Chapter 112: Youth Is Always Tinged with Misunderstandings

Four more days passed, and Hanazuki Igarashi fully recovered. Feeling refreshed, she left Fangyu City under the protection of the Special Operations Unit, and generously gave Yun Xuan 100 million yuan.

Yun Xuan used this sum, along with some of his own money, to pay off his debts.

Yun Zhongxian One returned to the Special Operations Unit and continued as usual, providing Yun Xuan with a wealth of classified intelligence. Fangyu City finally settled into peace.

Yun Xuan’s identity was merely a fleeting spark. The Special Operations Unit considered assigning someone to protect him, since Yun Zhongxian was their cherished expert, a naturally gifted master.

But Yun Zhongxian One bluntly stated, “No need to waste manpower protecting a useless person.”

That settled the matter, and the Special Operations Unit abandoned the idea.

The Yun Zhongxian Project required the use of Yun Zhongxian’s DNA. Creating a clone of Yun Zhongxian would take about half a year before he could be revived.

Currently, Yun Zhongxian was in cryogenic sleep. The advanced technology of the apocalypse completely suppressed natural masters. Even before the world collapsed, martial artists existed—not only natural masters but even above that level.

To counter this, that world invented the Energy Space Chamber.

The Energy Space Chamber prevented Shui Wuyue Bai from forming Ice Release techniques. Even energy-charged weapons were ineffective, completely isolating energy and rendering Yun Zhongxian as ordinary as any normal person.

On the experimental table, Yun Zhongxian was restrained by energy suppression locks serving the same purpose.

These devices cut off any possibility of manipulating true energy, and combined with anesthesia, he was powerless.

Yun Zhongxian’s blood was even more valuable than Shui Wuyue Bai’s Ice Release. All eight Shui Wuyue Bais were prepared to receive the Yun Zhongxian Project serum.

Currently, two Shui Wuyue Bais stayed at the Xuanxue Restaurant, two at the Qiuyi Tower, two awaited in the spatial room of Research Institute No. 258, and two others were at the newly renovated Xuanxun House opposite Qiuyi Tower.

Yun Xue had mastered shamanic arts, which did not inherently enhance strength, but could invoke spirits and gods to protect her when danger approached. Shamanism was akin to yin-yang arts, or perhaps a branch thereof.

...

Xuanxun House.

A quiet place to enjoy coffee and read, admitting only those who love books.

The first floor’s café was cozy, evoking the warmth of home, with twelve tables and sofas arranged comfortably. Shelves lined with the latest light novels and manga filled the remaining space.

The shop offered not only coffee but also a variety of alcoholic beverages.

The second floor housed a private library where one could read in peace without disturbance.

Every visitor received a reading card upon entering. Aside from the second floor, the third floor was off limits. Each floor was separated by an anti-theft door, a product of apocalypse-era technology.

“Boss, I brought so many people. Isn’t this a bit troublesome for you?” Chang Yue looked around the crowded café, filled with her classmates.

“No trouble at all. You can also stay regularly in the third-floor art studio. I’ve already entered your identity into the system. There are guest rooms on the fifth floor if you ever get tired and need rest. Floors above the sixth are confidential,” Yun Xuan said softly.

“Thank you, boss. In that case, should I sell the house over there? This place is fully equipped, and I could help out here when I’m free,” Chang Yue hesitated.

“That sounds good. I’ll also give you an extra 2,000 yuan each month, but you can work no more than four hours a day,” Yun Xuan smiled.

“No... no need to add more. I’m already very satisfied,” Chang Yue quickly waved her hand.

“No need to be polite. The Qiuyi Tower opposite is mine. For all three meals, just go there. As long as you work well, you can earn over ten thousand yuan a month,” Yun Xuan said firmly.

“I will do my best to complete the tasks,” Chang Yue felt even more grateful.

“By the way, are you from Stone Village? Do you know Lin Xiuxiu?” Yun Xuan suddenly asked.

“Boss, you... have been to Stone Village?” Chang Yue was surprised.

“Yes. The plantations and villas in Stone Village belong to me,” Yun Xuan nodded.

“Ah?” Chang Yue opened her mouth in astonishment. She hadn’t expected the big boss her father mentioned to be Yun Xuan!

“What’s wrong? Could it be that your father works on my plantation?” Yun Xuan considered the possibility.

“Yes, my dad is close friends with Uncle Yuan. Xiuxiu’s cooking is delicious. I used to visit Xiuxiu’s home often, but less so after high school,” Chang Yue smiled. She hadn’t expected the world to be so small.

“Truly fate. You and your classmates can chat. I have other matters to attend to. If you need anything, tell them. They only have codenames, so don’t call them by their real names,” Yun Xuan glanced at the time and stood up. He was referring to the two Shui Wuyue Bais.

“Okay,” Chang Yue wisely left.

Yun Xuan put down his coffee cup and ascended the stairs. Bai Qi and Bai Ba were the servers at Xuanxun House.

...

Chang Yue sat among her roommates.

“Yueyue is so lucky to have such a young and handsome boss. If something were to happen between you two, you’d never have to worry about food and drink again,” a short-haired girl said enviously.

“Yeah, being involved with someone that handsome is truly lucky,” a long-haired girl wearing glasses agreed.

“You’re so superficial. But Yueyue, this job is good, just be careful not to get deceived,” a third girl with long black straight hair, dressed in expensive clothes, warned.

“I don’t think he’s interested in me. My best friend might have a connection with him—they’re the real match,” Chang Yue shook her head.

“The chef girl?” the black-haired girl recalled.

“Yes. Xiuxiu is excellent at cooking. The Qiuyi Tower opposite and the Xuanxue Restaurant downtown both belong to the boss, so they might hire her,” Chang Yue nodded.

“Yueyue, I still suggest you find someone to rely on while you can,” the short-haired girl whispered.

“Let’s not talk about that. Do you know the new October anime? The script by Teacher Beifang, the Star-Moon Cup champion’s manga. Even the Autumn Snow Princess is looking forward to it. October might be the strongest season!” the girl with glasses excitedly shifted the topic.

“The strongest October anime? Not necessarily. There are many magical girl series. Unless it brings something new,” the black-haired girl shook her head.

“Um, was that person just now the Star-Moon Cup champion?” the short-haired girl searched on her phone and showed the others.

“It’s true!” the girl with glasses gasped. Chang Yue had missed the Star-Moon Cup that day due to illness.

“His name is Yun Xuan. He ranked first in the preliminaries of the Fangyu City Star-Moon Cup. He’s already famous in the capital and is also a four-star chef—a true prodigy,” the black-haired girl rolled her eyes.

“A four-star chef?!” the short-haired and glasses-wearing girls both exclaimed.

“Guo Wenruo, this CD I borrowed from you last week—it’s a beautiful piano piece. Thank you,” Chang Yue spoke to the boy at the neighboring table, holding up a CD.

“No... no need,” he said, glancing at Chang Yue. Blushing, he looked away and stammered. His clothes were shabby and his appearance delicate. He had come with Chang Yue from Stone Village.

“There are many books about music on the second floor, and probably CDs too. Want to take a look?” Chang Yue whispered, nervously twisting the corner of her clothes.

“No... no need. I have to work soon. I’ll go first,” Guo Wenruo waved his hand, quickly stood up, paid, and left.

“Fool...” Chang Yue muttered as she watched him go.