Chapter 48

Chapter 48

The warehouse was located in a corner of the playground, a well-concealed metal shed filled with numerous bulging burlap sacks and some toolboxes and metal parts. When the door was closed, only a sliver of light seeped through the gaps, illuminating the two children standing inside, bewilderedly surveying their surroundings.

Voices from the playground carried over, as if students were gathering. Although Dean Liu had instructed them not to speak, he hadn't said anything about not moving. Shen Juanjuan walked toward the door, followed by Wang Zhusheng without any prior agreement.

Shen Juanjuan peered through the crack in the door and saw that everyone was indeed assembling on the playground. Everyone looked excited except for a few middle school students who were fighting on the side.

He spotted Lin Duozhi, standing at the front, looking around. Shen Juanjuan knew he was searching for him but remembered Dean Liu's warning not to make a sound, so he held back and didn't call out.

He also saw Wang Zhusheng's brother, anxiously talking to Manager Chen. Manager Chen ignored him and focused on organizing the group. He kept following until Manager Chen hit him twice with a ruler, forcing him back into the line reluctantly.

The sound of an approaching car silenced the children on the playground, who stood up straight. Shen Juanjuan pressed closer to the crack and soon saw the two officers who frequently visited the orphanage to select children standing before the crowd.

They had come to select children again!

Cloud Peak had come to select children!

Shen Juanjuan instinctively felt elated, his heart pounding wildly.

But then he remembered he couldn't go to Cloud Peak; he couldn't leave Shen Miaomiao behind. He quickly calmed down.

Wang Zhusheng had been crouching beside another crack. He couldn't see clearly what was happening outside and was anxiously searching for a wider gap. Seeing Shen Juanjuan nearby, he suddenly pushed him away and moved to the crack.

Shen Juanjuan stumbled backward, straightened himself, and anger flared in his eyes. There were only the two of them in the room, and he wasn't afraid, so he shoved Wang Zhusheng back.

"I'm going to hit you," Wang Zhusheng mouthed silently.

"I'm going to stab you one-two-three one-two-three," Shen Juanjuan mimicked with gestures.

The two children began wrestling, pulling each other's hair, digging into noses, and pinching faces.

"Our lives are so happy, our songs so loud..."

Songs echoed from the playground as students waited nervously for the officers to select children. Inside the warehouse, Shen Juanjuan and Wang Zhusheng fought silently, rolling on the ground, from the doorway to the open space, and then to the corner.

"Angels gather here, sowing hope..."

Shen Juanjuan grabbed Wang Zhusheng's hair and pulled it back, while Wang Zhusheng yanked his face to the side.

"La la la, la la la..."

The two children fought more fiercely, neither crying out in pain nor begging for mercy, unaware when the singing stopped or when the crowd dispersed.

"Didn't they just select children a couple of days ago? Why are they selecting again today?" Dean Liu asked.

The officer replied, "I had something else to do last time. The officer who came was C-level. They thought maybe the lack of selected children was due to the rank, so they sent me to take a look."

"So you're..."

"B-level."

"Oh, no wonder," Dean Liu smiled. "I thought something serious had happened for them to select twice in such a short time."

"No, nothing like that."

The two officers bid farewell to Dean Liu and hurried toward the military vehicle parked outside the orphanage. As one officer opened the car door, he heard a timid voice behind him.

"Uncle, officer uncle."

The officer turned and saw a thin boy standing behind him, looking nervous.

"What is it?" the officer asked, examining the child.

"My name is Lin Duozhi. You didn't select any children today. Can you take me to Cloud Peak? I'll be very obedient, very, very obedient."

After the group dispersed, Lin Duozhi didn't return to his dormitory but stood by the fence. Seeing the gate was open and unguarded, he mustered the courage to follow the two officers to the car.

"Lin Duozhi..." The officer's gaze fell on the boy's fingers.

Noticing the officer's attention, Lin Duozhi hid his hands behind his back.

"Do you want to go to Cloud Peak?" the officer asked.

Lin Duozhi nodded eagerly. "Yes, I want to go to Cloud Peak."

"We need to report back, don't waste time," the officer in the car urged.

