No Time

*Author's Note: I know it's weird of me to suddenly put it here, but go read the new auxiliary chap!*

"This one looks strange, he set up a camp here...!"

"...Does he know about the base? Somebody contact the Chief."

"Already on it, he's coming soon."

Chief?

I wondered who it was, could it be Shui Yu?

Luckily, I seemed to have found the right place.

If I hadn't, then it would be near impossible to run away from these people, they looked like very capable ability users.

But what was most important to me right now was getting to a warmer area.

"Looks like a foreigner, and by the looks of it, an ability user. How'd he get here?"

"The real question is, how'd he know about this place?"

I spoke up, "I didn't. I only wanted to find a person. Do you know Shui Jing?"

They became quiet.

Then someone asked, "Ah? Isn't that Chief's older brother?"

"Stupid, you're not supposed to answer! Who recruited you?!"

"Eh, but sir, you recruited me!"

"Shut up!" and a knock to the head was the result.

The "stupid" recruit made a miserable expression and scratched his head.

"So, Shui Jing is here! How is he? I-I knew him when we were kids!"

"Ai, he's healthy, that's all you gotta know," answered the recruiter.

Suddenly, a woosh was heard and the surrounding dead leaves rose into the air sharply.

As the leaves fell gently with a light crinkling noise, a gentle voice was heard.

"Sorry, I took some time getting here. What's the situation?"

I moved my gaze to the location of the voice and sure enough, it was the person I expected.

Shui Yu.

I could only see his profile, but he had grown much taller, his hair was shoulder-length now, and he still looked serious and cold.

The only thing that hadn't changed was his looks.

Nevermind, he'd gotten more good looking.

You could tell he was a man now though. He looked androgynous before, but now there was a clear difference.

So, a handsome pretty boy described him perfectly.

"Chief, an intruder. He seems to have known about our base's location."

"Telescopes and other devices can't see our base because it's protected. Only by coming very close can you see the barrier. This situation is quite strange. Unpredicted."

"Also, the intruder asked about your older brother."

"My brother? What does Jing Ge have to do with-" he turned around.

Seeing his full face, I stilled my heart and stopped breathing.

It brought memories from the past.

I was scared of him.

Still.

"I said I would be back."

"So you are."

Silence.

"I've realized that I was an ungrateful and unreasonable brat. I apologize."

"It's been overdue."

"..."

We didn't talk for at least 3 minutes.

Shui Yu crossed his arms and just stared at me.

His calm demeanor was a contrast to the fidgety team beside him.

"I gotta go pee... sir."

As everything was to quiet except for the occasional whispers of the wind, everyone could hear it.

It was the same recruit again.

Shui Yu looked over and sighed.

"Head in, I'll head back later."

"Thank you, sir!"

After they were gone, we resumed the staring contest.

Frankly, I was too afraid to speak.

And Shui Yu seemed to have gotten annoyed at me.

"So what do you want? You can't have come all the way over here to give an apology."

"I-I want to meet Shui Jing."

I hadn't thought clearly about plans for anything after meeting Shui Jing.

I had no place to stay, and I definitely didn't want to go back to my mother.

"I! ...I was wondering if I could stay here too."

I carefully looked up and saw no obvious emotion on Shui Yu's face.

"What can you offer me? What great worth do you have that would make me do that?"

I was about to speak but I really didn't know what to say.

What worth was I?

Was I so blind to my desire to think it would so easily happen?

But besides wanting to meet Shui Jing again, I had no motivation.

"I'll do anything. Please let me see him," I begged with everything.

It was the most serious I had ever been in my life and I even fell on my knees.

"Anything?"

"Yes! Anything!"

"Well, we are lacking workers. You have space storage and lightning abilities, right?"

"I do."

How'd he know?

"If you do your job properly, I'll mention to Jing Ge that you want to meet up with him. But you need to meet my expectations first."

"I will! Thank you! I'll do a good job!"

"I expect so. Then, follow me."

Quickly, I gathered up my tent and supplies.

Then I sprinted to follow Shui Yu.

Things were heading for the better!

My dreams were finally coming true.

...

I had no idea that I was in for difficulties I could have never expected.

It was indeed unexpected to have Calix show up.

He seems to have an obsession with my brother.

What a creep.

Right, we were in severe lack of nursery workers, nobody was willing to stay with a classroom full of powerful ability using babies.

I could put him to work there!

How brilliant!

This guy was weak, had a regular physique, and only had two abilities!

If things didn't work out, I could get his memories erased and throw him out.

Or better, just straight up kill him.

Ha, he seriously expects me to let him see Jing Ge?

Well, it'll depend on his performance.

Oh, and he still doesn't know Jing Ge's married!

And that they have a child!

He seems rather poor now, how unfortunate.

I guess the saying is true.

Seeing others in an unfortunate situation worse than yours makes you happy.

I was in a bad mood because of all the recent troubles but seeing Calix in a worse situation than I does make me feel considerably better.

What's the word for it?

Ah, yes.

Schadenfreude.