Chapter 114

Chapter 114

The room fell silent as Yun Tuo and Chairman Xiao exchanged glances; one wore a look of anger, the other a mix of hate and pain, yet unmistakably filled with a love that sent shivers down one's spine.

Yun Tuo finally lowered his head and said in a hoarse voice, "I won't leave tonight. I'll stay, and we can have a proper talk tomorrow."

After a few seconds of silence, Chairman Xiao released his grip and turned to stride towards the door.

As he pulled the door open, he took out his phone, "Lin Han, get ready, we're leaving now."

Yun Tuo watched his back and immediately spoke up, "Where are you going?"

Chairman Xiao paused, slightly turning his head, "Didn't you want to study the chip? I'm going to fetch some instruments to set up the lab at Bitao Tang."

Standing by the door, Chu Ya couldn't help but ask, "There's still experimental equipment available in Linya City?"

Chairman Xiao replied indifferently, "Yes, at Guangta Gang."

Yun Tuo's expression tightened, "I'll go with you."

"No need. Just remember what you said, don't sneak away while I'm gone."

Without looking back, Chairman Xiao walked out of the room and closed the door. Yun Tuo stared at the door for a long time before finally sitting on the sofa and lighting a cigarette.

Chu Ya also came over and sat opposite him, opening and closing his mouth several times, hesitating to speak.

Yun Tuo leaned back against the sofa, looking up at the ceiling, "Say what you want to say."

Chu Ya then mumbled, "Brother Yun Tuo, don't treat Chairman Xiao like that. He is your sentinel. How could you... how could you..."

"Run after sleeping with him, right?"

Chu Ya felt his scalp tingle again but softly nodded.

Yun Tuo didn't respond, and Chu Ya cautiously asked, "You don't dislike him, do you? You've come to Linya City a few more times, to see him, haven't you?"

Yun Tuo closed his eyes, and Chu Ya leaned forward, speaking earnestly, "Brother Yun Tuo, you can't toy with someone's feelings. That's not right."

Yun Tuo looked up, raising an eyebrow at Chu Ya, "You know about toying with feelings?"

"You and him, well... you should take responsibility." Chu Ya continued, his face and ears burning red.

Yun Tuo didn't mock him, straightening up and taking a drag from his cigarette, lowering his head and slowly exhaling a puff of smoke.

Chu Ya was about to continue when Yun Tuo said, "I am a soldier, he is a bandit."

Chu Ya hadn't expected this answer and hesitated for a moment before cautiously calling out, "Brother Yun Tuo."

"Hmm?"

Chu Ya's voice was cautious and sincere, "We are bandits now too."

Yun Tuo kept his head lowered but let out a light laugh.

Chu Ya continued, "Linya City is indeed opposed to the Morning Star Club, but we are no longer part of the Morning Star Club. Since we are all bandits, there shouldn't be any insurmountable barriers between bandits..."

Seeing Yun Tuo laughing more exaggeratedly, his shoulders shaking, Chu Ya stopped his persuasion and just stared at him expressionlessly.

Yun Tuo also looked at Chu Ya, gradually stopping his laughter, and said seriously, "Xiaoya, I can't make any promises to anyone right now, but I will have a good talk with him."

Chu Ya returned to the room with the bath sponge and saw Shen Juanjuan and Teddy Bear still sitting in the bathtub, with Black Wolf lying beside it, all covered in bubbles.

He gave the sponge to Black Wolf, washed the dirty clothes in the sink, and hung them on the iron bars outside the window. Gunfire erupted in a certain direction in Linya City, accompanied by raging flames. He knew it was Guangta Gang's territory, and Chairman Xiao must be raiding their lab.

After hanging the clothes, he was about to close the window when he noticed a flashing red dot in the left window.

Yun Tuo stood by the window smoking, his back to Chu Ya, watching the ongoing battle without noticing him.

A Crested Goshawk perched on the windowsill, also staring fixedly at the burning area.

Chu Ya hesitated for a moment but ultimately remained silent, quietly retreating into the room and closing the window.

Chu Ya called Shen Juanjuan and the two quantum creatures out of the bathtub, dried them with towels, and put a bathrobe on Shen Juanjuan.

