“Chapter 133”

"Chapter 133"

"In the following days, Yan Bubu attended classes at the academy, and on weekends, he would accompany Feng Chen to the second-level residential area."

"Although only sentinels and guides could see quantum beasts, they still held a sliver of hope and inquired around."

"The second-level residential area, located on the west side of Central City, consisted of buildings no taller than five stories. Although sparsely populated at present, with many buildings vacant, they were densely constructed, ready for future residents who had passed the mutation period from the lower levels."

"They wandered around small daily goods stores and chess rooms, chatting with the elderly and permanent residents, subtly inquiring about the Suohong spider."

"Yan Bubu even visited an orphanage, standing outside the iron fence, asking the children, 'Have you seen a spider as big as a washbasin, red in color?'"

"'Never seen it.'"

"'Does it taste good? I’ve never tried one.'"

"'I have a ball as big as a washbasin, brother, is it this ball you’re talking about?'"

……

"After failing to find any leads about the Suohong spider on the second level, they went down to the first level, where Yan Bubu saw another side of Feng Chen."

"He could chat leisurely with the elderly at the settlement, listen to administrators’ complaints, sympathizing at the right moments, and even jovially converse with drunks in taverns, offering them the tavern's special low-quality fruit wine."

"Nowadays, with food scarcity, getting enough to eat was a challenge, let alone brewing alcohol. But people always find a way, picking a kind of berry from the mountains outside Central City. These berries were sour and astringent, hard to eat, but they were suitable for making wine."

"Yan Bubu had tasted this kind of wine and found it even harder to drink than coffee. It was spicy and astringent with a sour taste. After just one sip, he frowned and shivered, causing laughter among the tavern patrons."

"Feng Chen smiled and took away Yan Bubu’s wine glass, placing it on the table."

"Time flew by, and half a month passed without any news about the Suohong spider."

"One morning, Yan Bubu entered the classroom to find the instructor walking in with an unusually pleasant smile on his face."

"'The instructor seems to be in a good mood today,' a student whispered, 'Looks like he won't scold us.'"

"'This means we have a mission coming up,' Zhao Cui, knitting a sweater, commented, 'Whenever the instructor is nice, it means there's a task for us. The nicer he is, the tougher the task.'"

"The instructor cleared his throat, 'As you know, outside the city we have our own farms and two mines. The importance of the Lishi Mine and the Ju Metal Mine is clear to you, and the farms need no explanation. Today, the army has other assignments, so they’re short on manpower and need our academy's support. Our task is simple: to guard the mines and farms for two days and clear out any attacking mutants...'"

"'It’s a full-day guard duty, so we'll rotate shifts. The academy’s sentinels will form small teams, each with four guides and twelve sentinels. To ensure better coordination among familiar sentinels and guides, you can form your own teams first. If there are not enough members, the academy will assign people to the teams.'"

"Immediately, the classroom buzzed with students calling out to friends, 'Wang Chengdong, let's team up.'"

"'Chen Yunhan, I have a familiar sentinel, team up with me...'"

"Naturally, Yan Bubu teamed up with Wang Suizi and Chen Wenchao. When the instructor was registering teams, Yan Bubu raised his hand, 'Can I register our sentinel’s names first?'"

"'Yes, you can.'"

"'Then put down my sentinel's name, he's Feng Chen,' Yan Bubu said."

"The instructor wrote down Feng Chen’s name under the sentinel column."

"Wang Suizi also raised her hand to add, 'And Ding Hongsheng, Cai Tao, and Ji Yi.'"

"After recording several names, the instructor periodically looked up to see a small paw raised high in the back row."

"'Binunu, you and Yan Bubu are already counted as a pair, no need to register separately,' the instructor said."

"But Binunu pointed to its left side."

"The instructor saw the large black lion, Heidou, standing right next to Binunu, both quantum beasts looking at him seriously."

"A bit bewildered, the instructor asked, 'Are you saying we should register it too?'"

"Yan Bubu quickly explained, 'Instructor, Binunu is asking you to add Heidou’s name in the sentinel column. He’s part of our team too.'"

"The instructor paused, 'What’s the lion’s name again?'"

"'Sasaka.'"

"Without further comment, the instructor added Binunu and Sasaka to their team’s roster."

"After registering all the self-formed teams, the instructor left for the office and returned after twenty minutes, beginning to read out the names of each team."

"'... Each team has sixteen members: four guides and twelve sentinels. Team one has an extra sentinel and guide. I’ll read the names now. Team one leader: Feng Chen. Guide members: Yan Bubu, Wang Suizi, Chen Wenchao, Zhao Cui, Binunu. Sentinel members: Ding Hongsheng, Cai Tao, Ji Yi, Sasaka, Wang Decai—'"

"'Instructor, why is Wang Decai in our team?' Zhao Cui’s loud voice rang out in discontent, 'I don’t want to be in the same team with that old man.'"

