Chapter 35 Part 2
Shi Xu never thought he would discuss such a topic with an egg, let alone one that wasn’t even considered an infant yet.
He decided to ignore the unspoken question, bending down to pat the egg. The egg, easily distracted, nuzzled his hand happily.
If not for their different species, he would think it and Gu Sui were father and son. They were too alike, clingy and affectionate, their attention solely focused on him.
He played with the egg for a moment, then heard a voice laced with resentment. “Wife, dinner… is ready…”
He turned, seeing Gu Sui standing at the entrance, his expression unhappy. Shi Xu hummed in acknowledgement, patting the egg before getting up. As he passed by Gu Sui, he was pulled into an embrace.
Gu Sui buried his face in his neck and shoulder. “How… can you… touch… others?”
Shi Xu deadpanned. “It’s not human.”
Gu Sui rephrased. “How… can you… touch… it?”
Shi Xu: “Isn’t it your child?”
Gu Sui: “It… touched you… so… it’s not… our child… anymore…”
Shi Xu: “…” With a father like this, the poor thing.
He gave Gu Sui a look. Gu Sui immediately released him. “Wife… go eat… food… gets cold…”
He didn’t follow Shi Xu, waiting until he left before approaching the golden egg, pointing at its tip. “Don’t… touch… my Wife. Go… cuddle… with Little Black.”
The egg wriggled in protest.
Gu Sui ignored its silent protest, pointing at the little black cat licking its paws in the corner. “Little Black, watch… your wife. Don’t let… it… bother… my Wife!”
The little black cat: “…” Meow? When did it become my wife???
After dinner, Shi Xu declined Gu Sui’s offer to accompany him, going to Jinzhu Bay for his shift.
Arriving at the security room, he saw a familiar face. It wasn’t Qi Yu’s subordinate, but Qi Yu himself.
Qi Yu waved at him through the window.
Shi Xu: “What are you doing here?”
Qi Yu yawned repeatedly. “My shift.”
Shi Xu: “Shouldn’t you be searching for the pollutant?”
Having stayed up all night, Qi Yu looked exhausted, his voice sluggish. “Plenty of people for that, no need for me to personally search. Besides, Captain Lin is on it. I also wanted to experience the ‘normal life’ you talked about. Damn, this chair is so uncomfortable, my back hurts…”
“Oh, right.” After his rambling complaints, he suddenly remembered something. “I searched the area you mentioned, but found nothing. Are you sure the pollutant went that way?”
The question reminded Shi Xu of yesterday’s events in the security room, his gaze falling on the chair Qi Yu was sitting on, then under the table…
He felt a flicker of embarrassment. “It’s good at masking its presence. Not easy to find.”
Qi Yu agreed, then a subordinate rushed in, stopping abruptly upon seeing Shi Xu.
Qi Yu looked at him. “Captain Shi is not an outsider. Speak freely.”
The subordinate nodded, then said, “Vice-Captain, there’s been an incident at the hospital.”
The bureau estimated Chen Han and the others’ time of death to be between 10 pm and 11 pm last night. However, they didn’t receive a report until noon today.
The residents near the hospital hadn’t noticed anything unusual. The pollutant hadn’t attacked any nearby buildings. Everyone who visited the hospital early this morning was killed.
An esper, visiting Chen Han at noon, narrowly escaped, only because the pollutant was already satiated. He managed to alert the authorities.
After hearing the report, Qi Yu concluded, “It has evolved.”
Low-level pollutants were easily detected. Higher-level ones were adept at masking their presence. After consuming humans, they gained human-level intelligence, creating barriers to conceal their activities. This was why ordinary people rarely noticed them.
“Did you catch it?” Shi Xu asked.
“Captain Lin subdued it immediately,” the subordinate replied, then realized Shi Xu was no longer their captain, but he still instinctively answered him.
“Lin Quan did a good job this time,” Qi Yu said, his tone lacking any real praise.
The subordinate: “Vice-Captain, Captain Lin wants you at the hospital.”
The purpose was clear: to clean up the mess.
Qi Yu ran his hand through his hair, rubbing his face, unable to shake off his exhaustion. “I finally understand why you resigned. This isn’t a life for humans.”
Shi Xu chuckled. “Go on, don’t keep Captain Lin waiting.”
Qi Yu glared at him. “Don’t think I can’t see you enjoying this.”
Shi Xu: “Thank you for the compliment.”
Qi Yu: “…”
There were two chairs in the security room. Shi Xu chose the one furthest from the desk, unable to forget yesterday’s events. Sitting at his usual spot would only bring back those memories.
Although his job didn’t require constant vigilance, he didn’t want to be distracted by such embarrassing thoughts.
He considered himself to have superhuman stamina, but Gu Sui was on another level.
He still couldn’t fathom the depths of a pollutant’s desire. Last night, even after hours of being relentlessly pursued, he couldn’t satisfy Gu Sui.
Despite his nap, he still felt tired, shifting uncomfortably in the chair.
