The time when they returned to Jiang Huan’s bedroom was half past ten in the morning. The Wolf Dog knew that this place was dangerous and that they could be exposed at any moment. So after bringing Shen Shanwu back, he didn’t linger for a second and quickly disappeared into the air.
Shen Shanwu held a large handful of the Wolf Dog’s sharp nails in his left hand and a transparent bottle in his right. After placing the bottle down, he began to dress while carefully checking if anyone had entered the room or if his disappearance had been noticed.
It turned out that the day he chose was indeed very appropriate. Jiang Huan, Yao Wuque, Zhang Xiaowen, and a series of others who might have come to the bedroom to look for him were all outdoors training. Before leaving, Jiang Huan had specially instructed that Jiang Tong should be allowed to sleep in and that no one should wake him before he naturally woke up.
The room was silent, with the curtains tightly drawn and the door exactly as it was before they left.
Now, the only headache was where to hide the transparent bottle containing the everlasting flowers. Shen Shanwu firmly believed that the most dangerous place was the safest place. No hiding spot was better than hiding right under someone’s nose.
He placed the card he had written along with the transparent bottle together and shoved them to the top of the wardrobe, using the angle of vision to conceal them. After all, Jiang Huan’s birthday was tomorrow. If it was discovered early, he could just say he gave it early. As long as he could act convincingly, Jiang Huan might even end up suspecting himself. Shen Shanwu thought his plan was flawless.
After contemplating this matter, Shen Shanwu lifted the curtains again and took out the map the prophet had given him. He sat at the desk and began to study the marked area, trying to figure out where exactly it was located in the coastal base.
The map was incomplete, with many blank spaces and question marks. Shen Shanwu roughly calculated the location based on the entrance direction and scale. As he continued, he unconsciously narrowed his eyes, feeling that something was off. The marked area… wasn’t it the very school he was currently attending, Coastal Central School?
The tenth mutant was hiding in this school? If Shen Shanwu weren’t a mutant himself, the idea of a ‘cruel, bloodthirsty’ mutant zombie lurking in a school full of underage children would be a chilling revelation.
That evening, Zhang Xiaowen quietly found Shen Shanwu and took him to the dormitory where she and three other girls were staying. She showed him the cake she had prepared.
“I don’t think this can be given,” one of the girls said. “I still remember my second year after joining the team. New recruits wanted to flatter the captain, so they all crowded into his room at midnight to give him a surprise while he was still working on documents… and then the furious captain punished them by making them stand at attention in the training field until the sunrise, and the next day they still had to attend physical training as usual. It was really terrifying. It left an indelible psychological scar on me…”
“I used to have some fantasies about our captain, you know,” another girl began her rant, “because he’s a young and successful, handsome guy. What girl at the right age wouldn’t feel that way, right? But then I heard about Zhong Yin’s sister’s tragic experience, and suddenly I put away all those inappropriate thoughts. It was just too scary—after confessing, the guy disgustingly rejected her and said something like if you have feelings for the captain, you’ll be expelled…”
Zhang Xiaowen sighed, “Actually, I also think it’s impossible to give it away… But there’s this mysterious force, and my body just moved on its own. By the time I realized what happened, I was already in the cafeteria picking up this extra cake.”
“I’ll come to get it after school tomorrow. If there’s a punishment, I’ll take it,” Shen Shanwu opened the box, and inside was a cake so simple it didn’t even have frosting, let alone chocolate or fruit fillings. It was a rough, yellow, square block, tiny enough to fit in the palm of an adult’s hand.
However, the birthday candles that came with it were quite grand. The “2” was a “2,” and the “1” was a “1,” and they looked like they’d burn all night—larger than Shen Shanwu’s face.
Zhang Xiaowen curled her lips, “It’s easy for you to say that, but even if you take the blame voluntarily, the captain will still ask where the cake came from. It’ll probably end up implicating me.”
“Thanks, Sister Xiaowen. I know you’re beautiful and kind, and always the best to me.”
“…” One sentence from Shen Shanwu immediately left Zhang Xiaowen speechless. Forced to wear the crown of “beautiful and kind Sister Xiaowen,” she held back for a while before finally waving her hand helplessly. “Alright, alright, your mouth is the sweetest thing about you. Go on, I’m really on your pirate ship now.”
