Chapter 59: Wild Dodder (End)

“Why would I do something like this…” m577 questioned its existence while hastily deleting the fabricated information. “I’ve let down the Main God and my diligent system partners…”

“As long as the task is completed, who cares about the details?” Tong Ling encouraged the system, saying, “Look at how much more adaptable you’ve become. You’ve learned to think independently, no longer confined by those simplistic plotlines. In the future, no challenges will hold you back…”

This was the first time m577 had received such praise from its host. Unable to resist, it puffed out its virtual chest, fur bristling with pride: [Really?]

“Indeed.” Within her consciousness sea, Tong Ling mentally patted the system and then asked routinely, “How much time do I have left in this world?”

[The remaining time in this world is very short, only two weeks left.] m577 replied cheerfully: [However, completing this world’s main quest offers substantial rewards - 100,000 units of virtual currency!]

“That’s hardly enough to compensate for the trauma I endured,” Tong Ling said, clutching her heart. “It’s unbearable; just imagine how much less I could achieve due to that heart condition!”

The corner of m577’s mouth twitched: [How much more do you plan to accomplish? From what I’ve seen, your heart condition didn’t hinder you at all…]

After completing the plotline, Tong Ling instructed the system to lift her shield just as Mr. and Mrs. Bai’s rescue team arrived, successfully rescuing her from the deserted island.

Having endured a long fruitless search, Mr. and Mrs. Bai were on the verge of losing hope. Upon seeing Bai Ling again, they embraced their beloved daughter with overwhelming joy, tears streaming down their faces.

Bai Ling’s brother stood nearby, discreetly turning away to wipe his own tears.

“Compared to the previous worlds, this Bai Ling has quite decent family members,” Tong Ling remarked to the system. “It’s unfortunate that I can only stay for two weeks; ultimately, they will still lose their loved ones.”

【Host, would you like to exchange for more time…?】m577 cautiously asked.

“No need.” No matter how good Mr. and Mrs. Bai might be, it had little relevance to Tong Ling. By ensuring Bai Ling survived the deserted island, she already considered herself kind-hearted enough.

“Two weeks…” Tong Ling decided to fully enjoy the life of a genuine wealthy heiress. “First, let’s indulge in a full-body spa treatment, followed by savoring some exquisite cuisine!”

After returning to the Bai household, Tong Ling received treatment akin to that of a princess.

Mr. and Mrs. Bai didn’t dare inquire about her experiences on the island; instead, they provided her with everything good she desired, allowing Tong Ling to live quite comfortably.

Duan Jiaze and Duan Jiayou had not yet fully recovered. Upon hearing that Bai Ling had been found by the rescue team, they disregarded all advice and climbed out of their hospital beds, managing somehow to reach the Bai residence.

The Bais had virtually severed ties with the twins’ parents and prohibited Bai Ling’s “playmates” from appearing before her again.

The twins pleaded for a long time, insisting they only wanted to check on Elder Sister Bai’s well-being. They promised that if Elder Sister Bai expressed any displeasure, they would leave immediately without bothering her further.

Having been doted upon since childhood, these twins humbly begged just for a chance to meet, continuously apologizing and offering various compensations for failing to protect Bai Ling adequately.

Only after returning to modern civilization did the twins realize that the close bond between them and the young lady had completely snapped.

Even meeting with the young lady once was immensely difficult, let alone trying to get close to her.

Everyone who had been on that deserted island found themselves blacklisted by the Bai family.

This further intensified the twins’ resentment towards Fu Jingyan. If it weren’t for the “poisoning incident,” they wouldn’t have been regarded as dangerous individuals. The events on the island became widely discussed, leading to various wild rumors outside—some even claimed the twins fought each other over Xuan Yiqing, which was utterly absurd.

Fortunately, during this ordeal, the young lady remained unnoticed. The twins were determined not to allow these chaotic external speculations to affect her life.

Mr. and Mrs. Bai did not consent to letting the twins interact with Bai Ling, ignoring them for several days until Bai Ling learned of the situation. Only after she agreed to meet with them was a visit arranged.

Finally, the twins saw the young lady again, post-deserted island.

The current young lady appeared even more lovely than when they were stranded together.

She sat in the Bai family’s garden, dressed in a delicate dress, her long jet-black hair intricately braided into a fishtail pattern, reminiscent of a mermaid princess’s exquisite beauty.

Her cheeks were now even more porcelain-like, tinged with a subtle blush. Her crimson lips resembled dew-kissed petals—lush and delicate. The young lady held a cup of black tea in her hand and was delicately savoring a toasted pancake from the coffee table.

