Outside Pumin District.
He Zhan wasn't in a hurry to go up but instead ate a bowl of noodles downstairs.
He looked up at the sky which had turned a dusky yellow and felt a bit dazed on the way into the community.
From the morning graduation ceremony to the midday supernatural incident at the TV station, and now to this evening's official home interview.
By this time, He Zhan's interest in Wu Liang had long surpassed his real objective for this trip, Chen Wang.
"If he's really Awakened, why endure so much humiliation?" He Zhan was puzzled.
He had already inquired through Lei Zhangming, who had a subordinate named Wang Dawei responsible for collecting money in this area and was well-informed about the Chen Family's situation.
According to Wang Dawei, Wu Liang at the Chen Family was treated like a street rat, anyone could scold him, and he never responded or resisted, just a weak and useless guy.
With both parents deceased, living under someone else's roof and not welcomed, it's normal not to dare to resist.
In another person, this might cause psychological issues, even turning them dark and insecure, which would be understandable.
"But that calmness in his eyes can't be faked; it's an incredible confidence."
Standing in front of the slightly worn-out security door of the Chen Family, He Zhan thought about Wu Liang, who had talked to him asking for directions in the office building.
Back then, he showed no signs of negative emotions and even seemed indifferent to the supernatural incident happening in the building.
Come to think of it, when the glass shards fell from the sky, who knows if his fear was genuine.
Weak and useless, confident and mysterious.
These two contradictory words bizarrely coexist in one person.
He Zhan became more eager to meet this boy named Wu Liang face-to-face.
Ding Dong—
He rang the doorbell, and within seconds there was the sound of slippers shuffling to open the door.
"Who are you?"
Opening the door was a slightly plump woman with prominent eyebrows and a somewhat aggressive demeanor; she asked impatiently, frowning.
He took out his credentials from his pocket and opened them, suppressing his curiosity about Wu Liang, speaking with a calm yet authoritative tone: "Paranormal Handling Department Team Two Captain—He Zhan, here to understand the awakening situation of your family's child."
Upon hearing the "Paranormal Handling Department," the woman remembered her son Chen Wang returning home all day sulky.
Asking him why, she learned that after today's graduation ceremony, following what Principal Xu said, a big figure was supposed to inspect his eligibility to join the Paranormal Handling Department.
But that significant figure left unexpectedly!
He thought he missed the chance to join the official ranks.
This person in front of her must be the big figure Principal Xu mentioned?
His aunt immediately put on a fawning smile, speaking sweetly, "Oh, Captain He, please come in quickly, I'll get Xiao Wang to come out for you to see."
The door swung wide open as she hurriedly walked inside, loudly ordering her husband Chen Yi to make tea for Captain He.
He Zhan, entering the living room, inspected the family's dynamics.
Strong-willed wife, meek husband, and the child...
He saw Chen Wang emerge from a room, smiling broadly and exuberant, but the slightly red corners of his eyes indicated he had been crying from sadness earlier.
Alas, a bit lacking in character.
"Captain... Captain He, hello! I'm Chen Wang, a recent graduate of Chengyang University's Journalism Department. My Awakened Ability is—Emotion Guidance!" Chen Wang's voice slightly trembled.
The thought of possibly joining the Paranormal Handling Department, becoming an official Awakened, excited him immensely.
He Zhan could see that Chen Wang was not just excited but also a bit nervous, speaking as if he were reporting a task.
After all, he was still a freshly graduated kid.
"Explain your ability in detail; if possible, show it to me," He Zhan said somewhat indifferently, more curious about where Wu Liang was.
Upon hearing this, Chen Wang quickly explained, "I can repeatedly alter everyone's emotions within a certain range, whether it's extreme joy or great sorrow, or even inducing a world-weary feeling, it's all possible."
After the explanation, He Zhan nodded silently.
This ability, actually, is quite decent.
Though it can't directly confront a Fierce Ghost, in situations like the TV station incident this afternoon, where many people were trapped, it can instantly calm the crowd, getting them to listen to commands.
It's an assistive ability that's quite practical, saving a lot of unnecessary trouble.
"For a demonstration..." Chen Wang was somewhat at a loss. He couldn't just use his ability on Captain He directly; that would be too offensive.
"We have someone! We have someone!" his aunt interjected, stepping forward to resolve the situation.
She then walked to the door of Wu Liang's room, raised her hand to knock hard twice, and shouted loudly, "Wu Liang! You rabbit... get out! Someone wants to see you!"
There was an important person present, and she almost blurted out her routine scolding. Thankfully, she caught herself just in time, or she'd seem so uncouth.
Creak—
The old wooden door of the bedroom was pushed open, and a slightly disheveled, handsome young man yawningly walked out.
At the sight of him, everyone present brightened up.
The aunt's family thought finally, there was someone to use as a test subject to demonstrate Chen Wang's ability; meanwhile, He Zhan was anticipating finally meeting Wu Liang directly.
"Come on, come on, stand here," the aunt unceremoniously pulled Wu Liang to stand between Chen Wang and He Zhan, without explaining what was going on.
Wu Liang acted completely indifferent, still sleepy-eyed, not even giving He Zhan a detailed look.
After all, stepping out of the room, upon seeing an official Awakened at home, he knew what they were there for.
It's just to assess his dumb cousin's Awakened Ability; after all, it couldn't be that he had completely exposed himself, he hadn't left that many clues.
"Captain He, I'm starting now!"
Chen Wang also paid no attention to Wu Liang's reaction or lack thereof, instinctively raising his fingers and pointing forward abruptly.
Simultaneously, his pupils turned an eerie ink color, staring intently at Wu Liang's face, a mocking glint flashing in his eyes.
He was now guiding extreme sadness as the emotion; surely Wu Liang would end up crying his eyes out in front of the official Awakened to highlight himself?
Cry! Cry!
Think of your parents' tragedy and cry your heart out!
One second, ten seconds, a minute.
As time passed, Chen Wang's eyes became dry from staring unblinkingly, yet Wu Liang just stood there untouched.
Never mind crying, the moisture at the corner of his eyes was probably from yawning.
"Ah~ I feel so bored; I wanna take an afternoon nap~"
An ill-timed yawn echoed out again, and Wu Liang, feeling impatient from being stared at, stretched and expressed he was indeed very tired.
At this moment, everyone in the living room was dumbfounded.
Even He Zhan gave a strange look to Chen Wang.
Was this whole big show just to show me this?