Chapter 44

Number Eight's attention was soon drawn to the flute in his hand.

"Su Ci, is this the one you brought from home to Prison Star?" Number Eight looked at the bamboo flute in his hand and couldn't let it go.

He knew that the new breeder had a space device, and the flute he had just taken out must have been from the space device - and it looked like a magic trick.

He is too smart to be fooled!

I didn't expect the breeder liked the flute so much that he brought it with him to Prison Star. That's why he can play the flute so well, right?

A Yan couldn't help but look at the flute.

It was a musical instrument, maybe called... a bamboo flute? Although it felt familiar, A Yan couldn't remember when he had come into contact with it before.

How strange...

A Yan stared at No. 8's flute for a while, then reached out and touched the space button hanging on his chest, as well as the lanyard made from the breeder's hair.

It's just a flute, not real.

And he has a space button and hair given to him by the breeder himself, and there are many other things in the space button, so the breeder still likes him more!

Thinking of this, A Yan looked away.

Number 8 just asked casually and didn't expect to get any answer from Su Ci.

He sniffed the flute and continued chattering, "What's this made of? It smells so nice, and it's in pieces, like it's not painted on... It looks exactly like the flute the shepherd boy plays with!"

"The bamboo flute is, of course, made of bamboo."

Su Ci looked at the flute, a trace of nostalgia appearing in his eyes.

He remembered that Yinzong was built on a bamboo mountain, with bamboos growing all over the mountain. The disciples of Yinzong were very good at cooking with bamboo. In addition to the peach blossom wine made by the old man Yinzong, the bamboo tube rice of Yinzong was also a unique dish.

Nowadays, I don’t know if there are still plants like bamboo... But since there are garlic sprouts, bamboo may not be extinct yet, right?

Maybe I can still taste the bamboo tube rice in my memory in the future?

Su Ci suddenly thought of something and said to the little wolf cub, "The paper film here is very fragile. Be careful. If it breaks, you will have to re-apply it."

The flute in the activity room is made of a special material. Although the material used for the paper membrane is very similar to paper, it is very flexible, unlike this traditional bamboo flute, whose paper membrane is easily broken and damaged.

“Okay, okay!”

Number 8 took note of it carefully, and then couldn't wait to play the flute according to Su Ci's instructions.

When the familiar humming sound was heard, the little boy's eyes brightened up a little, making his green eyes look even more vibrant and full of energy.

Although the notes he produced were still not very accurate, it was obvious that he had made some progress compared to the pure noise in the morning - I don't know if it was because of his interest or if the little wolf cub really had a talent for music.

Of course, to Su Ci, it was still just a noisy sound, so he didn't let the little wolf stop blowing. Instead, he asked, "Why did you ask me to come here?"

Number Eight was having a great time, and upon hearing this, he blurted out his true feelings: "I'm so bored. It's so boring staying in the room alone. No one plays with me or talks to me!"

As soon as he finished speaking, No. 8 realized something and choked.

He looked at Su Ci and stammered to make amends, "I...I didn't mean to play with you, nor did I want to talk to you...You, don't think too much!"

I see.

Su Ci nodded, "Then I'll go first."

He turned and walked towards the door without any sign of reluctance.

"Hey, why are you leaving..."

The expression on the little wolf's face fell. Although he now had a flute to relieve his boredom, but...but the keeper was here, and he could ask him anytime if he encountered something he didn't understand!

Yes, that's why he wanted the breeder to stay, not because he was afraid of being alone.

The little wolf cub found an excuse and said confidently, "If you leave, what will I do if I have questions for you? You promised to teach me, you can't go back on your word!"

Su Ci stopped and shrugged, "Think about it yourself first. If you really can't figure it out, just wait until tomorrow when you go to the activity room to ask."

He doesn't have time to play with him all the time.

Number Eight pouted. He didn’t expect the breeder to be so cold!

However, compared to those previous breeders who treated him like a little monster and were filled with fear and disgust towards him, he still felt that Su Ci was better...

Seeing that Su Ci was determined to leave, he thought for a moment and said, "Then can I go find number three?"

Su Ci looked at him with some surprise.

Number Eight was worried that Su Ci would refuse, so he quickly assured her, "Don't worry, I won't bully him. I'm just learning the flute with him..."

The more he talked, the less confident No. 8 felt.

Because he doesn't know when he will go berserk, and it's not something he can control. When he goes berserk, he will lose consciousness, and even he himself can't predict what he will do.

However, since No. 4 and No. 5 can live together, why must he stay alone?

Just because they are not related by blood, does that mean he will definitely hurt No. 3 after going berserk?

