Chapter 157

Chapter 157

"You have to listen to Brother Yun Tuo and Director Liu while I'm away, stay in the orphanage, and go home after completing your tasks every day. I'll be back in at most a week."

Shen Juanjuan sat cross-legged on the sofa. When Chu Ya tried to pull his arm, he shook it off forcefully and turned his head to look at the wall, giving Chu Ya a stubborn back of his head.

Chu Ya pinched the back of his neck, sighed, and got up to walk towards his bedroom. Shen Juanjuan also stood up, calling out his name: "Chu Ya!"

Chu Ya turned around and saw Shen Juanjuan breathing heavily, his lips slightly downturned, looking at him with a stubborn expression.

"Chu Ya, when I was a kid, going from Mixin Town to the orphanage, I wanted you to follow me. Whenever I looked back while walking, I would always see you not far behind. Back then, I felt that as long as you were there, I wouldn't be afraid no matter where I went, even if it got dark or ghosts appeared. You, at twelve years old, carried me step by step from the abyss to Linya City. The younger children in the orphanage now are the same age as you were back then. Sometimes when I look at them, I think, if I could suddenly go back in time and find the you from back then, how good it would be to carry you for a while."

Tears welled up in Shen Juanjuan's eyes, and his voice trembled: "Back then, I was your burden, only dragging you down. So I really wanted to become very strong, to help you, to protect you when you're in danger, to stab anyone who tries to hurt you two hundred times. I'm not as smart as Tang Yuanyuan, nor do I match Chen Hongliang in physical ability, but I train very seriously. My overall performance is excellent every year, and I'm the best student in my grade. Now that I've grown up, I can help you, I'm no longer a burden. Even if we climb the mountain again, I can carry you for a while."

Chu Ya stood there in a daze. A tear rolled down Shen Juanjuan's cheek, and his red eyes glared fiercely at him: "If you don't take me, or if you secretly go to Cloud Peak, I will find a way to find you. Don't think you can leave me behind; you know I always keep my word."

The Teddy Bear and the silver wolf had been listening with their ears perked up for a while. The Teddy Bear pounded the sofa heavily, raised one paw, and pointed at Chu Ya, growling fiercely: "Roar!"

The silver wolf quickly tried to calm it down, but the Teddy Bear swatted its head in anger: "Roar!"

Chu Ya slowly walked over and pulled Shen Juanjuan into his arms.

Shen Juanjuan struggled a bit but couldn't break free, so he let himself be held, hanging his hands without moving.

Chu Ya lifted his hand to wipe away the tears on his face, his voice hoarse: "I never thought you were a burden, nor did I feel you were holding me back. Not when I met you in Mixin Town, nor when we came from the abyss to Linya City. You don't know how strong you are. Without you, I wouldn't have made it in Mixin Town. You've always been my support, and because of you, I've been able to hold on until now."

Shen Juanjuan's hand lifted and gently wrapped around Chu Ya's waist: "It wasn't that you couldn't hold on, but that you couldn't survive, right? If it weren't for me, you would have been crushed by a forklift on the first day you entered town. Do you admit that?"

"I admit."

"Then why are you ungrateful and repay kindness with ingratitude?"

The Teddy Bear stared intently at Chu Ya. Seeing that he didn't immediately respond, it struck the silver wolf's head again.

Shen Juanjuan turned his head and saw the silver wolf's silent suffering, feeling quite sorry for it, so he pushed the Teddy Bear and whispered: "Don't do that."

Slap!

The Teddy Bear slapped his hand away again.

"You bear—"

"It's just upset and attacking indiscriminately. Don't take it personally," Chu Ya said softly.

Shen Juanjuan buried his head in Chu Ya's chest: "Let me go, otherwise, I'll find my way to Cloud Peak myself. You know me, wherever I want to go, no one can stop me. I'll take a speedboat out to sea and climb the mountain again. Of course, if I encounter a storm or an avalanche, it's up to fate. And when climbing the mountain—"

"Then let's go together."

Shen Juanjuan suddenly stopped talking and looked up at Chu Ya. The Teddy Bear also paused, one paw still hovering over the silver wolf's head.

"Our team needs a guide, so come with me to Cloud Peak. We'll set off at nine tomorrow morning," Chu Ya said.

After a few seconds of stunned silence, Shen Juanjuan suddenly cupped Chu Ya's face and kissed him hard on the mouth, gritting his teeth: "Big Meow!" Then another kiss: "Good Meow!"

