Classmate

Yue Shi sneered inwardly, not believing a word Zhong Mo said.

Given Zhong Mo's personality, if he only knew those few scraps of information, he never would have called in the middle of the night.

Zhong Mo definitely knew more; he just wasn't willing to let Yue Shi get it for free.

Yue Shi casually agreed, saying he would use his position to keep an eye on the investigation progress of the special commissioner from headquarters and would "share" any valuable news he found with Zhong Mo.

Zhong Mo also smiled and promised that if he obtained any new intelligence on his end, he certainly wouldn't forget to share it with his "old friend" Yue Shi.

The call ended in a state of hypocritical harmony.

Yue Shi set down his phone and looked out at the heavy darkness outside the window.

The wind was picking up.

This sudden call from Zhong Mo further confirmed Yue Shi's suspicions.

The interests and factions tied to that silk thread on the armored transport vehicle were far more massive and complex than he had imagined.

Large organizations joining forces? Headquarters deeply involved?

What exactly was that thing?

The next day, the weather was clear.

The temperature had dropped slightly more.

During the lunch break, Yue Shi and Bai Wanyang walked out of the office together, intending to find a nearby restaurant for lunch.

Just as they reached the lobby, they saw a thin youth standing at the reception desk, tentatively asking the receptionist something.

Bai Wanyang's gaze swept over the youth's back, and his eyes lit up as he shouted in surprise, "Chen Biao!"

The youth turned around at the sound, revealing a pale, exhausted face.

Upon seeing Bai Wanyang, a flicker of joy flashed in the youth's eyes, only to be quickly masked by a complex emotion.

"Old Bai," Chen Biao's voice was somewhat dry.

Bai Wanyang walked up in a few strides and lightly patted Chen Biao's shoulder. "Why did you suddenly come here without calling first?"

He turned and enthusiastically introduced him to Yue Shi. "This is my classmate, Chen Biao. We've been through life and death together."

He then said to Chen Biao, "This is my colleague, Yue Shi."

Yue Shi nodded slightly, offering a faint smile.

Chen Biao seemed restless and smiled back, but his fingers twitched unconsciously. His face grew even paler, making his introverted and sensitive nature stand out even more against Bai Wanyang's cheerful aura.

"I came to see you because I have something to discuss," Chen Biao said in a low voice, sounding hesitant.

"What is it? Just say it. Since when are you so formal with me?" Bai Wanyang slung an arm around his shoulder.

Chen Biao took a deep breath. He and Bai Wanyang had once been classmates, but the gap between them was now far too wide. If it weren't necessary, he wouldn't have wanted to seek out Bai Wanyang at all, fearing he would be a burden or end up as a mere dependent.

Chen Biao looked up, his gaze passing over Yue Shi before settling on Bai Wanyang's face. He said seriously, "Old Bai, do you remember what happened at school back then? Those Bee Women..."

The smile on Bai Wanyang's face froze. His expression drifted for a moment as if he were being pulled back to that bloody, horrific scene.

After a while, he nodded, his tone turning somber. "Of course I remember. How could I ever forget something like that?"

That was the beginning of his awakening as a transcendent, and also a nightmare where countless students and teachers were slaughtered.

Chen Biao gave a bitter smile; he had keenly captured Bai Wanyang's momentary daze.

When he spoke again, Chen Biao's voice trembled slightly. "I've discovered... that something seems a bit wrong with me lately."

"What's wrong?" Bai Wanyang asked with concern.

"My memory isn't the problem. I clearly remember every detail of the day the school was destroyed. But I only recently realized that as long as I don't actively try to recall it, it's as if that incident never happened!" Chen Biao's voice grew increasingly confused, even tinged with fear.

"It can't naturally stay in my memory. I'm always unconsciously ignoring it. I even returned to a so-called 'normal' life very quickly."

"What's worse is that everyone around me is the same. The pain and fear brought by the supernatural incident are being rapidly ignored. Everyone is just living and working 'normally.' This isn't right. It shouldn't be like this..."

Chen Biao's description was a bit scattered, but with this reminder, Bai Wanyang also frowned slightly, vaguely sensing an unnatural "smoothness" in his own memories.

