Cry your heart out, Mom is here

The car reached the police station without a hitch. Nothing unexpected happened along the way, and once Feng Wanshu saw that their destination was the police station, she felt somewhat reassured.

Only then did she unclench her hands, which she had kept tightly balled up, and discover that her palms were already soaked.

"Don't be too nervous, Ms. Feng. We're legitimate. We can take our time talking now."

Feng Wanshu nodded and got out with Hu Zihao's support, following the others beside her.

Ring, ring, ring.

Shen Bai got out and spotted Liu Yiyi and He Siying standing at the entrance nearby. Just as he was about to lead everyone over, his phone suddenly rang. He glanced at the caller ID and answered.

"Hello, Shen Bai?"

A clear female voice came through the phone.

"It's me. Xi Yao, how are things on your end?"

Shen Bai replied and gestured to Huo Qiuliang beside him, asking him to lead the group over to Liu Yiyi for now.

On the other end, Xi Yao had changed back into her trench coat. Leaning against the windowsill with one hand in her pocket, she watched the teachers and students slowly waking in the ward before her and said unhurriedly:

"Master Tailor Shen, you really gave me a big job. Good thing I advanced at the start of the year, or I couldn't have handled this."

Watching the children who had already gone over to join Liu Yiyi, Shen Bai said calmly:

"Sounds like it went well. Yiyi and I owe you a favor. I'll have someone bring you the things in a few days."

Xi Yao smiled instead.

"Oh, come on. No need for that between us. Besides, these are living, breathing people. I would've saved them no matter what. Oh, is Yiyi beside you?"

Shen Bai glanced over from a distance.

"She's here, but she's busy. If things aren't too pressing over there, we could get together tonight."

Hearing that, Xi Yao pulled her hand out and unconsciously twirled her hair around it. After a while, she said:

"Forget it. Another day. I heard from Yiyi that you got some newcomers?"

Thinking, Why does Liu Yiyi tell her everything again? Shen Bai replied:

"Yes. We just left the hospital. We ran into a Curtain-Caller."

Xi Yao paused briefly, then said:

"Huh? There are Curtain-Callers in a little place like this? This isn't one of those major locations. What are they doing somewhere so remote?"

Shen Bai pushed up his glasses.

"A small place is good for retirement. Better stay cautious."

Xi Yao laughed and paced the corridor, which was beginning to stir with activity. Her heels were no longer cold and hard, and their footsteps sounded a little duller.

"True. I'll keep an eye out. Take care of yourselves too. Let's get together another day."

"Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

Shen Bai hung up and looked up at the clear sky.

It was a sunny day, and the sky was as blue as a cobalt gemstone.

Shen Bai sighed and walked toward the police station.

"..."

"..."

Silence.

The room held those involved in the No. 12 Middle School incident, including Li Yanguo and the other three officers, as well as Shi Yu and the other students.

Liu Yiyi was unusually ill at ease.

She sat across from Feng Wanshu, sitting perfectly straight like a student afraid of being called on by the teacher.

Today, instead of her own clothes, she wore a police uniform. He Siying, standing behind her, did too. Both watched Feng Wanshu, but neither spoke.

Li Yanguo, beside them, did not really understand the situation. Essentially, they were there as a backdrop to lend credibility, but with everyone so silent, he felt an itch in his throat.

But Liu Yiyi's special status kept him from speaking first without permission, leaving him no choice but to endure the stalemate.

Liu Yiyi was all talk, constantly shouting about recruiting new people, only to badly misspeak on her very first attempt. It had left quite a psychological scar, and now, even facing the parent before her, she had no idea what to say. Besides, she really was not good at talking to people like Feng Wanshu, who clearly belonged to society's elite. It reminded her of her past experiences in Jing City.

Men and women alike always hid meanings behind their words.

They said yes, but nothing ever got done. Not a trace of contempt showed in their eyes, yet behind her back, they called her a mutated inferior.

Just as Liu Yiyi was wondering why Shen Bai still had not returned, Feng Wanshu spoke first.

"Miss Liu Yiyi, correct?"

"Ah, yes! I'm Liu Yiyi."

