Chapter 47

Chapter 47

Mu Xiaowan remembered her past and found herself again, but she had forgotten all her memories with Second Brother Lu.

The Mu family was pleased with how things turned out.

After Mu Xiaowan recovered, they were informed of the truth. Indeed, Second Brother Lu was a victim too; those events had nothing to do with him. However, the harm had already been done. Though unintentional on his part, it was ultimately caused by him.

The Mu family not holding a grudge against him was the utmost kindness they could offer.

Second Brother Lu saw Mu Xiaowan secretly from the shadows only once. After confirming that she had recovered well, regained her former interests, and planned to continue her studies, he kept his distance.

After so much had happened, there was no fate left between him and Mu Xiaowan. The over ten years of life Mu Xiaowan had lost were something he could never compensate for.

Averting his gaze, Second Brother Lu turned and left.

In the hospital room, Mu Xiaowan had been facing away from the window. As if sensing something, she turned around, walked to the window, and saw Second Brother Lu's retreating figure.

Her eyes briefly showed complexity but soon returned to clarity.

Lin Juan placed the peeled apple on a plate: "Not going to see him?"

Before Mu Xiaowan regained consciousness, Second Brother Lu often came. Though he couldn't see her, he was content just to look from outside. After Mu Xiaowan woke up, aside from the day she was medicated, he had only come this once.

"There's no need to see him," Mu Xiaowan shook her head. "This is the best outcome."

All grievances were brought to a close under her "amnesia."

She had already lost more than ten years of her life. Her youthful dreams had yet to be realized, and in the future, she had many, many things to do. She had no time to dwell on past grudges.

"I'll be discharged soon. My eldest brother applied to a foreign university for me, and I plan to pursue further studies," Mu Xiaowan shared her plans.

Lin Juan looked at her with admiration: "You and Miss Fan have coincidentally chosen the same path."

Mu Xiaowan knew Fan Xiwen was the girl whose life had been usurped by Qiu Lishu and had a good impression of her: "I'd really like to meet her if I get the chance. Perhaps we could become friends."

"Fan Xiwen will continue to be sponsored by the Lu family and will study in the capital. If fate allows, you will meet."

As for Fan Xiwen, her parents only knew that their daughter's university spot had been taken by Qiu Lishu back then; they didn't know Fan Xiwen's madness was related to the supernatural.

After Fan Xiwen woke up, the first thing she did was ask them not to tell her parents about the supernatural. Her parents were already elderly and had worried about her for too long; she didn't want them to live in fear any longer.

Thinking of what Mu Xiaowan had said about being trapped in an illusion, Lin Juan subtly asked Fan Xiwen about what happened back then.

Even after more than ten years, Fan Xiwen still had vivid memories of that day.

"The moonlight was very bright that night. I was walking alone on a small path when I met a man asking for directions."

"The man was wearing a long black coat and glasses, looking like an educated person. The place he asked about had several forks in the road. I saw him try a few times but fail to find the right direction, so I went over to point it out to him."

The flood of memories poured forth. No one could have imagined that a simple act of kindness would cause that innocent girl's life to plummet into an abyss.

"I smelled an unidentifiable scent and soon lost consciousness."

"After that? Were you in an unconscious state all the way until now?" Lin Juan asked.

"I'm not sure. I don't have clear memories. Sometimes, it felt like I was locked in a glass container, being watched by someone. Most of the time, I was unconscious, completely unaware of the outside world. It was like losing all five senses and being wrapped in a shell cut off from the world, unable to realize I needed to escape or even attempt to."

Fan Xiwen's experience was similar to Mu Xiaowan's but not entirely the same. Having obtained the information he wanted, Lin Juan didn't press further.

Instead, he shifted the conversation to Fan Xiwen's future plans.

He was there representing both the doctor and the Lu family.

"Regardless, the mistake back then was due to the Lu family's lax vetting. The Lu family will provide funds to continue supporting you. Would you like to continue your studies?"

Lin Juan had looked into it; Fan Xiwen's academic performance back then was outstanding. If not for Qiu Lishu's interference, her life shouldn't have turned out this way.

Coincidentally, the supernatural incident relief foundation under his name was about to be established. As a victim of a supernatural incident, after discussing with Lu Yanzhou, Lin Juan decided Fan Xiwen would be the first person the foundation sponsored.

The relevant materials had been prepared by his assistant. To help Lin Juan understand foundation-related matters, Lu Yanzhou had assigned two capable subordinates to assist him.

Lin Juan handed the relevant materials to Fan Xiwen: "With your grades back then, getting into Capital University shouldn't be a problem."

