Chapter 112: The Price of Power and Secret Plans

“For every gain, there is a loss. It’s best to use one’s abilities sparingly…”

“……”

For every gain, there is a loss.

Was this what the world termed its ‘rules’?

Upon closer reflection, it wasn’t just these extraordinary abilities; even the mundane aspects of life seemed to abide by this ‘rule’ of gains and losses.

Yet, the gains and losses in reality were causally linked and logical. The side effects of special abilities, however, were random and defied logic—perhaps, because these abilities were supernatural phenomena, inherently ‘chaotic’ to the world’s order, the price they exacted became equally ‘chaotic’.

“…Linxi, how many ability users have you encountered?”

“…Not many.”

“Then these insights—”

“Someone told me.”

“Is this… highly credible?”

“Their words are absolutely trustworthy.”

“Absolutely trustworthy…” Zhong Tian’s brow furrowed slightly. “Is that person also an ability user?”

“In a way.”

In a way?

Did this imply there were other special existences beyond ability users?

Before this, he had always believed that ability users like himself were exceedingly rare, perhaps even non-existent. However, Su Linxi’s words nearly shattered his perception, making Zhong Tian feel somewhat estranged from the world he lived in, all within a few short minutes.

****

The two walked slowly to the front of the dining hall. With so many ears around, Zhong Tian found it difficult to continue his questions, so he simply put his thoughts aside and entered the dining hall alongside Su Linxi to eat.

As usual, each ordered a nutritious meal, and they found an unoccupied corner, sitting face to face.

Though the area wasn’t particularly crowded, Zhong Tian preferred not to discuss weighty topics during meals, so they finished lunch in silence.

“Do you have any other questions?”

“I do, but it’s not urgent. We can discuss it after the lunch break.”

“Alright, let’s discuss it after the lunch break then.”

Bidding farewell to Su Linxi, Zhong Tian followed the path to Li Jianren’s dorm room.

Upon entering, as expected, Li Jianren, deprived of his phone, was wearing headphones and playing League of Legends on his computer.

“Seriously? Four against one and you still got counter-killed? Can you guys even play?”

Had Li Jianren’s screen not been black and white, Zhong Tian might have actually believed he was the un-counter-killed fifth player.

“Which champion are you playing?” Zhong Tian leaned in, clearly seeing the champion icon at the bottom of the screen. “Ah, Yasuo the Unforgiven…”

He recalled that during his first year of high school, Zhong Tian often teamed up with Li Jianren to play League of Legends. Li Jianren was obsessed with Yasuo, playing him in mid-lane, top-lane, jungle, and even as support.

Had Zhong Tian only played marksman, a marksman Yasuo player might have been born…

Thinking about it, Zhong Tian realized he hadn’t teamed up with Li Jianren for online games recently; the last time was during summer vacation.

“Let’s play some games sometime.”

“Team up?” Li Jianren’s screen turned black and white again. He turned around and said, “I can, but don’t you need to draw your drafts?”

“I’ve got plenty of drafts saved up. Consider it a chance to relax.”

“Is that so? What about the time?”

“The weekend, perhaps.”

“The weekend, huh… That’s not impossible. I’ll cancel my plans with Bai Ruijin then…”

“Huh?” Zhong Tian watched Li Jianren pull out his phone and open WeChat with practiced ease, quickly stepping forward and pressing down on his hand. “Let’s play tonight; no need to cancel.”

“…How did you know I don’t have plans tonight?”

“Uh…”

Li Jianren’s counter-question left Zhong Tian dumbfounded.

Right, by saying that, wasn’t he essentially revealing to Li Jianren that he knew about his Saturday lunch date with Bai Ruijin?

“Ahem, Bai Ruijin told me…”

“Oh, I see.”

The screen’s colors returned to normal, and Li Jianren turned back to his game, resuming his operations.

“Alright, then we’ll play tomorrow night.”

“Okay…”

****

The last class of the afternoon.

Clack!

Bai Ruijin’s ballpoint pen dropped onto her desk, jolting her awake from her drowsy state.

Zheng Qiao, sitting beside Bai Ruijin, whispered to her, “That’s the third time this class, you know…”

“Math class is just too much of a lullaby…”

“How about I give you a hand?”

“Give me a hand?”

Without a change in expression, Zheng Qiao extended her right hand, pinched the soft flesh at Bai Ruijin’s waist, and twisted slightly with a bit of force.

“Eek—!”

Had Bai Ruijin not quickly reined in her voice, she might have seamlessly transitioned into a full-blown scream, like the song ‘Gunjō’.

“What are you doing—?”

“Just helping you wake up, that’s all.”

Bai Ruijin complained to Zheng Qiao in a hushed voice, secretly kicking her thigh under the desk.

“Who wakes someone up like that?! That hurt like hell!”

“A little pain makes you wide awake, doesn’t it?” Zheng Qiao chuckled. “Aren’t you awake now?”

“……”

“See? You’re perfectly energetic now.”

“I’m just furious.”

“Alright, now that you’re awake, pay attention to the lecture.”

“Math is so hard; I just want to give up…” Bai Ruijin copied the solution process, which she barely understood, into her graded exercise book. “Why are you so good at math, Qiaoqiao?”

“That’s because I actually listen in class,” Zheng Qiao said, taking notes as she spoke. “Math is a subject where if you miss even one class, you fall behind. Xiao Bai, you don’t listen carefully, and you don’t catch up afterward, so you gradually lose pace with the teacher’s lectures.”

“Hmm… Is there no way to remedy it?”

“There is. Find someone good at math to teach you from the beginning.”

“Then Qiaoqiao…”

“I only score seventy or eighty; I can’t teach you well,” Zheng Qiao said. “You could try asking Li Jianren.”

“Is he really good at math?”

“He should be, mostly because he just looks like someone who would be good at math.”

“Looks like…”

“Aren’t you two going on a date tomorrow? You can ask him then.”

“Mm… alright.”

****

“Woohoo! Freedom!”

As soon as evening self-study ended, Li Jianren sprang from his seat and dashed towards the dorms.

“Even though we have extra classes tomorrow morning…”

Zhong Tian watched Li Jianren fly out of the classroom, muttering softly.

Despite his words, he was actually in quite a good mood himself.

Tomorrow was Saturday. After only a morning of extra classes, it would be the weekend holiday. A single morning, if he focused on the lecture, would feel like it passed quickly.

Zhong Tian began planning his weekend in advance.

According to previous arrangements, Chu Lenghu was supposed to come to his house to learn painting on Saturday afternoon. However, Zhong Tian was tempted to secretly tail those two who were going on a date…

Zhong Tian was very curious to see what Li Jianren was like on a date with a girl.

Perhaps he should postpone the painting lesson until Sunday.

After all, a chance to witness Ren’s date was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; miss it and it’s gone.

Having made up his mind, Zhong Tian immediately pulled out his phone and sent a message to Chu Lenghu.

After receiving Chu Lenghu’s “No problem” response, Zhong Tian opened Zheng Qiao’s chat interface and typed:

[Tomorrow, want to go watch them?]

[?]

Zheng Qiao replied almost instantly.

[Oh, you mean Xiao Bai’s date?]

[I told her I wouldn’t go.]

[Alright, my apologies for bothering you.]

[Wait! Don’t rush, I haven’t finished yet!]

[But I’m still going.]

[As long as she doesn’t find out, it doesn’t count as being there, right?]

[So, what time and where do we meet?]

After pondering for a moment, Zhong Tian replied:

[Five minutes after they leave, meet at the school gate.]

[OK]