Chapter 270: Chapter 267 [Vanel’s Struggle]
Chapter 267: Vanel’s Struggle
A little past eight in the evening, after dinner, Niveer and Li Yingwan took their leave.
Ou Xiuhua stood up to see them to the door. Just as the two girls stepped out, Ou Xiuhua closed the door and walked back into the living room.
In the living room, Chen Nuo was seated in his wheelchair, flipping through a book. Ou Xiuhua hesitated for a moment, then decided against speaking. Instead, she took Xiao Yezi to wash up before taking her daughter back to their room to rest.
Xiao Yezi had been ecstatic to see her mother all evening, hopping and jumping around the house. Coupled with a big crying spell in the afternoon, she was quite drained. Ou Xiuhua took her daughter back to the room and coaxed Xiao Yezi to sleep.
In no time, the child was fast asleep.
Gently pulling her finger from Xiao Yezi’s grasp, Ou Xiuhua tiptoed out of the room, leaving the door slightly ajar, and headed to the living room.
Chen Nuo, however, had already set his book aside. He looked up at Ou Xiuhua with a smile and asked, "Do you have something to tell me?"
Ou Xiuhua was startled and fell silent, suddenly unsure how to begin.
She did have things to say; it was about the two foreign girls who had visited today.
But... how to say it, how to bring it up, Ou Xiuhua hadn’t really thought it through.
Or rather, she didn’t feel she had the right to "meddle" in Chen Nuo’s affairs.
"It’s alright, just say whatever’s on your mind," Chen Nuo said, placing his book on the coffee table. He then gestured with his eyes towards the sofa opposite him. "Sit down and talk."
Ou Xiuhua sighed, walked over to the sofa, and sat down. After composing herself, she said softly, "Little Nuo, I know I don’t really have any right to meddle in your affairs..."
"Stop right there," Chen Nuo interrupted with a smile, waving his hand.
Ou Xiuhua was taken aback.
Chen Nuo looked into Ou Xiuhua’s eyes, his tone gentle, his gaze sincere. "What I mean is... now that we all live under the same roof, we’re a family. You’re my mother, and Ye Zi is your daughter, my sister. Living our days like this, it’s just the three of us—a family of three, right? If you keep holding onto that feeling of guilt all the time, about everything, then our life together will be awkward. That’s not how a family should be."
Ou Xiuhua was stunned.
Chen Nuo smiled. "Let’s consider past matters done with. Everything is fate, predestined by the heavens. You can hold a grudge against anyone, but not against the heavens, right? Since it’s all fate, we have to accept it. Going forward, the three of us should try to be more relaxed with each other. You’re the mother in this house. Say what you need to say, manage what you need to manage... Don’t make it seem like we’re all formal and overly respectful guests in our own home; that’s not how a family should be."
Watching Chen Nuo speak so calmly, Ou Xiuhua felt a wave of disbelief.
It was as if the young man before her was no longer the timid boy from years ago, the one who stood behind his grandmother, stealing complex glances at her.
"...You’ve really changed so much over the years," Ou Xiuhua said softly.
"People always change," Chen Nuo replied, not wanting to dwell on the topic. He directly addressed her unspoken concern, "You want to ask about those two girls?"
"...Yes," Ou Xiuhua nodded, bracing herself. She finally voiced her thoughts.
"Little Nuo! You’re a young man. It’s normal for young men your age to like girls, and for girls to like you. If this were my generation, boys your age would have already been engaged by their families. Your father... well, never mind, let’s not talk about him."
Ou Xiuhua chose her words carefully. "It’s not good to be too casual about relationships. If you have a girl you like, and you’re devoted to her... I’d be happy for you. But..."
"Those two girls and I don’t have the kind of relationship you’re thinking of," Chen Nuo interjected with a smile.
"Oh? You don’t?"
"No, we don’t," Chen Nuo answered firmly.
Hmm... We really don’t, do we? Even though I touched one’s thigh and the other’s butt... But... really, we don’t!
Seeing Chen Nuo’s sincere expression, Ou Xiuhua felt a sense of relief. "As long as it’s not... that’s good."
