Chapter 94 Cherry Tomato: "Hmm? My little puppy?"
As soon as Qin Lan turned around, everyone quickly returned to their places and went about their business.
Xue Wumi told the two of them to get ready.
Qin Lan quickly dried her hair and began to warm up.
"Action!"
The two jumped into the pool together and let themselves fall.
The colonel drifted in the icy river and wandered among the silent black rocks.
Whether it was too cold or she was finally exhausted, the colonel simply lay on her back in the icy river, showing no intention of surviving.
From the moment she fell into the water, she distanced herself from You Long. It wasn't that either of them decided to part ways; there was a huge rock where they landed, and You Long kicked her, using the force to push himself back. The current was rapid in the middle and lower reaches, and there was a steep, winding slope behind them. Lin Nan only had time to glance at You Long before she was swept away.
She also tried to survive, struggling to get ashore, and several times her hand touched the drooping branches.
But in the end, they were all swept back by the rushing water.
Lin Nan clutched a handful of leaves, her face drained of color. She could no longer feel the cold; her limbs twitched in spasms. Sometimes she could see swimmers struggling towards the shore from the crest of the wave, like carp trying to leap over the dragon gate, their black vests bobbing in the water.
At one point, she saw Yulong leap with all his might, his snow-white and beautiful arm disappearing on the shore.
Lin Nan breathed a sigh of relief and was finally swept away by the river.
She sank to the bottom of the still water.
Lin Nan moved her fingers, drowsily hooking the curled water plants.
Green and soft, it returned to the past under the colonel's cherished gaze.
There was a moment like that.
In some unknown time and space, Lin Nan, young and still a student, sat on the soft grass.
The surrounding area was covered with lush grass and bathed in bright sunshine.
Yu Long, with his still-sleek, straight hair, sat next to her, twirling a blade of grass between his fingers.
No one spoke; water flowed nearby, birds sang in the treetops, and a gentle breeze lazily blew to one's feet.
After a while, You Long, who was much more impulsive than he was now, finally couldn't hold back and blurted out, "Why did you choose me?"
Perhaps out of nervousness, he even snapped the blade of grass in two.
Lin Nan remembers her answer at the time was—because you gave me a very different feeling.
Why are they different?
It's just... something that makes me want to keep watching.
I heard the sound of a heavy object hitting the water.
The colonel opened his eyes and looked up—
Yulong broke through the water's surface and nimbly swam towards her, his long brown hair spreading out in the ripples, like a mermaid from an old movie.
The colonel stared at the man in astonishment. Yu Long deftly dodged the current and grabbed her hand.
＊
After filming this scene, both of them were shivering from the cold.
Jiang Yan lay on the edge of the pool, looking completely exhausted.
Qin Lan had been soaking for too long and her body was a little stiff. It took several attempts before she was pulled up.
She brushed aside Xiaoqing's hand that was hurriedly handing her a towel, and turned to pull Jiang Yan's hand: "Teacher Jiang, give me your hand."
Jiang Yan weakly reached out her hand.
Qin Lan could feel that she was trembling violently.
After finally getting them ashore, blankets and towels were draped over their heads, covering the two teachers: "Quick, quick, bring the electric heater! Where's the ginger tea? Hand warmers, bring them all!"
The entire set was a flurry of activity. Everyone was busy, but no one really knew what they were busy with. It was a cause for celebration, with everyone eager to see the two of them "sleeping together in big towels."
Qin Lan felt the blanket above her head shivering, and couldn't help but lean over and hug Jiang Yan, pressing her head against her shoulder: "Are you cramping anywhere?"
"No."
Jiang Yan opened her mouth and breathed a blast of cold air onto her neck.
Qin Lan's body was starting to warm up, so he hugged her even more without any hesitation: "Shall I rub your hands and feet?"
Jiang Yan was trembling violently, so without waiting for a reply, she rubbed her head, intending to help improve blood circulation. Just then, the towel on her head was lifted, and a staff member turned around, saying, "Here, here's warm water, teachers, please soak—"
The noise on set came to an abrupt halt.