He tackled Chu Ya onto the sofa, kissing him wildly. Chu Ya lifted his head, and Shen Juanjuan grabbed his chin: "Don't move!"

Chu Ya didn't move, tilting his head slightly as Shen Juanjuan kissed his throat, leaving red marks.

"Roar roar roar!"

The Teddy Bear jumped around happily, and the silver wolf, relieved to stop being hit, finally breathed a sigh of relief. But the Teddy Bear dragged it out the door: "Roar."

"So late, where are you going?" Chu Ya asked, turning his head.

Shen Juanjuan turned his face back and nibbled on his lips: "It's taking Shen Wangwang for a run and some pull-ups."

The next morning, after a simple breakfast, Shen Juanjuan, seeing it was still early, went to say goodbye to Director Liu and Chief Administrator Chen, receiving their instructions before heading to the dormitory.

This mission needed to be kept secret, so Shen Juanjuan only told his friends that he and Chu Ya would be leaving Linya City for a few days.

"Where are you going?" Chen Hongliang asked.

"Didn't Shen Miaomiao and I end up on an island before? He left something important there, and we need to go get it back," Shen Juanjuan explained, having prepared his story beforehand.

Chen Hongliang asked suspiciously: "What's so valuable that you need to go specifically to get it, and it takes several days? Are you sure you're not going on a honeymoon?"

"Just going to the island to get a piece of equipment. It's very precious and can only be produced in Cloud Peak, so it's important to the military and must be retrieved."

Shen Juanjuan smiled, inwardly regretting not thinking of the honeymoon excuse earlier.

Tang Yuanyuan clearly didn't believe it but didn't press further. The others gave him earnest instructions to be careful at sea.

Time was running short, so Shen Juanjuan left the dormitory, saying he didn't have time to say goodbye to Lin Duozhi and Liu Sijin, asking them to pass on his greetings.

Chu Ya and the two quantum beasts were already waiting in the car outside the orphanage. As soon as Shen Juanjuan ran out of the orphanage gate, the military vehicle drove forward.

Shen Juanjuan told Chu Ya about saying goodbye to his friends, glossing over other details, saying: "Chen Hongliang was so funny. He said, 'What's so valuable that you need to go specifically to get it, and it takes several days? Are you sure you're not going on a honeymoon?' Hahaha, he said we're going on a honeymoon, a honeymoon, hahaha..."

He repeated "honeymoon" several times, laughing and looking at Chu Ya, who was focusing on changing lanes by checking the rearview mirror. He asked: "Did you hear what I just said?"

"Yes."

"What did I say?" Shen Juanjuan pressed.

"You went to see your friends."

"And?"

Chu Ya said: "You said goodbye to them."

"Anything else? Be more specific."

Chu Ya turned the steering wheel to the right: "More specifically, they all gave you some advice, and then you asked them to pass on a message to Liu Sijin and Lin Duozhi for you."

Shen Juanjuan stopped pressing further, only looking straight ahead with a sullen face.

After driving for a while, Chu Ya suddenly laughed, raising his left hand to rub his head, which was quickly swatted away: "Don't mess up my hair."

Chu Ya laughed and sighed, then said: "Shen Juanjuan."

Shen Juanjuan glanced at him sideways, and he continued: "I heard Chen Hongliang say you're going to the island for your honeymoon."

Shen Juanjuan's expression softened slightly: "Then why did you deliberately not mention it?"

"Because I quite enjoy seeing you pout," Chu Ya replied.

Shen Juanjuan rolled his eyes: "Do you think I'm cute?"

Chu Ya laughed again: "Yes, very cute, as cute as ever."

"I don't even want to talk about you; how can you be like this?" Shen Juanjuan leaned back in his seat, satisfied, and then asked: "When you say I'm still cute, does that mean you thought I was cute before?"

"Of course."

"When I was a kid, I was dirty and had a runny nose, nothing like now, handsome and charming."

Chu Ya laughed again, turning his head to look at him: "I have to get up early every day to go to the military base. If it weren't for Chu Baolong keeping an eye on you so closely, you'd probably still be dirty and have a runny nose."

"How could that be? I'm now a clean and good-looking person."

"Ao!" The Teddy Bear in the backseat immediately contradicted him.

Shen Juanjuan leaned back, grabbing the Teddy Bear's arm and rubbing it against his face: "Are you dissing me? You watch me wash my face every day like a thief. I'll tell you, today you were too quick to leave, so you didn't watch me, and I didn't wash my face."

