Chapter 86
After Number Four asked the question, he could clearly feel Number Five's body stiffen slightly.
"Nothing... nothing."
The little girl rolled her eyes and continued to put the small spoon into her mouth. After taking a mouthful of jelly, she scooped up another spoonful and stretched it towards number four.
"Brother, you eat too!"
The little girl put the spoon to No. 4's mouth, opened her mouth slightly to demonstrate, and said softly, "I...I think my brother has lost weight."
Number Four raised his eyebrows slightly. Although he knew she was trying to change the subject, he couldn't bear to refuse her feeding.
So, he opened his mouth, held the spoon, and ate the jelly that No. 5 fed him. Just as he swallowed it, No. 5 scooped another spoonful and put it against his mouth.
Number 4 took a break and continued to eat.
When the little girl was about to scoop him a third helping, he said, "Okay, just focus on eating. I'll help you braid your hair before you eat."
"Uh-huh!"
Seeing that his brother didn't ask any more questions, Number Five secretly breathed a sigh of relief, gave him a sweet smile, then lowered his head, grabbed the small spoon, and started eating by himself.
Number Four took a comb and combed her tangled hair bit by bit.
The little girl had thick, curly hair, which made it very difficult to take care of. But she loved beauty and always asked him to braid her hair. At first, he had no idea how to do it, and finally he learned it from Sister Xun from the action team.
Now, he knew how to comb her hair so that he could untie the knots without hurting the little girl.
Combing and braiding his sister's hair has become a part of Number Four's daily routine. When doing this, he can always feel inner peace. No matter how irritable and upset he is, he will slowly calm down in the process of combing Number Five's hair.
It was as if what was being combed was not Number Five’s hair, but his mood.
Finally, Number Four skillfully tied the little girl's messy hair into a beautiful fishbone braid, and then nodded with satisfaction.
Just thinking of something, Number Four patted his sister's head and said, "You have to learn to comb your hair yourself in the future, okay?"
"Why?"
"What if I'm not here..."
Number Four couldn't continue the conversation because he saw that the little girl's eyes, which were already a little red and swollen, turned slightly redder.
"I don't want to study, I don't want my brother to leave me..." The little girl threw herself into his arms, her tiny voice filled with tears, which made Number Four feel sad.
Number Five, who used to speak not very fluently, seemed to have grown a lot in just a few days. This time he was away for such a long time that it seemed to have really scared the little girl.
"Okay, okay, don't cry anymore. Brother is back and he won't leave again."
Number Four had no choice but to hold her and coax her softly, "Look, you have dark circles under your eyes from crying. It won't look good if you cry any more."
Number Five pursed his lips, but still couldn't hold back his tears.
After a while, she finally stopped crying and said in a trembling voice, "Brother, you eat. I... I'll go wash my face..."
After saying that, she got down from the chair by herself and ran to the bathroom with her short legs.
Number Four looked at her back, and although he was a little worried, he did not follow her after all, because this incident also made him realize that in the future, he and his sister might still be separated due to various reasons.
He couldn't do everything for her, and she had to be independent and learn to take care of and protect herself when they were forced to separate.
Only in this way can he wait for her and find her again and reunite with her.
Number Four thought about letting his sister learn to be independent next. He knew that this would be difficult for both Number Five and himself - he was used to taking care of her.
Just take it slow...
Thinking of this, Number Four also opened his breakfast and began to eat attentively.
I used to think that raising cubs was not a good thing. I always thought that I must take my sister away from this shabby place. However, it was not until yesterday, when I returned to this small room with my sister on my back, that I realized——
This room actually gave him an indescribable sense of security, just like... his and his sister's home.
In other words, for these homeless people, this place where they grew up is indeed their home.
But how long can they live here?
When he grows up, he will no longer be a cub and will have to leave here. Even whether he can grow up to be an adult is still unknown...
Thinking of this frenzied state, No. 4's hand holding the spoon tightened slightly.
This time, the breeder had successfully brought him back, but what about next time? Since those people had taken him away, it proved that he had what they wanted.
Will they give up if they fail to succeed?
Number Four pursed his lips, his heart filled with confusion and anxiety about the future, but...
When he thought of Number Five and his sister who still needed his protection, he cheered up. No matter what, he had to take care of his body first so that he would have the strength to escape even if he needed to.
Number Four collected his thoughts and continued to concentrate on eating.
After a while, Number Five ran out of the bathroom. She didn't make a noise, but moved a chair to her brother's side and accompanied him obediently, her eyes always on him.