Liu Yiyi had not expected Feng Wanshu to speak first, and the moment she did, Liu Yiyi became a little flustered.

Feng Wanshu frowned at the nervous policewoman before her. She disliked people who lacked professionalism.

But she did have many questions right now, so she decided to ask first:

"I'd like to know why my son was attacked out of nowhere."

Shen Bai had just sent Liu Yiyi a message about this.

Liu Yiyi thought for a moment and said:

"That's a little complicated to explain. I'll cover it along with what I wanted to tell you."

Liu Yiyi straightened and tapped the table twice with her fingers.

"Do you think this 'terrorist attack' at the school really happened the way the authorities told you?"

Li Yanguo, sitting nearby, was startled. After they reported it, the stance from above had been to "keep the public calm and make no mention of supernatural phenomena."

Feng Wanshu shook her head.

"No. It's not as though I don't have... my own sources. I know the school incident involved the school administration, and..."

Feng Wanshu's gaze swept over Shi Yu and the others.

"At the hospital, my son's classmates all demonstrated something out of the ordinary."

Liu Yiyi raised an eyebrow.

"You've accepted this quickly. Most people would shout things like, 'It's just a trick, a scam.'"

Feng Wanshu waved a hand, a hint of distaste appearing on her face.

"Please don't lump me in with fools who can't distinguish things for themselves. I have my own judgment."

Liu Yiyi nodded and pointed at Li Yanguo and the other three.

"These four officers personally encountered supernatural phenomena at the school. They represent the authorities, but they're also proof that contradicts the authorities' public statements. Of course, we can only tell the truth about these things to a small number of special people. People like... you."

"People like me?"

Feng Wanshu quickly caught on and looked at Hu Zihao.

"Yes, people like you... relatives of... the Gifted."

Hu Zihao jolted and looked up at Liu Yiyi, not expecting her to say it so directly.

Hesitation flashed through Liu Yiyi's eyes and vanished. She stood and said to Li Yanguo:

"Officer Li, sorry for the trouble, but please give Ms. Feng a brief overview of the incident."

Li Yanguo nodded, moved to Liu Yiyi's seat, and sat down to begin talking with Feng Wanshu.

Meanwhile, Liu Yiyi walked over to Hu Zihao, intending to say something.

But before she could speak, Shi Yu and Han He stood up beside Hu Zihao. Shi Yu said:

"Yiyi, could we talk to Hu Zihao first?"

"Huh? Sure, go ahead. I'm in no rush."

Liu Yiyi was a little surprised, but she felt there was nothing wrong with it. They could talk if they wanted. She nodded and returned to He Siying's side.

"What could they be talking about? Could you listen in for me?"

Although Liu Yiyi thought it was fine, she was still a little curious.

He Siying shook her head.

"Xiao Liang's there. I won't listen in."

"...All right."

Liu Yiyi conceded, folding her arms and leaning by the window as she watched Li Yanguo recount the incident to Feng Wanshu.

Shi Yu led Hu Zihao to a corner of the room, with Han He and Huo Qiuliang following behind.

"Shi Yu... I..."

"I know."

Shi Yu looked into Hu Zihao's eyes.

"I know. You've become someone like me too. One of the Gifted. You should already know your Staircase by now, right?"

Hu Zihao nodded. But that was not all he wanted to say.

"My mom... I haven't figured out how to tell her. And what's going on, anyway? Why did someone try to kill me? And why did they bring all of us here?"

Shi Yu considered briefly, then chose to answer one question at a time.

"First, what happened after you passed out. The woman who was just talking saved you and resolved the incident at school. She wants us to join her and become people who deal with Evil Sins."

Hu Zihao froze for a moment and looked toward his mother.

Li Yanguo's account had been concise and to the point, and he had already finished. Hu Zihao saw Liu Yiyi sit beside his mother and begin talking.

"Wait... isn't this too fast? Never mind anything else. I was attacked just now, and in the middle of all this inexplicable stuff, I'm supposed to join some... organization that deals with Evil Sins?"

Huo Qiuliang spoke then.

