Xiao Zhenyun always thought the administrator would leave after the story ended, but Xiao Nian claimed he was taking a vacation. Xiao Zhenyun assumed he was just reluctant to leave, so he took the time to travel and see the world’s beauty, not wanting to waste this world trip. But he was wrong again.
For the next six months, Xiao Nian didn’t attend school and spent his days lazing around at home, doing nothing.
Several times, when Xiao Zhenyun came home and found Xiao Nian missing, his first reaction was that the administrator had left quietly without saying goodbye. Just as he started feeling sentimental, Xiao Nian would walk in with takeout, asking why Xiao Zhenyun was standing in the middle of the living room daydreaming.
“Why haven’t you left yet?” Xiao Zhenyun asked.
“I’m leaving soon, very soon,” Xiao Nian replied impatiently, flopping onto the sofa. “If you rush me, I might never leave. I’ll just mooch off you for life, living off your pension.”
“…I don’t have a pension. I’m living off Si Di’s salary,” Xiao Zhenyun said skeptically. “Are you waiting for something?”
“Huh?” Xiao Nian looked puzzled.
“Waiting for Si Chu’s spiritual body to wake up?” Xiao Zhenyun guessed.
“Something like that,” Xiao Nian mumbled, lowering his head to nibble on dried mango. “Just in case it doesn’t wake up, I’ll be here to cover for you guys, see if I can trade my salary for a chance to modify the code.”
“You’re too diligent,” Xiao Zhenyun praised. “Will other staff come to survey customer satisfaction in the future? I’ll definitely give you five stars.”
“……”
***
Spring turned to autumn, and soon a year had passed. Lately, Si Chu often mentioned that he vaguely heard the whimpering of a dog in his mind, but upon entering his spiritual domain, Xiao Mu was still asleep.
Xiao Zhenyun and Si Di instantly understood that the Czech wolfdog was about to wake up. The two, who had been playing deaf for a year, finally hinted to Ye Feiran to accompany Si Chu for a level test.
Ye Feiran was puzzled for just half a second before he understood. Seeing Si Di’s deliberately evasive gaze and slightly curled lips, he was so excited he almost shouted. He immediately called the hospital to schedule a sentinel level test for the next morning.
Only the silly pup, Si Chu, was confused. “I’m telling you about my spiritual body, why do we need to test my level?”
That evening, Xiao Zhenyun didn’t see Xiao Nian in the living room again. He was no longer surprised and pushed open the bedroom door. As expected, Xiao Nian was lying on the bed, but his sleeping posture was a bit strange today. He was fully dressed, the blanket folded to the side, his hands crossed over his abdomen, legs stretched out straight, lying flat.
“Meditating?” Xiao Zhenyun set down the snacks he brought. “I brought you some bread. Si Di really treats you like his own son. He even remembered you said you liked this bakery…”
“Xiao Zhenyun,” Xiao Nian suddenly interrupted, his face expressionless. Xiao Zhenyun paused, and then heard the administrator continue, “I’m leaving.”
Si Di, who was changing into his pajamas in the upstairs bedroom, instantly appeared behind Xiao Zhenyun upon hearing this. “Now? So suddenly?”
“It’s time,” Xiao Nian said with a faint smile. “It’s been nice knowing you.”
Xiao Zhenyun was silent for a moment, waiting until Si Di held his hand, and then he suddenly smiled. “Why not stay a few more days so we can throw you a farewell party? We could invite Uncle, Hedgehog, Duan Fei, and the others… We could even tell Si Chu the truth. Xiao Mu is about to wake up.”
“It’s time.” Xiao Nian slowly closed his eyes, his voice becoming light and ethereal. “Blessings to you, and to this world…”
Xiao Zhenyun tightly gripped Si Di’s hand, watching until Xiao Nian’s chest stopped rising and falling. He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “He’s… he’s left his body behind.”
Si Di, holding him, walked over and checked Xiao Nian’s vital signs. “No breath, no heartbeat… the administrator has really gone.”
“He won’t be gone forever,” Xiao Zhenyun said, calming down. “Since he’s left his body, he must plan to come back occasionally. A big company like World Corporation would surely have regular after-sales service, right?”
Si Di was silent for a moment, without making any rebuttal, but instead chuckled along with Xiao Zhenyun’s comment. “So, what should we do with this body? Preserve it in formaldehyde to keep it fresh? Otherwise, it’ll start to stink in a few days.”
Xiao Zhenyun also laughed, but just as he was about to speak, he suddenly caught sight of Xiao Nian’s chest rising and falling again out of the corner of his eye. Surprised, he turned to look, and Si Di also noticed. He quickly lowered his head to check Xiao Nian’s carotid pulse.
There, the pulse was steady and strong.
Soon, Xiao Nian opened his eyes again, looking bewildered at everything around him. Xiao Zhenyun chuckled, crossing his arms and leaning forward to look at him. “What’s this? Forgot something and came back again? Don’t pretend, Nian Nian. I know you can’t bear to leave this world. If you can’t leave, just stay here for the rest of your life.”
Xiao Nian slowly focused his eyes, looking at the man in front of him, seemingly startled. He made a movement that surprised Xiao Zhenyun greatly, stepping back slightly. “Teacher Xiao?”