“See you tomorrow~”
With everything in place, it was now just a matter of time. Shen Shanwu finally managed to focus his mind on the tasks the prophet had entrusted to him.
Monday morning was filled with academic lessons in the classroom, and in the afternoon, there was physical training in the gym. A few classmates were always around him, trying to chat with him. By the end of the day, the search for the new mutant had not made a single bit of progress.
Shen Shanwu realized that staying on campus would be more convenient for his movements. First, he could stay at school during the night; second, his classmates’ vigilance was definitely weaker than Jiang Huan’s. Escaping in the middle of the night would be incredibly easy. So, after Jiang Huan’s birthday, he decided he would find a reason to return to the school dorms. Shen Shanwu thought to himself.
It was now the time after school in the afternoon, and Teacher Yao Wuque was taking him back to the team on the way. Shen Shanwu and his conversations always revolved around food—talking about breakfast in class, lunch after class, and dinner after school. When Yao Wuque heard that he had eaten oranges at Marshal Jiang’s house, he became so envious that his mouth started watering, muttering that he had almost forgotten what oranges tasted like.
Shen Shanwu smiled and walked ahead with him, but just at that moment, a familiar sedan appeared in front of him, and it was still that striking license plate number: Yan A01001.
Yao Wuque naturally recognized whose car this was. He quickly grabbed Shen Shanwu’s hand and lowered his head, trying to avoid the car by walking around the side. At that moment, two military guards blocked their path, and Gong Wei appeared in front of them, holding a large assortment of bags.
“Yao Wuque…” she blinked, pleading, “These are things the Marshal and Madam wanted to give to Jiang Tong—just some food and other items… Also, this is chicken soup my mom made herself. Madam thought it would be good for Jiang Major to nourish his body, but if he refuses to eat it, you can just take it instead.”
“Our captain has issued an order: no outsiders are allowed near Jiang Tong,” Yao Wuque said with a pitiful tone, “Sister Wei, please don’t make things difficult for me. My injury still isn’t fully healed. If Jiang Tong accepts gifts from the Marshal right under my nose, I’ll be hurt all over again…”
“Then just say it’s something the Marshal wants to give to your team members,” Gong Wei insisted, practically shoving the bags into Yao Wuque’s arms. “This is a direct order from the Marshal. If you don’t take it, he’ll chase you all the way to the team.”
“Please, Sister Wei, let me off the hook. Can it wait until tomorrow? Tomorrow, it’ll be Lieutenant Lu who sends Jiang Tong back to the team! It has nothing to do with me!”
“Aiya, tomorrow will be too late! Don’t you remember what day it is today?”
“…Shh, silence! That’s forbidden talk in our team!”
Shen Shanwu watched them, chasing each other like a game of giving red envelopes during the New Year. After waiting for a while, he grabbed Gong Wei’s sleeve, reached out, and took the thermos of chicken soup from her. “Thanks, sister. No need for the rest, I’ll accept this soup on behalf of the captain.”
“Okay, okay,” Gong Wei said happily, then quickly pulled several oranges from the bag and stuffed them into Shen Shanwu’s pocket. “The other snacks will last longer, you can eat them when you have time to visit the Marshal’s house, but these oranges will spoil soon, so you should eat them quickly. If you’re afraid the Major General will scold you, just hide them and eat secretly.”
Yao Wuque, exasperated, said, “Jiang Tong, can you not be so greedy? You can’t even move when you see food. I’m right here, so what are you sneaking around for? Give those back!”
Gong Wei and Shen Shanwu silently exchanged a glance. Shen Shanwu took the last orange out of his pocket and handed it to Yao Wuque. The three of them then fell into a silent standoff, staring at each other for a while. After a moment, Yao Wuque cleared his throat and tucked the orange away. “Didn’t see anything, didn’t see anything. That’s enough, right?”