Fan Xiwen took the documents and read through them line by line. Unconsciously, her grip tightened, clutching the edges of the papers firmly.

This was the life that should have been hers—a life full of promise.

Delayed for over a decade, it was now reaching out to her again.

No matter how much time had passed in the outside world, to Fan Xiwen, she was still that hopeful seventeen-year-old girl who dreamed of leaving the mountains and giving her parents a better life.

Her mental age was only seventeen. She couldn't mask her emotions, and her thinking wasn't as mature as that of adults who had experienced the world. Her feelings were written on her face, and Lin Juan easily saw her interest.

She did want to continue studying.

For a girl from the mountains, the only path to change her life was through education.

Using knowledge to leave the mountains and change her destiny.

But...

Fan Xiwen hesitated.

She knew she had been mentally ill for over ten years. Her parents were old, and she was now an adult. She should take on family responsibilities, not continue to be a burden on her family.

"I..."

Lin Juan noticed the change in her expression and advised, "You don't need to worry too much. All your educational expenses will be covered by us. As compensation for our inadequate screening back then, whether you choose to stay in the capital to study or not, we will provide you with a house in the capital. You and your parents can live here."

Seeing Fan Xiwen's growing interest, Lin Juan continued, "As one of the top-tier universities in the country, Capital University offers generous scholarships. I believe with your abilities, winning a scholarship every year would be no trouble. Not to mention, after graduating from Capital University, you can provide a better life for your parents on your own."

Fan Xiwen was persuaded.

Lin Juan left the follow-up arrangements to his assistant.

He wasn't well-versed in these areas.

When the topic of studying came up, Lu Yanzhou asked Lin Juan, "Juanjuan, do you want to go to school?"

"Huh?" At the time, Lin Juan was organizing the materials from various universities sent by his assistant.

Hearing this, he stopped what he was doing and nudged Lu Yanzhou with his foot: "Why suddenly ask this? Do you want to send me to school?"

Lu Yanzhou weighed his words: "In modern society, education is an essential life experience. Campus life is different from other experiences. There are several good universities in the capital. Would you like to give it a try, Juanjuan?"

Lu Yanzhou wasn't acting on a whim. He had looked into Lin Juan's background. Lin Juan was born and raised in the mountains, brought out by Old Mr. Lu, and married him—he never had the chance to attend university.

He believed he could provide Lin Juan with a comfortable life, but he didn't want Lin Juan to have any regrets.

When persuading Fan Xiwen back then, did Lin Juan also regret not being able to attend university himself?

Lin Juan finally realized that, in his current identity, he had never attended university.

No wonder Lu Yanzhou had been speaking so cautiously around him these past few days.

"I have so many things to deal with right now, I don’t want to go to school," he said. While it was true that he hadn’t attended university in this world, in his original world, he had not only gone to college but had also nearly pursued graduate studies.

"Does President Lu think less of me because of my education?" Lin Juan turned to face Lu Yanzhou, his tone deliberately provocative.

Lu Yanzhou wasn’t about to take the blame for that: "How could I ever look down on you? No matter what, Juanjuan, you are the best in my eyes."

He loved him too much to ever disparage him—how could he possibly look down on him?

He only wanted to offer the very best to Lin Juan.

Lin Juan was several years younger than him, just twenty years old—an age when he should have been carefree, studying at university, with exams as his biggest worry, just like Lu Mingxuan.

Instead, he had been forced to take on heavy responsibilities too early.

Lin Juan’s formidable capabilities made it easy for people to overlook that he was only twenty years old.

"I don’t look down on you at all," Lu Yanzhou emphasized again.

"You’re still thinking about that?" Lin Juan set down the documents and, under the bright light, looked at Lu Yanzhou’s face. "I know you don’t look down on me—I was just joking."

"I wish I had met you earlier," Lu Yanzhou suddenly changed the subject.

If he had met Lin Juan sooner, he wouldn’t have had to spend so many years in the mountains. Everything other children had, Lin Juan would have had too.

"Earlier, maybe I wouldn’t even have been myself," Lin Juan half-joked. After all, back then, he hadn’t crossed over to this world yet.

Having finished reviewing most of the materials, Lin Juan tidied up as he spoke: "I plan to visit Chu Jifan again. Both Mu Xiaowan and Fan Xiwen sank into illusions after being contaminated by B-023. I wonder how frequently this situation is. It seems likely that your previous entry into the illusion was also due to B-023’s influence."

