After a long while, Xiao Liu and the vine contracted at the same time. The vine shrank back to half a meter in height, and Xiao Liu returned to Nan Muran’s wrist, becoming the familiar willow branch tattoo.

“It says it has grown some delicious fruit and thought we came to steal its fruit.”

Nan Muran listened to Xiao Liu’s words and stared at the vine for a while. Delicious fruit? It must mean it has mutated fruit.

This little guy was only about half a meter tall, with only a few dozen leaves and three or five small white flowers. If it hadn’t jumped out looking for trouble, who would think it had any fruit?

Moreover, it didn’t look like it could bear fruit at all.

The vine could clearly feel the human’s disdain, and for a moment, it felt unjust. It had to prove itself.

Looking at the vine in front of her, holding two white fruits glowing with a green light, Nan Muran was certain. This was the same vine from the underground laboratory that had killed her and Si Ye.

Almost instantly, Nan Muran pressed down on the vine’s root, and the vine was startled, causing the fruit to fall to the ground. At the same time, a short knife appeared in Nan Muran’s right hand.

“Ranran…” Jia Wu was startled by her sudden change in demeanor.

The little willow on her wrist quickly intervened to stop her.

“It’s the vine from the underground laboratory,” Xiao Liu said. Nan Muran’s murderous intent was clear. She didn’t care about this vine’s uniqueness; she only knew that it had killed Si Ye.

She wasn’t going to let any entity that had harmed them in the previous life off the hook.

The little willow quickly told Nan Muran about the situation.

There were two such vines here. One had been growing around an ancient tree, and recently, because it bore fruit, someone had dug it up.

“One has already been dug up?” Nan Muran looked at the vine in her hand, nodding vigorously, her tone doubtful.

But soon, she realized plants didn’t lie.

However, she didn’t release the vine’s root and didn’t retract the short knife either. “Can you sense where the other vine is?”

“I could before, but not now.”

Hearing what Xiao Liu said, Nan Muran wasn’t surprised. “Tell it, either it comes with me, or I’ll dig out its root and burn it. Choose one.”

Vine: This human is too scary. I don’t want to go with her.

Xiao Liu: If your root is burned, can you sprout again?

Vine: My root has fruit on it, and the fruit can grow new vines.

Xiao Liu: But the new vines will be your offspring, not you. Ranran is a very good human. If you follow her, you’ll see.

Vine: A good human who wants to dig out and burn my root? Something’s wrong here.

Xiao Liu: She thinks you’re the vine that killed her and Ye Ye, so of course, she wants to dig up your root. I want to dig up that vine’s root too.

Vine: But I don’t want to leave here.

Xiao Liu: Ranran has very powerful vitality in her body, which is very good for plants. If you follow her, you’ll grow fast.

And you won’t have to worry about anyone stealing your fruit anymore. You won’t have to worry about humans digging up your roots either.

Ranran will help you drive away bad people.

Eventually, the vine, just like Xiao Liu, obediently coiled around Nan Muran’s left arm. The vine twisted in the same way as Xiao Liu, making the originally simple tattoo appear more complex and beautiful.

Nan Muran also received nine fruits from the vine.

Once the vine coiled around her wrist, it stretched out comfortably, and the two flowers that hadn’t bloomed before finally opened. Xiao Liu hadn’t lied—this human really had powerful and beneficial vitality for plants.

“Xiao Liu, ask it if it has seen Si Ye and the others?”

But the foolish vine knew nothing.

However, the vine did know the direction in which the people who took away the other vine had left.

Nan Muran and Jia Wu continued to walk deeper into the Cui Mountain according to the direction the vine pointed. They kept running until the sky grew dark, but still found nothing.

When they returned to the car, Nan Muran was eerily silent, as if enveloped by an extremely low pressure.

“Ranran, who exactly are you looking for?” Jia Wu placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to snap her out of her gloomy mood.

Only then did Nan Muran regain her focus.

Looking at the concern in Jia Wu’s eyes, she forced a smile but couldn’t quite make it: “I’ve been looking for someone very important to me. But just last time, when I killed the toxic scorpion squad, he was right by my side, and I didn’t even notice.”

Jia Wu could sense her pain and gently patted her shoulder, his voice softening: “As long as he’s still alive, it’s not too late.”

“Yes,” Nan Muran replied firmly.

“As long as he’s alive, everything is still possible,” Jia Wu comforted.

Nan Muran’s beautiful eyes started to redden: “Yes, there’s still time.”

“You said you probably know my background?” Jia Wu suddenly said.

“I’ve heard some things from others.”

Jia Wu smiled and nodded: “After I got the news, I ran back like crazy, but I still lost both our parents and our four-year-old daughter. If it weren’t for Bai Mei, I might not have survived to this day.

Ranran, you need to understand, that the fact that the person you care about is still alive in this world, that itself is very fortunate. Everything is still possible.”

Nan Muran looked at Jia Wu in surprise, realizing for the first time that they once had a daughter.

“Don’t be sad. You will definitely find the person you’re looking for,” Jia Wu reached out and wiped away the tear stain at the corner of Nan Muran’s eye. “In the future, Bai Mei and I will be with you, finding people together.”

Nan Muran nodded, feeling much lighter. She even joked with Jia Wu: “So, are we still taking the Hummer back?”

“I forgot about that. Hurry, change the car for me.”

When they got home that evening, Bai Mei looked at the two of them entering the house, her smile slowly freezing. Her tone became uneasy: “Where are Tank and Da Fu?”

Upon hearing this, the two were stunned, turning back to look at the empty space behind them: “Nan Shan Yun Yuan.”

When they were out taking a break, Tank and Da Fu were playing with Dudu, but they had left in such a hurry that they completely forgot about the two little ones.

After they found out the two little ones had been left at Nan Shan Yun Yuan, Bai Mei couldn’t help but sigh: “You two.”

“I should go pick them up,” Jia Wu said, glancing outside, worried about the two little ones.

“Don’t go, Wu Ge. The situation’s complicated tonight. If you encounter a tide of corpses on the road, it will be a big problem.”

“Alright. Then I’ll cook dinner for you.”

Bai Mei pushed the wheelchair and was about to head to the kitchen.

Nan Muran quickly stopped her: “Sister Mei, don’t bother. I’ll handle dinner tonight.”

“You cook?” Bai Mei clearly didn’t approve, remembering how Nan Muran had once made a hotpot with only cold water.

“Yes, trust me. Just pick whatever you like, and I’ll satisfy your taste buds.” Nan Muran was very confident in the stock she had in her space.

Bai Mei and Jia Wu exchanged glances, already preparing for a meal of “dark cuisine.”