The officer stopped talking to Lin Duozhi and bent to get into the car, but a small hand grabbed his coat.

"Uncle, can't I go to Cloud Peak now? I'll be very obedient." Lin Duozhi's voice trembled with tension.

The officer glanced at the white-knuckled grip and dismissed him casually. "You can't go today. We don't select children with extra fingers this time. Maybe next time we'll take you."

Lin Duozhi let go of the fabric, the car door closed, and the vehicle started. He stepped back and watched the car leave.

"Who's that? Is it Shen Juanjuan? How did he sneak out again... Lin Duozhi, why are you outside? Come in."

When Manager Chen called Lin Duozhi back to the dormitory, Shen Juanjuan and Wang Zhusheng were still fighting. The warehouse door creaked open, and the light flooded in. Manager Chen shouted angrily, "What are you two doing?!"

When Wang Zhusheng and Shen Juanjuan emerged from the warehouse, their clothes and pants were covered in dust, looking disheveled. Wang Zhusheng's hair was a mess, with red scratches on his face. Shen Juanjuan fared no better, with a crooked collar, red ears, and a long scratch across his nose.

Wang Chengcai was waiting outside the warehouse. Seeing his brother, Wang Zhusheng rushed forward, pointing at Shen Juanjuan to complain. Shen Juanjuan, who had lost all his fighting spirit, slowly hid behind Manager Chen, stealing glances at Wang Chengcai.

Wang Chengcai, however, was preoccupied and only glanced at Manager Chen, telling Wang Zhusheng, "Stop making a fuss."

Manager Chen locked the warehouse door and turned to Wang Chengcai. "Your brother and Shen Juanjuan's information was overlooked. They need to be registered to be selected. Since they weren't registered yet, they had to stay hidden. Now, take your brother away."

"What, what registration?" Wang Chengcai asked.

"It's a registration form that Cloud Peak needs, for some kind of survey." Manager Chen said seriously.

Wang Chengcai didn't ask any more questions, looking somewhat sullen. Wang Zhusheng was still pestering him about Shen Juanjuan. He pulled his brother away irritably, saying, "Alright, alright, let's go back first."

Wang Zhusheng followed his brother with a wronged look, turning his head midway to glare at Shen Juanjuan resentfully.

Shen Juanjuan peeked out from behind Manager Chen, sticking out his tongue and making a face at him triumphantly.

"What are you grinning about?" Manager Chen scolded softly.

Shen Juanjuan quickly composed himself and stood properly.

"Let's go, I'll get you something to eat in my office."

Shen Juanjuan followed Manager Chen towards the faculty road, unable to resist asking, "Manager Chen, were you selecting children just now?"

Manager Chen seemed not to hear, only looking ahead without responding.

Shen Juanjuan asked again, "Did you select any children?"

"No," Manager Chen replied this time.

When Chu Ya noticed Cloud Peak's car heading to the orphanage, an ominous feeling rose in his heart. He hid nearby, watching as the two officers entered the gate and heard the children's singing.

Shen Juanjuan had already differentiated into a guide. If he hadn't hidden, if he hadn't managed to find Dean Liu to hide him...

Chu Ya felt heavy-hearted, his palms sweating coldly. He stared intently at the orphanage, preparing for the worst.

If Shen Juanjuan was discovered, he would have to rescue him no matter what, then figure out how to escape.

As for where to escape to, Linya City or Zi'a Islands would be fine.

Chu Ya wheeled himself onto the main road, which had a drainage ditch covered by two concrete slabs.

He leaned down to lift one slab but, hindered by his legs, could only manage to move it slightly despite his efforts.

Hearing the singing stop inside the orphanage, Chu Ya looked at the nearby Black Wolf and called, "Silver Wolf, come help move this slab."

The Black Wolf reluctantly approached and lifted one slab slightly.

After doing this, Chu Ya hid behind a mound with the Black Wolf, listening for the approaching car. He whispered, "If Shen Juanjuan is in the car, I need your help."

The Black Wolf growled lowly, full of irritation and impatience, but stayed crouched on the ground.

As the car passed by Chu Ya's hiding spot, he leaned back in his wheelchair, holding his breath and closing his eyes.