"Are you feeling any effects on your body now?" Lin Juan had considered giving Lu Yanzhou some of the formula developed by Chu Jifan, but Lu Yanzhou was conscious and uncontaminated—his situation was quite different from that of Mu Xiaowan and Fan Xiwen.

Medicine shouldn’t be taken recklessly. After weighing the pros and cons, Lin Juan decided against giving it to Lu Yanzhou.

"None," Lu Yanzhou replied. Since returning from Dakou Mountain, he had not had any sudden fainting spells, and his physical condition was improving day by day. "I even have more energy than before. Juanjuan, you don’t need to worry."

Lu Yanzhou didn’t know the reason either.

His body seemed to have developed some anomalies, but upon careful examination, everything appeared normal.

Especially after returning from Dakou Mountain—while he was worried about Lin Juan, he hadn’t noticed it, but once he relaxed knowing Lin Juan was safe, Lu Yanzhou felt a strange sense of fullness.

It was as if he had absorbed enough energy, his entire soul unwinding comfortably, feeling very much at ease.

Just as Lin Juan returned and became busy, by the time Lin Juan finished his tasks, that sense of fullness had already faded.

His body was completely normal, even more energetic than before. Even if he slept only two or three hours a day, he didn’t feel tired.

It was like returning to his most energetic time as a student.

But at the same time, it brought some minor annoyances.

For example, with his loved one close, it was hard to resist arousal.

Fortunately, he could endure it.

As he drifted off in thought, Lin Juan’s mind drifted elsewhere.

His distraction was obvious, and Lu Yanzhou noticed: "What are you thinking about, Juanjuan?"

"About Qiu Lishu," Lin Juan answered honestly. "Why did she mutate into a giant spider? Were her three children spiders from the beginning, or were they transformed into spiders by pollution?"

There were no answers to these questions.

Second Brother Lu had only asked about the children once that day and never brought it up again. After handling matters in the capital and confirming Mu Xiaowan’s recovery, he left the city.

Old Mr. Lu respected his decision.

Fan Xiwen was the only known living person who had contact with the man in the black trench coat, as far as the Paranormal Special Affairs Office knew. Once she recovered, the office approached her to ask about the events of that year.

Fan Xiwen cooperated fully. In the end, she chose to continue her studies. Her memories remained frozen before everything happened, and instead of directly entering university, she decided to take the gaokao again.

"If I could get into Imperial Capital University back then, I can still do it now," Fan Xiwen insisted.

Her parents believed in her unconditionally: "If Wenwen says she can do it, then she definitely can."

During the annual exam week, Lin Juan sat in a bubble tea shop near the school, watching students come and go outside, and mused: "Good thing I don’t have to take exams."

Lu Mingxuan bit his straw: "Good thing I’ve already finished mine."

"I heard Uncle wanted to send you to school, Uncle. You should come to our school—it’s really fun!"

"Who told you that?" Lin Juan slurped his milk tea.

"I accidentally overheard Grandpa and Uncle talking," Lu Mingxuan scratched his cheek apologetically. "I didn’t mean to eavesdrop—Grandpa asked me to deliver something to him."

"It’s fine," Lin Juan didn’t mind. "I’ve already said no to your uncle."

Little did Lin Juan know that shortly after refusing Lu Yanzhou, he would receive a special request from the Paranormal Special Affairs Office.

Lin Juan went to the Paranormal Special Affairs Office to see Chu Jifan.

Chu Jifan’s value was too important for China. After discussions, the authorities temporarily decided not to execute her like other anomalous entities but to see if they could learn some knowledge from her.

"If only she were still human," Director Liu sighed.

"Not much difference," Lin Juan stood outside the observation room, watching Chu Jifan busy inside.

Chu Jifan was different from other anomalous entities in many ways. Perhaps because she was born of obsession, she wasn’t aggressive toward anyone except the original lab members, and she was single-mindedly devoted to research.

After developing the formula Lin Juan needed, she requested other materials from the Paranormal Special Affairs Office to conduct new research.

When she saw Lin Juan, Chu Jifan stopped what she was doing and approached.

They faced each other through the transparent wall made of special material.

The door opened, and Lin Juan entered alone.

As if making small talk, Lin Juan began: "Are you getting used to it here?"

"Not bad," Chu Jifan tidied the documents on the table. "It would help to have an assistant."

Lin Juan had an idea: "Would you be willing to have them assist you?"

"Isn't it because they themselves are too scared to come in?" Chu Jifan raised an eyebrow. "I've never once said I wouldn't allow them in."

"True," Lin Juan nodded. "Aren't you afraid they might leak your research findings?"

