The improved female villains regained their memories.

She closed herself off and refused to interact with the outside world.

“Maybe I want to die,” she said.

Qi Feng immediately became unhappy.

"Why are you saying that? Everyone cares about you. If something is bothering you, just say it."

It spoke, its tone pleading: "There are so many paths in life, why choose this one?"

Wen Shihan rarely smiled and said, "This is just my opinion. I only said it because you kept asking."

"Then you're not allowed to have such thoughts." Qi Feng said angrily, "Such thoughts are too hurtful. You may not have friends or family in your eyes, Wen Shihan, but in my eyes, many people care about you and are concerned about you."

"..." But I felt disgusted, so Wen Shihan didn't say those words out loud.

Those tender feelings and care were all good, but she just hated them, hated them for no reason, and she didn't know why.

"Why don't you sleep a little longer? I'll wake you up when it's light," Qi Feng said, licking her face with his tongue.

Wen Shihan nodded, then hugged the cat demon and leaned against the tree.

She really didn't dream anymore, yet she still couldn't fall asleep.

She felt that nothing was right—herself, everyone else, the world—everything was wrong.

------------------

The court session has begun.

The nation prospers, ruled by wise and virtuous rulers, with loyal and capable ministers at its side. Leaders of various demon races, such as Qiongqi and Chaos, interpret the will of Heaven, while the Guardian Sect, including Ling Tiandu, Ling Tianxin, and the God of Wine, wage war in all directions to protect the Way of Heaven.

Peace and tranquility, national prosperity and people's well-being—these are the essence of life.

Luo Benmo returned with her expedition team, which mainly investigated various matters related to the fog in the East China Sea. She presented the drawn map, and Xu Weibang was very pleased, giving her many rewards.

Luo Benmo thanked her and returned to the group. Today, Su Murong was unusually well-behaved and didn't miss court. When she saw Luo Benmo come in, she happily pulled her aside and chatted with her for a long time.

Luo Benmo and Su Murong have always had a good relationship, which is known to everyone in the court. Only Luo Benmo's return can keep Su Murong from missing court.

Wen Shihan stood behind them, watching the two chatting happily, and felt awkward no matter how he looked at it.

"what happened?"

Xu Anlu, who was standing next to her, turned to look at her: "Xiao Yin said you weren't feeling well, are you still not better?"

"I'm fine."

"If there's anything you need to say, you must speak up. By the way, Xiao Mo finally came back today, so we're planning to throw her a celebration banquet at Zuixianlou tonight."

Xu Anlu casually said things that disgusted Wen Shihan: "We graduated in the same year and were roommates. Except for Xiaojia, who lives in Xianren Valley and can't come back, it's rare that everyone else is here today. Xiaohan, you should come too."

"...Could you please stop calling me that?"

“I thought we were friends.” Xu Anlu sighed. “I didn’t expect that after all these years, you would still be so wary of me.”

........

Yes, after all, they've known each other for so many years. Even if they're not friends, they're quite familiar with each other. Wen Shihan shouldn't have acted so resistant and distant. She should...

But then, a voice inside her would tell her that she shouldn't do that.

“Let’s get together, Xiaohan,” Xu Anlu said. “Don’t always stay cooped up in your room by yourself. Get together with everyone occasionally.”

Wen Shihan cut him off with a single sentence: "Don't whisper during court."

Xu Anlu: "......."

Fine.

Xu Anlu fell silent, her teeth clenching unconsciously, a nameless anger rising within her, just like her sister's.

------------------

The court session has finally ended.

People dispersed and left in groups, but Wen Shihan was the only one who walked down the palace steps alone.

The early autumn sky was a dazzling blue, with a few wisps of thin clouds drifting aimlessly, like cotton wool torn to shreds by a child.

The ginkgo trees on both sides of the stone steps were beginning to turn yellow, and occasionally a fallen leaf would twirl past her shoulder before silently falling to her feet.

"Yo-ho, Xiao Han!"

Suddenly, someone jumped out from behind and familiarly put their arm around her neck.

She didn't even need to look to know who it was; there could only be one person so naturally friendly: Su Murong.

"Let go." She said coldly.

"Don't be like that. We're practically friends, so if you're unhappy, just hit me." Su Murong chuckled shamelessly. "I heard from Xiao Lu that you're not coming to the celebration party for Xiao Mo tonight?"

"Ah."

"What's the reason? Do you dislike Luo Benmo?"

She hated them all, especially Su Murong.

"That's not true."

"What is it? There must be a reason. Are you not feeling well?"

"No, I don't like the food at Zuixianlou. Is that a valid reason?"

