Chapter 694: Shadows and Echoes in Qinggang

Quietly sitting at the intersection for a while, Lu Xin slowly started his car and slipped away.

The chaos at Xiaoyeshan was growing increasingly intense, and he worried about getting caught.

Lost in thought about the sudden appearance of Number Eight and their current fates, he drove back alone to Qinggang.

When the guards at the city gate recognized Lu Xin in the Jeep, they immediately lowered the steel drawbridge. As Lu Xin entered High-wall City, he saw Chen Jing—already out of her waiter uniform—along with Gecko, Han Bing, and several armed squads waiting anxiously. They peered into the car and asked with a hint of worry, “Where is he?”

“He’s gone!”

Lu Xin stopped the car and stepped out, leaning on it as he let out a soft sigh.

“Gone?”

In contrast to Lu Xin’s ease, Chen Jing and the others wore expressions of surprise.

“Yes.”

Lu Xin explained, “He was a classmate from our orphanage back then. Now he’s just on a business trip, here to check on us…”

Those present exchanged uncertain glances.

Chen Jing remained silent. Having reviewed the old records of Red Moon Orphanage, she knew the issue was far from simple.

After all, the incomplete records noted that following a mysterious explosion at Red Moon Orphanage, only Lu Xin and Teacher Xiao Lu had survived. So what was up with this so-called classmate?

Moreover, after handling numerous special pollution incidents, she was naturally sensitive about such matters.

That classmate was no ordinary person. If he had come to Qinggang, his intentions couldn’t be that simple.

Lu Xin sensed Chen Jing’s doubts, but he couldn’t explain any further.

Perhaps, deep down, he hoped that Number Eight was merely passing by for a quick visit.

“Hey, it’s good he’s gone. With him gone, we won’t have to live in fear…”

As the atmosphere eased just a bit, Gecko laughed and exhaled deeply. His face lit up as he flung his arms around Lu Xin, exclaiming, “No matter what, Captain, you’re finally back.”

“You have no idea how much I’ve missed you…”

“…”

“Oh dear…”

Startled by Gecko’s sudden warmth, Lu Xin stiffened as he was pulled into the embrace, goosebumps prickling his skin.

Even though they hadn’t seen each other in a while, did it really require such fervor?

Besides, it was quite unexpected to see Gecko risking so much on the edge of danger.

Why was he so eager all of a sudden?

Both Chen Jing and Han Bing, witnessing Gecko’s excitement, shared resigned smiles.

Chen Jing’s brief smile quickly faded as she said,

“Someone’s behavior has stirred up a scandal. A so-called Ability User got caught hiding in someone else’s cabinet, then crawled out from the ceiling and startled everyone, even making the newspapers—causing a terrible impact on Qinggang.”

“Even though our Special Pollution Cleanup Department isn’t an official law enforcement agency, we still have rules.”

“Because of this incident, higher-ups are considering demotion and revoking the privileges he once had with the SPD.”

“…”

“What?”

Astonished, Lu Xin shot Gecko a look filled with shock and disbelief.

Flustered, Gecko pleaded, “Captain, if I said I went to her place to play cards, would you believe me?”

Lu Xin paused for a moment, shaking his head, “I don’t believe it.”

“Yeah, even her husband wouldn’t believe it…”

Gecko looked at Lu Xin pitifully, “That’s why things have escalated so badly.”

“Why is trust between people so fragile?”

“…”

Mid-conversation, he suddenly grabbed Lu Xin’s arm and pleaded, “Captain, I’ve waited so long for you to come back. After all, we’re on the same team. Even though my records weren’t forwarded to you, your word carries weight… So how about writing a note vouching that our teammates are morally unblemished, so he won’t be demoted?”

“?”

Only then did Lu Xin grasp the source of Gecko’s fervor.

Caught off guard, he stared at Gecko’s pitiful, almost feline eyes for a moment before saying, “Alright, I’ll write a simple note…”

A glimmer of hope shone on Gecko’s face.

Lu Xin added, “But honestly, compared to you, I believe her husband’s word carries more weight…”

Gecko looked utterly confused, “You don’t even know him…”

Lu Xin laughed reassuringly, “But I do know you pretty well…”

“……”

“We can discuss any potential demotion and privilege loss later—as long as your attitude is proper, there’s still room to maneuver.”

Noticing that the conversation was veering off, Chen Jing, with a stern look, steered it back by saying, “Regardless, less drama is better. As long as he holds no malice toward Qinggang. Right now, Qinggang is on high alert—your apartment’s mysterious vanishing act, its reappearance, and this enigmatic visitor have all raised alarms with the authorities!”

