Around five in the morning, it's not only when humans are most sleepy but also when insects are least active. They are either in a daze, digesting food, or mating. Generally, they won't actively attack humans—this was common knowledge to everyone in Li Jiayu's previous life.
If he had sneaked out of Xijiang University at that time, he would have encountered far fewer dangers on the way, at least doubling his safety. But unfortunately, it was already dawn, probably around seven o'clock. Trying to rescue his Older Male Cousin and Older Male Cousin's Wife at this time would be somewhat inappropriate.
After all, his Older Male Cousin and Older Male Cousin's Wife lived in a residential area in the south of the city, while Xijiang University was located on the northern edge of the city. If he were to walk from Xijiang University to the south of the city... conservatively estimated, it would take two or three hours. If he factored in battles, detours, and even unexpected situations along the way, it might take six or seven hours to reach the south of the city!
Li Jiayu was silent.
Just as Li Jiayu was thinking with a headache about the rescue route, Ran Hongxia came in with breakfast. It was a steaming bowl of oatmeal, two slices of cheesecake, and a freshly brewed cup of milk tea.
In the past, this kind of breakfast would have been unappetizing, but at this stage, it was considered lavish. After all, in such cold weather, it was extremely difficult to get hot food. At least most people on the thirteenth floor could only eat cold egg yolk pies.
"Is Auntie Xiao asleep...?" Ran Hongxia looked at the sleeping Xiao Wanqing, gently placed the breakfast on the table, and whispered,
"Li Jiayu, this is your breakfast. Eat it while it's hot. Your body is just recovering, so you must replenish enough nutrients."
"It's cheesecake, I haven't had it in ages... Oh, and oatmeal too. It must be Feng Liaoyuan's doing, right?" He had been famished after yesterday's intense battle. Now, with delicious food in front of him, Li Jiayu, in a great mood, quickly reached for a piece of cake and stuffed it directly into his mouth.
"You guessed right. As soon as Feng Liaoyuan heard you woke up, he excitedly went to boil another pot of water. He originally wanted to make you a cup of instant noodles, but considering you were just injured and shouldn't eat greasy food, he changed it to oatmeal."
Li Jiayu maliciously proposed an unfair condition, but what he didn't expect was that Ran Hongxia actually agreed, agreed, agreed. Important things must be said three times. With Li Jiayu's negative hundreds in emotional intelligence, he never expected it. In his previous life, the proud Ran Hongxia would actually agree to his unreasonable demands. What the heck! Is this the end of the world? Uh! It really is the end of the world.
What he had just said was purely a casual remark, intending to mock Ran Hongxia. In his impression, Ran Hongxia was a very proud person, preferring to be shattered jade than intact tile, unwilling to bow to anyone. Anyone who dared to flirt with her would at least be chased by her for dozens of streets!
However, now that she was being blackmailed by Li Jiayu, not only did she not get angry, but she also had an inexplicable fondness for Li Jiayu, seemingly wanting to get closer to him. How could Li Jiayu bear this? His mind couldn't process it!
He hadn't expected that merely saving her twice unintentionally would make Ran Hongxia feel such great affection for him. How could Li Jiayu, who always wanted to stab Ran Hongxia to death, bear this?
After finishing breakfast in a few bites, Li Jiayu blinked, no longer bossing Ran Hongxia around like he had at first. He changed the subject, saying,
"Have all the Red-Crested Beetles killed in the teaching building last night been moved to the thirteenth floor?"
"Not yet, we only managed to move twenty-five, and they're all piled up on the twelfth floor. You once said that Red-Crested Beetle meat has many benefits, so I've had some people collect saws, knives, and some containers for the meat. We'll start working after dawn, formally stripping the insect meat..." As soon as the topic turned to business, Ran Hongxia immediately seemed like a different person, adopting the demeanor of a student council vice president, her spirits soaring.
"Hmm, that's a good arrangement. Don't think the Red-Crested Beetle's shell is hard; in fact, after they die, their shells soften a lot, probably only as hard as aluminum plates. Saws are enough to cut through their shells. But you must remember one thing: only their meat and brain matter are edible. As for their internal organs and such, most are harmful to the human body, so there's no need to strip them. Also, when sawing the outer shell, it's best to saw along the shell's texture; that will make it a bit easier."
