Chapter 29 – He misses Shen Tazhi a little

Editor: Xinghe

Translator: YuQiChen/Churen

Jiang Que was listening to the lunch lady introduce the cafeteria dishes, then turned back and said, “No, it was like that before I met Shen Tazhi, but Shen Tazhi said I can also eat human food.”

Instead of sarcastic remarks or strange behaviour, this was a normal conversation with him, and it surprisingly involved Shen Tazhi.

Xi Jing was momentarily speechless, feeling that false information was harmful. He watched Jiang Que happily carrying a full plate, then weakly said to the lunch lady, “Auntie, please give me some of the remaining dishes.”

The previously smiling aunt glared at him unkindly, saying, “What do you mean ‘some’? There’s no ‘some’ here, choose what you want to eat yourself!”

Xi Jing: …

What kind of fate was this?

At the dining table, Jiang Que awkwardly picked up a piece of sweet and sour spare ribs with chopsticks and happily squinted his eyes.

– This is so delicious!

When he meets Shen Tazhi again, he wants to eat this together with him.

Xi Jing sat down across from Jiang Que with his plate, then suddenly realized that he had forgotten to bring the survey form, but he still silently checked the fourth item off for Jiang Que in his mind.

Although Jiang Que was somewhat indifferent to people’s fear of him, but it was expected, after all, he hadn’t interacted with humans for over ten years. This difference was still within the normal range of fluctuations. As long as he wasn’t pleased by human fear, there wouldn’t be any issues.

Xi Jing thought this way, glancing at Jiang Que who was enjoying his meal.

He felt that perhaps a meal would bring Jiang Que more joy than human fear.

After this meal that made Jiang Que unilaterally happy, Xi Jing began to lead him towards the newly arranged room.

As they walked, Jiang Que asked, “Shen Tazhi told me you are going to test me. When will the testing start?”

It had already been going on for a while.

Xi Jing thought silently in his mind.

But of course, he wouldn’t say that. At the same time, he felt a bit wary because of Jiang Que’s words, “It will start tomorrow morning, just a routine check-up and some minor tests. Don’t worry. – Did Mr. Shen tell you anything else?”

If Shen Tazhi had instructed Jiang Que on what to do beforehand, then the ticks on the previous form would need to be reconsidered.

Jiang Que was completely unaware and cheerfully said, “He also said he would come to pick me up in a day.”

Jiang Que’s expression turned a bit forlorn.

Why did one day feel so long? It was only now that he finished his first meal, even though it used to be much quicker.

Seeing Jiang Que’s despondency, Xi Jing recalled the unsavoury incident where he supported a test question that broke up a young couple, feeling guilty. He could only hastily respond, “Yes, that’s right. You can go out in a day.”

He had over thought it. Jiang Que’s natural behaviour couldn’t possibly have been taught by Shen Tazhi the last minute. Even if it was taught, based on this acting, he had to admit that Jiang Que seemed a bit more human than some actual humans.

As they conversed, the two arrived at Jiang Que’s new dormitory location.

It was a corridor with about a dozen rooms on each side. Xi Jing used his access card to swipe open the door, then pushed it open to show Jiang Que his new room:

It was designed like a small apartment with white tiled floors. Upon entering, there was a bathroom and kitchen, and further in, a soft sofa. On the right was a small room with a single bed.

Overall, it was cozy and had all the necessary household items, much better than the room that resembled an interrogation room just a while ago.

Jiang Que softly exclaimed, “Wow,” raising his tentacles, feeling a bit happy.

He didn’t really care about where he lived, but living in a nice place made him a bit happier.

To think that they specially arranged a beautiful residence for him, Xi Jing wasn’t a bad person after all.

Thinking this, Jiang Que said to Xi Jing, “Thank you.”

Xi Jing: …

No need to thank me, as long as you can let bygones be bygones and refrain from continuing to mock me.

He handed Jiang Que the access card and demonstrated once again how to use it to open the door. After familiarizing Jiang Que with the room’s facilities and specifically explaining how to use the call bell, Xi Jing left the room.

Before leaving, Xi Jing couldn’t help but remind Jiang Que cautiously, “If you need anything, just press the call bell, and I’ll be there in no more than ten minutes. – Do you still want to go to the cafeteria tonight?”