It seemed that only in this way could she be sure that her brother had returned to her and that she was not dreaming.
Number Four would occasionally scoop up a mouthful of jelly and feed it to her.
After the two of them finished breakfast, he tidied up the room simply. Seeing this, No. 5 also followed his example and packed up his things.
As Number Five was tidying up his little cabinet, he heard his brother say, "That new breeder..."
She paused and happened to see the red hairpin she had put back in the cabinet. The little girl thought for a moment, took out the hairpin and put it in her pocket.
She looked up at her brother, and then heard him say, "I think he... seems a little special."
At least when No. 4 was taken to the research institute, whether he was confronting Dr. Ren or being locked up alone in the room, he never thought that the breeder would come to rescue him.
And he brought number five and number eight with him...
Forget about Number Five. Number Four knows very well that his sister rarely goes berserk, but Number Eight...isn't the breeder worried that he might suddenly go berserk outside and lose control?
Is it because of ignorance, or because...
Are you confident?
Number Four recalled the feeling the young man gave him, but found that... he couldn't understand it.
This new breeder, Su, gave him a different feeling from all the breeders in the past.
Number Four had never seen such a lazy and relaxed attitude on the cub breeders or other adults in the base.
"Yesterday, you and Number Eight..."
Before Number Four could finish, Number Five said, "Number Eight now has a new name. His name is Langze."
Number Four was startled, "Langze?"
"Yeah!" Number Five nodded and said with some envy, "It sounds nice, doesn't it? It seems the new breeder gave it to him. Number Three and Number Seven also have new names."
"Oh? What are their names?" Number Four asked curiously.
"Number three is called Xingxing, and number seven is called Yoyo."
Number Five didn't remember the two people's full names, but she remembered their nicknames very clearly. After all, she always mentioned "Little Wolf Cub" and it was easy to remember.
"Stars... Yo yo..."
Number Four nodded, and inevitably felt some strange emotions in his heart.
He actually knew that Number Four and Number Five weren't their names. They were just numbers, just like the nanny robots. As for their names before coming to the brood center...
Number Four couldn't remember anymore.
When he was sent to the brooding center, he was only three years old. Suddenly, a vague picture appeared in his mind again -
It was on a green meadow. The little boy was running on the grass. Figures of men and women appeared in front of him, smiling and calling him.
What they shouted was probably...his name, but he couldn't remember the exact pronunciation.
That’s their identity…
Number Four knew that the man and woman were most likely his and his sister's parents. Even if not, they were probably blood relatives. It was an innate connection, and even if the memory had become fuzzy, the feeling would not change.
But...so what?
They hadn't appeared since he could remember, and from the moment they left him and his sister behind, they had no relationship at all, Number Four thought coldly.
Although the cub breeding operation did not do many things well, it did at least do one thing well, which was that the cubs were never made aware that they were actually the children of criminals.
The cubs didn't know that the planet they were on was actually a prison planet for criminals, and they didn't know that they would need to pass an assessment before they could be qualified to leave the prison planet.
Therefore, No. 4 always believed that he and his sister were abandoned, and he also had deep hatred for his parents in his heart.
"elder brother?"
At this time, Number Five's call brought Number Four back to his senses.
He lowered his head and saw No. 5's concerned look. He couldn't help but reach out and touch her head, shaking his head to indicate that he was fine.
Number Five then brought up the previous topic with him again.
Having come to the nursery since she was a baby, Number Five's perception of the world is different from theirs. She feels that "Number Five" is her name.
Similarly, she also regards the nanny robot as her own kind, because since she was a child, apart from her brother, only the nanny robot has taken care of her, so she has such deep feelings for 4583 and 4586.
This may be the reason why her emotions have been relatively stable, because she is more adaptable to the environment than other cubs.
"Do you want a new name?" asked Number Four.
Number Five thought for a moment and said, "That depends on whether the new name sounds good."
Number Four couldn't help but curl his lips and reached out to rub her little head, causing the little girl to mutter in dissatisfaction: "You messed up my hair..."
However, although she was dissatisfied, No. 5 did not avoid him. Instead, she obediently let her brother touch her head. As long as her brother could stay with her all the time, he could touch her as long as he wanted.
Number Four simply touched it lightly, then remembered what he really wanted to ask—
"So, why did you and Langze come to pick me up?"
"The breeder said we can go together." Number Five said as a matter of course.
In fact, this is indeed the case.
