Chapter 5
Shen Baizhou’s behavior made this quite apparent.
That morning, Shen Baizhou, worried Zaizai would be bored, wanted to turn on the projector to watch a documentary.
And to continue his observation and study of the human world.
The castle’s equipment was old, with few electrical appliances. The grayish-white screen projector was one of them.
Shen Wen had obtained this projector from who knows where. An old machine with a rubber conveyor belt, it could only play a few fixed films.
Among them was Common Sense of Human Life, which Xing Nuo and Shen Baizhou often watched.
It was in black and white.
Whenever Shen Baizhou stayed at the castle for a short period, he and Xing Nuo would sit on the sofa, engrossed in the film projected on the large screen.
One big, one small, their eyes reflecting the black and white figures, both appearing deeply absorbed.
Xing Nuo would even clench his small fists and jump up, shouting “Ooh! Ah!” at certain scenes.
No one knew what he was so excited about.
Hearing his brother say he wanted to watch a documentary, Xing Nuo quickly nodded.
“Okay!”
Their new home in the human world was considerably smaller than the castle.
Shen Baizhou felt cramped, even turning around was a struggle.
Placing Xing Nuo on the sofa, Shen Baizhou lifted his eyelids and surveyed the room.
Turning around, he spotted a television screen on the living room wall that looked somewhat similar to the projector screen.
What was this?
Shen Baizhou walked over and patted the machine curiously, feeling around it. His hand accidentally pressed something, and the television suddenly lit up.
“…This is XX News bringing you the latest broadcast. Now let’s take a look at the weather forecast for the next few days…”
Shen Baizhou stumbled backward in surprise, his calf bumping against the sofa. His eyes widened, and he blurted out:
“Whoa!”
He finally understood what Lin Ke had been shouting in the stairwell.
Xing Nuo, sitting on the sofa, his dark eyes wide and bright like a cat’s, his small mouth slightly open, stared at the glowing television.
There was sound!
There was never sound before!
The two brothers stared at each other wide-eyed for a moment, then finally settled down side-by-side, their gazes fixed on the television.
It was no different from a caveman suddenly arriving in the smartphone era; everything was bewildering and novel.
They couldn’t understand the content being broadcast on the television at all.
But the two brothers huddled together, mesmerized by the weather forecast and morning news for over an hour.
Finally, Shen Baizhou stood up, seemingly still wanting more, and fumbled to turn off the television.
“Can’t watch too much, many humans go blind. They have to wear lenses to see.”
Yesterday on the street, Shen Baizhou had seen many people wearing glasses and considered himself quite knowledgeable about them.
Xing Nuo, being young, was easily intimidated. His eyes widened in alarm, and he nodded vigorously.
“No watch!”
Seeing that it was almost time, Shen Baizhou, remembering Shen Wen’s instructions, carried Xing Nuo, who was unusually energetic, downstairs for a walk.
His father had said they needed to gradually integrate into the human world.
They couldn’t arouse suspicion. They had to be cautious, slowly exposing Zaizai to humans.
Downstairs.
It was Saturday, and the community park was filled with children running around, free from school.
The childish chatter mixed together, creating a lively atmosphere.
Seeing humans again downstairs, Xing Nuo wasn’t as surprised or shy as the first time.
His whole face emerged from behind his brother’s shoulder, his curly hair bouncing as he looked around, observing the world.
The sky was blue, the clouds soft.
Everything was different from the castle. The sunlight felt warm on his skin, making him want to squint.
Xing Nuo’s small face glowed warmly in the sun, his thick eyelashes fluttering, the fine hairs on his cheeks clearly visible.
He happily swung his short legs, struggling to get down and walk on his own.
Shen Baizhou didn’t agree, continuing to hold him, his expression indifferent.
“No, there are too many humans here!”
Xing Nuo tilted his little head, looking at his brother’s face, confused.
The mother and daughter they had met on their last walk were also there. The round-faced little girl ran over and greeted Xing Nuo.
“You’re here to play today too! Big brother, why is your hair white?”
The little girl looked up at Shen Baizhou with a slightly dazed expression, thinking he looked cool.
Shen Baizhou’s monolids drooped languidly, his silver-white hair seemed coated by the sunlight. His expression remained indifferent, his lips pressed into a thin line.
He glanced down at the little girl in front of him without speaking.
Shen Baizhou didn’t like talking to humans.
The little girl’s mother came over at this time, pulling her daughter in front of her and asking with a smile:
“Are you cosplaying a character? Your hair is dyed so nicely.”
The little girl’s mother knew that boys of this age were often a bit chuunibyou. Even if he didn’t respond, it was perfectly normal.
Her own son practiced “forming his golden core” at home every day, gesturing with his two chicken-claw-like fingers.
It made her so angry she wanted to whack him.
The little girl wasn’t discouraged and continued to hop around, asking, “My name is Xiao Ran, what’s your name?”
Xing Nuo lowered his head, looked at the little girl’s rosy cheeks for a moment, and, gathering his courage, spoke in a soft voice:
“Xing Nuo.”
The little girl wanted to take the younger child’s hand and play, but Shen Baizhou, like a hen protecting her chick, moved away.
His eyes were wary and distant, his expression serious, as if afraid his glass-doll-like brother would break if touched.
“We have to go back now.”
Shen Baizhou’s voice, like his outward demeanor, was cold and tinged with sleepiness.
Xing Nuo, being carried home, nestled against his brother’s shoulder. The sunlight had brought a faint blush to his fair cheeks, and his soft curls framed his face.
Seeing Xiao Ran waving vigorously with her small hand, saying goodbye, Xing Nuo’s eyes curved into a smile.
