Calamity Messenger

Chapter 368 - 301: Who Knows When

"Why are you hugging me?" Pharmacist’s Wish asked in return.

Yan Qing was taken aback, realizing that every time Pharmacist’s Wish hugged him, it was for a strong reason. The first time was to thank him for saving the Rabbit Heroine. The second time was a joyous reunion after being out of touch for six days. The third time was because Yan Qing’s words sounded so nice that it invited a hug from Pharmacist’s Wish. Each hug had a purpose, extremely utilitarian.

"Because..." Yan Qing racked his brain, "because we’re friends? After three tasks together, we must be friends, right?"

"Who said we’re friends, and why would friends hug?"

"Then it’s because we’re good buddies? We’ve been through so much together."

"Do I look like I’ve got a handle?"

Yan Qing kept offering explanations, and Pharmacist’s Wish kept denying them. Yan Qing grew a bit impatient, eventually blurting out, "Then it’s because I’m the leader, you’re my subordinate, and as the leader, my power is limitless. If I want to hug, I hug!"

He expected to hear responses like ’Get lost’ or ’Ha,’ but instead, Pharmacist’s Wish glanced at him before looking back at her book.

"Suit yourself."

Huh?

Yan Qing blinked. This was actually the correct answer? He decided to hurry up. Hug her quickly, then go pack his bags.

It was just that with Pharmacist’s Wish sitting in the chair, it wasn’t easy to hug her. Yan Qing had to half-squat beside her, reaching out to wrap an arm around her waist.

Only then did Yan Qing realize that Pharmacist’s Wish wasn’t dressed as usual. There was no armor, not even soft armor or any defensive wear, just a thin, close-fitting garment. When Yan Qing touched her waist, she shrank back in surprise but quickly feigned indifference, allowing him to pull her into his embrace.

Pharmacist’s Wish didn’t respond, just sat there reading. Only when Yan Qing rubbed gently against her hair did the page-turning pause slightly.

Fresh out of a bath, Pharmacist’s Wish smelled lovely. Yan Qing took a deep breath, fully inhaling it without a care. Pharmacist’s Wish was clearly encouraging him with the hug, just like Shang Xinlei, so he couldn’t disappoint her, hugging her tightly.

Feeling re-energized, Yan Qing released her and asked, "I’m going back now, okay?"

Pharmacist’s Wish remained silent, but Yan Qing had a suspicion, which proved true when she ensnared him once more as he was about to leave.

"Oh my, Miss Duke Jin, what exactly do you want? Even if you need something from me, at least make a clear proposal." Yan Qing said helplessly.

But in response to such a question, Pharmacist’s Wish just looked at him, as if she hadn’t grabbed his clothing at all. The three delicate fingers clearly conveyed her stance.

"Want me to do a backflip for you?"

"Do you want another hug?"

"But you’re sitting in the chair, so it’s hard to hug you. I have to half-squat, and it’s awkward."

Pharmacist’s Wish immediately stood up, led Yan Qing to the bed, and squatted down to touch her boots, placing them into her Storage Ring and then taking them out again, completing this action swiftly. She climbed onto the large bed wearing white socks. Only when she turned around did Yan Qing break free from the sudden visual lock.

Once she sat by the bedhead, still holding Yan Qing’s clothes while reading, her intention was clear. Yan Qing followed her example, using his Storage Ring to remove his boots before getting onto the bed, saying, "Stop reading for a second."

"Why?"

"Because it’s hard to hug you when you’re reading."

"But I’m staying here just to read quietly," Pharmacist’s Wish remarked with an expression that read ’what nonsense are you talking about?’ "If I don’t read, I’ll leave. You think I really want to stay here?"

Yan Qing had an epiphany: so that’s how it is; Pharmacist’s Wish gave herself an excuse. Earlier, when Yan Qing thanked her for preparing the props for everyone, she shifted the topic to leadership issues. She, much like Yan Qing, wasn’t great at expressing her goodwill.

However, unlike Yan Qing who misinterpreted his actions as ’self-interest choices,’ Pharmacist’s Wish preferred to frame hers as ’power choices.’ They were both taught similarly: doing good does not relate to good or evil, but doing good solely for its sake is not smart. Only when doing good is profitable is it seen as smart.

Some people in the world aim to be kind, some aim to be wicked, but no one wants to be a fool.

Pharmacist’s Wish didn’t want to be a fool. Apart from matters and people like Wuqiu, Shidong, and the Rabbit Heroine, she needed a legitimate reason for everything she did. Yan Qing understood her, for he was the same way.

But with Pharmacist’s Wish leaning back to read like this, Yan Qing could only think of one way to hug her. He leaned back against the bedhead, sat next to Pharmacist’s Wish, and pulled her into his embrace from behind, allowing her to read while being held.

Yan Qing finally had the chance to see what she was reading... What?

Seeing the pages depicting scenes of world-shattering battles, it was clearly a comic book—apparently, Primordial Dao Venerable’s comic adaptation! Who knew this work had so many derivative rights, even a comic book version? Yan Qing hadn’t seen it in Jiangnan County Town... Could it be a fan creation only sold in the Zhou Kingdom region?

Yan Qing had thought Pharmacist’s Wish would be putting her leisure time to good use, reading to enhance her knowledge, but she was reading comic books! But the art style was pretty good, tickling Yan Qing’s interest. He moved closer to read with her, and Pharmacist’s Wish adjusted the book so he could see it better.

As they read, Yan Qing suddenly felt cool on his left hand—Pharmacist’s Wish released her grip on his clothes and casually placed her hand on his. Technically, they’d hugged four times, and intimate training contact was nothing new, but at this moment, that touch made Yan Qing’s heart race.

He cautiously glanced at Pharmacist’s Wish’s expression, his heart pounding. He grasped her hand with his in return.

Pharmacist’s Wish didn’t react, holding the book in one hand and flipping pages with her thumb.

Yan Qing gently rubbed her hand, and although she was a Warrior who trained day and night, she had long, delicate fingers that he couldn’t stop rubbing, all the while reading the comic and playing with her hand.

After a while, Yan Qing felt a bit drowsy. He’d stayed up too late reading the night before and then endured a merciless female double team practice earlier; he was slightly tired. He tilted his head and fell asleep on Pharmacist’s Wish’s bed.

In a half-awake state, Yan Qing suddenly felt emptiness in his arms, and before he could awaken fully, someone quickly replaced the void. Reflexively, he held the person, opening his eyes to meet Pharmacist’s Wish’s gaze.

At that moment, he realized his hand was pressed against a wonderfully soft spot, instinctively squeezing twice. The sensation transmitted to his fingers reawakened every cell in his body, making the hairs on his skin cheer.

However, Yan Qing’s face turned as pale as a sheet, trembling all over.

It’s over!