What grudge or enmity do I have with you?

“Xiaoyu, get up! Time for school.” A gentle woman’s voice drifted in from outside the door.

“What’s the point of getting up? Who still goes to school in the apocalypse?” Mo Yu muttered, rubbing her cheek against the down comforter with a hint of impatience.

To think that, even after being reborn, she could still enjoy the warmth of a cozy bed…

Reborn…

Reborn…

Mo Yu abruptly sat up. Even after being reborn, she couldn’t have this warmth? Then where was she? Her hand instinctively reached out to the right—no familiar leather jacket, no knife by her side, no life-saving pistol. All there was, was something soft and warm pressed up against her.

Had she been captured by some mutant animal of the apocalypse…?

She yanked back the covers and saw Mo Qingxuan, as docile as a cat, sleeping soundly.

Unbelievable… How can you sleep so deeply at a time like this?

“It’s cold…” At that moment, Qingxuan curled up, snuggling closer to Mo Yu as if she were a little heater.

Mo Yu looked up at the ceiling in exasperation, then, in a fit of pique, threw the blanket entirely over Qingxuan. Hearing the comfortable sigh from under the covers, she promptly yanked the blanket away again, exposing Qingxuan to the chilly air.

“Cold!” Jolted by the sudden rush of cold, Qingxuan bristled like a startled kitten, several golden tufts of hair sticking up at odd angles; half-asleep, she lunged toward Mo Yu.

Mo Yu struggled to peel Qingxuan off, who was now clinging to her like an octopus.

“Mo Yu! Get up!” A hurried knock sounded at the door.

Mo Yu froze. Who were these people? First someone tells her to go to school, and now a man calls her to get up?

She didn’t even notice how little discomfort she felt in this new environment, nor did she realize she wasn’t the slightest bit nervous. Slipping on her slippers, she shuffled to the door.

“Xiaoyu, you’re up? Mama made you a delicious coconut shell and egg salad!” The woman’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Mo Yu stared speechlessly at the supposed “mama”—a man with thick leg hair and a square face—wondering if she’d traveled to another world.

Just then, a taller, more delicate woman appeared, holding a wooden skewer impaling a chunk of meat streaked with blood. She smiled, “Come, daughter, have a bite. Dad grilled this especially for you—it’s nutritious and delicious!”

Mo Yu was dumbfounded. I want to go home. This world is terrifying!

“Come, come, there’s no need to be polite with dad and mom! Eat up!”

Mo Yu was forced into a dining chair, staring with a look of utter despair at the “coconut shell and egg salad” before her.

She could almost forgive the bits of eggshell—maybe they’d fallen in by accident—but why were there sharp spikes on the coconut shell, sharp enough to split chopsticks in two?

Turning her gaze to the meat skewer, she noticed the blood hadn’t even been washed off; it was dripping onto her hand.

The three of them sat in silence.

“That’s enough.” Suddenly, Qingxuan’s slightly hoarse voice sounded from behind, as if she had a cold.

“Yes, Your Highness.” The two who had just called themselves “dad” and “mom” instantly became solemn and proper, bowing respectfully as they withdrew.

Mo Yu could only stare, speechless, tossing the skewer back into the bowl.

“Well? What’s going on?”

“Please don’t be angry, Master,” Qingxuan, who had just looked every bit the noble, instantly turned meek once the attendants left. “Let me explain…”

“Spare me. Three minutes.” Mo Yu crossed her right leg over her left, the nightdress she wore slipping down to barely cover her youthful thighs.

Qingxuan swallowed hard, her eyes glued to Mo Yu, two spots of color blooming on her cheeks.

“I—”

“One and a half minutes.”

Qingxuan finally looked away. She pulled out the chair opposite Mo Yu, sat down, and stared directly into Mo Yu’s eyes with sincerity and affection.

“Please marry me.”

“Pfft—cough, cough!” Mo Yu had just taken a sip of tea; at these words, she choked and sprayed it all over the floor.

“Careful! Drink slowly!” Qingxuan quickly took out a handkerchief and gently wiped Mo Yu’s mouth.

“What did you just say?” Mo Yu took the handkerchief, gripping Qingxuan’s fingertips tightly.

