Chapter 117 – Sentinel & Guide: Becoming Your Exclusive Guide – Mutual Confession (07)
Simona valued fame and fortune. Herstlet’s actions, along with the system’s, undoubtedly tore off the mask of hypocrisy she wore. Coupled with relentless questioning from scandal-chasing tabloid reporters, it was enough to drive her to the brink.
However, Simona was a Guide, and Guides were protected by the government. The paparazzi didn’t dare go too far.
After Simona lost control of her mental powers and fled the scene, no one dared follow her. If a Guide went mad and did something reckless, anyone who pursued her could be held accountable and investigated.
Those who stayed behind were safer—after all, when responsibility is shared among many, it’s harder to pin blame on individuals. At worst, they could claim they were just watching the drama unfold or doing their job as reporters.
The neighboring city was close to the Border City. Although it wasn’t a border checkpoint like the Border City, it was the first inland city after the border and thus played a crucial defensive role. Together, the Border City and the neighboring city served as vital strongholds against the Zerg.
Simona ran wildly, unfamiliar with the city. Before long, she found herself in a sparsely populated area.
She stopped, her emotions gradually calming. She couldn’t understand why Bai Tang wasn’t following the path she had laid out—why had he flipped the narrative and turned her, the supposed victim, into the perpetrator?
To answer that question, one would have to consult the Prime Minister’s wife. People often underestimate the wisdom of the ancients.
A noblewoman raised and trained to enter the palace wouldn’t survive there without a few tricks up her sleeve.
The Prime Minister’s wife had been fortunate to be betrothed into the Prime Minister’s household, but even with three thousand women vying for favor in the imperial harem, a naïve, sweet girl would be doomed—unless she was Bai Tang.
Maxim #1 from the Prime Minister’s Wife: Men are visual creatures. They sympathize with the weak. In the face of trouble, never panic. If you throw a tantrum for no reason, you’ll lose the upper hand…
The system proudly declared that this was only a basic tactic—there were many more to come, and challengers were welcome to try.
A black shadow flickered at the base of the wall, triggering a warning from Simona’s mental projection.
“Who’s there?” Simona whipped around sharply.
The surroundings were empty. The scorching sun was evaporating the last traces of moisture from the mud walls, releasing a pungent earthy smell.
Simona felt a wave of weakness wash over her and quickened her pace to leave the area.
But why did the earthy smell seem tinged with something foul and bloody?
She had barely taken two steps when the shadow flashed behind her again. Simona spun around—just in time to see a long, slithering form rear up, reflected in her terrified eyes. A scream tore through the sky. In the desolate suburbs, only the willow branches remained swaying gently in the wind.
Meanwhile, the paparazzi, seeing that the main characters had all left, hurried back to write their reports—each hoping to be the first to publish.
In just a few days, what began as a small love triangle was, thanks to the paparazzi’s keen senses, blown wide open. They even dug up the ancestral history of the Shelley and Bai families. Gossip about the affair spread through the streets like wildfire.
The Shelley surname was no ordinary name—generation after generation had produced generals who defended Border City, and the current generation was no exception. Without the Shelley-commanded troops holding the line, the Zerg would have broken through the borders and launched a full-scale invasion long ago.
But why would a general fall for the son of a wealthy merchant?
Ah, that’s something you probably don’t know. Let’s go back a few generations—back then, the Bai family served alongside the Shelleys in the fight against the Zerg. They even held the position of deputy general. Later, one of them was injured in battle and retired from military service to go into business.
No wonder that woman clung so tightly to the Bai family—there was more to the relationship than met the eye. Rumor had it that the Shelleys and the Bais had arranged a political marriage, though no specific individuals were named.
However, both families only had one direct heir in this generation, so everyone just assumed the marriage would be between those two children. If that woman were to become the Bai family’s adopted daughter, she would technically be part of the main bloodline—and who the marriage would involve might not be so certain anymore…
Chatter, chatter—endless chatter. The Alliance had enjoyed peace for too long. Life was comfortable, and people, unable to sit idle, filled their time by watching dramas and gossiping.
The rumors eventually reached Madam Bai, who was attending a banquet with her husband.
A few noblewomen who had long been at odds with her raised their glasses and sneered, “I hear Madam Bai has gained a daughter. I’m dying to see what kind of person managed to win your approval.”
“She must be a stunning beauty—word is she’s a Guide, and an A-rank at that.”
“No wonder. There aren’t many high-ranked Guides these days. Madam Bai sure went all out—she even handed over her son’s fiancé to an adopted daughter. Let’s just hope she didn’t raise a thankless little wolf in sheep’s clothing…”
Their sarcastic voices overlapped, each one taking turns to ridicule Madam Bai. The implication was obvious—they believed she only took in Simona because of her rare mental strength, going so far as to sacrifice her own son’s happiness to strengthen the family. Why else would she adopt someone else’s daughter?
Madam Bai’s face darkened with anger, but she forced herself to maintain her composure in public. She offered a smile that looked more painful than cheerful
“Simona is a good child—well-behaved, filial, and incredibly thoughtful.”
At that, the noblewomen all covered their mouths and laughed.
When the banquet ended and Madam Bai saw the news about her son Bai Tang and the soon-to-be-adopted Simona, she was livid.
Could this be some kind of misunderstanding? Simona had always been sweet and considerate. Her own son, on the other hand, had been spoiled since childhood and had grown up arrogant. From the way he had acted ever since Simona arrived at the Bai residence, it was clear which of the two was the problem.
But she didn’t want to just go along with public opinion. She skipped the post-banquet business gathering and immediately set off for home.
Before she could even ask Herstlet what was going on, Simona appeared before her in tears—dragging an enormous suitcase behind her.