Qin Lan released Jiang Yan very naturally, wrapped the towel around her, and then began to massage her hands.
Jiang Yan closed her eyes, thinking to herself, "Never mind, never mind. Anyway, I really can't bear to give up Qin Lan's gentle moments. It's just that the two of them will probably get talked about again."
After massaging her hands, Qin Lan went to massage her feet, acting as if no one else was around, as if she were still in a play.
Jiang Yan tried to pull back, but the other woman pressed her ankle and glanced at her: "What, does Teacher Jiang dislike me?"
"No." Jiang Yan curled her toes, suddenly feeling a sense of shame: "I'm afraid Teacher Qin will dislike me."
Qin Lan said very naturally as she massaged her, "We're all colleagues, what's there to complain about?"
Jiang Yan felt smoke rising from the top of her head.
Her hair dried quickly from the heat, and she repeatedly tried to signal to Qin Lan with her eyes. They were still holding hands, and the next day they were so intimate...
Qin Lan pretended not to see it and casually instructed her assistant: "Bring over the foot bath medicine packets and bucket, if you didn't bring any."
Jiang Yan's assistant left meekly.
Jiang Yan buried her face in the towel, thinking she might as well just die on the spot.
She couldn't resist Qin Lan's gentleness; the temptation was too great for her. Principles and desires were locked in a fierce battle within her, and after only two rounds, her principles gave way.
Never mind, Qin Lan has changed quite a bit, maybe this time there will be a good result.
Filming wrapped up early today, and both lead actors went back to their hotel to keep warm.
No one expected to return to the same room.
Qin Lan had no other intentions, but when she returned to the hotel lobby, she suddenly received a message from Jiang Yan asking if she wanted to come to her place, as her assistant had prepared ginger tea.
Qin Lan had already had a drink on set, and Jiang Yan watched her the whole time.
Qin Lan was delighted and immediately sent Xiao Qing away. She stood nervously outside for a while, still wondering what to say as soon as she opened the door, when Jiang Yan had already opened it.
Moreover, he was very considerate and didn't ask her why she was standing at his door, but instead took her wrist.
Qin Lan sat down, flattered.
Having seen so many cold faces, I'd almost forgotten what Jiang Yan was like when she took the initiative.
Now she knew what it felt like to be ignored, and looked at Jiang Yan with pleading eyes: "I'm sorry, I wasn't good to you before."
Jiang Yan sat down at the foot of the bed.
"I also bear some responsibility. I was very anxious during that time and couldn't handle your emotions properly. I should have..."
"Then you can teach me now," Qin Lan quickly interrupted her.
Jiang Yan smiled. It made Qin Lan feel as if flowers had bloomed on the icy plains, and spring was finally approaching.
"That's not how it works. In a relationship, two people need to grow together. We should guide each other and work through the differences..."
Qin Lan nodded in agreement with everything she said, which made Jiang Yan a little helpless: "Could it be that you only know how to cherish something after you've lost it? You're acting like a fool."
"I've heard that love makes people silly," Qin Lan said seriously. "You weren't much smarter before either; you always greeted me with a smile no matter what I did. Now I know what that feels like."
She tentatively scooted forward and sat down next to Jiang Yan.
"Okay, silly girl." Jiang Yan smiled and ruffled her fluffy head. "Then I'm going to start my first lesson. Your attitude just now made me a little unhappy. I don't like seeing you like this."
Qin Lan's expression became even more serious: "Then what do you want me to do?"
"You don't need to learn from anyone, just be yourself. I care about your attitude, but that doesn't mean you need to be subservient. On the contrary, I prefer your proud and unrestrained side..."
Qin Lan nodded to indicate that she understood.
Jiang Yan clapped her hands: "Well then... let's put it into practice now. Look at me and say something to me."
Qin Lan is trying to regain her former self.
She turned to look at Jiang Yan: "Have you eaten?"
