Chapter 041 Three Sentences Fill the World-weary Villain with Hope (Part 6)
Chen Wenjian's hesitant look caught Chen Yunli's eyes, adding a touch of mystery to the library.
He turned around and took a last meaningful look at the towering tower.
A few minutes later, the No. 223 iron bus that went directly to Xiangyu Street stopped in front of him with a clang. Chen Yunli paid the fare and got on the bus. He sat in the window seat, opened the wooden box, and counted the items inside.
A uniform and cloak exactly the same as the one Ming Shaotu wore, a blank silver work badge, and an employee handbook on the top.
It’s exactly the same as what Ming Shaotu said.
The moment the box was opened, Chen Wenjian shuddered violently. What came into his sight was muddy, black and red blood and pale branches that looked like human bones. The breath of death and despair hit him in the face, as if he was wrapped in fire. Just looking at it made him so frightened that his muscles spasmed.
But the next second, these horrible things changed dramatically under Chen Yunli's gaze, and finally solidified into the appearance in his eyes - to be precise, the appearance he imagined.
Uniforms, work badges, manuals.
"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell again?" Chen Yunli raised his hand and touched Chen Wenjian when he noticed him trembling.
Chen Wenjian rubbed his palm and turned his eyes away, deciding to pretend out of sight is out of mind.
Seeing that it was indeed no big deal, Chen Yunli put aside his worries and continued what he had not finished before - reading the employee handbook.
The manual was a thin book, only three or five pages long, and the content was pretty much what he had guessed.
"City Library" Employee Handbook.
Dear Librarian, welcome to our company. For your personal safety and the smooth running of your work, please carefully read, remember, and abide by the following rules. If you violate any of these rules, please actively seek personal assistance according to the relevant regulations. We apologize for our inability to provide you with further assistance.
Article 0: The library is safe and will always be safe.
First, librarian is the most important position in the library. Working hours are from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. You can leave early, but do not be late, work overtime or be absent.
Second, at least two administrators must be present at all times within the library. Therefore, leave is generally not permitted unless an administrator is experiencing extreme mental or physical stress, making it difficult for them to complete their duties. However, in the latter case, we generally arrange for the administrator to resign or retire early.
Third, the administrator's work content changes daily and is assigned by a dedicated person. Regardless of the number of administrators, the work content remains consistent. Administrators are requested to regularly review each other's work content. If any discrepancies are found, they should immediately leave the library and not return to their posts until the next working day.
Fourth, the library's vast collection of books has long been carefully placed in the most suitable locations thanks to the efforts of generations of administrators. Unless necessary, books should not be moved or relocated without authorization to avoid confusion or even loss of the books.
Fifth, do not eat or drink in the main library to avoid damaging the books. Do not drink food or water offered by other colleagues; you never know what you might end up eating or drinking.
Sixth, loud noises and excessive movement are prohibited in the library. If you violate this rule, you will be responsible for the consequences.
Seventh, the library can lend books to outsiders, but borrowers must present their library cards. Ignore outsiders without library cards, ignore everything they say, and prevent them from approaching. If necessary, use physical means to forcibly expel them.
Eighth, if you find that some books are missing or there are extra books on the bookshelf, the administrator will find a way to solve the problem. The best outcome is to find the missing ones and destroy the extra ones. If this is not possible, protect yourself as much as possible and wait until the end of the working day.
Ninth, there is no tenth rule.
Tenth, rule zero is always correct.
Eleven rules plus a preface filled five pages. The more Chen Yun read, the colder he felt. The idea of straying into a strange story became stronger and more certain.
But strangely, he did not find anything unusual in the library, which was most likely the main body of the ghost stories - the only unusual thing was the abnormality of Chen Wenjian and Ming Shaotu.
Is it because his sanity value is too high that he can't see it, or is it because his ability is too low that he avoids the sanity judgment?
Chen Yunli rubbed his chin, recalling the look in Ming Shaotu's eyes when he looked at him, and felt that it was neither of the two.
“Ding—dong—”
"The next stop is Xiangyu Street. Passengers arriving at the station please take your belongings with you and get off the train in an orderly manner."