Squeak—

The car suddenly stopped. The door opened, and someone jumped out to check the road conditions.

Chu Ya peeked out from behind the mound, quickly glanced into the car, and then swiftly withdrew, letting out a long sigh of relief. He leaned back in his wheelchair, gazing at the sky.

The Black Wolf, tensed up ready to attack when the car passed, now relaxed slightly but kept its ears perked and eyes half-closed, ready to pounce at any moment.

"...There's a ditch here, the cover has shifted... It must have been moved when we drove to the orphanage earlier... You should get out, let's put the slab back..."

The car restarted and drove away. Chu Ya sheathed his dagger, noticing his T-shirt soaked with cold sweat under his cotton jacket.

"It's okay, it's okay..." He wiped his face, speaking both to the Black Wolf and to himself.

The Black Wolf stood up, swiping its tail against Chu Ya's leg in retaliation before slowly walking away to lie down.

Shen Juanjuan walked back to Mixin Town with excitement, his shoulder bag stuffed full. He thought Chu Ya would be waiting further away, but seeing him emerge from behind the mound, he joyfully called out, "Shen Miaomiao!"

Chu Ya wheeled back, with Shen Juanjuan sitting in his lap, chattering excitedly.

"...Dean Liu locked me and Wang Zhusheng in a room, and we fought and fought... Finally, they let us out."

"Did you win?" Chu Ya looked at the red scratch mark on his face.

Shen Juanjuan thought for a moment: "I won; I almost made Wang Zhusheng cry."

From Shen Juanjuan's words, Chu Ya pieced together the events, knowing that Dean Liu had invited people to the orphanage to identify the differentiated children and hide them before Cloud Peak arrived.

But could Dean Liu continue hiding all the differentiated children? Would Cloud Peak not become suspicious if they couldn't find anyone?

Chu Ya sighed deeply, lost in thought amidst Shen Juanjuan's chatter.

The Black Wolf walked alongside them, glancing at Chu Ya and Shen Juanjuan. Seeing Shen Juanjuan nattering while leaning against Chu Ya, it suddenly growled and lunged forward, opening its mouth wide.

Chu Ya looked up sharply at the Black Wolf. Its mouth was wide open, sharp teeth inches from Shen Juanjuan's head, but its green eyes were fixed on Chu Ya, filled with impatience.

"Wang Zhusheng can't use mental attacks, so he couldn't hurt me. When he grabbed my chest, I wasn't scared at all. I just looked at him like this." Shen Juanjuan lifted his chin, his eyes half-closed, challenging the wolf.

"I looked really scary, just like the older kids do when they fight. My eyes even hurt from staring, look at me—"

Shen Juanjuan's words abruptly stopped as he stared straight ahead. He drew a sharp breath, slowly leaning back, trying to distance himself from the object in front of him to see it more clearly.

...Still couldn't see clearly.

...A dark mass with four table legs.

Suddenly, a magnified table ghost appeared right in front of Shen Juanjuan, leaving him momentarily stunned, unable to react, neither moving nor making a sound, his mind blank.

Several seconds passed before he regained awareness, using all his strength to slap the object in front of him and screaming, "Table Ghost!!"

The Black Wolf was suddenly slapped across the face. The force was strong enough to turn its head, leaving it dazed and bewildered.

"Table ghost! Table ghost!"

Shen Juanjuan screamed in terror, clearly frightened but still struggling to reach out, repeatedly slapping at the Black Wolf.

The Black Wolf, after its initial shock, slowly turned back. Enraged, it bared its teeth and snarled, its facial fur trembling, and its green eyes narrowed into two dark green dots.

Seeing the situation turn dire, Chu Ya shouted at the Black Wolf and quickly restrained Shen Juanjuan, pushing the wheelchair forward hurriedly.

"Shen Miaomiao, that, that, table ghost, that..." Shen Juanjuan pointed at the Black Wolf, his face pale, his fingers and voice trembling, "Did you see it? The table ghost."

"You must be mistaken; that's not a table ghost—step back!" Chu Ya suddenly barked.

This time, the Black Wolf ignored Chu Ya and lunged at Shen Juanjuan. Chu Ya swiftly turned, redirecting Shen Juanjuan away.