"I like another girl," Chen Nuo said with a smile. "But the two you saw today, they’re really not her."
Reassured, Ou Xiuhua suddenly grew curious. "Little Nuo... you have a girl you like? Who is she? A classmate? Or a friend you met outside? Where is she? Are you two... already dating?"
"Uh..." Chen Nuo gave a wry smile, touched his brow, and shook his head. "That’s a bit complicated."
He sighed softly. "We had a bit of a disagreement, and now they’re not with me; they’re angry and ignoring me."
"A disagreement, huh... Oh, you young people..." Ou Xiuhua began to say, then paused.
Suddenly!
Wait, hold on!
What did Little Nuo say?
*They*?!
*They*???
「 」
Zhou Kai was in high spirits when school ended today!
In this mock exam, he had actually scored a seventy-one in English!
When he got the paper, Zhou Kai almost burst into tears on the spot!
Seventy-one points!
He hadn’t achieved such a score in any subject since the second grade!
Well... he often scored seventeen, though.
What excited Zhou Kai the most was that this seventy-one was entirely the result of his own hard work!
For the past month since school started, under the high pressure exerted by the Great Devil of the class, enduring daily threats of violence, bullying, and humiliation, he spent every night terrified of being beaten the next day. Yet, he forced himself to focus, gave up novels, quit games, and even stopped going out to fool around...
He just stayed home, gritting his teeth and memorizing the "English-Chinese Dictionary" over and over!
He completed every piece of homework assigned by the English teacher in the preparatory class without fail!
In a month, Zhou Kai had even lost eight pounds compared to the summer break!
This was the fruit of sheer perseverance!
Today, looking at the score on his test paper, a surprising thought struck Zhou Kai:
Turns out, I’m actually capable after all!
Ever since he started school, one of Zhou Kai’s biggest headaches was the requirement to take test papers or report cards home for a parent’s signature after every exam.
Zhou Kai’s dad was a short-tempered businessman who would give Zhou Kai a few punches every time he brought home a report card.
Later, Zhou Kai learned a series of tricks, like forging his parents’ signatures.
But today, as school ended, Zhou Kai felt an itch, an eagerness to get home and shove the test paper in his dad’s face!
Well, hopefully, Dad doesn’t have any social engagements tonight and comes home early!
「 」
When he got home that evening, Zhou Kai was pleased to see his father’s car parked at the door.
Entering the house, he saw his father sitting on the sofa, smoking.
When Zhou Kai walked in, his father glanced at him and grunted, "You’re back?"
"Yeah." Zhou Kai didn’t avert his gaze as usual. After changing his shoes, he walked confidently up to his father, put down his backpack, and pulled out a carefully folded test paper.
With an air of pride like a little rooster, Zhou Kai announced, "This needs a parent’s signature."
His father glanced at the test paper, his expression like he had a toothache. "Let your mom sign it."
I can’t afford to lose face over this!
"You sign it," Zhou Kai said, not elaborating, but unfolding the test paper and placing it in front of his father. He then stood tall, like a general about to be decorated.
Zhou Kai’s father scanned the paper. When his eyes landed on the score, he froze, his eyes widening. "......"
"Sign it!"
"71 points?"
"Yeah!"
"......"
Suddenly, Zhou Kai’s father leaped up, snatched a slipper off his foot, and swung it!
"You damn scoundrel! You used to forge my signature to fool your teachers, and now you’ve learned to cheat?!"
「 」
When Chen Nuo arrived at school the next day and entered the preparatory classroom, he saw Zhou Kai sitting there with a red mark on his left cheek.
Chen Nuo wheeled over, stared at it for a moment, and then mimed its size with his hand. Yep, the size is a perfect match for a shoeprint.
"Got beaten?" Chen Nuo raised an eyebrow.
"It’s nothing. My old man did it," Zhou Kai said nonchalantly. "He apologized later and gave me a few hundred for pocket money."
Chen Nuo nodded and bent down to organize his schoolbag.
"Um... Boss Chen."
"Hmm?"
