You Are the Mute [Comprehensive Martial Arts] - Chapter 13

After a long moment, the System recalled its dispersed energy.

Host, there truly is a connection between you and Wang Lianhua.

What kind of connection? Qiao Yiying had initially asked the System to investigate out of mere suspicion, never expecting to find anything concrete.

He carries the System’s energy, and it bears your aura, the System reported.

Qiao Yiying’s mind reeled. What does that mean?

It means you placed energy on Wang Lianhua.

How is that possible? Qiao Yiying couldn’t believe it. I’ve never even met Wang Lianhua. Could I have lost a memory during my transmigration? How else could such a conclusion be reached?

The System nearly jumped up in indignation, as if it had been wrongly accused. How could that be?! I’m a professional, legitimate System! I would never harm my Host. Those systems that harm their Hosts and punish them with erasure at the slightest provocation are all bootleg versions—I’m nothing like them!

Even a System had its reputation to uphold. A respectable System like this couldn’t tolerate such slander.

What’s going on with me, then? Qiao Yiying actually trusted the System. After all, it had risked running out of energy and falling into a permanent slumber to provide her with a protective shield and the ability to disconnect and query its functions. If she could, she certainly didn’t want to doubt the System.

But there was absolutely no memory in her mind of ever interacting with Wang Lianhua.

Then there’s only one possibility left, the System said, mimicking a certain eternal elementary school student by pushing up non-existent glasses on its face. Your future self interacted with Wang Lianhua in the past. Fearing that your present self might clash with the current Wang Lianhua or encounter other unforeseen complications, you used me to place energy on him.

Qiao Yiying couldn’t help but retort, Why couldn’t it be that my future self wanted to warn my present self to be careful around him?

She didn’t doubt the System’s explanation. After all, time travel was already a reality, so it was perfectly plausible that her future self had interacted with Wang Lianhua in the past. But her future self might not necessarily be friends with Wang Lianhua, right? Why would she worry about them becoming enemies?

“Because the energy you released is beneficial. It not only alerts us but also helps him clear his mind and stay lucid,” the System snapped irritably. “This kind of beneficial energy is extremely rare. Would you rather give it to an enemy than a friend? Who would be so foolish?”

Clear his mind? Qiao Yiying thought of Wang Lianhua’s background, how he had grown up torn between hatred for Chai Yuguan and love-hate for the Yunmeng Fairy. A person like that truly needed mental clarity to avoid losing himself. That explained why her future self had shown such kindness toward Wang Lianhua—she wouldn’t have gone to such lengths otherwise.

Since her future self had done this, it meant Wang Lianhua was her friend, and a close one at that, for her to expend such effort. Every bit of energy was precious to her and the System right now. She wouldn’t waste it on someone who wasn’t a true friend. She still needed to get home to see her parents.

“So… I can trust Wang Lianhua?” Qiao Yiying’s eyes lit up at this realization.

She had been in this world for over half a year, with no friends or anyone she could truly trust. Green Robe had initially seemed like a potential friend, but she turned out to have ulterior motives. As for Chief Escort Wang, their relationship was more of a partnership than a friendship. And the System, to conserve energy, often fell into deep slumber.

For Qiao Yiying, a cheerful, outgoing, and talkative person who loved making friends, having no one to chat with, vent to, or share her thoughts with was incredibly frustrating. But being a stranger in a foreign land, she couldn’t fully let her guard down and form genuine connections. Now that she knew her future self trusted Wang Lianhua, she felt a surge of happiness.

Don’t rush to give him your complete trust just yet, the System cautioned. You need to spend more time with Wang Lianhua and see if he’s truly a good person. The System felt utterly exhausted, convinced no other system worked as hard as it did.

I know that, I’m not stupid, Qiao Yiying retorted, slightly offended. We’re not even friends yet, so of course I’ll observe him carefully. For now, I’ve just added Wang Lianhua to my list of potential friends.

Good, the System replied, relieved. As long as the protective shield is active, your safety is guaranteed. But you still need to be wary of others trying to manipulate you.

“Mm-hmm.” Qiao Yiying nodded, then smiled. “System, I don’t think I’ve ever properly thanked you. Thank you for saving me.”

It wasn’t just her life the System had saved, but her heart as well. Being able to see her parents again had completely revived her spirit, and she was truly grateful to the System.

“Ahem… no need to thank me. I’m going to sleep now. Goodbye.” With that, the System disconnected.

Qiao Yiying chuckled silently. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Who knew the System could be shy? I never would have guessed.

Knock, knock, knock. A knock sounded on the door.

“Miss Qiao, lunch is ready. Would you prefer to eat in your room or join us downstairs?”

It was Wang Lianhua’s voice. Qiao Yiying rose to open the door. Seeing Wang Lianhua standing there, she smiled at him and pointed downstairs, indicating she would eat downstairs.

Before entering the room, Qiao Yiying had been quite wary of Wang Lianhua. Now, her attitude had softened considerably. While not exactly friendly, she was no longer so guarded around him.

Though Qiao Yiying’s change in demeanor was subtle, it didn’t escape Wang Lianhua’s notice. His smile deepened. “May I join Miss Qiao for lunch?”

He was no saint. The moment Qiao Yiying showed him the slightest kindness, he seized the opportunity like a snake coiling around a stick.

Qiao Yiying considered for a moment and nodded. This might be a good thing, she thought. Spending more time with Wang Lianhua will help me see if we can get along and become friends.

Wang Lianhua’s smile bloomed like a flower at her affirmative answer. “Let’s go downstairs together.”

Qiao Yiying nodded and followed him toward the staircase. But as she reached the landing, she froze in shock. Wait, is this still the inn I checked into yesterday? Why does it look so different?

The once clean and simple inn had been lavishly decorated, now appearing far more opulent and extravagant. If not for Wang Lianhua’s presence beside her, Qiao Yiying might have thought she had transmigrated again.

Noticing her gaze fixed on the decorations, Wang Lianhua said, “I apologize for the limited time. This is all I could manage. I’m sorry for the inconvenience, Miss Qiao.” He had actually considered having her room redecorated as well, but he hesitated, unsure of her reaction.

In his eyes, even this modest transformation was an insult to his dear friend. Ah, well, he sighed inwardly. I’ll make it up to her later when we’re closer.