Engagement Annulled? Now The Husbands Kneel and Beg for Her Favor

Since completing Que Feiling’s mission, the Healing Association hadn’t assigned any new tasks.

After all, Jiang Qingli was currently just a university student. The academy worried that students couldn’t handle the strain and might suffer a backlash, so they didn’t assign many missions.

But lately, the number of missions seemed to have increased. Ai Li had also received her second mission a few days ago.

Jiang Qingli opened the message and reviewed the mission target’s profile.

[Name: Fang Chi

Gender: Male

Race: Lynx

Age: 23

Superpowers: Wood Element, Earth Element (Dual Superpowers)

Mission Details: While on a mission in the Eleventh District, the target suffered a Spiritual Attack from a Mutant Beast. His pollution value abruptly surged from 35% to 70% and continues to rise intermittently. His life may be in danger; he is in urgent need of rescue.

Projected Goal: Stabilize his condition and reduce his pollution value to 50% or lower.

Mission Reward: This is a high-level mission. The reward is to be negotiated directly with the Association President.

Additionally, Colonel Jin Li has added several rewards. For details, please see the attached list [Link].

Note: This is an emergency mission. The target is currently in a coma. The healing process must begin within three hours of him waking up. After accepting the mission, please ensure your communication line remains open.]

When Jiang Qingli saw the name Jin Li, she frowned. It sounded vaguely familiar.

The warm pads of his fingers smoothed the furrow in her brow. Seeing her blank expression, Baili Jing couldn’t help but curve his lips into a slight smile. ”Jin Li is... one of Bai Yiyi’s former fiancés,” he explained. ”A White Tiger Beastman, currently stationed in the Lower District. He and Fang Chi are cousins.”

Hearing this, Jiang Qingli finally recalled that there was, indeed, someone named Jin Li.

She carefully dredged up fragmented memories. Jin Li was a sturdily built White Tiger Beastman who didn’t say much. He was also incredibly busy with work, spending most of his time in the Lower District. He hadn’t even returned for the Moon Festival.

The previous soul in her body had preferred the pretty-boy type, like Ling Qing, and wasn’t interested in Jin Li’s type at all. She had basically treated him like he was invisible. It seemed Bai Yiyi hadn’t been very close to him either.

Jiang Qingli had only met him once, on the day they broke off the engagement. He left immediately after it was done.

’He had even less of a presence than Helian Ying...’

If Baili Jing and 030 hadn’t filled her in, Jiang Qingli would have almost forgotten he even existed.

”[This character shows up much later in the story,]” 030 chimed in. ”[In the original plot, you two hadn’t even met by the time the author stopped updating. Based on the foreshadowing, I’m guessing the author intended for you to develop a relationship while on a mission in the Lower District.]”

Jiang Qingli nodded, and her terminal vibrated again.

It was a call from a number in the Lower District.

After she answered, Baili Jing tapped the screen, switching the call to speakerphone.

A young man’s voice came from the other end, sounding a little nervous. ”Hello, may I ask if this is Miss Jiang Qingli?”

”It is,” Jiang Qingli said.

The person on the other end hurriedly replied, ”Hello, I’m a subordinate of Colonel Jin Li. He’s currently out on a mission and hasn’t returned yet.”

”Before he left, Colonel Jin entrusted me with contacting whoever accepted the mission. I didn’t expect it would be you... But I suppose it makes sense. You’re the Empire’s only SSS-rank female. You’re probably the only one who can save Fang Chi...”

Jiang Qingli listened to his clumsy flattery before cutting in, ”That’s enough of that.”

The man on the other end fell silent for a moment before speaking again, his voice slower. ”Miss Jiang, I know you and Colonel Jin have had... some unpleasant history. But Fang Chi is a really good kid. He’s been on the battlefield for three years and has killed countless Mutant Beasts. During the beast tide last year, he was seriously injured saving a stray child. He still has the scar on his back—you can look it up online! I swear to the Beast God I’m not lying!”

