Chapter Nineteen: What’s the Point of This Love Triangle?

Time slipped by, and the atmosphere in the room grew increasingly strange and suffocating, heavy with a palpable sense of oppression. Everyone found it difficult to breathe, as if the very air had thickened. It was an intensely uncomfortable feeling. All eyes were fixed on Qi Xi, who lay on the bed. If he were to suddenly leap up and transform into a zombie, at least they'd have a moment’s warning to escape. Though none of them wished for Qi Xi to become a zombie, as time dragged on, that stubborn, unwelcome thought inevitably took root in their minds—a perfectly human reaction, after all.

Among them, only Watermelon seemed relatively at ease. The memories from his previous life assured him that what he recalled was real: Qi Xi had become a Gene Person then, so he certainly would this time as well. There could be no unexpected mishap. While he felt a touch of nervousness, compared to the tense, battle-ready expressions of the others, his demeanor was visibly more relaxed.

Meanwhile, Qi Xi, lying on the bed, had soaked the sheets through with sweat—a truly astonishing sight, for one person’s perspiration to drench an entire bed. Yet for someone in the midst of becoming an Evolver, undergoing a profound transformation, such a thing was hardly unusual.

An hour passed—neither long nor short—and just as the tension in the room reached its breaking point, Qi Xi opened his eyes.

He raised his right hand before his face, flexing his fingers, feeling the power surging within him, a strength utterly foreign to his previous self. An unmistakable sensation of newfound might enveloped him.

It was identical to the feeling he’d had in his previous life, when, traveling through a martial world, he’d mastered true energy.

This, he thought, is the sensation of wielding true power.

“So this is what it feels like to have such strength…” Qi Xi murmured, gazing at his palm.

The sudden words shattered the room’s silence, startling the others from their anxious reverie. They stared at Qi Xi, replaying his words in their minds, puzzled. Had the fever damaged his mind? “The sensation of mastering power”—it sounded embarrassingly melodramatic, almost as if he’d stepped out of some adolescent fantasy.

“Are you alright, Qi Xi?” Xiao Fengyu asked, reaching out her cool hand to touch his forehead.

Qi Xi ignored her, continuing to stare dazedly at his own hand.

Liang Fei, seeing Xiao Fengyu make the first move, felt a surge of irritation. Perhaps Qi Xi had been distant with her earlier because of this woman. That thought planted a seed of resentment in her heart. She slid closer to Qi Xi, pressing her chest against his arm, and tried to pull him into a sitting position, supporting him under the armpit as she said, “You should sit up and have some water. You were burning up just now—you really scared me.”

The gesture looked innocent enough, but when performed by a woman towards a man, it was undeniably intimate. Qi Xi, lost in the marvel of his own transformation, scarcely noticed what was happening. He followed her gentle tug and sat up.

“I’m fine. It’s just that this power is so wondrous—I need a moment to understand it,” Qi Xi murmured, analyzing inwardly: This was different from the true energy he’d once wielded in another world. That could be controlled directly, but now, with this genetic evolution—becoming a Primary Gene Person—the power was more about ‘communication.’

How best to describe it?

This power didn’t truly belong to the Evolvers; it was merely housed temporarily within their bodies. An Evolver couldn’t command it at will, but could only release it through a process of communion.

It sounded less convenient, perhaps less potent, than straightforward control, but in truth, it was far superior. This method greatly reduced the burden on both mind and body.

By coming to an understanding with these genetic forces, one could use them as one pleased.

Once he had grown accustomed to this new power, Qi Xi began delving into the deeper layers of genetic information, seeking to comprehend and analyze it.

These genetic codes were vital, but also tremendously difficult to decipher. Even after more than ten minutes of concentration, he had only managed to grasp a few complete pieces of information.

Perhaps his current level was simply too low; true mastery remained out of reach. The thought left Qi Xi eager for the day he truly grew stronger. What changes would come then?

He returned to himself, only to find the women beside him embroiled in a quarrel. What on earth was going on?

Ten minutes earlier, Liang Fei had supported Qi Xi in an overtly affectionate manner, her body pressed close to his. Those present could hardly miss the intimacy. Li Feidao and Qiu Xiaoyan silently lamented the decline of morals in modern times. Nan Housheng, eyes narrowed, felt a pang of jealousy—how he wished he could be the one lying there. He’d tried flirting with Liang Fei before, but she’d responded with nothing but icy politeness, leaving him deeply wounded.

As for Watermelon, his thoughts wandered elsewhere. In the past, reading web novels, he’d always found it a bit far-fetched how transmigrators arrived and instantly bent the world to their will, composing poetry, painting, radiating luck, and attracting women left and right. It seemed unrealistic. Yet now, as a full-time transmigrator himself, he couldn’t help but look forward to such things. Still, he clearly wasn’t qualified yet—he hadn’t mastered the art of charming women. Watching this senior, Qi Xi, he realized they weren’t on the same starting line after all; as a reincarnator, he should be ahead, yet Qi Xi emanated the dazzling aura of a protagonist, his every move revealing a gap between them. Such was the bearing of a true veteran transmigrator. Watermelon was filled with admiration and resolved to learn quickly, to close the gap and become a worthy transmigrator himself.

However, Xiao Fengyu, observing Liang Fei’s actions, instantly felt displeased. Qi Xi was the object of her own affections—even if he wasn’t particularly interested in her, she couldn’t stand to see someone else fawning over him. She quietly inched closer, perching on the bed so that Qi Xi ended up resting against her chest. She showed not the slightest embarrassment, embracing him proudly like a victorious peacock. Freeing one hand, she called out, “Sister Qiu, please bring some water…”

Before she could finish, a voice full of grievance cut in. “Bring water? For what?” Liang Fei’s brows arched as she glared at Xiao Fengyu. “What exactly do you mean by this?” With that, she yanked Qi Xi back towards herself. The poor man was tugged back and forth, utterly oblivious, his mind wholly absorbed in the energy within.

“What do I mean? Just now you acted inappropriately, without any sense of decorum!” Xiao Fengyu retorted sharply, emphasizing the words ‘inappropriate’ and ‘indecorous.’

“I was just helping Brother Qi sit up—what’s it to you? And you, pulling him into your arms—who are you supposed to be? His girlfriend? Ha! If anyone’s being inappropriate, it’s you. You’re quite good at self-mockery, aren’t you?” Liang Fei shot back, unyielding.

“Self-mockery? I suppose you’d know,” Xiao Fengyu scoffed, immediately launching into a barrage of verbal barbs.

Liang Fei, of course, refused to back down.

Don’t be fooled by their normally soft-spoken, ladylike demeanor. It takes but a moment for a gentlewoman to transform into a veritable fishwife. Let this be a lesson: never push a woman too far, or she’ll stop at nothing to put you in your place.

Their argument raged for ten minutes, growing hoarse in the process.

“What are you quarreling about?” Qi Xi finally pressed his temples, frowning. “Be quiet.”

The two women, seizing the opportunity, both snorted and fell silent at once.

Li Feidao and the others looked on in amazement. Women’s hearts are truly mysterious. They’d tried to intervene earlier, speaking gently and persuasively, only to be met with hostility or coldness. Yet at Qi Xi’s single word, they instantly obeyed…