The Teddy Bear panicked and tried to pull its arm back, but Shen Juanjuan held it tightly. It finally yanked its arm off, retreated, and angrily shouted at Shen Juanjuan.

Shen Juanjuan laughed heartily, throwing the arm back to it. The Teddy Bear immediately handed the arm to the silver wolf to clean it.

When Shen Juanjuan turned around, he saw Chu Ya looking at him and touched his face: "I did wash, just teasing it."

Chu Ya hummed, turning his head forward. Shen Juanjuan leaned closer: "Don't you believe me?"

"I do."

Shen Juanjuan leaned in even closer: "Then smell it, there's still soap scent."

Chu Ya turned his head, still looking forward, but quickly kissed Shen Juanjuan on the cheek and said: "Sure enough, you did wash, and you smell great."

Although Shen Juanjuan and Chu Ya were already very close, such a sudden kiss still made his heart race. He fell silent, sitting back and leaning against the seat, smiling.

A moment later, Shen Juanjuan noticed the houses on both sides of the street looked unfamiliar, not the way to the military base. After a closer look, he grabbed Chu Ya's arm, his eyes sparkling.

"Meow!" Shen Juanjuan exclaimed excitedly.

Chu Ya nodded: "Yes, we're going to the helipad."

"Are we flying to Cloud Peak in the aircraft you pilot?" Shen Juanjuan couldn't believe it.

"We're flying in the aircraft I pilot, but we can't go to Cloud Peak. We have to land after crossing the sea." Chu Ya emphasized: "The 01 aircraft."

Shen Juanjuan clasped his hands together, breathing heavily, then punched the seat: "Huh!" Turning around, his face flushed red as he told the Teddy Bear: "Did you hear that? We're going to ride in the aircraft piloted by Brother! We're riding the 01!"

"Ao ao ao ao ao ao ao!" The Teddy Bear also shouted excitedly.

Chu Ya added: "Quantum beasts need to return to the mental domain until we reach our destination."

The Teddy Bear was incredulous: "Ao?"

Chu Ya explained: "This is a rule set by the military. If everyone's quantum beasts appeared in the cabin, what would happen if one needed to move a lever or another needed to press a bomb release button? Quantum beasts are heroes of the land and sea, but the air isn't where they can show their full strength. They should rest and conserve energy, ready to perform when we reach our destination."

The Teddy Bear was unhappy, looking out the window sullenly but not causing trouble. The silver wolf, knowing the rules, comforted it by touching its head.

At the entrance to the helipad, the silver wolf returned to Chu Ya's mental domain on its own, and the Teddy Bear also disappeared from the car with a sad face.

As soon as Shen Juanjuan got out of the car, he saw Yun Tuo and Chairman Xiao standing at the entrance.

"Brother Yun Tuo, Chairman Xiao," he exclaimed excitedly, taking a step forward and pointing at them with two fingers: "Yay!"

Seeing his reaction, Yun Tuo immediately looked suspiciously at Chu Ya, who nodded: "Yes, he's coming too."

Yun Tuo's face darkened, but before he could speak, Shen Juanjuan had already run over and hugged him: "Brother Yun Tuo, don't say anything. If you don't let me go, I'll find a way to escape Linya City, sail across the sea, climb the snow mountain, and might encounter storms or avalanches, but there's nothing I can do. Everything will be left to fate."

Xiao Rui pointed at him: "You—"

"Even locking me up won't work. I'll go crazy and bang my head against the wall. Wouldn't that make you feel bad? You'd have to let me out."

Xiao Rui retracted his finger and covered his forehead with his hand.

Shen Juanjuan stood between the two, placing a hand on each of their shoulders: "Don't worry, I'll take care of Brother and protect myself. I'll also complete the mission well."

Xiao Rui sighed: "Ah—"

"I'm almost eighteen."

Yun Tuo shook his head: "But—"

"If it were you, you wouldn't let Chairman Xiao go alone, right? I'm Brother's guide, and protecting him is my responsibility. I can't let him go on such a dangerous journey alone." Shen Juanjuan whispered in his ear.

Yun Tuo and Xiao Rui exchanged glances, both hearing the determination in Shen Juanjuan's words. Since Chu Ya had already agreed, opposing him would be futile.

Xiao Rui shook his head, took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, and placed it in Shen Juanjuan's pocket: "Take it for Bao Long."

