Chapter 31

Chapter 31

The next morning, Chu Ya woke up to the rumbling sound of the garbage disposal vehicle. He listened quietly to the commotion outside, then got dressed and slowly moved himself onto his wheelchair once the vehicle had left.

Shen Juanjuan was still fast asleep. After tucking him in, Chu Ya left the room and gently closed the door behind him.

The morning in the abyss was exceptionally cold, with every breath producing white vapor. Chu Ya placed a large bag and a long iron rod on his wheelchair and headed toward the mountain of garbage.

Stopping at the foot of the garbage mountain, Chu Ya held the bag in one hand and the rod in the other, closing his eyes to take a deep breath. After mentally preparing himself, he began poking through the garbage with the iron rod.

Fortunately, food was precious even in Cloud Peak, so most of the garbage consisted of old items rather than leftover food, which meant there wasn't much of an odor. Even so, the dirty objects made him feel uncomfortable, and his face grew increasingly pale.

Chu Ya tried to ignore his discomfort and focused on searching for things that a child might like.

Here's a piece of colorful paper that a child would love...

It has stains; can't use it.

A red water cup, a child should like it...

There's a dark stain at the bottom; too dirty, can't use it.

Chu Ya couldn't climb high, so he circled around the garbage mountain, wondering how Shen Juanjuan managed to find treasures among this mess. After rummaging through, he only found two slightly cleaner posters.

—Originally, there were three, but one had an advertisement for a male specialist clinic in the lower right corner, which he thought inappropriate for the orphanage children, so he discarded it.

The sky was getting brighter, and Shen Juanjuan needed to return to the orphanage for breakfast. Chu Ya decided to stop and went back to wake Shen Juanjuan up, carrying the two posters.

There were two pieces of bean cake left from yesterday. Chu Ya heated them on the stove and then gently pinched Shen Juanjuan's nose.

As he did this, he felt a momentary daze, remembering how his mother used to wake him up the same way when he was a child.

Shen Juanjuan wriggled, trying to breathe, and reached out to swat the hand on his nose. Chu Ya dodged, and after a few more wriggles, Shen Juanjuan slowly opened his eyes.

He looked at Chu Ya and smiled sleepily. "…Shen Miaomiao."

Chu Ya didn't respond. After a moment of eye contact, Shen Juanjuan's smile gradually faded, and he reached out to touch Chu Ya's eyes.

"What's wrong?" Chu Ya held his hand.

Shen Juanjuan asked uncertainly, "Are you sad? Are you about to cry?"

"No," Chu Ya turned his head away.

Shen Juanjuan tilted his head to look at his face.

Chu Ya covered his eyes. "If you're awake, get up. Put on your clothes. When you're dressed, I'll heat up the bean cakes, and you can go wash up."

Chu Ya had returned to his usual demeanor, putting Shen Juanjuan's clothes over his head. Shen Juanjuan quickly forgot the strange feeling and started crawling to the end of the bed, yelling, before being dragged back by Chu Ya.

There were two pieces of bean cake left from yesterday. Chu Ya heated them on the stove, and by the time Shen Juanjuan finished washing up, the cakes were warm.

Before Chu Ya could flip the cakes, Shen Juanjuan came back from the bathroom, patting his face exaggeratedly. "I washed so clean, my teeth are so clean."

Chu Ya said calmly, "I'll check later."

"Ah! You're going to check too? Only the manager checks."

"Didn't I tell you? I'm the manager."

"Then what happens if you check?" Shen Juanjuan asked nervously.

Chu Ya countered, "What happens if the manager checks?"

"I'd have to wash again."

Chu Ya pointed toward the bathroom. "Then go wash again."

"Oh." Shen Juanjuan turned to go but stopped after two steps. "But you haven't checked yet."

Chu Ya's gaze lingered on his face for a second. "Okay, I've checked. Go wash."

"Oh."

They each had a bean cake for breakfast. Chu Ya sent Shen Juanjuan out, putting on his scarf, tie, hat, and slinging his water bottle over his shoulder. Finally, he handed him a plastic bag containing the two posters. "Carry this."

"What's this?"

Chu Ya hesitated for a few seconds before speaking. "If you need to trade for food with other kids, use these."

Shen Juanjuan fiddled with the two papers. "Huh? Where did these come from? I've never seen them before. Did you pick them up?"

