Chapter 34: The Mischievous Cub
The Fu residence.
Only the faint, rhythmic footsteps of servants echoed through the vast living room. The oppressive, rigid atmosphere made Zhou Xia restless. The cage containing the Giant-eared Rabbit sat on a nearby table; the creature lay listlessly on its back, looking every bit as miserable as Zhou Xia felt.
A maid, eyes cast downward in submission, brought a cup of tea to Zhou Xia. He had just opened his mouth to say thank you when she turned and walked away with cold indifference. Awkwardly, Zhou Xia lowered his head and clutched the tea cup in silence.
“Excuse me, Jiejie.” Zhou Xia summoned his courage to call out to a passing maid. “I wanted to ask… where is Fu Yunshu? When can I leave?”
The maid spared him a glance, gave a slight shake of her head, and hurried past him.
Zhou Xia slumped back against his chair in defeat, muttering under his breath, “Iâd have been better off going to An-an’s house…”
At least Yu An’s home seemed normal. This Fu household was dead silent and governed by an exhausting number of rules. His desire to leave grew overwhelming, and he deeply regretted not insisting on going with Yu An.
In the study, Fu Yunshu sat quietly, his expression one of cold detachment. Across from him, the elder Mr. Fu slowly sipped a cup of Longjing tea. Setting the cup lightly on the desk, he raised his gaze to look at his grandson.
“What is Yu Anâs current rank?”
Fu Yunshu stood to refill the tea, his voice flat. “Iâm not sure. We don’t use abilities at school, and I haven’t seen him take action.”
Old Mr. Fuâs eyes, which seemed capable of piercing through any deception, remained fixed on his grandson. “Is that so? You mean to tell me you don’t even know what his infecting Xenogenic is?”
Fu Yunshu replied, “I do not.”
Scalding tea splashed across his face. Fu Yunshu instinctively closed his eyes, allowing the liquid to roll down his cheeks. With damp hair clinging to the side of his face, he looked at his furious grandfather with utter indifference.
Old Mr. Fu stood up, pacing the study with his cane, his brow furrowed. “There is definitely something wrong with that boy, Yu An. Five years have passedâhow could his rank not have changed in the slightest?! He isn’t a Second Generation, so what is his infecting source… Wen Xun is definitely hiding something from the Base…”
He had already investigated Yu Anâs background prior to the adoption. He knew the boy had been raised by an old woman, but his biological parents remained a mystery. One thing was certain: they were not Espers. Every Esper was registered; they had no blood relation to Yu An.
Since Yu An wasn’t a Second Generation Esper, there had to be a Xenogenic that infected him. Although Wen Xunâs explanation was that Yu An had been infected as a child by the creature that killed his grandmotherâa creature that was now deadâit didn’t add up.
Once infected, to maintain the mental power magnetic field within a body, a new source of infection must be provided. Unless… Wen Xun knew a way to stabilize the field without one.
Fu Yunshu listened quietly to his grandfather’s mutterings, his eyes downcast, hiding whatever thoughts lay within.
Once Old Mr. Fu had vented his rage, he glanced at the boy and waved him away. “Go on. Be more mindful next time; you are the child I trust most. Yu An has gone to Xiaonan Lane. You should go as well.”
Hearing this, a barely perceptible curve touched Fu Yunshuâs lips, his voice laced with a strange mockery. “I understand, Yeye.”
As he turned to leave, the darkness in his eyes refused to dissipate, resembling a deep, dangerous abyss filled with infinite peril and cruelty.
The Lin residence was quite close to Xiaonan Laneâonly about a ten-minute trip. Yu An sat on Lin Huaichenâs shoulders, holding a parasol to shade both himself and his father. As the crowds grew denser, Yu An tightened his grip on the parasol handle, his small mouth pursing slightly.
It really was crowded.
Xiaonan Lane was practically shoulder-to-shoulder. From his vantage point nearly two meters up, Yu An could see a sea of heads. Content that he didn’t have to squeeze through the mass on foot, he swung his little legs happily, one hand clutching Lin Huaichenâs head.
Passersby who saw the duoâthe handsome man and the adorable childâlooked on with admiration. Their hearts were softened by the sight; some envied the child for having such a dashing father, while others envied the man for having such a precious baby.
There were nostalgic snacks sold in the lane. Yu An stared at the various sugar sculptures, unable to look away. The golden sheen of the maltose looked exceptionally delicious.
Lin Huaichen, perfectly in sync with Yu Anâs thoughts, asked, “An-an, do you want a sugar sculpture? Theyâre very sweet.”
Yu An nodded eagerly. “Yes, yes, yes!”
The man making the sculptures was a kindly old grandfather. He smiled warmly. “What shape would you like, little friend?”
Yu An hesitated for a couple of seconds, looking at the finished products displayed at the stall: rabbits, dragons, mice, flowers…
“Can you make a little octopus for me?” Yu An gestured with his hands, worried the old man wouldn’t understand. “The kind with a round, chubby head, like itâs wearing a big hat. And a few tentacles. A very cute little octopusâcan you make one like that for me, Yeye?”
The old man was a veteran craftsman. Although he found the request odd, he carefully visualized the octopus Yu An described. He ladled a spoonful of sugar syrup onto the workspace, and soon, the outline of a little octopus was easily formed.
Yu An watched in awe. It looked just like “Soland.” This grandpa was amazing.