Chen Yunli came back to his senses when he heard the familiar prompt tone. He quickly put the manual back into the wooden box and got out of the car through the back door holding the box.
A thick black column of smoke rose straight and slowly through the humid air, leaving a long tail as the iron car moved away, adding a bit of gloom to the already gloomy sky. The dark rain clouds were stained with the pungent smell of industrial fuel.
The rain started to fall lightly. Chen Yunli held the box on his head to block the rain and ran all the way back to the apartment. He almost bumped into someone at the door.
"Fuck! You don't have eyes!"
Before Chen Yunli could apologize, the man pushed him hard and cursed him vulgarly.
Hearing Xu Bai's voice, Chen Yunli's eyes became slightly colder. Without even saying sorry, he glanced at him and walked straight towards the corridor.
"What the hell are you looking at!"
Xu Bai was drunk and was furious when he saw him look, so he kicked him.
Chen Yunli dodged quickly, but his kick missed and, dizzy from being drunk, he fell straight to the ground.
“Y/N!”
Xu Bai woke up a little after the fall. He stood up shaking his head, rushed towards Chen Yunli in rage, and punched him in the face.
Chen Wenjian was furious, all the hair on his body stood up, and a low roar came from his throat. Before Xu Bai's fist landed, he rushed over like a flash of lightning and bit Xu Bai's arm hard.
“Crack!”
Its mouthful of porcelain-white teeth swelled and became sharp at this moment, piercing through Xu Bai's flesh and embedding into his bones. Then, with a snap, his arm bone was bitten and cracked, breaking it in half.
"ah!--"
Intense pain suddenly spread throughout Xu Bai's body. He screamed at the top of his lungs, fell to the ground, curled up his body, and rolled around holding his broken arm. Soon, he was in so much pain that he couldn't even scream.
Chen Yunli hadn't expected the power of Chen Wenjian's bite to be so terrifying, and his expression changed slightly: "Chen... come back!"
Chen Wenjian opened his mouth, still a small ball, and his teeth quickly retracted into their original shape after leaving Xu Bai's body. Only the exploded hair and the anger in his eyes could prove that the injury from the rolling gourd on the ground was caused by him.
Blood gushed out from the wound on Xu Bai's arm, along with tiny pieces of bone.
Xu Bai was so painful that he was dizzy, but he still stared at Chen Yunli with a pair of resentful eyes, as if he was the one who caused all this.
Chen Wenjian's roar became deeper and colder. The words "I'll dig out your eyes if you look at me again" were almost on the tip of his tongue, but were interrupted by the sudden sound of footsteps.
Someone is coming!
Chen Yunli reflexively picked up his furry cat and held it in his arms. Within seconds, the owner of the footsteps had already turned out of the stairs and walked towards them from the darkness.
The light was dim on a rainy day. The man was wearing a white robe with gold edges, silver-framed glasses, and holding a thick book with gold letters on a white background. He seemed to have his own firelight, and his appearance made Chen Yunli's eyes bright - bright in the physical sense.
He smoothed the long silver hair that was draped over his chest, and his cold silver eyes swept across the ground. He looked at Xu Bai for three seconds, then moved towards Chen Yunli unmoved.
Chen Wenjian arched his back under his nonchalant gaze. The inexplicable sense of danger aroused his already tense nerves, and his teeth and claws began to lengthen and bend again.
But before it could explode a second time, Chen Yunli covered its eyes.
"Calm down." Chen Yunli whispered in its ear and calmly met the white-robed man's gaze. "Sir..."
"He's your friend?" the man interrupted, looking down at the semi-conscious Xu Bai. His expression and tone remained unchanged, yet a hint of undeniable disdain lingered. "He's seriously injured. If you don't seek medical attention soon, this hand will be crippled."
Chen Yunli hesitated for a moment: "...No. But his injury..."
"His injuries have nothing to do with you. They were the bite marks of a small ferocious beast. To have such a bite force, it must have been at least an adult demon." The man bent down to examine Xu Bai's wound. He spoke calmly and professionally, minding his own business of helping Chen Yunli escape. "Oh, I know this guy. People in his line of work are often targeted by demons, so this bite is well deserved."
