Forty

As expected, when the heroine Qiao Xinran and her companions arrived at the base, the welcoming ceremony was so grand it could rival a reception for the President of the United States, lacking only a twenty-four-gun salute. To the uninitiated, it might have seemed as if the newly appointed president or prime minister had arrived.

After a year of trials and tribulations, Qiao Xinran had matured considerably; her already striking features now appeared even more spirited and radiant. She wore a form-fitting black gown, slit high to the thigh, a loose white mink coat draped over her shoulders, towering black stilettos on her feet, lips painted a blazing red, and the air around her scented with captivating rosemary. Amidst the drab crowd, she was more dazzling than a flash grenade.

Ye Yin’s jaw hung slack for quite some time.

She was considered to have one of the better standards of living at the base, yet she was only wearing a shapeless hooded down jacket, plain cotton thermal pants, and cotton boots—utterly unfashionable. As for the rest at the base, those better off dressed similarly in down jackets or cotton coats; the less fortunate wore the cheapest “vintage” gray smocks sold at the base store, and those who couldn’t even afford those bundled themselves in assorted spring and summer clothes of dubious origin to fend off the cold. The mishmash of attire looked downright comical.

In contrast, Qiao Xinran, dressed as if for a runway, was not alone in her extravagance. The men and women around her were equally eye-catching: designer trench coats, boots, short skirts, silk scarves... One man even wore a pristine white suit, his expression both haughty and indifferent. His features were decent, and in these times, a well-groomed man was a rarity, so he attracted many admiring glances from the women. But Ye Yin could see that the look he gave the onlookers was much like a punk sneering at country bumpkins.

She really couldn’t fathom how this group had survived until now.

Ye Yin was only disgruntled for a moment before coming to a realization: the protagonist’s aura truly was formidable. Even in a zombie-ridden apocalypse, she could wear skirts and high heels, have the leisure to do her makeup and spritz on perfume, and keep a harem for company when lonely on the road—such was the privilege of being the heroine.

The welcoming banquet was held at the base’s only hotel, attended exclusively by the base’s most prominent figures. Not a single military official below ministerial rank was present, and the Paranormals’ Association sent only two instructors and a few staff—students weren’t even eligible for an invitation.

As luck would have it, that very day happened to be Situ Fei’s birthday. Her family had planned a lively birthday party for her on the hotel’s second floor, but were informed at the last minute that the entire venue had been booked, voiding their original reservation. Her father dared not defy orders from above; with all the important guests attending the welcoming banquet, their own celebration was impossible and so it was decided to postpone it to the next day.

Situ Fei was not pleased; birthdays were only meaningful when celebrated on the actual day. What was the point of postponing? But she knew her father’s hands were tied, so she told him not to reschedule, that she would simply gather with a few friends at home.

“Don’t you think she’s crazy? There are only a handful of guests, yet she insists on reserving the entire hotel!” Situ Fei complained bitterly to Ye Yin. “My dad thought maybe we could get a small private room, but they said no—Miss Qiao specifically requested it. She doesn’t like being crowded and doesn’t want any mishaps at her banquet. Mishaps? What could possibly happen at a small birthday party? Is she afraid I’ll stick the birthday candles up her nose?”

Ye Yin poured Situ Fei a glass of juice. “Alright, calm down. It’s your birthday, don’t let this ruin your mood.”

Ye Hua echoed her with a smile. “Yes, don’t be upset, Sister Situ. Blow out the candles and make a wish.”

Situ Fei huffed, “My birthday wish this year is for that woman surnamed Qiao to have a streak of bad luck!” With that, she blew out all the candles in one breath.

“Amazing! Your wish will definitely come true this year!” Ye Hua clapped her hands in encouragement, her expression angelic. Situ Fei was moved. “Thank you, you really are a kind child!”

Ye Yin quietly wiped the sweat from her brow; something about this scene felt off...

Back when they wanted to please the Qingyun Sect, Commander Mu had especially constructed a resplendent temple on a large, scenic plot in Zone A of the base for Master Floating Cloud and his disciples to reside. With Floating Cloud’s granddaughter now here, she was naturally accommodated in the temple, so there was no need to make other arrangements.

The temple had about two hundred vacant rooms, and Qiao Xinran’s entire group numbered fewer than ten. Even if they put each person in a separate room, there would be more than enough space. Yet, some of the men in her group actually got into a dispute over their lodging.

Such a thing would have been impossible before; they had always been united, even amicably negotiating who would spend the night with Qiao Xinran, let alone quarreling over something as trivial as room assignments.

“Nana, what’s wrong with those guys?” Ever since Zhao Ya had gained Qiao Xinran’s trust and favor, her life had changed dramatically for the better. She was adept at reading Qiao Xinran’s moods, always dressing modestly and never outshining her, even playing matchmaker when Qiao fancied a man, afterward showing no further interest—playing the part of the loyal confidante.