Seeing this poised young lady, the twins suddenly felt hesitant to approach. A profound distance seemed to have emerged between them, making their intimate days on the deserted island feel as distant as a dream.

“Elder Sister Bai…” Duan Jiaze couldn’t suppress his longing; he missed the young lady terribly. All his happiness on the island had stemmed from her, leading him to feel as though he lost the right to be happy after her departure.

“Are you alright?” Duan Jiayou took a step closer. “That night…”

“What do you want to ask me?” Tong Ling rested her chin lightly in one hand, glancing sidelong at the pale-faced twins with a hint of weariness. “I was taken away by Fu Jingyan. Shouldn’t you already know the outcome?”

The twins’ faces instantly paled further, murmuring guiltily, “It’s our fault. We shouldn’t have hesitated… It’s all our fault.”

Regret continued to spread within them, feeling like a heavy stone weighing on their hearts.

The twins anxiously asked, “The rescue team searched for you for several days. How did you manage during those times?”

Tong Ling set down her teacup. “Regardless of how I survived, I made it through. Is this what you came here to ask me about?”

Of course, Duan Jiaze didn’t intend to pose such questions; he wanted to say…

“Elder Sister Bai, would you consider being in a relationship with us?” Duan Jiayou’s tone was earnest. “My brother and I will treat you very well, no longer using methods you dislike. As long as…as long as you’re willing to accept us, we’ll do anything.”

Duan Jiaze nodded beside him. Over these recent days, both he and Little You had realized they couldn’t live without the young lady. To win her over, he was willing to endure sharing her.

“A relationship?” Tong Ling scoffed at hearing this word. “What can you offer that makes it worth being involved with both of you?”

“I’m not lacking food or water; I have the best medical team. What can you offer me?”

The young lady’s words coldly exposed their past relationship, one akin to a lowly transaction.

Unless they had something she needed, they were entirely useless and would be discarded—their existence held no value whatsoever.

“Whatever you desire, we’ll find a way to provide it.” Duan Jiaze couldn’t help but let his gaze linger on Bai Ling’s lips, reminiscent of flower petals. Even without getting close, he felt her enticing allure.

The aroma of grilled pancakes mixed with the fragrance of garden flowers, yet neither could compare to the refreshing sweetness emanating from the young lady.

How tempting it was to taste… Duan Jiaze pursed his lips, afraid to look any longer.

Duan Jiayou shared the same feelings as his brother. As soon as they saw the young lady, their senses were instantly stirred, recalling the delightful experience of nurturing her on the deserted island.

To the young lady, those memories must have been horrific and unbearable, but for them…

“I don’t really want anything,” Tong Ling replied firmly. “I lack nothing.”

Duan Jiaze and Duan Jiayou’s hearts sank further. Had they lost all chance?

After that experience, how could they pretend nothing had happened? The young lady who was once within their grasp…

“But I am curious…” Tong Ling rubbed the crumbs of scone between her fingers. “What does it feel like to be fed as a doll?”

The twins were slightly taken aback, unsure what the young lady meant.

Tong Ling lifted her hand and placed the remaining half-piece of scone she hadn’t finished eating in front of them. Tilting her head, she asked, “Do you want some?”

Duan Jiayou snapped back to reality first. Without much thought, he crouched down and took a bite from the piece of scone held by the young lady.

Perhaps because she had tasted it, this piece of scone seemed exceptionally sweet on his tongue. He could taste the honey’s sweetness, its exterior crisp while the inside remained soft. Even after finishing the half-piece, he didn’t stop—Duan Jiayou licked every crumb off the young lady’s fingers, moving gently from her tender fingertips to her palm. The young lady’s wrist trembled, and she swiftly withdrew her hand, causing Duan Jiayou to silently lament the missed opportunity.

“It tickles.” Tong Ling’s lips curved upwards as she once again placed her hand before Duan Jiaze. “Wipe it for me.”

Duan Jiaze shot a glare at Duan Jiayou. Having missed his chance, he could only pick up a small square cloth from the table and meticulously wipe the young lady’s fingers.

The young lady’s fingers were slender, fair, and tender. As Duan Jiaze wiped them, he found himself amused; after finishing, he lowered his head with the intent to steal a quick kiss.

Tong Ling withdrew her hand, picked up another baked pancake, and held it out to Duan Jiaze. “Eat this.”

This time, Duan Jiaze didn’t hesitate. He sat cross-legged next to the young lady, tilting his head back to accept the food she offered. Like Duan Jiayou, he left not a crumb behind, licking away all traces of crumbs, feeling slightly satisfied within.

“I want more too.” Duan Jiayou took a seat on the other side of the young lady, smiling sweetly towards Bai Ling, looking charming and well-behaved.

