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Chapter 49: Aren’t mountain climbing and falling in love team building?
Due to the large number of people in the crisis management office, team-building activities had to be arranged with different departments pairing up. Bai Xiaoyuan raised an eyebrow as soon as she received the schedule from the office. “Why do we, the Adjustment Department, have to team up with the Criminal Investigation Department?”
“The Criminal Investigation Department has the most people, and the Adjustment Department has the fewest. Together, it’s just right,” her friend smiled. “Teaming up with the Criminal Investigation Department is great. Every year, they get amazing venues, and you know, there are a lot of handsome guys and beautiful girls in the Criminal Investigation Department. Even if you have a boyfriend, you can still enjoy the view.”
Bai Xiaoyuan noticed a box of Fujia lollipops on her friend’s desk.
“I’m breaking up!” She casually grabbed a few and said, “You’re taking advantage of the public for personal gain.”
Friend: “Me? When did I take advantage of the public for personal gain?”
Bai Xiaoyuan: “Not talking about you, talking about the one who gave you the snacks.”
Her friend fell silent, just grinning.
The team-building was scheduled for Saturday, and Xie Zijing, who highly valued holidays, immediately expressed his displeasure, “Not going.”
“You have to go.” Bai Xiaoyuan checked the schedule and said, “Director Gao is joining our two groups, and I asked the office. Although it’s not written in the documents, Director Gao requires everyone to be present.”
The Crisis Management Office had team-building activities twice a year. Bai Xiaoyuan, Tang Cuo, and Qin Ge had experienced it several times and were familiar with the routine. However, Xie Zijing had never participated in such collective activities and was very reluctant. “What about Director Gao? I don’t want to go. Sleeping at home is better than climbing a mountain, right, Qin Ge?”
Qin Ge: “…”
Bai Xiaoyuan: “…So, Qin Ge, you’ve accepted office romance.”
Qin Ge buried his head in the documents, remaining silent.
Tang Cuo, on the other hand, sent a message to Gao Shu: [Your dad is joining us for the team-building. Are you still coming?]
Gao Shu changed Tang Cuo’s contact to a shark icon, and the shark replied quickly: [I’m coming.]
On the day of the team-building, Gao Tianyue stood at the door, blocking Gao Shu from entering the Crisis Management Office.
“Why are you here?” He looked at his son with dissatisfaction. “I didn’t invite you.”
Gao Shu: “I was invited by others. What? Can’t I come?”
Several buses were parked in the Crisis Management Office, and people were almost full. They were watching the drama unfold from the bus windows. Gao Shu knew his father cared a lot about his face, so he confronted him like this. Soon, Gao Tianyue put down his hand, with a dark face, and got on the bus.
Tang Cuo and Xie Zijing were squeezed into two seats, and he introduced Xie Zijing to Gao Shu through the bus window. Gao Shu wanted to sit with him, but it seemed inappropriate. So after exchanging a few words, Gao Shu walked next to his car.
Xie Zijing took a sip of the coffee that Tang Cuo held in his hand. “I’m a sentinel; I can sense the hostility from your coach.”
“Keep the coffee yourself,” Tang Cuo said. “I need to have breakfast too.”
Xie Zijing lowered his head, engrossed in his game. “Wait! It just started; I’ll take it after this round.”
With no place to put the cup, Tang Cuo had no choice but to continue holding it for him. He also felt that the look in Gao Shu’s eyes just now carried a hint of dissatisfaction and hostility, but he didn’t know where the hostility was coming from. The team-building location was in a villa on the outskirts of Beijing, surrounded by dense forests and deep lakes. Tang Cuo started to imagine what it would be like if the massive swordfish shark swam through the trees, completely absorbed in his thoughts. He was so lost in his imagination that he almost spilled the coffee on Xie Zijing.
After a few hours of swaying on the bus, several buses finally arrived at the team-building destination. Qin Ge and Lei Chi sat together, chatting throughout the journey about topics ranging from the heavens to the earth, from the origin of werewolves to the small paws of Bai Xiaoyuan’s sand cat. When the bus stopped, the two had already established a deep revolutionary friendship.
“I’ll help you,” said Qin Ge.
“I’ll do my best to help you within the limits of the rules,” Lei Chi replied.
Qin Ge said, “…Do you have to add so many qualifiers?”
Lei Chi: “Sorry, I’m a rather rigorous person.”
Qin Ge: “Then why did you just say that Bai Xiaoyuan’s sand cat is the cutest spirit body in the entire Crisis Management Office?”
Lei Chi: “It is the cutest; I’m very rigorous.”
