Chapter 18: Identity Confrontation and Malicious Fun
The successive impacts caused the gas mask to fall off, and now what Xiao Liu saw was her current true appearance.
Undoubtedly, this appearance of hers was already a secret that could not be hidden.
“Stone… you…”
Just as Xiao Liu was stammering, about to say something, the fallen gas mask was put back on Zhong Jing’s face by a hand reaching out from the side.
The stimulating smell constantly rushing into her nasal cavity was thus stopped, and Zhong Jing was finally able to take a deep breath.
“Don’t get in the way here. You think she’s not hurt enough? Step aside.” A cold female voice came, and a figure unceremoniously pushed Xiao Liu aside.
What entered Zhong Jing’s line of sight was a new-style gas mask… Han Nianling?
Zhong Jing’s gaze swept around the messy aftermath of the battle.
Only Xiao Liu and Han Nianling were here, and Xiao Liu was not equipped with flashbangs.
Did that mean the shot that saved her life just now and that flashbang came from Han Nianling?
“The strap of the gas mask is broken. Fortunately, important parts like the seal and filter are not damaged. I temporarily repaired it. We’ll have to make do with it until we leave the Ruined City Nuclear Wasteland Area.” Hearing Han Nianling’s words, Zhong Jing indeed felt a distinctly cold, hard lump on the strap behind her neck.
This was the texture of quick-setting agent after solidification.
This was the most commonly used emergency measure for both mercenaries and standing army soldiers.
The repair was quite reliable, at least there was no need to worry about it falling off during strenuous exercise.
As Han Nianling spoke, she opened Zhong Jing’s carrying gear.
Although it was an old-style carrying gear, it was relatively easy to take off.
Unbuckling the strap on one shoulder and the buckle on the belt on the same side allowed for quick and easy removal.
Only when the heavy carrying gear was removed from her body did Zhong Jing feel the oppressive feeling in her chest gradually disappear, and the pain also eased considerably for a while.
However, in this way, the youthful curve of her chest also became more obvious, rising and falling rhythmically with her breathing.
Although there was a layer of combat uniform, Zhong Jing still instinctively felt a bit shy when this unfamiliar part was stared at by two pairs of eyes.
“What are you still standing here dazed for? Go and stand guard around. I’ll treat her injuries. When the others arrive, you’ll be responsible for notifying them…” After speaking, Han Nianling picked up Zhong Jing, who was lying on the ground, in a princess carry.
Zhong Jing’s light body felt unexpectedly easy to carry, which saved her a lot of effort.
After glancing around a few times, she walked towards a small room nearby.
The writing on the doorplate hanging on the door was somewhat blurry, but the content written on it could still be recognized: Staff Lounge.
The slightly cramped room was a bit tidier than the outside.
There was a long sofa for resting against the wall.
Although it was covered with a thick layer of dust, who would care about these things at this time?
Placing Zhong Jing in her arms onto the soft sofa, she reached out and unbuttoned her combat suit, then lifted the black vest, revealing her fair skin.
The moment her entire stomach came into contact with the air, the coolness that assailed made Zhong Jing’s body involuntarily shrink back, and a blush re-emerged on her face under the gas mask.
Although her body was female, her male consciousness was not something that could be changed in a short time.
Although it was only her stomach, it was inevitable to feel embarrassed when seen by someone of the opposite sex.
She was grateful for the gas mask, which concealed her panic and embarrassment.
Hiding behind such a layer of protection, it wasn't too awkward.
“Does it hurt here?”
She extended her finger and pressed several different places on Zhong Jing’s ribs… until the last spot.
Although she didn't use much force, just a simple press, the pain that came in that instant still made Zhong Jing gasp.
All shyness was replaced by pain.
“Ugh…”
Even though she gritted her teeth and endured, a muffled groan inevitably escaped from her throat.
Fortunately, Han Nianling did not continue.
She turned her head and rummaged through her briefcase.
