Chapter 123 This Person Is Too Mysterious

Chapter 123 This Person Is Too Mysterious

27th Floor, Zone 5 Staff Cafeteria.

Fang Ran and Zhong Wan sat facing each other at a table in the dining area, both waiting for their respective Sentinels to bring over breakfast.

Since waking up, Fang Ran had noticed Zhong Wan looking at him strangely—with a meaningful look, as if wanting to say something but holding back.

Fang Ran already felt as though his body ached all over, and now, under that gaze, he grew even more uneasy, fidgety.

Could it be... that he had figured something out?

After a moment's thought, he decided to ask directly.

"Zhong Wan, why... have you been looking at me like that?"

"I saw everything."

"Huh?"

Fang Ran froze, instinctively pulling the collar of his uniform higher. "See what?"

Zhong Wan rested his chin in his hand, smirking at him.

"This morning, you took the dog into the bathroom."

"The bathroom?"

That's it?

Fang Ran sighed inwardly.

"Its fur was too dirty, like someone had stepped on it... I couldn’t stand it, so I gave it a quick wash."

"Really?" Zhong Wan raised an eyebrow.

"Really." Though feeling slightly guilty, Fang Ran held his stare. "What, did you think I showered with it?"

Seeing how stubborn he was, Zhong Wan pushed further, unwilling to let it go. "Then why were you sleeping with *his* clothes? Fang Ran, is there... something you haven’t told me?"

He used "his," but both of them knew exactly who "he" referred to.

Fang Ran held his gaze for a few seconds before suddenly letting out an awkward laugh.

"That’s just my... personal, somewhat unusual preference."

"What kind of preference?"

The one who spoke wasn’t Zhong Wan, but Fu Zhangzhou.

He and Lu Wenchuan were carrying trays and had just arrived at the table, sitting down naturally beside their respective Guides.

As soon as he sat down, Fu Zhangzhou leaned closer to Fang Ran and asked, "What preference are we talking about? You seem so happy."

"We were discussing Fang Ran’s unusual preferences."

Zhong Wan glanced at them and, thinking they were all close, decided to tease him further.

"He likes giving his Spiritual Body baths and enjoys sleeping while hugging his Sentinel’s uniform."

"Sounds good." Lu Wenchuan, seated beside him, suddenly cut in.

Zhong Wan stiffened noticeably, then turned to look at his Sentinel in surprise.

Lu Wenchuan looked back at him and said, "Don’t always just brush its fur—an occasional bath is good too. As for the uniform... I can give you mine."

The Ice Sentinel said these risqué remarks deadpan, making Zhong Wan turn bright red.

Watching their interaction, Fang Ran burst out laughing.

Perhaps he laughed a bit too hard—a twinge of pain shot through his lower back, and he shifted in his seat.

The chairs in this dining area were still a bit too hard.

The moment he moved, a large hand came to rest gently on his waist.

Under the table, Fu Zhangzhou’s palm was rubbing him gently, while his other hand naturally set out the food on the table.

"Have some millet porridge—it’s light and nutritious."

The Sentinel’s eyes twinkled, and even the corners of his mouth held a soft smile.

His body temperature was high, and his touch was just right, effectively soothing the soreness in Fang Ran’s lower back, so Fang Ran didn’t shy away.

Seeing that he wasn’t resisting, Fu Zhangzhou bent closer, whispering in his ear, "Feeling better now?"

Fang Ran gave him a sidelong glance, then silently turned away, staring at the food in front of him without a word.

Now he knows how to be gentle.

But yesterday...

He had almost given him a heart attack, which was why he’d ended up banning the dog from sleeping on the bed...

The four of them made small talk while slowly enjoying their breakfast.

Just then, footsteps approached from behind.

Fang Liyu, holding a tray, came up to their table with another person.

"You’re all here," Fang Liyu said with a smile.

"Sister Fang."

"Sister Fang, good morning."

Fang Ran and Zhong Wan greeted her but faltered when they saw the person beside her.

They shared a look.

Shen Ke?

Shen Ke smiled at the group. "Everyone, long time no see."

Fang Ran nodded at him. "Shen Ke."

Fang Liyu spoke up, "Do you mind if we sit here?"

"Not at all." Zhong Wan shook his head.

They were currently seated at a four-person table, with empty spots nearby, separated by an aisle at a moderate distance—close enough for conversation to be heard.

Fang Ran and Shen Ke sat down.

"Sister Fang, how did you end up coming to the staff cafeteria with Guide Shen Ke?" Zhong Wan asked curiously.

Fang Liyu set down the coffee she had just sipped and replied, "This morning, I went to check on Guide Shen Ke's condition and noticed his condition had improved quite a bit, so I invited him out for a walk. After all, he’s been staying in the medical ward for so many days."

"Ah?" Zhong Wan said in surprise. "He’s been in the medical room all this time?"

"Yes," Shen Ke smiled at him. "Perhaps the impact last time... was quite severe. My mental state hasn’t been great these past few days."

While he was speaking, Fang Ran had been observing his expression closely.

This person’s vitality did seem weaker than before—his face was somewhat pale, and his voice lacked strength.

Could it be that he was genuinely injured, not avoiding them?

"The medical team said Guide Shen Ke’s Spiritual Sea was damaged this time," Fang Liyu explained. "During the chaos in the rooftop garden, the marauder who kicked him away must have been a very strong S-class Spiritual Sentinel."

"Damage to the Spiritual Sea?" Zhong Wan said in shock. "That’s very serious. The slightest misstep could..."

Could result in a drop in his rank.

He didn’t finish the sentence but glanced at Fang Ran instead.

Fang Ran caught his gaze and nodded slightly.

"Guide Shen Ke, in that critical moment, you pushed Zhong Wan and me into the elevator, indirectly saving both of us. Thank you."

Fang Ran had originally intended to ask privately, but Shen Ke was too mysterious.

He wasn’t entirely sure and didn’t want to be alone with this person. Since everyone present was trustworthy, he decided to ask naturally.

Shen Ke smiled. "Maybe it was a sixth sense. I sensed that group was extremely vicious and powerful. You two... are tied to District 4’s two most important Sentinels, so in the heat of the moment, I acted on instinct."

His words sounded polished and plausible, not flawless but still reasonable.

Fang Ran frowned. "But... you could have gotten into the elevator with us at the time. Why did you choose to stay outside?"

Shen Ke hadn’t expected such directness and paused before saying, "I... I was worried about Guide Wen Qi at the time."

"Ever since... we were rescued together, we... became friends."

He sighed, his face clouded with worry. "I’ve been very concerned since Guide Wen Qi was taken, so my state hasn’t been the best either."

His expression seemed sincere and didn’t appear fake.

But Fang Ran remembered what Zhong Wan had said—Shen Ke must know more than he’s letting on, so his words couldn’t be fully trusted.

Since he mentioned being rescued together, that meant Wen Qi was the one rescued with him from the mutant plant.

Although he had guessed it earlier, it was only now confirmed.

In other words, Wen Qi was someone who came out of nowhere, with no background. Perhaps due to his high rank or by finding an excuse to gain the trust of Central Command, he was not only recruited into the center but also posted to District 4.

But if Shen Ke was aware of how things were supposed to unfold, then Wen Qi was essentially usurping his destiny. And now he kept claiming they were friends.

There must be something off here.