The little wolf cub was very unconvinced. He felt that he would never be controlled by the power of blood and become a sensible beast.

So, he looked at Su Ci's eyes, and his cultivation became more resolute. The young man said in a resounding voice: "I will control myself! Believe me!"

"good."

A light reply brought silence to the room.

Huh?

Number Eight, who was racking his brains to think of how to prove himself, was stunned. He stared at Su Ci blankly and asked uncertainly: "You just... promised me? Do you believe me?"

"Yeah." Su Ci nodded.

Humans seem to be social animals, so it's strange to let a cub live alone in a room. If No. 8 really wants to go and play with No. 3, there's nothing wrong with that.

Anyway, after he suppressed it twice, there was no risk of No. 8's bloodline power going berserk in the short term. As for No. 3... he was really curious about what this kid would look like after going berserk.

"You believe me!"

After a brief moment of stunned silence, No. 8 jumped up and down with joy. Even he couldn't prove himself, but the breeder actually believed that he could do it!

"Don't worry, I won't let you down!" The little wolf cub grinned foolishly, "Hehehe, since you've already agreed, let's go find number three and play!"

He looked as if he was afraid that Su Ci would go back on his word.

However, Su Ci did not act immediately. Instead, he pointed to the messy floor and said, "Clean up the room first."

Number Eight's eyes widened. "But this is..."

He wanted to say that this was the job of the nanny robot and the breeder, but when he looked into Su Ci's gentle and harmless eyes, which even had a faint smile on them, he didn't know why, but he couldn't say the words.

I always feel like something terrible is going to happen...

"Let's clean it up..."

Number Eight curled his lips, muttered, and began to bend down to pick up the waste paper on the floor.

In addition to paper balls, there were also pieces of paper he tore. His arms couldn't turn into vacuum cleaners like the nanny robot, so he could only pick them up with his hands.

Fortunately, he was smart enough to sweep the scraps of paper and paper balls into a pile and then gather them together and throw them into the trash can.

When No. 8 was cleaning, Su Ci once again felt a fluctuation coming from the prototype of the book spirit.

Even from one floor away, you could feel that it was extremely angry.

Su Ci looked at Number Eight and touched his chin.

The prototype of the book spirit is the breeder's work manual, and it is also a rule-based spirit. Only when more people abide by its "rules" will its power become stronger.

Whether it was A Yan making food or No. 8 cleaning, they were not there or violated the "rules", so why was the prototype of the book spirit so angry?

That's really... interesting.

Number Eight didn't notice that a book spirit prototype was speaking up for him. He had often seen nanny robots cleaning, but now that he was doing it himself, he realized that tidying up the room...

So tired!

The most outrageous thing was that after he swept up the paper scraps, the keeper actually asked him to put the broken tables and chairs back together!

If a table or chair is broken, shouldn't you just replace it with a new one? Why do you need to put it back together?

Number Eight was completely baffled, even thinking the keeper was making things difficult for him… no, testing him! The allure of going out to play with Number Three made him furious, but he still managed to figure it out.

Because the cubs are so good at destroying the house, the tables and chairs used to raise them are made of very sturdy materials and are not easily broken.

Although they are easy to fall apart when under stress, they can basically be reassembled after falling apart, which can greatly reduce the scrap rate and increase the life of tables and chairs.

Plus, the little wolf cub had good hands-on skills and a flexible mind, so he actually managed to put the table and chairs back together, but...

There were two or three extra parts that were not used.

He looked at the extra parts and finally secretly put them in his pocket, pretending nothing had happened.

"Look, I've packed everything!"

Although it was impossible to clean so neatly since it was the first time, No. 8 felt that he had done a good job, so he spoke with great confidence.

When A Yan heard this, he couldn't even bear to look.

I just picked up the paper balls and set up the table. The bed wasn't made, the floor was covered in dust, and the water cups weren't clean...

In A Yan's eyes, none of them were qualified.

However, this was not the place where he and the breeder lived. Although it was a bit uncomfortable to look at, he still chose to put his spiritual consciousness deep into the space button. While practicing using his spiritual consciousness, he sorted out the things in the space button to satisfy his desire.

As for Su Ci...

He felt that the little wolf cub had been well-tended, at least he wouldn't feel upset at the first glance, so he nodded and let him pass.

"Yeah!"

The wolf cub cheered happily.

Seeing how excited he was, Su Ci poured cold water on him, "But let me make it clear first, if Number Three doesn't agree to you staying, then you have to come back."

Number Eight froze when he heard that, then curled his lips and said proudly, "Don't worry, Number Three will definitely agree!"