In the bedroom, there was a large bed. Shen Juanjuan climbed onto the bed and started jumping, while Teddy Bear opened the window to let the wind dry its wet fur.

It stood by the window, its fur clumped together, looking like a freshly washed stuffed toy. Chu Ya took out a hairdryer to dry it.

When the hairdryer turned on, Shen Juanjuan and the two quantum creatures were startled. Chu Ya aimed the dryer at Teddy Bear, which tried to look inside the dryer, only to have its facial fur blown apart, causing it to panic and swipe at the dryer.

Chu Ya lifted the dryer, "It's okay, this is a hairdryer. It can dry your fur."

Chu Ya demonstrated with Black Wolf, and Teddy Bear watched curiously. Shen Juanjuan also slid off the bed, dragging the long hem of her bathrobe, "Let me do it. This is so much fun. Let me dry Chu Baolong."

Shen Juanjuan played with the hairdryer for a long time. Teddy Bear had short fur, so it looked fine, but Black Wolf's head was fluffed up like a giant hedgehog. When it was late, Chu Ya put away the hairdryer and urged Shen Juanjuan to go to sleep.

Chu Ya didn't sleep well that night. As dawn approached, he heard movement in the building and quickly got up to open the door, seeing Yun Tuo standing at his own door.

Chairman Xiao walked down the corridor, and Chu Ya quickly scanned him, relieved to see he wasn't injured. Chairman Xiao tossed his gloves to a subordinate, his gaze sweeping over Yun Tuo, pausing briefly.

The door at the other end opened, and Xu Wangduo walked out, looking spirited and wide awake.

"Chairman Xiao," Xu Wangduo greeted.

Chairman Xiao turned to him, "You can start researching the chip in the Bitao Tang lab tomorrow."

Xu Wangduo asked, "Do you have all the instruments and equipment I need?"

"I don't know what you need, but I emptied the lab at Guangta Gang."

Xu Wangduo rubbed his hands together happily: "That's great, their equipment is very complete. When will you assign me the researchers? I can't do it alone."

Xiao Rui turned and continued walking, saying: "Didn't you say they were evacuated? If they were evacuated, it must include not only the equipment but also their people."

"…Alright then."

"The lab is in this building, on the second floor. You can go check it out anytime."

"Right here in this building?"

"Yes, in all of Linya City, only my Bitao Building is the safest."

Yun Tuo stood at the door watching Xiao Rui, but Xiao Rui did not look at him, passing by him without turning back and entering his own room, slamming the door shut.

Seeing Xu Wangduo eagerly heading towards the elevator, Chu Ya knew he wanted to see the lab and followed him over. The two quantum beasts trailed behind. Worried about Shen Juanjuan who was still sleeping, Chu Ya told them to return to the room.

"Awo."

Chu Ya said: "The lab isn't set up yet, it's very dusty inside, and you just took a shower."

The Teddy Bear did not protest further and turned around with the Black Wolf to return to the room.

In the corridor on the second floor, there were also men in black standing guard. Under the guidance of one of them, the two entered the heavily secured doors. This was the Bitao Tang laboratory under preparation, occupying the entire second floor. In the large room, various instruments and equipment were haphazardly piled up, making Xu Wangduo both happy and pained to see.

Xu Wangduo began organizing, and Chu Ya also came forward to help, lifting a piece of equipment with him. But as soon as his hand touched it, Xu Wangduo stopped, his gaze falling on Chu Ya's wrist.

Chu Ya slowly straightened up but did not withdraw his hand. Xu Wangduo pushed his glasses up his nose: "How long has it been?"

"A few months."

"A few months?" Xu Wangduo took his hand and rolled up the sleeve, "It should have been only half a month."

"No, I contracted the black sore disease on the day my father had an incident. It must be because Gu Lin injected me with some kind of serum, which activated the dormant virus in my body." Chu Ya said calmly.

"Are there any other places on your body?"

"No."

Xu Wangduo seemed to think of something, his expression suddenly becoming uncertain. Chu Ya then said: "I didn't use the sentinel guide during the breakthrough to slow down the disease."

"Then…"

"It might be related to my quantum beast."

Chu Ya had already told Yun Tuo, and now he recounted it again in detail. Xu Wangduo listened attentively, occasionally interrupting to ask questions.

