"Gu Tianchen, can I join your group?" An Qingyu asked eagerly.
"No big deal. I'll ask, but no guarantees," Gu Tianchen replied.
"Cool. One more request."
"Shoot."
"Can I have a drop of your blood?" An Qingyu asked, smiling.
Gu Tianchen gaped. "You thick-browed, big-eyed traitor! I treat you like a brother, and you're after my first blood?"
All eyes turned to them, some girls swooning.
"No misunderstanding! I'm just curious why you got so strong," An Qingyu said, adjusting his glasses.
"Simple. A hundred push-ups, sit-ups, and squats daily for a hundred days. You'll be as strong as me," Gu Tianchen said, dead serious.
An Qingyu's eyes flickered with doubt. Does that really work?
School Gate.
By a black van, two men leaned against the door, watching the entrance.
Hongying's voice crackled through Chen Muye's earpiece, reporting the mission's end.
"It's over. They're coming out," Chen Muye said.
Wu Xiangnan frowned. "Why didn't I get her report?"
"Because I'm the captain."
"I'm the vice-captain."
"You always butt heads with Hongying."
"I follow protocol."
"You're too rigid. That's why the kids like me more," Chen Muye said, flashing a fatherly smile.
"First mission, and these two rookies—one nearly wiped out all the infected, the other beheaded the Nanda Serpent Demon. Impressive."
"Mission went so well, should we get them a banner?" Chen Muye asked, grinning.
"A hotpot dinner's more practical," Wu Xiangnan suggested.
Imagining Gu Tianchen's monstrous appetite, Chen Muye gave Wu Xiangnan a look.
Wu Xiangnan backpedaled. "Forget I said that."
Chen Muye gritted his teeth. "Hotpot it is. They earned it. We'll split the bill."
"Why? You're the captain," Wu Xiangnan protested.
"Now you remember I'm captain? Who recruited that kid?" Chen Muye shot back.
Click!
The van window rolled down. Wen Qimo stared, exasperated.
"Can you two stop pinching pennies? Don't make the newbies think the Night Watchmen can't afford a meal. If you're broke, I'll cover tonight."
Gu Tianchen, Lin Qiye, Hongying, and Si Xiaonan emerged from the gate.
Chen Muye smiled. "You two newbies did great. No injuries?"
Lin Qiye shook his head, smiling.
Gu Tianchen said, "Just some scratches from the Nanda Serpent Demon. No big deal."
Lin Qiye eyed the nearly healed scratches on Gu Tianchen's arm, raising an eyebrow.
The Nanda Serpent Demon's claws cut walls like tofu. Without Starlit Night Dancer's night boost, Lin Qiye couldn't have won.
He'd used stealth and agility to wear it down.
But Gu Tianchen? He'd faced it head-on, broke its spirit, and faked death to escape, with only cat-like scratches. This brute's physique is insane!
"Achoo!"
Gu Tianchen sneezed, sensing someone roasting him…
Hongying, carrying her black case, looked miffed.
As the team's strongest fighter on paper, she'd only mopped up a few stray infected, basically coasting.
Si Xiaonan, equally idle, looked unbothered. She wasn't weak—she just hated the dark…
"Captain, after fighting all day, got any food?" Gu Tianchen asked, rubbing his growling stomach.
Chen Muye smirked. "Knew you'd bring up food. We've planned it—hotpot tonight. Eat your fill. Young Master Wen's covering the bill."
"Brother Qimo, you're a real man!" Gu Tianchen clapped Wen Qimo's shoulder.
"I want insanely spicy!" Si Xiaonan chirped happily.
"Tonight, except for those on duty, everyone can have a couple of drinks," Chen Muye proposed.
"Awesome! I'll drink you all under the table!" Hongying boasted, pounding her chest.
"No getting drunk," Wu Xiangnan said sternly.
"By the way, where's Leng Xuan?" Lin Qiye asked, scanning the group.
Wen Qimo smiled. "He's always like this. Get in the van. By the time we reach the restaurant, he'll already be there."
Click!
From a distant rooftop, Leng Xuan held a photo capturing everyone's joyful smiles.
He smiled at it, tucked it into a delicate box, shouldered his sniper rifle, and vanished into the night.
Inside the black van, the group was laughing and bickering when Chen Muye's phone rang.
"Captain, what's up?" Hongying asked.
"The cleanup crew called. The Nanda Serpent Demon's head is missing," Chen Muye said.
"Some kid didn't sneak it away, did they?" Gu Tianchen asked, feigning innocence.
"Achoo!"
An Qingyu, hiding in a sewer clutching the Nanda Serpent Demon's head, sneezed.
"What's this? Why do I feel like someone's talking about me?"
"Forget it. They'll find it. Let's eat first," Chen Muye said.
…
"Wow, Xiaonan, that pink suitcase is adorable! Let's get it for Tianchen."
"Totally, yes!"
"Sister Hongying, a pink suitcase for a guy? Really?" Gu Tianchen asked, exasperated.
"You don't get it. Macho pink is trending. It's perfect for your vibe," Hongying said seriously.
Lin Qiye smirked, enjoying the chaos.
"Xiaonan, that Peppa Pig suitcase is cute too. Let's grab it for Qiye."
"Love it!"
Lin Qiye's smirk froze.
"Wow, this dress is gorgeous! What do you think, Xiaonan?"
"It's… sob…"
Gu Tianchen and Lin Qiye, in sync, hoisted Si Xiaonan—one carrying, one silencing—and bolted.
Hongying turned, finding them gone.
"Huh? Where'd they go?"
…
Cangnan Train Station.
Gu Tianchen and Lin Qiye each dragged a suitcase, facing Team 136.
"Got everything?" Wu Xiangnan asked first.
"All set," they nodded.
"Use the sunscreen, face masks, and skincare I got you," Hongying said reluctantly.
Gu Tianchen gave an awkward smile. "Real men don't need that."
Lin Qiye's mouth twitched. "Don't worry, Sister Hongying, we'll use them."
"Shangjing's far. Look out for each other," Chen Muye said, patting their shoulders.
"Don't worry, Captain. We'll take care of ourselves and each other."
"Alright, it's time. Get going."
They waved goodbye and entered the station.
The team watched their backs, feeling a quiet loss…
Chen Muye's phone suddenly rang.
"Hello?"
"…"
"What?!"
"Damn it, stop those two!!"
"Captain, what's wrong?"
"HQ's lost it! They set the training camp in Cangnan. Stop them before they board—tickets can't be refunded!" Chen Muye said urgently.
"Relax, Captain. Hongying stuffed their suitcases full. They won't move fast," Wen Qimo reassured.
Leng Xuan spoke softly from behind. "Lin Qiye's fine, but those suitcases? For Gu Tianchen, it's no big deal…"
Chen Muye's heart sank again. Hongying shot off like a rocket.
…
"Little Brother Qiye, why're you alone? Where's Tianchen?" Hongying asked, catching up.
"He's saving seats," Lin Qiye replied.
"Where's your suitcase?"
"Gu Tianchen grabbed both."
"Those heavy suitcases? He just… waltzed in with them?" Hongying asked, baffled.
"He said… no big deal."
***
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