"...Very good, next step. We also need to establish a reward and punishment system, as well as a safe word for arguments; these will help us move in a positive direction..."
"A safe word?" Qin Lan thought for a moment curiously, "Then how about cherry tomatoes? I like to eat cherry tomatoes, and my mood will improve when you mention this word."
"Okay." Jiang Yan smiled: "Baby was very proactive and self-motivated today, and you can study on your own... Here's a kiss for you."
Qin Lan blushed and muttered, "Who's the baby?"
"do not you?"
Jiang Yan leaned closer and smelled the perfume on her neck: "My little puppy?"
She inhaled deeply while giving him light, almost imperceptible kisses, her breath incredibly hot.
Qin Lan's willpower crumbled rapidly.
She was about to die, and before she could suffocate, she pushed Jiang Yan away a little: "Stop... Little Tomato."
Jiang Yan burst into laughter, bending over with joy: "Mmm, baby learns so fast."
＊
In the scene, Qin Lan has a great figure, with her long arms wrapped around Jiang Yan, and her vest accentuating the lines of her arms.
You Long dragged the half-dead Lin Nan ashore.
The colonel's face was just like those of the strange men, deathly pale with a lifeless bluish-gray tinge. His eyes were tightly closed, water was oozing from his mouth and nose, and his wet hair clung to his face.
Yutaki had to support the woman's arm with his elbow and use his waist to shield her as she continued to lean backward. If the woman hadn't unconsciously raised her foot over the stone blocking her path, Yutaki would have almost thought she was dead.
"Hey, are you alright?" Yu Long, panting, wiped the water off his face and couldn't help but shiver in the cold wind. "Don't die here!"
The colonel lay on the gravel, motionless and silent.
You Long bent down and reached out to pry open Lin Nan's eyelids: "No way, are you frozen to death? Why aren't you saying anything...?"
Just as her fingers were about to touch Lin Nan's eyelids, the colonel opened her cold, emotionless eyes.
Yu Long was taken aback.
Countless light-years had passed in the universe when Yu Long saw those familiar eyes again.
The colonel's eyes were beautiful; they were the kind of eyes that everyone who looked at them closely would never forget.
Her eyes were like the night sky, reflecting starlight from different angles, deep and mysterious, as if perfectly imprinted with the stars of the universe.
However, one of these beautiful, unforgettable eyes has now become transparent.
"you......"
You Long rolled his eyes uncomfortably, the same awkwardness he felt during his "forced conversations" with Lin Nan these past few days: "What's wrong with your eyes?"
The colonel moved his lips, and calmly asked, "The left eye? What color is it now?"
"...colorless, transparent."
"Oh, oh." The colonel raised a finger, slowly touched his eyelashes, and said softly, "The ground is cold, I'm a little cold, why won't you let me get up and talk?"
You Long reacted strongly, spreading his hands as if he had been wronged, and shouted, "I didn't hold you down! Get up if you want to!"
Lin Nan raised an eyebrow: "Who dragged me ashore from the river just now?"
Yu Long: "Me?"
The colonel looked helpless: "Then why didn't you let me come up myself?"
Yu Long: "......"
He forgot that she was seriously injured.
Regardless, You Long considered herself a person with a conscience. Although she was completely unaware of the situation, Lin Nan had still been hit by her bomb. As a person with a conscience and principles, You Long diligently helped up the fallen Colonel Lin and lovingly supported her (dragging her feet below the ankles) as they moved forward.
Soon Yu Long had to change her mind; the colonel's body temperature was so cold that she felt like she was covered in frost just by being next to her.
"You can't walk anymore, you need to warm up and rest."
Lin Nan nodded slightly.
Yu Long felt that she was about to die in space at any moment.
"You can't sleep."
The colonel nodded again, but this time the nod was much smaller.
Yu Long tried every means to keep this person conscious, at least to prevent him from dying on her: "Say something."
Upon hearing this, Lin Nan seemed to regain some of her composure and opened her eyes: "Speak."
Yu Long: "Yes."
