Chapter 106 Someone Wants to See You

Chapter 106 Someone Wants to See You

The captain, seeing them getting cozy again, shook his head helplessly, took the hint, and left.

The four then left the training ground, intending to find a place for an emergency purification.

There weren’t many people on the top floor at the moment, and with plenty of quiet corners in the garden ahead, they headed in that direction.

Fang Ran thought for a moment and, after finding a secluded spot, shared his thoughts with the other three.

"What?" Zhong Wan exclaimed, eyes wide with surprise. "You’re saying Zhao Hengming and that frenzied Sentinel earlier were both test subjects from the institute?"

"No wonder... But why was Zhao Hengming’s condition so much worse than that Fire Sentinel’s?"

"One probably succeeded, and the other didn’t," Fang Ran speculated. "I guess people react differently to the drugs, which is why the institute is mass-recruiting Sentinels from various districts. I suspect the Guide and his Sentinel sitting next to me earlier also came to District 5 for this reason."

"There have indeed been rumors like this circulating," Lu Wenchuan added. "When I was in District 8, I also heard about Sentinels who transferred to District 5 and then suddenly went radio silent."

"So Hua Yan is likely involved in this, right?" Zhong Wan asked. "After all, they’ve always had a deep partnership with the institute."

He said anxiously, "Then... could Hua Yan's meds sold on the market also be problematic? A Chuan, you haven’t used any of their medications before, have you?"

Lu Wenchuan quickly shook his head and patted his back reassuringly.

Fang Ran also paused at that.

Right.

Could there be problems?

He recalled that missing dose during his suspected heat last time.

Fu Zhangzhou had left in a hurry back then, and he never specifically asked about it afterward, almost forgetting the matter entirely.

Should he... get some answers from his Sentinel now?

Fu Zhangzhou, noticing Fang Ran’s probing look, suddenly smiled.

"Fang Ran, what's with the panic? I’ve never used any of Hua Yan’s meds." He leaned close to Fang Ran’s ear, lowering his voice. "As a Guide, you wouldn’t secretly buy Sentinel-grade stuff, would you?"

"......"

Fang Ran was taken aback, catching his drift.

He took Fu Zhangzhou’s hand and said to Zhong Wan, "We’ll go over there to purify. Let’s talk later." He pointed to a bench tucked into the bushes not far away.

"Okay," Zhong Wan nodded.

Fang Ran then pulled the Sentinel toward the bench.

Fu Zhangzhou let himself be led to the bench, grinning the whole way.

The bench was surrounded by a thicket of blooming shrubs, with hydrangeas of various colors forming intricate patterns and vying for attention, interspersed with clusters of white jasmine, making quite a beautiful scene.

As they approached, the rich fragrance of white flowers wafted toward them.

Fu Zhangzhou seemed to be in good spirits. As soon as he sat down, he threw his arm along the back of the bench and leaned in close.

The two were extremely close. Fang Ran looked up at him for a moment before speaking. "Fu Zhangzhou, before we purify, I have a few questions for you."

"Ask away," the Sentinel replied with a smile.

Fang Ran chose his words carefully. "Last time at the apartment, I had a fever."

"Mhm," the Sentinel nodded slightly, urging him on.

"That night... did I say anything strange? Or... did you find anything unusual in my apartment?"

"What do you mean by 'strange'? What counts as 'unusual'?" The Sentinel’s voice was low, his gaze meaningful. "Fang Ran, you need to be clearer."

"You’re trying to pump me for info while being all cryptic yourself. That’s not playing fair," Fu Zhangzhou said, curling his lips into another smile.

This guy definitely knew something.

Fang Ran’s eyes flickered, and he steeled himself.

"That night, you helped bring my fever down, right? Did I say anything you found hard to understand? Did you see... the medication I prepared for myself?"

The Sentinel gave a soft laugh and leaned even closer, their bodies almost pressed together now.

"What medication?"

Warm breath brushed against Fang Ran’s neck. Fang Ran instinctively shrank back, not sure if it was nerves or guilt.

But the Sentinel had no intention of backing off, continuing to close the distance, his gaze fixed intently on Fang Ran, even turning more intense than before.

"Was it a purification dose for Sentinels? The kind that isn’t even on the market yet?"

So it was him! He was the one who took the medication!

"Fu Zhangzhou, why... did you take my medication?"

"Because I’ve known for a long time that Hua Yan Pharma has issues," Fu Zhangzhou said flatly. "How could I let you use something so dangerous?"

"But..." Fang Ran suddenly trailed off.

But if that was the case, how did he manage to make it through that heat cycle?

He tried to piece together the events of that night and slowly asked,

"Aren’t you curious... why I went through the trouble of finding the Free Sentinels to get that Hua Yan dose?"

Fu Zhangzhou, seeing Fang Ran’s wide-eyed surprise and slightly flustered expression, couldn’t help but laugh.

He was as adorable as a startled kitten, even stirring up some... inappropriate ideas.

His Guide was truly adorable and beautiful—he ought to be kept all to himself.

"Of course I’m curious."

"Fang Ran, I want to know everything about you."

He tilted his head, the possessiveness in his eyes flaring up even more.

Because you’re mine.

The Sentinel played it cool, eyes half-lidded as he added,

"That night, you told me a secret."

"A secret?"

Fang Ran grew agitated, grabbing Fu Zhangzhou by the collar. "Did I tell you a secret?"

"Yes," the Sentinel nodded, his voice soft yet deliberately drawn out, with a meaningful undertone.

"Don’t you remember?"

*Of course I don’t remember.*

Fang Ran thought indignantly to himself.

If I knew, why would I be asking you?

He truly had no memory of that night, except for... that hazy fragment.

The Sentinel under the moonlight, seriously confessing to him.

But even in those fragmented memories, he hadn’t told Fu Zhangzhou any secrets...

Had he said something else before?

"Fu Zhangzhou, can you... tell me what that secret was?"

"Sure," the Sentinel nodded, replying readily. "But I have one condition."

He cheekily pointed to the corner of his mouth, making his hint quite obvious.

This guy really... never learns.

Fang Ran scanned the area.

Although there weren’t many people on the rooftop, that didn’t mean it was empty. Besides, Zhong Wan and Lu Wenchuan were sitting nearby and could easily see what was happening if they looked up.

He looked away, only to meet the Sentinel’s knowing eyes again.

"Don’t you really want to know?"

"..."

It seemed like this guy had him completely figured out...

Just as he hesitated, his wrist terminal buzzed, showing a notification.

Fang Ran looked down.

Fang Liyu?

"Fang Ran, I’m back. Are you free this afternoon? Someone wants to see you."