Pfft. Qin Ge didn’t believe a single word. Since finding out that Bai Xiaoyuan was single, Lei Chi’s pursuit has significantly intensified. Previously, thinking that Bai Xiaoyuan had a boyfriend, he only dared to show a little affection, but the restrained and shrewd werewolf successfully captured Xie Zijing’s heart. However, Qin Ge now suspects that Lei Chi might fundamentally be a cat enthusiast.
After getting off the bus and assembling, he joined Xie Zijing and informed him about Lei Chi’s behavior.
Xie Shijing: “Bold and decisive, truly my idol.”
Qin Ge: “He’s a cat lover.”
Xie Zijing: “No difference. I’m a rabbit lover.”
Qin Ge burst into laughter. Xie Zijing draped his arm around Qin Ge’s shoulder, quickly kissed the top of his head behind everyone’s back, and smirked, “Should we share a room?”
However, they were assigned to a triple room.
Tang Cuo, who had just put down his luggage, said, “Should I not exist in this space?”
Xie Zijing lay on the bed, sulking, and immediately responded, “Yes.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a panda appeared out of nowhere, landing heavily on his stomach. Xie Zijing screamed and quickly turned over to pin it down, holding the panda’s ears, “Tang Cuo, aren’t you afraid I’ll summon a lion?!”
After saying this, he realized that, in addition to the panda, there was also a long-haired rabbit trembling on the bed.
Qin Ge had also released the rabbit at some point. Xie Zijing opened his hand toward the rabbit, and it immediately kicked its hind legs, leaping into Xie Zijing’s arms.
“Ah, Bunny…” Xie Zijing, forgetting about the panda, grabbed the rabbit and used it as usual to wipe his face.
Tang Cuo, who had been observing, cautiously approached Qin Ge and asked, “I might have seen it wrong just now… but why are the hind legs of this rabbit so long?”
Qin Ge: “Rabbits naturally have long legs, and their legs are particularly strong. Getting kicked by them hurts. But don’t worry, my rabbit won’t kick anyone except for me and Xie Zijing.”
With the rabbit in hand, Xie Zijing ignored the panda, affectionately kissing the rabbit. Sensing the atmosphere wasn’t right, Tang Cuo put away his panda and said, “I’m going to talk to the coach.”
Qin Ge seriously studied the two-day team-building schedule. Soon, Xie Zijing approached him, sitting intimately beside him, and whispered in his ear in an almost inaudible voice, “This place is really nice.”
“Can you speak seriously?”
“It’s just you and me here. What’s not serious about it?” Xie Zijing smiled again, hugged Qin Ge’s waist, and pinched his waist.
He still held the long-haired rabbit in his hand. The rabbit’s claws brushed away the long hair in front of its face and, with two abnormally pure and innocent rabbit eyes, stared at Xie Zijing and Qin Ge, who were getting closer.
Qin Ge: “The rabbit is watching.”
Xie Zijing: “Let it learn.”
The two were halfway through their kiss when Tang Cuo opened the door, “See, right? Our room is not big, but it accommodates three people, but the view…”
Gao Shu was dumbfounded, and Xie Zijing and Qin Ge were also dumbfounded.
Tang Cuo, with a burst of strength from somewhere, pushed Gao Shu out of the door and slammed it shut.
Xie Zijing was angry, “Why are you still here? What are you doing in here?”
Tang Cuo slapped his head, “Oh, right. Goodbye…”
Blushing, Qin Ge grabbed his rabbit and followed Tang Cuo out, “Goodbye.”
Outside the door, Gao Shu was very awkward, “Sorry, we should have knocked first.”
Tang Cuo blushed, “That room is also mine. Don’t mess around inside.”
The three walked to the stairs, preparing to go down through the emergency exit. Gao Tianyue happened to be carrying his fishing gear down from upstairs, and when he heard Tang Cuo’s incomplete words, he immediately puffed his beard and glared, “Mess around? Who’s messing around? Is it Gao Shu?”
Gao Shu: “…Is everything related to me again?! Everything is my fault, right!”
Gao Tianyue said to the other three, “Don’t ever go to his gym. The fees are too high, and the qualifications are not enough. It’s a rip-off!”
Tang Cuo remembered the nearly one hundred classes he bought for thirteen thousand yuan and whispered, “No way…”
Gao Shu walked behind with a gloomy expression. Tang Cuo turned around, wanting to accompany him, but Gao Tianyue grabbed Tang Cuo’s arm, “Xiao Tang, want to go fishing?”
Tang Cuo immediately wanted to shrink back, “No, no.”
Gao Tianyue held onto him, not letting go, “Help me out, Xiao Tang.”