She hesitated, “So, if possible…”

Lu Xin glanced at the familiar city, sensing a palpable tension in the air.

After a moment’s thought, he replied earnestly, “Number Eight has his own work and pursuits; he wouldn’t bear any ill will toward Qinggang.”

“And as for that old building, don’t worry. I used it back then to handle some incidents.”

“…”

“Used it? To handle incidents?”

Faced with Lu Xin’s casual response, Chen Jing and the others looked visibly stunned, their eyes filled with incredulous surprise.

“Exactly…”

Lu Xin continued nonchalantly, “You guys…”

“A building that big—you just take it away and use it to fix problems?”

Before Lu Xin could respond, Gecko interjected in shock, “Captain, don’t say that we couldn’t do it.”

“We really can’t manage something like that, and besides, it isn’t even our problem…”

“…”

“I didn’t mean it like that…”

Lu Xin swallowed his earlier words and thought with a cold chuckle, ‘Still want a note?’

But seeing the puzzled looks on Chen Jing and Han Bing’s faces, he laughed and explained, “This matter is indeed odd. It likely involves those earlier renovations. To be honest, I don’t fully understand it, but I’ll look into it and write a report later.”

“Fine then…”

Chen Jing reluctantly agreed, then added after a pause, “Actually, forget the report.”

“If you don’t mind, just call Han Bing later on the phone to explain the reasons and processes involved.”

“…”

Han Bing immediately nodded in agreement, “Yes.”

Saving himself another report, perhaps?

Lu Xin felt a surge of relief.

After a brief discussion, Chen Jing confirmed with Lu Xin that Number Eight had left, so the citywide alert could be lifted. She then began arranging other tasks. Lu Xin, now feeling at ease, also declined Gecko’s invitation for a drink. Telling Han Bing that the Jeep would be returned later, he got back into his car and headed straight for Red Moon Elementary School.

The courtyard lay silent—well past two in the morning, and the children had long been asleep.

Yet Lu Xin noticed a light on the third floor of the villa. He parked at the doorway, greeted the old man at the security booth, and walked right in. Quietly, he ascended to the third floor and pushed open the door from which light spilled.

Teacher Xiao Lu had already seen him enter from the window and hurried over in her wheelchair.

“Number Eight is already gone…”

Noticing her nervousness, Lu Xin smiled reassuringly.

Teacher Xiao Lu let out a small sigh of relief, her gaze gently scanning Lu Xin for any injuries. Lowering her head briefly before looking up, she said, “No more numbers—aren’t we all people with names now?”

Lu Xin paused and smiled, nodding in agreement.

Back at the orphanage, Teacher Xiao Lu never had a number assigned. She didn’t like that—and rightly so.

Number Eight’s departure seemed to lift a heavy veil from over Red Moon Orphanage, and everyone instantly felt relieved. Teacher Xiao Lu sat while Lu Xin stood; after a brief silence between them, she quickly reacted before he could speak, suddenly raising her head and saying, “Sit down, why just stand there?”

“Alright.”

Lu Xin smiled and sat on the sofa in the office.

“This was clearly the house you bought, yet now you act like a stranger even though you’re here.”

Teacher Xiao Lu pushed her wheelchair, grabbed her cup, washed it thoroughly, and then fetched some tea leaves to brew a cup for Lu Xin.

“No need—the tea at night will keep you awake.”

Lu Xin laughed and stopped her, saying she needn’t trouble herself.

“Hmm…”

Teacher Xiao Lu slowly set down the cup with the tea leaves, turned her wheelchair, and looked toward Lu Xin.

After a moment, she gently asked, “You said you’ve healed yourself—what does that mean exactly?”

Lu Xin paused, recalling the topic from earlier the same day. After a brief moment, he smiled and said, “It’s literally as it sounds. Honestly, even before our last chat, I sensed something was off with me…”

He pointed to his head and added, “Although I’m reluctant to admit it, I’m indeed different from everyone else.”

“Then this…”

Lu Xin’s frank admission left Teacher Xiao Lu momentarily speechless as she asked, “What exactly is wrong?”

“It’s very complicated…”

Lu Xin slowly leaned forward, interlacing his fingers under his chin. After a moment’s contemplation, he said,

“If I must explain, it’s that I rarely feel true happiness and seldom get angry.”

“I see the world very clearly, yet I struggle to understand why people are sad or cry.”

“I live earnestly in this city, but I find it hard to blend into their lives…”

“It’s like living inside a bottle, watching others with envy…”

“Sometimes, a strong desire to be like everyone else surges up, only to be engulfed by overwhelming despair in the very next moment. I lose all interest and can only live as calmly as a robot…”