Hui Tian Ch44

Chapter 44

Brother-in-law: Angry.jpg

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Separated by a mere ten-odd meters of hallway, the two groups stood facing each other, the air thick with the smell of gunpowder.

Yang Xiaodao was clueless about the situation, but the sensitive intuition of a young beast allowed him to scent malevolence from Cameron’s group. Instinctively, he leaned a step forward.

Immediately, without even turning his head, Bai Sheng silently pressed a hand back to restrain him, signaling him to stay put and not move.

The International Supervision Office had fallen into the hands of evolutionists, but in contrast, the Security Council had always been the camp of humans. To prepare for a future war against evolutionists, the Security Council had been secretly researching the HRG project, hoping to create a human army possessing special abilities.

However, for some reason, despite having top scientists from multiple countries, the Security Council made zero progress on HRG, unable even to replicate the serum Shen Zhuo possessed.

Without the serum, they couldn’t contend with evolutionists. Thus, they had always desperately wanted to obtain Shen Zhuo, but were helpless due to Nielsen’s powerful authority. Now that Nielsen had fallen, it was tantamount to a godsend for the Security Council. It was no surprise they rushed to Shenhai immediately; it was just unexpected that they arrived so quickly.

“Ah, do you have evidence indicating I am still conducting the HRG project?” Shen Zhuo seemed slightly surprised but remained very polite. “May I ask what this so-called evidence refers to…”

—There was no evidence at all. Shen Zhuo continuing HRG research in Shenhai was an open secret everyone tacitly understood. Otherwise, where did those inexhaustible ability serums in his hands come from?

But Cameron’s smile lines remained unchanged. This man maintained a diplomat-like slick and contemptuous attitude at all times. “Apologies, before the Security Council inquiry session begins, you have no right to demand we disclose any evidence.”

Shen Zhuo frowned in difficulty. “I am one of the ten global permanent supervisors, protected and restricted by the International Bureau’s security regulations. Lacking solid reasons, I cannot leave my jurisdiction without authorization. Apologies, it is difficult to cooperate with you gentlemen.”

Cameron inhaled wordlessly. The secretary beside him immediately took the cue. “Supervisor SHEN, please understand us. After all, the living evidence of this HRG laboratory is right before our eyes…”

Shen Zhuo asked in surprise, “This laboratory?”

The secretary said, “Yes.”

Shen Zhuo spread his hands toward Bai Sheng beside him. “This laboratory was generously donated to the Shenhai City Hospital by Mr. Bai for in-depth research on his doctoral dissertation topic, ‘On the Promoting Role of A Priori Synthetic Judgments and Binary Opposition Thought in Male Voluntary Vasectomy Behavior.’ May I ask if your side has any evidence indicating a connection between male voluntary vasectomy and HRG?”

Everyone’s facial muscles twitched simultaneously, casting indescribable gazes from all directions.

Bai Sheng: “…”

It might be hilarious to others, but for Cameron’s secretary, it was another matter entirely. For a moment, he nearly lost control of his expression. “Supervisor SHEN, I understand your feelings, but stop joking. We all recognize the equipment behind you is an ability gene ecological simulation chamber—”

Bang!

A gunshot rang out, fierce and accurate. The experimental equipment shattered and sprayed apart, instantly stunning everyone.

Shen Zhuo retracted the muzzle without looking back, smiling at the pale-faced secretary. “What simulation chamber?”

“…” The secretary was incredulous. “You can’t do this. All our eyes saw it…”

“Is that so?” Shen Zhuo interrupted gently, raising the gun with one hand and aiming at the secretary’s right eyeball. “Whose eyes saw it?”

It was a suffocating, deathly silence. The secretary’s pupils dilated in horror, reflecting Shen Zhuo’s cold muzzle ten-odd meters away.

The next moment, Cameron’s bodyguards rushed forward, clumsily pulling the stumbling secretary behind them. “Supervisor SHEN! Calm down!” “Supervisor SHEN!” “Put down the gun! Calm down!!”

Cameron raised a hand, signaling the bodyguards to drag the secretary away. He straightened his suit lapels and stepped forward toward Shen Zhuo.

Turning a blind eye to the dozens of submachine guns in front of him capable of turning him into a sieve, he brushed past the guard captain. The captain reflexively wanted to fire but, receiving no order from Shen Zhuo behind him, had to suppress the urge to pull the trigger, watching helplessly as this foreigner walked step by step through the fan-shaped guard firepower, standing alone before Shen Zhuo.

