Chapter 8
Shi Xu glanced at Lin Zhi, then turned away, discussing the aftermath with his assistant.
This blatant disregard was commonplace to those familiar with their animosity. A few newcomers, however, were confused, whispering to their superiors.
“I think Vice-Captain Lin is quite friendly towards Captain Shi? Why doesn’t Captain Shi like him?”
Wearing a hazmat helmet, unable to cover his mouth, the superior glared at the newcomer, warning sternly, “You better only say that once. If Captain Shi hears you, you’re done for.”
Newcomer: “?”
Superior: “Captain Shi has always disliked Vice-Captain Lin.”
Newcomer, puzzled: “Why?”
The superior lowered his voice further. “I don’t know the exact reason. Since the war ended three months ago, Captain Shi’s dislike for Vice-Captain Lin has become very obvious. Don’t gossip about this. Keep your mouth shut!”
“I-I understand!”
Another newcomer, standing behind them, glanced at Lin Zhi.
Shi Xu’s cold shoulder towards Lin Zhi was obvious, yet Lin Zhi remained unfazed, standing quietly, smiling at Shi Xu.
Anyone would think Lin Zhi was fond of Shi Xu, while Shi Xu was being disrespectful, lacking the magnanimity expected of a captain.
But even through the visor, the newcomer sensed a chilling coldness in Lin Zhi’s smiling eyes, like a venomous snake, poised to strike.
The world population had plummeted from 8 billion seven years ago to 5 billion now. Among the 60,000 awakened espers worldwide, telepaths were rare, and most people kept their distance from them.
No one liked having their thoughts read. Internal defenses were useless against telepaths. One had to be constantly vigilant in their presence, lest their privacy be invaded.
Telepaths themselves might not be disliked, but their ability was.
Everyone thought Shi Xu was invincible, that nothing could faze him, but he shared their aversion to telepathy.
From their first encounter, Lin Zhi had tried to pry secrets from him. No matter how strong Shi Xu’s mental defenses, there were moments of vulnerability.
Three months ago, after exhausting himself sealing the SSS-class pollutant, he was at his weakest. Lin Zhi was there. While everyone else dealt with the remaining pollutants, Lin Zhi took advantage, infiltrating his mind.
During Shi Xu’s hospitalization, Lin Zhi visited often, bringing flowers, fruit baskets, and malice.
“Captain Shi, you might not know this, but I didn’t join the military because of my brother. I climbed to this position because of you…”
Lin Zhi was the same age as Shi Xu. His brother was among the first wave of awakened espers. To the 17-year-old Lin Zhi, his brother was powerful, but he soon discovered someone even stronger.
Shi Xu, an ordinary human without esper abilities, yet more powerful than his brother.
His brother could transform anything into a weapon. Shi Xu could defeat him. He was truly formidable.
Striving to surpass Shi Xu, Lin Zhi worked hard, becoming an esper in the second wave, awakening the dreaded telepathy.
But he didn’t find it repulsive. He felt fortunate.
Defeating an opponent physically was boring. He preferred breaking their mental defenses, seeing their inner vulnerabilities, effortlessly delivering a fatal blow.
Searching Shi Xu’s memories, he learned about his past, understanding how he became so strong.
He admired Shi Xu’s resilience and mental fortitude, but felt no pity.
“Captain Shi, my brother and I grew up in a loving family, cherished by everyone. You crave paternal love, don’t you? That’s why you try so hard. But no matter how hard you try, your father will only tell you to work harder. Captain Shi, I used to think you were strong, but now, I find you pathetic.”
“I like you very much, Captain Shi. I hope you don’t follow in your siblings’ footsteps. A father like that… it’s okay to give up…”
Lin Zhi gasped, covering his mouth apologetically. “Sorry, I forgot. Captain Shi is your father’s dog. I shouldn’t interfere. Forget I said anything.”
Despite his covered mouth, Shi Xu saw the exaggerated smirk beneath the feigned apology.
“Captain Shi, you have nightmares often. That must affect your daily life. If you’re comfortable sharing, you can talk to me. After all, I am a qualified psychologist.”
Qi Yu, with his ability to restore objects, was assigned to the cleanup crew.
After eliminating the Variant, Shi Xu and the others left. Qi Yu spent two hours cleaning the building, delegating the remaining tasks to his subordinates before returning to the Anomaly Management Bureau.
Shi Xu had no missions or training in the afternoon, resting in his office.
Qi Yu opened the door to the smell of smoke.
“Didn’t you quit?” He wrinkled his nose, looking at the ashtray overflowing with cigarette butts.
Shi Xu had recognized Qi Yu’s footsteps and knock. He remained relaxed on the sofa, glancing up briefly before returning to the report in his hand.
Qi Yu: “Lin Zhi was there too.”
Shi Xu responded lazily, “Yes.”
