Chapter 78: The Second Path of Exile 20

All afternoon, Lu Li had been drawing. She drew a camper van surrounded by blossoming flowers, with grass, tall trees, and a winding river—a scene brimming with life. Shi Xianyu noticed a head peeking out from behind a tree and, after pondering for a while, pointed to it and asked, “Is that a giant lizard?”

Lu Li nodded with a bright smile. Shi Xianyu chuckled, patting her head. “Mutant beasts aren’t allowed in the city. Next time, I’ll take you to see one, all right?”

Lu Li nodded, gripping her watercolor pen and continuing to color in the drawing. In the upper left corner, she had written: My Dream Home.

Shi Xianyu’s heart melted instantly. It was understandable that humans would fence in precious oases to build their homes, but the innocence of a child’s heart—willing to share her home with mutant beasts—was deeply touching.

Yet, this painting would ultimately remain a dream. When Lu Li grew up, she would realize that building a home was far more complicated than she imagined.

……

In the evening, Ye Liuyun returned and learned that Lin Yuan had already screened the information on the scarred-faced soldiers. She felt a pang of guilt; Shi Xianyu had asked her to investigate, but before she could even start, someone else had beaten her to it.

“Tomorrow, then…” Ye Liuyun considered thoughtfully, “Lu Li’s blood test results should be out by tomorrow. We’ll take her to the nursery first, then go to the hospital to ask around.”

To be honest, Shi Xianyu didn’t hold out much hope. If Lu Li’s mother had really become a birth mother, given their privileged status in the oasis, there was no reason she wouldn’t have sent someone to fetch her daughter. After all this time with no word, it either meant she was in trouble—or already dead.

Ye Liuyun noticed Shi Xianyu’s low spirits and tried to comfort her. “If the hospital can’t find anything tomorrow, we can issue a citywide missing person announcement. Don’t worry, wherever she is, we’ll find a clue.”

“Thank you,” Shi Xianyu smiled, though her heart felt heavy, pressed down by some nameless emotion.

That night, she slept badly, plagued by restless dreams. When she awoke the next morning, she found Lu Li had already dressed herself, washed up, and was sitting obediently on the sofa waiting for breakfast.

Her pens and textbooks were neatly arranged on the dining table, as if she were ready to head off to school at any moment.

Shi Xianyu couldn’t help but laugh. “Lu Li, you really love going to school, don’t you?”

Lu Li grinned, showing two little tiger teeth, and the corner of her mouth still bore a smear of white toothpaste.

Shi Xianyu smiled, got up to change, then helped Lu Li wash her face and braid her hair. She opened the fridge, took out a bag of frozen custard buns, and warmed up two packs of milk.

After a simple breakfast, they rode in Ye Liuyun’s car to the nursery. Even though she’d only attended one class, Lu Li seemed to have completely adapted to the atmosphere. She found a seat on her own, took out her pen and book like the other children, and quietly waited for the teacher.

Shi Xianyu watched for a while from outside the classroom, then left with Ye Liuyun for the hospital.

Just as Ye Liuyun expected, the results were ready. No matching birth mother had been found; all the hospitals in the oases shared the same database, which meant Lu Li’s mother was not a birth mother in any oasis.

Remembering what Lin Yuan had said about the retired soldiers, Shi Xianyu asked, “If a birth mother loses her fertility, would her information be deleted from your database?”

“No,” Ye Liuyun shook her head at once. “Any woman who has given birth is recorded, even if she miscarried midway—it’s all there.”

Shi Xianyu pursed her lips, falling silent in thought.

If Lu Li’s mother couldn’t be found, she would have no choice but to leave the girl at the nursery and return to her own world.

How to put it—there was a sense of helplessness… As an immortal, there were so many things she was powerless to change.

“Miss Shi?”

He Su, dressed in a white coat, stood at the corner of the corridor. When he saw Shi Xianyu, his eyes brightened with delight and he hurried over. As he drew near, he became a little shy, slowing his steps, awkwardly tightening his grip on the medical file in his hand. Clearing his throat, he asked, “Miss Shi, what brings you to the hospital? Are you feeling unwell?”

“No, just came to check some results. We’re heading back now,” Shi Xianyu replied politely with a smile.

Ye Liuyun looked surprised, glancing between them. “You two know each other?”

“We met yesterday in the nursery cafeteria,” Shi Xianyu explained simply, then turned to He Su. “We’ll be going now—don’t let us keep you from work, Doctor He.”

“I’ll walk you out,” He Su offered eagerly, unwilling to miss a chance to be with her.

Ye Liuyun immediately sensed something, her gaze flicking between Shi Xianyu and He Su, the corners of her mouth lifting in amusement. “It’s only a few steps, Doctor He, you’re very kind.”

He Su scratched the back of his head, embarrassed. “I’m just about to head out for my lunch break—on my way…”

Ye Liuyun tactfully dropped the subject, smiled, and told Shi Xianyu, “I’ll go get the car from the parking lot. Wait for me at the entrance.”