Although her medical knowledge was not extensive, she could still handle this situation: “The lowest rib on the right side is fractured, but the chest cavity is not deformed. It’s most likely a closed fracture. Fortunately, no internal organs were injured. It should heal on its own with some rest…”
“This is a fast-acting healing spray, mainly used for hemostasis. It’s also slightly useful for fractures and can relieve pain.” Han Nianling took out a small white spray can from her briefcase.
The white can had a red cross symbol and instructions for use printed on it.
It was different from the common model of healing spray used by the standing army and mercenaries.
Needless to say, Zhong Jing immediately realized that this was another good thing that only the security forces could use.
She lightly sprayed the fractured area a few times.
Zhong Jing had just prepared herself for the coolness of the medicinal liquid when Han Nianling suddenly reached out and spread the medicinal liquid with her index finger.
This made Zhong Jing’s body involuntarily tremble.
This was not caused by pain, but… this way of gently sliding her finger and stroking made her suddenly caught off guard! Especially after becoming like this, this body was much more sensitive! This was really bad!
“Ah…”
Even though she bit her lower lip tightly, a faint moan still escaped from the corner of her mouth.
In the blink of an eye, a scalding sensation surged up her cheeks like a tide.
She covered her face with both hands through the gas mask.
The overwhelming sense of shame made her feel utterly mortified.
How could she make such a sound? It was all… all this body’s fault! Her determination to change back became even stronger at this moment.
Zhong Jing cautiously glanced at Han Nianling.
It was really hard to tell anything from the mask-style gas mask the other party was wearing.
However, the other party was currently organizing her briefcase and not paying attention to her.
Perhaps the other party didn't hear that sound just now.
Zhong Jing quietly breathed a sigh of relief, sat up straight, lowered her head, and tidied her messy clothes.
Since the other party had helped her treat her wound, she had to show her appreciation somehow: “Um… thank you.”
“You’re welcome, I have my own purposes too.” Han Nianling’s calm voice came over.
She seemed to have finished organizing her briefcase and was walking towards her step by step.
At this time, Zhong Jing had also buttoned the last button of her combat suit—preparations complete!
However, just as Zhong Jing had raised her head, the next second, what entered her sight was a dark muzzle, less than half a centimeter from her glabella.
The short half-centimeter seemed to directly transmit the cold touch of the muzzle.
And the person holding the gun and aiming at her was Han Nianling, who had just treated her injuries.
“…Huh?” Faced with this situation, Zhong Jing’s mind couldn’t process it for a moment.
She stood there stunned, somewhat at a loss… So what exactly happened?
“Since the matter of the injury is resolved, let’s talk about your matter.” Han Nianling’s emotionless words came from under the gas mask.
Although her voice was the same as before, it truly made people perceive a chill in it.
My matter? Utterly baffled, Zhong Jing remained in a dazed state, not understanding.
What exactly did this Han Nianling want to do?
“Tell me, your name.”
Name?
Although still completely confused, after glancing at the dark muzzle, Zhong Jing answered truthfully: “Zhong… Zhong Jing.”
“Zhong Jing, male, arrived in Chu Sheng City with refugees three years ago, temporarily housed in Temporary Orphanage No. 1, registered as a mercenary two years ago, fifteen years old this year…” Just as Zhong Jing’s voice fell, Han Nianling recited a brief piece of information about her.
“With my authority and registration, it’s not difficult to retrieve the basic information of my mission contractors from the Special Business Handling Center. Due to the special nature of the mission, I need to ensure the reliability of the mercenaries participating in the mission.”
The so-called confidentiality agreement of the Special Business Handling Center was just a piece of waste paper in front of high-level authority.
Zhong Jing was naturally clear about this point.
As a high-level researcher, Han Nianling’s investigation of these things was also understandable.
Then why bother asking her name… Wait a minute, could it be?!
Thinking of something, Zhong Jing’s eyes suddenly widened in realization.
“No matter the period or age, Zhong Jing’s gender information is displayed as male. Then why are you, who accepted the mission in Zhong Jing’s name, female?” Han Nianling’s muzzle pressed directly against Zhong Jing’s forehead.
The cold touch was even clearer and more direct.
Zhong Jing was really flustered now.
