Thoughts

The atmosphere dropped to freezing point, and the three people from District 8 fell silent.

Because they were the ones who submitted the video evidence and applied for the S-level mission. If those people really planned to do something in Area 9 as speculated, they would be the key link in making it happen.

He Xian glanced around and smiled cynically: "Why are you so serious?"

"It's normal for you to be used. The people who were attacked were your friends. The District 3 branch was being secretive and refused to come forward. The recorder was the only clue."

"Anyone else in this position wouldn't do any better than you guys." He frowned and thought, "How do you say it? The game confuses you, or do you confuse the game?"

Ying Yungui had no intention of correcting this idiot at this moment. He was considering the worst possible scenario.

"Let's think of the worst. If this move plays into their hands, what will they plan to do in District 9?"

But no one present was a fugitive, and no matter how much they tried to put themselves in their shoes, they couldn't knock on the door that held the truth. Yan Zhiyuan was stunned for a moment, then asked He Xian, "Are you...not worried at all about what will happen in District 9?"

Because He Xian started fiddling with the projector, picked out a love movie with a very philosophical cover and opened it, then swiped on the screen of the smart housekeeper, poking it from time to time, with no worry on his face.

On the contrary, the three of them were more serious than writing a mission report.

He Xian ordered the meal and clicked submit. Then he turned around and said, confused, "Why should I worry? He's not some child who needs to be taken care of. The association has its own rules, systems, and authority. If anything happens within his jurisdiction, he'll naturally be responsible."

He narrowed his eyes and said, "I'm just an ordinary citizen living here. I'm not a leader, nor a frontline fighter. What do you expect a logistics specialist like me to do?"

These words sound quite righteous at first, but upon closer inspection, one can sense a hint of unhappiness in He Xian's voice.

His loved ones died step by step under the management of an association that was like a "child who could not support himself."

The "Children's Association" also has an institutional system and power, but he evaded it. Instead, two ordinary citizens who were not leaders or front-line fighters stood up.

Does He Xian really not feel resentful?

Don't blame the conspirators behind the scenes? Don't blame the rioting people? Don't blame the incompetent management?

No blame... Did his heroic parents abandon him when he was young?

How could I not feel resentful?

Otherwise, why would he not like to mention his identity as a person with special abilities, why would he choose the position with the least responsibility, and why would he belittle himself and say that he is useless after he pointed out the key to the problem and pointed out the way forward for them?

He's clearly full of resentment, Yan Zhiyuan thought dejectedly.

Shi Youchen came back to his senses after the movie's male protagonist wailed. He nudged Ying Yungui, who was still lost in thought, and said, "Let's stay in District 9 for a while."

Regardless of the other party's intentions or conspiracies, they must bear some responsibility.

Ying Yungui was stunned when he heard his words: "You mean... us?"

Shi Youchen was stunned again by this sentence. Only then did he realize that what he blurted out was "we" instead of "I".

Ying Yungui's chest rose and fell like a blossoming flower, his heartbeat noticeably quickening. The word "we" instantly banished all his previous worries. His fingers dug deep into the sofa, struggling to touch something tangible to prove this wasn't just his imagination.

"Okay, we'll stay." He said softly, as if he was talking to himself, or as if he was talking only to Shi Youchen.

The deep voice made Shi Youchen shudder for no reason. He felt... as if something had changed.

After being left for so long, only the lukewarm tea slid down his throat. Shi Youchen suppressed his distracting thoughts and said, "No matter what they're planning, since it's come to this, we have to stay in District 9 for now."

Yan Zhiyuan: "We have to stay here. Once the S-level mission is released, it will inevitably attract worldwide attention. They would rather be completely exposed than do this... I'm afraid something big is going to happen here."

Ying Yungui's Adam's apple rolled: "Once the procedures are approved by the association branch, we can..."

He was interrupted by He Xian before he finished speaking: "While you're staying in District 9, you can stay at my place. It will save you some trouble. There's a lot going on at the association lately, so the less paperwork the better."

He Xian looked deeply at Shi Youchen's fingertips, which were tightly gripping the teacup. "I can go in and out with you. Or, if you need to go somewhere, I can give you the mission vehicle controller."

As he expected, Shi Youchen disagreed and said, "It's not appropriate. It will affect your normal life."

He Xian remained calm but smiled. "Brother, don't worry about me. I'm just an idler in the association. I don't need to punch in from nine to five, nor do I need mission points. Even the equipment department's affairs are taken care of by the deputy director and others."

He wrinkled his nose, looking aggrieved. "Yun Gui and I have been friends for so many years. You are his friends, and naturally you are also my friends. I can't be filial to my parents, so can't you even give me a chance to do a little favor for your friends?"