"I'm not even human anymore, and I can't win any awards with this research anyway. I just want to do research. If you can find me a few people who are easy to work with, I don't mind teaching them everything I've discovered so far."

"You're really willing?" Lin Juan was surprised.

"If my work can cause trouble for those behind the lab, even better." A hint of malice flashed in Chu Jifan's eyes.

"After all these years, they haven't been exposed at all. It's really frustrating."

After becoming a supernatural entity, Chu Jifan's emotions became less controlled, her likes and dislikes more distinct. She harbored a deep hatred for the laboratory.

"To be honest, if I weren't locked up here by you, I might be out seeking revenge on them right now."

"Then our goals could be said to align."

Chu Jifan wasn't so easily fooled: "As far as I know, you're not with the Paranormal Special Affairs Office. The lab doesn't have any deep-seated grudge against you, does it?"

"I have a friend who might have caught their attention, and that bothers me a lot," Lin Juan briefly explained what happened to Qiu Lishu. "I don't know what side effects there might be from eating that eyeball."

Now it was Chu Jifan's turn to be surprised: "You're saying that after your friend ate the eyeball, there were no signs of mutation at all?"

"Right."

"That's impossible," Chu Jifan reflexively refuted. "In all those experiments, not a single person could resist the corruption of B-023. Either your friend has already mutated and just hasn't let you know, or..."

"I've been with him the whole time. He really shows no signs of mutation, and his corruption levels are very low. He was just unconscious for a long time back then, but he woke up later. Oh, and after I entered the simulation last time, he fell unconscious again. He said he dreamed about what happened in the simulation, and it matched my experiences there."

Lin Juan didn't mention Lu Yanzhou turning into a test subject, only saying that the other had dreamed of the events in the simulation. Chu Jifan assumed it was the same situation as with Mr. Lin and the others and found it strange: "But aside from you all, I didn't sense anyone else entering the simulation."

"Maybe because you weren't fully conscious at the time, so your perception had gaps," Mr. Lin said.

Chu Jifan truly woke up after Mr. Lin broke through the simulation. In a way, without Mr. Lin, Chu Jifan would never have regained consciousness. The "Memory Return" phenomenon would have remained trapped between two-dimensional and three-dimensional dimensions, ensnaring those who approached but remaining undetectable to others.

"Perhaps," Chu Jifan fell into thought. "But your friend's immunity is very worth studying. If you're willing to let your friend come here for me to study, I'll give you all my previous research findings for free. How about that?"

By the end, her voice was filled with obvious excitement.

As a result, the corruption levels in the room rose noticeably.

"No way," Lin Juan refused without hesitation. "He's human. Don't you hate human experimentation the most?"

"I'm not doing human experiments," Chu Jifan picked up a test tube and shook it. "I'd just draw some blood, take a few samples, see if I can find anything."

Inside the tube, a fluorescent green liquid swirled. Lin Juan's attention was caught: "What's this?"

Chu Jifan casually tossed the tube. Lin Juan caught it.

"An accidental byproduct. It explodes. Can be used to destroy supernatural entities."

Lin Juan examined the tube: "Your research speed is impressively fast. I remember you didn't used to like researching this kind of stuff."

"Didn't like it," Chu Jifan admitted. "But later I thought, this stuff is quite useful. Perfect for taking out scumbags."

Lin Juan steered away from the dangerous topic: "Those two girls have recovered. They both chose to continue their studies. Both families want to thank you in person. I said you weren't available, so they asked me to thank you on their behalf."

"They also made a video. I'll play it for you."

Lin Juan opened his phone, went to the photo album, and pressed play.

The Fan family appeared first. The parents, uneducated and not versed in grand speeches, spoke simply. Because of this simplicity, their words felt especially sincere.

Chu Jifan, whose anger had been slowly rising, paused, snapped back to awareness. Perhaps surprised to see such a thank-you video, a brief look of confusion crossed her face.

After a long moment, she pressed her lips together: "No need to thank me. Don't tell them I'm a supernatural entity."

If they knew she was a supernatural entity, they'd be afraid, right?

A long-dormant pain pierced Chu Jifan's heart.

Her current body could hardly feel pain anymore. That pain came from deep within her soul, from the self that was once human.

After fully mutating into a supernatural entity, is it truly irreversible?

A strong desire surged within Chu Jifan. A new obsession replaced her previous one for revenge. She no longer wanted to be a supernatural entity controlled by instinct.

"I want to continue my unfinished research," Chu Jifan's voice caught slightly. "I need to select a few assistants. I can hand over all my previous research findings. Mr. Lin, I want to speak with the higher-ups of the Paranormal Special Affairs Office."