Lin Nan: "What did you say?"
Yu Long: "......"
She really didn't know what to say to her ex.
You Long racked her brains for a while, and then a thought suddenly came to her: "What's wrong with your eyes?"
Oh, you asked one more word than last time.
Lin Nan chuckled inwardly, his voice faint and ethereal: "I encountered an explosion during a mission before."
Yu Long: "Why not cultivate a new one?"
Lin Nan's eyes dimmed like water: "Because the prosthetic eye has multiple functions."
Because the colonel's current health condition is too poor, his prosthetic eye cannot be stably connected, and he has become transparent, just as Yutaka saw.
She was helped up by You Long. The colonel was in a daze, and could only see the shadows of the trees and her loose hair swaying together, some black and some white. She hung her head and lowered her eyes, swaying unsteadily as You Long supported her.
You Long's support was poorly executed, making it seem as if the person being helped was too heavy. His hands felt uncomfortable as if they were touching some dangerous chemical substance, and his gaze never fell on the other person.
Colonel Lin couldn't hold back any longer: "What kind of filthy thing am I? You're about to kill me with your help."
Sometimes she can't stay calm when talking to You Long, which is very different from her usual clear and rational self.
Lin Nan felt that You Long was acting strangely after their reunion. Something was missing from her eyes; they had become indifferent and wary. She couldn't find the passionate young man she once knew.
"No, it's my problem. We should keep our distance," You Long said. "Just bear with it."
Lin Nan never imagined that the person who once couldn't bear to see her hurt could be so heartless. They had broken up amicably back then, so how could things have turned out like this now…
The river separated the two banks. Yulong cautiously surveyed her surroundings. The area felt more primitive, with trees reaching hundreds of meters in height. But more than anything, she was worried about those damned ghost soldiers…
Speaking of ghost soldiers, she does have a ready-made head to study.
You Long cut a few vines, wove them into a net bag, and carried it. Seeing Lin Nan's listless eyes, he said, "Didn't you want to chat? Why don't you ask about this?"
Lin Nan: "Oh, why are you wearing this head?"
Yu Long tied a knot tightly: "Because this is a valuable sample. Once I have enough material, I can scan it and study how it works."
Lin Nan's expression gradually changed: "Do you know what's going on with these strange people?"
"I know, that's why I came here."
Yu Long lifted the net with his other hand and used it to support her as he walked. "Let's talk as we go. Phew, how does the Federation spread rumors about me these days?"
"Traitor, bastard, wanted criminal, should be torn apart by five horses and then slicing his remains into mincemeat."
You Long gasped: "Then when I find the aircraft, I'll have to stay far away from you. I might as well just abandon you. I want to die a complete death."
Lin Nan remained silent. You Long, thinking she was sad, immediately exclaimed, "Seriously? You're getting more and more ridiculous! I was just kidding!"
Lin Nan probably didn't have the strength, so she just nodded in response.
“Let them say what they want. I know I’ve never done anything wrong.” You Long shook his head. “As you know, I was initially sent as a spy to steal secrets. My superiors told me that Light Wheel was developing a secret technology they called a consciousness-stripping weapon…”
"At first, Light Wheel only worked on the inside of the test subjects' brains, cutting into different areas to find out where the 'soul' of a person was hidden. Initially, all the test subjects were brain dead, and it wasn't until the twelfth generation that a successful test subject appeared. That person had his frontal lobe removed, which means that by physically destroying the connection between the frontal lobe and other brain regions, emotions and self-awareness were eliminated, putting the person into a 'walking corpse' state."
Lin Nan straightened up and focused her attention on thinking.
"However, 'elimination' is not the same as 'stripping', and the surgery carries risks, so scientists continue to research and try to find a more reliable way to strip the consciousness of experimental subjects so that they can only obey human commands."
"Before I was exposed, they developed a new type of consciousness stripping radio waves that achieve the desired effect by applying electrical pulses of a specific frequency to a fixed area of the brain."