"The instructor replied, 'Old? He’s just in his early fifties. I checked on him; he's just a bit bald. A wig would make him look much younger.'"

"Zhao Cui stood up, her knitting needles clattering on the desk, 'I know you’re just trying to pair me with that old geezer. I won’t agree to it.'"

"'Cui sister...' the instructor sighed, 'You’re also due for bonding fever. According to the match, you two are the most compatible. What will you do if you get the fever and don’t agree to it?'"

"'But I matched with two sentinels, right? There’s also a younger one. I’ve sneaked a peek at him at the sentinel class door. Sitting there in class, his face so fair, lips so red, he seems perfect.'"

"The classroom erupted in laughter, students banging on their desks, 'Cui sister, go get that pretty boy. No way our Cui sister matches with some old sentinel.'"

"Yet, there were differing opinions, 'That’s not some old geezer. He’s actually kind of ruggedly handsome and seems honest. Cui sister, don’t just focus on pretty boys, they’re not reliable.'"

"'Quiet, quiet,' the instructor finally calmed everyone down, addressing Zhao Cui, 'It’s great you matched with two, but apart from Wang Decai, the young one—already has a guide. He’s been paired and has been on several missions with that guide.'"

"The students continued chattering and banging on tables, 'Cui sister, don’t believe it. The instructor is tricking you, just trying to pawn off that old sentinel no one wants.'"

"'Cui sister, that older sentinel isn’t bad, I like those mature types.'"

"'But that’s a bit too mature, isn’t it?'"

"The instructor, both amused and frustrated, said, 'You don’t believe me? Think I’m lying? Fine, I’ll bring that young sentinel here to tell you himself.'"

"'Yes, yes, instructor, please go get him.'"

"'Can’t wait to see that fair-faced, red-lipped sentinel.'"

"'Cui sister, we’ll help you check if he’s better than that old charmer.'"

……

"Just as the instructor took a step towards the classroom door, he stopped, 'Let’s not disturb them. But it’s true, he already has a guide.'"

"The students, realizing the instructor was serious, stopped their commotion, telling Zhao Cui, 'Cui sister, what will you do now? Maybe... just accept the inevitable?'"

"'Don’t worry, Cui sister, maybe in a few days a new sentinel will join the academy and match with you, a young, fair-faced, red-lipped one.'"

"Yan Bubu laughed along with the students, joining in the desk-slapping. Binunu, sitting in the last row with a scowl, also extended its paws to tap along when everyone slapped their desks."

"The instructor continued reading the list, assigning those without teams to groups needing more members."

"After the lengthy roll call, he announced, 'We’ll be leaving shortly. The first shift today will be the odd-numbered groups. I’ll take the list to the sentinel class. Those assigned to odd-numbered groups should head to the changing room to get into combat gear.'"

"Dressed in his combat gear and with a backpack, Yan Bubu, along with Sasaka and Binunu, descended the stairs with a few guides."

"Several military trucks were parked outside the academy gate. Yan Bubu boarded one and turned to gaze in the direction of the teaching building."

"A few minutes later, the sentinels also emerged from the teaching building, and Yan Bubu quickly spotted a familiar figure in the crowd."

"'Brother! Brother! I’m here!' Yan Bubu immediately began waving his arms outside the truck."

"Feng Chen, in his combat uniform with trousers tucked into short boots, making his legs look long and straight, walked among a group of sentinels, chatting with Ding Hongsheng and Cai Tao beside him."

"Hearing Yan Bubu’s call, Ding Hongsheng nudged Feng Chen’s shoulder, 'Feng bro, look at Bubu, he’s been calling you over there.'"

"Feng Chen looked towards the gate, his eyes warming with a soft smile."

"This group of sentinels was part of Feng Chen’s team, twelve in total. Hearing Yan Bubu’s call, they all chuckled, 'Feng bro, is that your guide?'"

"'Yes, that’s why none of you should get any ideas,' Cai Tao warned half-jokingly."

"'Of course not...' The sentinels all laughed."

"Had it been another sentinel’s guide, they would have made fun, but with Feng Chen, they swallowed their jokes."

"Although Feng Chen hadn’t been at the academy for long, his composed demeanor and strong abilities naturally commanded respect from other sentinels. Even those older than him addressed him as 'Feng bro' and refrained from making frivolous jokes."

"'Brother, hurry up, come on, walk faster!' Yan Bubu waved frantically at Feng Chen."

"The light from the opposite side of the playground was slightly dazzling. Feng Chen, squinting his eyes, walked leisurely, exuding a relaxed air."

"Yan Bubu cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, 'Why are you dawdling? Run, run faster, didn’t you have breakfast? Huh? Did you skip breakfast?'"

"Other sentinels passing by their team glanced at Yan Bubu, then back at Feng Chen, their faces wearing teasing smiles."

