Chapter 26: News Report

Li Chenqiu arrived at the room number Li Shu had mentioned. After a moment of hesitation, he knocked on the door.

With a click, the door opened. Li Shu poked his head out, grinned, and said, "Heh, I knew you’d come. Come on in!"

Li Chenqiu pushed the door open and entered, taking a seat on the sofa alongside Li Shu.

"I want to become stronger. The Star-Plucking Academy suits me, and I want to join."

Li Shu smiled, pushing a cup of coffee from the table toward Li Chenqiu. "Welcome, but Star-Plucking is different from other academies. You can't just join by invitation; you must pass the academy's entrance examination first."

"What kind of examination?" Li Chenqiu asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I don't know the specifics at this stage. The academy decides the criteria. I’ll send you a text notification later." Li Shu shook his head and stood up. "Any other questions?"

"No," Li Chenqiu replied.

"Then I’ll be off. I’m here on an assignment, after all. By the way, stay here for the next few days."

As he spoke, Li Shu took a black room key from his pocket and placed it on the table. "You caused quite a stir at the Special Abilities Administration; your usual place probably isn't safe right now. Hide out here for a while. Your boss and that brother of yours, Zhu Cheng, are already on their way to pick you up."

"Thanks," Li Chenqiu said.

"Don't mention it." Li Shu waved his hand dismissively and walked out of the room.

Li Chenqiu was left alone in the empty room. He lay back on the sofa, his dark, bright eyes fixed on the ceiling. "Star-Plucking, interesting..."

"His uncle, his second uncle, they are all his uncles, high..."

A familiar ringtone cut through his thoughts. Li Chenqiu picked up the phone and held it to his ear. "Hello?"

"You little brat, what the hell did you do? Why are there so many reporters at the shop?!"

"Did my second brother not tell you about me going to test my ability?"

"Don't you dare bring that up! Your second brother is still lying on his bed clutching his backside! Don't you worry, everyone will get a turn!"

Li Chenqiu’s face darkened, and he instinctively reached back to touch his own rear.

For the next while, Li Chenqiu carefully explained the ins and outs of the whole situation to Li Ji, hurriedly hanging up the phone just as the old man was about to start cursing.

"Whew." Li Chenqiu let out a long breath. Facing the old man Li Ji truly left him feeling a sense of helplessness he couldn't describe.

Relaxed moments are always brief. Near 12 o'clock, a knock sounded at the door.

Li Chenqiu, lying on the sofa, jolted. He walked to the door with extreme reluctance and turned the handle.

Three familiar faces appeared before him: Li Ji, looking grim; Li Qingxia, clutching his behind; and the honest-looking Zhu Cheng.

"Little Li, congratulations! Remember to visit the Public Security Bureau once you’ve made it big. I’ve delivered them safely, so I’ll be heading off now," Zhu Cheng said with a smile, though his smile lacked its usual warmth and felt a bit distant.

"Wait a moment, Uncle Zhu!" Li Chenqiu hurriedly reached out and grabbed Zhu Cheng’s arm. "It’s nearly noon; have a meal and rest a bit before you go!"

He couldn't let Zhu Cheng leave. If he did, there would be no restraint on Li Ji’s temper.

"Ah, is that really alright?" Zhu Cheng said, acting a bit coy.

Li Ji looked at Zhu Cheng with a gentle expression. "You brought us here; it’s only right that we treat you to a meal."

"Exactly, let's eat together. I checked online—the rooms on the 30th floor and above in this hotel include free meals. We’d be fools not to take advantage of it." Li Chenqiu gave Li Qingxia a wink, and the two of them tacitly pulled Zhu Cheng into the room. Li Ji followed behind, his expression still dark.

To prevent the atmosphere in the room from becoming too oppressive, Li Chenqiu turned on the television to play a comedy film. As he had anticipated, with Zhu Cheng present, Li Ji refrained from throwing a tantrum.

"These grand hotels are something else. You order food using a tablet, and the staff delivers it straight to the room. Tsk tsk!" Li Qingxia exclaimed, holding the hotel tablet in wonder.

"Order plenty of meat," Li Chenqiu instructed.

"Got it!" Li Qingxia replied without looking up, his fingers tapping away on the screen.

Soon, plate after plate of delicious, fragrant dishes were brought to the room, filling the air with an enticing aroma. After exchanging some pleasantries with Zhu Cheng, the group began to eat.

"Tsk tsk, the flavor really is something else. It’s completely different from what those greasy spoon joints serve!" Zhu Cheng praised with a smile.

Li Ji nodded. "It is. I don't know why, but this fried rice tastes better than my..."

*Beep—*

Before Li Ji could finish his sentence, the television playing the movie suddenly flashed, and a dignified-looking female anchor appeared on the screen.

"Good afternoon. I am Yang Hua, the external spokesperson for the Special Abilities Administration’s Intelligence Division. Recently, a highly dangerous 'Awakened' has appeared in our city. For the safety of the public, the Administration has decided to release information regarding this individual. Please, do not turn off your televisions; pay close attention."

As the anchor finished speaking, the screen flickered to a shaky video—the footage of Li Chenqiu’s battle with the Administration at the bridge the previous night.

At the dining table, all four of them froze, looking up at the screen. Li Ji and Li Qingxia instinctively glanced at Li Chenqiu, though Zhu Cheng, sitting nearby, failed to notice.

In the video, Li Chenqiu manipulated droplets of water, moving like a grim reaper through the rainy night, claiming lives one by one.

"This is terrifying!" Zhu Cheng furrowed his brow. "An entire task force, just wiped out like that!"

"Cough, cough!" Li Ji cleared his throat unnaturally, nodding grimly. "Indeed, it is terrifying. I never imagined such a dangerous 'Awakened' was hiding in City No. 11."

Zhu Cheng nodded in agreement. "Every time I think about this 'Awakened' still hiding among the public, a chill runs down my spine. Now, whenever I go anywhere unfamiliar, I have this delusion that they are nearby, watching me."

At these words, Li Ji and Li Qingxia trembled visibly, causing the dining table to shake slightly.

"Are you two alright?" Zhu Cheng asked with concern.

Li Qingxia forced a smile. "Er... it’s just, hearing you say that, Uncle, it’s a bit scary. The room feels a bit creepy now."

Li Chenqiu, sitting next to Zhu Cheng, gave him a strange look. He really wanted to say to him, "Your intuition is spot on."

"What’s there to be afraid of? There are only the four of us in this room. Unless you think that 'Awakened' could turn into Li Chenqiu and be sitting right next to me, eating with us?" Zhu Cheng laughed heartily and patted Li Chenqiu on the shoulder.