Zhang Lan's face was deathly pale, but she forced a smile and said, "Qin Hao, you gave it to me, there's no need to deny it. Do you have to do this? Do you think I'm petty and will misunderstand that you like Li Nian?"
As soon as she said that, everyone realized something was wrong and quickly shut their mouths.
Qin Hao hurriedly said, "No, Zhang Lan, don't misunderstand, Nian Nian has a level seven certificate in her hand..."
“‘Niannian’?” Zhang Lan chuckled and repeated, her face full of hurt and pain. “You call her that so affectionately!”
Qin Hao asked in a daze, "You... haven't you always called her that?"
Chu Nian chuckled inwardly. This Zhang Lan really is too sensitive.
Before her rebirth, Li Xiang and Li Nian had always tried their best to protect her, but I don't know what they said that hurt her fragile heart. That's why she tried her best to kill these two sisters after her rebirth!
This person is truly shameless!
Zhang Lan, with tears in her eyes, said, "I call her that because I've always considered her a good sister. You, a man, call her so affectionately, what do you consider her to be?"
Qin Hao hadn't really thought about that question. In his eyes, Li Nian was just a member of the team. Because she helped him break through to level seven, the two had become more familiar with each other than before, which was why he called her "Niannian" along with Zhang Lan. As for what he considered Li Nian, Qin Hao had absolutely no idea.
Ultimately, he only felt gratitude and affection for Li Nian as a teammate; there were no other feelings he had for her.
However, it's perfectly normal for Zhang Lan, as a woman, to be jealous because her boyfriend called another female teammate a little affectionately! No one thought much of it, including Qin Hao.
He wanted to explain quickly: "Zhang Lan..."
Before he could finish speaking, Zhang Lan interrupted him: "Look at you, you call me by my full name, but you address Li Nian so affectionately!"
"Then...then I'll call you Lanlan from now on?!" Qin Hao said hastily, a little flustered. Because in his eyes, Zhang Lan had always been strong and generous, and had never shown such a vulnerable side.
Zhang Lan wiped away the tears from the corner of her eyes and said coldly, "No need." After a pause, she added, "From today onwards, Li Nian and I will act separately and go our separate ways."
She now felt that Li Nian, having obtained the Demon Tree Core, might soon follow the same path she had taken before her rebirth—rapidly growing stronger and reaching the pinnacle of life. She didn't want to see that happen and needed to find a way to get rid of Li Nian as soon as possible.
Normally, she and Li Nian would have a better chance to strike if they continued to work together. However, the demonic tree had been targeting her and Zhang Gang, and she suspected that the demonic tree might secretly follow Li Nian and try to retrieve its roots.
If she wants to get rid of Li Nian, she first needs to save her own life and get away from the demon tree.
Therefore, she had no choice but to part ways with Li Nian.
Furthermore, she also wanted to see what choice Qin Hao would make, whether he would choose to be with her or with Li Nian.
She really didn't want to see Qin Hao and Li Nian have anything to do with each other anymore.
She can also use this separation to determine who in the team is truly loyal to her and who is merely superficially friendly.
Seeing Zhang Lan's unusually firm attitude, Qin Hao knew she wasn't joking and asked in astonishment, "Zhang Lan, are you... serious?"
Zhang Lan suppressed her various schemes. In her view, traveling with Li Nian meant facing the demon tree's pursuit for a long time to come. If Li Nian knew that the tree roots could suppress the demon tree, it would be fine, but she didn't. Choosing to follow Li Nian's team... ha, when they meet again, who knows how many will be left?
She continued with a hurt and heartbroken expression, saying sadly but resolutely, "Of course it's true. Qin Hao, right here today, make a choice: choose to go with me or with Li Nian. The others can also make a choice."
The few superhumans who were originally her confidants immediately sided with her, and they all cast cold or piercing glances at Qin Hao.
Qin Hao hesitated for a moment, but finally sided with Zhang Lan, saying, "Zhang Lan, you're my girlfriend, of course I choose to be with you. However, I still hope you can..."
“My mind is made up!” Zhang Lan interrupted him, speaking coldly.
Although Qin Hao chose to travel with her, the hesitation he felt before making the decision made her feel very uncomfortable. Moreover, judging from Qin Hao's words, he clearly wanted to persuade her to change her mind and hoped that she could continue to travel with Li Nian.
She felt that Qin Hao was now fickle, being with her but still thinking about Li Nian.
Chu Nian raised an eyebrow and said, "Captain Zhang, why are you doing this? Splitting into teams is disadvantageous for all of us."
She knew exactly what Zhang Lan was up to, but she wouldn't tell Zhang Lan that the demon tree had always been under her control.
Furthermore, given Zhang Lan's temperament... Chu Nian felt that Qin Hao was in for trouble.
Although Chu Nian felt a little sorry for the guy, it was Qin Hao's own choice, and she didn't want to interfere too much.
Zhang Lan suddenly said, "I actually knew a long time ago that you liked Qin Hao."
Surprised, everyone stared at Chu Nian, their gossipy eyes scanning her back and forth.
Chu Nian couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Qin Hao looked at Chu Nian in shock, then said to Zhang Lan, "Zhang Lan, stop talking nonsense. If you want to split into teams, then split up. I'll go with you."
Chu Nian said lazily, "Alright, let's split it up then. The team members can choose their own followers."
Some others in the team chose Zhang Lan, but most opted to team up with Chu Nian, probably because Chu Nian's "power bank" ability was too appealing. While Zhang Lan and Qin Hao were strong, that strength belonged to others; it was safer to become stronger oneself.
Zhang Lan was very disappointed in these people. She looked at Chu Nian with a cold smile and said, "Nian Nian, among these people who chose to be with you, how many of them truly want to be with you? And how many of them are just after your special abilities?"
Chu Nian smiled faintly, "I provide them with opportunities to improve their abilities and break through, and they protect me. It sounds like we are indeed connected because of shared interests, but it is precisely because of this that our relationship is closer, and I can more confidently entrust my back to my teammates. But you, Zhang Lan, among the people who follow you, who would you confidently entrust your back to?"
Zhang Lan felt incredibly heartbroken. Chu Nian was absolutely right; even with Zhang Gang, she wouldn't trust him with her back, let alone anyone else. But she wouldn't say that. Having lived two lives, she knew what kind of words would earn someone's trust and confidence.
She said, "Our team consists of partners who can confide in and trust each other."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
