Chapter 67 The Weather Is About to Change

Chapter 67: A Storm Is Brewing

"98.99%"

Fang Ran stared at the number for a long time, speechless.

His emotions were a tangled knot.

He wasn't sure whether to be astonished or relieved.

Relieved… that the compatibility rate had halted just shy of 99%.

He glanced above the digits.

The ID above the compatibility rate was "279."

It was unsettling.

Why had such a highly compatible Sentry suddenly appeared?

If he recalled correctly, the highest compatibility rate before this belonged to the original host's ex-boyfriend.

But even that was only around 89%.

Who exactly was this Sentry 279?

Could they be a new recruit?

"Guide Fang Ran," Zhang Yi, standing beside him, suddenly spoke. "The test is complete."

"Since you've just joined the center, you'll need to undergo a few more tests. This will facilitate your work in the future."

Zhang Yi smiled. "You'll receive another notification after some time. We'll meet again then."

"Alright."

Fang Ran nodded, rose, and exited the testing room.

The data had been synchronized to the terminal in real time.

Fang Ran lowered his head and opened the compatibility rate interface.

Sentry 279 was already displayed in the top position.

"2. Sentry 748, 89.51%"

"3. Sentry 457, 86.44%"

......

It wasn't until he scrolled to the third page that he found the name he was looking for.

"36. Sentry 97, 77.6%"

Fang Ran's gaze flickered.

If this person were to discover this match…

How would they react?

Compatibility rates were considered private between Sentries and Guides.

As long as he kept silent, almost no one would know…

He walked forward with his head down, not noticing a figure striding briskly toward him, nearly colliding with them.

"Sorry."

Fang Ran looked up.

His eyes met the other person's, and his steps halted abruptly.

Zhao Fan?

Fang Ran had almost entirely forgotten about this person and hadn't expected to encounter him here again.

He was also wearing the headquarters' dark blue uniform, indicating he had apparently been transferred to the headquarters as well.

Zhao Fan’s gaze swept over Fang Ran, clearly recognizing him.

However, he said nothing, nor did he pause. He simply walked past Fang Ran and entered the compatibility testing room.

"Fang Ran!"

Fang Ran averted his gaze and turned to find Zhong Wan and Lu Wenchuan approaching him.

"Zhong Wan, have you finished your test?"

Zhong Wan shook his head dejectedly. "It was going fine, but the machine broke down just when it was the group before mine."

"Such a large headquarters, and they only have one machine for this test."

"Probably deliberate."

Lu Wenchuan stood behind him, gently squeezing his hand to comfort him:

"It’ll be fixed in a few days, no hurry."

Just then, Fang Ran’s terminal vibrated. He looked down and saw that he had also received a notification about the test being postponed.

"In that case, perhaps we should head back first?"

"Wait."

Fang Ran froze.

A cold gaze swept over him from behind.

He shivered instinctively.

Lu Wenshan emerged from the testing room with several Sentries.

He approached Fang Ran, glanced at him again, and then addressed Lu Wenchuan:

"We need to talk."

......

"What do you think they're talking about?" Fang Ran asked.

"Who knows," Zhong Wan shook his head. "The Lu family is a prominent clan in the Eighth Safety Zone. His brother is the next family head, usually even more strict and conventional than Lu Wenchuan."

The two of them were now seated at a small round table, holding coffee cups and observing another corner of the café.

Lu Wenshan and Lu Wenchuan.

Two S-class Ice Sentries sat facing each other across the table, their presence as chilling as an advancing frost. The glass wall beside them seemed to fog over from their icy aura.

Both sat rigidly upright, their eyes fixed straight ahead.

At this hour, the café was already sparsely populated, and no one dared to occupy the round tables near them.

What was once a cozy corner of the café had abruptly transformed into a "no-go" zone.

Earlier, when Lu Wenshan proposed discussing matters with Lu Wenchuan, the latter had refused outright.

He said coldly, "I need to watch over them."

