Chapter 134 Don’t Harm Me!

Chapter 134: Don't You Dare Harm Me!

As they passed through the wooden cabin's main hall, they found it bustling with noise, far livelier than before.

"People from other districts must be arriving," Lu Wenbai remarked. "And there seem to be more individuals from other factions as well."

Zhong Wan asked, a hint of confusion in his voice, "Is the Alliance government really responding this quickly?"

Fang Ran replied, "Perhaps they gained experience from handling the previous outbreak along District 4's coastline. Sister Fang did mention in the car that the Central Office upgraded the mission's priority level."

He scanned the hall, noticing that not only had reinforcement sentinels from their nearby District 4 arrived, but there were also quite a few people from Districts 6 and 7.

But these two safe zones were considerably farther away. Could it be that these individuals had set out much earlier?

Yet, this outbreak had only just occurred.

Just then, Lu Wenbai addressed the two of them:

"Guides, it's crowded here. Shall we head to the lounge first? I'm afraid Sister Fang might worry if she can't find us."

"Wait," Zhong Wan glanced at him. "Sentinel Lu Wenbai, you go back to the lounge first. I have something... I need to discuss privately with Fang Ran."

"But..." Lu Wenbai hesitated, fearing they might suddenly disappear again, putting his own life at risk.

"It's fine, we'll just stand in the hallway right outside the lounge," Fang Ran reassured him. "It's safe here. We'll go in shortly."

"Alright then, I'll go back and let Sister Fang know." Though still somewhat hesitant, Lu Wenbai turned and entered the lounge first.

Once he was gone, Zhong Wan pulled Fang Ran to the very end of the hallway.

He lowered his gaze, his expression a mix of conflict and struggle.

"Fang Ran, I... need to tell you something."

"Mm." Fang Ran nodded. "Zhong Wan, what's wrong with you? Why have you looked like this ever since you came out of the private lounge? Did something happen earlier?"

"Something... did happen."

"Why are you being so wishy-washy? This isn't like you," Fang Ran pressed. "Does it have something to do with Lu Wenchuan?"

"Yes..." Zhong Wan sighed, as if still gathering his thoughts.

"I actually overheard everything."

"Huh?" Zhong Wan looked up, startled. "You heard everything?"

Fang Ran smiled and continued, "The soundproofing in that room is absolutely terrible. Only you two would believe anything that madman Fu Zhangzhou says."

Zhong Wan's face instantly flushed even redder. "So you..."

"Not everything, but most of it."

As Fang Ran spoke, he suddenly recalled the scene.

He hadn't even been able to keep listening. That guy Fu Zhangzhou was actually laughing, even...

"Hey!"

Zhong Wan suddenly exclaimed, interrupting Fang Ran’s thoughts.

He covered his face with his hands. "I'm too ashamed to show my face now."

Fang Ran patted his shoulder, unsure how to comfort him, and blurted out, "It's fine. After all, we're... not outsiders. Everything has a first time. Just let it happen naturally."

"......"

Zhong Wan sighed again. "Ugh, the reason I'm so flustered right now is because of... the mark."

"The mark?" Fang Ran paused, but quickly understood. "You mean... the mark between a sentinel and a guide?"

Zhong Wan raised an eyebrow and countered, "Are there any other kinds of marks?"

Fang Ran instinctively touched the medical tape on the back of his neck.

There actually were, but he couldn’t say it.

"Fang Ran," Zhong Wan's expression grew troubled again. "Lu Wenchuan and I... it happened."

"It happened?" Fang Ran was stunned for a few seconds before comprehension dawned. "You didn't... form a mark with Lu Wenchuan, did you?"

"Shh~"

Zhong Wan made a shushing gesture and glanced around. "Don't let anyone hear. I don't want anyone to know yet."

"No way?" Fang Ran looked shocked. "You formed a mark on the first try? Isn't the probability really low? Your compatibility isn't particularly high either, is it?"

"No wonder. Earlier, I noticed Lu Wenchuan also seemed out of it. You two... must have been bewildered, right?"

Zhong Wan nodded. "I looked it up just now. The chance of forming a mark on the first try is only 0.05%."

"A Chuan is actually happier than I am, even though it's not according to procedure. For sentinels of his rank, normally they'd have to sign contracts and report to superiors first."

"I don't know if the Central Office will penalize us..."

He glanced at Fang Ran somewhat helplessly and said, "Blame your Fu Zhangzhou for this. Always filling A Chuan's head with nonsense. I never thought... he would..."

From Zhong Wan's expression, Fang Ran could tell he was completely unprepared.

Though he spoke casually, when it actually happened, he still felt at a loss. After all, given the timing and place, he hadn't mentally processed it yet. Fang Ran could only try to distract him by changing the subject.

"Zhong Wan, what does it feel like to successfully form a mark?"

"It's hard to describe..." Zhong Wan lowered his head, his face reddening slightly. "It's a very mysterious feeling, like two lives are bound together. Honestly, I'm still in a daze and can't fully confirm... if the mark really took hold."

Fang Ran thought for a moment. "Do you want to find someone to confirm it?"

Zhong Wan was taken aback. "Find someone to confirm it?"

"Mm." Fang Ran nodded. "After being marked, aren't you only supposed to receive purification from the sentinel who marked you? Find an acquaintance to test it. If the purification fails, then it means the mark was successful."

"But who can we ask?"

...

Fang Ran and Zhong Wan walked into the lounge.

Fang Liyu hadn't returned yet. Shen Ke was still sprawled in the corner. Lu Wenbai, a sentinel, sat conspicuously among a group of guides.

Fang Ran and Zhong Wan exchanged a glance and walked over together.

"Sentinel Lu Wenbai," Zhong Wan sat beside him and handed over a nutrient pack. "Are you... tired?"

"Thank you." Lu Wenbai took the pack and shook his head. "I'm not tired. After all, I wasn't on the scene today."

Fang Ran then sat down on Lu Wenbai's other side. "Then... do you need a purification?"

Lu Wenbai was taken aback. "Why are you two asking this?"

Fang Ran offered a friendly smile. "We thought, since we have nothing better to do, why not give you a purification?"

"Huh...?"

Lu Wenbai looked at them both, utterly bewildered.

Is this a trap?

If I nod in agreement, will my older cousin and that 3S-level guy jump out and beat me up?

Don't you dare harm me!