Seeing both preys incapacitated, it slowly emerged.
In just a few seconds, under Mu Feng’s bulging eyes, the blood he had painstakingly shed was completely absorbed by that potted plant!
It was over.
Mu Feng’s mind went “buzz,” unable to accept that the flower had drunk his blood.
Who knew what would happen next.
He had originally wanted to deal with this idiot Ma O, but now… both had their blood sucked. Mu Feng had no choice but to spare him for now.
Once this fool woke up, he’d interrogate him properly about what happened.
All night, Mu Feng endured the dizziness from blood loss, leaning in the guest room to guard against that blue flower on the living room balcony.
Fortunately, after absorbing the blood, the eerie blue flower retracted and made no more noise, allowing him to relax slightly.
But right after, he had a strange feeling.
It was as if… that potted flower could strike at any time, but for some reason, it had held back from draining them dry.
The night passed. When Ma O woke up and saw himself tied, he was dazed at first, then started cursing.
“Mu Feng, are you sick? Why tie me up?”
Mu Feng: ……
“Shut up!”
“Do you even remember what you did last night?”
What did he do last night?
Reminded by Mu Feng, Ma O recalled.
“Wasn’t I sleeping in the bedroom?”
“You’re the crazy one.”
“You don’t remember?”
Mu Feng was surprised.
Ma O nodded: “Remember what?”
“Hurry up and untie me.”
“I ate too much last night; my stomach’s killing me.”
Mu Feng’s head throbbed. He hadn’t expected the guy to remember nothing.
This flower… was it related to “Mind Control”?
But it was just an A-grade mutated plant.
Mu Feng trusted his judgment was correct, but could an A-grade eerie flower have such terrifying abilities?
A chill rose from his heart. Mu Feng suddenly felt that stealing the flower from that neighborhood had been a huge mistake.
Damn.
Wait!
Was that really a secret Resurgence Management Office outpost?
From what he knew, the Resurgence Management Office would never have such an evil, eerie living thing.
A mix of panic and irritability made Mu Feng grip his dagger and pace back and forth.
When he looked toward the living room again, his gaze turned vicious.
……
In the neighborhood garden:
All preparations were ready.
After the neighbors took photos, checked in, and posted to their social circles, Miss Du gave a brief speech and signaled to Elder Wen that they could start setting off the firecrackers.
The crackling sound of firecrackers rang out nearby.
Bo Ting smiled as he took the scissors, and the ribbon-cutting ceremony began.
It was his first ribbon-cutting, and Bo Ting felt a bit excited. Fortunately, he had searched the process online beforehand and knew what to do.
A red ribbon was placed in front of him. Bo Ting picked up the scissors and snipped it with a “click,” carefully putting the cut piece away.
After a few cheers from the kids in Building 4, Beautiful Flower Shop officially opened for business.
As a part-time employee who had watched the shop open from the start, Bo Ting felt a sense of pride. He instinctively pulled out his phone to take a photo as a memento.
But as soon as he did, he saw Mr. Xu’s reply.
He had sent the message in the elevator that morning and had been busy ever since, only checking now.
Mm.
Mr. Xu seemed pretty busy today too, only replying just now.
No matter. Chatting now worked just fine.
“Mr. Xu, look.”
“Everyone was super enthusiastic today.”
“Almost every neighbor who came down bought a pot of flowers.”
Bo Ting hadn’t expected the neighbors to support them so much.
Especially Sister Han, who bought three pots after touring the shop—she could barely carry them all.
The scene was noisy and lively; even from the photos, that harmonious vibe shone through.
Busy all morning, Xu Qinglai raised an eyebrow slightly.
“Looks like sales were good.”
Bo Ting glanced at it. “Yeah, pretty good.”
What made him even happier was that Miss Du thought he had done a great job with the part-time gig lately. She agreed to pay him commission per pot sold, way more than the fixed wage before.
That meant every pot sold today… Bo Ting got a cut!
It solved his urgent money needs perfectly. He really needed cash right now.
If the shop sold this much every day, when he met Mr. Xu in person, they wouldn’t just watch a movie—they might even go for a fancy meal!
A bit excited, Bo Ting remembered the online sales plan he had shelved. Interest reignited.
Mm.
Mr. Xu was a successful businessman too. Perfect chance to consult him on the plan during their meetup.
As these thoughts swirled, just as Bo Ting was about to celebrate his bright future, something hit him.
He hadn’t asked Mr. Xu about the meetup idea yet.
He had said that morning he wanted to surprise Mr. Xu—did Mr. Xu look forward to it too?
After breathing in air thick with floral scent, Bo Ting gripped his phone nervously and sent a message.
“Mr. Xu, there’s something I want to ask your opinion on.”
The other side went silent after chatting for a while. Then, hesitantly, a reply came.
It surprised Xu Qinglai a bit.
Asking his opinion?
“What’s up?”
Bo Ting: Ah, so embarrassing.
But brave up!
The straight guy mustering courage for his first invite to meet an online friend.
“So, we’ve known each other online for so long. I wanted to ask if Mr. Xu has any interest in meeting up.”
“If yes… we could set a time.”
Bo Ting steeled himself and finally sent it!
On the other end:
Xu Qinglai paused, surprised. He hadn’t expected Bo Ting to agonize over suggesting a meetup.
They had chatted online so long; he understood net slang now and knew “meetup” meant in person.