“Me too.” The two exquisite-looking youths mirrored each other’s expressions and movements perfectly. Their appearance alone was indeed pleasing to the eye. Moreover, their equally submissive demeanor made them highly endearing.

However, Tong Ling did not indulge their wishes. Indifferently, she said, “That’s all for today; you’ll get the rest tomorrow.”

There would be a tomorrow… Although the twins still felt it wasn’t enough, they now had something to look forward to.

Or rather, just being allowed close to the young lady was already great—they could try gradually softening her…

“Then we’ll come back tomorrow!” the twins exclaimed with radiant smiles.

“If you’ve eaten elsewhere, don’t bother coming,” Tong Ling stated firmly, expressing her condition. “You should understand this feeling—when someone you want to nurture has been fed by others, it’s uncomfortable.”

Was this the young lady’s possessiveness showing?

After all, hunger was nothing new; they were accustomed to it on the deserted island. With the young lady willing to feed them, what did such a small demand matter? The twins readily agreed without giving it much thought.

“You two will keep each other in check.” Tong Ling looked at them both and continued meaningfully, “If either of you can find evidence that the other is breaking the rules, I’ll reward him.”

“Nurturing two people isn’t as easy as nurturing one,” Tong Ling smiled at the twins. “Don’t you agree?”

With Tong Ling’s words, the alliance Duan Jiaze and Duan Jiayou had just formed effortlessly crumbled.

When they left, their previous solidarity was gone, as if an invisible barrier had silently arisen between them.

M577 didn’t expect that even now, its host hadn’t tired of playing games: [You have only a few days left in this world—why can’t you let them be…]?

Making the twins endure hunger while also constantly watching each other—was she seeking to recreate the events on the deserted island in reality?

Tong Ling returned indoors and washed her hands with clear water. “Let them be? They came looking for me willingly; if I cold-heartedly drove them away, that would cause them the greatest harm.”

[…]

“Besides, if they were truly inseparable, they wouldn’t need to heed my words at all,” Tong Ling said lightly, smiling. “After all, I won’t be constantly watching them. How would I know if they secretly eat something privately?”

“The two brothers could sneak food together and then tell me afterward that they’ve been starving all day, putting on a pitiful act to beg for more sustenance.”

“In that case, I wouldn’t have noticed anything. It’s such a simple matter; why would they find it difficult?”

M577 knew there was some truth to what its host said, but… [“They already had underlying conflicts…”]

Tong Ling feigned innocence. “What does that have to do with me?”

After visiting the Bai residence, the twins returned to the hospital. Unlike their previous lifeless demeanor, smiles now graced their faces. Upon arriving at their ward, they specifically went to see Zhu Zhan and boasted right away, “Elder Sister Bai will take care of us from now on. Neither you, Zhu Zhan, nor that unconscious Fu Jingyan can match up to us.”

Duan Jiaze understood that Zhu Zhan couldn’t move about freely like them.

Since Zhu Zhan was under suspicion for causing harm—even if it was his reaction after being poisoned—Fu Jingyan’s parents would not let him off easily.

The police had conducted numerous investigations and interrogations, making any attempt by Zhu Zhan to approach the young lady nothing more than wishful thinking!

Duan Jiayou glanced at Zhu Zhan lying in bed. After so many days, Zhu Zhan’s once vibrant blue hair had faded to a dull greenish-gray. Combined with his dispirited expression, it made Duan Jiayou want to burst out laughing immediately.

“This is what you get for beating people up.” Duan Jiayou lowered his voice and chuckled, “Green-haired Zhu Zhan, you can no longer revolve around Elder Sister Bai anymore. You don’t even qualify to be her dog now.”

In response to the twins’ taunts, Zhu Zhan uttered only one word: “Scram!”

He still remembered the kiss the young lady had given him before leaving. For that kiss alone, he would willingly serve as her dog for a lifetime.

No matter who it was, nobody could privately possess the young lady.

Just wait. With a cold gaze, Zhu Zhan watched the twins exit the hospital room. Once he shook off those annoying pests, he’d return to the young lady’s side and drive away these bothersome flies on her behalf.

Tong Ling spent the following days occupied with raising the twins.

The twins didn’t disappoint her expectations; they quickly descended into relentless squabbles. Once Tong Ling grew tired of watching their antics, she chased them out of the house.

She left a farewell letter for Mr. and Mrs. Bai, then grabbed hold of the fluffy ball in her consciousness sea, saying, “In the next world, I want a healthy body—to be a fit and wealthy beauty. If I discover any issues…

Once again, m577 assumed its customary prostrated position: [Rest assured, the character I’ve chosen is absolutely perfect for you and won’t disappoint.]

[To be continued…]