Ke Lian quietly regained consciousness, just in time to witness Miao Miao’s entire transformation from human form to a cat. Because he was lying down, he even saw the pair of cat ears that Miao Miao had concealed under the hood.
Although he was quite shocked and even wanted to learn about Miao Miao’s true identity, his attention immediately shifted to Du Xixi, who was holding Miao Miao.
His mind was still not very clear, and his gaze was somewhat scattered. However, looking at Miao Miao, who was nestling in Du Xixi’s arms and seemed very dependent on Du Xixi, he instinctively felt a bit displeased.
Even when Mo Ying usually clung to Du Xixi, Ke Lian felt a bit jealous. Now, with a girl who could transform into a cat lying in Du Xixi’s arms and her tail wrapped around Du Xixi unwilling to let go, how could Ke Lian be pleased?
"Xixi, I missed you so much." Ke Lian felt he needed to do something, so he pretended to have just woken up, coughed slightly as if he was feeling uncomfortable, and spoke to Du Xixi in a hoarse voice.
Then, when Du Xixi lowered her head to look at him, he softened his eyes and expression, giving Du Xixi a longing and gentle smile.
Ke Lian did this just to draw Du Xixi’s attention, and since Mo Feng’s attention also fell on Miao Miao following Du Xixi’s words, only 2569 noticed his master’s mischievous operation.
Seeing Ke Lian subtly sending a glance his way, 2569 aimed his electronic screen at the scenery outside the window, finding that the big tree he had been looking at for several days somehow looked exceptionally nice today.
2569: Huh? Did something happen just now? I know nothing!
Ke Lian’s maneuver undoubtedly worked, as Du Xixi, seeing him awake, immediately put Miao Miao on a chair nearby and squatted down to hold Ke Lian’s hand: "You’re finally awake. Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"
It was Du Xixi’s first time using her spiritual talent to heal someone, so she was a bit worried she hadn’t controlled it well, possibly causing discomfort for Ke Lian.
Ke Lian did feel some discomfort, even though he could sense a very familiar aura moving within him, seemingly trying to help. But that gentle aura was clearly like a drop in the bucket for Ke Lian’s severe injuries, merely giving him the chance to open his eyes and speak a few words.
However, how could Ke Lian tell the truth and make Du Xixi worried? He held Du Xixi’s hand in return, rubbing it affectionately against his face: "No, I feel much better now."
"That’s good." Du Xixi couldn’t tell that Ke Lian was hiding the truth from her, and she sighed with relief at his words, sitting lightly by the bedside, she complained about the traitor: "I heard from my brother that it’s all because of that traitor. He’s already been handed over to the Military Department for execution."
Thinking of the traitor, Ke Lian’s face darkened momentarily. Looking up, he saw Mo Feng on the adjacent bed watching him and Du Xixi with a casual expression, feeling both embarrassed and unable to ignore the scars still evident on Mo Feng.
Ke Lian’s main injuries were internal, far more severe inside than they appeared outside, but Mo Feng’s injuries were primarily external, especially around the waist and abdomen. If the Insect Clan had applied more force or if Mo Feng had dodged a moment later, he might have spent the rest of his life bedridden.
Ke Lian and Mo Feng had chosen to infiltrate the Insect Clan’s stronghold together, certainly not rashly. They had even planned together for a while to ensure nothing went wrong.
However, the single "failure" among a million successes happened only because Ke Lian and Mo Feng trusted their troops too much, considering everyone in the Military Department trustworthy, which led them to fall into the traitor’s trap.
If they had thought a bit deeper at the time and carefully screened the people around them, perhaps these things wouldn’t have happened. Ke Lian sighed lightly with a somewhat bitter smile: "Fengzi and I were careless this time."
Mo Feng also seemed a bit downcast.
For someone as proud as him, who had never lost a battle following Ke Lian, the only defeat turned out to be at the hands of one of their own... No, that traitor no longer counted as "one of their own."
Losing was one thing, but being betrayed by someone they trusted truly wounded Ke Lian and Mo Feng’s hearts.
Feeling the two only males present become dispirited, even Lian Miaomiao couldn’t help but emit a soft "meow," and Du Xixi naturally felt distressed too.