Lu Wenshan had glanced at Fang Ran and the others a few times, and the atmosphere grew tense. Eventually, Zhong Wan suggested coming to this café—after all, they were still in the same space, so there was no actual danger.

"I heard… their family has very strict rules," Zhong Wan suddenly added. "They probably don’t approve of my relationship with Lu Wenchuan."

Fang Ran asked him, "Aren’t you afraid?"

Zhong Wan smiled. "Why would I be afraid? I just need to trust him."

Fang Ran nodded.

Seeing his friend’s smile, he felt a pang of emotion.

Yes.

Just trust each other.

In this world, Sentries and Guides were, after all, the closest partners.

Between him and Fu Changzhou… they also needed more honesty and trust.

Thinking this, he lowered his head and sent the match report he’d just received to Fu Changzhou.

He replied quickly.

"????????"

Before Fang Ran could type a response, he received an incoming call.

Should he answer?

He glanced at Zhong Wan beside him.

Maybe he should step outside.

But just as he started to stand up, Zhong Wan touched his arm.

"Fang Ran, look who it is!"

His hand slipped, and the call ended.

"......"

"Fang Ran, what’s wrong?" Zhong Wan asked, noticing he was looking down.

"Nothing."

Fang Ran shook his head.

He’d explain to him later.

"Who did you see?"

"It’s Sister Lu Tang!" Zhong Wan was waving to someone outside.

The café’s exterior wall was entirely made of full-length glass.

Fang Ran turned to follow his gaze.

Lu Tang, her blonde hair gleaming, smiled as she pushed the door open.

"Both of you are here!"

She approached them and sat down.

"Fang Ran, you came to the headquarters and didn’t even tell me!" She patted Fang Ran’s shoulder. "Even though you rejected my offer, we’re still friends, you know."

Fang Ran smiled. "Sister Lu Tang, I only arrived yesterday."

Beside him, Zhong Wan gave a light laugh.

"Sister Lu Tang, just give up. You can’t snag him."

"Why…" Lu Tang was about to ask more when her gaze fixed on another corner.

"Am I imagining things?" She looked astonished.

"Lu Wenchuan is one thing, but why is even Lu Wenshan, that major ice block, here?"

"Am I dreaming?"

"He’s already a Sentry in District 4 now," Zhong Wan replied.

"What!?"

Lu Tang half-closed her eyes, resting her chin in her hand as if deep in thought.

"Could that rumor be true?"

"What rumor?" Zhong Wan asked curiously.

Lu Tang lifted her head and spoke slowly, "In District 8 these past few years, seismic activity has been increasingly frequent."

"Although no major disasters have occurred yet, the experts can’t determine whether it’s natural or monster-related."

"On top of that, the climate there is getting colder. Many say District 8 is about to be scrapped."

"If it’s going to be scrapped, of course, there needs to be somewhere to relocate to."

She tapped the table for emphasis. "Tell me, in this Federation, aside from District 12, which district has the largest area?"

"Huh?" Zhong Wan realized. "You mean the Lu family… might be relocating here entirely?"

"Yeah," Lu Tang nodded. "It’s possible."

"Of course, this is just my theory."

"My uncle… he's been well-established in District 8 for many years and isn’t likely to give up his power."

"Ah, well, let's not talk about this anymore." Lu Tang waved her hand dismissively, then said to Zhong Wan with a smile, "Since Fang Ran won’t agree, how about you, kid, come with me to District 2 instead?"

"After all, I’m an A-class, and you’re a B-class—we could get the contract signed tomorrow."

"What’s so great about that icicle Lu Wenchuan? Can he compare to a hot beauty like me?"

Zhong Wan nudged her. "Sis, you’re joking again."

"Hahaha…"

Fang Ran sat to the side, watching the two of them banter, but his eyes flickered toward that icy cold corner.

The Lu family, I wonder?

Fang Liyu had also mentioned that District 4 might be on the verge of major changes.

Are the two connected?