"So, your quantum beast absorbed the black sore virus into its own body?"

Chu Ya nodded: "Yes."

Xu Wangduo frowned in thought: "But a quantum beast cannot retain a virus in its body for so long."

"Brother Yun Tuo said the same thing."

"Is your quantum beast still normal?"

"Very normal, except that its original silver fur has turned black, with some golden patterns."

Xu Wangduo sighed: "Unfortunately, I'm just a regular person and can't see your quantum beast clearly. But no matter how its form or fur changes, it shouldn't be able to absorb your virus and digest it on its own."

"So I don't know what's happening either." Chu Ya thought for a moment, "Every time it absorbs the virus for me, it shows signs of great pain. Only when Shen Juanjuan uses his mental tendrils to stroke it does it calm down."

Xu Wangduo found this intriguing and was eager to figure it out, urging: "Come on, let's go upstairs and ask Shen Juanjuan."

"Not now, he's still sleeping," Chu Ya said.

"Let's wake him up," Xu Wangduo rubbed his hands together.

Chu Ya thought for a moment: "He went to bed late last night and is very tired. Let's wait until he wakes up."

Xu Wangduo could only nod but couldn't help glancing at Chu Ya a few more times.

No matter who encountered such a situation, they would anxiously wake the person up, not thinking about delaying their sleep. He didn't know if it was because Chu Ya didn't take his illness seriously or if he was too indulgent with the child.

It wasn't until two hours later that Shen Juanjuan woke up. As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw Chu Ya sitting by the bed, drinking water.

"Meow…" He chuckled and moved closer to Chu Ya, resting his head on Chu Ya's lap.

"Awake?"

"Mm. Where are Chu Baolong and Shen Wangwang?"

"They went out to play."

Chu Ya put down the cup and picked up Shen Juanjuan's dried clothes to dress him. Shen Juanjuan lay on his back, occasionally lifting his head to move his limbs, reaching out to touch Chu Ya's face.

"Grandpa's little car goes beep beep beep, da da da, beep beep beep…"

After dressing him, Chu Ya took him to wash up, then sat down at the table and lifted the lid off the bowl.

Breakfast consisted of steamed buns and congee, accompanied by two light side dishes. Shen Juanjuan ate with great satisfaction. After he finished eating, Chu Ya wiped his hands and face clean before taking him to find Xu Wangduo.

Held by Chu Ya, Shen Juanjuan stood in the second-floor laboratory, curiously looking around. Xu Wangduo squatted in front of him, examining him closely, and began asking about Chu Ya's mental domain.

Shen Juanjuan spoke non-stop about it, closing his eyes and tilting his head to mimic the scene of the Black Wolf absorbing the black substance, then frowning and wriggling his whole body: "I became very dark, very dark."

"After you became very dark, how did you recover?" Xu Wangduo asked.

"I let Chu Baolong wash me clean."

Dr. Xu looked at Chu Ya, who said to him, "His quantum creature is called Chu Baolong."

Chu Ya had heard Shen Juanjuan talk about how Chu Baolong washed and cleaned him before, but at that time, he didn't think Chu Baolong had taken physical form, so he didn't take it seriously. But now, after hearing Shen Juanjuan's story again, he felt it must be true and squatted down to listen carefully.

"… I was very, very black, so Chu Baolong dragged me into the egg, stretched me out, and brushed… brushed, brushed…" Shen Juanjuan waved his hands in the air for a while, "He washed me clean."

Dr. Xu continued to ask questions, not missing any detail. Shen Juanjuan racked his brain to tell the story, but soon, the lights on the nearby instrument lit up, making a beeping sound, which distracted him, causing him to start answering carelessly and even making things up.

"… Chu Baolong said, 'Why are you so dirty? Let’s get some soap, or Chief Administrator Chen will come to check. We brush, brush, brush…'"

Dr. Xu knew he wouldn't get anything more and stood up.

Shen Juanjuan went closer to look at the instrument, while Dr. Xu asked Chu Ya, "Is there anything unusual with his quantum creature?"

"No, it's just a raccoon, with fur of normal color, unlike my quantum creature which turned black."

"We can understand it this way: the Black Wolf absorbed the newly generated virus from your body, Shen Juanjuan then transferred them to his mental tentacles, and finally, the raccoon purified them," Dr. Xu said.