Chu Ya didn't answer, and Shen Juanjuan looked up at him. Reluctantly, Chu Ya nodded. "Yes."

"They're pretty, but there are too few."

Chu Ya explained, "I searched for a long time and only found these. There's not much to pick up in that garbage mountain."

Shen Juanjuan looked skeptical. Chu Ya added, "It's all trash, no treasures."

"But they're all treasures. You must not have looked properly. Watch me, I'll show you."

Shen Juanjuan ran towards the garbage mountain, wearing his coveralls and holding a small stick. He climbed up and down, showing Chu Ya the treasures he found.

"Another one... Look, there's another treasure here. How can you say there are no treasures? They're everywhere... See, I can pick them up like this." Shen Juanjuan used the stick to lift a piece of wrapping paper. "And like this." The stick poked into a cup handle, spinning it proudly. "And like this..."

Chu Ya sat at the foot of the garbage mountain, watching him expressionlessly.

Shen Juanjuan stood with his hands on his hips atop the mountain of garbage and laughed, "All treasures, all treasures, hahaha."

At that moment, in the Morna government forces building, the doors of the basement elevator opened, and Gu Lin, dressed in a government military uniform, strode out, followed closely by his guide, Jin Gao.

The two walked toward the entrance, and Jin Gao whispered, "Did you see Meng Heguang's expression just now? He was still putting on airs as your superior. He knows you're about to become the president of the Morning Star Club, so he's trying to show off one last time."

Gu Lin showed no emotion, merely saying, "Ignore him; he's just a clown."

Jin Gao's communicator beeped, and he glanced down at it. "That person has gone to the White Castle and is waiting. His guards are urging us, asking when you'll return."

A hint of mockery appeared on Gu Lin's face. "Oh? So eager?"

"Seems like this time his condition is quite serious..."

"Before, when I asked him to send men to hunt down Chu Chengyu, he found all sorts of excuses to delay. Now that he's sick, he remembers to come to me."

Jin Gao asked, "Should we cleanse him?"

"Yes, but not now. We won't go back to the White Castle yet; let him wait for a couple more days. These days will be tough for him, making him think twice before ever defying me again."

"Understood."

They continued their low conversation as they entered the hall, where a figure suddenly darted out from a nearby bench, blocking their path.

"Colonel Gu, wait, Colonel Gu."

Gu Lin stopped and looked at the short, plump man in front of him. "Director Liu, why are you here today at the Morna government building? If you need supplies, you should go to the supply department."

Director Liu wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief. "I'm not here for supplies today. I came specifically to find you. I've been to the White Castle several times, but the guards wouldn't let me in, saying you weren't there."

"Oh? Looking for me?" Gu Lin smiled. "Director Liu, what is it you need? I'm quite busy—"

Director Liu interrupted with a smile, "Colonel Gu, I'm here about the children. Our Angel Orphanage is jointly run by the three branches of the military, and the children placed there are selected and sent by you. They've all undergone genetic testing and have a high chance of becoming sentinels or guides. Once they enter the differentiation phase, they are taken to Cloud Peak to start training at the military academy—"

Gu Lin frowned slightly. "Director Liu, I really am very busy."

"Just a moment." Director Liu still blocked their way. "I often visit those children, reminding them to train well at the academy and not disappoint your expectations. But I haven't seen any of the children taken away this year, nor do I know how they're doing or if they're studying and training properly..."

A black snake suddenly appeared on Gu Lin's shoulder, raising its triangular head and baring its fangs at Director Liu.

Director Liu didn't notice, oblivious to the red tongue almost touching his forehead, and continued, "All the children taken away this year were taken by people you sent. So, I hope you can let me see those few."

Gu Lin nodded understandingly. "I knew Director Liu was diligent and truly cared for the children. Now I feel it even more deeply. I care about those children too, which is why after bringing them to Cloud Peak, we sent them to Linya City."

"Linya City..." Director Liu's smile froze. "Why send them so far away? And Linya City is so chaotic; it's not safe."

"Our conditions here at Cloud Peak are limited, and the courses offered at the academy are few. In Linya City, they can receive more systematic and professional training. Don't worry; no matter how chaotic Linya City is, it won't affect the children. They live in the military quarters, which are secure. In a couple of years, when they're older, we'll bring them back to Cloud Peak, and then you can see them."