"Oh, I see." Su Murong pretended to suddenly understand, then said with a grin, "Then come to my house today, my mother will cook for me."

Su Murong is a mama's girl. In this era where people don't only care about their own relatives or children, she treats her mother like a treasure. Normally, let alone going to her house to eat her mother's cooking, if anyone makes a joke about her mother, Su Murong will definitely turn on that person.

Why the change of heart today? Wen Shihan didn't want to see Su Murong's mother, nor did he want to be with them, so he made up an excuse to refuse: "If Lord Song goes, I'll go."

“Oh, Song Panning? She’s going.” Su Murong’s words were surprising. “I talked to her last night, and she agreed right away.”

Song Panning is the current prime minister and is usually the busiest person.

Although I share a dorm room with them, like Shi Guijia, I don't come back very often.

Wen Shihan then remembered what Xu Anlu had said during the morning court session: apart from Shi Guijia, everyone else rarely had time. Her face darkened further, but she still said, "I'm not going."

I'm begging you.

"Don't go, don't go."

"If you don't go, I'll kneel down and kowtow to you today, Lord Wen. Please do me the honor and go now."

He shivered all over from the cold air.

Su Murong was shameless; she knew that if she refused again, Su Murong would actually kneel down in the street to beg her.

This person is shameless.

"Alright, stop pestering me here." Wen Shihan said with a dark face, "I'll go."

"Hehe." Su Murong chuckled mischievously and ran off.

Wen Shihan stared coldly at Su Murong's retreating figure, her fists clenching unconsciously. For some reason, every time she saw her, she felt an urge to kill her.

------------------

The dinner was very lively.

Su Murong's father died when she was born, and Su Rouxue raised her alone. Fortunately, thanks to national policies, Su Rouxue did not have to do much.

She was a gentle and refined woman, completely different from Su Murong in personality. She was beautiful, had a sweet voice, and cooked delicious food.

She was like a mother to all of them, gently giving each of them equal care. However, Wen Shihan was not used to this kind of care, so he sat at the end of the long table.

Luo Benmo, the main character, sat next to Su Rouxue. She was petite with long, silver hair, and the clothes and jewelry given to her by everyone were lavishly adorning her, making her look like an exquisite doll.

Many people came, not just the few they knew, but also several people from the Guardian Heaven Sect. Su Murong was well-liked, and to make the banquet lively, he invited everyone he knew.

"Aren't you afraid of exhausting your mother?" Wen Shihan thought to himself as he silently drank the soup in his bowl.

Surprisingly, it was quite delicious.

Song Panning was the last to arrive. The Prime Minister was very busy and had finished dealing with all his affairs before coming. She brought gifts not only for Luo Benmo, but also for the others.

Wen Shihan didn't want a gift, and she didn't want to get close to this person in front of everyone, but this person took the initiative to come up to her and, in front of everyone, handed her a scroll with a smile on his face.

"Xiaohan, this is for you."

Her smile was perfect, but the animal that reminded Wen Shihan of was a venomous snake.

Chapter 792: Best Friends for Life

Wen Shihan did not accept Song Panning's gift.

She didn't even stay a moment longer, simply saying indifferently that she wasn't feeling well, before turning and leaving, her very back exuding a sense of estrangement.

To outsiders, the nine of them were close friends and classmates with a deep bond, but Xu Anyin knew better than anyone that this was nothing more than a carefully crafted illusion.

Wen Shihan was aloof and eccentric, never getting close to anyone; Song Panning rarely appeared in public after reaching the highest position in the court; Shi Guijia lived in seclusion in Immortal Valley, detached from worldly affairs; Jiang Mochang wandered among the common people year-round, his whereabouts elusive...

Of the so-called nine classmates, how many were truly close confidants?

Even Xu Anyin himself was merely wearing a mask, acting out a play called "friendship among classmates."

hypocritical.

She gazed in the direction Wen Shihan had left, a sinister curse churning within her.

She loathed Wen Shihan's indifference, Luo Benmo's arrogance, Song Panning's hypocrisy, and Shi Guijia's aloofness... She loathed everyone here.

even--

She disliked her sister.

Yet she still wore a sweet smile on her face, sitting quietly at the table, like a docile listener.

Unbeknownst to anyone, the resentment in her heart had long been burning like a raging fire.

------------------

Wen Shihan, who do you think you are?

A moody, eccentric, and aloof monster; an outcast who doesn't even bother with superficial politeness.

A person like you is the biggest stain on this beautiful world. You should die, you should commit suicide!

Why don't you just die?!