He puffed out his chest confidently, with his big tail raised high, looking like a little wolf who was very proud and had never thought of encountering setbacks.

Su Ci admired his confidence, so he took him to room number three.

Although the communicator beeped twice when No. 8 left Room 503, reminding him that cub No. 8 had left the room outside of his normal working hours, Su Ci simply chose to ignore it.

As a breeder, he does have high authority at the nursery, but he might have to face questioning from inspectors in the future...

Of course Su Ci didn't care.

In room 403 of the nursery.

Just like the last time Su Ci came, Number Three curled up in the corner holding the metal ball, quietly hiding himself in the deep shadows, like an exquisite porcelain doll, lonely, cold, and uninterested in everything around him.

However, when the door of the room opened and the familiar mist appeared, the little boy reacted a little more than before.

It's the breeder...

He leaned forward slightly, as if trying to stand up.

However, the next moment, when a warm and cheerful figure jumped out of the fog, the little boy slipped and fell back again.

"Number Three! Look what I got!"

However, before he could sit firmly or hide deeper, the little wolf cub rushed to No. 3 like a firecracker, grabbed his hand and dragged him out of the shadows.

Number Three, who was petite and thin, and had a slow reaction, was unable to resist at all.

Before he could say no, he was dragged out by Number Eight and exposed under the sensor light on the ceiling.

The child's face turned slightly pale, and he hugged his metal ball helplessly, as if only this could give him a little sense of security.

Then, his right hand was pried open and something was stuffed into it.

When No. 3 sensed the shape of that thing, he was stunned.

He put down the metal ball in his other hand and took the thing that No. 8 handed him with both hands.

It's a flute...

But not the one in the activity room.

It has a slightly cool touch, a smooth surface, feels very comfortable to the touch, and exudes a faint fragrance. No. 3 fell in love with this bamboo flute almost immediately.

"Hey, it's a flute! The breeder gave it to me!" Number 8 showed off proudly, with his big fluffy tail almost reaching the sky.

Then he extended the invitation, "Want to play?"

Play together?

Number Three was stunned for a moment, his face turned towards the fog, and then he heard the keeper's voice, "Number Eight wants to play with you. How about letting him stay in your room for a while?"

Hearing Su Ci speak so bluntly, Number Eight glared, then looked away and scratched his cheek with his fingers, looking a little embarrassed.

However, Number Three's reaction was beyond his expectations.

The little boy shrank aside almost subconsciously and shook his head in resistance.

The expression on the wolf cub's face fell instantly.

"Why?"

Number Eight looked sad. "Number Three, don't you want to play the flute with me? If I leave, there will be no one to learn to play the flute with you! This flute is mine, and if I leave, you won't have it anymore!"

Number Three clenched the bamboo flute in his hand, frowned slightly, and a rare look of confusion appeared on his usually expressionless face.

Flute...

He wanted to blow...

He wanted to see that colorful world again...

Finally, under the gaze of Number Eight, Number Three nodded very slightly.

Although the amplitude was small, Number 8, who had been staring at him closely, still noticed it. He immediately put away his sadness, cheered excitedly, then raised his chin and looked at Su Ci.

That proud little expression seemed to be saying: See, see, No. 3 really agreed!

I didn't take No. 3's initial rejection seriously at all.

Su Ci looked at the smug look of No. 8, and then at No. 3, who was almost curled up into a ball, but still tightly grasped the flute in his hand.

"Number Three, do you really agree that Number Eight can stay?" he confirmed.

Number Three froze, stammered a bit, and finally said "hmm" slowly. The baby voice, which almost never spoke, sounded soft, like a pitiful little animal.

So cute!

Number 8 didn't notice Number 3's grievance at all. He even shared his flute with Number 3, so he should be very happy!

The young boy looked at the breeder expectantly.

Su Ci nodded and said, "Okay, since No. 3 agrees, then you can stay here. I'll pick you up at dinner time."

"Yeah, yeah, sure."

Number Eight couldn't wait to finish his words and looked around Number Three's room. It was obviously a similar layout to his, and he had all the necessary furniture, but why did he feel that Number Three's room was more comfortable?

After all, Number Three wasn't as noisy as he was, and his room was one of the few that was neat and clean among so many cubs.

Of course, Number Eight hadn't thought of this. He very familiarly picked up the water cup on the bedside table and asked the little boy, "Number Three, do you want some water?"

Number Three shook his head.

"oh oh."

Then, Number 8 said to himself, "I don't have a cup with me. Can I use your cup to drink some water first? I'm thirsty..."