"Is it really that simple?" Number Four asked in disbelief. "Didn't he do anything to you before leaving the nursery?"
For example, they injected some new drug that could suppress their frenzy...
Number Five shook his head. "No, we went looking for him, hoping he would rescue you, and then the keeper told us to go with him."
She recalled, "Then...then we left the brooding center, got on the hovercar together, and went to a place called the research institute, and then...then after a while, you came out."
Number Four couldn't help but feel suspicious. Was it because Number Five was young and couldn't express himself clearly, or was it because... was it really that simple?
"Didn't you encounter anything else along the way?"
Number Five shook his head.
This is going too smoothly… Number Four thought to himself, and then he realized something was wrong—
"How did you know I was in trouble?" And you even knew to ask the breeder to rescue him?
Faced with this question, the little girl who had just been answering every question became evasive. She stammered, "Then...then you haven't been back for so many days...of course...of course something must have happened..."
That was true, but looking at the little girl's expression, Number Four knew that his sister was hiding something from him in this matter.
Knowing that the little girl was stubborn and wouldn't answer even if pressed, Number Four kept the question in mind and nodded, saying, "Well, you're very smart. Thank you for saving me."
He touched the top of the little girl's head and said, "I'm sorry for making you worry. It's my fault."
Number Five was feeling a little guilty at first, as she didn't want her brother to know that she had a connection with the monster. When she heard the following words, her eyes turned red again.
"It's the bad guys' fault! Brother is not wrong!"
Hearing her defense, Number Four felt soft-hearted, but seeing that she was about to cry again, he changed the subject and asked, "Do you want to stay in the room or go out and play?"
It’s not activity time yet, so they can still go to the activity room. I don’t know... whether the new breeder has gone to the activity room.
Hearing this, Number Five said without hesitation: "I want to go to the activity room. Langze said he wants to teach me how to play the flute."
Play the flute?
What is this?
Number Four was puzzled. How could he have been away for only a few days, and yet so many things had happened that he couldn't understand? Playing the flute...was this also a new change brought about by that Su the Keeper?
He nodded, glanced at the closed door, and said, "Call the base's intelligent computer."
"Hello, how can I help you?" A light curtain unfolded in front of him, and at the same time, the mechanical sound of the intelligent computer sounded in the room.
This was something Number Four had secretly learned from the adults. However, although the base's intelligent computer would respond to his calls, as a cub its authority was very low, so basically no requests could be approved.
but……
"Can you please call 4586 over for me?" said No. 4.
Basic needs such as calling nanny robots and keepers can still be met.
However, the base's intelligent computer did not directly agree this time. Instead, it asked, "Excuse me, what do you need to call Nanny Robot No. 4586 to handle?"
"I want to go to the activity room." Number Four answered truthfully, "It's still activity time. According to the rules, Number Five and I can go to the activity room."
As a result, just as he finished speaking, in front of him and Number Five's surprised gaze, the tightly closed door actually -
It opened automatically.
The explanation from the base's intelligent computer also sounded at the right time.
"According to the latest regulations of the nursery, from 6am to 6pm, during this period, the cubs can move freely in the nursery without disturbing others or damaging property. There are no restrictions on their movements."
"Therefore, you can go to the activity room on your own. You don't need to call Nanny Robot No. 4586 to accompany you. Please be advised."
Number Four & Number Five: “…”
Although the base's intelligent computer had already explained it, No. 4 still felt that something was wrong when he looked at the open door.
He asked No. 5 to stay in the room first, then he tentatively walked to the door, looked outside, and made sure nothing happened before stepping out.
The boy stood at the door and noticed that nothing happened after a while.
Could it be that what the base's intelligent computer said was true?
He turned around, looked at Number Five who ran up to him, and asked, "Are you aware of this new rule?"
Number Five shook her head. This was the first time she knew about it too!
Number Four frowned and thought for a moment before asking, "Intelligent Brain, when did this new rule come out?"
Words appeared on the screen, and at the same time, the intelligent computer replied, "Yesterday."
"Why is there such a new rule?" Number Four was puzzled.
Although he also longed for freedom, he actually knew why the adults restricted them in this way - because the power of their bloodline could erupt at any time and could hurt others and themselves at any time.
Just like this time, the reason why he had a conflict with No. 2 was because he suddenly spit fire and almost hurt his sister. Fortunately, with the protection of 4583, his sister was not burned.
However, 4583, the nanny robot that was very important to No. 5, was unfortunately destroyed.