"After you awakened at school, someone from the Curtain-Callers caught the scent of your Origin, so they already know you're Gifted. And you survived a Netherworld incident by fighting Evil Sins. Those people won't leave you alone, at least not anytime soon."

Completely confused, Hu Zihao frowned at Huo Qiuliang and asked:

"What are Curtain-Callers? And if I join the organization, can it protect me?"

Huo Qiuliang spread his hands.

"Of course."

Then Huo Qiuliang sat on a stool nearby and said:

"Curtain-Callers, simply put, are a bunch of antisocial types and cowards who've been brainwashed by certain highly intelligent Evil Sins, or a single one, and chosen to side with them. For example..."

Huo Qiuliang's gaze swept over Shi Yu and the other two.

"Your school administrators... but that's just an example. They don't qualify as Curtain-Callers yet. At least, they didn't back then."

Hearing this, Hu Zihao felt a little worried. Although he was relatively easygoing, getting him to join the authorities based on that alone was still somewhat difficult. Besides, what to tell his mother remained a problem.

But what if he did not join the authorities? Protecting his mother with his own ability was clearly unrealistic, and staying beside her might even drag her into danger.

Hu Zihao looked at Feng Wanshu not far away, unable to hide the worry and conflict in his eyes.

"Hu Zihao."

Shi Yu's voice suddenly rang out. He tugged at the hem of Hu Zihao's clothes and gave him a look.

Shi Yu glanced at the officers nearby.

"Do you still remember them?"

Hu Zihao looked back and scratched his head.

"Of course. Aren't they the officers who gave the talk? You even used your ability..."

Shi Yu waved a hand, cutting Hu Zihao off, and lowered his voice.

"Do you think they'd believe in Evil Sins?"

Hu Zihao was a little puzzled. He did not know why Shi Yu was bringing this up now, but he still answered.

"Of course. Otherwise, who sent people afterward?"

Shi Yu shook his head and said:

"But most of the stories outside still say there was an accidental explosion at the school, and responsibility is still being investigated. The police won't say anything about the supernatural."

Hu Zihao thought for a moment.

"They need to keep the public calm... isn't that normal?"

"Then what about you, Hu Zihao? When even a real, vicious incident can't be made public..."

Shi Yu looked into Hu Zihao's eyes, his expression somewhat complicated.

"Tell me, would a publicly known 'superhuman'... be allowed to remain in society unchecked?"

Hu Zihao froze.

But Shi Yu did not stop speaking.

"When even an impassioned voice gets suppressed, naturally, there's no room for a gentle outpouring either... just like you, just like me."

Sitting nearby, Huo Qiuliang listened to Shi Yu with interest.

By the window, He Siying lowered her head slightly. The shadow of her bangs hid her eyes as she silently watched the tips of her shoes.

Hu Zihao watched Shi Yu before him and listened.

"We don't really have a choice anymore. You might have had one at first. Because of your mother, the authorities could have used all sorts of ways to make sure you never appeared... but it's different now. The Curtain-Callers are trying to nip hostile Gifted in the bud, and they happened to discover you. If you don't become a 'fish,' you'll become 'bait'... a sacrifice used to hook the Curtain-Callers. The authorities probably hope you'll disappear along with them."

Shi Yu's words were frightening.

Listening to Shi Yu, Hu Zihao broke out in a cold sweat.

"But even if I join... couldn't the authorities still use my mom to control me? Then I..."

But Hu Zihao trailed off halfway through. He had no way to refute it. The Curtain-Caller's attack had only just ended. If he joined the authorities, at least they would not attack him for no reason... right?

He unconsciously looked toward his mother, only to discover she was looking back at him.

Feng Wanshu had finished her conversation. Looking at Hu Zihao, she said to the others:

"Could the two of us have a moment alone?"

Feng Wanshu spoke calmly, her voice losing its original force and becoming gentle.

Yet no one could refuse her words. Liu Yiyi and the others nodded, left the room, and closed the door.

Click.

As the door clicked shut, Feng Wanshu grew a little calmer. She looked at the conflicted Hu Zihao.

"Zihao, come here."

She called to Hu Zihao softly.