Director Liu stood there stunned, and Gu Lin said nothing more, leading Jin Gao out of the hall and into a military vehicle that had just arrived.

Only when the sound of the vehicle starting reached his ears did Director Liu snap back to reality and rush outside. "Colonel Gu, Colonel Gu, Colonel Gu..."

Hiss...

The black snake coiled around Gu Lin's shoulder poked its head out the window, its eyes filled with venomous malice.

In the back seat of the military vehicle, Jin Gao watched the short, plump figure disappear in the rearview mirror and quietly asked Gu Lin, "If he comes again..."

"Instruct the guards not to let him into the military headquarters."

"Understood."

The military vehicle sped along the three-tier road leading to the Morning Star Army headquarters. Gu Lin watched the passing road signs, noting that the right exit led to the Luyu aircraft landing field.

"Have we found anyone in those long-range aircraft?" Gu Lin suddenly asked.

Jin Gao nodded and added, "We intercepted the five aircraft flying to Slione Port, Rai District, Linya City, Wenma Heights, and Zi'a Island. After thorough searches, we found nothing unusual."

"What about the six civilian aircraft at the Hongfeng landing field?"

"No findings. The five aircraft that sprayed pesticides over the plantation areas took off and returned to the landing field without landing or opening their hatches." Jin Gao replied.

Gu Lin asked, "What about the one transporting supplies to the Abyss?"

"Yes, that aircraft went to Keke Town in the Abyss but didn't land, only opening its hatch to unload supplies."

"As long as the hatch was opened, we need to investigate. Someone could have escaped during that time. Focus on Keke Town; search every inch of the ground until we find Chu Ya."

"I understand, but his legs are broken, his mental domain destroyed, and with that injection... Logically, he shouldn't be able to escape alone, yet we've searched Keke Town thoroughly and found nothing."

Gu Lin frowned, then asked after a moment, "When Yun Tuo brought him through the two landing fields, were there no other aircraft besides the known ones?"

"No. However, there was one aircraft parked at Hongfeng."

"Parked?"

"Yes, it was a garbage company's aircraft that transports garbage to the Abyss every morning. According to the landing field records, it completed its work early that morning and remained parked, so we didn't include it in our search."

Gu Lin leaned back against the seat, closing his eyes. "So it's still Keke Town. But expand the search area a bit and check the surrounding regions. Even though he can't walk, someone might have helped him."

"I thought the same and have already sent people to inquire in the vicinity."

"Good."

Over the next few days, Chu Ya made a set of changeable robes and jackets for Shen Juanjuan using the leftover fabric, and also crafted shirts and underwear for himself.

His sewing skills improved dramatically, so he took apart and resewn his padded jacket, removing the ties and adding zippers he found in a supermarket. It now resembled a stylish blue cotton jacket.

The tin shack also transformed, looking simple yet clean.

The worn leather sofa had been wiped clean, revealing its soft and lustrous surface. In the dormitory 321, several large boxes had appeared, filled with treasures Shen Juanjuan had collected. Even in the farthest bathroom, there was a multi-tiered metal rack found in town, holding a few plastic basins.

Although the living environment had improved, Chu Ya was becoming increasingly restless.

Yun Tuo still hadn't come to pick him up, leaving him uncertain about the situation at Cloud Peak. Moreover, he still couldn't perceive his mental domain or move around freely.

Whenever Shen Juanjuan went to the orphanage and the surroundings became quiet, Chu Ya would find something to keep himself busy. He couldn't allow himself to think too much, or the anxiety and speculation would drive him mad.

It was now nine in the morning, and Shen Juanjuan had gone to the orphanage early. Chu Ya ate the leftover bean cake from yesterday with some boiled water, then carried a bucket of dirty clothes to the small courtyard in Mixin Town.

He had grown accustomed to traversing the empty streets alone, the slight rustling sound of his wheelchair rolling over dust, and gazing into the distance at Cloud Peak while doing laundry.

After washing the clothes, Chu Ya didn't return immediately. He left the bucket on the laundry platform and ventured out of the courtyard, heading down the alley toward the deeper parts of the town.