“They were unsettled by something last night,” Tang Nana, Qiao Xinran’s closest confidante, replied. “I suppose they’re uneasy after seeing Xinran take a liking to another man.”

Zhao Ya glanced at the men, quickly masking her disdain. “Did Xinran really find her true love? That’s wonderful.”

“Hard to say.” Tang Nana shook her head. “She’s always been like this—loves to conquer and snatch what she wants, especially from those who treat her coldly. I do think she feels something different for this man; she’s sincere, but whether it will last is another question.”

Zhao Ya could only give a hollow laugh.

Qiao Xinran possessed the Lightning ability; Tang Nana, the Fire ability; Qiao Xinran’s Harem No. 1, Xu Zhe, was also Fire; while Harem No. 2, Chong Xiao, was Ice. Naturally, the four of them entered the Paranormals’ Training Center, inseparable as conjoined twins, their flamboyant behavior constantly testing Ye Yin’s nerves.

Qiao Xinran changed her look daily.

“Xinran, try my spring rolls,” Chong Xiao, the man in the white suit, said with deep affection. “I spent all last night making them.”

Not to be outdone, Xu Zhe smiled and picked up a spring roll with his chopsticks, holding it to Qiao Xinran’s lips. “His cooking is always good. Eat it while it’s hot; open up, ah...”

Chong Xiao slammed his chopsticks onto the table. “Xu Zhe, what’s the meaning of this?”

“I’m just presenting your work as my own, don’t be so petty.”

“The original owner isn’t dead yet—did you ask my permission?”

The two volleyed sharp words back and forth, causing quite a stir. Several young women watched with longing. “So lucky! If two handsome guys fought over me like this, I’d die happy!”

Ye Yin’s face was twitching uncontrollably, and Situ Fei was thoroughly disgusted. “So the rumors are true. That woman really is...”

“Rumors?”

“They say she has an ambiguous relationship with those men, that they take turns serving her at night.” Situ Fei was deeply repulsed. “And now she’s even hooked up with the Commander’s son. Are all men just hopeless?”

So she and Mu Yutian are already sparking this quickly? The plot is never wrong.

Ye Yin was a bit worried that Situ Fei would turn into collateral damage and could only advise tactfully, “Let her be. It’s none of our business. Best not to provoke her, either—what if the Commander’s son falls for her? She might become the young madam one day.”

Situ Fei scoffed. “More like he’s interested in her grandfather. Don’t worry, I’m not that foolish.”

While they were grumbling, the battle for Qiao Xinran’s favor was reaching a fever pitch. The whole cafeteria had stopped eating, watching the spectacle with relish.

“Enough!” Tang Nana slammed the table in exasperation. “Can’t you let Xinran eat in peace?”

Xu Zhe and Chong Xiao paused, then stormed out of the cafeteria together, both looking aggrieved, even abandoning their lunchboxes.

“Let them be. I’m fine,” Qiao Xinran said nonchalantly, then turned to Tang Nana with a dreamy look. “What do you think of that man I met yesterday?”

Tang Nana replied carefully, “Judging by appearances, he’s very attractive. But we haven’t interacted much, so I don’t know what kind of person he is inside.”

Qiao Xinran nodded. “Classes are so boring every day. Why not figure out a way to see him?”

“Alright, I’ll follow your lead.” Tang Nana’s eyes were full of gentle affection, though a trace of worry lurked beneath her warmth.

That evening.

“What? You’re telling me Qiao Xinran is also a full-star paranormal?!” Ye Yin couldn’t believe her ears and asked Ye Hua again.

Ye Hua’s daily briefing had become an indispensable part of the sisters’ lives, but today’s news was truly staggering.

“Yes, Teacher Yue said so,” Ye Hua replied, not understanding her sister’s agitation. “But she also said something else strange...”

“What was it?”

“She said, ‘It doesn’t really make much difference.’”

Ye Yin pondered Teacher Yue’s words and seemed to understand. So Qiao Xinran’s “full-star” status was forced by circumstances—clearly, divisions had already begun to form within the Paranormals’ Association; undercurrents were surging.

Beautiful, a full-star paranormal, adored by many exceptional men, and with a grandfather who was a living immortal—these factors catapulted Qiao Xinran to the pinnacle of the Paranormals’ Training Center’s social hierarchy, and her fame only grew by the day. Life tied to the heroine was destined to be anything but peaceful; at the center, there was either a man confessing his love to her or a woman challenging her every day. People who normally seemed sensible turned into love-struck fools or brainless fanatics in her presence, doing all manner of outrageous things—truly beyond belief.