“Master, please marry me. Ow…” Qingxuan dared not pull away.

“And why would I do that?” Mo Yu let go, exasperated.

“Because you are my destined wife. Only you can save my country and my people. And…” Qingxuan looked away.

“And what?” Mo Yu pressed, her mind in chaos, eager for answers.

“And… I can’t stand any more male creatures appearing around you!”

Mo Yu was silent for a moment. “If I help you save your country, what’s in it for me? You realize I can refuse your ‘proposal,’ don’t you?” As she spoke, she pinched Qingxuan’s chin.

“If you marry me, I can take you back to your Earth. I’ll let you visit your parents and your family. I’ll give your country the cure for its crisis. You know, all this time you’ve been unable to return to the capital—it wasn’t your own fault. I was the one obstructing you.”

With every word, Mo Yu’s grip tightened.

“Are you tired of living?” Mo Yu’s voice was cold and gritted as she glared at Qingxuan with pure hatred.

All she wanted after being reborn was to live out her days in peace with her family in the apocalypse, to protect them and make up for the debts of her past life. But now this… this unexpected complication, enjoying her care while standing in her way, treating her like a fool.

“If you want to return to your family, please marry me. Help us defeat our enemies. Only then… only then…” Qingxuan could barely breathe, her throat squeezed tight, let alone speak.

“You’d better keep your word.” Mo Yu released her, her tone icy and rigid. “As long as you keep your promise, I’ll marry you.”

Qingxuan’s eyes widened in shock, a rush of happiness overwhelming her senses. Instinctively, he reached for Mo Yu’s embrace.

She shoved him away without mercy.

“From now on, I won’t love you anymore. Remember this: the moment our enemies are defeated is the moment you send me back to Earth.”

Qingxuan opened his mouth, wanting to speak, but no sound came out. His arms hung awkwardly in an unfinished embrace, ignored as Mo Yu brushed past him.

Bang! The bedroom door slammed shut.

Inside, fury; outside, heartbreak.

No one knew how much time passed before the door was knocked again.

Mo Yu sat hugging her knees at the head of the bed, determined to ignore whoever was outside.

“Master, we’ll be married today.”

Qingxuan knew Mo Yu didn’t want to hear his voice right now, but he had to say it. He’d waited too long for this day. The contract between them was too weak; he feared she’d leave him. Only a marriage contract would bind her to him forever. For that, he’d endure her hatred if it meant they could be together for all eternity.

A crash sounded from inside—objects thrown to the floor. Mo Yu was clearly livid.

“Get out!”

“Master, please rest. I’ll bring your wedding attire myself in a moment.”

“Get out!”

“Yes, Master.” Qingxuan placed his left hand over his abdomen and bowed respectfully before turning away.

Mo Yu now understood—not all hatred could be erased. Qingxuan’s actions made her feel deeply betrayed and used. She suddenly remembered Zhu Zi from her past life, who had secretly drugged her and sent her to the laboratory. The hatred she thought time had dulled now flared up inside her like a raging fire.

Indescribable anger.

As the old saying goes: “The moonless night is for murder, and the windy night is for arson.”

Mo Yu looked up at the two blue moons high in the sky and finally dismissed the terrifying idea of quietly killing Qingxuan during the wedding.

A brisk knock interrupted her thoughts. Arms crossed, she turned from the window.

“Master, your wedding dress is at the door.” It was Qingxuan’s voice.

Mo Yu refused to respond.

“I’ll go make preparations, then, Master.” Qingxuan carefully placed a crystal tray holding the wedding dress at her door, bowed once more, and left.

Watching all this with her abilities, Mo Yu was silent for a long time. If he was using her so blatantly, why was he still so respectful? It was baffling.

Ten minutes later…

Mo Yu opened the door and immediately spotted the luxurious wedding dress on the crystal tray. She’d been wondering about it for ages—why was the dress black? Seriously, a black wedding dress…

But this was hardly the time to care about such things. Whatever the color, even if the gown was a rainbow-hued Mary Sue fantasy, she’d still wear it with a clear conscience!

That said… was black really appropriate?