He entered a ten-story building and slowly ascended the spiral path that wound around the wall, gripping the railing with his right hand and turning the inner wheel with his left. Eventually, he reached the tenth floor.

On the tenth floor was a platform where he parked his wheelchair and quietly looked into the distance.

In recent days, he often came here, hoping to see Yun Tuo or his parents appear at the end of the road.

The road split far ahead, one branch leading to Keke Town behind Keke Mountain, the other continuing in this direction. Today was different; smoke and dust billowed along the road to Keke Town as a convoy of ten military vehicles headed into the town, while three more were coming in this direction.

Chu Ya didn't think they were there for him. His heart raced, and despite knowing his position wouldn't be discovered, he quickly retreated, moving back to the spiral path outside the platform.

The sound of cars soon echoed outside Mixin Town. He waited until the noise faded before emerging and saw that the three military vehicles had passed through the town, continuing forward, bearing the emblem of the Morna government forces.

Morna government forces.

Meng Heguang?

No! It couldn't be Meng Heguang; it must be Gu Lin.

Although Gu Lin was part of the Morning Star Club, he was also the head of the White Castle. The White Castle was a government institution, so officially, he was part of the government forces.

Chu Ya's heart sank, and he gripped the wheelchair's armrests tightly, his fingers turning white from the pressure.

If these military vehicles were sent by Gu Lin to find him, then the three vehicles heading this way would be going to the orphanage.

And Shen Juanjuan was currently at the orphanage...

He was only six years old and didn't understand the gravity of the situation. If Gu Lin's men coaxed him, he might reveal everything.

Shen Juanjuan was hiding in his usual spot, curled up in a hole under a pile of broken tables in the orphanage's backyard. Wang Chengcai sat nearby, tapping a wooden stick against the iron table beside him, making a dull rhythmic sound.

Shen Juanjuan squeezed the sweet potato in his bag and shouted, "Are you going to stay here forever? When are you going to the bathroom? Don't you need to pee?"

Wang Chengcai sneered, "Don't worry, I'll go after I break your legs. I was locked in the punishment room for three days because of you. Keep tattling, go ahead."

Shen Juanjuan couldn't leave but knew Wang Chengcai couldn't get to him either. He listened to the songs drifting down from the second-floor infant area and sang along, bored: "Chickens cluck cluck cluck, ducks quack quack quack..."

"Brother, he's still singing," Wang Zhusheng, who had been squatting next to the table hole, complained loudly.

Wang Chengcai said, "Let him sing. We'll see if he can still sing when I catch him."

Shen Juanjuan was afraid but refused to admit defeat, pretending to yawn, "I'm tired of singing, don't want to anymore."

A few heads occasionally popped up from behind the backyard wall—Lin Duozhi and Tang Yuanyuan. They dared not approach with Wang Chengcai blocking the way, so they watched from a distance.

"Shen Juanjuan, I know you weren't sleeping in the dormitory at night," Wang Zhusheng's face appeared at the hole. "I'm going to tell the supervisor."

Shen Juanjuan hesitated, "I was sleeping, every night."

"You weren't."

"I was sleeping, so soundly, I even swam in the yard every night."

"You didn't wash your face at night. Everyone in your dormitory washed their faces, but you didn't go to the washroom. I checked your dormitory, and there was no one in your bed, just an empty blanket."

Shen Juanjuan's heart raced, feeling helpless. But his mind quickly turned, and he found a solution: "If you didn't see me in bed, it's because I was sleeping under the bed."

After answering, Shen Juanjuan felt relieved and even a bit proud.

This answer was clever; even Tang Yuanyuan might not have thought of it.

Wang Zhusheng seemed surprised by the response and paused.

"Well, I checked under the bed too, and there was no one there," he insisted.

Shen Juanjuan rolled his eyes, "I slept on the ceiling."

"I checked the ceiling too."

"I slept in the cabinet."

"I checked the cabinet too." Wang Zhusheng added, "Anyway, I didn't see you, so I'm going to tell. I heard you talking before. I know you feed kittens at the garbage dump. You must sneak out every night to feed them. The supervisor will lock you up for three days and starve your kittens to death."

Shen Juanjuan stared at him for a few seconds, his face darkening. Suddenly, he threw a handful of sand at Wang Zhusheng. With his face pressed against the hole, Wang Zhusheng got a face full of sand and began crying loudly.