Both Gao Shu and Qin Ge were puzzled, following Gao Tianyue and Tang Cuo to the nearby lake. Tang Cuo had a resigned expression and released his spiritual body once they reached the lakeside. Gao Tianyue affectionately touched the panda, and the panda seemed quite familiar with him, obediently lying beside Gao Tianyue, staring at the fishing hook he cast into the lake.
The lake was large, nestled between several mountains, with lush green forests reflected in the water. The panda, peering into the water, created ripples, and the lake reflected its black-and-white face.
“I don’t know why, but my panda easily attracts the attention of fish,” Tang Cuo said. “I used to work in the archives, and our department head always liked to invite me to go fishing on weekends. Sometimes Director Gao would come too. Since they discovered that my panda is a natural fish lure, my weekends are basically spent by the fish pond.”
Gao Shu angrily said, “This is a crime! He’s murdering your free vacation time!”
Tang Cuo replied, “But I don’t have to do anything. I just have to give them the panda. And I get a good share of the fish too.”
He smiled as if he had no complaints. If it weren’t for Qin Ge and Gao Tianyue being here, Gao Shu felt like squeezing his face and rubbing it fiercely.
“…Can it attract any kind of fish?” Gao Shu suddenly thought of his own spiritual body.
“Not big fish,” Tang Cuo said. “Small fish are fine.”
Gao Shu didn’t know whether his fish was considered a big one or a small.
Qin Ge used Gao Tianyue’s spare fishing rod for a while, and the fish went crazy, swimming toward the area where the panda was, splashing in the shallow water. Even Gao Tianyue found it boring, “The fish in this lake are too dense, not interesting at all.”
Gao Shu said angrily, “Then don’t fish. Don’t restrict Tang Cuo’s freedom of movement with your position and identity. What kind of director are you?”
Gao Tianyue said, “It’s really uncomfortable to listen to you talk. You didn’t use to be so rude.”
Gao Shu retorted, “If I’m rude, it’s probably your fault.”
The father and son quarreled again, and Tang Cuo wanted to mediate, but Qin Ge shook his head at him, indicating that he shouldn’t interfere. Finding the lakeside uninteresting, Qin Ge decided to go back to the villa to find Xie Zijing. Other members of the Criminal Investigation Department also came out in pairs in the vast mountain area. A large dawn flash butterfly, the size of a basin, danced in the forest, followed by a bunch of butterflies that Qin Ge couldn’t recognize, fluttering their wings with vibrant colors.
Two girls were arguing behind the butterfly, one accusing the dawn flash butterfly of being too flashy, and the other counter-criticizing with sarcasm: if yours isn’t flashy, then release it.
A majestic tiger landed, startling everyone around, and the forest suddenly became chaotic. Qin Ge avoided them from a distance and, on the way back to the villa, saw Xie Zijing.
Xie Zijing, in a white T-shirt and a black cap, walked while scratching a mosquito bite on his face. It was the result of not closing the window when he slept last night. Qin Ge approached him, and Xie Zijing lifted the brim of his cap, handing him a plum with a purple-red hue. “Given by Lei Chi,” Xie Zijing smiled. “This is specifically for me; even Bai Xiaoyuan doesn’t have one.”
The summer sunlight was partially blocked by the brim of his cap, but it still illuminated the lower half of his face. Xie Zijing’s facial features were sharp and distinct, and Qin Ge enjoyed touching his chin. When there was stubble, it felt rough, but when shaved clean, it had a charming appeal.
Sensing Qin Ge’s gaze, Xie Zijing tilted his head back, looking down at Qin Ge from a higher position. “Hmm?”
Qin Ge: “Very handsome.”
Xie Zijing immediately grinned. He jumped down two stone steps, standing with Qin Ge. He slightly lifted his cap and lowered his head to kiss him. The dawn flash butterfly, which had appeared at some point, hovered above Xie Zijing’s head. Qin Ge subconsciously shrank back, and Xie Zijing grabbed his wrist, using the cap to shield the large butterfly and quickly dropping a kiss on Qin Ge’s lips.
The butterfly flew away again. It flew past the two girls who were still arguing noisily, flapping its beautiful wings until it reached the lake, landing on Tang Cuo’s shoulder.
“Wow,” Tang Cuo was startled by it. “I’ve been caught by a butterfly.”
Leaning beside him, Gao Shu was patting the panda and temporarily stopping quarreling with Gao Tianyue. Tang Cuo raised his head, looking excitedly at Gao Shu. “Coach, release your big fish, okay? Has it ever played in the forest?”
“…No,” Gao Shu said. “But here, isn’t it inappropriate?”