Although Number Four tried his best to calm himself, his anger, regret, and fear still caused him to lose control of his emotions. He instantly went berserk and started fighting with Number Two...
The frenzy was not something they could control, and if they wanted to ensure each other's safety, they could only reduce going out.
But now, there is such a new rule... Number Four couldn't understand it. Doesn't the base worry that they will cause damage after going crazy?
"Insufficient permissions, unable to query."
However, the base's intelligent computer did not give an answer to his question.
Number Four couldn't help but clench his fists, while Number Five, who was standing next to him, tugged at his shirt and tilted his head back to ask him, "Brother, are we still going to the activity room?"
After hesitating for a few seconds, Number Four nodded and said, "Go ahead."
Although he felt a little uneasy, he was also worried about leaving No. 5 alone in the room - now that they had the right to come and go freely, who knew if the little girl would run out of the room by herself?
Until Number Five has enough power to protect herself, Number Four will never dare to let her go out alone.
So he took his sister's hand and walked towards the elevator with her.
At first he walked very carefully because the feeling of being without an adult or a nanny robot was so unfamiliar, but he soon adapted and felt very comfortable.
For some reason, Number Four suddenly remembered yesterday when the keeper let the wolf cub go to the activity room alone...
So, the breeder did this because of the new regulations, or... the new regulations themselves are related to this new breeder?
With such doubts, No. 4 went to the second floor with his sister. Just as he got out of the elevator and was about to go to the activity room, he saw a lazy figure walking out of the activity room.
"It's the breeder!" said No. 5.
"Um……"
Number Four kept walking and finally came in front of Su Ci, blocking his way.
Su Ci looked at the two children, took stock of their physical and mental condition, then nodded as a greeting and prepared to leave.
However, just as he took a step forward, the two children blocked his way again.
Su Ci had no choice but to stop and ask, "What's the matter?"
Number Four looked at him and said seriously, "Thank you for rescuing me from that place."
"You already thanked me yesterday."
Su Ci shrugged his shoulders and didn't take the matter too seriously. After all, for him, it was just a piece of cake.
Number Four opened his mouth slightly. He had too many questions in his mind, but when he really got in front of the breeder, he found that he couldn't ask.
In fact, even if he asked, he might not get an answer, just like when he asked the intelligent computer, he usually didn't get an answer. He didn't think the breeder would answer him truthfully.
Therefore, you still have to rely on your own observation and summary.
While Number Four was hesitating, Number Five rolled her eyes, thinking about something in her mind. She asked Su Ci, "Where...where are you going?"
"Let's go outside the building and take a look." Su Ci said.
"Then...can I go with you?" asked Number Five.
She obviously had something to say, but for some reason, she didn't say it right away.
"Um."
Su Ci didn't mind having two little tails behind him. After nodding, he continued walking towards the elevator.
Seeing this, Number Five hurriedly took her brother's hand and followed him. Coincidentally, Number Four also wanted to observe the breeder more, so the brother and sister hit it off and followed Su Ci into the elevator.
Although the base's intelligent computer had said that they could now move freely in the nursery, when No. 4 actually came outside the nursery building and saw the bright sky outside, he couldn't help but be stunned.
Number Five didn't react much because she had already gone out once yesterday. Seeing the keeper walking to the back of the building, she hurriedly followed in small steps.
Glancing at her brother who slowed down his pace behind her, she turned her head and just lowered her voice, wanting to say something to Su Ci, but...
When the little girl accidentally looked forward and saw the scene behind the building, she was stunned.
I saw that on the land that was bare, brown, and black yesterday, a green corner suddenly appeared, covering a small piece of land next to the building, making it hard not to notice.
"Grow! Together! Grow long!"
"Grow! Together! Grow long!"
The little spirit bud waved its only leaf, and its companion who was originally sleeping soundly beside it seemed to be awakened as well, and its small leaves were shaking gently.
They constantly absorb nutrients from the soil and release spiritual energy to the surroundings.
And around them, the star chain fruit seedlings, which had originally only sprouted leaves, had actually grown vines after just one morning of growth.
The newly grown vines are tender green, spreading out in all directions, connecting into a small piece, and directly dyeing this corner green.
Number Five stared blankly at the growing plants. His young heart felt an unprecedented shock. That vibrant green... was too beautiful!
She couldn't help but murmur, "Are these plants? Will they...will they bloom?"
Then, Number Five heard the breeder's gentle voice, softly ringing out.
"certainly."
These two simple words gave rise to infinite expectations in her heart!
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