Chapter 224

Chapter 224: The Two Ends of the Balance 05

“My son has actually been home for two days. He’s been busy playing basketball and dining with friends, so he didn’t stay at home for meals,” Teacher Wang said, “His father ate in the office today at noon. It’s just you and me again.”

Kui Xin muttered softly, “Hmm,” and kept his head down while eating.

Teacher Wang continued, “Isn’t leaving tomorrow a bit too soon? Your uncle is free the day after tomorrow. He’s taking a vacation starting tomorrow. He could drive you both on the highway to register at school. The high-speed rail can get crowded; after getting off the train, you’d still need to take a taxi or bus.”

“Tomorrow then.” Kui Xin replied, “I want to get there sooner. I have a friend in the provincial capital who is sick. I plan on visiting her in advance.”

“What illness? Serious?”

“Our house caught fire. She got burned and had to have her limbs amputated. It was on local news two weeks ago; it was about the fire case near the North District market place.”

Teacher Wang paused, then said with sympathy, “Then you should definitely go see her.”

“What do you have planned for college?” Teacher Wang asked.

Kui Xin shook his head, “I haven’t thought it through yet, it depends on the circumstances.”

In the past, she would have had clear plans for university, but now she couldn’t be sure what her future held, and so couldn’t say.

“Do you want to pursue further studies?” Teacher Wang gently asked.

“If I were to go for it, I’d need to finish my degree first, then work and study at the same time,” Kui Xin smiled.

Teacher Wang immediately said, “If it’s a matter of money, the teacher can…”

“It’s not about money. I’m currently in an exploratory phase, wanting to experience more and know more before planning for the future,” Kui Xin explained, “Studying for a masters is something that would be prepared during the third and fourth year anyway, it’s still early.”

Teacher Wang said, “That’s true, you have two years. Take your time. If you’re uncertain about anything, ask me.”

“Okay,” Kui Xin said, “Have you teachers watched any science channel programs recently? There was an expert talking about mirages in the sky.”

Teacher Wang hadn’t paid much attention, “Yes, it was quite strange…”

Besides being intrigued, she didn’t have any other thoughts. Most ordinary people, like Teacher Wang, were similarly perplexed and skeptical, but they still had to live their lives grounded in reality. After a few weeks, even online discussions about mirages died down.

After finishing the meal, Kui Xin bid the Teacher farewell and agreed on the time to go to school the next day, then left.

Today was a bright sunny day, and the sky over Tonglin City was a clean, bright blue, with very few clouds.

Fortunately, Kui Xin brought a sun umbrella when leaving home. She put it up and didn’t return home, instead strolling in a nearby commercial street where she bought a plain pair of reading glasses. Kui Xin used to be mildly shortsighted, needing glasses for class and study, but after recovering, she didn’t wear them anymore.

Glasses could shape the face. Kui Xin stood in the store and looked at herself in the mirror while wearing them. Lowering her eyebrows made her eyes look droopy, and her normally straight shoulders slouched a little, making her feel a bit more like a student and less like a cold-blooded killer.

Kui Xin paid and walked away with the glasses right on. Then she went to browse for some daily wear clothes.

Her phone buzzed. When she picked it up, she saw a message from Yu Qiwen.

“Haven’t you thought about where you’ll live at the university after enrolling?”

Kui Xin frowned. The hacker trio usually respected her privacy and didn’t pry much into her personal life. Asking about her accommodation arrangements this time was unusual.

“Don’t misunderstand! No hidden agenda here. I’m just thinking that given our circumstances, we might not be suitable for living in shared dorm rooms. Privacy is hard to ensure,” Yu Qiwen said, “Lulu has invested in a cat cafe in the university town and needs staff. She’s also purchased an apartment in the university community that can serve as single-occupancy rooms for employees.”

With those words, Kui Xin understood the gist.

The three hackers knew about her family situation. Xie Gankqing had previously transferred 100,000 yuan to her, which was not only an apology but also assistance. They indeed wanted to maintain a relationship with her. What did this mean? Mutually beneficial support among equals?

Kui Xin thought about it and decided not to refuse, “Thank you, I will give it serious consideration.”

“You’re welcome, it’s expected,” said Yu Qiwen in response.

When Kui Xin thanked Li Wanran, he said, “It’s expected.” And when it came to Yu Qiwen, he echoed the sentiment.

While Kui Xin was buying things in Tonglin City, the Old Industrial Zone started making its move.

Li Wanran and Song Tingshuan were standing on a path less than 100 meters from the tobacco factory, surrounded by teammates vigilant in their demeanor. Around them were several remotely controlled automated cargo robots, a common sight at sorting centers nowadays. These robots were temporarily modified with iron cages fixed onto them to carry an experimental monkey, an animal showing obvious signs of confusion. A powerful custom rope was bound around the wheels of the robots, connecting to a heavy winch capable of pulling back the robot if it lost power.

Li Wanran’s mood wasn’t great, but she kept a composed expression, “Begin.”

