Chapter 3: I Believe You’ll Protect Me
Cry? He wasn’t crying.
Tang Yu’an knew very well what crying felt like: tears streaming down his cheeks, his whole being immersed in a surge of emotions.
Sometimes, when his mind was blank, he wouldn’t realize he was crying, so he reached up and touched his eyes.
They were dry. Then why did Wei Langxing say he was crying? Was he trying to tease him?
Wei Langxing looked directly at him, feeling like a heinous villain.
Seeing the slight redness at the corners of Tang Yu’an’s eyes when he touched them, he wanted to wipe away the almost imperceptible, yet distressing, tears with a handkerchief. But he searched all his pockets and found nothing.
For the first time, Wei Langxing began to reflect on whether he was too rigid. He was trying to drive the young man away the moment he arrived, without even understanding his abilities. He could have taken it slow…
Pang Jin stepped in to smooth things over: “Xiao Tang, don’t mind him. He just speaks his mind. He hasn’t seen your abilities yet. Show him later, and I guarantee he’ll be convinced.”
Tang Yu’an, who had been pondering the effects of the skill, was confused. He himself didn’t know what abilities he had.
Having walked this far with this body, he found himself easily tired, likely due to the data fluctuations. Even prolonged sun exposure made him dizzy, let alone strenuous activity.
If he had to fight Wei Langxing on the spot, he might as well concede directly and save himself some suffering.
Pang Jin took his silence for hesitation and explained, “Xiao Tang, don’t worry. He’s one of us. It’s fine to tell him. Besides, you’ll be teammates in the future, you need to cooperate, so it’s good to get acquainted.”
He turned to Wei Langxing, his tone immediately hardening: “Listen here, kid, the person standing before you is our department’s secret weapon. You’d never guess how crucial his role is! Xiao Tang, show him!”
Only then did Wei Langxing truly take his words seriously. Could this beautiful young man possess something extraordinary beyond his looks?
Their expectant gazes fell upon Tang Yu’an, carrying a hint of respect. Wei Langxing even took a step back, gesturing with a “please,” giving him space to demonstrate his skills.
Tang Yu’an: “…”
He didn’t even know what his role was, what could he show them?
He curled his toes slightly, thinking of a way to respond.
From Pang Jin’s words, he clearly knew his situation well, likely having interacted with him before. He decided to be upfront to avoid further complications.
“Actually… I don’t remember much from before I woke up…”
He looked at Pang Jin pleadingly. The other man understood and slapped his forehead: “Look at me, I didn’t even ask if your sleep had any lasting effects… But it’s okay, the past is in the past. If you can’t remember, then you can’t remember. You have a bright future ahead of you!”
He pulled Tang Yu’an onto the sofa and retrieved a file from a drawer, handing it to him. It was his personal file. The photo showed Tang Yu’an wearing a white T-shirt, looking somewhat timidly at the camera. His age was listed as seventeen.
Besides basic information, it included a medical report. Tang Yu’an couldn’t understand the complex data, only noticing the final diagnosis: Mental Energy Mutation.
What did that mean? Had he evolved?
Pang Jin explained that his colleague, responsible for monitoring big data, had discovered his unusual medical record during a routine check and, recognizing his potential, had invited him to join the Interstellar Security Bureau after he turned eighteen. He had refused, citing his unwillingness to leave his family.
Later, the persistent colleague visited several times, trying to persuade him. Tang Yu’an was initially resistant, feeling the Bureau was too distant and fearing he wasn’t up to the task. But his attitude gradually softened. The colleague was overjoyed, thinking he had recruited another capable member. However, before anything was finalized, Tang Yu’an had the car accident and fell into a coma.
Pang Jin put a hand on his shoulder: “Fortunately, you’re blessed and woke up, your special mental energy restored. It seems heaven wasn’t ready to take you yet.”
Tang Yu’an voiced his confusion: “So what exactly does Mental Energy Mutation mean?”