Cameron was only half an inch taller, with a slightly hooked nose, directly facing the muzzle in Shen Zhuo’s hand. His gray-green eyes were cold and arrogant, unscrupulously sizing up the Shenhai Grand Supervisor twenty-three years later.

“The world will not always revolve as you expect, Shen Zhuo.”

To everyone’s surprise, Cameron opened his mouth in fluent, polished Chinese, without even an accent.

“Scared into stopping data simulation after a few assassination attempts, shelving the entire HRG after one explosion, eagerly fleeing the research institute to Shenhai after being kidnapped and beaten a couple of times. Weak, cowardly, naive, forever expecting protection, thinking that as long as HRG stagnates, the fragile status quo can be maintained, thinking that as long as you live in the shadow of the Sword of Damocles, humans and evolutionists can coexist peacefully.”

“Under the scouring of a storm, the shelter built of honey will eventually melt. Both groups of ants, humans and evolutionists, will die. Do you still not understand such a simple principle?”

“…” Shen Zhuo narrowed his eyes, gazing into the gray-green pupils before him.

Flashes of memory flickered from the depths of his consciousness, but they were just momentary illusions.

“Peaceful coexistence is unrealistic, Shen Zhuo. Since ancient times, biological reproduction must follow a law: the member with the highest IQ within a species has the responsibility to decide the direction of progress. Therefore, we must make choices for these two groups of ants.”

Cameron’s nose tip was directly against the muzzle, seemingly certain Shen Zhuo dared not pull the trigger. His tone was soft and full of mockery. “Stop hiding in Shenhai playing your beautiful, weak little princess role. Come back to the Security Council Research Institute with me to continue the HRG project. Perhaps the group of ants that survive in the future will erect a monument for you in the UN Plaza, then place a pile of flowers before it in gratitude—if you’re the type to be moved to tears by that kind of thing.”

Everyone wore different expressions, yet the scene was quiet enough to hear a pin drop.

Upon close observation, one would discover the terror flickering in the depths of the HRG researchers’ eyes, which they tried their best to conceal. The research director’s gaze trembled, constantly shifting back and forth between Shen Zhuo and Cameron.

The muzzle in Shen Zhuo’s hand remained motionless as he looked Cameron up and down. After a long time, he finally opened his mouth, asking clearly, word by word:

“…Before I shoot, may I ask your name one last time?”

In an instant, the Security Council group shook violently. “No!” “Stop!” “Don’t!”

Cameron didn’t even blink, carrying his usual condescension and nonchalance. “Elton Cameron.”

Shen Zhuo said, “Good.” Then, click, he loaded a round into the chamber, his index finger pulling the trigger without hesitation. Bang!

“No!” “Murder!!” “Mr. Cameron—”

The screams stopped abruptly. Cameron stood rooted to the spot, motionless, a burn mark from a grazing bullet added to the side of his face.

That bullet grazed Cameron’s face and accurately struck the gun just drawn by a Security Council bodyguard behind him, sending it flying!

The Security Council people were just rushing forward, their expressions of fury frozen on their faces. For a moment, the scene became extremely comical.

With a muffled thud, the bodyguard’s knees went weak, and he knelt on the ground.

“Mr. Cameron,” Shen Zhuo smiled, putting away the gun. If one listened carefully, they would find the disdain in his tone bore a subtle resemblance to Cameron’s. “I don’t know why your esteemed Security Council has such a huge misunderstanding about yourselves, but please allow me to generously point out to you: at least I still have honey, whereas your side’s HRG research has achieved nothing. Valueless, purely a joke.”

“…”

“You wish to obtain me like a hungry dog wishes to obtain a bone. The correct way is to crawl on the ground, hoping I’m in a good mood to toss you some meat scraps, not run up to me barking about choices and responsibility.”

Cameron stared coldly at Shen Zhuo expressionlessly, while Shen Zhuo smiled politely, making a “please” gesture.

“Now, please leave Shenhai quietly and politely like defeated dogs, gentlemen. Otherwise, I will erect a monument for you in the Shenhai City Cemetery, then place a pile of flowers before it—if your spirits in heaven would be moved to tears by that kind of thing.”

Cameron took a deep breath, extending a hand from his suit pocket.