Qi Yu sat beside him, concerned. “You didn’t argue, did you?” His gaze returned to the ashtray.
He had been cleaning the 7th floor when Shi Xu and Lin Zhi eliminated the Variant on the 14th. He had no subordinates there and didn’t know what transpired.
Shi Xu didn’t have a nicotine addiction, only smoking occasionally when stressed. He quit because his father told him to.
He only disobeyed when truly troubled. Having smoked so much, his encounter with Lin Zhi must have been extremely unpleasant.
Qi Yu patted Shi Xu’s shoulder, comforting him. “Don’t mind him. He’s all talk. He’s a weakling, he could never beat you in a fight! You earned your position as captain through your own strength. His brother wasn’t capable enough and blames you? Honestly, both Lin brothers are messed up…”
Qi Yu rambled on. Shi Xu slapped the report in his hand against Qi Yu’s mouth, silencing him.
“Hey, I wasn’t finished…” Qi Yu pulled the paper off his mouth. It was the report on the recent operation, including a reflection section.
The details of the operation were clearly written, but the reflection section stopped abruptly after two lines.
Qi Yu understood. “You’re not upset because of Lin Zhi?”
Shi Xu gave him a look. “Why would I be upset because of Lin Zhi?”
“…” Qi Yu, “Didn’t you say he was annoying?”
Shi Xu: “He is annoying, but he only repeats the same few things. I’m tired of hearing them.” He was no longer affected by those words. It was just an insignificant secret, constantly brought up to remind him, to assert Lin Zhi’s own abilities and presence.
“At first, I thought he was like a fly. Now, I think he’s an ant. Can you hear an ant?”
Qi Yu: “…If Lin Zhi heard you call him an ant, he’d be furious.”
Shi Xu chuckled. “What does that have to do with me?”
He pointed at the report in Qi Yu’s hand. “Vice-Captain Qi, you’re just in time. Finish writing this for me.”
Qi Yu: “…”
Qi Yu: “I agree with something Lin Quan said.”
Shi Xu: “Oh?”
Qi Yu: “I really hate it when you say ‘Vice-Captain’. Can I punch you?”
Shi Xu chuckled. “If you want, you can try.”
The fight didn’t happen. Shortly after, another task arose.
The victim’s father arrived at the Anomaly Management Bureau, arguing with the staff.
“We’re divorced! I’m her ex-husband! Why are you contacting me? You should contact her current husband.”
“Sir, please calm down. We contacted you because this involves your child…”
“That child has never been close to me. I haven’t heard him call me ‘dad’ since he was 8. He doesn’t consider me his father, so why should I consider him my son? His mother has custody. He has nothing to do with me! I pay child support every month. I’ve fulfilled my responsibilities as a father! What more do you want? My current family is happy. Can you please stop disrupting my life?”
“Sir, please calm down. We’re just explaining the situation. Please tell us…”
“Tell you what?! What right do you have to question me? I should be asking you, did you kill that thing?”
Shi Xu and Qi Yu stood in the corridor, observing the man’s outburst through the glass window.
Shi Xu’s assistant whispered, “He was normal at first. He became like this after learning his son turned into a Variant and killed his ex-wife.”
“He’s afraid he’ll end up like his ex-wife.” Qi Yu scoffed. “Why doesn’t he mention bringing his mistress home and getting caught by his son? He cheated, neglected his son, and has a daughter outside who’s only two months younger than his son. He’s partly responsible for his son turning out this way. And he dares to say he fulfilled his responsibilities as a father? Does he even know why his son didn’t call him ‘dad’?”
“I think his son should have taken him along…”
“Shut up.” Shi Xu glared at Qi Yu, silencing him.
The Anomaly Management Bureau was full of informants and surveillance. Such talk was best kept private.
The captain didn’t need to handle everything. Qi Yu took over the appeasement efforts, with Shi Xu observing.
The man barely managed to compose himself, maintaining a single stance: deflecting responsibility.
Ultimately, the man wasn’t to blame. It was the pollutant. The Variant was the murderer.
The Anomaly Management Bureau was only responsible for notifying the family and asking the man to identify the bodies.
Seeing the state of his ex-wife and son, the man fled in terror.
Qi Yu sighed. “What a coward.”
Shi Xu: “I recall your first encounter with a Variant wasn’t much better.”
Qi Yu: “…Hey, don’t bring up my past! I’ve grown!!!”
After a busy day, he miraculously got off work on time.
The pollutant had promised not to chase the black cat away. Shi Xu didn’t see the cat at his door, but he heard a noise inside.
The pollutant always waited for him at the entrance.
But today’s sound was different.
He opened the door, puzzled. A mannequin, covered in a transparent gelatinous substance, stood in the entryway.
Its mouth didn’t move, but a familiar, cheerful voice echoed, “Wife, you’re back~”
