Cooperation, Why Wasn’t Serena Feng the One to Die

Hoo... The Crown Prince exhaled, steadying his nerves, and quickly turned to Serena Feng: "Serena, can you go take a look?"

The Imperial Medical Directorate is too far from the Menagerie Grounds—relying on imperial physicians is less realistic than relying on Serena Feng. But the Crown Prince also knew about the rift between Serena, Reid Yale, and Su Wan; asking Serena to help now was truly asking too much.

Besides, if you stay out of it, nothing happens. But if you get involved and can't cure him, Serena Feng will be resented by Night City and the Su Clan. It's a thankless job—so the Crown Prince wasn't confident, but Serena Feng readily agreed: "I can, but I can only promise to do my best. Snake venom varies; some cases are mild, some fatal. Also, please send someone to fetch my medicine chest—I may need it soon."

Serena Feng knew that snake was definitely highly venomous. If Reid Yale was bitten, he wouldn’t get off lightly.

"Alright." The Crown Prince agreed instantly. "Let’s go—Young City Lord is Night City’s future ruler, we can’t risk anything happening to him." The Crown Prince, worried Serena wouldn’t go all out, made sure to hint at the stakes.

"I’m going too." Prince Terrence and Prince Titus said at the same time, while Mr. Yuanxi shook his head: "I’ll pass."

"Alright," the Crown Prince agreed. Serena Feng curled her lip but said nothing, quietly following behind the Crown Prince as they headed toward the scene.

Prince Terrence deliberately fell a step behind, coming up beside Serena Feng. In a voice only the two could hear, he whispered in her ear: "Serena, does it feel suffocating to have to act like nothing’s wrong and save someone who wants you dead?"

Suffocating? Absolutely. She wished Su Wan and Reid Yale—those two troublemakers—would just disappear.

But what did that have to do with Prince Terrence?

Serena Feng paused in her tracks, looked up, and their eyes met—sparks flying between them...

Was he probing her? Or had Prince Terrence figured something out? Serena Feng withdrew her gaze and replied nonchalantly, "Prince Terrence, you’re overthinking. I have no grudge against Young City Lord—there’s nothing suffocating about it. But your words are odd, Prince Terrence. You and Young City Lord have a close relationship; shouldn’t you be worried about his safety?"

"My relationship with Young City Lord is strictly business. If I had to choose, I’d much rather cooperate with you." Prince Terrence seemed unfazed by Serena Feng’s sarcasm, matching her pace as they walked behind the others.

"Thank you for your favor, Prince Terrence, but I’m hardly worthy of it." Serena Feng was clear—what they wanted wasn’t her, but the powerful men behind her: Ninth Royal Uncle, William Wang Jinling, and General Warren Yu.

Still, Serena Feng couldn’t figure out why Prince Terrence was so intent on recruiting her. Aside from William Wang Jinling, the other two only held sway in Eastlyn—and General Warren Yu obviously wouldn’t betray Eastlyn for her.

"Serena, I’m serious. I know exactly what you’re capable of. Think it over—if you agree, I’ll give you a new identity so you can cut ties with your past." Prince Terrence made it clear: he wanted Serena herself, not just her connections.

"Thank you for your favor, Prince Terrence. I’ll consider it seriously," Serena Feng replied, brushing him off as she quickened her pace.

Prince Terrence really was bold—trying to recruit her right in front of the Crown Prince and Prince Rowan.

"Serena, what were you and Prince Terrence talking about?" As expected, the Crown Prince had been watching Serena Feng closely. Seeing her move up, he asked—pretending it was a casual question.

Serena Feng half-joked, half-truthfully replied, "Prince Terrence invited me to visit Lyndaria and was introducing me to its customs."

He didn’t speak loudly, but it was enough for all four of them to hear. Prince Terrence played along: "Crown Prince, you know I’m touring the Four Kingdoms to choose a bride. I finally found someone I like, but I keep getting rejected."

After he finished, he even gave Serena Feng a soulful look—making her shiver all over.

That look was just as creepy as Prince Rowan’s.

"If she’s unwilling, Prince Terrence, don’t force her." Prince Rowan warned.

Prince Terrence couldn’t take that lying down. He shot back, "You’re wrong, Prince Rowan. I never force anyone. I believe that sincerity can move mountains—one day, she’ll willingly come with me. I’m not like some people, who change their minds every other day. By the way, in two months, Princess Yara will be marrying in. I hope you’ll take good care of her, Prince Rowan."

Prince Terrence knew exactly where Prince Rowan’s weakness lay. If they couldn’t be allies, then they were opponents.

Sure enough, as soon as Princess Yara was mentioned, Prince Rowan clammed up. No matter what, Yara was the first woman he ever loved—and his eternal regret.

What you can’t have is always the best.

Serena Feng and the Crown Prince exchanged a knowing smile and sped up, leaving Prince Rowan and Prince Terrence behind to fight it out.

From a distance, Serena Feng could already smell the overwhelming stench. She heard no other sounds—it looked like the python was already dead.

"Your Highness, the situation doesn’t look good. Please allow me to go ahead." Serena Feng had promised the Crown Prince she’d do her best to help Reid Yale. Whatever resentment she felt, she’d set it aside for now.

"Alright." The Crown Prince knew his own body couldn’t keep up, so he didn’t ask Serena Feng to wait. He sent eight guards to escort her ahead.

Serena Feng was fast—just as quick as the guards beside her. The Crown Prince watched her back with envy: "General Feng’s daughter is certainly no pampered lady. A woman like that truly deserves to stand beside a great man."

Prince Rowan’s face darkened. The Crown Prince’s words were salt in his wounds—first Princess Yara, now Serena Feng. He’d been hit twice for no reason today. What bad luck.

By the time Serena Feng arrived, the fight was long over. The python had been hacked to pieces, blood everywhere. She glanced at the scattered chunks of snake, then at the wounded guards, inwardly sighing at the creature’s power. Thankfully, she hadn’t tried to use her pistol—otherwise, she’d have paid dearly today.

Serena Feng had a clear goal and walked straight toward Reid Yale. Before she could get close, a blood-soaked, wild-haired woman shoved her aside: "Serena Feng, it’s all your fault! You should’ve been the one to run into the python—why aren’t you dead?"

Su Wan’s face was streaked with blood and tears, twisted and terrifying, her eyes still wild with fear. The look she gave Serena Feng was pure hatred.

Su Wan couldn’t understand what had gone wrong. Why hadn’t the snake chased Serena Feng? Why had it come after her instead?

The person who was supposed to encounter the python today was Serena Feng, not her, Su Wan. She’d taken the hit for Serena.

Just thinking of the python’s gaping maw made Su Wan tremble. If her cousin hadn’t arrived in time, she’d have been swallowed whole. It was all Serena Feng’s fault.

Seeing Serena Feng still standing in front of her, Su Wan went berserk and lunged: "Serena Feng, you ruined my cousin! If not for you, he wouldn’t have been bitten by the snake! Serena Feng, you wretch, why wasn’t it you who got bitten? Why not you?"