After some thought, Jiang Que replied, “Forget it, they are all afraid of me.”

He doesn’t mind missing a meal. After all, he used to go hungry often in the past. But if he scares the humans, it will cause trouble for Shen Tazhi.

“Okay.” Xi Jing nodded, “I’ll arrange for someone to bring it to you. You’ve worked hard today, so rest well.”

Unconsciously, he had already begun to treat Jiang Que as someone similar to himself.

After Xi Jing’s final reminder, the door was finally closed, and the room fell quiet and dim.

Jiang Que didn’t turn on the light. Compared to the bright lights, the dim interior made him feel more comfortable.

Relying on his memory of Xi Jing’s words, he tried to turn on the tap in the bathroom, but the sudden rush of water startled him. As he hurriedly turned it off, he ended up getting soaked.

He tried to use his tentacles to grab a towel, but his thick tentacles seemed awkward in the small bathroom. Clumsily, he knocked down something on the sink, leaving a mess on the floor.

Humans were so troublesome and difficult.

Finally, Jiang Que returned to the living room with wet clothes. He tried to open the bedroom door, but seeing a big bed instead of a sleeping bag made him a bit scared, so he retreated back to the living room.

Taking off his sunglasses, he carefully placed them on the coffee table before curling up on the sofa.

The sofa was very soft, the softest thing he had ever sat on, but Jiang Que was too preoccupied to notice.

After all the commotion had died down, he suddenly realized that he felt lonely.

He controlled his small tentacles to sway them, trying to chat with them as he usually did when alone. But suddenly, he found it pointless and gave up.

The bed was strange, he couldn’t even use the tap properly, Xi Jing spoke so quickly earlier, he hadn’t fully processed everything yet.

But Xi Jing wasn’t Shen Tazhi, he couldn’t just ask.

Shen Tazhi…

Even though he had just eaten, Jiang Que suddenly felt hungry again.

He curled up tighter, wrapping himself with his tentacles.

There was no dim light from an alcohol lamp, no Shen Tazhi telling stories. It was quiet, as if he was back to being alone underground.

It was truly lonely.

Why did the day feel so long? When would Shen Tazhi come to pick him up?

At the same time, inside the meeting room of the Anomaly Investigation Department.

Shen Tazhi took a sip of his tea and looked calmly at Director Wu sitting across from him, “It has been ten hours since Jiang Que left the Abyss. I wonder how my family’s Xiao Que is doing?”

Director Wu couldn’t help but wipe the cold sweat off his forehead. Looking at the report sent by his subordinates, he forced a smile, “So far, all the tests have been normal. Mr. Shen, your judgement seems to be correct. It appears that our previous data was indeed incorrect.”

Shen Tazhi glanced at Director Wu’s expression without changing his demeanour and continued drinking his tea.

Director Wu’s expression didn’t seem fake, but there was a hint of guilt in his eyes when facing him, probably due to the previous incorrect judgement. It seemed that Jiang Que’s performance was indeed quite good.

However…

Shen Tazhi remembered the look Jiang Que gave him before leaving, and his heart couldn’t help but ache.

Although he had mentally prepared himself, when Jiang Que let go of his hand and walked towards Xi Jing, looking at him with cold eyes, Shen Tazhi admitted that he regretted it.

He didn’t want Jiang Que to misunderstand him. At that moment, he even had the thought of explaining everything clearly, that it was all just a test, and even directly taking Jiang Que away, even if it would lead to misunderstandings from his superiors.

But Jiang Que didn’t give him that chance at all. Without any hesitation, he turned and left. Shen Tazhi didn’t even have a chance to look at Jiang Que more, to confirm if his gaze was as indifferent as he had seen it at first sight.

Not receiving a response from Shen Tazhi, Director Wu’s smile became more awkward. He poured tea for Shen Tazhi again and said in a consultative tone, “Mr. Shen, I was indeed in the wrong before. Just relying on unreliable data from the past, I didn’t support your decision to bring out Jiang Que. Later, I will report to the superiors about the issues with the data on Jiang Que, and apply for special guardian qualifications for you. I will try to get a response to you within three hours. What do you think?”

