Chapter 166: Chapter 167: Let Him Stay
Jiang Si no longer felt comfortable leaving Bo Xi alone with Zhang Qingfang and the others.
If he suddenly turned violent, Zhang Qingfang and the others would be completely defenseless.
Jiang Si and Qin Shen hurried to the greenhouse. Bo Xi was quietly following Zhang Qingfang, listening as she enthusiastically recounted how each of the vegetables was grown and what a wonderful process it had been.
They communicated in English. Although their conversation wasn’t fluent, they seemed to be enjoying the chat.
Zhang Qingfang felt that Bo Xi was a truly well-mannered person and didn’t seem like a bad guy at all.
When he saw some vegetables toppling over, he even suggested they go prop them up.
He clearly didn’t know how to farm, but Zhang Qingfang thought his suggestion was a good one, so she had them tie stakes to support the pepper plants that were heavy with fruit.
When Jiang Chengwu was about to pull the weeds around the seedlings, Bo Xi would actively go over, learn how to identify the weeds by watching them, and help them with the work.
When he saw Jiang Si and Qin Shen arrive, however, Bo Xi seemed to grow reserved and tense.
Zhang Qingfang then remembered it was time to feed the chickens and ducks in the pen and asked Bo Xi if he wanted to come along.
Bo Xi’s expression faltered. As it turned out, the thing he feared most was poultry.
He shook his head and made an excuse. "I need to use the restroom. I think my stomach is a little upset."
Zhang Qingfang assumed he had an upset stomach from something he ate and quickly said, "Let me get you some medicine. You can take it with you and have some in a bit."
"Thank you."
Bo Xi’s expression had turned so sour at the mention of feeding chickens, as if he’d just met his nemesis.
An idea suddenly struck Jiang Si. She walked up to him and said, "Mr. Bo Xi, collecting eggs is a lot of fun. Why don’t we do it together tomorrow morning? My mom makes delicious egg pancakes."
Bo Xi’s expression was strained. "Miss Jiang, if my stomach isn’t bothering me tomorrow, I’ll definitely go. I’m sure it would be very interesting."
Jiang Si grew even more suspicious. ’He’s afraid of collecting the eggs.’
She smiled, keeping her expression neutral. "Alright, Mr. Bo Xi. Please let me know if you decide to go tomorrow."
"Okay."
Bo Xi practically fled from Jiang Si’s sight.
Jiang Si stared at his retreating back, lost in thought. ’If he’s a superpower user, what exactly is his ability?’
Back in their room, Jiang Si and Qin Shen continued to monitor Bo Xi’s movements in real time.
She leaned on Qin Shen’s shoulder. "What do you think his ability is? Can he transform like you?"
"If he can transform, it’s not as if you have any of those tells."
Jiang Si had gained her Space Ability after she died, so she had no idea what potential side effects other superpower users might experience from their abilities.
Qin Shen’s gaze darkened as if he was recalling something. "Like insects."
Jiang Si froze. "He turns into insects!"
’Damn, that’s some seriously bad luck.’
Qin Shen’s true form was a big, fluffy white creature, majestic and strikingly handsome. She adored it. But if he turned into insects... She pictured it. ’Hahaha, that would still be pretty disgusting.’
A smile tugged at her lips. Qin Shen seized the opportunity, cupping her face and giving her a kiss. "Mm, just a guess."
Jiang Si laughed. "If that’s really the case, it’s no wonder he’s hiding it. No normal person would be able to accept turning into an insect."
"Wait a minute. Insects are afraid of birds—they’re natural enemies. Could it be that superpower users have their own nemeses too?"
Qin Shen nodded. "Perhaps."
Jiang Si suddenly grew excited. "So, should we just ask him directly? Or should we force him to reveal his true identity and just... eliminate him?"
Qin Shen suddenly said, "Didn’t you notice? When we brought him back, there weren’t any insects around our feet."
Jiang Si’s eyes widened in pleasant surprise. "Are you saying he can control insects? Repel them?"
’Oh my god. If he stays, he’d be a huge biological weapon.’
He would be incredibly useful to them.
When it came to farming, they wouldn’t have to fear those annoying pests that bite everything.
A glint appeared in Qin Shen’s eyes. "Just a guess."
"You can test it out with him."
"How do I test it?"
"Get some insects?"
Jiang Si abruptly hugged him and kissed his cheek. "You’re so clever."
Jiang Si started to get up, but Qin Shen pulled her back and kissed her fiercely twice before letting her go.
On the ship, they had mealworms, earthworms, sea maggots for fishing, and even those white, bloodsucking worms that the monkeys used to love.
The next morning, as soon as Bo Xi opened his door, he found the floor covered in the white, bloodsucking worms.
Everyone was shouting in alarm, "The worms are back inside! Stomp on them! Get them out with a dustpan! Don’t let them bite you!"
Bo Xi shot them a disgusted look, then turned to Jiang Si, who was also busy clearing away the worms. "Where did these things come from?"
Jiang Si shook her head. "They’re crafty enough to get onto the ship, but we’re not sure how. Be careful, they might get into your room."
Bo Xi frowned. He wanted to just command the worms to scram, but he couldn’t risk exposing himself. He had no choice but to help Qin Shen and the others deal with them.
After lunch, he returned to his room, only to find the floor teeming with worms.
He cursed under his breath, shut the door, and picked up a dustpan. But then he froze. He slowly stood up, stared at the worms, and commanded, "All of you, get out!"
The wriggling bloodsucking worms suddenly, almost magically, reversed direction and crawled on their own toward the toilet.
Only when all the worms had disappeared did Bo Xi finally relax. He sat on the edge of his bed, but then grabbed his head in self-loathing.
"God, why am I a monster!"
"Why did it have to be me!"
Jiang Si and Qin Shen watched the entire scene unfold.
Jiang Si said, "I was right. He must have an energy stone inside him, but he hasn’t accepted his mutation."
Qin Shen nodded. "Should we keep him?"
A Mutant who could repel insects would be an amazing help.
A true asset for farming.
If he had been around during the bloodsucking mosquito outbreak, probably not as many people would have died.
Jiang Si nodded. "Yes. He could be a great help to us. We can keep him since he’s useful, and besides, he has a pretty good personality, don’t you think?"
Qin Shen got a little jealous and snuggled up to her. "Am I not good enough?"
Jiang Si snorted with laughter, then said with a straight face, "If you weren’t good, do you think you’d still be standing here?"
Qin Shen was very satisfied with that answer. "Alright, I’ll go talk to him then."
Jiang Si’s eyes lit up. "Are you going to reveal that we’re superpower users?"
Qin Shen shook his head. "I’ll reveal my identity. You don’t have to."
He was a strength-type; he could overpower Bo Xi if necessary.
Jiang Si nodded. "Alright, you should go then."
While Bo Xi was still agonizing, Qin Shen knocked on his door. "Are you in there? Come out and talk."
Bo Xi froze. He quickly composed himself and followed Qin Shen up to the deck.
Qin Shen got straight to the point. "Do you want to stay?"
Bo Xi was both excited and apprehensive. "Can I?"
’The living conditions on the Icebreaker are so good. If they really need more people, why wouldn’t they choose other Asians?’
He was, in fact, still very cautious.