Lin Juan didn't speak.

Chu Jifan knew her leverage wasn't enough and added: "Mr. Lin, there is some information you might find interesting."

"Have you heard of the 'Madonna Project'?"

The "Madonna Project" was proposed by personnel higher up in the lab where Chu Jifan once worked. They selected a group of women living in human society, chosen to be vessels. Chu Jifan didn't know their selection criteria, only that the chosen women would become hosts.

"This project was proposed before test subject B-023 showed signs of evolution. Qiu Lishu was very likely a chosen host."

"Wait," Lin Juan interrupted her. "Qiu Lishu is the host for B-023? Why did she mutate into a humanback spider?"

"I don't know the specifics, that's only my speculation. Human hosts are weak, but they are an indispensable part of supernatural entity evolution. To achieve the goal of incubating a more powerful supernatural entity, the best method is to infect the host into a stronger supernatural entity just before incubation."

"Qiu Lishu gave birth to three children, all spiders," Lin Juan recalled the three spiders of varying sizes. "Can humans and spiders have children?"

Shouldn't there be reproductive isolation?

"They can't. Reproductive isolation is a real barrier. Those people also wouldn't have contaminated Qiu Lishu into a supernatural entity so many years in advance. The children you mentioned can only be the result of later contamination."

After talking with Chu Jifan, Lin Juan relayed her request to Director Liu. He wouldn't get involved in the internal affairs of the Paranormal Special Affairs Office.

"Does Mr. Lin find Chu Jifan's words credible?" Director Liu pondered for a moment before asking.

"Not entirely credible, but not entirely unbelievable either," Lin Juan said meaningfully. "Even humans can harbor ulterior motives. Looked at that way, what's the difference between supernatural entities and humans?"

"I understand."

Before leaving, Director Liu called out to Lin Juan: "Mr. Lin, we'd like to ask for your help with something."

The help Director Liu mentioned was arranging a new identity for Lin Juan and sending him to school.

Lin Juan took out the school uniform Director Liu had sent and put it on.

It was the most common style of school uniform in China, blue and white. Wearing it gave off a vibrant, youthful aura. Lin Juan looked at himself in the mirror. If he walked out like this, anyone would think he was a high school student. No wonder Director Liu wanted his help.

Adjusting the collar, Lin Juan stepped out of the bathroom.

Lu Yanzhou caught his breath the moment he stepped inside and saw the long-haired young man in a school uniform.

The young man already had a face captivating enough to make hearts flutter, with fair, delicate skin. Dressed in the uniform, he looked exactly like a student who had never left the ivory tower.

It made Lu Yanzhou unconsciously imagine what it would be like if Lin Juan were truly a student.

If Lin Juan went to school, he would definitely be very popular.

Wearing the school uniform, he looked well-behaved, young and compliant. Lu Yanzhou couldn't help but feel a surge of protectiveness, wanting to give him all the best things in the world.

Lin Juan looked up, noticing Lu Yanzhou staring at him in a daze, and waved a hand before his eyes: "Lu Yanzhou?"

Lu Yanzhou blinked, snapping back to reality. He took Lin Juan's hand, which was extended toward him: "Juanjuan, why are you dressed like this today?"

"Like what?" Lin Juan glanced down at himself and suddenly understood, "You mean the school uniform?"

Lu Yanzhou nodded: "Juanjuan, have you changed your mind and decided to go to school?"

But that didn't seem right—this uniform was clearly for high school. Lu Yanzhou shifted his gaze to the badge on Lin Juan's left chest, which read "Upward Middle School."

Upward Middle School—Lu Yanzhou didn't recognize it and decided to look it up later. Judging by the style of the uniform, it was likely a public school.

"Juanjuan, did you reject my suggestion because you didn't want to go straight to university and instead planned to start from high school?"

That could work too. Lu Yanzhou couldn't help but ponder what adjustments would be needed for a high schooler at home.

"If you struggle with any classes, we can hire a tutor. This place probably isn't close to the school, so maybe we should buy a home in a school district over there…"

As he spoke, he took out his phone to call his assistant, but Lin Juan quickly took it away: "Wait, wait—don't you think it's strange for me to go to high school?"

A thought seemed to strike him, and Lu Yanzhou's eyes flickered.

His wife suddenly becoming a high school student was a bit strange.

Besides that, there was also a certain thrill to it.

Lu Yanzhou's Adam's apple bobbed as he tried to convince himself: "Not strange at all."