“Child, where are you going?” Madam Bai quickly ordered the servants to stop her and then sat down on the sofa, gesturing for others to follow.
“Madam Bai, I… I think I should leave. I don’t want to cause you any more trouble…”
Under Madam Bai’s gentle coaxing, Simona haltingly recounted Bai Tang’s “cruel” behavior—not only had he “wrongfully bullied” her, but he had also deceived Herstlet Shelley.
Madam Bai gasped at Simona’s account. When had her son become so bold? But then she remembered the rumors circulating outside—Simona’s reputation had taken quite a hit lately. She studied the girl closely. Simona was wiping her tears sorrowfully, and there wasn’t a trace of scheming on her face. But the media reports had sounded so detailed and convincing. Was this girl really the reason Bai Tang had run away? Had his engagement been broken off because of her?
Madam Bai remained skeptical but didn’t show it on her face. She gently patted Simona’s hand and offered soothing words, forbidding her from ever mentioning leaving the Bai family again. At the same time, she located Bai Tang’s current address. Rather than listening to gossip, it was better to talk things out face to face. If it was all a misunderstanding, great—if not… A glint flashed in her eyes. Anyone who tried to manipulate her son would have to pay the price.
As Simona followed behind Madam Bai, she secretly dialed a media contact using a hidden communicator in her hand.
Before leaving the villa, Simona glanced up at the second floor. A group of dark shadows flashed past the windows. She curled her lips into a smile.
“Come along, child, sit with me for a bit,” Madam Bai’s voice called from the car.
“I’m coming,” Simona replied sweetly and climbed in.
Tang Tang’s Dessert Shop.
It was the fifth day since the shop had closed. With the paparazzi still lurking outside, it had remained shuttered. The Sentinel, having developed a taste for sweetness and affection, had been doing his best to win over the beloved young man. He cooked, made soup, fluffed pillows, and warmed the bed—portraying the perfect image of a “devoted husband and loving father.”
Although… he had never actually been a father.
The more Herstlet acted like this, the more Bai Tang panicked. Ever since the system hinted that there might be something wrong with the male lead, Bai Tang had been consumed by intense fear. He was terrified that, at any moment, if he wasn’t paying attention, Herstlet would suddenly die when he wasn’t looking.
He followed Herstlet everywhere, but Herstlet, in an attempt to surprise Bai Tang, kept finding ways to send him away.
One day, Bai Tang was sent back to his room. Anxiously, he asked, “Qiu’er, are you sure we can’t detect any problems with Herstlet? What if he dies…?”
“He won’t die,” came the reassuring reply. “Herstlet looks perfectly healthy.” The male lead was protected by the will of Heaven, so logically, if he had fallen into darkness, Heaven would no longer protect him.
But the more Bai Tang thought about it, the more terrified he became. Just then, Herstlet entered the room, holding a cake. A boy, barely reaching his chest, suddenly flung himself into Herstlet’s arms.
“I don’t want you to die! Please don’t die!” The boy’s burning tears soaked Herstlet’s chest. Herstlet, one hand still holding the cake, wrapped his other arm around Bai Tang and sat down in the chair.
“I’m fine. I’m not going to die,” Herstlet said, his tone calm. “I still have to protect you for the rest of your life.”
Bai Tang sniffled, his little hand patting Herstlet’s chest. “Does it hurt anywhere? Does your chest hurt? Or your hand? Is there pain…?”
“It hurts,” Herstlet said.
“Where does it hurt? Tell me quickly, I’ll treat it for you!” Bai Tang panicked, eager to start checking Herstlet’s body.
“Here,” Herstlet said, grabbing the boy’s hand, which was groping aimlessly. “If you keep doing that, you’re going to set me on fire.”
He guided the boy’s hand to his chest, where a strong heartbeat pulsed beneath. “When you’re not around, it hurts here.”
“Ah?” Bai Tang seemed confused.
Seeing the boy’s dazed expression, Herstlet’s usually stern face softened. “So, as long as you’re by my side, I won’t feel pain anymore.”
If Bai Tang couldn’t tell that this was a love confession at this point, then he might as well have wasted a few worlds.
Faced with the deep confession from his love, Bai Tang remembered what he had read in books—that love should be reciprocal. If one person’s efforts aren’t met with any response over time, the disappointment would eventually lead to giving up.
Although Bai Tang had previously mentioned breaking up with the male lead, he couldn’t bring himself to do it in his heart.
Blushing and incredibly shy, he murmured, “I feel the same way. If you don’t want me anymore, then I won’t live either.” I’ll just go to the next world to find you.
Herstlet misunderstood and thought Bai Tang was saying he would harm himself, and he couldn’t decide whether to feel happy or scared.
He promised Bai Tang, “I won’t die. I still have to wash fruit for you, make candied hawthorns, and mousse cakes…”
Bai Tang buried himself in Herstlet’s arms, lips slightly parted, and whispered in a barely audible voice, “I love you.”
The senses of a Sentinel were hundreds of times more acute than that of an ordinary person. With a smile, Herstlet responded, “Tang Tang, let’s get married.”
The two spiritual entities nearby were also incredibly excited, especially the white wolf. It nuzzled the little squirrel’s soft belly, its eyes glowing a deep green.
When Madam Bai and Simona arrived at Tang Tang’s Dessert Shop, they found the two inside feeding each other cake, taking bites with cream all over their mouths. Pink bubbles rose around them.
As soon as Madam Bai entered the room, she saw this scene and suddenly felt like her eyes were going blind.
Who said her son’s engagement was broken? Who started these rumors? Come out, and I guarantee I won’t kill you.