Pang Jin felt words weren’t enough, so he asked Wei Langxing to release his mental energy. Wei Langxing complied, his mental energy forming a transparent, blade-like weapon, suspended in mid-air.
The higher the level, the purer the color. This weapon was almost devoid of impurities, incredibly sharp and strong in attack, capable of killing instantly and silently.
Pang Jin gestured for Tang Yu’an to release his mental energy as well. Although Tang Yu’an didn’t remember how, he tried his best to follow Pang Jin’s guidance, relaxing his mind and focusing on a single point.
Slowly, a small flock of golden, translucent birds appeared around him, circling and spiraling upwards, as if dancing.
Wei Langxing’s eyes widened, his pupils reflecting the image of the birds.
He had never seen golden mental energy…
As if drawn by magic, he couldn’t help but move his own mental energy closer.
Since he didn’t intend to attack, he turned the blunt edge of his blade forward.
But the moment the birds’ wings touched the blade’s back, his prized mental energy weapon dissipated into thin air!
What was going on?
He summoned another blade. The birds, as if amused, playfully danced around the water blade, scattering it in an instant!
Wei Langxing felt like he had punched cotton. He looked at Pang Jin in astonishment, who wore an “I told you so” expression.
He now understood why Pang Jin insisted on keeping him, despite his objections. This ability was unprecedented.
Pang Jin put an arm around Tang Yu’an’s shoulders, raising his chin at Wei Langxing: “So, how about my weapon? Impressive, right?”
It was more than impressive. If used properly, it was terrifying.
Imagine, any mental energy attack would be like paper before him, dissolving before it could even land.
Pang Jin was glad he was well-informed, receiving the notification of Tang Yu’an’s awakening immediately and snatching him up before his colleagues could.
He’d treat him to a meal as an apology later.
Even so, Wei Langxing still had concerns: “But there are many other kinds of dangers encountered in field work. His ability doesn’t guarantee his safety…”
“He doesn’t need to be on the front lines. He can stay in the periphery and assist. And surely you can protect a teammate?”
At that moment, Tang Yu’an wasn’t paying attention to their conversation. A golden bird rested on his fingertip, radiating warmth. The sensation was strange, as if a part of him had been released, free and comfortable.
With a thought, the bird vanished.
Wei Langxing and Pang Jin had basically reached an agreement. Wei Langxing, already acting like a captain, instructed: “During field work, you must stay close to me. Don’t act alone. If I need to leave, I’ll have another teammate stay with you…”
He thought of something and asked Pang Jin, “By the way, how many people are in our department now?”
Pang Jin: “Exactly three.”
Wei Langxing: “…”
Tang Yu’an: “…”
Wei Langxing had never seen such a barebones department: “Just three people? What kind of director are you?”
But Pang Jin remained undeterred by the bleak prospects of the new department. He was stubborn, with the spirit of plowing several acres of land out of sheer defiance. That was why the higher-ups chose him to build this remote department.
“Don’t worry, your new teammate will arrive soon. I believe that as long as we work together, we can build a warm family!”
He grabbed Wei Langxing and Tang Yu’an, one in each hand: “From now on, you two are the pillars of the team. Get along well!”
Wei Langxing extended his hand, formally introducing himself: “Wei Langxing, former member of the Interstellar Assault Team. Pleased to meet you.”
Lacking a title, Tang Yu’an simply stated his name.
Wei Langxing’s first thought was, What a beautiful name, – no, What a lovely name. His second thought was, What a nice hand to hold, smooth as jade in his grasp.
Once he held it, the feeling was so good he didn’t want to let go. Tang Yu’an didn’t move either, because the system notification sounded.
[Protagonist Number One, Wei Langxing, detected and bound.]
He wasn’t surprised. Protagonists usually had a unique aura, setting them apart from others, and Wei Langxing was the kind of person you’d notice immediately in a crowd.
