Chapter 57: The Turmoil in City C

“Uncle Guo’s child, right? I have a vague impression...” Xie Lin’s tone was somewhat lofty, yet it felt perfectly natural, as if it were only proper.

“Well, that’s truly an honor!” Guo Lang replied with a carefree smile.

“You usually go out of your way to avoid people from our circle, steering clear whenever you see us. But today you’ve actually come over to say hello. It seems that game really does toughen people up!” Xie Lin looked about Guo Lang’s age, but his manner of speaking carried the air of an elder.

This was exactly why Guo Lang was reluctant to socialize with people from this circle—the hierarchy was too pronounced, and there were too many unwritten rules. In his previous life, soft-hearted and adverse to trouble, he’d decisively become a homebody, joining the ranks of the so-called losers. Even his father, Guo Zhenghua, had despised him for it. Others of the second generation hung out in packs with their like, but he’d been forcibly squeezed out, becoming a living example of a loser—a rather odd one at that.

“Just playing wingman today...” Guo Lang shrugged with a smile. “Here, this is Wei Jialin, the second prettiest girl in my class. She wants to meet you!”

“Uh...” Wei Jialin was momentarily choked by Guo Lang’s blunt introduction. Even with her usual boldness, she was caught off guard by his directness. She forced a slightly awkward smile and shot Guo Lang a glare. But from the conversation, she’d just realized that the class’s number one loser was actually the child of an official. Clearly, some things in this world couldn’t be judged by common sense.

“Hello!” Xie Lin, however, gave Guo Lang plenty of face, smiling politely at Wei Jialin and introducing himself. “I’m Xie Lin.”

“Hello...” Wei Jialin was a little flattered, her voice tinged with excitement. Glancing at Guo Lang, she sighed inwardly. “Look at his manners—no wonder! With your demeanor, it’s a miracle anyone recognizes you’re from the second generation.” Yet as she looked at Guo Lang, she suddenly realized he seemed different today—almost...handsome. Was this just psychological? Oh no, Wei Jialin, are you really starting to judge people by their family background?

Guo Lang, oblivious to the complicated thoughts of the girl beside him, simply smiled and asked, “When did you get back?” He meant something more by this question, not just about returning to the country, but something else.

Xie Lin gazed at him thoughtfully and replied in a low voice, “Two hours ago. I haven’t had blueberry cake from here in so long, so I came to have some.”

Two hours ago? Then he must be outside the top ten, Guo Lang calculated silently.

“And you?” Xie Lin asked in return.

“Around the same time as you...” Guo Lang replied, not very sincerely.

Xie Lin just smiled, unconcerned, and changed the subject. “So, you’re here for cake too?”

“Not as refined as you, Young Master Xie. It’s my mom’s birthday today. I’m here to pick up her cake!”

“Your mother’s birthday?” Xie Lin’s handsome brows knitted slightly, and an apologetic look crossed his face. “I didn’t know, so I didn’t prepare anything.” As he spoke, he pulled out a sandalwood bracelet. “I picked this up at Tianyang Mountain on my way back. They say it’s been blessed—good for repelling mosquitoes and clearing the mind in summer. Please accept it as a token of my regard.”

Guo Lang gave him a thoughtful look and took the bracelet. “Thank you on her behalf.” But in his mind, he probed the item with his mental power. Unlike him, Xie Lin’s human bloodline bonuses were balanced; if he already possessed mental power equal to his own, he must have changed class to a mage. One shouldn’t casually accept a mage’s belongings. He’d have to find a place to discreetly throw it away later.

“Um... excuse me, is this your friend, Guo Lang?” The voice was gentle and melodious, like a flowing spring. Even after two lifetimes, Guo Lang immediately recognized its owner—he’d fantasized about her all through his college years.

It was none other than Ding Xiaoyu, who had come over, encouraged by seeing Wei Jialin successfully meet Xie Lin through Guo Lang.

Damn it! Guo Lang rolled his eyes. What is all this nonsense?

“Your friend, Guo Lang?” Xie Lin, ever the gentleman, stood and moved aside. “Come, have a seat, beautiful.”

Ding Xiaoyu blushed, a little overwhelmed, and shyly slipped into the seat. Wei Jialin, meanwhile, gave Guo Lang a discreet kick and shot him a look that he instantly understood: “What’s going on? Where did this scheming girl come from? Get rid of her!”

Guo Lang’s face stiffened. “How is this my problem?” he thought.

Now for a breaking news report!

As the atmosphere grew awkward, a waitress turned up the TV volume for breaking news, as per standard protocol in a reputable shop.