Logically, he should want to slap Shen Zhuo, but it was also possible he just wanted to pinch the bridge of his nose in restraint—however, whatever he wanted to do, he had no chance. Because Bai Sheng instantly shielded Shen Zhuo with one hand, staring regretfully at Cameron with an “I advise you not to” look, while snapping the fingers of his other hand with a snap!

Thud, thud, thud!

A series of muffled sounds of heavy objects hitting the ground came from behind. Cameron turned abruptly to see the dozen-plus bodyguards he brought all kneeling on the ground, involuntarily in a wretched state.

“B-Body so heavy!” “What’s going on?!” “My knees, my knees…”

“Area Gravity, a harmless little ability,” Bai Sheng explained to Cameron with a smile, raising an index finger to suggest, “You can still crawl back to the car using your hands and knees, you know.”

“…” Cameron’s cold eyes, like glass shards, stared at Bai Sheng, drawing a huge cross over him in his heart. But he didn’t show it, only turning to Shen Zhuo, emphasizing his tone for the last time:

“I offer you an absolutely safe environment to complete the HRG project, and you only want to stay in Shenhai and continue being an supervisor?”

Shen Zhuo said coldly, “Bai Sheng.”

Bai Sheng blocked in front of Shen Zhuo. “Mm-hmm?”

“If this person speaks another sentence, make him crawl back to the car on his knees too.”

Bai Sheng raised his hand to Cameron as if to snap his fingers, raising an eyebrow slightly, meaning you heard him.

From not far behind came the assistant’s trembling and implicit reminder, the intent to dissuade very obvious. “Mr. Cameron…”

Starting directly with Shen Zhuo seemed impossible now. Perhaps he was too comfortable in Shenhai, or perhaps he developed resentment toward the Security Council after being tortured to the brink of death. In short, judging from the current situation, the chances of him voluntarily agreeing to cooperate were very slim.

But that didn’t matter.

They could return to the Security Council first and use other means to force the International Supervision Office to hand over Shen Zhuo. Although it would take some effort and cost more interests, the International Supervision Office losing the Wolf of Odin would inevitably fall into chaos, and the Security Council could still achieve its goal.

Cameron stood straight, his gray-green pupils compressed into a very dangerous shape, reflecting Shen Zhuo’s calm face.

Everyone thought he would turn and leave then, but unexpectedly, after a long silence, Cameron spoke slowly again:

“Your… parents.”

Bai Sheng was just about to snap his fingers to make him kneel too, but paused upon hearing this.

Shen Zhuo narrowed his eyes imperceptibly.

“No, to be precise, your parents and the first batch of core members of the research institute back then all died for HRG.”

Cameron had switched to German, speaking in a low voice. “To strangle a demon from a distant extraterrestrial civilization.”

Because Nielsen was of German-Norwegian descent, many in the International Supervision Office spoke Germanic languages. But here, almost no one could understand, and even Bai Sheng couldn’t help but feel suspicious, subconsciously glancing at Shen Zhuo.

Shen Zhuo’s eyes, deep as cold pools, revealed no emotion, only asking back in German, “Who exactly are you?”

“If you want to know the course of that accident back then, come find me in New York before the International Supervision Office’s general election.”

Cameron paused, looking down at Shen Zhuo from the corner of his eye. “But if you don’t come, I will assume you insist on your own views and attempt to claim the results of HRG for yourself… by then, I will have no choice but to adopt tougher measures against you and Nielsen.”

He stepped back half a pace, said no more, turned, and walked toward his entourage from the Security Council.

In that instant, a trace of hesitation seemed to flash across the bottom of Shen Zhuo’s eyes. But just then, the whistling sound of a gale approaching suddenly came from overhead—a large helicopter was landing rapidly on the hospital roof.

Bai Sheng turned to look at Shen Zhuo. Both realized something. Sure enough, rapid footsteps soon sounded in the safety passage at the end of the corridor. Immediately after, the door opened with a clang, revealing Nielsen surrounded by his subordinates!

The Wolf of Odin was covered in the scent of blood, face pale, the clear smell of rust transmitting even from ten-odd meters away. His gloomy gray pupils flickered with cold light, staring straight at his mortal enemy, the corners of his mouth curling up hoarsely and mockingly:

“Fast hands, Cameron. Really thought I was dead, did you?”

Cameron raised his eyebrows in slight surprise, then laughed.