“…”
Chen Yunli opened his mouth, but he had said everything he wanted to say, so he could only remain silent.
The man stood up and pulled out his transceiver. "This guy's name is on the Supervisory Office's wanted list. The reward isn't much, but every penny counts. Meeting him is fate, so I gladly accept it... Hmm? Why aren't you leaving? Do you want the reward too?"
The man's eyes swept over, and there was finally some fluctuation in his eyes.
Chen Yunli shook his head without hesitation: "No, no, since you have met, it means you are destined to be together. This fate is too crowded, so I won't get involved."
After saying that, he smiled politely at the man, then ran quickly towards the stairs holding the dust-covered letter and the wooden box.
The man's eyes followed his back, as if he wanted to say something, but unfortunately he walked too fast and didn't have time to speak.
“Ding Di——”
The man heard a new message on the communicator. He looked down and saw two new replies popping up at the bottom of the page where he had sent a message to the Supervisory Office.
——Got it. I’ll arrange a bed for the prisoner right away.
"Boss, are you short of money lately? Is this a small-time figure worth your personal help?"
The man thought for a moment and replied: Money is secondary, the main thing is to be a hero and save the beauty.
There was silence for half a minute before a reserved, elegant, calm... question mark was sent.
…
"Come on, open your mouth and let me see your teeth... Why are you hiding? Lie down!"
In the room, Chen Yunli pressed Chen Wenjian on the bed to check its teeth and claws. The super ferocious black cat that had just bitten Xu Bai's hand bones to pieces was now as soft as a glutinous rice ball, allowing him to pinch and round it, and did not dare to resist.
Chen Wenjian thought about the bite force the man mentioned, and observed Chen Yunli's expression guiltily, afraid that he would see his true identity, so he drooped his ears dejectedly.
Chen Yunli didn't know what it was thinking. He checked it from head to toe and only felt relieved after making sure that there were no obvious changes in its body and it was not injured.
"You're amazing! You look so small, but you actually have the strength of an adult demon. That's amazing! It's not in vain that I picked you up." Chen Yunli said, rubbing its head with a smile.
As expected, I was discovered. Will I be driven away?
Wait! What did he say? What did he mean?
Chen Wenjian's disappointment only lasted for a second before he was beaten back by the sudden wit.
It looked up at Chen Yunli with its eyes wide open, trying to find the answer it wanted from his face.
Chen Yunli did not disappoint it - he did not look at anyone through it, his gaze was truly on Chen Wenjian, and so was his smile.
So... it's not a substitute, nor is it a mistake. What he picked up and looked for at the beginning was Chen Wenjian?
Chen Wenjian's eyes were bright. He stretched out his claws and pressed them on the tip of Chen Yunli's nose. He hesitated for a long time.
"Are you...are you...complimenting me?"
Having not spoken for a long time, Chen Wenjian spoke each word with difficulty, his voice low and gentle, so soft that it almost disappeared amidst the sound of wind and rain.
"...You can talk? Are you a demon?" Chen Yunli was stunned, and realized that he should act surprised, so he took the opportunity to reveal the last barrier between them.
Chen Wenjian lowered his ears, his heart pounding nervously, as if it was going to burst through his chest and jump into his hands: "...Yeah."
Looking at his little expressions that tried hard to hide his true emotions but still couldn't conceal them, Chen Yunli found it both curious and funny.
In the previous world, Chen Wenjian was always calm and composed, and acted thoughtfully and efficiently as if nothing could stump him. He had never felt so uneasy.
Chen Yunli wanted to tease, but he also felt a little sad. After all, for him it was a reunion, but for Chen Wenjian it was their first meeting.
Memories are cleared, and emotions are naturally cleared too.
Chen Yunli sighed secretly, but a bright smile appeared on his face.
He rubbed Chen Wenjian's cat ears: "It's really a monster... Don't worry, I don't discriminate against monsters. As for your question - yes, I was praising you. You saved me just now, thank you."
"You're welcome." Chen Wenjian's head was shaking from being rubbed, but his eyes never left him for a moment. "Then can I continue to stay with you?"
Chen Yunli nodded without hesitation: "Of course."
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