Back at the Shanhai Unit administrative building, Shen Shanwu was thrilled to hear the good news that Jiang Huan had not yet returned. He hurried to his bedroom, took out the everlasting flowers from the top of the wardrobe, wiped them clean, and placed them at the most visible spot on his bedside table. The corner of the card was tucked under the transparent bottle, and he adjusted the angle, feeling that everything was perfectly arranged.
When he returned downstairs, Zhang Xiaowen quietly took out the cake and handed it to Shen Shanwu. The teammates around them all praised her as a true warrior, saying that by this time next year, the grass on her grave might be three meters tall.
Shen Shanwu took the cake, made an “ojbk” gesture, and returned to his bedroom, placing it on the desk next to the thermos of chicken soup.
At five o’clock, the team members who had been out began returning one by one. The cafeteria was bustling with noise and activity. Shen Shanwu eagerly sat in the lobby, waiting, until Lieutenant Xu Ye walked in, yawning. Upon seeing Shen Shanwu, he waved and said, “Jiang Tong, the captain asked me to tell you that he and Lu Jingzhi have something to take care of and will be back late. He said not to wait for him.”
“What’s going on?” Shen Shanwu frowned and asked.
Xu Ye shrugged, “I’m not sure, but it doesn’t seem like anything important. After training, Lu Jingzhi suggested it. Tsk, with the captain and vice captain leading the charge, we’re totally slacking off. Shanhai’s done for.”
“…” Shen Shanwu thought for a moment, then stood up from his seat and followed Xu Ye to the cafeteria. Alright, it seemed Jiang Huan wouldn’t get his chicken soup and cake for dinner. He’d leave it for him as a late-night snack instead.
At six o’clock, Shen Shanwu sat on Yao Wuque’s dorm bed, watching them play cards, all the while mentally cursing them for being a bunch of lousy card players.
At seven o’clock, Zhang Xiaowen stormed into the boys’ dormitory, holding the backpack that Shen Shanwu had forgotten on the first floor. She confronted him, asking why his homework wasn’t done. It was only then that Shen Shanwu remembered it was Monday, and the teacher had assigned homework. He disdainfully pouted, and was then dragged by Zhang Xiaowen to the first-floor office area, where, under the curious gaze of several team members, he finished his homework.
At eight o’clock, the last two team members returned to the dorm. Shen Shanwu stopped them and asked, “Have you seen the captain?”
“The captain? He and the vice captain probably went to the East District to drink,” one team member said, and the other nodded in agreement, enviously adding, “I even heard the vice captain say he was treating. Ah, I wish I could drink too—beer, rice wine, white wine, or even grape wine, anything’s fine.”
“Dream on. Grape wine? You can’t even afford a bottle with half a year’s salary.”
“Sounds like you’re breaking the law just thinking about it.”
The two of them laughed and left, leaving Shen Shanwu to click his tongue in mild frustration.
At nine o’clock, Zhang Xiaowen urged Shen Shanwu to go to bed and stop wasting electricity. Shen Shanwu, feeling drained, lay his head on the desk. “I’m a little upset.”
“I understand how you feel… It’s hard to prepare a surprise, only to not be able to give it in the end. It’s definitely frustrating. But you still need to sleep, you have class tomorrow.”
“…I’ll wait a little longer.”
“Then go take a shower first. I’ve brought your dry pajamas. After you’re done, just give me your dirty clothes.”
“…Can I wash up in Lieutenant Xu’s dorm? His bathroom door can be locked.”
“Ha, no one’s going to peek, but suit yourself.”
At ten o’clock, Zhang Xiaowen appeared again on the first floor. Shen Shanwu’s face was hidden in the shadows, his expression unreadable. She sighed. “Alright, Xiao Tong, stop waiting. The captain will see the cake when he gets back, there’s no need to wait for him.”
“…” How was Shen Shanwu supposed to explain why “Jiang Tong” couldn’t return to the bedroom before Jiang Huan? The everlasting flowers were openly placed on the bedside table. Indeed, he could hide the flowers and give them tomorrow, but with something like a birthday gift, Shen Shanwu felt uncomfortable if Jiang Huan didn’t receive it on the actual day.