He had sat in this chair yesterday, but it felt different today, every point of contact bringing back memories of Gu Sui’s touch, his marks on his skin.
He finally found a somewhat comfortable position, covering his eyes with his arm.
The darkness unearthed more memories. He let them wash over him, the warm breath on his skin, the pressure of Gu Sui’s fingers, the warmth of his lips and tongue…
And Gu Sui’s repeated question: “Do you like it?”
Many, including Qi Yu, thought he was devoid of desire, but only he knew the truth.
His desires were no less intense than Gu Sui’s.
Lost in a pollutant’s embrace, becoming someone he didn’t recognize…
The feeling was strangely… exhilarating.
Did he like it?
Yes!
He loved it!
The memories abruptly shattered. He lowered his arm, opening his eyes.
A dark figure, covered in black slime, stood outside the window, its red eyes the only spots of color.
Shi Xu sighed.
Wasn’t it supposed to be dealt with?
What was Lin Quan doing?
The pollutant opened its slimy mouth, its face obscured by the black goo, but its sinister smile still visible.
It greeted him in Xiao Liu’s voice. “Captain Shi.”
After consuming a human, a pollutant could mimic its appearance, memories, and even its voice.
This creature was no longer Xiao Liu.
Shi Xu’s expression remained calm. “How did you escape from Lin Quan?” Lin Quan’s abilities should have been enough to handle a newly evolved S-class pollutant.
The pollutant didn’t hesitate to reveal its secret. “I… can… split.”
That explained it. Splitting pollutants were tricky. All its fragments had to be eliminated to truly kill it.
Shi Xu asked, “Why did you come here?”
“I… heard… Chen Han… and the others… badmouthing you… Do they… always… do that?”
Shi Xu didn’t answer. The pollutant continued, “You… can rest… now. I… killed them… They can’t… say… bad things… anymore…”
Shi Xu scoffed. “So you came here to tell me this, expecting my gratitude?”
The pollutant smiled. “How… can I… expect gratitude… from Captain Shi? I… just want… to do something… for you…”
Shi Xu: “But the others at the hospital didn’t badmouth me.”
“How… do you know?” The slime on its face receded, revealing Xiao Liu’s ordinary face. “It’s… Cheng Fan’s… fault. They… all know… you’re working… here… They must be… laughing at you… behind your back… I… don’t want… Captain Shi… to hear… so I… killed them…”
‘Xiao Liu’ smiled. “Anyone… who damages… your reputation… I will… eliminate… For my… loyalty… Captain Shi… can I… follow you?”
Shi Xu: “No.”
‘Xiao Liu’s’ smile vanished, its face twisting into a grotesque imitation of Cheng Fan’s, its voice filled with rage. “I told you! He’s a hypocrite! So arrogant on the surface, so filthy underneath!”
Despite Cheng Fan’s face, Xiao Liu’s voice returned. “Don’t… say… bad things… about Captain Shi! He’s not… like that!”
Cheng Fan roared, “We saw him kissing that pollutant! You still think he’s noble?!”
Xiao Liu argued, “That pollutant must have forced him!”
Cheng Fan sneered. “Who do you think Shi Xu is? He couldn’t handle a pollutant? Didn’t you see him reciprocating?”
Xiao Liu: “Shut up!”
Cheng Fan: “This is my body! You have no right to speak!”
Xiao Liu and Cheng Fan fought for control, Shi Xu calmly observing the spectacle, his mind quiet.
“I’ll tell everyone! He’s keeping a pollutant! He’s a traitor!”
“You can’t! You’ll ruin his life! He deserves praise and recognition! Even after death, he should be remembered! I won’t let you tarnish his name!”
“What do I care about his life?! He ruined it himself the moment he chose to be with a pollutant!”
“Shut up!”
A sword flashed, silencing them both.
The pollutant’s head fell to the floor, half Cheng Fan, half Xiao Liu, their eyes wide open, staring at Shi Xu.
Cheng Fan’s eyes were filled with hatred and jealousy, while Xiao Liu’s held disbelief and a fleeting disappointment.
Shi Xu wiped his sword with a handkerchief.
When he sheathed it, the pollutant was gone.
He looked towards a plane tree nearby. “Come out.”
Gu Sui emerged from behind the tree, his face filled with concern.
“That’s a new expression,” Shi Xu chuckled. “What, are you pitying me now?”
Gu Sui shook his head. Shi Xu asked, “Then why were you hiding?”
Gu Sui: “You… seemed… unhappy. I was afraid… you heard them… and would… chase me away…”
He had disobeyed Shi Xu, following him secretly.
He knew he was annoying, but he couldn’t stay away from Shi Xu, wanting to be with him constantly.
He was afraid of being rejected, abandoned.
Shi Xu beckoned him with his finger. Gu Sui rushed over. Just as he was about to kneel, Shi Xu stood on his tiptoes, leaning closer.
“I won’t chase you away.”
His breath brushed against Gu Sui’s lips. He heard Shi Xu’s command. “Kiss me.”