Shi Xianyu hesitated. “Let me go with you to the parking lot—”

But Ye Liuyun strode off before she could finish, waving cheerfully. “It’s too sunny outside—just wait for me at the entrance!”

Shi Xianyu: “…”

He Su quietly took two steps closer. “Um… Miss Shi, let’s wait for Captain Ye at the entrance.”

Shi Xianyu: “Ah, all right…”

The two walked side by side, awkwardly, toward the hospital entrance.

He Su risked a glance at Shi Xianyu, his heart racing uncontrollably. Young and inexperienced, he had never met someone as naturally refreshing as her. Her skin was fair and delicate, her black hair glossy, and her eyes held a childlike innocence and kindness. Even her voice was soft and gentle, making him subconsciously lower his own when speaking to her.

“Miss Shi…” He Su tried to find a topic. “Last time you asked me whether humans could be parasitized. I asked my mentor about it afterward.”

“Oh?” Shi Xianyu looked at him, surprised he remembered.

“Are you familiar with the habits of flies?” He Su continued. “Actually, the parasitism of floraspores is a bit like how flies lay eggs. Their seeds stick to passing animals, especially those with scales or rough skin—the seeds get lodged in the crevices and are hard to remove. Over time, they begin to grow, absorbing nutrients and modifying the host animal—what we call mutation…”

Shi Xianyu: “…”

Here we go again…

“But humans are different. I bet you’ve never seen a fly lay eggs on a person, have you?” He Su smiled.

Shi Xianyu frowned, puzzled. “I have, actually.”

He Su was stunned. “What?”

Shi Xianyu explained, “I’ve seen it before. Flies usually don’t lay eggs on living humans, but if it’s a corpse or a terminally ill patient left unattended, flies can take advantage and lay eggs in crevices like the mouth, nose, or eyes. I’ve watched videos about it.”

He Su stared, dumbfounded. “That… that must be only for patients completely unable to resist, right? Floraspores only select healthy hosts.”

“Oh, so that’s why no one has ever been parasitized by floraspores,” Shi Xianyu nodded, ending the topic.

He Su scratched his head, feeling awkward as he walked beside her. At the hospital entrance, a long row of sunshades provided some relief from the heat as they waited for Ye Liuyun.

He Su tried to break the silence. “I didn’t expect you’d be interested in floraspores and mutations, Miss Shi. I only started dealing with them in the past two years—I used to work in surgery…”

Shi Xianyu waved her hand modestly. “I’m just curious, that’s all. At first I thought floraspores were like parasites, but after hearing your explanation, they seem quite intelligent. I wonder if they’re conscious, if they can think.”

“Well…”

Shi Xianyu thought for a moment, then added with confusion, “I saw the flower on the giant flower lizard extend its vines. If it can’t think, how does it know when to strike? But if it can, wouldn’t there be two different minds after parasitizing the host? How do they unify? Wouldn’t that cause conflict? When the giant flower lizard hunts, is the drive to attack its own, or does it come from the flower on its back? Why don’t thorn pythons have flowers? What’s the cause of dominant and recessive mutations? Is it related to where the floraspore parasitizes, or the type of floraspore? Are there different types of floraspores? Are they male and female? How do they reproduce? Where did the first floraspore come from—did it just appear out of nowhere?”

He Su: “…”

Shi Xianyu, unable to unravel the mystery, sighed lightly and gave He Su an apologetic look. “I’m just asking out of curiosity, don’t mind me.”

“I…”

Just then, an armored off-roader roared up.

The car door opened, and a tall man in a combat suit stepped out from the back seat, his figure upright and eyes cold and sharp.

Shi Xianyu blinked in surprise, staring at Lin Yuan. “What are you doing here?”

“Spotted you on my way past. I brought you the newly printed files.” He handed her a thick stack of papers, even heftier than last time.

“Oh, thank you.” Shi Xianyu quickly took them. “When Lu Li’s back, I’ll have her look through them.”

Lin Yuan gave a slight nod, his eyes sweeping over He Su. “What are you doing here?”

It was an ordinary question, but from his lips it carried the urgency of an interrogation. Coupled with his intimidating half-scarred face, He Su found it hard to meet his gaze.

“I was just seeing Miss Shi out…” He Su stammered.

Shi Xianyu, however, replied with calm composure, “I’m waiting for Sister Ye here—she’s getting the car. What about you? Where are you off to?”

“On a mission.” Lin Yuan paused, frowning slightly, a trace of frustration in his voice. “I have no choice.”

Shi Xianyu couldn’t help but laugh. “Of course—you joined the squad, so you have to follow orders.”

Hearing this, Lin Yuan’s expression softened a little. He looked at her and said, “Let me know if there’s any news. I live in Building Three.”

“I will,” Shi Xianyu assured him. “It’s your first mission—be careful out there.”

Lin Yuan nodded and got back into the car.