Shen Tazhi simply responded with a “Hmm” and remained silent.

Director Wu was almost at his limit.

He was just a Director in the Anomaly Investigation Department, barely worth mentioning compared to the Shen family in the capital, not to mention that he had openly confronted Shen Tazhi before regarding Jiang Que’s issue.

Director Wu seriously doubted whether Shen Tazhi was still sitting here drinking tea with him purely because Jiang Que was still in the Anomaly Investigation Department, and their guardian relationship required approval from higher authorities.

And the higher authorities were organizations that even Shen Tazhi couldn’t threaten.

Director Wu could only awkwardly chuckle twice and casually mention, “By the way, Mr. Shen, how did you know the specific situation of Jiang Que? Even the data from our Anomalies Investigation Department was all wrong. You’re truly amazing.”

Shen Tazhi gave him a bland look, causing Director Wu to immediately stop his forced laughter.

Although he didn’t quite like the behaviour of trying to get information out of him, Shen Tazhi’s purpose in coming here was indeed to bring some intelligence.

These pieces of information were also his backup plan. If Jiang Que didn’t pass the test, he would at least have the confidence to safely bring Jiang Que out of the Anomaly Investigation Department.

However, Jiang Que unexpectedly showed his fighting spirit. Shen Tazhi didn’t want to make things difficult. He took another sip of tea and calmly uttered four words: “Qishan Taoists.”

Director Wu suddenly stood up, “Qishan Taoists?? How do you know…”

“Because I am Shen Tazhi, that’s why I know.”

Shen Tazhi’s words once again left Director Wu speechless.

Well, the head of the Shen family in the capital could almost be considered a figure with considerable influence. Not to mention knowing the hidden world of the Qishan Taoist sect, even knowing about any Bodhisattva shouldn’t come as a surprise.

“So… where is the Qishan Taoist sect now?” Director Wu cautiously asked.

They were in the Anomaly Investigation Department where many investigators came from all corners of the world, reputed to have knowledge of celestial fate and earthly geography, with the Qishan Taoist sect specializing in ‘Eight Trigrams’ and ‘Divination’, being a rare talent for them.

If they could recruit this group of Taoists into the Anomaly Investigation Department…

“They are currently working for me to repay debts.”

Shen Tazhi’s words mercilessly shattered all of Director Wu’s fantasies.

Director Wu inexplicably sensed a hint of resentment in Shen Tazhi’s words. He was shocked, “Repaying debts…?”

“Yes.” Shen Tazhi revealed his first smile since entering Director Wu’s office, a smile that seemed mocking, “Repaying karmic debts with me.”

Director Wu: …Huh?

You capitalists are even going after Taoists?

Shen Tazhi poured all the tea from his cup into the tea tray, stood up, and said, “Alright, let’s stop chatting here.”

“After all, you all have to start working overtime from today to prevent the arrival of the apocalypse.”

Director Wu: Wait a minute?

He suspected his ears were playing tricks on him, asking in disbelief, “What did you say? The apocalypse?”

“Yes.”

Shen Tazhi was in a bad mood, so seeing Director Wu’s reaction, he felt a bit happy.

He lowered his eyes and smiled lightly, “Do you think the recent natural disasters were just a coincidence?”

“Jiang Que is the anchor placed at the eye of the formation by the Qishan Taoists, handling your work for so long. I brought him out before he completely broke down, and now it’s your turn to take over.”

What anchor? What work? What take over? What was all this about?

Director Wu was even more confused, and he subconsciously asked, “Why do you say Jiang Que is an anchor?”

“You treat him as an anchor, as a tool, not that he is an anchor,” Shen Tazhi patiently corrected, reached for the door, pushed it open, and walked out. “Later, my assistant will bring detailed information for the handover. The Qishan Taoists, whom you wish to see, will also come along.”

Amidst Director Wu’s shocked and bewildered gaze, Shen Tazhi smiled lightly, appearing gentle but actually threatening:

“No matter what you hear next, remember this: Jiang Que has been brought out by me and cannot return to the abyss to continue handling these messes for you.”

“He is a person, my only family.”

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