Chu Ya had also guessed as much but still found it incredible, "How could it purify the black sore virus?"

"Have you ever told Shen Juanjuan about the habits of raccoons?"

Chu Ya thought for a moment, "I mainly described its appearance, but I also mentioned other aspects, such as its love for cleaning, washing things thoroughly, and—"

"That's it!" Dr. Xu interrupted Chu Ya, his voice filled with excitement, "A quantum creature forms in the owner's mental domain, not only as a concentration of energy but also carrying the owner's consciousness. You told Shen Juanjuan that raccoons like to clean, and to him, your words were the truth. In his mind, he firmly believed that a raccoon could clean anything without any doubt. So, during the formation of Chu Baolong, Shen Juanjuan used his consciousness to endow it with an extraordinary purification ability, causing some miraculous changes in its energy body."

Chu Ya immediately followed up, "Would that harm Chu Baolong or Shen Juanjuan?"

"It won't. Shen Juanjuan is just a carrier or a connection channel in the cleaning process, and the quantum creature is an energy entity. Its ability to clear certain viruses is its unique capability and won't burden or harm itself."

Chu Ya was relieved, and Dr. Xu's eyes gleamed, "However, whether Chu Baolong can clear the virus is just a hypothesis. Once the lab is set up, can I conduct a test on it?"

Chu Ya replied, "I'm willing to cooperate, but I need to consult Shen Juanjuan and Chu Baolong first."

After thinking for a moment, Chu Ya asked, "Can Chu Baolong help ordinary people with black sore disease delay their condition?"

If Chu Baolong could indeed clear the black sore virus without harming itself or Shen Juanjuan, it could temporarily extend the lives of those suffering from black sore disease until a cure is developed.

Dr. Xu shook his head, "Your quantum creature absorbs the new viruses generated daily, Shen Juanjuan uses his mental power as a carrier, and then Chu Baolong cleans them. All these steps are necessary."

"So, the object of cleaning isn't just a sentinel guide; it also requires his own quantum creature to absorb the virus?"

"Yes," Dr. Xu sighed, "So, I can only test whether Chu Baolong can really clear the virus. With our current technology, we can't replicate the unique abilities of quantum creatures. To cure black sore disease, we must develop a medication."

Chu Ya spent the whole day in the lab, helping Dr. Xu organize items and listening to him discuss matters related to black sore disease, including talks about Director Liu.

Unconsciously, the day passed, and he didn't return to the welfare home but stayed another night at the Bitaolou.

During this time, he didn't see Yun Tuo. On the third day, around noon, he took Shen Juanjuan to knock on Yun Tuo's door.

It was almost noon when Yun Tuo opened the door, seemingly just waking up, wearing a dark blue pajama set. The pajamas were a bit loose on him, probably Xiao Rui's clothes.

"Brother Yun Tuo, I talked a lot with Dr. Xu about black sore disease yesterday," Chu Ya said.

Yun Tuo opened the door, "Come in and talk."

Hearing Yun Tuo's slightly hoarse voice, Chu Ya asked, "Are you sick?"

Yun Tuo poured a glass of water for Chu Ya and mixed juice for Shen Juanjuan before sitting on the sofa. He buttoned the top button of his pajama shirt and replied somewhat unnaturally, "Just a slight cold." Before Chu Ya could ask more, he added, "What did he tell you? Tell me in detail."

Chu Ya pulled Shen Juanjuan to sit on the sofa and heard a noise from the bathroom. He turned to look, and Yun Tuo mumbled, "It's Xiao Rui."

"Did you make up?" Chu Ya was somewhat pleased.

Yun Tuo didn't give a clear answer, only saying, "Tell me about the black sore disease."

While Chu Ya was recounting, Shen Juanjuan sipped his juice, uninterested in their conversation. Hearing the noise from the bathroom again, he walked over curiously.

Xiao Rui was shaving in front of the mirror, and Shen Juanjuan stood at the door watching.

He took a big sip of juice, making a sweet smacking sound, and said, "I'm drinking juice."

Xiao Rui glanced at him, "Mm-hmm."

"It's delicious."

"Mm-hmm."