"...Uh, thanks," Zhou Kai said, ruffling his hair vigorously. His face flushed red as if it took all his strength to utter those words.
Chen Nuo smiled and leaned closer. "Your dad gave you a few hundred in allowance?"
"Uh..." Zhou Kai instinctively shrank back.
"Treat the whole class to iced sodas today."
「 」
Teasing this rich, good-for-nothing kid named Zhou Kai was one of Chen Nuo’s small daily pleasures.
However... as the last class of the morning ended, Chen Nuo felt a headache coming on.
He watched the figure walk in with a teacher from the international department’s administrative office...
Long, straight black hair tied into a ponytail, a delicate face... a slender figure.
Clad in a pure Japanese-style sailor uniform.
She looked like a beautiful JK girl straight out of a manga.
Chen Nuo suddenly felt a twinge in his teeth!
"Nice to meet you! I am Xicheng Xun from Tokyo, Japan! I’m very happy to be here and to become classmates with all of you. Please take good care of me!"
She even added an "Arigato~" at the end.
Whoa! What a voice! So clear, with a hint of sweetness!
WHOA! With a ninety-degree bow, her ponytail swung.
All the boys in the class started cheering!
Chen Nuo, sitting at his desk, rolled his eyes dramatically.
Niveer, you must be a demon!!!
No question about it! For Xicheng Xun to transfer here, Niveer must be the mastermind!!
「 」
The preparatory class was touted by the international department as being modeled entirely on international education standards...
Though much of it was an exaggeration... some details did indeed mimic foreign schools.
For instance, seats in the class weren’t fixed.
Unlike middle schools in China, where teachers assign seats and students aren’t allowed to change them, the preparatory class was different.
The teachers didn’t bother with such things.
During class, students could sit wherever they liked. If there were conflicts over seats, the students had to resolve them themselves.
There were no fixed seats.
However, there was one fixed seat in the class: Chen Nuo’s.
This Chen Xiaoguo liked to sit in the back row by the window—the manga protagonist’s special seat.
After Xicheng Xun politely finished her self-introduction amidst the eager gazes of all the male students, she gave her ponytail a light flick. Casually slinging her shoulder bag off and holding it in her hand, she walked forward confidently.
The teacher from the administrative office, having completed their task, left with the subject teacher.
The last class of the morning was over; it was now lunchtime.
After the transfer student was announced and the teacher left, the students were free to do as they pleased.
All the students couldn’t help but size up the beautiful Japanese girl, especially the boys.
Xicheng Xun’s gaze was fixed on Chen Nuo, who was sitting by the window. She stood quietly by the teacher’s desk.
After a few seconds, some students began to leave, while others remained seated, observing the Japanese girl...
For example, Zhou Kai was ogling the beautiful Japanese girl, then watched in surprise as she walked towards him.
"Huh?"
"Hello!" Xicheng Xun gave a slight bow first.
"Um... Hello! Haha, hello?"
"Are you stupid, Zhou Kai? ’Hello’ in Japanese is ’Konnichiwa’!" a boy in the front row jeered, turning around.
Zhou Kai rolled his eyes. "Mind your own business!"
Then he instinctively glanced to his left, at Chen Nuo, who was closest to him. He saw that Chen Nuo didn’t even look up, just kept flipping through an all-English book, the contents of which Zhou Kai couldn’t decipher.
"Um..." Xicheng Xun cleared her throat and said softly, "Could you please get up?"
"Huh?"
Although Xicheng Xun’s Chinese was a bit awkward, her pronunciation and intonation not quite standard, Zhou Kai understood her.
"This seat, I’d like to sit here," Xicheng Xun said, her face wearing a serious yet polite smile.
Zhou Kai was a bit dumbfounded.
The boy in the front row stood up with a grin. "Hey classmate, the seat next to me is empty. You can sit here."
Saying this, he smiled and placed a hand on Xicheng Xun’s shoulder from behind!
SWISH!
The smile on Xicheng Xun’s face vanished instantly, her gaze sharpening. With a slight turn of her head, she suddenly grabbed the hand on her shoulder!
