DA chapter 50

By the time Yan Xu returned, it was dark outside. He pushed open the ward door and saw that Lin Jia had already washed up. He was leaning lightly against the headboard, playing on his phone.

The main ward light had been turned off, only the small bedside lamp was on, its light casting a faint yellow glow. A light, shallow shadow floated on Lin Jia’s face, and the cat lay by his hand.

From Yan Xu’s position at the door, he felt that this scene was warm for some reason.

Hearing the movement, Lin Jia raised his head and looked Yan Xu over from head to toe as if to confirm that he was uninjured.

After confirming that Yan Xu was unharmed, he called out, “Captain Yan, you’re back.”

Probably because he had spent too much time in the man-eating Underwater Wold, where there might not be a tomorrow, seeing such a warm scene today made Yan Xu feel uneasy.

He answered unnaturally with “Mm,” shifted his gaze away, and did not continue looking at Lin Jia’s striking beauty, softened by the light.

Lin Jia could naturally see Yan Xu’s discomfort. He didn’t have time to figure out why Yan Xu was uncomfortable. He just kept looking at him, waiting for him to explain what he had encountered outside.

There was only one doctor’s orders. Yan Xu had to avoid the medical staff while instructing the others to memorize the order, going from ward to ward and naturally delaying his return.

However, if he did not return until dark, Yan Xu’s late return definitely meant that he had encountered something.

Yan Xu rubbed his hair and walked toward his bed. He lazily lay down on it, his long legs landing awkwardly on the floor and his upper body leaning against the pillow.

He rested for two seconds, then said, “Basically, all the nurses have gone to the VIP ward.”

The cat said the VIP ward’s due date was the first. Since nothing had happened during the day, the birth would occur at night. It just so happened that Yan Xu, who had gone out to deliver the doctor’s orders, was there. This was neither strange nor coincidence.

Although he was clear in about it, Lin Jia still pretended not to know. “The VIP ward on the third floor?”

Yan Xu gave an “Mm.”

Lin Jia asked in a guessing tone: “All went to the VIP ward? Could it be about to give birth?”

He glanced at Yan Xu and asked, “Same as Captain Yan’s answer?”

Yan Xu had the same thought as Lin Jia, and their answers matched once again. He refused to answer Lin Jia’s question, only saying, “I don’t know what kind of thing will come out.”

He had personally seen the nurses’ delivery posture. No matter how he looked at it, it did not resemble delivering a human baby.

After resting enough, Yan Xu got up again.

Something in the VIP ward was giving birth. This was definitely an important clue in the Fish Belly. There was no reason for Yan Xu not to go guard and watch.

The only reason he returned to Ward 302 first was because he thought Lin Jia might be waiting for him. Although that possibility was small, he still wanted to come back once to give Lin Jia an explanation and tell him about the situation in the VIP ward.

Lin Jia saw that he was leaving again. Complicated expressions crossed his face, and his thin lips moved slightly, but he said nothing. Instead, he lay sideways as if he were going to rest.

Yan Xu: “…”

He asked, “What do you want to say? Say it directly.”

Lin Jia looked at him. After hesitating, as if wanting to speak but stopping himself, he said nothing, only sighing.

Yan Xu: “…”

Even though he knew that Lin Jia was deliberately leaving things unsaid as bait, Yan Xu couldn’t help but press on after hearing Lin Jia sigh. “What exactly are you trying to say?”

Lin Jia sat up and calmly looked at Yan Xu. “Captain Yan keeps asking—can I understand it as Captain Yan cares very much about my…”

After a brief pause, Lin Jia raised his voice: “… thoughts?”

Yan Xu frowned. “What nonsense are you saying? You sighed and made that kind of expression. I just asked casually.”

Yan Xu’s casual question received a solemn answer from Lin Jia: “I don’t want Captain Yan to go.”

If Yan Xu went to stand guard over the VIP delivery room, it would advance the clearance of the level—someone willingly throwing themselves into boiling water and fire. Normally, Lin Jia would be glad to see it. The reason was still the same: Lin Jia suspected that Yan Xu was the cat. Even though there was still no evidence confirming Yan Xu was the cat, Yan Xu could not die. If Yan Xu died, that suspicion would lose all meaning. Even if it were proven true in the future, it would no longer matter.

So, under controllable circumstances, Lin Jia wanted to ensure Yan Xu’s safety, like that written agreement.