"Mom... I..."

Hu Zihao hesitated. He did not know how to tell his mother. In fact, from the very beginning, he had not wanted her to know about any of it.

To know that he had encountered things beyond belief at school.

His friend had disappeared, his teacher had disappeared, he had encountered a monster himself, survived a brush with death, and then become a superhuman, a "Gifted."

How could he begin to tell her?

He did not want his mother, who was always busy taking care of him, to worry about him even more. He hoped she would never find out about any of this.

But that was impossible now. He could neither advance nor retreat.

Yet while Hu Zihao's mind was in turmoil, Feng Wanshu had already stood up and walked over to him.

"Zihao, don't be afraid. You don't have to say anything. Mom's here."

Hearing those words, Hu Zihao suddenly felt terribly wronged. His face crumpled, and he suddenly wanted to cry so badly.

He had not cried when he learned from Shi Yu that he was being targeted.

He had not cried when he stood on the door handle, enduring piercing pain.

He had not cried when he chewed up those disgusting, terrifying hallucinations and swallowed them.

But when he was beside his mother, when he looked up and saw her sitting by the hospital bed, utterly exhausted.

He had truly wanted to tell her everything, to say how scared he was.

He had wanted to cry so badly.

But that night, looking at his mother's worried face, he had felt his throat close up. He had no longer wanted to say anything.

Hu Zihao had taken all his hurt, fear, and tears into sleep, along with that gap in his memory that had only healed after a long slumber.

Feng Wanshu took Hu Zihao's hand and stroked her son's broad palm. His fingertips were especially tender, and countless tiny scars licked at her palm like tightly shut eyes. Feng Wanshu dared not imagine how hideous they had looked when they were open.

Everyone outside the room fell silent in unspoken agreement.

Liu Yiyi had long since stepped aside. Just now, she had told Feng Wanshu a few things about Evil Sin and the Netherworld, and had revealed a little of the higher-ups' current stance.

Feng Wanshu was a clever woman. Having fought her way through the business world, she needed only a hint to understand many things.

Suddenly, He Siying paused slightly outside the door and spoke a few words into the air in an extremely low voice.

"Shen Bai, you don't need to come upstairs just yet."

Shen Bai, who was making his way upstairs, heard He Siying's voice by his ear.

Shen Bai was not surprised. He slowly let out a breath and slowed his steps. Once he reached the landing, he went no farther. He took out his phone, checked the time, then turned and headed toward the office.

Inside the room.

Feng Wanshu stood before Hu Zihao, her eyes filled with heartache. She reached out and stroked his head.

Once again, she marveled at how tall her son had grown.

"My son has grown into a man."

Her tone held both gratification and wonder.

"Zihao... we don't have a choice... Mom can't protect you."

Feng Wanshu looked at Hu Zihao, thinking of what Liu Yiyi had said.

"Ms. Feng, the world has changed. You've heard of the 'Welfare Factory Fire' the year before last and last year's 'Asylum Escape,' haven't you... or have you heard of any strange, inexplicable things happening around you?"

Feng Wanshu immediately remembered something.

Her manager had reported that an employee had inexplicably begun behaving strangely. He was unusually terrified every day, saying there was something behind him. Three days later, that employee had disappeared, and no one had found him...

Even Feng Wanshu's breathing grew slow and soft, as though she feared disturbing the still air. She straightened Hu Zihao's collar and said:

"Zihao, have you really become what they call a Gifted?"

Hu Zihao looked at his mother and finally nodded.

Feng Wanshu drew a breath, then slowly let it out.

"Join them. Then join them. My Zihao will keep himself safe."

Feng Wanshu reached out and gathered Hu Zihao into her arms, gently patting her son's back.

"My Zihao will keep Mom safe. Don't be afraid. Don't be afraid..."

Feng Wanshu's tears fell where Hu Zihao could not see them, and a faint tremor threaded through her voice.

"I'm sorry, Zihao. I'm sorry..."

"Mom..."

In the end, Hu Zihao could no longer hold back. In the arms of a woman a head shorter and a whole size smaller than him-in his mother's arms-he sobbed too hard to speak.