Just a second ago, she was treating her wound, and the next second, she pulled out a gun and pointed it at her head.
She had no doubt whether this capricious Han Nianling would really pull the trigger.
Her head was not harder than a Swift Walker’s.
“I don’t like hurting young people, especially pretty little girls like you, but the prerequisite is an honest child. So tell me: who are you really? A spy from another base government? What is your purpose in accepting this mission?” This sentence was full of warning.
“Also, don’t even think about snatching the gun and resisting.”
Zhong Jing certainly had this thought, but it was just a fleeting idea.
She wouldn't be foolish enough to do such a thing.
Han Nianling’s performance in supporting her just now had already proven that she herself possessed considerable combat capabilities.
At this distance, her chances of successfully snatching the gun were infinitely close to zero.
Besides, even if she got the gun, what about those mercenaries outside? A high-level researcher who could give them high rewards, and a second-class mercenary they didn't know and had only cooperated with once.
Even a fool would know what choice to make.
“I really am Zhong Jing…”
“Hmm—?”
Han Nianling dragged out a long nasal sound, and her finger on the trigger also made a subtle movement.
This made Zhong Jing’s scalp tingle: “Please, please listen to my explanation, there’s a reason for this!”
“Speak.”
“I… a short while ago, to be precise, before I went to sleep the day before yesterday, I was still… male. But after sleeping, after a strange dream… I became like this. Please believe me, what I’m saying is true.” After stammering through the cause and effect, Zhong Jing was not tongue-tied, but the process was too bizarre.
If it hadn’t actually happened to her, even she herself probably wouldn’t believe it.
Unexpectedly, after a moment of silence, Han Nianling gave her a chance to continue speaking: “Then… describe the content of your dream.”
“It’s about the JD Ruined City Nuclear Wasteland Area… Chu Sheng City’s army launched a large-scale military operation against the JD Ruined City Nuclear Wasteland Area. In the dream, I participated in the operation as a mercenary…” Zhong Jing recalled the general content of the dream, “And the purpose of this mission was to eliminate the Witch Tyrant.”
Zhong Jing, lost in her own recollection, did not notice a slight pause in Han Nianling’s breathing.
“The result was that the battle situation went out of control. The Tyrant deviated from her predetermined route. I was chosen as a member of the decoy team responsible for luring the Tyrant into the encirclement. But the standing army’s missiles were launched before the Tyrant completely entered the encirclement. The operation failed, the Tyrant escaped, and the decoy team… died under Chu Sheng City’s firepower. Then I woke up.”
Zhong Jing closed her eyes and said everything she could.
She was also a bit desperate.
If Han Nianling still didn't believe her explanation and pulled the trigger, there was nothing she could do.
She had narrowly escaped the Swift Walker.
If she died here now, perhaps it was destined.
“Alright, I’ll believe your explanation for now.”
However, unexpectedly, the cold sensation on her forehead was removed.
Zhong Jing opened her eyes in surprise and looked at Han Nianling.
She found it somewhat unbelievable that the other party actually believed her explanation?
“I’ve also seen your medical examination report from the medical center. Although, as far as I know, there is no method that can completely transform a male into a true female, the secrets of this world are little known to humans. It cannot be ruled out that it was caused by some power currently incomprehensible to humans. Besides…” Han Nianling suddenly turned around and showed Zhong Jing the magazine she had just pulled out from that pistol—empty!
“Sorry, seeing you look so scared was so amusing, I just couldn’t resist bullying you a bit.”
Huh—?
Zhong Jing tilted her head, thinking for a moment, and once again fell into a daze.
She felt that her brain hadn’t caught up with the other party’s rhythm yet.
Was this line of thinking really okay? Just now, she really believed her brains were about to splatter! So the gun pointed at her head didn't even have bullets?! Was this death threat just a matter of ‘bullying a bit’ in this person’s eyes?!
“Oh right, there’s one more thing…” Han Nianling, who was walking towards the door with her suitcase, seemed to remember something.
She stopped, and as she was about to push open the door, she turned back and threw a sentence at Zhong Jing.
“That moan of yours just now was very cute.”