She pointed to the back of the head's ear and showed it to Lin Nan: "There's a protrusion here, and a signal receiver is hidden inside. That's what I want to study."
A very faint voice whispered in her ear: "No wonder...they didn't catch up. What's the difference between this and location tracking?"
"No difference."
You Long remained remarkably calm as she spoke. Lin Nan knew why she wasn't reacting. Before she even met You Long, she knew that You Long was a genius in their year's science and technology theory course. The professors all said that she could score 200 points not because she knew all the knowledge required for those 200 points, but because the exam was only worth a maximum of 200 points.
This person's destructive capabilities are also exceptional. She can hack into the school's intranet whenever she wants, cause power outages wherever she wants, and launch missiles whenever she wants...
With a few keystrokes on the virtual keyboard, the missile flew out, infuriating the principal so much that he cursed her with the most vicious swear words of this era: "I curse you to get pregnant tomorrow! To give birth tomorrow! You're virtuous and kind, you're thrifty and good at managing the household, you bastard, why don't you just get married, have kids, and be a good wife and mother?"
"No, Principal, I like girls."
You Long sat atop the signal tower, the electronic door locked by her. Her authority now surpassed even that of the principal, who had to go through layers of approval to launch a missile: "Your curse is a bit too vicious," she said. "All I did was launch a missile."
This person used to have a nickname, "God of Data and Black Technology." A mere location tracking device would definitely be blocked the moment it reached her.
The thought brought Lin Nan a sense of relief. She tilted her head, closed her eyes, and lost consciousness. You Long, however, continued rambling on for over twenty minutes before realizing something was wrong with Lin Nan: "Hey? You fainted?"
Wait a minute, the leg is still walking on the ground by itself.
Yu Long confirmed again and again that the person had indeed lost consciousness, but was still struggling to function with her support.
"Awesome willpower." You Long couldn't help but sigh, and had no choice but to carry her on his back: "It reminds me of the training days when I had to run with 20 kilograms of weight..."
She grumbled a couple of times, but her movements as she carried Lin Nan were very gentle. They walked like this for a long time, and she was starving, so she put Colonel Lin down on a tree root and rummaged through her bag for food.
The remaining nutrient solution and compressed biscuits are enough for the two of them to eat for ten days, so they don't have to worry about food for the time being.
You Long tore open the seal on the nutrient solution, pinched Lin Nan's chin, and forced her to open her mouth.
After thinking for a moment, she drank a bottle herself first, and then poured some water into Lin Nan's mouth.
Sure enough, Lin Nan tilted her head and grimaced, spitting it all onto the ground.
Yu Long felt so sorry for her that he wanted to slap her: "Precious water!"
Looking down, she saw that Lin Nan's face was paler than paper, and the water she vomited was light red. She immediately felt a pang of guilt: "How did you get so badly injured..."
She stared at the IV drip in her hand, troubled: "How can you not eat anything? You're already covered in injuries..."
"I've got it! I'll just shake her awake!"
You Long acted immediately, patting the colonel's face, rubbing the ticklish spots on her waist, pinching her philtrum and shaking her head. Lin Nan was either dizzy or lying down, motionless as if she were dead.
Yu Long was at his wit's end, holding his head and muttering to himself, "Ancient television shows recorded that people who are unconscious and refuse to eat should be fed mouth-to-mouth..."
She looked at the colonel's face in despair: "But she's my ex!!!"
She hesitated for about ten minutes, but finally, fearing that Lin Nan would die, she made the selfless decision to drink a mouthful of nutrient solution, close her eyes, and kiss him.
The dozens of people watching on set were frantically exchanging glances and gripping each other's fingers, appearing almost frantic.
Qin Lan felt like her back was being burned by these people, but she could only grit her teeth and continue kissing. Jiang Yan remained motionless as if she had truly fainted, her breath weakly brushing against Qin Lan's face.
Qin Lan couldn't help but shudder; the hairs on her body stood on end. Xue Wumi was very pleased with this reaction and signaled the cameraman to zoom in quickly.
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