Coveted After Becoming a Monster [Quick Transmigration] 17

Chapter 17:

After a few more mishaps at sea, all of which they thankfully survived, the group finally returned to shore two days later.

Li An had been drowsy during this time. On one hand, although the sea was dangerous, the rewards were plentiful. The little octopus, with Ji Yulin’s backing, had eaten quite a few good things and would often fall into a deep sleep. On the other hand, whenever Li An woke up and remembered her answer that night, she felt both shy and embarrassed, not knowing how to face it, and had been trying to avoid the issue until now.

A tentacle hooked the edge of the white lab coat’s pocket, and then a round, peach-pink head emerged. Her eyes darted around, full of curiosity about this continent.

The people around saw her but showed no surprise. Over the past few days, everyone had come to know that Ji Yulin had an inseparable octopus pet, and that she doted on it immensely.

On the ship, if Ji Yulin was the highest in status, then the little octopus was second. Even the leader of the Thirteenth District had to take a step back.

Before everyone could move forward, a person rushed over and whispered something in the leader’s ear. His relaxed expression immediately vanished. He turned to Ji Yulin and said, “Professor Ji.”

His voice was tinged with guilt, “I had intended to personally escort you back to Anding Town, but unfortunately, something has come up here, and I have no choice but to part ways with you earlier than planned.”

Seeing that Ji Yulin didn’t answer, he continued, “Captain Ling set out with her team early on and should be arriving soon.”

He paused, then added, “The problem over there isn’t major. After I take care of it, I’ll rush back to town tonight and host a banquet to calm your nerves.”

Ji Yulin nodded slightly, whether to acknowledge his words or to agree, it was unclear. In any case, the man breathed a sigh of relief, then waved his hand and led his people away.

They left in a great hurry, which didn’t seem as casual as he had made it out to be.

But since Ji Yulin didn’t say anything, the little octopus naturally didn’t have many thoughts either. Her azure eyes swept over the people around her, a hint of confusion in them.

It was strange. Since she had complained to Ji Yulin that day, she really hadn’t seen Yu Huan and the other woman again. Even now, with everyone off the ship, and even the wounded being carried off, Li An hadn’t seen anyone of a similar build.

This made the petty little octopus, who had wanted to play a prank on them, a little disappointed. But her attention was soon drawn elsewhere.

“Professor.”

A voice came from not far away, and then a person was seen rushing over first.

She wasn’t old, probably around twenty-five, with a high black ponytail and wheat-colored skin. She wore a neat camouflage combat uniform, and the muscles on her forearms were visible where her sleeves were rolled up. Her eyes were resolute, her movements brisk. In a few steps, she was in front of Ji Yulin. She stood with her feet apart and called out, “Professor Ji.”

This is the Captain Ling the leader was talking about?

The little octopus rummaged through the fragmented plot in her mind and learned that this person’s name was Ling Yun.

Because of the special status of researchers, the Research Institute would select outstanding individuals from the thirteen safe zones to serve as their guards, providing close protection. The higher the status, the more guards they had.

For example, Ji Yulin had six people around her, led by the most capable Ling Yun.

Don’t think that’s a small number. Each of them was a top performer in the Thirteenth District, capable of taking on a hundred people at once. The most formidable, Ling Yun, was said to be able to handle a tier-three mutated beast with her bare hands.

Furthermore, most researchers preferred to stay in the research institute and might not go out for years at a time, so the need for guards was not actually that high. On the rare occasions they did go out, they would be assisted and protected by the various safe zones.

For example, the leader of the Thirteenth District was one such case. So six people was not a small number; it was even a bit too many. Ordinary researchers were usually assigned only one guard.

As she was thinking, the other five had arrived and greeted Ji Yulin.

Ling Yun continued, “A thick fog has suddenly risen over the coast these past few days and hasn’t dissipated even during the day. I was worried about the safety of your previous residence and have moved it elsewhere. Your luggage has also been moved there.”

“The sea beast clearing operation went wrong this time, causing the beasts by the sea to become inexplicably agitated. Xu Zhen has already taken people to deal with it, but…”

A hint of worry appeared on her face, “I think it would be best for you to return to the Research Institute as soon as possible, Professor.”

“The Research Institute has also urged you several times to return as soon as possible.”

Xu Zhen was the leader of the Thirteenth District from before.

Ji Yulin finally replied, “I understand.”

She added, “When we get back to town, you’ll take your team to purchase supplies. We’ll set off tomorrow afternoon.”

Hearing this, Ling Yun’s expression relaxed, and she readily agreed, “Yes.”

In the next second, she hesitated, then said after a moment of struggle, “Next time you go somewhere, please take a few of us with you. If you think it’s too many, just one will do. This time, you left us on the shore and went on the ship alone, only to run into danger…”

She looked up at Ji Yulin and continued, “The few of us were waiting on the shore. We received the news but couldn’t do anything. We were so anxious we almost jumped into the sea to find you.”

At this point, there was even a hint of grievance in her voice, and the others chimed in.

“That’s right, that’s right. Please don’t do that again next time.”

“The Thirteenth District even deliberately made things difficult for us, afraid that if we found you first, it would be harder for them to explain themselves. So they refused to let us on the ship several times.”

“Even when we did get on, they would only take us in circles along the coastline. Sister Ling was going crazy. If it weren’t for the news that you had been found, the few of us were about to steal a boat and go out to sea.”

They took turns speaking, recounting the events of the past few days.