“It’s truly wonderful to see you still alive, my dear old friend!” He applauded and marveled with utmost sincerity, his face full of warm, genuine nostalgia. “I was just thinking, how can the International Supervision Office general election in three months proceed without you? This is great, the problem is finally solved! On election day, I must find you for a drink!”

“Get out of Shenhai, immediately,” Nielsen said coldly. “Don’t make me act right now.”

Shen Zhuo covertly tugged Bai Sheng’s sleeve with two fingers from behind.

With the IQ of these two, words were unnecessary. Bai Sheng clapped his hands together with utmost cordiality, his face full of warm, genuine farewell sentiments comparable to Cameron’s. “That’s great! Then Supervisor Shen and I won’t see you gentlemen out. Next time we meet, we’ll treat you all to a drink. Bye-bye!”

Accompanying the snap of his palms meeting, the Area Gravity ability was lifted.

The dozen-plus bodyguards forced to kneel on the ground finally felt the pressure release. Overjoyed, they immediately scrambled up wretchedly and hurriedly retreated backward.

Cameron might truly be capable of going for a drink with Nielsen, but facing this smiling tiger Bai Sheng, he was about to lose his composure. Judging from his expression, he probably just wanted to grab that tuft of arrogant silver hair on Bai Sheng’s head and pour a bottle of poison down his throat.

Cameron gave a yin-yang snort from his nasal cavity, led his men into the elevator without looking back, allowing the blast-proof alloy doors to close behind him, and left this underground laboratory.

The tension instantly relaxed. The next moment:

“—Director General!”

Seeing Cameron driven away, Nielsen couldn’t hold that breath any longer and collapsed downward頹然.

Before the panicked subordinates behind him could support him, Bai Sheng had vanished from his spot, reappearing by Nielsen’s side and accurately supporting him with an outstretched hand.

“What’s wrong, Director General?” The expression on Bai Sheng’s face at this moment was exactly the same as Cameron’s just now, even the concern-filled gaze was directly copy-pasted.

Nielsen’s mood at this moment was also exactly the same as Cameron’s. If he had a bottle of poison in hand, he might not have been able to resist using it. But firstly, he couldn’t conjure poison; secondly, he couldn’t beat this bastard surnamed Bai right now. He could only grit his teeth and swallow a mouthful of blood, forcing himself to stand up on that single breath, forcibly breaking free from Bai Sheng’s friendly supporting hand.

“I’m fine. Suffered some injuries, haven’t recovered yet, inevitable dizziness.”

Shen Zhuo quickly stepped forward. Nielsen took the opportunity to ignore Bai Sheng, turning to Shen Zhuo. His first sentence was: “—That person named Cameron just now…”

“The Security Council may have privately restarted the HRG project but progress isn’t smooth, so they want to force me to hand over the research results of the HRG gene interferon from the research institute back then. To achieve this goal, that person named Cameron might attack you during the general election.” Shen Zhuo’s attitude was calm and frank, as if he held nothing back. “I believe the Security Council’s next goal is to kick you out of the Director General position, thereby weakening the International Supervision Office.”

Nielsen hesitated to speak. “Then…”

“I stand on your side.”

As if the severe reprimand on the phone earlier never existed, Shen Zhuo proactively extended his hand, looking Nielsen in the eye. “Cameron’s plan will not succeed. You will definitely still be the Director General next term.”

Nielsen finally let out the breath he was holding, but looking at Shen Zhuo’s deep, calm eyes, a complex flavor of unwillingness slowly spread from his heart.

He couldn’t help murmuring, “Shen Zhuo, I…”

Shen Zhuo interrupted him, concerned, “Your physical condition is poor. I’ll see you onto the plane.”

Nielsen could clearly feel a gaze with a strong yet discreet presence from the side—it was Bai Sheng.

The Wolf King’s fight for a mate is often fierce, tragic, and unscrupulous. Any cruel means are permitted; any bloody scene might occur.

Nielsen knew he was completely at a disadvantage. He could only move his Adam’s apple, forcibly suppressing all unwillingness, and shook hands with Shen Zhuo.

“Okay.”

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Nielsen’s helicopter was actually urgently dispatched by Chen Miao. He had to return to Basel, Switzerland immediately, so he would take this helicopter to Shenhai Airport and then transfer to his own Gulfstream G550 back to the International Supervision Office.