He subconsciously avoided thinking about the issue, merely saying vaguely, "Maybe it's just been a long time, so it's natural to forget. After all, the living have to look forward..."

Chen Biao made a face like a man resigned to a hard life. "A long time? Heh."

Standing nearby, a flash of surprise crossed Yue Shi's eyes.

Chen Biao's words hadn't just reminded Bai Wanyang; they had reminded Yue Shi as well.

He suddenly remembered that he had once told Bai Wanyang the secret of transcendents above Rank 3, yet Bai Wanyang had forgotten everything immediately after hearing it.

At the time, Yue Shi had suspected that certain confidential information was "encrypted" and simply couldn't be spread.

Looking at it now, it wasn't just confidential information that was being specially handled; even the panic caused by supernatural incidents was being forcibly "ignored."

Was it to maintain social stability?

Even Bai Wanyang, a transcendent, was being influenced invisibly.

What Yue Shi was more curious about was how this seemingly ordinary youth, Chen Biao, had broken through that influence to notice this unnatural "ignorance."

Moreover... this Chen Biao had been acting a bit strange from the start. Half of his body was constantly twitching slightly and unconsciously.

To be more precise, "convulsing" would be a more fitting description.

Was the Investigation Bureau that scary?

Yue Shi studied Chen Biao closely. The youth's face had a sickly pallor, as if he had lost too much blood.

Because he was so thin, the blood vessels on one side of his neck were very prominent, and the veins on the back of his hands bulged visibly, with a faint greenish-blue tint...

His Insight vision swept casually over Chen Biao. In the next moment, a flash of astonishment crossed Yue Shi's eyes. However, he immediately controlled his expression and returned to a calm state, as if nothing had happened.

Right then, an ill-timed, lecturing voice cut in:

"Bai Wanyang, this is working hours. How can you be chatting with random outsiders at the entrance? Are you that idle? If you have nothing to do, go re-archive the documents in the evidence room."

It was Mr. Wang. He had walked into the Investigation Bureau lobby at some point, putting on the airs of a leader.

Hearing himself called a random outsider, Chen Biao's face flushed red, and he lowered his head in embarrassment, his fingers tightly clutching the hem of his shirt. But fearing he would cause trouble for Bai Wanyang, he thought about it and offered a placating smile to Mr. Wang. "I'm truly sorry for causing you trouble. I didn't know you were..."

Before the angry Bai Wanyang could speak, Yue Shi retorted, "He's just a useless loser who fights for attention but remains completely irrelevant..."

"Huh?" Chen Biao was confused.

Mr. Wang was choked with rage by Yue Shi's malicious gaze and sharp words. Recalling the painful lesson from before, he ultimately didn't dare to linger. Before any nastier words could come out of Yue Shi's mouth, he let out a cold snort and slunk away in disgrace.

With that interruption, the atmosphere became a bit awkward. Chen Biao lowered his head, his voice very soft, sounding like an unconscious sigh:

"I really envy you, Old Bai, being lucky enough to become a transcendent." His words carried sincere blessing, envy, and a trace of barely perceptible... jealousy.

Bai Wanyang opened his mouth, unsure of how to respond. Comfort seemed hypocritical, and encouragement felt hollow.

Chen Biao also quickly realized he had misspoke. He hurriedly looked up, forced a smile, and changed the subject. "Um... you haven't eaten yet, right? Lunch is on me. It's been a while since we caught up."

Bai Wanyang immediately nodded. "Sure! I know a restaurant nearby that tastes amazing..."

Yue Shi spoke up at the right time. "Since it's a lunch between friends, I won't disturb you two young men."

Bai Wanyang smiled and nodded to Yue Shi, then pulled Chen Biao toward the exit.

Yue Shi stood in place, watching their retreating backs. He could vaguely hear their conversation drifting back—

"By the way, how is Xiao Li doing lately?"

"Yeah, the doctor said her mental trauma is recovering well. She should be able to be discharged after a while."

The two figures gradually disappeared around the street corner, completely unaware that a small crow was quietly following them.