Ji Yulin listened patiently. Although she didn’t agree, she said, “You’ve all worked hard these past few days.”

Although Ji Yulin was the one who had suffered, they hadn’t had it easy either. They all had dark circles under their eyes, a sign of several sleepless nights.

Ling Yun replied, “As long as you’re alright, Professor. How could we have worked hard?”

The little octopus poked her head out, looking left and right, a strange feeling of unease creeping in.

She couldn’t put her finger on what was wrong. It was all a very normal conversation, but Li An’s internal alarm bells were ringing.

Something’s not right…

Something’s very not right…

Her chubby head tilted. She tried to think but couldn’t come up with an answer.

The group had already started walking, getting into the two jeeps they had driven.

The car started, the engine rumbling. She watched as Ling Yun sat in the back seat, next to Ji Yulin.

The little octopus’s eyes widened. She finally understood!

Ji Yulin was actually willing to talk to Ling Yun!

At sea, Ji Yulin’s coldness had been apparent. She was indifferent to everyone. That Xu Zhen had flattered her with hundreds of compliments, but Ji Yulin hadn’t even lifted an eyelid. Even when there was important business, Ji Yulin was concise, sometimes even just nodding in response.

But when Ling Yun appeared, Ji Yulin had actually said several sentences in a row.

It wasn’t that Ji Yulin only answered her questions. It was that even when answering other questions, Ling Yun was involved, and her gaze was even on her.

The more Li An thought about it, the more she felt something was wrong. She turned her head to the side.

Ling Yun could have sat in the passenger seat, but she had chosen to sit here, and Ji Yulin hadn’t said anything to stop her…

It was obvious that the two of them were very close.

The tentacles clinging to the edge of the pocket tightened, gripping the thin fabric.

Thinking back to the fragmented storyline, there was no explanation of the relationship between Ji Yulin and Ling Yun, nor was there any mention of their future development. The little octopus couldn’t help but pat the pocket, a hint of frustration rising.

Other people’s systems might be useless, but at least they had a complete storyline. All she had were fragmented memories to piece together.

Li An was annoyed. She couldn’t help but shout “System” in her mind, but it remained silent. She looked up at Ling Yun, who kept leaning closer at every turn, and her frustration grew.

The little octopus kicked the fabric, but her mood didn’t improve. Instead, a strange confusion arose.

Because her relationship with Ji Yulin was complicated and not yet fully defined, Li An couldn’t think of any deeper reasons. At most, she felt like a little dog who had claimed a territory and couldn’t help but bark and bare her teeth at anyone who approached.

On second thought, she felt it was normal.

After all, on the island, Ji Yulin only had her. Even after being rescued and getting on the ship, Ji Yulin had maintained a sense of propriety and pushed everyone away, allowing Li An to remain immersed in a world where it was just the two of them. But now…

The little octopus ducked into the pocket, then popped her head out again, repeating this several times. On one hand, she told herself that it was normal for Ji Yulin to be a little gentler with her personal guard. On the other hand, she couldn’t help but feel anxious.

Ji Yulin, who was usually so considerate, didn’t comfort her this time. Instead, she kept looking out the window.

Just as Ling Yun had said, it was now three in the afternoon, and the red sun was blazing, but the surroundings were still shrouded in fog. It wasn’t thick enough to obscure the scenery or block the sunlight, but the strange weather still made people uneasy.

Ji Yulin rolled down the car window, and a salty sea breeze rushed in, bringing a slight chill.

The little octopus found it comfortable and climbed out of the pocket, no longer making a fuss.

Ling Yun, sitting beside them, naturally noticed the little octopus. She just hadn’t had a chance to ask about it. Now, she finally could, “Professor, this is…”

Her gaze fell on the little octopus.

The little octopus pretended not to hear, but she secretly perked up her ears.

She was still brooding over the answer to the earlier question. Even though she had replied then, Ji Yulin hadn’t responded, leaving her tangled up in it ever since.

Unfortunately, no one had asked again since then, and Li An was too embarrassed to ask Ji Yulin herself, so she had been holding it in until now.

At this thought, the little octopus lifted her head and glanced at Ling Yun, her aversion to her lessening just a tiny bit.

You’re a clever one.

But Ji Yulin didn’t answer. Her gaze remained outside the window, as if she were deep in thought. After a long time, she said, “We’ll leave tomorrow morning.”

Ling Yun was stunned. The previous question was thus brushed aside. Compared to the little octopus, Ji Yulin’s orders were more important. She immediately agreed.

The only one who was dissatisfied was Li An. A tentacle slapped the seat hard, for some unknown reason.

She refused to go back into Ji Yulin’s pocket. Instead, she clung to the car door with her eight tentacles and, in a few movements, climbed to the window sill. With her back to Ji Yulin, she flattened herself into a peach-pink octopus pancake, as if looking at the scenery outside. Even when she was almost flattened and blown away by the fierce wind, she never looked back.

Although she still didn’t know what their relationship was, it didn’t stop the little octopus from being angry.

Human, you’re super annoying.

Ji Yulin’s gaze, which had been on the scenery outside, fell and stuck to the little octopus. After an unknown amount of time, she turned her head and said something to Ling Yun.

The woman thought it was an order and leaned in, listening attentively.

But as the lowered voice sounded, her expression gradually turned to shock. And when she heard the last sentence, a mixture of emotions crossed her face, making it look very distorted.

Why does the professor want her to buy a little yellow duck!

And it has to be a small, cute, floating bath! toy!

A little yellow duck!

Ling Yun was momentarily speechless.