"Little Yu-"
As Shi Yu and Han He were carrying their things back, Shi Yu suddenly heard a familiar voice. He hurriedly looked up toward its source and answered:
"Hey-Granny Sun!"
Sure enough, Shi Yu saw an old woman standing not far away, craning her neck to look over. He quickly picked up his pace and rushed over with long strides.
Han He followed beside him, carrying his things too.
Shi Yu looked at the old woman before him. She wore a small round hat, and the granny curls poking out from under it had clearly been dyed just days ago, glossy black. Her figure had hardly changed; she was still plump. Dressed in a red fleece-lined jacket, she looked warm and genial when she smiled, every bit a kindly old lady.
"Granny Sun, why are you out for a walk at this hour? Have you eaten?"
Hearing Shi Yu's gentle greeting, Sun Guifang smiled and waved a hand.
"Yes, yes. At my age, I can't eat too late in the evening, or I won't be able to digest it."
As she spoke, Sun Guifang took Shi Yu's hand and looked him up and down a couple of times, concern appearing on her face.
"But you, Little Yu, why didn't you tell me you were back? I only found out this morning that something happened at your school. They said lots of teachers and students were hospitalized. How are you? Were you hurt? I was worried sick! After I heard, I went and knocked on your door, but you didn't answer. Are you all right?"
Watching Sun Guifang hold on to him and look him over, Shi Yu felt warmth well up inside. He set the food he was carrying to one side and spread his arms.
"I'm fine, Granny Sun. There was a safety incident at school, but I happened to be out of harm's way. Look, my arms and legs are all fine."
Shi Yu even jumped twice as he spoke. Only after seeing the boy before her so lively and clearly unharmed did Sun Guifang relax. She patted his hand and said:
"As long as you're all right. That's what matters. The stories people were spreading sounded so frightening, all about cults and attacks and whatnot. The best thing is that you're safe. If anything happens, tell me, Little Yu."
Shi Yu nodded and held Sun Guifang's hand too.
"I know, Granny Sun. Take it slowly on your evening walks too. It's getting cold."
But Sun Guifang waved a hand and said with a smile:
"I'm fine. Look at you, worrying about me now. I'm in good health! Granny Wang and the others will be walking with me in a bit, so don't worry."
Shi Yu looked at the smiling old woman and said:
"All right, Granny Sun. I'll come visit you sometime. Stay safe on your walk."
Sun Guifang patted Shi Yu again, telling him not to worry. Just as she was about to leave, she noticed Han He waiting nearby and asked:
"Oh, Little Yu... who's this boy?"
Shi Yu glanced at Han He, who stood perfectly straight, and told Sun Guifang:
"Oh, he's my deskmate. His home's far away, so he's staying at my place for a while."
"Oh, your deskmate."
Sun Guifang looked at Han He again, then turned back to Shi Yu.
"That's nice. Such a tall young man. Look at him, Little Yu. You need to eat more too. You're at a growing age."
Shi Yu nodded repeatedly. Granny Sun had reached the part where she urged people to eat again, the part he dreaded most. He hurriedly assured her that he ate plenty but simply wasn't getting any taller. Then, looking at the group of old women gradually approaching in the distance, he said to Sun Guifang:
"I know, Granny Sun. Look, Granny Wang and the others are here. Go enjoy your walk. I'll come over another day, okay?"
Sun Guifang rolled her eyes at Shi Yu and smiled.
"You little rascal. You just don't like hearing me nag about eating. All right, let's go our separate ways. Tell me if anything happens!"
Then she waved to Han He and said:
"Have fun together, you two! Study together!"
Han He was taken aback by the elder's easy familiarity, but he still nodded instinctively, looking a little foolish in his bewilderment.
Then the old woman waved goodbye to Shi Yu and turned to join her old friends for their walk.
Study hard... huh? It seemed there wouldn't be a chance for that anymore.