The technician at the side immediately manipulated the joystick, the robot carrying the cage with the monkey slowly rolled toward the tobacco factory.

Under everyone’s nervous gaze, the robot’s cage touched the ethereal wall of the tobacco factory, causing the monkey inside to let out a frightened scream.

Animals are often the most sensitive, sensing immense danger within the tobacco factory and responding with extreme fear.

Yet the robot continued forward, and the monkey tightly hugged the cage walls, being driven into the factory along with the caged figure gradually sinking into the walls. Just as the monkey was about to be entirely engulfed, its cage seemed abruptly pulled, clunking loudly, from an invisible force.

Seeing this, the hair on Li Wanran and the others’ heads stood on end.

The cage was welded with wire onto the robot due to fears of the monkey struggling and knocking it loose.

Stunned, they watched as the cage was dragged again, this time much stronger. The entire robot, complete with the cage and the restrained monkey, was pulled into the tobacco factory like a swift python gripping a passing mouse, tightening its grip.

The stretchable rope attached to the robot was pulled taut, resembling stretched rubber bands, one end of the rope linked to the weighty winch, the other end linked to the ethereal wall of the tobacco factory.

Swiftly, Li Wanran pressed the winch’s retract button. The winch began spinning as it began to draw the rope back.

The shock came from a far more unexpected source: the winch, which could pull tons of weight, suddenly emitted a ghastly creaking noise, the base shifting slightly under the pull, as if seconds from being dragged away by an unseen monster.

Something was alive inside the tobacco factory, engaged in a tug-of-war with the winch!

Song Tingshuan clearly stated, “Engage the winch!”

The winch only stabilized briefly before being lifted from the ground and slamming back down, being brutally retracted towards the factory. Several almost got hit by the winch; fortunately, they dodged in time and weren’t injured.

Song Tingshuan ran forward, dashing agilely toward the winch and being dragged forwards several meters.

She pressed a button, and the snap of the rope unhooking from the cylindrical drum released the winch which stayed put, the rope with incredible force zipping into the factory.

Song Tingshuan was soaked with sweat and felt faint as she descended from the winch, her legs trembling from late-arriving fear.

Li Wanran came over in a flustered state, “Are you trying to kill yourself? What if you got pulled in?”

Song Tingshuan looked up at the tobacco factory, shivering, and said fearfully, “Next time I’ll never do that again… but this specially-made winch is borrowed, expensive. Getting pulled in would be a loss.”

“Human lives are more important than machines,” Li Wanran said.

A group of people stared at the tobacco factory, feeling a chill run through their bodies.

What was inside? A living creature? That thing had dragged the monkey and the robot into the factory.

“The monkey is probably dead?” Song Tingshuan said.

“I guess so,” Li Wanran responded.

Song Tingshuan continued, “That monkey was part of an experiment at a nearby university we bought. We were preparing chickens, ducks, dogs, little white mice, goats, and rabbits too. Shall we continue? Given the winch is still here, with rope repairs it could work.”

“No… let’s stop for now,” Li Wanran struggled to say, “I’m afraid that thing inside could get drawn out…”

“The factory’s resident seems to be trapped somehow and hasn’t come outside despite seizing the monkey… does it mean it’s restricted from moving from the dark realm?” Song Tingshuan analyzed, “What might it be inside? A more advanced xenomorph?”

“We have no idea what it is,” Li Wanran said, “Let’s keep it contained for now. We should think of a new experiment approach.”

Song Tingshuan somberly nodded.

…

On the night before Kui Xin departed, she contacted He Kangshi, Su Rong, and Li Wanran separately.

He Kangshi was still on schedule with regular activities and communication with players. He frequently conducted night patrols and had formed relationships with some players who were arrested alongside him, often going out together at night.

Su Rong was also about to enter university, with actions being temporarily paused except for necessary reconnaissance missions with her shadow double.

Li Wanran gave instructions to Kui Xin about the experiments in the tobacco factory, saying, “We can confirm there is a highly aggressive entity hidden in the factory. It seems it does not intend to leave. However, I don’t know how long this situation will last. Every week, our world changes. Sadly, all we can do is watch these changes.”

Li Wanran and Song Tingshuan had also joined the individual project section of the Black Snake. After interacting with them a few times, Kui Xin gained some understanding of them. During her absence in Tonglin for a few days, the investigation of the tobacco factory would be handled by them.

As Kui Xin boarded the vehicle heading to university, her heart was filled with anxiety, without a trace of joy or anticipation.

“You’re too calm. When I went to university, I was jumping around excitedly. No wonder mom says you don’t seem like a typical high school graduate,” Teacher Wang’s son — Kui Xin’s senior — said, “Is it because you’re reluctant to leave your hometown?”

“Yes,” Kui Xin answered, “It doesn’t feel like the right time to leave, so I feel uneasy.”

The car drove onto the elevated bridge. Looking through the rear window, Kui Xin saw the city she had lived in for years, her heart quiet yet turbulent.

The matter wasn’t resolved. Before long, she would have to come back.