Gao Tianyue also turned to look, staring at Tang Cuo. “His fish…”
“It’s amazing.” Tang Cuo immediately interrupted Gao Tianyue. “A very beautiful sword kiss shark; I’ve seen it. It looks majestic when patrolling the city.”
Both Gao Tianyue and Gao Shu fell silent. Gao Shu pulled the small ears of the panda, feeling a bit dizzy. He had taken quite a few suppressants before leaving today, and he even brought a bottle with him. But now he felt like his nose might start bleeding again.
Tang Cuo looked at Gao Tianyue. “Director Gao, that fish isn’t ugly.”
Gao Tianyue turned his head to look at his fishing rod. “I know. Hmph.”
He lifted the fishing rod, and a fish was successfully hooked. Splashing water startled the butterfly in Tang Cuo’s hand, which flew up in response. Flapping its wings, it soared into the air.
Below it, a shark over three meters long leaped out from the white mist, and Gao Shu’s voice came, “This is the normal size. Don’t let it enlarge; it’s really scary.”
Tang Cuo said, “Just let it be.”
He watched with joy as the panda ran over from the lakeside, attempting to jump up and touch the swordfish shark.
The butterfly flew back. It flew through the dense forest and the path through the woods, narrowly missing a passing car. Above the mountain road, Qin Ge and Xie Zijing were attempting to climb to the summit.
The mountain wasn’t high, but the sun was too intense, causing the eyes to blur. Xie Zijing’s cap was already covering Qin Ge’s head. He led Qin Ge by two steps, turning back to say, “Is team-building so much fun?”
Qin Ge thought, this year is the most fun. Because you are here.
After Qin Ge caught up with him, the two of them slowly ascended the gentle mountain path. This forest had been extensively developed, with a smooth and spacious asphalt road. The simmering heat distorted the scenery approaching the horizon, making everything seem like a hologram.
Xie Zijing tightened his grip on Qin Ge’s hand as they walked side by side under the sun.
“I saw Lei Chi and Bai Xiaoyuan when I was coming down the mountain just now,” Xie Zijing said. “Do you know Lei Chi has wolf ears?”
Qin Ge: “…I didn’t know!”
Xie Zijing gestured on his own ears, “He showed his wolf ears; it was kinda cute.”
Qin Ge: “And then?”
Xie Zijing: “Then Bai Xiaoyuan scolded him, saying he was pretending to be cute.”
Qin Ge: “…So that’s the reason Lei Chi gave you fruits to keep quiet?”
Xie Zijing: “Shh, don’t tell anyone.”
But he was clearly happy about it, constantly describing to Qin Ge the process of Lei Chi transforming his human ears into wolf ears. “He got scolded by Bai Xiaoyuan, and I found it very amusing,” Xie Zijing said with a smile. “That’s the expression of love for an idol, right?”
Qin Ge thought, your expression of love for your idol seems a bit twisted.
After walking for about half an hour, both of them began to feel a bit tired. Seeing the mountaintop just ahead, they decided to take a break in the forest first. The dense shade of the trees and the comfortable breeze made the forest a pleasant resting place. The dawn flash butterfly fluttered between trees, attracting other butterflies and bees.
“Can this butterfly leave its guide so far?” Xie Zijing was surprised. “It’s really amazing.”
He released his Barbary Lion. When the lion landed, it immediately noticed the butterfly and prepared to pounce. However, when Qin Ge’s long-haired rabbit also came out, the lion’s attention shifted. It knelt on the ground, lowering its head surrounded by golden mane, allowing the rabbit to climb up to its head by grabbing onto its mane.
Qin Ge and Xie Zijing watched the rabbit climb up, both thinking the same thing: its legs are really long.
Once the rabbit successfully reached the top, it sighed in relief and lay down, grooming its long fur between the lion’s ears.
The sunlight in the forest was cut into patches and scattered on the ground. The rabbit sunbathed on top of the lion’s head, occasionally using its paws to scratch the lion’s ears and forehead. The lion started yawning again, and the rabbit tightly grabbed its fur to avoid being shaken off. After a while, it also began yawning at the same frequency as the lion.
“…Why does your lion always yawn?” Qin Ge asked. “Is it not sleeping well lately?”
Xie Zijing hadn’t really thought about this question. “No, it sleeps quite well. I don’t know the reason.”
Qin Ge had a vague answer in his mind. The spiritual body was a manifestation of the spiritual world, and the lion’s yawning probably indicated the instability of Xie Zijing’s “sea area.” He thought of that ruin, and his heart ached. He simply held Xie Zijing’s hand, interlocking their fingers.