Su Ci quietly left the room, and the metal door closed behind him, blocking out the overly active voice of Number Eight in the room.

He lowered his head and saw A Yan, who had always been by his side, still looking at Room 403.

"Do you want to play with them too?" Su Ci asked.

After all, A Yan is also a cub. Although spirits are not gregarious, each spirit has its own personality. He feels that A Yan's behavioral habits are more like those of humans.

His number is one, so Ayan should have stayed in the nursery longer than all the other cubs.

Before, he couldn't be heard or seen, but now that he has obtained sympathetic simulation, he can be perceived.

Although he still couldn't be seen, Su Ci felt that if A Yan wanted to play with other cubs, this small problem could still be overcome.

However, when he heard Su Ci's question, A Yan shook his head.

He didn't want to play with them, he just found it magical - it turned out that the cubs in the nursery could also get along as friendly as No. 3 and No. 8.

Although Number Three seemed to be very resistant to Number Eight, he finally accepted him, let him stay in his room, and even let Number Eight drink water from his cup.

It's incredible.

And all these incredible things... are brought by the breeder!

Seeing him shake his head, Su Ci pondered for a moment and asked again: "Did you see anything about the flute just now?"

Is the breeder testing him?

A Yan couldn't speak, nor was he in a hurry to write. Instead, he took out a piece of paper from the space button - this was something he picked up in room number 8. It was nothing special, just an ordinary piece of paper.

But when it comes into the hands of the breeder, it's different...

"You figured it out?" Su Ci was a little surprised.

That’s right, the bamboo flute was not brought from outer space by him. It was essentially the same “paper flute”, but he cast a spell on it.

So when he gave the bamboo flute to No. 8, it was just a matter of returning the item to its original owner.

A Yan nodded.

Although he didn't know how he did it, as long as he focused his spiritual consciousness on the flute, he would see that what No. 8 was holding in his hand was clearly the tattered paper flute.

However, as long as he retracts his spiritual consciousness, the paper flute will turn into a bamboo flute again and can still make sounds, which is very magical.

A Yan felt that his spiritual awareness could be used for more than just using the space button. If only he could master more things and make himself more useful...

At this time, he heard the breeder ask: "Do you want to learn?"

A Yan blinked, raised his little head and looked at Su Ci, his dark red eyes becoming sparkling.

May I?

Even if he can't speak, people can still interpret what he wants to express directly from his eyes.

"sure."

Su Ci curled his lips slightly, "But we have to wait until you have completely mastered the first divine text."

It's better to bite off more than you can chew. Besides, after A Yan has made some progress in learning the divine texts, practicing these small spells will be much more efficient and you will understand them at once.

He is looking forward to A Yan's growth more and more.

A Yan nodded vigorously, then put the paper back into the space button.

The two walked towards the elevator again.

Before entering the elevator, Su Ci turned his head to look at the end of the corridor. When he looked over, the tip of a brown and yellow tail with black markings shrunk into the corner.

When A Yan also looked over curiously, Su Ci retracted his gaze and took A Yan into the elevator.

Shortly after the elevator doors closed—

"Er Er, what are you doing here?"

The voice of the nanny robot suddenly sounded, startling No. 2. He hurriedly looked towards the corridor and only breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that the breeder had entered the elevator.

Fortunately, no one was found...

The red-haired boy came out from the corner, brows furrowed, recalling the scene he had just witnessed.

He didn't hear clearly what the keeper was saying, but he was sure that the keeper was indeed talking to someone. Combined with his perception in the elevator, he could basically rule out the possibility that the keeper was crazy.

So, who was he talking to? Was it really Number One?

Is Number One's invisibility the reason he's been invisible? What are his true abilities? Will he become an obstacle to his escape from the base?

The red-haired boy frowned and ignored the nanny robot's questions. He glanced at room 403 next door, then walked into his own room with a sullen face.

After returning to the dormitory, A Yan began to practice the sacred text very consciously.

Su Ci sat down on the sofa, took out the space button, and laid out all the gains from his trip to the cultivation garden.

In addition to two large bottles of maintenance liquid, garlic cloves, garlic sprouts and dead vines of star chain fruit, the most important thing is naturally the pack of 30 seeds.

Su Ci poured out the seeds, which were packed in white plastic bags. Each small bag contained three identical seeds, for a total of ten bags. The bags were labeled with the variety name.

He took a quick look and picked out three bags.

Although Su Ci did not recognize these seeds and had never heard of their names, he had the intuition of a spirit of the earth and knew that these three plants were probably what he needed most at the moment.