"Urusai!!"
Before the boy behind her could react, Xicheng Xun executed a perfect judo shoulder throw, sending him flying!
BANG!
The boy somersaulted through the air and landed flat on his back, sprawling.
It was only because Xicheng Xun had shown mercy. The boy landed on his back, and though the fall was hard, he wasn’t seriously injured...
Otherwise, if a Truth Society Hunter had truly been ruthless and made him land on his head or neck, he would probably have been sent straight to the ICU.
Lying on the ground, the boy yelled furiously, "You little bitch, you..."
SWISH!
Xicheng Xun shot him a cold glare, and the boy suddenly shivered!
An icy chill ran through him. He scrambled to his feet and quickly fled the classroom.
"Phew..."
Xicheng Xun dusted off her hands, took a deep breath, composed herself, and turned back to Zhou Kai with a smile. "I’m sorry, may I sit in your seat?"
Zhou Kai leaped up from his seat instantly!
"You... you... sit wherever you like! Wherever!"
With that, he hastily swept his belongings from the desk into his bag and quickly moved aside.
"Thank you, you’re such a nice person~"
Xicheng Xun smiled and nodded politely, then went over and sat in Zhou Kai’s seat.
She gently placed her bag down and neatly arranged her books and stationery on the desk.
The girl then turned to face Chen Nuo.
"Ah Xiu..."
"Stop," Chen Nuo said, still looking down at his book, his voice indifferent. "You already know my name is Chen Nuo. There’s no need to call me Ah Xiu anymore."
"No! I still like calling you Ah Xiu—it’s a name only I am allowed to use for you."
"...Suit yourself." Chen Nuo frowned, his expression cold.
Xicheng Xun wanted to say more, but Chen Nuo spoke softly, "Attacking someone so brazenly right after arriving... that doesn’t fit the image of the well-behaved, top student you cultivated for yourself in Tokyo, does it?"
"Because that person touched me first."
"Hitting people has consequences, you know," Chen Nuo shook his head. "Do you need my help with the aftermath?"
"No need," Xicheng Xun smiled. "I’ll handle it. You don’t have to worry about me, Ah Xiu."
"...Then do as you please." Chen Nuo nodded. "If trouble comes, solve it yourself."
His words had barely faded.
Several boys burst in through the back door of the classroom.
One of them was the guy who had just been shoulder-thrown.
"That’s her!"
Three to five boys walked over, followed by two girls, all looking like troublemakers.
"Um... Boss Chen?"
One of the boys first glanced cautiously at Chen Nuo, then forced a smile and called out, "We need to have a word with this new student?"
"None of my business," Chen Nuo said coldly, turning a page in his book without looking up.
"Good, good!" The boy grinned, then turned to Xicheng Xun, his face hardening. "Hey, classmate... we need to talk to you! Step outside for a moment!"
Xicheng Xun sighed, turned around, stood up, and said with a smile, "Alright, where shall we talk?"
The boy squinted at Xicheng Xun, his expression seeming to soften slightly. But after one of the girls behind him huffed in displeasure, he quickly coughed and frowned. "Um... let’s talk outside!"
"Alright." Xicheng Xun nodded with a smile and then whispered to Chen Nuo in Japanese, "Please wait a moment, I’ll be right back."
Xicheng Xun quickly smoothed her ponytail with both hands and walked towards the door. As she passed the group of students, she said in a low, cold voice, "Weren’t we going to talk? Let’s get this over with!"
Chen Nuo suddenly looked up at the ceiling. "Well... we’re classmates, after all. Be a bit more courteous, don’t go too far."
The boy was taken aback and said carefully, "Boss Chen, don’t worry, we won’t go too far... But Xiao Zhao got hit, so we can’t just..."
Chen Nuo had already lowered his head and resumed reading.
"Hai!" At the doorway, Xicheng Xun turned around and bowed deeply.
「 」
Xicheng Xun was gone for only a few minutes before she returned.
Actually, she could have been quicker, but it was evident the girl had also washed her hands and recombed her hair.