I have to go in again and look more. Qin Ge thought, there should be more secrets in that ruin. He always remembered the soft silver light at the end of the ruin. Xie Zijing’s self-consciousness told him that he couldn’t approach it, but Qin Ge always felt that the incongruent silver light might hide clues about the destruction of Xie Zijing’s “sea area” and the confusion of memories.
“Hmm? Is the team-building activity starting?” Xie Zijing’s phone received a message from Bai Xiaoyuan. “Climbing a mountain and being in love isn’t team-building?”
Qin Ge: “Nonsense.”
Xie Zijing: “Then, are we going back?”
Qin Ge thought for a moment. “Not going back.”
Xie Zijing nodded, reaching out to grab the tail of his lion and starting to play with the ball at the end of its tail.
The dawn flash butterfly began to fly back, responding to its owner’s call. To take a shortcut back, it directly flew through the forest, crossing over a brand new villa area. The car that had brushed past it was now parked in front of one of the villas.
It soared over the villa’s rooftop and flew away.
The attic of the villa had an open, small window, and the wind blew tree leaves into it, falling down the stairs.
Lu Qinglai sat by the wide window in the spacious living room, lost in thought. Hearing footsteps coming up the stairs, he subconsciously sat up straight. His fingers flicked the silver ring on the ring finger of his left hand, reflecting the sunlight from outside.
“Such a stupid ring; why are you still wearing it?” A light laugh came from the stairs.
“…Just wearing it for fun,” Lu Qinglai smiled faintly. “You have to allow me to keep something as a memento, Zhou You.”
Zhou You ran his hand through his hair, not responding. He was around thirty years old, but he looked very young. He slowly walked to the kitchen, spending half an hour making his own lunch. Throughout the process, Lu Qinglai didn’t say a word, just staring at his back.
“Is there something you want to say?” Zhou You sat down at the dining table and started eating his lunch.
The villa was spacious, but it had very few belongings. Lu Qinglai knew this was because Zhou You rarely spent time on the first floor. However, compared to the almost empty first floor, his kitchen seemed too large and cluttered.
Zhou You had rarely eaten anything good in his childhood, seldom even getting full. He liked to cook and eat, but perhaps due to severe malnutrition in his childhood, he never gained weight no matter how much he ate, always maintaining a tall and thin figure.
After he finished eating, Lu Qinglai stood up and walked over.
“This year’s sea area assessment didn’t find a suitable guide,” he said to Zhou You. “People like Qin Ge are too rare.”
Zhou You dabbed the corners of his mouth with a tissue, smiling, “I know it’s rare; that’s why I need you to help me find one.”
“Can you still persist? Should we choose Qin Ge?” Lu Qinglai said, “I think even ten years from now, we won’t find another guide like him. People who can dive deep into the sea area might be found, but someone who can dive deep and absorb negative influences to cleanse the sea area, frankly, even though I’ve met so many people, I’ve only seen Qin Ge.”
“He’s not mature enough yet,” Zhou You asserted. “Do you really think he can help Xie Zijing rebuild his sea area?”
Lu Qinglai remained silent for a moment. “I’m not sure.”
Zhou You laughed again, “Of course not. Both you and I are accustomed to destruction, and we really don’t understand how to rebuild.”
He wiped his hands clean and looked gently at Lu Qinglai, “Alright, Professor Lu, let me see your sea area.”
Lu Qinglai instinctively shrank back, “Now?”
Zhou You: “Don’t you like it when I enter?”
Lu Qinglai: “No, I really like it. But please don’t awaken those memories; they really make me suffer.”
The gentle expression on Zhou You’s face gradually disappeared. “You don’t like pain?” He held Lu Qinglai’s hand and pointed to the silver ring on his ring finger, “But I like it. Especially other people’s pain.”
The indifference in his tone now contrasted sharply with the previous gentleness. He let go of Lu Qinglai’s hand and stood up, about to leave. Lu Qinglai quickly grabbed him and wouldn’t let go.
“I didn’t mean that… You can see it now?”
Zhou You: “Are you sure?”
Lu Qinglai nodded repeatedly, “I’m sure… I like it when you give me pain. I enjoy it very much.”
“Don’t lie to me.” Zhou You bent down, pressing his forehead against Lu Qinglai’s. “I can see every lie you tell.”
A faint mist rose from his body, almost enveloping Lu Qinglai entirely. Lu Qinglai gritted his teeth and closed his eyes, but after a moment, he began to tremble violently, emitting a painful moan akin to someone struggling for breath.
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For every Ko-fi received for a perticular novel, I will release a new chapter!
wow im shocked… what a twist i didn’t see coming even though all the clues were there!
knew that Lu Qinglai was one of the main villains, but I didn’t expect that he and Zhou You were working together