The following day, Huai Shi saw Liu DongLi at the hospital.
Although he still looked sowhat pale, he was moving without any problems and was able to be discharged after just over a week. Even though Sublimators' physiques were much better than ordinary people's, to be this unreasonable was seriously abnormal, right? He himself still hadn't fully recovered from the gunshot wound on his back, and here was Liu DongLi, shot twice and with one lung lobe blown to bits, almost fully recovered?
"What on earth did you take?" Huai Shi asked incredulously. "Weren't you still in the ICU a week ago?"
"Hm? What ICU?" Liu DongLi looked at him confusedly. "Didn't Ai Qing tell you?"
With that, he pulled at his own eyelid, showing Huai Shi his right eye—in that instant, his pupil startlingly split into two.
Duplicated pupils!
It was the very sa bizarre appearance Huai Shi had briefly seen in the church that day.
"Since we're so familiar, it doesn't matter if I tell you. My Stigma is called Zhong Ming; it's a rather obscure one within the Dongxia Genealogy." Liu DongLi said, "It only slightly enhances vision and doesn't improve my constitution or have any other functions, but during the fusion, it takes a record of my body—like a data backup. If I get seriously injured, as long as I don't die on the spot and get tily dical attention, I can gradually recover to my original state."
Huai Shi listened, stunned for a long ti before he couldn't help sighing, "So the ICU was a lie too, right?"
Liu DongLi was taken aback. After a mont of silence, his eyes filled with pity. "Although I don't understand what exactly Ai Qing told you, it seems you've been quite badly deceived by that woman."
Not to ntion, I even lost your car, friend! Huai Shi averted his gaze.
"Ah, fortunately, I didn't end up with a physical disability this ti; otherwise, with all those loans, just the cost of the Silver Blood Potion would have driven
to bankruptcy." As he spoke, Liu DongLi casually asked, "By the way, where's my car? Didn't soone say they would drive it over?"
"...Uh." Huai Shi's scalp tingled, and he shifted his gaze elsewhere. "I don't have a driver's license and can't drive, so how about I find soone to take your car for a tune-up and then drive it over to you?"
"Sure." Liu DongLi nodded, not suspecting a thing, while Huai Shi internally fretted. If that flashy red Maserati turns into a Chery QQ after maintenance, Liu DongLi might just hang himself from a tree.
They left the hospital without any further words.
But while hailing a cab, Liu DongLi, smoking a cigarette, suddenly said, "Oh right, about the Red Gloves matter, thank you."
"Hm?" Huai Shi froze for a second, realizing Liu DongLi already knew. A sinking feeling developed in his heart. "Oh... sorry, at that ti…"
But Liu DongLi patted his shoulder, interrupting him. "So, don't worry about the car. I have insurance."
Huai Shi stood dumbfounded for a long ti, deeply touched. He failed to notice Liu DongLi quietly turning away to wipe away a bitter tear.
His heart ached for the money.
If it weren't for his upcoming birthday and the multitude of presents from several rich won, he probably would have really coughed up blood this ti.
"Forget it, let's not talk about that." He waved his hand, flagged down a car, and invited Huai Shi, "Since I'm getting out today and if you feel bad about it, why not treat
to a al?"
Although he professed to take a heavy toll on Huai Shi's wallet, he actually chose a restaurant serving lighter fare, casually ordering a couple of dishes. During the al, Huai Shi also presented Liu DongLi with a carefully prepared discharge gift.
Liu DongLi observed the large box of hair regrowth kits with mixed feelings, biting back his comnt.
Indeed, it would have been better to let that bastard die at the hands of the Red Gloves back then.
After the al, as they chatted idly, Huai Shi asked, "Now that you've erged from your troubles, what do you plan to do next?"
"Haven't thought about it yet. Maybe take a flight next month and go out for a few days. I've been going stir-crazy; I couldn't even leave Xinhai City while serving my sentence. I had to report my whereabouts to the Inspector every day." As he spoke of the past, Liu DongLi looked haunted by his mories. "Now you've taken on my troubles; you really have jumped into the fire pit. Ai Qing is not an easy boss to work for. Though you won't lack the necessary protection, and she won't cheat you out of your money, she also has a knack for driving your abilities to their limits. As long as it doesn't kill you, she will push you to the brink... Anyway, just be careful and look for an exit strategy when you can. The Astronomical Society may be a large organization, but their welfare doesn't extend to us lowly foot soldiers."
Huai Shi chuckled dryly. "Although Ai Qing is difficult to deal with, it can't possibly be that exaggerated, right?"
"I'm not sure what your history is with her, but the last person who thought that was her forr superior, the previous Inspector of Xinhai City." Liu DongLi sneered a few tis. "Back then, your role as the Secretary was her position, and then a few months later, she got promoted. The poor sod who had the job before her is said to be still in Africa... All I can say is that she truly lives up to the Yin's family reputation. Once she has sothing on you, it's all over."
"The Yin's family?" Huai Shi blinked, his mind fogging a bit as sothing rang a bell.
