Chapter 420: Queenly Charm

“You’re Bear!” Zhumei happily hugged Xia Yu’s neck.

“I’m not. I didn’t. What bear?” Xia Yu feigned confusion.

“Don’t pretend anymore. You are Bear!” Zhumei insisted firmly.

“I really am not. Where do I look like a bear?” Xia Yu appeared genuinely bewildered. “Besides, didn’t your Bear pass away? His ashes were scattered. How could there still be a Bear?”

“You responded when I called you just now!” Zhumei presented her evidence.

“That’s just a natural reaction when waking up. Even if you called me Dad, I would’ve answered too.” Xia Yu gave an example.

“You patted my head just like Bear did!” Zhumei offered her second piece of evidence.

“That’s just out of habit from patting my little sister. Isn’t head patting quite common?” Xia Yu continued pretending to be clueless.

“Your golden eagle is as smart as Bear.” Zhumei still wouldn’t give up.

“That’s just a technological creation. It has nothing to do with me. How could I possibly be a brown bear that’s already dead?” Xia Yu grabbed Zhumei’s shoulders. “This is a scientific world. I know Bear’s departure made you very sad, but don’t indulge in fantasy anymore.”

He almost convinced himself with what he said.

Zhumei became half-convinced and half-doubtful. These pieces of evidence indeed couldn’t directly prove that Xia Yu was the brown bear.

However, many people aren’t rational creatures. Zhumei was one of them. She directly abandoned rational thinking and followed her intuition.

“You are Bear!” Zhumei leaned against Xia Yu.

“I feel like I’m not.” Xia Yu replied.

“I don’t care how you feel. I only care about how I feel.” Zhumei lifted her head, staring into Xia Yu’s eyes.

Xia Yu began to feel a headache coming.

He contemplated what impact revealing his identity to Zhumei would have on his life.

Would Zhumei tell Yun Nianmeng? Would Yun Nianmeng believe it?

He had used An Siyao’s body many times. Yun Nianmeng must have noticed something strange about her niece’s behavior. If she heard Zhumei’s claims, she might become half-convinced and half-doubtful.

Wait, Zhumei didn’t know about the body swapping. All she knew was that he was the brown bear, and she had no solid evidence to back up her claim.

After confirming there was no real risk, Xia Yu began considering what to do with Zhumei next.

Now that he had revealed his identity as the brown bear, Xia Yu could convince Zhumei to stay and prevent her from going to the battlefield at Block 232.

He would test her affection level.

Xia Yu said to Zhumei, “Want to know the truth?”

Zhumei nodded.

“Next, I will hypnotize you and conduct a test. If you pass, I’ll tell you the truth. If you fail, don’t come looking for me again,” Xia Yu said.

Zhumei kept nodding.

Xia Yu took out his phone to prepare. He sent a message to Xu Youxiang, telling her he wouldn’t go to the lab today.

『What are you doing? Why didn’t you come home last night?』 Xu Youxiang messaged back.

『A friend had some trouble』 Xia Yu replied.

『Girlfriend?』 Xu Youxiang knew Xia Yu had very few male friends.

『A female friend』 Xia Yu corrected.

Xu Youxiang wasn’t worried about Xia Yu’s integrity. After all, he hadn’t made a move on her, even though she was such a cute girl. What worried her was whether this other girl might be a bad person who drugged Xia Yu.

Xu Youxiang replied: 『Be careful not to get taken advantage of』

『???』

Xia Yu lowered his head and looked at Zhumei who was leaning against him. Was this considered being taken advantage of?

Well, it wasn’t important anyway.

Putting his phone aside, Xia Yu had Zhumei lie down on the bed and used the “Soothing” ability on her.

Five seconds later, Zhumei fell asleep.

Xia Yu opened the slot system and temporarily vacated Xu Youxiang’s slot.

He looked at Zhumei and used the “Free Selection” ability, choosing Zhumei.

After a moment of darkness, Xia Yu entered Zhumei’s body. He opened his eyes slightly and glanced at Zhumei’s first bonus.

【Political Tactics Bonus Level 3】

Level 3 already. This was the same level as An Siyao and Xu Youxiang. There wouldn’t be any danger.

Reassured, Xia Yu continued looking at the other bonuses. The second one was 【Speech Bonus Level 3】. Political tactics plus speech skills—this person was destined for high office.

Looking at the final bonus 【Exploitation Bonus Level 3】, Xia Yu was certain Zhumei would definitely make a good king.

Unfortunately, she no longer had any territory. Even if she reclaimed it later, the throne would go to Zhumei’s brother, Zhumu Bing.

Closing his eyes, Xia Yu used the “Soothing” ability on himself again and returned to sleep.

Eight hours later, he returned to his own body.

Zhumei woke up too, rubbing her head. She felt a bit dizzy from sleeping too long.

“Just stay in Yaoguang,” Xia Yu stood up.

“You promised to tell me the truth!” Zhumei grabbed Xia Yu’s hand.

“Just like you thought, I am the brown bear, but not entirely—I’m only half of it,” Xia Yu replied.

Although she didn’t understand what “half” meant, Zhumei was certain Xia Yu was Bear. She stood up excitedly and threw herself at him.

“Bear!”

Zhumei wasn’t a child anymore. Her weight made the sudden impact almost cause Xia Yu to lose his balance.

Leaning against the wall, Xia Yu pinched Zhumei’s face: “Right now I’m human, not a bear. Don’t just suddenly jump on me!”

“I understand,” Zhumei nodded but showed no intention of getting off Xia Yu.

Xia Yu checked the time. It was already past one in the afternoon.

Picking up the nearby phone, Xia Yu called the hotel and ordered lunch.

During lunch, Zhumei had to get off Xia Yu. She moved two chairs together, sat beside him, and leaned against him.

When Xia Yu was still a bear, leaning on him was normal. But now that Xia Yu was in human form, having Zhumei leaning on him made him feel restless inside.

For both their sakes, Xia Yu looked at Zhumei and said, “I’m not a brown bear anymore. Don’t keep leaning on me like that!”

“Why? Are you going to leave me too?” Zhumei nervously grabbed Xia Yu’s hand.

“That’s not the issue. It’s about gender differences. Understand?” Xia Yu hinted.

“It’s fine. I don’t mind.” Zhumei relaxed and continued leaning against him.

Xia Yu covered his forehead. This girl had just as many problems as An Siyao.

“Even if you don’t mind, my girlfriend will mind.” Xia Yu pushed Zhumei away.

“Then just break up with her. Isn’t being with me fun enough?” Zhumei flipped through the dishes on the table. Finding a plate with honey, she dipped her finger in it and put it into Xia Yu’s mouth.

“Tastes good?” she asked.

“It’s not about whether it’s good or not.” Xia Yu licked his lips, feeling like he had gotten himself into a big mess.

“I understand. I’ll get along well with your girlfriend.” Zhumei sighed, somewhat unhappy.

Xia Yu wanted to tell Zhumei that this wasn’t something that could be resolved just because she was willing.

“Hurry up and eat. After we finish, let’s go meet her.” Zhumei put a piece of grilled meat in front of Xia Yu, urging him to eat.