"'Can’t walk anymore? Need me to carry you? If you can’t walk, just say it, I’ll carry you.'"

"Yan Bubu was shouting this when he suddenly saw Feng Chen, who a second ago appeared lazy, charging towards him."

"He froze for a moment, then quickly snapped back to reality. But in those few seconds, Feng Chen had already reached the academy’s main gate."

"'Oh no!'"

"Yan Bubu let out a startled cry, frantically trying to scramble inside the truck. But before he could move far, he heard a thud from behind as someone jumped onto the vehicle."

"His waist and legs were grasped by a pair of large hands, and he felt the world spin, the scenery flipping upside down."

"'Ahh—' In the midst of Yan Bubu’s screams, Feng Chen held his legs high, dangling him upside down in the air."

"'Is this what you meant by carrying me? Is it?' Feng Chen asked."

"'I was wrong, hahaha, I was wrong, hahaha, I didn’t mean to carry you like this...' Yan Bubu pleaded upside down, his body flailing, reaching out to grasp Feng Chen’s legs in front of him."

"Feng Chen extended his hands further, keeping them just out of Yan Bubu’s reach."

"'I was wrong, I shouldn’t have said that, hahaha...'"

"'Well done, well done!' The sentinels passing by the truck laughed and clapped their hands, with Zhao Cui and Wang Suizi also joining in the laughter."

"Laughing, Wang Suizi leaned onto Chen Wenchao's shoulder, 'I want a sentinel too... Do you?'"

"Chen Wenchao shifted his gaze away from Yan Bubu, 'No, I don’t.'"

"After setting Yan Bubu down, the other sentinels of their team also arrived at the truck, grabbing the frame and jumping aboard."

Yan Bubu noticed the last person to board the bus was an older sentinel, about fifty, of average build, with a gentle face and a smiling demeanor.

Suspecting this was Wang Decai, he heard other sentinels calling him, "Uncle Wang, come sit over here."

Wang Decai smiled and waved his hand, "Not in a hurry, I'll wait."

His gaze swept around the bus, landing on Zhao Cui who was sitting next to Yan Bubu, his eyes suddenly lighting up.

But he didn't rush over. Instead, he pulled a small comb from his pocket, turned his back towards the bus wall, and combed through his somewhat sparse hair.

Only then did he walk over to Zhao Cui and stood holding onto a pole in the bus.

Zhao Cui, who had been joking with other sentinels in the bus, suddenly frowned and turned her head away, looking towards Yan Bubu.

All the sentinel guides were now on board, and the vehicle started moving, heading towards the outskirts of the central city.

Only then did Wang Decai greet Zhao Cui with a beaming smile, "Sister Cui, long time no see."

Zhao Cui rolled her eyes, "I saw you yesterday in the cafeteria, is that what you call a long time?"

"A day apart feels like three autumns, a moment's separation is like a hundred lifetimes," Wang Decai said leisurely.

The bus was silent until Ji Yi, standing in front of Wang Suizi, leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Still think I'm greasy? Or do you see me as a fresh youth now?"

Wang Suizi extended a finger to push her away slightly, "Stand properly, you're getting grease on me."

Zhao Cui snorted, "Wang Decai, everyone calls me Sister Cui and you Uncle Wang. Don't call me sister, we're not of the same generation."

"Of course, of course, young Cui," despite Zhao Cui's cold demeanor, Wang Decai continued to smile amiably.

Seeing Yan Bubu alternately looking at her and then Wang Decai, Zhao Cui leaned in and whispered, "The instructor said he has a lot of hair, do you think so?"

Yan Bubu hesitated, "I think the hair around his ears is still quite thick."

"He's practically bald!" Zhao Cui continued whispering, "I had a husband once with hair like his, but we divorced before the earthquake. Now, whenever I see Wang Decai's head, I get infuriated thinking of my ex-husband."

"Hair isn't really important, what matters is whether you like him or not," Yan Bubu glanced at Feng Chen beside him, "Look at my brother, even if he has less hair than Uncle Wang, I'd still like him."

Feng Chen, who had been resting with his eyes closed against the bus wall, suddenly fluttered his eyelashes, glanced at Yan Bubu, and then closed his eyes again.

As the convoy passed the orphanage, the children, as usual, rushed to the fence upon hearing the vehicles, peeking through the gaps.

"Brother, sister, are you going to the first floor?"

"Can you take me to see my mom?"

"Wuuu... I want my mom..."

Whenever the academy's convoy passed the orphanage, the children would always rush over and shout, and the bus would fall silent, no one speaking until the children's voices faded away behind them.

After a moment of silence, the commander's voice suddenly filled the bus, "Hey, hey, can you hear me? Those who haven't turned on their radios, do it now. I've got something to say, today's task is to guard the expanding mine. The task isn't hard, but what's important is to be careful..."

Amidst the commander's rambling, the convoy left the central city, passed through vast plantations, and arrived at the expanding mine site.