"Forget it, let's not talk about that anymore." Liu DongLi shook his head, unwilling to continue the subject. "Didn't you say during dinner that you wanted to find the nearby Sublimators' market? Let's pay the bill and head out."
Saying that, he finished his tea in one gulp and got up to head to the door. He was deeply secretive about the slip of the tongue he had just made and declined to say any more.
To Huai Shi's surprise, Xinhai, a small city with only seven or eight Sublimators, actually had a market dedicated to them. And it was not far away, within walking distance.
"This place is more like a service branch; many items are out of stock and can only be ordered from Jinling. If you're not in a hurry, it's better to buy online. If you're in a rush here, the price will be a rip-off..." As he spoke, Liu DongLi's expression seed more and more grudging; he had clearly been fleeced himself. "Comparing oneself to others will only make one frustrated, eh. We're all Sublimators, but the treatnt isn't the sa. The other guy is a B-grade protected talent by the Astronomical Society and even gets a monthly stipend. And there I am, working as a Cowherd to serve my sentence... Tsk."
"Is he that impressive?"
"No, how should I put it? That guy's soul is quite peculiar, judged by the Astronomical Society as rare and possibly useful at any ti, so he signed a contract. The Astronomical Society guarantees his personal safety and peaceful life, with priority in evacuation and rescue in case of danger. But he must be ready to serve whenever the Society needs him, just like raising pigs. It's surprising that guy can tolerate it." He paused, his expression turning serious. "Rember, after you go there, make absolutely sure that guy doesn't guess anything related to you, unless you want your life to suddenly turn into a complete ss."
Huai Shi was on guard. "Is it that dangerous?"
"No, dangerous isn't the word. To be precise, that guy is more of the codic type," Liu DongLi covered his face, "but sotis, it's the codic ones that are the most deadly."
"Also, now that you have beco a Sublimator, don't casually tell others about your ability, nor should you randomly inquire about others' abilities. Just like my ability, it's especially deadly once the weakness is known to others." After carefully admonishing him, Liu DongLi then asked, "Since you've joined the Astronomical Society, have you had your soul evaluation?"
"Not yet," Huai Shi shook his head. "I'm going to Jinling next month. Ai Qing said she will take
to the branch for it then."
"Just muddle through it when the ti cos; don't foolishly spill everything," Liu DongLi sighed. "I was too honest back in the day and paid the price. Better to be rated a bit weaker rather than too strong. Stealthy developnt is the way to go, get it?"
"Sort of?" Huai Shi half-understood.
Liu DongLi nodded in satisfaction and pointed to the door ahead.
They had arrived.
What was more unexpected was that the Sublimators' market, located on a deserted street in the old district, was actually disguised as a detective agency. Judging by the half-broken sign, it was clear that hardly anyone visited.
As they entered, there was a moldy sll in the room, which looked like it hadn't been touched in ages. A person was sitting at a desk with their back to them, headphones on, engrossed in a video ga.
"Hey, hey, hey, enough already!" Liu DongLi kicked the chair. "Business is here, and you're still playing gas?"
"Hold on, my teammates are AFK in the fountain! It's up to
to turn this ga around!"
"You've already fed eight tis! What are you going to turn around?!" Liu DongLi kicked out the power plug and pointed at Huai Shi. "A client for you, my little bro. Be decent, alright?"
The gar looked back—a middle-aged face with a scruffy beard, appearing older than his age—and stared at Huai Shi for a while. "So young and already working as a Cowherd?"
Liu DongLi's face changed as though frightened, and he slapped the back of the man's head. "I told you not to make random guesses when you're idle! What if you guess sothing and cause trouble?"
"OK, OK, what do you need?" The man, not taking offense, got up reluctantly and gestured them to follow. "Everything is in the back."
"Just call this guy Detective. And when communicating with unfamiliar Sublimators, try to avoid revealing your real na. Find ti to co up with a codena for yourself." Liu DongLi gave one last reminder and sat down on the sofa outside. "I'll wait here for you. Call
if you need help estimating the price."
Seeing that he had thoughtfully stayed outside, Huai Shi also breathed a sigh of relief and nodded.
Behind the room was another empty one, filled with cabinets and a computer, resembling so kind of storeroom. There was also a huge safe.
"First ti eting, eh? Didn't think Xinhai had new Sublimators." The detective extended his hand. "What should I call you, young man?"
Following Old Liu's advice, Huai Shi didn't give his real na. Shaking hands, he showed a standard smile and introduced himself, "Huaihai Road Little Peppa."
The detective's expression twitched at the refreshingly unconventional codena. "Alright, this is an Yesterday Express outlet; the regular stuff is all here. If there's sothing peculiar you need, I can order it online for you."
"No need, I'm not here to buy things." Huai Shi waved his hand, leaned forward, unzipped his jacket, and after carefully glancing around to make sure no one else was there, he lowered his voice and asked, "Bro, you looking for 'stuff'?"
Reviews
All reviews (0)