Chapter 56

Chapter 56

The moment An Zhe was embraced by Lu Fen, he began to tremble violently.

He leaned against him, forehead resting on Lu Fen's shoulder, unable to express the turmoil within him. It felt as if his heart was being gripped tightly, causing excruciating pain that overwhelmed him. Warm tears welled up in his eyes, and he knew he was crying, aware that these were tears, something unique to humans. Yet, it was his first time experiencing such a sensation.

He thought, if not for two months ago when Lu Fen had spared him, he wouldn't have felt like he betrayed Lu Fen's trust when his alien identity was revealed.

If not for the friendship-like bond that had developed between them during these days, perhaps he wouldn't have been so terrified facing Lu Fen's gun.

And if, just if, Lu Fen hadn't ultimately hugged him, he might not have felt... so wronged.

But why did Lu Fen lower the gun? He didn't know. He had never experienced such intense emotions before, rendering him incapable of dealing with anything else.

— Perhaps he cried for a long time. By the time his tears dried up, he was still gasping softly.

Eventually, Lu Fen released him. An Zhe watched as Lu Fen walked over to the wreckage of the aircraft, using scattered parts from the ground to pry open the tail and retrieve a bright orange box.

Rubbing his eyes, his voice slightly hoarse, he asked, "Why did it break?"

"Engine malfunction," Lu Fen stated. "The black box records the issue, and we can only analyze it back at base."

An Zhe replied, "I saw several aircraft crash."

Lu Fen acknowledged with a nonchalant "Mm-hmm."

Even if An Zhe was just a mushroom, he could tell that multiple planes experiencing engine failures simultaneously was highly suspicious.

Lu Fen returned to his side and asked, "Where do you live?"

An Zhe: "On the ground."

Lu Fen raised an eyebrow.

—After that, An Zhe fell silent, for "on the ground" didn't sound like something a human would say.

But soon, Lu Fen noticed the one unusual thing in this barren land: the black bee and the backpack on the ground. He walked over, and An Zhe followed, only to be struck by a sharp pain in his lower leg from the earlier bump.

Lu Fen turned to look at him. An Zhe bit his lip and limped along behind.

- And then, he was lifted up by Lu Feng.

Being carried on the back of a Colonel was something that became easier with each time, and An Zhe swiftly found his spot. They were incredibly close, not at all like the distance expected between a human and an alien.

But tonight, the Colonel seemed less like a Colonel, and the alien didn't quite feel like one either.

As An Zhe wrapped his arms around Lu Feng's neck, he felt something.

- There was also a hard pendant hanging around Lu Feng's neck.

The fact that he had survived under Lu Feng's care seemed to have boosted An Zhe's courage. The pendant's shape was too familiar, so he cautiously brushed his fingers against Lu Feng's neck, lifting it slightly without any protest from Lu Feng, who seemed to have given silent consent.

- At the end of the silver chain dangled a bronze bullet casing, shimmering with a faint glow in the aurora.

An Zhe didn't know who this represented, and he let out a soft "Huh?"

Lu Feng replied calmly, "My father."

An Zhe fell silent for a long while, about three minutes, before he carefully placed the pendant back into Lu Feng's clothes. He nestled his head obediently on Lu Feng's shoulder, wrapping his arms around him and ceasing all movement.

Through their clothing, Lu Fen sensed the person on his back initially tense up slightly before gradually relaxing, completely relying on him. After everything that happened today, An Zhe could still lean on him so trustingly; this boy always did things that surpassed his expectations.

An Zhe's warm breath fanned against his neck and shoulder, a weight typical for a boy his age, which wasn't heavy for Lu Fen. He clung to him limply, as if the world's dangers and fears should have nothing to do with him.

Lu Fen recalled the year he joined the Court of Judgment.

There was no particular reason for him to join the Court of Judgment. Sometimes, he wanted to protect everyone. But in such times, it was merely an illusory aspiration bound to fail; he protected some, yet hurt many. It wasn't his intention, but he inevitably became the object of hatred.

As they walked, An Zhe's breathing grew softer and more even. He had cried for a long time today, so he must be exhausted, just like any inexperienced creature. This little mutant might be drifting off to sleep.

Lu Fen also remembered that afternoon a month ago when insects ravaged the city. He received a call from An Zhe, whose voice trembled with fear. In his seventh year as a judge, it was the first time he'd received such a plea for help, something no one else would do.

He felt that he could at least protect someone—just then, a fleeting hope arose in his heart.

By the time An Zhe was set down, he was almost asleep. Lu Fen used his own coat as a pillow beneath his head, but he clearly lacked nurturing skills; the badge on his chest poked An Zhe again. An Zhe removed it and realized it was the same one he had carried with him at the base. When he escaped using his fungal form, his clothes, including the badge, likely scattered on the ground. Now, the badge had somehow returned to Lu Fen.

Holding it, An Zhe asked cautiously, "Did Doctor tell you anything?"

Lu Fen looked down at him, "What do you want to say?"

An Zhe whispered softly, "…It's nothing."

Lu Fen indeed had the intention to seriously explain, but then he saw An Zhe lying on his uniform with his backpack hugged tightly, curled up into a ball. With his dark eyes fixed on him intently, it seemed as if he was easily affected by emotions.

Hence, Lu Fen scoffed and said indifferently, "Do you really think you have that much power?"

An Zhe rolled over, completely turning his back to him.

The author has something to say: Colonel, you have reaped what you sowed.