course, within my power… If you demand my entire fortune, that’s impossible.” The Chairwoman raised a finger. “But one or two hundred million? Yours.”
“I want to know my father’s whereabouts.” Yiwen didn’t hesitate.
“Riels?” The Chairwoman tapped her desk.
She remembered him—her husband’s old classmate.
On their wedding night, Okulet had chain-smoked in bed, griping for hours about Riels missing the ceremony.
Then at Riels’ own wedding, Okulet had leaned into his ear and monotonously complained about it all over again—without even bringing a gift.
Still bitter after all these years.
After lengthy consideration, the Chairwoman replied, “That exceeds my capabilities.”
“You could uncover my identity easily enough.” Yiwen was skeptical.
The Chairwoman shook her head, avoiding direct explanation. “Choose another.”
“Then tell me what experiments the school is preparing.” Yiwen’s gaze sharpened.
Compared to other ability academies, Meiqiantu Academy had an abnormal number of regenerative ability users—even accepting transfers like Mi Xiaoliu who should’ve been in middle school.
From the start, Yiwen had warned Mi Xiaoliu: If you ever consider blood donation, never go through the school.
Silence lingered as they locked eyes. Despite her police training, Yiwen felt unnerved by those calm blue irises.
“Healing research. Many institutions conduct similar projects.” The Chairwoman chose an ambiguous yet truthful phrasing. “I simply have more funding, hence larger-scale studies. Consider this casual conversation—your wish remains unclaimed.”
She seemed unusually lenient with Yiwen.
“Then I’ll owe it for now.” Yiwen shook her head, disappointed.
Money wasn’t an issue—her family had lived in a villa before relocating and buying another property outright. Between her father’s savings and her streaming income, they were comfortable.
Not billionaire-tier, but stable. The only strain was her tense relationship with her mother over career choices—something beyond the Chairwoman’s power to fix.
She truly couldn’t think of how to use this wish.
[Translator’s Note: See the index page for this Novel if you want to see the Amazon Link for the eBooks.]
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