Xiao Zhenyun’s face changed, incredulously locking eyes with Si Di.
‘Xiao Nian’ also saw Si Di and quickly bowed politely. “Captain Si.”
An incredible answer appeared in Xiao Zhenyun’s mind. He seemed to lose his breath, his throat tightening, and it took him a long while before he tentatively asked, “Xiao Jiali?!”
Xiao Nian—Xiao Jiali carefully raised his eyes and obediently responded, “Here.”
The next day, Xiao Zhenyun and Si Chu met at the hospital.
Si Chu took a leave to do a level test, while Xiao Zhenyun brought Xiao Jiali for a physical examination.
The results came out quickly. Ye Feiran eagerly grabbed the report and ran to the waiting area, where he saw Xiao Zhenyun. He bowed respectfully and sincerely. “It’s increased, it’s really increased,” he said, holding up the report to Si Chu.
Xiao Zhenyun had already adjusted his mindset, ready to witness the birth of another S-level sentinel.
But Ye Feiran excitedly exclaimed, “A+! Si Chu, you’re now A+!”
“A+?!” Si Chu opened the report, also ecstatic like a child. “Wow, there really is a +!…”
Both he and Xiao Zhenyun simultaneously said, “Could there be a mistake in the test?”
Of course, Si Chu meant the test result was higher, while Xiao Zhenyun meant it was lower.
He also took the report, furrowing his brows. “There should be an S instead. Si Chu, you should go and retest.”
Si Chu’s normally not-so-quick-witted brain instantly understood. He realized that when little uncle injected QTA into him before, it was probably to help him change from A to S. Moreover, with Xiao Mu’s reactions becoming increasingly intense, he was sure that the barking he heard wasn’t an auditory hallucination. It meant little uncle and brother were planning to turn him into an S-level sentinel painlessly.
His eyes reddened, feeling the sincere intentions of his little uncle and brother. He almost shed tears. “No, there’s no need. A+ is already a miracle. Changing levels is almost impossible. It’s already good enough. Little Uncle, you’re truly the best uncle in the world. Having you is my happiness.”
No, having me is your greatest misfortune. It’s because of me that your S turned into A+!
The most unfortunate male lead in the world!
Before Xiao Zhenyun could persuade him further, Xiao Jiali, wearing Xiao Nian’s shell, cautiously followed the nurse over. He still hadn’t adapted to his new body, and there was an unease and guilt of occupying someone else’s body, no matter how Xiao Zhenyun and Si Di tried to explain it to him. Only time would allow him to slowly adapt.
Xiao Nian wouldn’t be coming back, but Xiao Zhenyun rubbed Xiao Jiali’s head, knowing that he had brought back the Little Bird.
On the way back, Xiao Zhenyun asked Xiao Jiali, “You’re twelve now, and it’s highly likely that you’ll awaken in the future. Do you want to be a sentinel, a guide, or just an ordinary person?”
“Teacher Xiao, why do you sound like this is something I can choose?” Xiao Jiali smiled lightly.
Xiao Zhenyun said seriously, “This is the body Xiao Nian left for you, maybe it can really let you choose. And did you forget the address problem again?”
“…” Xiao Jiali blushed and said, “Dad.”
“Ah,” Xiao Zhenyun was happy.
Xiao Jiali didn’t hesitate too long. That night, he made a decision in front of Xiao Zhenyun and Si Di, “I still want to be a sentinel. Although I also want to be an ordinary person, join the army, but I miss my spiritual body, I miss my horned eagle.”
Before his words fell, Xiao Jiali directly fainted from a fever, a standard awakening symptom.
Xiao Zhenyun cursed in the car that he should have let him make the decision after lunch tomorrow, so he wouldn’t have to take him to the hospital in the middle of the night. Si Di couldn’t stop laughing, kissing his cheek while waiting at the red light.
Awakening result: Sentinel, S-class, spiritual body – Horned Eagle.
He finally became a real sentinel.
It’s just that the huge S-class made Xiao Zhenyun’s eyes sore. He complained, “Xiao Nian is really generous. If Xiao Jiali said he wanted to be a guide, he must be an S-class guide. As an ordinary person, he would probably be on par with Duan Fei.”
Si Di pondered for a moment, “Do you think… Little Uncle, do you want to test your spiritual power level too?”
“…” His serious expression made Xiao Zhenyun unsure, “Is there such a possibility? With the relationship between me and Xiao Nian being at odds?”
“Well, since we’re already at the hospital, why not test it?”
With hope, Xiao Zhenyun followed the nurse to test his spiritual power level.
Soon, the report came out.
Si Di nervously looked at him and opened the first page—
Spiritual Power Level: C+
“…”
“Congratulations, at least it’s a + increase. The administrator’s farewell gift is thoughtful.”
“Thank you.”
The author has something to say:
A cliche happy ending, yes, I’m that kind of cliche person. (Xiao Nian: ?)
Hello, everyone ヾ(＾∇＾). I hope you enjoyed the story! If you’re feeling generous, please buy me a coffee, share/comment on my translated works! Check out the link below for early chapters. (๑>ᴗ<๑)
