From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals-Chapter 552 Bombarded Questions

They passed another group of people—more nods, more greetings. Every interaction left her more baffled than the last. Finally, Xuán Wěi broke the silence again.

"It's late," he said, his tone softening. "But I feel like you haven't eaten in a while."

JJ glanced at him, frowning slightly. She hadn't even thought about food, the gnawing hunger in her belly overshadowed by everything else.

"Come with me to my favorite spot," Xuán Wěi continued, his tone casual. "We can discuss what your day has been like. Maybe clear up some of the questions I see in your eyes."

JJ hesitated, her steps faltering for a moment. Eat? With a rebel? The idea seemed ridiculous, yet here they were, walking side by side like old acquaintances. She glanced up at him, trying to gauge his intentions, but his expression remained calm, open. There was no malice, no hidden agenda that she could sense.

Reluctantly, she nodded. "Alright," she said, her voice quiet. "Lead the way."

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They turned down a narrow street, the air cooling as they moved deeper into the town. The place Xuán Wěi led her to was small, unassuming—just a simple eatery tucked between two larger buildings. A warm light spilled from the windows, and the faint sound of clinking dishes and soft chatter reached their ears.

Xuán Wěi pushed the door open, stepping aside to let her in first. JJ hesitated for a heartbeat before walking inside, the warmth of the room wrapping around her like a blanket. The smell of fresh food hit her nose, and her stomach growled in response, reminding her just how long it had been since her last meal.

"Sit," Xuán Wěi gestured toward a corner table, his voice gentle. "I'll order for us."

JJ lowered herself into the chair, still trying to process everything. As Xuán Wěi approached the counter, exchanging a few words with the cook, she found herself studying the people around her. No one seemed to pay her much attention. A few friendly faces glanced her way, but nothing more. It was as though her presence here, sitting with a rebel, was completely normal.

Xuán Wěi returned moments later, two steaming bowls of food in his hands. He set one down in front of her before taking the seat across from her. "Eat," he said simply, the warmth of the food rising between them.

JJ stared at the bowl, her appetite suddenly roaring to life. She picked up the spoon and took a cautious bite, the flavors melting on her tongue. For a moment, she forgot where she was, the pain in her shoulder, everything—there was just the food, and it was glorious.

Xuán Wěi watched her, a small smile playing at his lips. "You've had a long day," he said quietly, his voice cutting through her brief moment of peace. "Care to tell me about it?"

JJ looked up, swallowing hard. "You really want to know?"

Xuán Wěi leaned back in his chair, his eyes calm but curious. "Only if you're willing to share. No pressure."

JJ hesitated, her mind racing. She needed to find a way to explain her day without giving away too much. She couldn't mention the Black Bulls or the tomb. She had to be careful. "I... I was traveling," she began, her voice slow, cautious.

"With a caravan. We were heading to the Tournament. I came to watch."

Xuán Wěi raised an eyebrow. "The Tournament? It's been drawing quite the crowd this year."

JJ nodded, feeling the tension in her chest ease slightly. "Yeah, but... things didn't exactly go as planned." She paused, searching for the right words. "We were attacked. On the road. Some of the people in the caravan...

didn't make it."

Xuán Wěi's expression softened, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—suspicion, maybe, or just concern. "Attacked by who?"

JJ's fingers tightened around the edge of the table. "I didn't get a good look. It was chaotic. There were... injuries. People were hurt, and I—" She faltered, quickly trying to redirect.

"I managed to get away before things got worse."

Xuán Wěi watched her for a moment, his gaze steady. "So you escaped, and then what?"

JJ forced herself to take a deep breath. "After that, I... I couldn't just stay at the Tournament grounds. I had other things to take care of. Research, for my family's estate." It wasn't a complete lie. She had done plenty of research lately, just not for the reasons she was implying.

Xuán Wěi's eyes narrowed slightly, his fingers tapping lightly on the table. "Research, you say? For your estate?"

JJ nodded, keeping her expression as neutral as possible. "Yeah. It's been neglected for a while. I've been looking into some historical ties, things my family might have overlooked."

There was a beat of silence, and JJ could feel him studying her closely. He was too sharp, too perceptive. She wondered if he could sense the half-truths she was weaving.

"And this research," Xuán Wěi asked, his tone still calm but more pointed now, "it brought you... here? To this region?"

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JJ swallowed, keeping her gaze steady. "In a way, yes. There were rumors, stories about things connected to my family's past." She hoped that was vague enough to satisfy him without raising too many questions.

Xuán Wěi leaned forward slightly, resting his arms on the table. "Sounds like quite the journey."

JJ nodded again, her heart pounding in her chest. "It has been. More complicated than I expected."

He was quiet for a moment, then tilted his head, his expression thoughtful. "You said you didn't see who attacked your caravan?"

JJ tensed, the question catching her off guard. "No. It all happened so fast. I... I was just focused on getting out alive."

Xuán Wěi's gaze didn't waver. "That must've been terrifying. But you seem... capable. I'm surprised you didn't try to fight back."

JJ's throat tightened. "I was outnumbered," she said quickly. "It wasn't the right time for a fight."

Another beat of silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken thoughts. Xuán Wěi didn't press further, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes, like he knew she wasn't telling the whole story. Still, he didn't push.

"That's understandable," he said finally, his voice softening. "It takes more strength to know when to retreat than to charge into a fight you can't win."

JJ glanced down at the table, her fingers tracing the edge of her bowl. "I guess," she muttered, grateful that he hadn't pushed her further.

Xuán Wěi took a sip of his drink, watching her closely. "And now you're here. Trying to recover."

JJ nodded, feeling the tension in her body start to loosen. "Yeah. It's been... a long day."

He smiled faintly, leaning back in his chair again. "Well, I'm glad you made it through. Seems like you've been through enough for one day."