Chapter 38: Changing Dressings and Training the Hound

Page 1 of 3

“Check my injuries? Do you really need to manhandle me just to do that?” Chen Si’s voice turned sharp. “Mu Chen! Do you take me for a three-year-old you can fool so easily?”

At that very moment, an indescribably intense mental fluctuation suddenly erupted from within Chen Si.

[Severe emotional fluctuations detected in Chen Si. Supernatural ability awakening...]

“Wh—what’s happening?” Chen Si clutched her head with both hands, her face contorted in agony. “My head... It hurts so much!”

Seeing this, Mu Chen had no time to explain. He rushed forward and caught Chen Si as she staggered. “Don’t panic! These are signs of an ability awakening!”

The moment he finished speaking, the air around Chen Si seemed to distort ever so slightly. A gentle yet unmistakable halo spread outward from within her body.

[Congratulations, Chen Si. You have awakened the supernatural ability: Emotional Manipulation.]

[Ability Description: Can influence the emotional state of others.]

The aftershocks of the awakening gradually subsided. Chen Si’s body went limp, and she naturally leaned into Mu Chen’s arms.

Breathing heavily, she asked weakly, “What... what ability did I awaken?”

“Emotional Manipulation.” Mu Chen supported her by the shoulders, his voice steady. “A remarkably powerful mental-type ability.”

After a brief pause, he continued, “Try sensing it. Use it on me and see whether you can affect my emotions.”

Chen Si closed her eyes and gathered her concentration.

An invisible current of warmth surged from within her toward Mu Chen.

Mu Chen felt the agitation and anger born of their misunderstanding vanish in an instant, soothed by a gentle force until he became extraordinarily calm and serene.

The sensation... was truly peculiar.

Chen Si opened her eyes and smiled weakly, a trace of uncertainty in her expression. “Did it work?”

“Yes, it worked.” Mu Chen nodded, confirming the effect of her ability.

Yet his expression grew solemn. The ability to directly manipulate another person’s emotions would have incalculable consequences if it fell into the hands of a villain or were abused.

“Brother Mu Chen, is this sister... all right now?”

A delicate voice came from nearby.

Lin Xiaoyu had appeared in the corridor at some point, standing there with a perfectly measured look of concern as she gazed at them.

The moment Chen Si saw her, the emotions she had just calmed with her ability began to stir once more.

She broke free of Mu Chen’s support and forced herself upright, her tone distant. “I’m fine. Thank you for your concern.”

Lin Xiaoyu approached with light, graceful steps, her smile sweet. “Sister, you just awakened your ability, didn’t you? That’s wonderful! Congratulations!”

Page 1 of 3

Page 2 of 3

Chen Si was far too perceptive to miss the unusual note in her words. “From the way you said that, you have an ability too?”

Lin Xiaoyu tilted her head and admitted it readily. “Yes. My ability is Charm. It makes others develop favorable feelings toward me and makes them more inclined to believe me.”

Her words struck like thunder out of a clear sky.

Both Chen Si and Mu Chen froze.

Charm?

Making others develop favorable feelings toward her?

Chen Si’s expression darkened instantly. Her voice dropped several degrees, restrained fury simmering beneath it. “Did you use your ability on Mu Chen just now?”

“I... I only used a tiny bit.” Lin Xiaoyu blinked her large, innocent eyes and pleaded pitifully. “I was so frightened then. I was afraid Brother Mu Chen would leave me alone, so I...”

Mu Chen’s brows immediately drew together into a deep crease.

He carefully recalled everything that had happened in the room—the inexplicable sense of intimacy, the instinctive urge to defend her that had nearly slipped from his lips...

So that was it!

Everything finally made sense!

A surge of fury at having been deceived rose within him.

“What’s your name?” Chen Si stepped forward and stared directly at Lin Xiaoyu. The aura surrounding her suddenly changed.

Overwhelmed by this abrupt display of power, Lin Xiaoyu instinctively retreated half a step and stammered, “I... I’m Lin Xiaoyu.”

“Lin Xiaoyu, is it?” Chen Si’s voice was calm, yet carried an unquestionable authority. “Let me warn you.”

As she spoke, an indescribable mental force quietly spread outward, precisely enveloping Lin Xiaoyu.

“If you dare use that Charm of yours on Mu Chen again,” Chen Si said, each word distinct, “I’ll make sure you learn exactly what true despair feels like.”

Lin Xiaoyu felt a bone-chilling cold rise from the depths of her heart and sweep through her entire body.

It was a fear and helplessness that came from the very depths of her soul, making even breathing difficult.

Her face turned deathly pale, and her body began to tremble uncontrollably.

“I... I understand, sister... I’ll never... never dare again...” Lin Xiaoyu’s voice broke with tears, filled with terror.

The fear in Lin Xiaoyu’s heart had yet to fade. She remained utterly trapped within it.

Mu Chen had already turned and was walking straight toward her room.

“Come with me.”

Page 2 of 3

Page 3 of 3

Lin Xiaoyu jolted, afraid of provoking these two terrifying figures any further, and hurried after him.

Chen Si watched Mu Chen’s retreating back, her thoughts churning in turmoil.

For a moment just now, she had nearly lost control. She had almost crushed Lin Xiaoyu’s mind completely.

Fortunately, Mu Chen had spoken in time and diverted her attention.

Inside the room, Mu Chen gave a soft cough.

The sound nearly scared Lin Xiaoyu out of her wits. Thinking another storm was about to break over her, she hastily said, “Brother Mu Chen, I—I really was wrong...”

“Lift your clothes. Let me examine the wound.”

Mu Chen’s tone revealed neither anger nor pleasure. It was entirely different from the fury he had shown earlier.

Lin Xiaoyu paused briefly, then hurriedly obeyed and lifted the hem of her clothing.

The wound on her lower abdomen had already scabbed over, though a little redness and swelling remained around it.

Mu Chen’s brows drew together slightly. “The inflammation hasn’t gone down.”

With a turn of his hand, anti-inflammatory medicine and gauze appeared in his palm. His movements as he cleaned the wound were practiced and deft.

“What’s your name? Your real name.”

“Xie... Xie Youyou.” Lin Xiaoyu—or rather, Xie Youyou now—spoke in a voice as faint as a mosquito’s hum.

Mu Chen’s hands paused. “Xie Youyou?”

“Yes.” Xie Youyou answered timidly, then asked with great caution, “Brother Mu Chen, are you... perhaps a reincarnated survivor?”

Her words struck like thunder from a clear sky. Mu Chen nearly fumbled, and the ointment almost slipped from his hand.

“Why would you think that?”

“Your spatial ability is practically miraculous!” Her voice was filled with undisguised admiration. “And the enormous quantities of supplies you possess—only someone who knew the apocalypse was coming could have prepared on such a scale!”

Mu Chen continued dressing her wound without pause, wholly focused on his task. His tone remained calm. “I’m not a reincarnated survivor. I’ve simply been luckier than most.”

“Then... then, do you...” Xie Youyou bit her lower lip hard, her fingertips nearly digging into her palms. Her voice trembled with tears. “Will you despise me? I—I was out of my mind before and used Charm on you... I didn’t mean to...”

Mu Chen finished bandaging her wound. His voice remained emotionless, yet carried an invisible pressure. “What’s done is done. But don’t let it happen again.”

“It absolutely won’t! There will never be a second time!” Xie Youyou hurriedly raised her hand and swore an oath, terrified that he might change his mind.

Page 3 of 3