Walking back into the classroom, she tiptoed to Chen Nuo’s side and sat down.
"Ah Xiu..."
"You didn’t go too far, did you?" Chen Nuo sighed.
He wasn’t worried in the slightest that Xicheng Xun would be at a disadvantage.
What a joke! A Hunter who dared to go after the Truth Society’s leaders in Tokyo, alone and armed with a small Tachi, could she be bullied by a bunch of ordinary students in a regular school?
"I would never disobey your instructions," Xicheng Xun replied with a sweet smile. "They’re in the restroom reflecting on their actions right now."
"...Alright then."
The few students still in the classroom could already sense that something was off.
Yes, especially Zhou Kai, who was sitting there completely bewildered.
Xicheng Xun slowly took a small pink lunchbox from her bag.
She opened it gently, held it with both hands, and placed it on Chen Nuo’s desk.
"Ah Xiu, I personally made this bento lunch for you. Please enjoy it!"
Inside the pink lunchbox were several nori hand rolls, topped with slices of grilled eel.
Two rice balls were adorned with a few black sesame seeds.
The portion didn’t look large, but it was exquisitely prepared.
"I kept it in an insulated bag with a dry ice pack to keep it cool. Even though the weather is hot, the flavor definitely won’t be ruined! Please enjoy it with peace of mind!"
As she spoke, Xicheng Xun clasped her hands together, her eyes narrowed into crescents, and stared at Chen Nuo.
Chen Nuo sighed and put down his book.
Xicheng Xun’s eyes immediately lit up with a smile, and she handed him a pair of chopsticks.
Chen Nuo took the chopsticks and picked up a piece of eel, putting it in his mouth.
"How is it?"
"...A bit salty," Chen Nuo said indifferently, putting down the chopsticks. "Alright, I’ve tasted it... You don’t have a talent for cooking. Don’t bother with this anymore."
"...Okay, I won’t make it again then," Xicheng Xun replied, clearly disappointed, but still readily agreeing. "So... about me attending school here..."
"Aren’t you already in cahoots with Niveer and the others?" Chen Nuo shook his head. "You can attend school wherever you want; you don’t need to ask me."
With that, Chen Nuo turned his head and called out, "Zhou Kai."
"Huh?"
"Let’s go. Push me to the cafeteria for lunch."
Zhou Kai hurried over, nodded cautiously at Xicheng Xun with a hint of lingering fear in his eyes, then pushed Chen Nuo’s wheelchair out of the classroom.
"Um, Boss Chen..."
"Hmm?"
"That Japanese girl, and you?"
Chen Nuo thought for a moment. "You guys better not mess with her."
Yes, it’s because my strength regressed after the Body Seizing. At this stage, if we really fought, Chen Yanluo might not actually be a match for Xicheng Xun!
「 」
In the darkness, deep, coarse gasps could be heard, faintly tinged with pain.
Suddenly, the lights flared on. The recessed lighting in the ceiling blazed down, illuminating the entire room as bright as day!
It was a square room with four sealed walls.
On an ostentatiously designed chair in the center, Vanel lay, wearing only a pair of shorts that revealed his explosive musculature.
His thick body hair was matted with sweat, and his forehead and face were also glistening.
Vanel panted heavily, emitting almost beast-like low growls from his throat.
Small metal plates were attached to his skin on his arms, legs, chest, forehead, and temples. Thin, flexible wires connected these plates to a massive instrument against the wall.
"One hundred thirty-second scan... commencing..."
A cold, emotionless voice echoed from the speakers embedded in the room’s walls.
Vanel’s brow furrowed sharply. He took a deep breath and let out a deafening roar!
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
「 」
"One hundred and thirty-sixth scan... he should be ’clean,’" a magnetic voice chuckled, then whistled.
In a dark room, only one glass wall, facing Vanel’s room, allowed light to filter in, faintly illuminating two figures seated in a corner.
"But the failure of the Brazil operation was too strange. Not a single valuable clue was left," a sharp voice said coldly. "He’s the only survivor from the action team..."
