“Things are easier to understand after they’ve happened. Thank you.”
Gadelia took the peeled shrimp tail Zhou Ming handed her and ate it, then mercilessly criticized his work. “It’s not clean.”
Zhou Ming was certain he had peeled it cleanly before handing it over. Since Gadelia hadn’t refused it, she probably wasn’t angry anymore.
So, this comment about it “not being clean” was likely just her way of starting another conversation.
Gadelia, you really hold a grudge, don’t you?
Zhou Ming stopped peeling shrimp and looked at Gadelia’s expressionless face. After a moment of silence, he spoke with a hint of teasing.
“Do you want me to open my mouth and show you where you scratched me?” Gadelia slowly opened her mouth as if to prove her point.
Zhou Ming’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed, his gaze unconsciously drawn to her slightly parted lips.
The lip gloss gave them a moist sheen, pink and delicate, with a faint, silky strand of saliva…
“Take this back!”
Gadelia snatched the freshly peeled shrimp from Zhou Ming’s hand and stuffed it into her own mouth.
“Now it’s clean.”
She looked directly into Zhou Ming’s eyes, her tone calm yet carrying a thread of seriousness.
“I’m not actually angry. I just want you to be more earnest. Don’t be so careless at a young age, unable to distinguish what’s important.”
Zhou Ming fell silent.
He suddenly realized he should have been the one to actively seek out Gadelia to ask about methods to improve his abilities, not wait for her to come to him.
Since she was willing to teach, he shouldn’t keep pretending to be clueless.
“In the future… I’ll be in your care.”
He said it earnestly.
Zhang Chuanlei, watching from the side, couldn’t help but chuckle and patted Zhou Ming’s shoulder.
“Kid, I told you Gadelia could help you! You just had to be stubborn. See? Publicly proven wrong.”
“Will you listen to your captain from now on?”
Zhou Ming gave a wry smile but didn’t argue.
After the meal, Gadelia politely asked Zhang Chuanlei if he could give her a ride.
Zhang Chuanlei and the others immediately feigned ignorance in perfect sync, even actively creating distance to give the two some space.
After all, they were starting to pick up on something.
Lantern Bearers on duty usually had assigned vehicles.
Once in the car, Zhang Chuanlei and the others were “considerate” enough to occupy Zhou Ming’s usual seat, forcing him to sit next to Gadelia.
“Of course! We were just worried we didn’t have a chance to thank you properly!” Zhang Chuanlei said, thumping his chest.
Zhou Ming sat stiffly, his gaze fixed intently on his own knees, not daring to touch Gadelia or even look at her.
“Aren’t you going to introduce your teammates to me?” Gadelia asked.
Zhou Ming cleared his throat. Catching Zhang Chuanlei’s “you hopeless idiot” look in the rearview mirror, he steeled himself and began the introductions.
“Our captain, Zhang Chuanlei. His ability is ‘Tail Crystalline.’ He can grow a three-meter-long crystalline tail from his coccyx and control it freely. Dust-rank.”
“Li Yaoming. Ability is ‘Outcome Adjustment.’ He can slightly amplify or diminish the results of events that have already occurred, or delay inevitable consequences. Dust Grade.”
“Yue Liang. Ability is ‘Containment Field.’ He can create a barrier centered on himself. Nothing inside can get out, nothing outside can get in. Dust Grade.”
“Zhou Ang. Ability is ‘Energy Storage and Release.’ He can store energy in forms like body fat and burn it at critical moments to enhance strength, speed, and accelerate injury recovery. Dust Grade.”
Gadelia lightly covered the corner of her mouth, feigning surprise.
“You can tell me information like this?”
“It’s not classified. Lantern Bearers don’t usually hide their abilities during missions.”
“I see. I wasn’t very clear on the rules.”
The car drove on for a while when suddenly, a piercing alarm blared.
Zhang Chuanlei’s expression changed instantly, and he immediately looked at the vehicle’s screen.
“What’s wrong?” Gadelia asked, though she already knew.
“Energy beasts have appeared in District Fifteen.” Zhang Chuanlei quickly operated the navigation system. “Miss Gadelia, I’m afraid we’ll have to drop you off first.”
“Just head straight there,” Gadelia said calmly. “Stopping would just waste time.”
Zhang Chuanlei nodded, slammed on the accelerator, and with the siren wailing, the vehicle sped toward the incident location.
“Gadelia, stay in the car when we get there. Don’t get out.” Zhou Ming reached over and pressed her hand, speaking seriously.
“Alright, I understand.”
In less than two minutes, they arrived at the scene.
Pedestrians in the area had already fled, leaving only two humanoid energy beasts wandering the street.
The car doors opened. Without any unnecessary communication, Zhang Chuanlei and the others sprang into action.
Zhang Chuanlei took the lead, drawing a 9mm automatic pistol and firing, hitting the target. Li Yaoming and the others opened fire as well.
It had to be admitted that modern weapons were, in certain situations, more direct and effective than supernatural abilities.
The two energy beasts roared and charged.
Zhang Chuanlei and his team showed no panic, continuing to fire while rapidly creating distance.
Just as the beasts closed in, Li Yaoming activated his ability, slowing their movements.
Seizing the opportunity, Yue Liang deployed his ability, forming a barrier that separated the two energy beasts.
The situation instantly became two-on-one.
Zhang Chuanlei’s crystalline tail lashed out, sending one of the energy beasts flying several meters. Li Yaoming and Zhou Ang kept up a continuous barrage of fire, quickly dispatching it.
On the other side, Yue Liang, wielding a metal rod, kept the remaining beast at bay.
The rod danced through the air, preventing the beast from getting close.
Once Zhang Chuanlei and the others had finished their target, they joined forces and swiftly eliminated the second beast as well.
The fight was over.
Zhou Ming stood to the side, somewhat dazed.
This was nothing like theintense battle (passionate, heated battle) he had imagined.
There were no earth-shattering duels. It was more about calm, efficient coordination and execution.
So, I really am just a spectator…
He felt a bit helpless.
It looks like I really need to go back and train properly, to gain the ability to truly participate in combat as soon as possible.
After all, not just anyone could take to the field as a Lantern Bearer.
Zhang Chuanlei turned to look at Zhou Ming.
“Next time—”
“Captain, look out!”