Claude poked his small head out. Seeing the cub staring at the sugar sculpture with sparkling, focused eyes, he didn’t quite understand why Yu An had chosen an octopus.
[You could have chosen something better looking,] Claude reminded him, possessing a bit of self-awareness. [The form of an Ushatos is not pleasant to look at.]
To be precise, an Ushatos looked terrifying. Top-tier predators didn’t need others to admire their looks, but facing the only cub, Claude suddenly began to care about appearances.
This body belonged to Soland, but his own… also didn’t seem very pretty. Claude retracted into the pocket dejectedly.
[Because I like you very much.]
The soft, sweet voice echoed in Claudeâs mind. He froze, looking at the little fellow whose eyes were curved with smiles. [Why?]
Yu An took the sugar sculpture, happily nibbling on the sugar. [Thereâs no ‘why.’ Youâre just as important as my papas.]
Claudeâs heart was a mess. His small tentacles tangled together, reflecting his complex and conflicted internal state. But in the next second, Yu An added another sentence.
[I love you most, Soland.]
Claude: “…”
He felt a sudden, suffocating sense of having worked for nothing.
Even though he was the one who had stayed by Yu Anâs side all these years, Soland was the one getting all the credit. Claude felt a rare surge of resentment; after all this time, Yu An still couldn’t tell the difference between him and Soland.
Yu An was oblivious to Claudeâs complicated emotions. There were simply too many delicacies in Xiaonan Laneâit was a feast for the eyes. Osmanthus cakes, almond cookies, potstickers… it was all delicious!
Before long, Yu Anâs little stomach was full. He climbed down from Lin Huaichenâs shoulders and held his hand, carrying a cup of milk tea as they strolled along.
Lin Huaichen, carrying bags of food, tried to negotiate. “Baby, how about you stop eating for now? Save some room for dinner tonight.”
If Yu An didn’t eat a single bite at dinner, Wen Xun would definitely figure out that Lin Huaichen had been buying him snacks. Wen Xun hated it when Yu An ate junk food. At that thought, Lin Huaichen rubbed his temples in a headache.
Yu An looked at his bulging little belly with difficulty. He really couldn’t eat another bite.
After a moment’s thought, Yu An handed the milk tea to Lin Huaichen. He stole one last longing glance at the tea before resolutely turning his head away. “I won’t drink anymore. Saving my tummy for dinner at home.”
Lin Huaichen patted his head in satisfaction.
Half an hour later, Liu Ming arrived in a hurry. He held a detector in his hand. While Yu An and Lin Huaichen were busy shopping, he was busy scanning every remote corner.
Yu An, also carrying a small bag, suddenly spotted a familiar figure in the crowd. “Brother Yunshu!”
There was no mistaking him; Fu Yunshu was simply too conspicuous. Though still a youth, his posture was as upright as a pine tree. A noble aura naturally isolated him from the common crowd, making him impossible to miss.
Fu Yunshu turned and smiled when he saw them. He walked over, first greeting Lin Huaichen politely before looking at Yu An. “An-an came here to play?”
Yu An didn’t intend to hide anything and told Fu Yunshu about Wan Cen and Li Wangâs disappearance.
Fu Yunshu lowered his gaze in thought for a moment, then looked up with a gentle smile. “I happen to have nothing to do right now. Iâll help you search.”
Liu Ming was more than happy for Fu Yunshu to join. He gave the boy a detector, and the two began searching for traces of Xenogenics together.
Gradually, Liu Mingâs brow furrowed. He looked at the tall buildings surrounding them. “Patriarch, there is indeed a magnetic field fluctuation from a Xenogenic here, but the signal is flickering…”
It was as if the Xenogenic were right beside themâone moment far, the next moment near.
Without needing Liu Ming to say more, Lin Huaichen naturally sensed the abnormality in the surrounding space. He pulled Yu An close, bringing him into his circle of protection. “Notify the Base. Lockdown Xiaonan Lane. No civilians allowed in this area.”
“Yes, sir.” Liu Ming stepped aside to report the situation to the Base.
The Kyoto police department was deployed immediately. Under the pretext of a dangerous fugitive in the area, they dispersed the tourists from Xiaonan Lane. Soon, only a few staff members remained on the once-bustling street.
Yu An and Lin Huaichen sat by a flowerbed, watching the staff use detectors to search everywhere.
His perception wasn’t as strong as Lin Huaichenâs, so he couldn’t sense the abnormalities. He could only look around with bewildered, clear blue eyes. Suddenly, he saw a black shadow swim past him.
“Eh?”
Yu An instinctively reached out to grab the shadow. It looked like a drift of intangible cloud, but in Yu Anâs hand, it felt like solid cotton candy. He easily tore off a piece of the black mist.
[Roar…]
A pained sound reached Yu Anâs ears. He jumped in fright, eventually fixing his gaze on the silent ball of black mist in his hand.
“The fluctuations are even stronger!”
“The Xenogenic is right beside us! It… it seems to be angry.”
“Team leader, weâve picked up an unknown frequency.”
“Decode it, quickly!”
After the technicians frantically decoded the frequency from the Xenogenic, everyone looked at the text on the screen with inscrutable expressions.
[Whose cub is this? Why are his hands so mischievous!]
There was only one child present. In an instant, every technician silently turned to look at Yu An… and the ball of black mist clutched in his hand.
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