"One hundred and thirty-six mental scans! One hundred and thirty-six! My friend. No liar can withstand one hundred and thirty-six mental scans and still hide their secrets. Are you questioning our Science Unit’s equipment? Or doubting the abilities of our experts in spiritual power?"
"...Fine!" the sharp voice conceded reluctantly. "Then, you can sign the approval report, but please note my stance. I reserve my opinion!"
「 」
Vanel was completely drained.
The chair beneath him was soaked with his sweat.
An electronic door on the wall slid open, and a tall figure walked in.
Brown hair, a large, hooked nose, and thin lips—these features gave the man a somewhat gloomy and harsh appearance.
"Vanel, head of C4 Operations unit. Nineteen successful mission records, three of which yielded perfect results! You are actually a very outstanding operations head, Mr. Vanel. However... you’ve also gained another identity: a firsthand witness to the failure of the Brazil mission."
The man casually flipped through a file in his hand, then tossed it aside.
Lying on the chair, Vanel’s lips moved.
The man leaned in, getting close to Vanel, listening intently.
"Subukalie!"
The man didn’t get angry at all. Instead, he smiled. "Good. You still have the energy to curse. That shows your constitution is excellent."
Vanel didn’t speak, just focused on breathing, trying to regain his strength.
"Congratulations, you’ve passed the mental scan test. Just a moment ago, I signed the report confirming you passed."
Vanel’s gaze gradually focused. "Who... are you?"
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am the head of the B3 Operations unit. You don’t need to know my name. But from today onwards, you work for me! You’ve been transferred to my B3 unit. You will serve as my deputy, the vice-captain of B3."
Vanel caught his breath. "My operations unit... it won’t be rebuilt?"
"No need," the man said flatly. "You have more important tasks to execute."
Vanel sneered, "B3? That name sounds like it’s a higher rank than my operations unit?"
"Of course, it’s a higher rank than yours." The man shrugged and, with a casual wave of his hand, a chair materialized out of thin air.
He dragged the chair next to Vanel, sat down slowly, crossed his legs comfortably, and looked at Vanel.
"Spatial retrieval?" Vanel frowned. "You’re a Spatial Ability User."
"Yes, you’re correct," the man shook his head. "However, please remember one rule. From today, you are my deputy. Therefore, also from today, you will address me as BOSS."
"Ha, hahaha..." Vanel scoffed disdainfully. "You? My BOSS?"
"Yes."
"B3... Since there’s C-Level and B-Level, there must be an A-Level! If A-Level exists, why can’t I join an A-Level operations unit instead of working for you?"
"Then I’m afraid that’s not possible," the man said, still smiling. "As for A-Level, you’re not qualified yet... neither your strength nor your experience is sufficient. By the way, neither am I."
"Is A-Level very strong?"
"Of course, it’s very strong," the man smiled. "You’re one of my members now, so this isn’t a secret for our B-Level. I can tell you. Within the entire organization, there’s only one A-Level operations unit! Those guys are all incredibly strong... Even if they occasionally suffer losses and need to replenish personnel, they only draw from the operations units directly beneath them. That means, Vanel, now that you’re in B3, if you want to get into A-Level... you’ll first have to work hard for me. We achieve outstanding results, turn our B3 into B2, and then eventually into B1! Only when we become B1, then, if a vacancy appears in A-Level, will they consider drawing personnel from us. That’s when you’ll have your chance to join the A-Level you desire, Mr. Vanel!"
Vanel struggled, trying to sit up from the chair.
"I have no damn interest in being anyone’s deputy! I..."
But the man suddenly leaned forward slightly.
His hands gripped Vanel’s shoulders firmly, pressing him back into the chair.
His mouth moved close to Vanel’s ear.
A faint whisper reached Vanel’s ears.
"This room is temporarily shielded by me, but only for a very short time—any longer, and it might arouse suspicion! You’d better accept my orders now, Vanel!"
As he spoke, the man quickly added another sentence.
And this added sentence instantly made Vanel’s struggling eyes widen in shock!
What the man said was:
"Noah’s Ark."
Vanel: "!!!!"