31: Chapter 27: Hunter Squad_2 31: Chapter 27: Hunter Squad_2 “Of course, we’re going to your house!” Tangmo said matter-of-factly.
Before Luo’er could object, the group had already invaded his dorm.
Seeing Luo’er’s back as he cooked in the kitchen, Hu Daoke casually asked while lounging, “Come to think of it, why are our gatherings always at Luo’er’s place?”
“Obviously, because our dorms have strict management, unlike Luo’er’s place, where all we need is a verbal notice.” Tangmo said.
After all, Luo’er has a…” Before Hu Daoke could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by Cheng Ziang’s purposeful cough.
“Little Ke!” Tangmo glanced at him sternly and warned him in lowered voice.
“Sorry!” An embarrassed Hu Daoke scratched his head, unsure whether to apologize to the pair or to Luo’er, who was still cooking.
However, Luo’er remained silent until he served the food, seemingly not bothered by Hu Daoke’s banter.
As the most capable person in the team, everyone was used to Luo’er’s contributions.
Even though they sometimes felt guilty, Luo’er clearly did not mind.
During dinner, Hu Daoke proposed they drink alcohol.
With the consent of the others, Luo’er had no choice but to watch them bring out beer they had secretly bought in town from his dormitory.
“I’ll only drink a little, just in case everyone gets drunk.
It wouldn’t be good if something happened!” Luo’er poured himself a cup, then laid down the ground rules with the others.
Having no reason to refute, Hu Daoke could only bother Cheng Ziang, who, despite appearing aloof, drank readily and sent Hu Daoke under the table.
The two girls, experiencing alcohol for the first time, got drunk after just a few sips.
Luo’er was the only one sober.
He helped the two girls onto his bed, tucked them in, and dragged Hu Daoke’s large frame to the sofa.
“Being the only one awake is exhausting!” Cheng Ziang lay on the table with a rarely seen smile on his face.
“Are you drunk?” Luo’er asked, seeing Cheng Ziang laugh for the first time.
“This is child’s play.
It’s not easy to get me drunk!” Cheng Ziang said with a laugh, eyes half-closed.
“You seem different from your usual self!” After ensuring Cheng Ziang was alright, Luo’er started to clean the table.
“I usually hold back.
You can’t tell by looking at me, but if I let loose, I can be even more talkative than Hu Daoke.” Cheng Ziang confessed.
“So you’re implying that your usual virtuous disposition is just an act?” After a pause, Luo’er asked.
“I wouldn’t say it’s an act.
It’s more like a disguise.”
“So, which one is the real you?” Luo’er frowned and asked.
It’s just that different people require different masks.”
“So, we haven’t been able to make you drop your guard, right?” After cleaning the table, Luo’er asked after a moment of silence.
After all, I put up the guard myself.
It’s not related to you guys.
It’s up to me when to lower it, not because of your influence.” Cheng Ziang closed his eyes and said with a smile, “But it feels like the team has become more interesting since you joined.”
“I’m just doing what I should be doing.” Luo’er, head down, said.
“You know, although I don’t talk much, I do understand the various relationships and little motives in our team.”
“You don’t want to take the captain’s position from Moumou because you’re unsure of your capability to control the power originally belonging to her, right?
In fact, everyone thinks you’re the most suitable person to be the captain!”
Cheng Ziang suddenly lowered his voice, but his words still hit Luo’er like a bolt from the blue.
Luo’er was surprised that Cheng Ziang had read his mind so accurately.
He raised his head and began reassessing the man who barely spoke a word in a day.
“Your ultimate aim is to enter Otherworld.
For that goal, you’re willing to make compromises to ensure the team’s stability.
You know that Moumou would surely give you the captain’s position if you wanted it, but you weren’t sure if you could win my or Hu Daoke’s approval, so you didn’t make your move.
What you’re striving for is the stability of the entire team.
This stability should at least last until we gain the qualification to go to Otherworld, right?”
“Yes!” Luo’er concedes, nodding.
“Your frankness is unexpected!” Cheng Ziang seemed surprised, but quickly followed this with a laugh.
“You’ve been silently observing and monitoring us all, haven’t you?” Luo’er asked.
“You make it sound so sinister.
I am merely observing openly and making educated deductions, not spying or making malicious assumptions.”
“I feel like I’m just starting to know you!” Luo’er uttered, letting out a sigh.
I don’t have any ill intentions.
In truth, if you were to take over Moumou Captain’s position, I’m not sure what Hu Daoke would do, but I certainly wouldn’t acknowledge you.
At least not right now!” Cheng Ziang’s smiling face gave off a hint of menace that Luo’er couldn’t ignore.
“Although Moumou is older than us, she’s still childlike at heart.
Yet she has a mysterious allure.
It’s why I agreed to join her team.” Cheng Ziang looked over at Baiyue, who laid asleep on the bed hugging his pet, and sighed.
“By the way,” before Luo’er could respond, Cheng Ziang seemed to recall something, turning back to him, “I think Baiyue recognizes you.”
“Recognizes me?” Luo’er was momentarily stumped.
“Yes, from what I understand, she must’ve known you from before!” Cheng Ziang affirmed, nodding.
“From before…” Luo’er furrowed his brows, trying to recall.
He had no recollection of girl named Baiyue.
“From when?” Luo’er queried.
After all, I’m not a Divination Master.” Cheng Ziang laughed.
“How do you know she recognizes me?” Luo’er continued.
“According to my observation, Baiyue shut herself off from the world because of some trauma.
She refuses to compromise with anyone or anything.
However, she joined the team specifically for you and willingly followed your orders.
I suspect the hat she always wears is a symbol of her emotional closure, and that you must’ve done something for her in the past that led her to open up to you.
Of course, this is only a speculation.” Cheng Ziang replied, revealing his thoughts while watching Baiyue, who was now fast asleep holding onto Tangmo.
“Before…” Luo’er pouted, deep in contemplation.
“Where the bell is tied, it must be untied.
If you want to know why she closed herself off, she has to tell you herself.
It’s just not the right time yet.” Cheng Ziang’s words were cryptic.
“You…” Luo’er wanted to say something but stopped.
“Alright, I’ve talked too much.
I should go.” Cheng Ziang rose and languidly headed towards the entrance.
There was no indication of him being drunk.
Stay and rest if you need to!” Luo’er asked with concern.
“Like I’ve said before, I’m not drunk!” Cheng Ziang waved him off without looking back.
“I’m still worried about you!” Luo’er replied earnestly.
Cheng Ziang paused, turned back around and gave a laugh.
“Luo’er, as a man, you seem a tad too gentle!”
Just take care of our lot.
Don’t forget we have a match tomorrow!” Cheng Ziang waved him away, proceeding to leave the house.
Luo’er stood, unable to do anything but watch him leave.
For the first time, he felt like he was just beginning to know Cheng Ziang.
His icy exterior always kept people at a distance which led Luo’er to somewhat exclude him.
But after their conversation, he realized that Cheng Ziang was not someone to be dismissed as an irrelevant passerby.
At the very least, his observation skills were stronger than anyone else in the team.
Although Cheng Ziang had hit the nail on the head concerning Luo’er’s intentions, Luo’er appreciated his direct and straightforward conversation.
And so, starting from now, he knew he had to reassess his understanding of this man who loved to observe from the shadows.