Volume One, Chapter 8: Enemies Meet with Burning Eyes

“Miss Wu.”

The staff member behind the counter with dimples nodded. If she struck a deal with the mysterious figure from the space, she’d be a frequent visitor here, so he took a careful look at the name badge—Cheng Lan.

She had come to the appraisal center early in the morning, eager to learn the effects of the four fruits.

Cheng Lan asked, “Are you here for an appraisal today as well?”

After Ming Yu finished attending to another customer nearby, she turned and spotted Wu Xingxue. Hearing Cheng Lan’s words, she rolled her eyes.

“Cheng Lan, you really should be more careful! You let just anyone step forward.”

Wu Xingxue glanced at Ming Yu and handed over the water droplet-shaped fruit. “Help me test this.”

Cheng Lan took it and glanced apologetically. “Miss Wu, please wait a moment. The machine is undergoing brief maintenance; it’ll be ready in a few minutes.”

Ming Yu crossed her arms and scoffed, “Just because you got lucky and found a fruit with special effects, doesn’t mean all fruits are exotic.”

The appraisal center occasionally issued special tasks, and some people sold interesting strange plants and animals on the spot, so the hall was bustling.

Hearing Ming Yu’s remark, everyone took a closer look.

“Hey! Isn’t that Wu Xingxue? Yesterday, she tested a fruit with healing properties, but unfortunately ate it right away.”

“Right, Ming Yu, didn’t you say the fruits she brought yesterday were worthless? You got proven wrong then. What now, Ming Yu? Still haven’t learned your lesson today?”

Ming Yu and Cheng Lan were regular staff at the appraisal center, well recognized by frequent visitors.

Ming Yu’s mouth twitched as she shot a glare at the troublemakers.

She remembered everything precisely.

Ming Yu snatched the fruit from Cheng Lan’s hands. “Isn’t this just a pear? What’s so special about it?”

Cheng Lan’s face paled. “Ming Yu, be careful not to damage it!”

“What’s there to fear? A lousy pear? With our salaries, we can’t even afford one?” Ming Yu gave Wu Xingxue a sidelong glance. “Cheng Lan, listen to me—some people aren’t worth your effort.”

“You don’t even know, do you? She’s a disgrace to the Wu family—kicked out just yesterday. She’s nothing but a stray dog now!”

“People like her who bring random junk to test, hoping to get lucky? Dream on.”

“Luck won’t shine on scum who abandon comrades and betray the Wu family’s heiress!”

Wu Xingxue noticed the intense hatred radiating from Ming Yu and suddenly asked, “Do you know Wu Yumian?”

Ming Yu said nothing.

“That means it’s connected to that dead person. What’s your relationship with him? Family? Lover?”

Ming Yu gritted her teeth, “You abandoned my brother that day!”

Wu Xingxue narrowed her eyes slightly. A month ago at the front lines, Wu Yumian, who had been holding her back and refusing to let go even in death, was Ming Yu’s brother.

Cheng Lan was stunned; she had worked alongside Ming Yu for so long and never knew this.

No wonder Ming Yu was so hostile toward Wu Xingxue.

Truly, enemies meeting were like fire meeting tinder.

“Wu Xingxue really did a terrible thing. I heard Wu Yumian was still alive when the Wu heiress tried to rescue him. If it weren’t for Wu Xingxue’s cowardice abandoning him, the heiress would have saved him!”

“The Wu family members are all good people; the real heiress is a kind girl. But Wu Xingxue, she’s just cruel-hearted.”

“How can she even sleep at night? Isn’t she afraid Ming Yu’s brother will come after her?”

“Afraid of what? She openly abandoned a comrade. Who knows what other wicked deeds she’s done? If you ask me, she should be kneeling and apologizing to Ming Yu right now.”

The crowd’s chatter reached Ming Yu’s ears.

—

“Wu Xingxue, I want you to kneel and apologize to my brother! And you have to compensate our family with ten thousand United Credits every month from now on!”

“Ten thousand?! That much? Then why bother working, Ming Yu? Let Wu Xingxue support your whole family.”

“No, Wu Xingxue’s been expelled from the Wu family. Where would she get ten thousand a month?”

Unexpectedly, Wu Xingxue smiled.

Ming Yu felt a strange sense of humiliation. “What are you laughing at?! How dare a sinner like you smile?”

Wu Xingxue replied, “And you have the face? Spouting ten thousand like it’s nothing—why don’t you just fly to the heavens?”

“If you’re crazy, go get treatment. Now give Cheng Lan my fruit to test.”

Wu Xingxue noticed the machine behind had stopped running; it should be ready now.

Ming Yu choked on the insult, clenched the fruit, raised it high, and sneered, “Unless you kneel and beg me, I’ll crush it!”

The fruit was small; a healthy adult woman could easily crush it with full strength.

Everyone gathered around, ready to witness Wu Xingxue’s downfall.

Wu Xingxue glanced at Ming Yu’s raised hand and suddenly moved!

“Bang!”

Neither Ming Yu nor the crowd saw clearly, but Wu Xingxue had already grabbed Ming Yu’s head with one hand and slammed it hard against the counter!

“Damn! She’s so fierce! Didn’t they say she’s a cripple now? How can a cripple move that fast?”

“She really shows no shame!”

Wu Xingxue lowered her eyes. Before her injury, if she went all out, Ming Yu’s brains would have splattered by now.

The drastic loss of strength reminded her painfully of her crippled state, and her mood darkened.

“Let go of me! It hurts! Wu Xingxue, you’re crazy! Are you trying to kill me in public?!”

Ming Yu’s face was pressed and distorted against the counter.

Wu Xingxue quickly snatched the fruit from her hand and released her. Ming Yu staggered back, her face swollen and red, tears welling in her eyes.

“Wu Xingxue!”

Wu Xingxue suddenly said, “Do you dare to bet with me? If this fruit has special effects, you owe me one arm. If not, I’ll agree to pay you ten thousand every month.”

Ming Yu trembled with anger but was momentarily stunned.

The crowd cheered, “Agree, Ming Yu! You’re not backing down, right? You just said it was an ordinary pear!”

“Ten thousand a month! How muchI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.