Jiang Lijin completely blocked out Xiao Yi's noisy chatter.
Baal's body temperature was terrifyingly high, the heat seeping through the thin fabric of their clothes. His kiss, which had started as a savage plunder, slowly took on a seductive, alluring quality.
This man—usually such a serious, proper military officer—how could his kisses be so deadly?
Jiang Lijin grumbled silently in her heart, yet her arms unconsciously tightened around him.
Outside, the alarms were still blaring and the red lights were still flashing, but the storm inside the isolation room had settled.
Baal's breathing grew steady. The hand gripping the back of Jiang Lijin's head relaxed a fraction, sliding down her long hair before finally resting on her back.
But soon, she noticed something even more amiss.
A certain unignorable area was quietly changing. Something was slowly waking up with a heavy presence, ready to break through the surface.
Jiang Lijin froze for a second before her brain buzzed, finally realizing what was happening.
His berserk levels had just gone down, and his body's primal instincts were already taking over?
She quickly reached out, pressed her hands against Baal's chest, and gave him a hard shove.
It didn't take much effort this time; she pushed him away.
But Baal didn't completely let her go. He took the opportunity to lower his head, burying his face in the crook of her neck. His chest heaved violently as he gasped for air.
Jiang Lijin shrank her neck back, scorched by his boiling breath. It took her quite a while to suppress the dizzy spell washing over her.
She turned her head, glancing at the man slumped over her shoulder, and then looked toward the massive creature in the corner.
The black python that had been thrashing violently just moments ago was now completely quiet, coiled up like a small mountain, its giant head resting obediently on its tail.
This means it's completely over, right?
Hey, Jiang Lijin said in an annoyed tone. Make a sound if you're awake. My legs are going numb.
Baal didn't move or speak; the only sound was his steady breathing.
Did he fall asleep?
Jiang Lijin looked up at the ceiling in disbelief. What kind of situation was this? He kisses her until she's dizzy and disoriented, and then just passes out?
She tried to shift her body, wanting to free herself from this awkward position.
But the moment she moved, the arm around her waist suddenly tightened, forcefully pressing her back down.
Don't move, a hoarse, low voice sounded by her ear, thick with a nasal tone.
Jiang Lijin paused her movements, not daring to wriggle anymore. Moving around right now would truly be playing with fire.
Baal finally lifted his head.
His eyes had returned to their normal slit pupils, the terrifying crimson hue fading away. He just looked at her quietly, his gaze sweeping over her slightly swollen lips before finally settling on her eyes.
The two of them just stared at each other in a silent standoff.
A few seconds later.
Are you a dog or something? Jiang Lijin broke the silence first, frowning as she unceremoniously threw out the jab.
She scrambled off Baal's lap using both her hands and feet. The moment her feet touched the ground, her legs gave out, and she almost lost her balance. She grabbed the edge of the bed to steady herself, looking down to smooth out her rumpled clothes.
Since you're fine now, I'll be taking my leave. Jiang Lijin clapped her hands, turned around, and pointed out the door. There's a massive mess out there waiting for you to clean up.
Following the direction of her finger, outside the glass wall, Kieran's corpse was still lying quietly in a pool of blood. The charred, bloody hole between his eyebrows looked exceptionally shocking under the red warning lights.
Baal turned his head, his gaze bypassing Jiang Lijin's shoulder to land on the corpse.
His dark golden slit pupils contracted slightly, a flash of undisguised disgust passing through his eyes.
You killed him? he asked, his voice having returned to its usual cold hardness, though still carrying a bit of hoarseness.
Who else? Jiang Lijin rolled her eyes, her tone cool. Was I supposed to keep him around for the holidays?
He grabbed me so tightly just now. If I hadn't made it over, we both would have been done for. Jiang Lijin put down a water cup, turning back to look at Baal. It's called self-defense, understand?
Baal didn't speak. He propped himself up on the bed to sit, but fell back weakly with a muffled groan.
