Chapter 18 His Exclusive Guide

Chapter 18 His Exclusive Guide

Fu Zhangzhou’s eyelashes fluttered, his gaze now holding a hint of unreadable amusement.

“We’re purifying. Why can’t you just focus on me?”

Fang Ran knew he was right and guiltily averted his eyes, yet couldn’t help but retort, “This doesn’t violate purification protocols…”

“Fang Ran.”

“I’m getting impatient.”

The Sentinel suddenly leaned in.

The distance between them instantly shrank to mere inches.

Shadow fell across Fang Ran’s face, so close he could feel the warmth of the other’s breath.

He instinctively wanted to retreat, but realized the door was right behind him.

He was trapped.

The man before him fixed him with that deep, penetrating gaze again. “Fang Ran, you’re different.”

“With you, I always want to purify more.”

Fu Zhangzhou’s voice grew increasingly alluring, and Fang Ran found it overwhelming.

This man was truly dangerous.

He lowered his head slightly, his eyes cast down.

He refused to look at the person in front of him.

Fu Zhangzhou’s lips curved into a smile. He gently leaned closer to Fang Ran’s head, and the fresh orange scent lingering between them intensified.

Meanwhile, the chatter on the other side of the door grew louder.

The Sentinel tilted his head slightly, glancing at the door.

Fang Ran, with his head bowed, didn’t notice his unusual behavior. He just kept pondering Fu Zhangzhou’s words.

Different?

This person never explained it clearly last time—why does he always say I’m different from others?

Could it be that his Omega traits had been discovered?

That’s impossible!

Fu Zhangzhou wasn’t an Alpha.

“Exactly how am I different?” he finally asked aloud.

But Fu Zhangzhou didn’t answer. His eyes flickered slightly, as if reminding him, “Fang Ran, you’re losing focus again. This will reduce purification efficiency.”

The Sentinel’s smile grew increasingly mysterious and unfathomable. “I have a better method.”

A better method?

Fang Ran looked up at him, confused.

The moment their eyes met, Fang Ran felt captivated once more.

His vision suddenly blurred, and all he could clearly see were the Sentinel’s smiling eyes.

Those dark, shimmering eyes seemed to pierce his soul, holding him captive within their gaze.

Fu Zhangzhou slowly lowered his head.

His free hand gently cupped the back of Fang Ran’s neck.

Then, quite naturally, he kissed him.

…

On the other side of the door.

Jin Ming was being interviewed by the media.

He appeared relaxed, answering each increasingly sharp question with composure and calm.

Many quietly praised Jin Ming’s poised demeanor—truly befitting someone who firmly held the position of District 4 Commander.

But few knew that beneath his calm exterior, he was actually feeling quite anxious.

Just before taking the stage, he had received news that that damned Fu Zhangzhou had escaped from the basement again!

Although the guy had been in the basement these past few days, he flat-out refused forced purification. His Corruption Value had been hovering near critical levels—just thinking about it gave Jin Ming a headache!

But the flashbulbs before him never ceased. He would have to wait until after the press conference to deal with that problem case.

“Director Jin Ming!”

“Director Jin, over here!”

“Is it true that the recent JK-12 clean-up operation was problematic and that casualties were more severe than before?”

“Outside critics allege that the center’s Sentinels have shown diminished response capability. How do you respond to this?”

“Rumors say Fu Zhangzhou has been refusing purification and lost control after this operation. Does the center have any statement?”

Jin Ming made a gesture, signaling the incessantly questioning reporters to quiet down.

Dealing with unpredictable Sentinels on a daily basis was exhausting enough, and now, after a major clean-up operation, he had to handle these media types fishing for rumors as well.

Since a Sentinel of Fu Zhangzhou’s caliber was assigned to District 4, it had attracted all sorts of attention.

As a result, major media outlets had been keeping close tabs on District 4’s movements over the past few years.

Now, the Guardians were pressing closer, deploying their elite Team A in District 4, clearly looking to challenge them.

All Jin Ming could do was tightly maintain the center’s public image.

He cleared his throat, then slowly said:

“Regarding this clean-up operation, we will release a detailed report later.”

“The claim about severe casualties is utterly baseless.”

“As for Sentinel Fu Zhangzhou, all I can say is we appreciate the concern. He has always been cooperative with the center’s purification work.”

The official statements clearly failed to satisfy the demanding media.

Someone immediately raised their hand to ask a question.

“But photos were taken of him with red pupils after the mission.”

“Yes, it has already sparked major discussion online today.”

“Can Sentinel Fu Zhangzhou appear personally to respond?”

As soon as this question was raised, other media outlets chimed in, “Please let Sentinel Fu Zhangzhou respond personally!”

Amid the clamor and pressing questions, Jin Ming’s lip twitched involuntarily.

Leaving aside where that guy was right now…

Besides, a near-rampaging Class S Sentinel—you might dare to interview him, but I wouldn’t dare to release him.

He scanned the eager press corps, maintaining his composed demeanor.

“Sentinel Fu Zhangzhou always values his privacy. Please do not circulate his photos without permission.”

“As for the claims about him losing control—”

Before he could finish, a large door beside the media area was suddenly pushed open.

A tall Sentinel appeared in the doorway, embracing a Guide.

The media present hadn’t yet processed the situation, but their keen news instincts immediately made them turn their cameras toward the pair.

In an instant, the flashes and shutter clicks of cameras erupted one after another.

Only then did the dazed Fang Ran snap out of it.

He’d been set up!

He quickly reached out, covering Fu Zhangzhou’s mouth with one hand and bracing his other arm against his chest, trying to put as much distance between them as possible.

In his panic, his cheeks flushed slightly, and he even forgot about purification.

Fu Zhangzhou didn’t mind, simply sliding an arm around Fang Ran’s waist, holding him firmly in place, preventing any escape.

And so, the two faced the media’s lenses head-on.

By now, sharp-eyed individuals had already recognized the Sentinel.

“Sentinel Fu Zhangzhou?”

“Is this Sentinel Fu Zhangzhou?”

Fu Zhangzhou didn’t speak, merely smiling as he looked down at the Guide in his arms.

Fang Ran was utterly mortified and glared at him fiercely.

This man was absolutely insane!

Not far away, Jin Ming’s mind was racing—who could explain why this near-rampaging guy had suddenly appeared here with a Guide?

But…

Fu Zhangzhou’s eye color seemed to have lightened.

Had he returned to normal?

Years of professional training allowed Jin Ming to react immediately.

“As you can all see, Sentinel Fu Zhangzhou has not lost control.”

“He has been actively undergoing purification treatments at the center.”

“The one standing beside him is his exclusive Guide.”

“Fang Ran.”