He mimicked the little girl, extending his small hand and waving back.
Having made a new friend and learned how to greet someone, Xing Nuo remained excited after returning home.
Xing Nuo paced around the living room, his eyes shining, mumbling something unintelligible.
After two laps around the sofa, Xing Nuo’s face gradually paled, the faint blush from the sun quickly fading. He leaned against the sofa and coughed twice.
Shen Baizhou, having already learned how to pour water in the castle, walked over steadily with a glass of water and offered it to Zaizai.
The lukewarm water was just right. Xing Nuo gulped down half the glass.
After drinking, Xing Nuo regained some energy and pointed at the television with his small finger.
“Watch.”
Shen Baizhou shook his head, his cool hair brushing against his cheek, and refused.
“No.”
His father had said that watching too much of the projector would damage a human cub’s eyes!
The television must be the same.
Xing Nuo, deprived of television, hung his head, even his hair seemed to droop dejectedly.
He nestled on the sofa. As his excitement faded, fatigue washed over him.
He had exerted himself far more today than he usually did in the castle.
Xing Nuo’s eyes gradually closed, and he drifted off to sleep on the sofa.
Shen Baizhou leaned over the sofa, his face resting on one hand, staring unblinkingly at his younger brother.
He reached out and gently poked Xing Nuo’s fluffy hair and soft cheeks.
His cold fingertips touched the slightly warm, soft skin, as if sinking into a cloud of cotton.
Seeing Xing Nuo wrinkle his little nose from the tickling, Shen Baizhou couldn’t help but smile.
After poking him for a while, satisfied, Shen Baizhou stood up and carried the little cub back to the bedroom.
Closing the bedroom door, Shen Baizhou walked straight to the television and turned it on.
Humans couldn’t watch too much television, but Shen Baizhou was different.
He wasn’t human.
Shen Baizhou kept an ear on the bedroom while keeping his eyes glued to the television.
In just one morning, he had mastered the skills of changing channels and adjusting the volume.
And he had found a cartoon perfect for human cubs!
After watching episode after episode, by the time Shen Baizhou came back to his senses, Shen Wen had silently appeared at the doorway.
“Enjoying the show?”
Shen Wen’s golden hair flowed smoothly over his shoulders. His hands were stained with an unknown red liquid, and a sinisterly gentle smile played on his lips as he closed the door behind him.
Shen Baizhou’s eyes widened, then he shook his head.
“No, you’re back?”
Towards Shen Wen, high-level monsters like Shen Baizhou, who had evolved beyond mere killing and devouring, felt both awe and an instinctive desire to be near him.
Shen Baizhou feared Shen Wen, yet, due to his nature, he also instinctively revered him.
In human terms, Shen Baizhou was created by Shen Wen, making him his father.
But their relationship was completely different from a human father-son relationship.
After creating Shen Baizhou, Shen Wen hadn’t even bothered to look at him, simply throwing him out to fight and compete with other monsters.
Shen Wen had created many monsters, but only a few survived.
Shen Baizhou had relied on his exceptional strength to become a feared and formidable boss-level monster.
However, Shen Xing Nuo was unique, the only descendant with Shen Wen’s blood.
Although it was unclear why Shen Wen had fathered a human cub, Shen Baizhou transferred almost all of his affinity for Shen Wen onto Xing Nuo.
A human cub with his father’s blood!
Soft all over, radiating warmth, with fluffy hair, so small, completely different from their kind!
Shen Baizhou thought his younger brother must be the cutest and most beautiful human!
Thinking this, Shen Baizhou’s eyes suddenly widened.
He glanced at the time. It was almost one o’clock!
He had missed lunch time!
“Oh no!”
Shen Baizhou jumped up from the sofa and flashed into the bedroom.
Shen Wen, not understanding what he was doing, wiped the sticky red liquid from his hands, straightened his clothes, and slowly walked into the bedroom.
Inside the bedroom.
Shen Baizhou was half-crouching by the bed, a panicked expression on his face as he carefully placed his hand on Xing Nuo’s forehead.
A little warm, but not much.
Not as warm as before!
It was over, his brother had gone cold!
Shen Baizhou sat on the floor, dazed, not even hearing Shen Wen calling him.
Shen Wen glanced at the inexplicably dejected and stunned Shen Baizhou, raised an eyebrow, and elegantly kicked him.
“Move aside.”
Shen Wen glanced at the time, not bothering with Shen Baizhou, and gently woke Xing Nuo, who was still sleeping.
“Zaizai, wake up, it’s time for lunch.”
Hearing his dad’s voice, Xing Nuo thought he was dreaming.
He rubbed his eyes, and through his blurry vision, saw his dad’s familiar face. His eyes widened slightly, and he couldn’t help but let out a small “Yah!”
“Dad!”
Xing Nuo hugged his dad’s arm, his clingy nature fully activated, hanging onto Shen Wen like a koala, impossible to pry off.
“Dad…left Zaizai.”
Xing Nuo’s health had improved quite a bit recently, and he was talking more, though still in short bursts.
There had been times like this before, when Xing Nuo would play with his brother for most of the day before his dad returned.
Xing Nuo didn’t like his dad disappearing. He pouted, his small face full of grievance.
Hearing Zaizai’s accusation, Shen Wen’s lips curved upwards as he pinched Zaizai’s cheek.
“Dad didn’t leave Zaizai. Dad was just busy for a while. Didn’t I ask your brother to accompany you?”
As father and son talked, Shen Baizhou stared, dumbfounded.
His brother wasn’t dead?