Seeing him in such a weak state, Jiang Lijin felt a rare pang of sympathy.
Are you going to be okay? Do you want me to go out and call a medical officer in for you?
No need, Baal refused sharply. He took a few deep breaths, forcefully suppressing the discomfort in his body. Help me up.
Jiang Lijin twitched her lips. That bossy tone of his—a leopard truly never changes its spots.
She walked over and offered him her hand.
Baal grabbed her hand and used it to pull himself up.
The two of them walked out of the isolation room one after the other.
As they passed Kieran's corpse, Jiang Lijin instinctively looked away. Baal, however, stopped in his tracks, staring coldly at the pool of blood on the floor.
The elevator doors opened.
Jiang Lijin stepped in first, with Baal following closely behind.
The space inside the elevator car was cramped. Jiang Lijin leaned against the corner, watching the floor indicator lights jump back and forth.
About what happened just now... Baal suddenly started.
Nothing happened just now, Jiang Lijin interrupted him, her tone light and breezy. I'm just a dedicated and responsible Purifier who used a special method to give you a deep purification. You don't need to feel burdened by it; just treat it as emergency medical first aid.
Baal turned to look at her. Emotions surged in those golden eyes, only to be forcefully suppressed by him.
A Purifier? He let out a cold snort, the end of his sentence trailing up slightly. Do all Purifiers at the Capital Star Central Hospital straddle their patients' laps and purify them with their mouths?
Jiang Lijin choked on her words for a second, but she stubbornly stuck her neck out with righteous indignation. As long as the results are good, who cares about the details?
Baal laughed out of sheer anger at her heartbreaker attitude. He suddenly took a step forward and lowered his head slightly. His broad shoulders blocked the overhead light, casting her entire figure in shadow.
Jiang Lijin, he called her by her full name, his voice deep and low. Do you understand what it means to do something like that to an adult male, especially your husband in name?
Jiang Lijin blinked, continuing to play dumb. That it means my skills are extraordinary, and I have the benevolent heart of a healer?
Baal stared at her for a long moment before suddenly pinching her chin.
It means, he leaned in slightly, you have to take responsibility for me.
Jiang Lijin's heart skipped a beat, but on the surface, she forcefully swatted his hand away and snapped back without hesitation: Are you dreaming? I saved your life, so you should be figuring out how to repay me! Take responsibility? Not a chance.
Ding—
The elevator stopped on the first floor, and the metal doors slowly slid open to the sides.
Jiang Lijin strode out briskly, her retreating figure looking carefree as she didn't even glance back once.
Baal stood where he was, watching her silhouette disappear around the corner.
Commander! Gary's voice echoed from the end of the corridor. He was rushing over with a squad of fully armed soldiers. Seeing Baal standing safely by the elevator, Gary let out a long sigh of relief.
It's great that you're okay! The alarms in Sector A1 went off just now, and I thought...
Thought I had exploded, and came to collect my corpse? Baal shot him a cold glare.
Gary gave a dry laugh, not daring to reply. He peeked into the elevator but didn't see anyone else.
"Um... where is Ms. Jiang?"
"Gone." Baal stretched his long legs and strode toward the command room.
Gary hurried to keep up. "What about Kieran? Didn't he just go into the quarantine zone?"
"Dead."
Gary gasped. Dead? Who did it?
"Then... is Ms. Jiang alright?" Gary asked tentatively.
Baal stopped in his tracks and turned to look at him. "She is perfectly fine."
Gary felt a chill under his piercing gaze. He couldn't shake the feeling that the commander's mood was a bit off today. It was a good thing his rampage levels had dropped, but why did it feel like his temper had only gotten worse?
"Notify the logistics department to completely renovate Sector A1," Baal said as he continued walking. "Also, look into all of Kieran's recent communication logs and financial transactions. If he dared to make a move at a time like this, there must be someone behind him."
"Yes, sir!" Gary stood at attention and saluted.