"I said step back!" Chu Ya enunciated each word sternly.

Perhaps due to the severity of his expression and tone, the Black Wolf held back its anger. It did not attack Shen Juanjuan but circled around the wheelchair, snorting irritably.

"Where should I go?" Shen Juanjuan had recovered from his sudden fright, clutching Chu Ya's neck with his left hand and raising his right, ready to strike the table ghost.

"Not you."

"How did it disappear? Suddenly gone." Shen Juanjuan looked around in astonishment, "It's gone again. Can you see it?"

Chu Ya glanced at the Black Wolf beside them: "You're mistaken; that's not a table ghost."

"I'm not mistaken. The table ghost, it's right here." Shen Juanjuan pointed in front of him, "It was this close just now."

He waved his hand through the air, shouting bravely yet nervously, "Thick-skinned! Are you hiding? I can see you."

"Growl!"

The Black Wolf growled again. Chu Ya looked at it helplessly and made a gesture to stop it. The Black Wolf ran off angrily, disappearing into the wilderness.

"Thick-skinned, thick-skinned." Shen Juanjuan leaned down to grab the air beneath the wheelchair, then whispered warily into Chu Ya's ear, "Scare it like I did, chase it away."

Chu Ya adjusted Shen Juanjuan's head to face him: "Look at me."

"Just a moment—"

"Stop worrying about the table ghost. I need to tell you something important. Look at me."

"Okay, I'm looking at you." Shen Juanjuan's eyes darted around.

Chu Ya said, "What you saw is not a ghost; it's actually a quantum beast."

Shen Juanjuan paused for a moment: "It's a quantum beast? How could it be a quantum beast?"

Chu Ya said seriously, "I'll explain the knowledge of sentinels and guides to you. Listen carefully."

"Over a hundred years ago, a virus appeared on our planet. It existed in the air, invading everyone's bodies, from newborns to the elderly. No one was spared. This virus nearly caused the extinction of humanity but also led to mutations in a small group of people, turning them into sentinels and guides. These individuals have stronger constitutions than ordinary people and develop a mental sea, also known as a psychic domain. A healthy psychic domain continuously generates psychic energy, giving them immense power..."

Chu Ya paused, perhaps remembering his own psychic domain, his gaze becoming somber. He continued silently along the barbed wire outside Mixin Town until he heard Shen Juanjuan's murmur.

"Pew pew, psychic attack, pew pew..."

Shen Juanjuan held two dried grass stems in each hand, making them battle. Chu Ya asked, "Did you hear what I said?"

"Huh?"

"All the information I just gave you is crucial. You need to listen carefully."

"I was listening, I did listen."

"Then repeat what I said."

"Huh?"

"In your own words, just give me the gist."

"Oh." Shen Juanjuan nodded blankly.

Chu Ya sighed: "I'll explain it again. Listen closely."

"Now that you've become a guide, sometimes you can see quantum beasts, but they appear blurry and unclear. The table ghost you saw was just an unclear image. It's not a ghost; it's my quantum beast."

Chu Ya looked intently at Shen Juanjuan, expecting him to be excited, but he scratched his face, confused: "But I'm a sentinel."

"What?" Chu Ya was surprised.

"I'm a sentinel, just like Lin Duozhi, Tang Yuanyuan, and Chen Hongliang. Yu Datou and Wang Xiaoxi are guides." Shen Juanjuan counted on his fingers.

"That's not true. You've just entered the guide differentiation phase. Once you break through, you'll become a real guide. The breakthrough period varies in length; some take only a month or two, while others take several years..."

Chu Ya's voice trailed off as he took Shen Juanjuan's hands and dropped the dried grass on the ground: "Listen to what I'm saying."

"Whine..."

Chu Ya turned Shen Juanjuan's head forward, his voice tinged with fatigue: "Don't stare at me. I'll explain it again. Listen carefully."

"I am listening, I've been listening carefully."

"You were playing with those two pieces of grass. What did you hear?"

Shen Juanjuan mumbled, "I heard about psychic attacks..." He observed Chu Ya's expression, noticing his worsening mood, and pouted, cautiously making a "pew pew" sound.