Strong winds howled on the rooftop terrace. Chu Yan, perhaps discovered for tipping them off, stood there twisting her fingers with an innocent and timid look, while several International Bureau supervisors stared at her suspiciously.

Shen Zhuo gave a look to Shui Ronghua accompanying them. The female doctor immediately understood, reaching out to hug Chu Yan and retreating a few steps toward the Shenhai Supervision Office side. The International Bureau people wanted to stop them a bit but didn’t dare.

“That Rong Qi has only vanished temporarily; I’m afraid he will make a comeback soon.” Nielsen stood before the open helicopter cabin door, speaking in a low voice. “‘Tyrant’ can neutralize an evolutionist’s ability, regressing them to an ordinary person, but the neutralization cap is only up to S. A part of that Rong Qi’s ability has reached Super S, so even if ‘Tyrant’ is activated to the limit, he can still retain a portion of his power.”

“So far, Tyrant still has a weakening effect on him, but I’m not sure if he can continue to evolve. If his power strengthens further, the consequences will be terrifying. We must find him as soon as possible.”

Shen Zhuo answered concisely, “I understand.”

Nielsen nodded politely to Bai Sheng and turned to board the plane, but Shen Zhuo remembered something. “By the way, did Rong Qi leave any words before he left?”

When Chu Yan tipped them off earlier, her description was very detailed. She said Rong Qi said one last sentence to Nielsen before retreating into the spatial tunnel, but she couldn’t hear it clearly due to the distance.

Actually, Shen Zhuo just asked in passing, but Nielsen’s movement froze for an instant.

“…No.” The Director General looked away, pulling the corner of his mouth as if to cover up. “He said nothing.”

“…”

Shen Zhuo and Bai Sheng’s gazes met lightly. Both knew clearly in their hearts but remained impassive.

“Then, see you at the election voting conference.” Nielsen nodded in farewell for the last time, saying no more, and boarded the helicopter.

The propeller began to turn. Soon, the helicopter lifted off the ground, becoming smaller and smaller in the high sky, flying toward the distant Shenhai Airport.

“—What exactly is he hiding?” On the rooftop terrace, Bai Sheng hugged Shen Zhuo with one hand and stroked his chin with the other, thoughtful. “Could it be that Rong Qi humiliated him severely before escaping?”

Heads can roll and blood can flow, but humiliation from the same sex is absolutely intolerable. The thought pattern of an S-class male was vividly displayed here. Shen Zhuo couldn’t help but scoff.

“By the way, what did that Cameron say to you in German?” Bai Sheng suddenly remembered this matter, vigilantly hooking his arm to force Shen Zhuo into his embrace. “That kid looked decent but acted beastly. He didn’t say any sensitive words to you, right? Why did he specifically switch to German?”

Shen Zhuo pressed two fingers against his chest, barely creating a little distance backward, mocking, “I thought mastering German was basic for philosophy majors.”

“…”

Bai Sheng’s expression went blank for a rare moment before he struggled to defend himself. “I was actually just confirming. I could understand he was saying something about father… mother… research institute accident…”

“He said my parents died in an accident during HRG research back then, so HRG isn’t solely my achievement, and I can’t claim it for myself without authorization.” Shen Zhuo said lightly. “Pretty much meant as a threat, wanting me to cooperate with the Security Council.”

Bai Sheng appeared frivolous on the surface, but was actually someone who grasped social interactions with extreme propriety, especially when it involved the other party’s parents. He stole a glance at Shen Zhuo’s calm face from the corner of his eye, only coughing carelessly after a while, acting nonchalant.

“Then… back then you…”

“I was only six that year; I don’t remember anymore.” Shen Zhuo said, ” The doctor said the shock was a bit too great.”

Bai Sheng nodded and gave a silent “Oh—”.

Then he pondered for a moment, recalling Shen Zhuo’s first statement about the HRG project in the hospital ward, saying this project actually started 30 years ago, but back then it was just to optimize human genes and extend human lifespans. He couldn’t help frowning again.

“But your parents’ HRG research back then had nothing to do with evolution. The current ability-boosting drugs were researched under your leadership. How can that guy surnamed Ka say it’s not your achievement alone? Isn’t this moral kidnapping?”

“…”

The wind howled on the terrace, blowing up Shen Zhuo’s jet-black hair. His snow-white profile expression was unclear for a moment.

But that was just a fleeting detail.