Watching Sun Guifang gradually walk away, Shi Yu felt a little firmer inside. He silently activated Thought.
A healthy old lady, very healthy... She had walked this road thousands of times, so it was only natural that this outing would be safe.
Han He approached without a sound. Suddenly, he saw a faint silver sheen appear in Shi Yu's pupils in the fading light.
It was very faint, almost imperceptible.
Han He paused, realizing Shi Yu was using his ability, then looked around to make sure no one nearby had noticed this slight anomaly.
Without drawing attention, he walked in front of Shi Yu and turned him back around when he came to his senses.
"Your eyes look unusual when you use Thought. I noticed it before, but forgot to tell you. You need to watch out for that."
Han He had only discovered this when Shi Yu was dealing with Hu Zihao, and the light in Shi Yu's eyes had been stronger then than it was now. Perhaps the intensity of the ability's use determined how pronounced the phenomenon was.
"Huh? Oh!"
It took Shi Yu a moment to process what he had heard, then he hurriedly shut his eyes.
"Damn, how could you forget something like that, man?"
Shi Yu really hadn't known his eyes glowed when he used Thought. Who used their ability in front of a mirror?!
To be honest, Shi Yu had even felt fortunate that his ability was so discreet, that almost no one would notice he was doing anything.
Apparently, he had been naive.
"Damn... what the hell... it does that too..."
As he spoke, Shi Yu lightly touched his closed eyes.
After a while, when he felt his power had dissipated, he opened his eyes a crack and asked Han He:
"How about now?"
Han He glanced at him.
"You're fine. Your eyes didn't glow when you used Telekinesis at the hospital. It probably only happens when you affect facts."
Shi Yu rubbed his eyes, then bent down to pick up the vegetables from the ground.
"Got it... I'll have to be careful from now on."
Shi Yu walked forward as he spoke, while Han He watched him from behind, pondering his ability.
"Beep-beep-"
The car horn sounded briefly, and those two beeps pulled Liu Yiyi out of her endlessly replaying memories and back to reality. Her back straightened, and she sprang upright on the motorcycle seat.
"He's here."
Liu Yiyi turned toward where Shen Bai had parked, light returning to her empty eyes.
By the time Shen Bai got out, Liu Yiyi had already sprung off her motorcycle and run toward him. Clearly, she could hardly wait.
"Let's get started. I can't wait any longer."
But in truth, Liu Yiyi was the only one in a hurry.
The Curtain-Callers' movements weren't particularly difficult to trace. Almost any of them who exposed themselves would be caught, yet in all this time, no one had managed to get any information out of the captured Curtain-Callers.
They were either poorly informed small fry or pitiful pawns being used by others.
Even certain mind-reading abilities couldn't reveal anything of substance. Evil Sin's vigilance in this respect was almost unimaginable.
Those who truly knew something had yet to show themselves, and almost never would. The two sides could only wear each other down in a prolonged tug-of-war, neither able to do anything about the other.
But the situation had changed now. The number of Netherworlds was growing explosively, and under these circumstances, neither side could possibly remain as cautious as before. Perhaps this convergence of events would offer a chance to get something on the Curtain-Callers? Shen Bai didn't know either, but these two today certainly knew nothing.
Two guys with "I'm a minion" written all over their faces.
Shen Bai looked at Liu Yiyi, feeling somewhat helpless, but he couldn't say it.
He knew Liu Yiyi understood perfectly well that these two were no different from the previous ones, but so what? Liu Yiyi had only ever cared about results.
The result she wanted was to burn those two bastards who attacked others at will to ashes.
Looking at Liu Yiyi's face, Shen Bai said:
"Let's go. First, let's see if anything's different this time."
Shen Bai and the other two headed into the factory, passing through the twisting, abandoned corridors and soon reaching the location Xi Yao had given them.
"I've already secured them for you. Be careful not to start a fire when you burn them."
Before you continue