Shen Juanjuan glanced at Chu Ya, seeing that he did not object, and nodded: "I will give it to him."

Chu Ya had discussed with Xiao Rui and Yun Tuo countless times, considering every detail thoroughly and saying everything that needed to be said, so they only embraced and patted each other on the shoulder.

"If it gets too tough, abandon the mission. We can all think of other ways, but safety must always come first," Yun Tuo reminded Chu Ya.

Chu Ya replied, "Don't worry about us. We'll return safely and complete the mission. Guarding Linya City isn't any easier than what we're doing. Take care of yourselves and get plenty of rest."

"I understand."

Chu Ya led Shen Juanjuan into the landing field. Shen Juanjuan waved backward at the two men, exuding confidence: "Don't worry, I'm the Beacon Guide. What is a Beacon Guide? It means everything will be bright. Not only will the Beacon Guide Shen Juanjuan complete the mission, but I'll also bring back some good wine from Cloud Peak for Chairman Xiao."

"Alright, Beacon Guide, I'll be waiting for your wine," Xiao Rui said.

Shen Juanjuan was led by Chu Ya toward the 01 aircraft. From a distance, he could already see a group of people standing below the aircraft.

As they got closer, he recognized familiar faces like Zhao Xiaozhuang, Liu Zhen, and Wang Chengcai among the crowd.

But he didn't expect to see Lin Duozhi as well.

The two exchanged glances for just a few seconds, during which they conveyed their surprise, joy, and the intention to catch up later through their eyes.

When Shen Juanjuan approached, a fully enclosed armored vehicle arrived from the other end. Several armed escort soldiers jumped off the vehicle and handed a briefcase to Chu Ya. Shen Juanjuan knew without asking that the briefcase contained the documents for treating black sore disease.

Seeing everyone gathered, Chu Ya said, "Let's go."

The assembled team dispersed, and Shen Juanjuan hurriedly pulled Lin Duozhi aside, whispering, "You came too?"

Lin Duozhi's eyes were red, clearly having cried, but he only nodded and whispered back, "I'm really worried about my brother. He has been obsessed with revenge these past years, and I fear he might lose control once we reach Cloud Peak. I insisted on coming to keep an eye on him. My brother couldn't refuse me, so he brought me along. I just don't know if Brother Chu Ya will let me stay."

"He will. He saw you but didn't call your name, and even let you board the aircraft. That means he's agreed. Besides, their action team was short a guide, and now that I'm here, he can't send you away without sending me too."

"Juanjuan, you're really my lucky charm," Lin Duozhi said with red eyes.

"Then smile for me, let me touch your dimples."

"Hehe..."

"Hahaha, good boy."

Wang Chengcai walked at the back of the group, somewhat hesitantly addressing Chu Ya, "Brother Chu Ya, my brother insisted on coming, and I couldn't do anything about it..."

"Alright, I got it." Chu Ya pointed to the spiral staircase, "Go on, get up."

Wang Chengcai was taken aback.

He had expected Chu Ya to refuse, which would have given him a legitimate reason to call Lin Duozhi off the aircraft, but he hadn't anticipated such a quick agreement.

Feeling stifled, he looked at the aircraft entrance and saw Lin Duozhi nervously watching this side. He immediately frowned and pointed at him, but before he could speak, Lin Duozhi darted into the cabin.

Everyone followed the spiral staircase into the aircraft. At the cabin door, a soldier handed each person entering a gear bag and a clothing bag. Shen Juanjuan took his bag and asked Liu Zhen beside him, "Sis, does Liu Sijin know you're coming?"

"So what if she knows?" Liu Zhen glanced at him and Lin Duozhi, "Who spoils you like Brothers Chu Ya and Wang Chengcai? If you were my brother—"

"I know, I know, you'd hang us from the rafters and whip us," Shen Juanjuan laughed.

"Not both of you, just you," Liu Zhen pinched Shen Juanjuan's ear and shook it, adding, "Lin Duozhi is much better behaved; he only needs one day of detention."

"Thank you, sis," Lin Duozhi said, feeling honored.

Shen Juanjuan, whose ear was being tugged by Liu Zhen, dared not struggle, only rolling his eyes at Lin Duozhi, "Tsk tsk tsk, you're so happy about one day of detention. You really have no limits."

Chu Ya entered the cabin, placed the briefcase, and then took his gear bag and clothing bag, checking his watch, "We have ten minutes until takeoff. Get dressed quickly."

"Yes, sir."