"Listen to me burp… burp…"

"Mm-hmm."

"What are you doing?"

"Shaving." Xiao Rui turned to look at Shen Juanjuan, noticing he was staring at his razor, and asked, "Do you want to shave?"

Shen Juanjuan immediately put his juice cup on a nearby table and walked further into the room, "Then shave me too."

The door opened, and the Black Wolf and Teddy Bear, who had been playing outside, returned to the room and couldn't find anyone, so they came to Yun Tuo's place. The Black Wolf lay down beside Chu Ya, and Teddy Bear wandered to the bathroom door, where he saw Shen Juanjuan being lathered with shaving cream by Xiao Rui.

"I'm shaving," Shen Juanjuan said proudly.

Xiao Rui covered Shen Juanjuan's chin with white foam, had him stand next to the mirror, handed him a clean comb, and continued to shave himself.

"This is a comb," Shen Juanjuan held up the comb for Xiao Rui to see, "Not like yours."

"They look different, but both can be used for shaving."

"Oh."

Shen Juanjuan tiptoed and looked at himself in the mirror, imitating Xiao Rui's actions, he combed back and forth under his chin with a comb.

Xiao Rui tidied himself up neatly, then washed off the foam from Shen Juanjuan's chin: "Mm, very clean chin."

Hearing the word "clean," the Teddy Bear standing at the door flickered its gaze.

Satisfied, Shen Juanjuan followed Xiao Rui out of the bathroom, touching his chin: "My beard is gone, I look good."

Chu Ya was still explaining Xu Wangduo's analysis to Yun Tuo. Xiao Rui walked over and sat beside Yun Tuo, placing one hand on the back of the sofa behind him, as if hugging his shoulder.

Chu Ya, with his youthful shyness, since learning about their relationship, found it embarrassing to look at them and instead focused on Shen Juanjuan beside him.

"Shen Miaomiao, look at me." Shen Juanjuan lifted his chin proudly, "I shaved my beard, Chairman Xiao helped me."

Chu Ya paused for a moment: "...Your chin is very smooth."

"What were you just talking about regarding the quantum beast virus elimination?" Xiao Rui asked.

Yun Tuo recounted what Chu Ya had said earlier, so Chu Ya took the empty juice glass from Shen Juanjuan's hand and prepared to rinse it in the bathroom.

At this moment, the Teddy Bear emerged from the bathroom, strutting past Chu Ya with its head held high.

In a fleeting glance, Chu Ya felt something was odd and turned to stare at its back. Meanwhile, Black Wolf had been watching the Teddy Bear ever since it appeared in the living room, gradually becoming dazed and slowly standing up.

"Chubao Long." Chu Ya called out to the Teddy Bear, taking a few steps forward to turn it around.

The Teddy Bear looked up at Chu Ya, turning its face from side to side.

Finally, Chu Ya realized what was wrong and asked in shock: "Where are the hairs around your mouth? Where did they go?"

Yun Tuo and Xiao Rui, who were whispering, and Shen Juanjuan, who was hugging Black Wolf's neck, all turned to look upon hearing Chu Ya's question.

The Teddy Bear turned to face everyone, revealing a bald circle around its mouth, leaving only a thin layer of white fluff.

Shen Juanjuan immediately jumped up, assuming a horse stance, and pointed excitedly at the Teddy Bear: "Chubao Long shaved his beard!"

The Teddy Bear also assumed a horse stance towards Shen Juanjuan, pointing at him with both paws, confirming his guess: "Awo!"

Black Wolf stared blankly at the Teddy Bear, turning its head away and closing its eyes, then turning back to look at it again.

After several repetitions, it looked at Chu Ya, and the two, man and quantum beast, exchanged glances, their expressions indescribable.

Xiao Rui and Yun Tuo fell silent as well, until Shen Juanjuan rushed over, hugging the Teddy Bear's shoulders and heading to the bathroom to look in the mirror, prompting Xiao Rui to laugh suddenly.

Yun Tuo glanced at Xiao Rui, who then suppressed his laughter and cleared his throat softly: "It's fine, when it next dissipates and returns to Shen Juanjuan's mental domain for repair, it will have its beard back when it reappears."

Chu Ya also turned to look at him, and he corrected himself: "It will have its fur back."