But this was odd…
Xu Qinglai didn’t buy the Resurgence Management Office’s view that the weirdness in Taiping Luxury Garden couldn’t leave.
From Bo Ting’s online shopping, he figured it wouldn’t emerge soon.
But now… Bo Ting planned to leave the neighborhood?
A flicker of surprise passed.
Then Xu Qinglai recalled Mengjia City’s big recent event.
The Filthy Earth Tree was reviving…
Would Bo Ting leaving connect to the Filthy Earth Tree?
After a brief ponder, he looked at the message again.
Xu Qinglai chuckled softly.
“Of course.”
Standing by the window, his mood oddly light: “After chatting so long, I’d like to meet in real life too.”
“It might feel different.”
He had seen the other’s video appearance but never in person.
Thinking that, he felt a touch of anticipation?
Ah, Mr. Xu thought the same.
Bo Ting couldn’t help but feel happy too.
He really wanted to know what Mr. Xu looked like. Would he match the image of a refined, gentle scholar?
The guess flashed by.
Bo Ting only realized on his excited way home that he forgot to set a meetup time with Mr. Xu.
But it was midnight now; Mr. Xu was probably asleep. Tomorrow it was.
He clutched his phone contentedly and went to bed.
Just as Bo Ting closed his eyes.
Outside Mengjia City:
The Resurgence Management Office, waiting a day and night, finally got the news.
“Tests confirm: this corpse-fraud is the Filthy Earth Tree.”
“It will revive from an ancient tomb in Ling Mountain District within three days.”
“We must disrupt its revival before then.”
“The Filthy Earth Tree?”
He Chengfeng frowned, recalling the weird incident at Anhua Road Private Hospital in the city.
During that probe, they found traces of the Filthy Earth Tree, so it got shelved.
Didn’t expect to hear its name again.
“Does Anhua Road Private Hospital tie to the Filthy Earth Tree’s revival?”
He Chengfeng couldn’t help wondering.
Zheng Shangyun nodded.
“Possible.”
“We don’t know its revival backups.”
“Staring at Ling Mountain District tombs isn’t enough.”
“Send a team to keep watch at Anhua Road Private Hospital too.”
“What about Taiping Luxury Garden?”
Only one team left there now; pulling them would empty it.
Zheng Shangyun had a headache but decided:
“Leave one person.”
“Have Xue Hengfu hold it. Send the rest to Anhua Road Hospital.”
Anomalous God revival was huge, and the Filthy Earth Tree craved live flesh. Even at half power post-revival, they couldn’t handle it.
Taiping Luxury Garden seemed quiet for now. Priorities clear.
Lu Jingshan had no objections, following orders.
Arrangements went out fast.
Ability Users secretly around Taiping Luxury Garden withdrew, leaving only Xue Hengfu.
Xue Hengfu suspected it was because he carelessly flashed his flashlight last time, making Captain Zheng think he had “fate” with Taiping Luxury Garden, so he got stuck. He twitched his mouth, watching teammates pack to leave.
Before going, Zhao Jiang patted his shoulder, winking:
“Think positive. Taiping Luxury Garden’s at least quiet—like a daily vacation.”
“We’re off to real danger.”
“How’s it a vacation?”
Xue Hengfu started to retort, then thought: yeah, kinda true.
Guarding Taiping Luxury Garden was the cushiest task now.
“Fine, go on. Too lazy to argue.”
“Call if you need backup—I’m always Sixth Esper Squad.”
Xue Hengfu brushed off the hand, sucked in his gut.
“Got it.”
Zhao Jiang shrugged, hopping in the car as the captain glanced over.
Late night, Sixth Esper Squad raced to Anhua Road.
Outside the security booth, Xue Hengfu yawned, staying in his car watching monitors.
Till dawn, Taiping Luxury Garden stayed the same—proving Zhao Jiang right.
This place was the chillest.
Bo Ting woke refreshed, rolling around unwilling to get up. He posted in the group about his meetup plans.
—”Family, announcement.”
“Met a friend online lately. Gonna meet up these days, catch a movie.”
“How’s everyone feel?”
A slightly embarrassed emoji followed.
Discussing with neighbors felt awkward to Bo Ting.
But first time leaving post-transmigration, and to Mengjia City amid big events—he figured he should report it.
After sending, the group went unexpectedly quiet.
Hm?
Everyone still asleep?
It was 11 AM—not likely.
Bo Ting puzzled, thinking maybe unseen.
After grabbing water, the group livened up.
“What? Little Bo’s meeting up?”
“Congrats!”
Zhang Ge jumped in first.
Then the clothing wholesaler bro and Sister Han sent blessings.
“Young folks should get out, meet people.”
Bo Ting felt warm; hadn’t expected such open support.
“Cough, rare trip out. Tell me if you need anything brought back.”
As one of few young able-bodied, Bo Ting wanted to contribute. Bonus: scout Mengjia City.
Message out.
Aunt Qian popped up, @ing him sheepishly:
“Uh, Little Bo, was gonna tell you.”
“No need to spend on stuff. After five days’ serious residents’ committee discussion, we can reimburse you.”
Hm?
Reimburse?
Nice!
Bo Ting’s eyes lit up—peak turnaround, saving more cash.
But after smiling, realization dawned late.
Wait, when did their neighborhood get a residents’ committee?