To change the subject, Li Jiayu suppressed his dislike and awkwardness towards Ran Hongxia and carefully explained the insect's structure to her. Ran Hongxia listened attentively, but then her expression soured.
"Suddenly looking so troubled. I've already said, insect meat is actually very good, fresh and delicious, just like salmon, much tastier than sashimi from East Asia or Korea." Because Li Jiayu started explaining the deliciousness of insect meat, Ran Hongxia felt a wave of nausea. Just yesterday, she had seen insects eating her classmates. Now they were going to eat insect meat, which was a bit hard for her to accept.
After patiently guiding Ran Hongxia for a bit, Li Jiayu went to the bathroom.
"Phew... after accumulating so much water, peeing it all out feels so good..."
Li Jiayu sighed contentedly, looking at his reflection in the mirror. He looked a bit unfamiliar, didn't he?
Compared to yesterday... his facial features seemed softer, making him look more delicate, and some of his masculine ruggedness was gone, leaning more towards neutral. In short, he looked so handsome he didn't resemble a man. And Li Jiayu seemed to feel his hair had grown two or three centimeters, his bangs almost covering his eyes!
"Hmm... that's strange, my hair grew so much overnight... Is it because of that Nüluo Vine's crystal core? Oh right, its crystal core has life energy, which would affect my body's metabolism..."
Li Jiayu mumbled, looking at his Adam's apple. Huh? His Adam's apple had shrunk?
In a flash, Li Jiayu's eyes widened!
Nüluo Vine!
Why was it called Nüluo Vine? Because it absorbed primordial yin energy!
And while talking with Ran Hongxia, he also learned that inside the Nüluo Vine's flower bud, a female energy life was gestating! However, after Honda took out the crystal core, it evaporated and disappeared.
Female... and also a fairy-like succubus... Oh my god, if I swallowed its crystal core, would I be affected in other ways?
Li Jiayu felt a great sense of foreboding in his heart. He quickly looked at his little brother, only to see that thing hanging its head like a worm, listless!
However, whether it was an illusion or because of the cold weather, Li Jiayu only felt that his little brother had shrunk, a whole size smaller!
"This... what the hell... is going on? My Older Male Cousin hasn't been rescued yet, and my'second brother' is in big trouble!"
Li Jiayu was startled, his body trembled, and he was so agitated he almost wet his shoes!
A cold wind blew in from the window. Li Jiayu felt an unprecedented, bone-chilling cold, as if his blood had frozen!
"It's my imagination, right? It must be. Just an illusion..."
Just as Li Jiayu was feeling distressed and trying to distract himself, Honda's voice came over.
"What are you screaming about!" Honda had just passed by when she was attracted by the tragic sound from the bathroom, as if someone had cut off his little brother. She originally intended to watch a joke, but on closer listen, the voice sounded a bit familiar!
"Ho... Honda! Good morning!" After putting his little brother back in place and pulling up his pants, Li Jiayu walked out of the bathroom with a forced smile and greeted Honda.
"What happened that made you scream?" Honda looked at Li Jiayu, who was slowly turning into a beautiful girl. On the surface, she showed no change. In reality, her heart was already bursting with laughter. There was nothing more despairing than watching oneself gradually feminize with no way to stop it!
"Oh! Nothing, just got bitten by a 'little bug'." Li Jiayu lied to Honda with an awkward expression. This feeling was truly unbearable.
"Oh! Are you okay!" Honda showed concern on the surface, but in reality, she started laughing again internally. It seemed he wasn't bitten by a bug, but rather! The bug got shorter! Haha~~~.
"Don't worry! I'm fine. I'll go arrange some things first. You go eat breakfast!"
After saying that, without waiting for Honda's reply, Li Jiayu ran away.
"What a pity! I really wanted to chat about how many centimeters shorter it got!"
Honda looked at Li Jiayu's retreating figure and said regretfully!
But this is just the first step, there's more 'benefits' waiting for you, Li Jiayu!
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