“Yeah.” Shen Zhuo smiled, looking away. “So no need to pay attention to that person.”

The sky was gloomy and boundless.

Looking down from the hospital roof, the masses flowed endlessly. Cameron and the others had completely disappeared into the long dragon of traffic in the distance.

“Your parents and the first batch of core members of the research institute back then all died for HRG…”

“…To strangle that demon from a distant extraterrestrial civilization.”

His gaze penetrated the vast void, and Shen Zhuo narrowed his eyes slightly.

…Hey, hey, is that the child?

So pitiful, both parents died in that accident, leaving him alone in the whole family…

Heard he had a half-brother from the same mother, but he went missing, probably dead too!…

So eerie, did you hear? When the accident happened, everyone was like possessed by demons, everyone killing each other. That child’s mother used her last breath to rush over to kill him!

Holy crap, really?

No way, what kind of mother would try to kill her own child with her dying breath?

…

What nonsense are you spouting here! A harsh reprimand exploded from nowhere. Don’t you know discussing that child’s matters is forbidden?! All of you go copy the confidentiality regulations!

The whispering scattered in an uproar, vanishing into the wind without a trace.

…

Nine-year-old Little Shen Zhuo was like a child carved from white jade. His eyes were as pure and empty as black agate, reflecting the vast, gloomy sky above the hospital roof.

…It hasn’t been easy. Finally discharged today. From now on, this child’s custody belongs to the research institute. Hope he can grow up healthy, safe, and well…

Yeah, yeah. Don’t expect him to achieve much, just going to school and studying like a normal child would be good enough!…

Little Shen Zhuo stood at the hospital entrance, looking up at the gray-haired old director of the research institute. His voice, unused for years, still carried a bit of hoarseness, but was tender and innocent:

“Will Mom still come to the Safe Layer to see me?”

A trace of sadness seemed to exist in the old man’s kind eyes. After a long while, he squatted down halfway, smiled at the child before him, and said, “…There is no Safe Layer anymore.”

Little Shen Zhuo nodded, seemingly understanding something, then asked, “Did Mom love me?”

“…”

After a long silence, the old director stroked the child’s soft black hair and answered with a smile, “How could a mother not love her child?”

Little Shen Zhuo pursed his lips and lowered his head, his bangs hiding his distinct eyelashes.

The old director looked at the young orphan before him, his warm palm gently stroking the child’s temple. Hesitating repeatedly, he couldn’t help asking, “…Little Zhuo, do you remember, when you lived in the Safe Layer, did you ever see black shadows at home that others couldn’t see? Or did you ever hear voices others couldn’t hear, trying to communicate with you?”

Little Shen Zhuo looked up in confusion.

“Not necessarily a human-shaped shadow. It could be any shape, appearing on mirrors, water surfaces, any reflective object surface to observe Earth and humans. It is particularly interested in you; maybe only you in the whole family could see it… Do you remember?”

Facing the old man’s eager gaze, Little Shen Zhuo shook his head in confusion.

“…”

The old director sighed in disappointment.

“Yes,” he murmured, “The shock you received was too great; you have complete amnesia.”

Seeming a bit guilty and self-reproachful, Little Shen Zhuo silently lowered his eyelids. However, the old director cheered up quickly, picked the child up, patted his back, and forced a smile. “Let’s not talk about that! What’s the use of talking about useless things? —Let’s go, Uncle will take you to your new home. You’ll live in the research institute from now on! Uncle will personally teach you to study!”

…

The figures of the old and the young gradually drifted away. The old one became more hunched and staggering, the young one more upright and slender. Finally, one day, the old man silently disappeared from time.

The child from back then finally grew into an adult. His back was upright and silent, walking alone in this world, traversing peaks looked up to by thousands yet attacked from all sides, and treading through bloody, treacherous valleys burdened with infamy.

He had always been alone.

On the rooftop terrace, Shenhai City Supervisor Shen Zhuo let out a long, silent breath, the tail end dissipating instantly with the wind.

His back shoulder leaned against Bai Sheng’s solid arm, listening to what that cheerful, laughing voice was saying. Behind them, people clustered in small groups, walking toward the staircase not far away.

A solitary bird crossed the distant horizon. Shenhai City, like a massive scroll, slowly unfurled toward the end of the horizon.

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Author’s Note:

Brother-in-law: I OBJECT TO THIS MARRIAGE!

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