Afraid she was about to hang up, he quickly got to the point. ”In short, as long as you’re willing to save Fang Chi, Colonel Jin will reward you handsomely! You can name any other price, too...”

”Is that so?” Baili Jing chuckled. ”What if we were to ask Jin Li to make a public, formal apology? Or even to resign his post as Colonel? Would he do that?”

The man on the other end clearly hadn’t expected another male to be there, much less one who would say something so harsh. He was at a loss. ”Well...”

For someone in the military, it went without saying how much effort was required to achieve the rank of Colonel. It was an enormous honor and responsibility, not something one could simply cast aside.

The man mumbled, ”I will relay your message to the Colonel,” and hung up.

After the call ended, Baili Jing looked at Jiang Qingli and said gently, ”Baby, Fang Chi is indeed a good kid, but that doesn’t mean they can guilt-trip you. Whether or not you take the mission is your choice. Not even His Majesty the Emperor has the right to force you.”

He was telling the truth, but...

Jiang Qingli thought for a moment before saying, ”I’ll look at his data first.”

Hearing this, Baili Jing was not the least bit surprised.

He knew Jiang Qingli would take the case. She had always been a kind person, just as she had been when she saved him without a moment’s hesitation when they were children.

He took Jiang Qingli’s hand and said gently, ”If you decide to take it, I’ll go with you to the supervision center this time, all right?”

”Okay.”

Jiang Qingli agreed with a smile, sending a message to the supervision center at the same time.

-

After dinner, it was getting late.

Yin Nuo got up and left under the cover of night, taking Xiao Xue with him.

After they had both washed up, Baili Jing didn’t go to the bedroom. Instead, he carried Jiang Qingli to the guest room where he usually stayed.

Two days and two nights. He had used up everything he’d prepared, and he didn’t want to sleep in a bed another male had just vacated.

Jiang Qingli tactfully avoided mentioning those two days and two nights. She snuggled in his arms, making idle chitchat as she listened to him talk about interesting things that had happened at work.

Lying in one position was getting a little uncomfortable. As she turned over, she briefly put a hand to her lower back.

The movement lasted only a few seconds, but Baili Jing noticed immediately. His large hand settled on her lower back and began to gently massage the area.

”Youchen is still too reckless,” Baili Jing said. ”He needs to learn how to take proper care of you.”

Jiang Qingli was a little embarrassed. ”It’s not that sore. Xie Youchen already massaged it for me...”

Before she could finish, the young man suddenly tightened his hold, pulling her firmly into his arms.

The distance between them closed abruptly. Jiang Qingli felt a change in him and instantly tensed up.

’She really couldn’t take any more right now...’

”I’m not going to do anything. I know you’re tired,” Baili Jing said, holding her from behind, his warm breath tickling her ear. ”But, Baby, don’t defend another man in front of me. I get jealous, too.”

”I won’t,” she promised quickly as his fox tail brushed against her chin. She changed the subject. ”You... just keep massaging.”

He chuckled softly.

But gradually, the hand on her lower back began to slide forward, its warmth sending tingles through her.

Jiang Qingli shivered and begged in a small voice, ”You said you wouldn’t... Don’t lie to me...”

”I’m not lying, Baby.”

His long, slender fingers lightly traced a line a few inches above her navel.

”I was just wondering...” Baili Jing lowered his gaze and kissed the side of her face, his voice a soft whisper, as if sharing a secret. ”Has he been here, too?”

”Baili Jing!”

Overcome with a mix of shame and indignation, Jiang Qingli spun around and pounded a fist against his chest.

She didn’t control her strength, and the blow made him grunt in pain.

”I’m here, Baby.” Baili Jing caught the hand that was hitting his chest and brought it to his lips for a kiss.

Feigning anger, Jiang Qingli pinched the tip of his ear.

After they’d fooled around for a bit, the supervision center sent over Fang Chi’s detailed data.

She had barely read two lines when her terminal vibrated with an incoming call.

The two words ”Jin Li” flashed relentlessly on the screen.