But…

Most likely Yan Xu’s role in life inside the Underwater Wold was exactly that of a “gun.” A gun feared no death; a gun charged first.

This point gave Lin Jia a headache. He didn’t want to use other people’s guns; he wanted to use his own, even if he had to snatch it from others.

Lin Jia analyzed: “Captain Yan, not to mention that you and I have taken that pill, and its ingredients are still unclear. The nurses are crowded in the VIP ward. You cannot enter to see the situation; at most, you can linger outside. If a monster comes out, Captain Yan will be the first one it finds because he is the nearest one. Since Captain Yan is only lingering outside, it is difficult to know the exact situation inside. Yet, you would be taking double risks: violating the doctor’s orders and being targeted by the monster. This is not worth it.”

Lin Jia was good at persuading through gains and losses. He analyzed each one in detail, his neat voice spreading through the ward. “If the VIP ward is an important clue to Fish Belly, it won’t stay silent. We can find another safe time to investigate instead of now, when we know nothing.”

Lin Jia looked at Yan Xu. Yan Xu also looked at Lin Jia. After a while, Yan Xu asked, “So, when do you think it would be better to investigate?”

Lin Jia could not distinguish from this sentence whether Yan Xu had listened, because Yan Xu’s expression was dark.

If Yan Xu wasn’t involved with the cat, Lin Jia wouldn’t care if he lived or died. However, it was only because his goal had not yet been reached. If Yan Xu died now, things would only get worse.

Lin Jia patiently said, “Daybreak. Stay alive first. At least make it through the first darkness.”

Darkness always signaled danger. Since they had safely passed the daytime, night must hide danger. To be cautious, they should use the first night to familiarize themselves with the environment. They had to understand the situation before responding or taking the initiative—unlike Yan Xu, who took the initiative rashly without knowing anything.

Yan Xu looked Lin Jia up and down. Little by little, an indistinct smile spread across his lips. “I have a bad temper. I want to go now.”

Seeing Lin Jia frown, Yan Xu’s smile widened slightly. Hidden behind that smile was a complex probing intent as he asked Lin Jia, “Why stop me from going now?”

Without waiting for an answer, Yan Xu fixed his gaze on Lin Jia’s tightly furrowed brows. “It’s me who guarding the VIP ward delivery, not you. You can get the key to D3155 Cloud Layer without doing anything. Would I hide the clues and not give them to you? But… merchants chase profit. A benefit with no harm delivered before your eyes—why refuse?”

Lin Jia moved his lips. Yan Xu said, still smiling: “I’ve been observing you. You’re not a good person. You’re cold and selfish, lacking human warmth. You won’t share your thoughts or clues with others, nor will you get close to anyone. If I’m right, there were other reasons you joined Sharp Knife. If you try to stop me now by claiming concern for my safety, I’m sorry, but—I don’t believe you.”

After speaking he added: “Including before—everything you said, I don’t believe.”

Lin Jia made no movement or sound. He only lifted his eyes and looked at Yan Xu.

Until Yan Xu asked, “Why aren’t you speaking?”

Only then did Lin Jia meet Yan Xu’s probing gaze and softly reply, “Captain Yan already said everything. What else can I say?”

He stood up. The cat jumped from his lap to the floor.

Yan Xu saw Lin Jia walk to his side and immediately became guarded. “You—”

Lin Jia stopped beside him and looked down at him. His voice was light. “So I left such a terrible impression on Captain Yan. You should have said earlier. Otherwise, I would not have invited you to be my safety guarantee. I thought too much.”

As he spoke, Lin Jia reached into Yan Xu’s pocket and pulled out the written agreement from earlier.

He tore it apart.

Paper scraps fluttered everywhere.

As if stunned by the paper scraps, Yan Xu froze. “That’s not what I meant.”

Lin Jia: “But it’s not too late to know that now. Whatever the VIP ward gives birth to, Captain Yan can go or not go as you wish—but don’t say it’s to help me find clues. Someone as terrible as me cannot bear it.”

Yan Xu: “…”

Lin Jia turned around, returned to bed, and lay down with his back facing Yan Xu.

After a long time, Yan Xu’s voice came from behind.

“Angry?”

“That’s not what I meant… Fine, go at daybreak tomorrow…”

“Hey, Lin Jia.”

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