At eleven o’clock, Shen Shanwu half-seriously, half-jokingly lost his temper. He felt he had no real reason to be angry, but his chest felt tight with frustration. If Zhang Xiaowen hadn’t come to check on him from time to time, he would’ve wanted to go out himself and drag those two idiots, who’d mysteriously gone out drinking, back in for some serious punishment.
“Brother Wuque, I want to sleep with you tonight.” Shen Shanwu walked into Yao Wuque’s room without turning his head, diving into his bed and burrowing all the way to the back.
Yao Wuque, who had been enjoying the fragrance of oranges in the warmth of his blankets, found himself in a completely absurd situation. Just as he was lost in his thoughts, Jiang Tong suddenly barged in, causing him to almost jump out of his skin.
“What’s going on?” Yao Wuque stared at the lump of a creature that had appeared in his bed, dumbfounded. Zhang Xiaowen, with a helpless sigh, explained, “The captain hasn’t come back yet.”
“It’s already eleven, and still no sign of him? That’s a bit much.” Yao Wuque sat up. “How about we go out and call the captain and the others back?”
“What’s the reason to call them back? ‘We, along with your precious son, prepared a birthday surprise for you’?”
“…Don’t say that, you’ll scare me to death. I barely got accepted into the Shanhai Unit, I don’t want to get kicked out for offending the captain’s taboos.”
“Ugh.”
“Sigh.”
Shen Shanwu rolled his eyes dramatically, his back turned to the others.
At 11:45, Zhang Xiaowen’s head drooped slightly, waking her from a deep sleep. She heard some movement near the door, and when she looked up, it was Jiang Huan and Lu Jingzhi.
A faint scent of alcohol wafted from both of them. Zhang Xiaowen quickly went up to them, holding two cups of still-warm tea. “You’re finally back, Captain… um, Jiang Tong was upset that you hadn’t returned yet. He insisted on sleeping with Yao Wuque, refused to sleep alone.”
Jiang Huan took a couple of sips of tea, his gaze still relatively clear, and asked, “Where is he now?”
“On Yao Wuque’s bed.”
“I’ll go get him.”
“Get him? It’s this late, he’s already asleep.” Lu Jingzhi was also drinking his tea and stretched lazily. “Xiaowen, in the future, you don’t need to wait like this, just go to bed already.”
“I’m going to get him.” Jiang Huan spoke firmly, as always. “I want to see him.”
“…You!” Lu Jingzhi was practically choking. After staying up all night, forgoing sleep, and enduring the pain of treating Jiang Huan to drinks, all while chatting endlessly to help Jiang Huan feel better, what was it all for? And yet, at the end of the day, he still couldn’t forget that person.
Even if it was someone completely unrelated, even if it was just a similar face, Jiang Huan still wanted to see him on this day, one that symbolized ‘life.’
Yao Wuque had known all along that Jiang Huan, the captain who spoiled his child without limits, would come to get Jiang Tong. Unable to sleep, as soon as the door opened, he opened his eyes, got out of bed, and made space for Jiang Huan to bend down and pick up Jiang Tong.
“I’m sorry.” Jiang Huan took off his cloak and wrapped it around Jiang Tong’s body, softly apologizing to Yao Wuque. Yao Wuque, who had once played the role of the ‘traitor’ and taken Marshal’s oranges, now had no complaints. He simply nodded and bowed, seeing the captain and his little treasure off.
At 11:55, Jiang Huan returned to the dormitory carrying Jiang Tong. He placed the sleeping Jiang Tong on the bed, and just as he was about to remove the cloak to cover him with the blanket, something in his peripheral vision caught his attention. He focused and saw a pure black-leafed eternal flower, with white petals, silently blooming inside a transparent jar.
Jiang Huan suddenly stood up and stepped back, staring in disbelief at the radiating flower that should never have been here.
For a moment, a name flashed through his mind, but his rationality forcefully suppressed those three words. Jiang Huan tried to calm himself, but it seemed that the alcohol’s effect was only now taking hold, turning his thoughts into a chaotic mess.
In his dazed state, he slowly walked forward and picked up the card that was pressed beneath the eternal flower—
“An eternal flower, eternal love, given to my forever young one.”
Support me on ko-fiʚ(´꒳`)ɞ