Ying Yungui seemed to have sensed something, and he stared at He Xian with a sharp and warning look, but he opened his lips and still didn't say anything.

Shi Youchen frowned slightly: "That's not what I meant..."

Yan Zhiyuan came to the rescue at the right time and said, "If it has no impact on you, then thank you. After this is over, we will treat you to a trip to District 8 to have some fun." He said it very politely. He Xian didn't care too much and responded with a smile.

Shi Youchen felt he couldn't handle someone like He Xian. Passionate, proactive, quick-witted, and unpredictable, once he had an idea in mind, he'd naturally devise a method for it, and no matter how others responded, he could always draw them into his own logic.

Seeing Yan Zhiyuan come forward to agree, Ying Yungui kept silent again, and Shi Youchen didn't say anything more.

The smart butler came over and said, "Dinner is ready. Please come and enjoy."

The group discussed the matter for a long time, so it was almost midnight after the meal. He Xian's manor was large, with many guest rooms, and they were all cleaned daily by a housekeeper, so there was no need to tidy up before staying.

The housekeeper took Shi Youchen and Yan Zhiyuan to their respective rooms, briefly introduced the usage of some high-tech furniture and appliances, and then left.

Ying Yungui and He Xian were standing on the top-floor observation deck. The lights were not on and it was dark all around.

In the dark shadows of the mountains, Ying Yungui asked, "How have you been lately?"

He Xian smiled: "Which aspect do you mean? Physically? Work? Or emotionally?"

Ying Yungui choked and said, "Both."

He Xian raised his chin and looked up at the night sky. "My health is just so-so, neither good nor bad. I don't have to worry about the association's affairs at all. They just want me to do nothing. As for my feelings..."

"You know, it's hard for me to have any real feelings for people. Plus, I'm under constant surveillance. If I find a partner, it will implicate others and cause them to be investigated, which will increase the workload for my colleagues in the Information Department. Why bother?" He always had a cigarette in his pocket, but he didn't reach for it.

Ying Yungui knew his habits, "Go ahead and smoke." He Xian chuckled and said, "Don't be so irritated, it's normal. What, can you change those bad habits? Have you changed your personality?"

"Get lost, if you don't want to smoke, forget it."

He Xian: "You haven't told me the follow-up to the Snow Mountain incident you asked me about last time. Tell me about it."

Ying Yungui took a big step and walked to the table and sat down: "Before, many things were still uncertain, and you didn't know them, so there was no need to tell you."

He Xian: "Oh! Does this mean it's confirmed now?"

Ying Yungui: “Just now.”

He Xian: "Just now... Shit, it couldn't be..."

"Alright, don't say you didn't see it, I'd never believe it." Ying Yungui closed his eyes and rubbed his eyebrows, "It's him."

He Xian said "Oh" meaningfully, snapped his fingers, and sat down opposite him. "I can see that you have some special feelings for him, but I didn't expect it to be that special. After all, you haven't shown any preference in this area before."

Ying Yungui raised her head and opened her eyes to look at him. Her silver earrings shone brightly in the moonlight. She said in a deep voice, "He Xian, we've known each other for almost ten years. I know your character very well."

"Don't use your old tricks on him." Ying Yungui finally spoke with a look of reluctance, "I know you're definitely interested in him, but you'd better clarify your feelings first. He's not the kind of person who covets wealth or status, nor is he someone who indulges in sensual pleasures."

Ying Yungui was truly anxious. He had forgotten that He Xian wasn't a native of District 8. Even though they could communicate fluently in the District 8 language, words like "sex, sex, dogs, and horses" were still beyond his comprehension.

However, just as Ying Yungui understood He Xian's style, He Xian could also feel his emotions from Ying Yungui's tone.

"When you said you were sure at first, I didn't quite believe it." He Xian folded his arms and stared at Ying Yungui with a half-smile. "But you can even say such words. It seems that you really like him."

"I like you so much that I even forgot why I became what you call a 'dissolute and corrupt official.'" He Xian's lips curled up, but there was no smile in his eyes. "Yun Gui, I never pretend in front of you, so I'll give you a hint."

"You could have stopped me from getting any closer to him, but you just gave me a reminder. Why?"

Ying Yungui realized that his outspokenness might have hurt He Xian, so he answered truthfully, "I can compete fairly, but I can't use despicable means to hinder others from pursuing him."

After hearing this, He Xian stared at him for a long time, and finally smiled sincerely: "I've never seen you so scared." He stood up and left the observation deck, leaving behind a sentence, "Don't worry, young love bird, I'm much more clear-headed than you are. Reflect on yourself!"