At 5:15 this afternoon, a serious incident of violence occurred at a game experience center called Jinghua Entertainment in the Caiyun District. Dozens of police officers have been killed or injured. The city’s armed police headquarters have sent reinforcements. Residents nearby are urged to avoid the area. Once again, the suspect is extremely violent and has killed with his bare hands. Residents are urged to keep away!

“Damn! Who is this, so badass?” Customers in the shop began to chatter. Attacking law enforcement? Killing dozens? That was the kind of story you’d only hear from your grandfather in Central Asia, where guns were banned. With the current level of security, the last public shooting had mobilized tens of thousands of troops and been headline news for ages. And now, someone had taken out dozens of officers? Was this a spy movie?

The onlookers began to speculate wildly.

“Hey, do you think the killer really took out all those officers bare-handed like the news said?”

“Nonsense! What do you think this is, an action film? Killing dozens with his bare hands? Even Ip Man only fought ten, and that was with the other side unarmed. You think the police didn’t have guns?”

“Ip Man was just for show. You don’t know—there are masters in our country who aren’t afraid of bullets!”

“Says who?”

“Dreaming of the Divine Machine!”

“Pfft!” A chorus of derision followed.

Unlike the idle bystanders, Guo Lang’s face changed the moment he heard the news. Having only taken the serum that morning, his control was still lacking. In his agitation, his bio-magnetic field nearly leaked out; though he managed to restrain it within a second or two, the two girls beside him instantly went weak and slumped in their seats.

Interesting! Xie Lin looked at Guo Lang with great interest. Even he’d felt his hackles rise just now. How far had this guy come?

“That fellow is getting cocky. Need a hand?” Xie Lin ignored the nearly fainting girls, smiling at Guo Lang.

“No need,” Guo Lang replied coldly, his eyes glinting. “Just an overconfident idiot.”

“Xiaoting, are you done yet?”

Xiaoting pouted, bringing over the cake, clearly displeased. “Why do I have to queue while you just sit and chat? Is this how you treat your dear sister?”

“All right!” Guo Lang took the cake, ruffling her hair with a smile. “Let’s go pick up Mom, then meet Dad at the district police station.”

“Will Dad have time?” Xiaoting pointed at the news on the TV.

“Probably not.” A strange glint flashed in Guo Lang’s eyes.

Beep beep... As they reached the bakery’s door, Guo Lang felt his phone vibrate. He glanced at the screen: Dad’s name. Instantly, he answered.

“Hello, Xiaolang, where are you?” It was Guo Zhenghua’s deep, slightly weary voice.

“Oh, I’m at Aunt Hua’s cake shop.”

“Did you see the news?”

“Yeah, they’re playing it in the shop.”

“Listen to me.” His father’s tone was urgent. “Go to your mother, take her and Xiaoting home right away. Turn on the radio in the car, avoid any areas mentioned as dangerous... No, just stay at the school and don’t go out. Once I’ve dealt with things, I’ll pick you up!”

“Dad, are you in Caiyun District?” Guo Lang frowned. By rights, with reports from victims’ families this afternoon, his father should be presiding in Zhonghua District.

“No, I’m in Zhonghua, on my way to Caiyun now. Hurry to your mother and be careful. Don’t wander around!”

“Okay!” Guo Lang replied dutifully.

After hanging up, he quickly found his mother’s number and called. She answered, her voice anxious: “Xiaolang, did you see the news? I tried calling your father but couldn’t get through. Take Xiaoting and—”

“Mom!” Guo Lang cut her off. “Dad’s in Zhonghua. He just called me. He needs the car, wants me to drive it over.”

“What?” Lin Meiru sounded confused. “Your... your father wants you to bring him the car?”

“Yeah, the city’s police cars aren’t enough. Dad told me to hurry and bring it.”

“But... but what about you two?” Lin Meiru seemed uneasy but couldn’t quite figure out what was wrong, so she asked the first thing that came to mind.

“We’ll stay at the provincial hospital in the city. No problem. Dad told me to remind you—stay at school, don’t go out. He’ll pick you up when he’s done, then come get us in Zhonghua.”

“Then... then you be careful!” Lin Meiru still felt something was off, but said nothing more, only reminding Guo Lang to take care.

“Don’t worry!” Guo Lang hung up, only to find Xiaoting watching him suspiciously.

“What now?” Guo Lang asked helplessly.

“Did Dad really say that? That the city’s police cars aren’t enough and he wants you to drive one over?”

“Yeah!”

“Yeah, right!” Xiaoting jumped up and knocked him on the head. “You think I’m as easy to fool as Mom? The police can just requisition cars. Why would they need you?”

Guo Lang was speechless. His mother was a middle school teacher, yet this nine-year-old girl seemed to have more sense. How had she caught on so quickly? This little girl really was something else.

“Enough with the questions!” Guo Lang gave up on bluffing and barked, “Get in the car!”