“But... we weren’t even part of the organization back then,” Fat Jun, sitting in the passenger seat, timidly interjected. “Now we’re considered members, and White Rabbit did say she only acts cold towards outsiders, but is kind to her own...”
“And you just believe whatever she says?” Officer Huang asked sharply.
Fat Jun was momentarily speechless.
“Just met her once, and already you’re siding with outsiders,” Officer Huang glared at him, pretending to be angry. “Back in Wang Zikai’s garage, I should’ve let you die.”
“I-I didn’t mean that…” Fat Jun’s face flushed red, then turned pale.
“Stop scaring him,” Gao Yang, understanding Officer Huang’s intent, quickly intervened, playing the good cop. He leaned forward and patted Fat Jun on the shoulder. “Fat Jun, let me teach you a way to judge people. It may not always work, but take it as advice.”
“Sure, Brother Yang, go ahead.” Fat Jun, who had come to trust Gao Yang deeply, nodded eagerly. After all, Gao Yang was smart, and from the beginning, he had never abandoned Fat Jun. Back in Gujia Village, Gao Yang had even awakened the flame ability, battling the Hair Monster to a standstill. To Fat Jun, Gao Yang was already a true big brother.
“Judge actions, not words,” Gao Yang said.
“Huh?” Fat Jun didn’t quite understand.
“It’s not what a person thinks or says that matters, but what they actually do,” Qing Ling explained coldly.
Fat Jun pondered for a moment, then suddenly shouted, “Sister-in-law, I get it now!”
Qing Ling frowned slightly, too tired to correct him for the umpteenth time.
“Officer Huang! Brother Yang! Sister-in-law!” Fat Jun’s eyes brimmed with tears. “All this time, you had so many chances to abandon me, but you didn’t. You grumble about me, yet you’ve always kept me by your side. That’s true kindness!”
“As long as you understand,” Officer Huang said with satisfaction, patting his shoulder. “Fate brought us together as comrades, so cherish this bond. As for the Zodiac...”
“It’s our backing, but it may not be our ally,” Gao Yang cut in.
“Exactly! It can shield us, but it could also sell us out at any moment. Everything depends on the true purpose of the organization. If achieving that purpose requires our lives, the organization won’t hesitate. From its perspective, it’s not wrong,” Officer Huang pulled out a cigarette and placed it between his lips. “But from our standpoint, we have no desire to be cannon fodder. Survival is our absolute bottom line, sacred and inviolable.”
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
“It’s too early to draw conclusions,” Gao Yang extended his hand. “But survival is my bottom line too.”
“Mine as well!” Fat Jun turned and placed his hand over Gao Yang’s.
Officer Huang freed a hand and added it to the stack.
After a brief pause, Qing Ling silently extended hers too.
The four hands rested atop one another for a few seconds, then separated.
Fat Jun, emotional, wiped his eyes, his voice choked with sobs. “Don’t laugh at me, but for a moment there, I felt like... for the first time in my life... I had a family.”
“Alright, alright, no need to get all sentimental,” Officer Huang pointed to the glove compartment. “Open that up. There are three sheets of A4 paper inside. Take them out.”
“Oh, okay.” Fat Jun rummaged through the compartment and pulled out the papers, densely filled with charts.
Gao Yang leaned over for a closer look. “Sequence list?”
“Yes, all the abilities beyond Sequence 10 are listed there, along with everything I know about them. I was planning to give it to you as a reward after the third trial,” Officer Huang chuckled. “But now that we’ve joined the Zodiac organization, this sequence list isn’t of much use to you anymore. Still, take it. From now on, we’re all on the same starting line. Let’s support each other and face the challenges together.”
Fat Jun’s hands trembled as he clutched the A4 sheets. He recalled Gao Yang’s words, “Judge actions, not words,” and could no longer hold back his tears, bursting into sobs.
...
On the way home, Gao Yang called his mother. He had intended to visit her at the hospital, but she told him to come home first. She and his sister were staying overnight, and Gao Yang could take the morning shift. He readily agreed.
When Gao Yang arrived home, it was already one in the morning.
Exhausted, he took a quick shower, not bothering to examine the sequence list, and collapsed into bed. Just as he was about to drift off into sleep, a sound came.
“Knock, knock, knock.”
Gao Yang snapped awake, instantly alert, sitting up in bed. The sound came from his bedroom door.
“Knock, knock, knock.”
Someone was knocking.