Chapter Twenty-Four: A Touch of Tenderness

"What the hell happened to you?" Zhao Yan exclaimed in surprise.

Wang Kui looked baffled. "What do you mean, what happened to me?"

"Take a look at yourself! You're appearing and disappearing in turns," Zhao Yan said, reaching out to pat Wang Kui.

His hand paused in midair, and then Zhao Yan noticed his own hand slowly turning transparent. Alarmed, he jumped back, cursing, "What the hell is happening? Damn it, even touching you makes me change. What are you now? Don't scare me."

Wang Kui glanced at his own body and muttered, "I think it's some kind of supernatural ability. But I can't control it yet—it should settle soon."

As he spoke, his figure became visible again.

At that moment, Nian Yu spoke up, "Wang Kui, whenever you talk, you appear; when you stop, you disappear. I can't detect you at all when you're silent—it’s as if you vanished into thin air. What's going on?"

Wang Kui scratched his head, embarrassed. "It's not invisibility, exactly. It's more like a chameleon’s power. But I'm really hungry right now, so it's hard to control."

Nian Yu nodded, "Alright, I'll go get you some food. Later, help me practice."

For the past couple of days, Nian Yu and Xiao Jie had been practicing military boxing, sparring with Zhao Yan in their free time. At first, they were clumsy and defensive, but now they could occasionally counterattack.

Though most of their moves were evasive, their progress was significant.

Seeing Wang Kui awake, Nian Yu wanted to spar with him.

Wang Kui said, "Actually, I’d like to practice with Zhao Yan first."

Zhao Yan scoffed, "What’s this? Call her sister-in-law, you blockhead. You still want to spar with me? Don’t forget who I am."

Wang Kui replied awkwardly, "Uh, sorry, Nian Yu. Of course I know who you are—it's precisely why I want to see how much distance there is between me and you now." Clearly, the first part was for Nian Yu, the second for Zhao Yan.

Nian Yu watched the two curiously. "Alright, Wang Kui, eat up. Have plenty—then give Xiao Yan a good thrashing. He always bullies me. When Zhou Yu wakes up, I’ll tell him and let him deal with Xiao Yan, too."

Obviously, Nian Yu hadn’t gotten the better of Zhao Yan these past few days and wanted to see him humbled.

Zhao Yan grinned, "Heh, Nian Yu, you’ll probably be disappointed. Wang Kui might have powers now, but he couldn’t beat me before, and he surely can’t beat me now."

Nian Yu saw Zhao Yan’s shameless grin and brash words, and it reminded her of the days she spent with Zhou Yu. Back then, Zhou Yu was just like this—always saying outrageous things, always teasing her. Over time, she grew weary of Zhou Yu’s tone and attitude.

But ever since they’d been apart, Zhou Yu rarely joked like that, and never acted so brazenly. She found herself nostalgic for the days before their separation.

Seeing Zhao Yan’s familiar, cheeky smile now made her feel a little melancholic. She turned away to serve Wang Kui his meal.

After setting the food on the table, she went into the inner room.

Xiao Jie noticed Nian Yu’s silence and sensed her mood wasn’t right. He said to Zhao Yan, "Keep it down later. Nian Yu’s not feeling well—I’ll go see what’s wrong."

Nian Yu entered the inner room and sat beside Zhou Yu, a trace of tenderness in her eyes.