Pang Jin’s gaze shifted between them, thinking that this handshake didn’t look like a meeting between teammates, but more like a successful pairing on a dating show.
He couldn’t understand young people anymore.
Just then, he received an urgent message. The specially set notification tone made his heart skip a beat.
Hopefully, nothing bad had happened…
His face darkened. “Guess what? Your first field mission has arrived.”
Tang Yu’an withdrew his hand, and Wei Langxing turned his head: “So soon? According to procedure, there should be at least a month of onboarding training!”
No matter how powerful Tang Yu’an’s abilities were, he wasn’t ready yet. How could he be sent out so rashly? Was the Bureau short-staffed?
Pang Jin sighed. He didn’t want this either, but resources were scarce, and this matter was directly related to him, so it had to be handled internally.
“It’s an emergency mission. One of the Bureau’s external monitoring subjects has lost control of his mental energy. His situation is special; we can’t involve outsiders.”
He handed over the tablet on the desk. Tang Yu’an leaned closer—
Zuo Tinghan, twenty-four years old. The other information was scant, with only a blurry photo of a stern-faced man, devoid of any smile, as cold as his name.
Wei Langxing flipped through it, finding nothing else: “Why is the rest of the file locked? Wait, isn’t this the guy rescued from that organization last time, the one with PTSD?”
He had a good memory, almost photographic, and paid extra attention to important members.
Pang Jin nodded: “That’s him.”
“Isn’t there a dedicated team responsible for him? Why are we handling this?”
It wasn’t shirking responsibility; he was just asking because the Bureau usually had a clear division of labor.
“Because he’s the new teammate I picked for you.”
“…You recruited a mentally unstable lunatic?”
“That’s right, good eye, don’t I?”
Wei Langxing: “…”
He really wanted to shake the old man’s head and see if it was filled with water.
Pang Jin, knowing he was in the wrong, coughed: “It’s sudden. Xiao Tang won’t go this time. You should be fine on your own, right?”
Wei Langxing efficiently started packing: “Leave it to me.”
Then he looked at Tang Yu’an: “The situation isn’t clear yet. You stay here. I should be back soon.”
Tang Yu’an was about to nod when the system popped up again.
[Beep—New mission issued. Please participate in the operation, Host, and rescue Protagonist Number Two, Zuo Tinghan, from danger. Go for it, you’re the best!]
Tang Yu’an: “…”
Thanks, he didn’t need encouragement right now.
“I’m a member of the team too. I’m going as well.”
He said “going,” not “want to go.” He rarely spoke so assertively, always preferring to leave room for others, but the mission left him no choice.
“Your abilities haven’t been tested yet. It’s not safe…”
Pang Jin echoed: “Yes, Xiao Tang, you’ve just woken up. I don’t think you’re in good shape. Rest for a while. This kid, Wei Langxing, is tough, he’s enough.”
[Plot rejection factor detected. Automatically triggering skill – Pitiful Appeara…]
“Stop! Stop it!”
[Trigger terminated.]
He didn’t want that weird skill.
“I’m going. If you don’t take me, I’ll follow secretly.”
Hearing such assertive words from that gentle face, his determination made Wei Langxing stare at him for a long moment, feeling that he was different from what he had imagined.
“Fine, but you must listen to my commands.”
On the road, Wei Langxing drove. The traffic was heavy. He honked impatiently, then couldn’t resist asking, “There will be many field missions in the future. Why do you insist on coming this time?”
Was he desperate for money and wanted the bonus?
Tang Yu’an gripped the seatbelt, looking straight ahead: “Because I also want to help our new teammate. He’s having trouble with his mental energy, and that’s where I can be of use.”
“Aren’t you afraid?”
“A little, but I still have to go.” He turned his head, smiling slightly. “And I believe you’ll protect me.”
The obstacle ahead cleared, but his car didn’t move. The honking from behind urged him on, and the car lurched forward.
