DA chapter 27

 

With a reliable person going to handle things for him, Lin Jia’s first night in Fish Belly was very easy.

Early the next morning, Xiao Yao came knocking with food. He was very dutiful in doing logistics, afraid Lin Jia would go hungry.

However, that strange sound came again. The director stood in the second-floor corridor: “Breakfast time is almost over! Why are you still in your rooms? Do you want the cafeteria staff to deliver it to your rooms?”

Xiao Yao froze and looked at Lin Jia. “Brother Jia?”

He asked for Lin Jia’s opinion.

Lin Jia said, “Go eat in the cafeteria.”

The director had mentioned the two words, “well-behaved.” For something as minor as eating, there’s no need to go against the director.

Xiao Yao: “Okay.”

Seeing Lin Jia and Xiao Yao head toward the cafeteria, the others opened their room doors and went to the cafeteria on the left side of the building.

Breakfast was already prepared in the cafeteria. Since everyone in Fish Belly played the role of children waiting for adoption in the Welfare Institute, they did not need to line up for food. Breakfast was placed directly on the tables; they only needed to sit down.

Lin Jia chose a seat by the wall. With Xiao Yao sitting beside him, he did not need to sit with the others.

This time, thirteen people entered Fish Belly in total. One had died yesterday; twelve remained. People kept coming into the cafeteria and finding a place to sit.

“See if Yan Xu has come.” Lin Jia drank the white porridge in front of him; it was much better than compressed biscuits.

Xiao Yao nodded and did not ask the reason.

Halfway through the porridge, Lin Jia heard Xiao Yao quietly say, “He came.”

He was not surprised and did not even raise his head.

If Yan Xu had died on the first night, then becoming captain of the patrol team would have been too easy.

Even though Lin Jia did not look up, Yan Xu still noticed his scattered gaze. It seemed Yan Xu had only casually glanced, then quickly averted his gaze.

Lin Jia calmly drank his porridge.

Only after Lin Jia finished breakfast did Xiao Yao ask why.

Lin Jia was concise: “He went out last night.”

Xiao Yao froze. After all, Xiao Yao was a normal person, not the stupid cat at his feet who didn’t even dare to fully confirm it itself. He quickly understood why Lin Jia had been willing to share clues the previous day.

Xiao Yao’s expression instantly became complicated, showing both admiration for and wariness of Lin Jia.

He recalled Lin Jia’s bold move in the last Fish Belly, asking all three Fishman questions. He was glad not to be Lin Jia’s enemy.

A person like this could not be let go.

Lin Jia glanced at Xiao Yao, not caring at all about his expression, and handed him an egg.

Xiao Yao said, “Thank you, Brother Jia.”

Lin Jia: “Feed the cat.”

Xiao Yao: “… ”

The cat: (^o^)/~

Xiao Yao peeled the eggshell and carefully fed it to the cat. As he continued to feed the cat, Xiao Yao felt something was wrong. The cat seemed to have a kind of pride, as if to say, “If one person ascends, chickens and dogs rise too.”[mfn]一人得道，鸡犬升天 (literally: when one person attains the Dao, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven) It means: When one person gains power, success, or status, the people around them also benefit.[/mfn]

Xiao Yao rubbed his eyes. The cat lowered its head and ate the egg yolk.

Thump, thump, thump.

At that moment, the uncomfortable sound of the cane rang out again.

Those who had wanted to eat breakfast in peace all frowned and raised their heads. The director appeared at the entrance of the cafeteria.

She scanned the cafeteria, her gaze aimless, as if not looking for anyone in particular, but rather like a teacher invigilating an exam room.

After confirming that everyone was in the cafeteria and eating properly, the director finally stopped walking and said to everyone, “Today’s performance is not bad.”

However, her tone was still severe; even praise did not sound much like praise.

No one was truly happy because of the director’s praise. Instead, some looked worried because of her appearance.

After all, she was an NPC materialized by Fishman. This was a three-star Fish Belly; the director would not easily let them off the hook.

Sure enough, after the praise, the director spoke again: “Adoption day is getting closer. Everyone must prepare well.”

Not one person made a sound. Adoption day? It sounded more like doomsday.

Dissatisfied with the silence in the cafeteria, the director angrily knocked her cane on the floor, making the whole cafeteria boom. Along with that tormenting sound, the director said, “All parents like smart children. I’ll ask a question, and everyone will guess the answer.”

Xiao Yao gritted his teeth. “As expected.”

“It has two ears and four legs.” The director gave the question and said, “After breakfast, don’t run around. Later, I’ll come to your rooms to check your answers.”

After speaking, the director left again amid silence.

About five minutes after the director left, a slight sound finally returned to the cafeteria.

Someone said with an ugly face, “This time actually… actually not choosing songs.”

Yesterday, someone died in front of everyone, yet no one inferred the director’s killing condition. However, since they had survived, copying yesterday’s actions could avoid death. Yet, they did not expect that today, the director’s question would change. It was no longer about singing, but rather, such a headless question.

“What does ‘has two ears, four legs’ mean?” Xiao Yao repeated the question. “Guess an animal? Or guess what?”

No one could answer because the question only contained the statement and not an actual question.

“It should be guessing what thing it is…”

But the range was too big. Most animals have two ears and four legs—cats, dogs, rabbits, tigers, lions, etc. Who knows what the answer is?

These discussions were not wrong; Xiao Yao was also full of doubt. Compared to today’s question, at least yesterday’s sheet music had some range. He could only look at Lin Jia, who raised his head and looked toward Yan Xu.

Compared with today’s question, what Lin Jia cared more about was Yan Xu’s result last night.

Yan Xu lowered his head and began to eat. Deputy Director Chen reminded him: “That one called Lin Jia is looking at you.”

Yan Xu said, “Looking at you maybe, you look a lot like his lover.”

Deputy Director Chen: “…”

Despite what Yan Xu said, Deputy Director Chen raised his head and met Lin Jia’s gaze.

Lin Jia stood up and walked out of the cafeteria.

Yan Xu understood that Lin Jia had something to say but that it was inconvenient for others to hear. Yan Xu wanted to see what Lin Jia wanted to say. He turned his head toward Deputy Director Chen and said, “I’m going?”

Deputy Director Chen frowned: “Why ask me?”

“Oh, right. Why ask you?” Yan Xu smiled.

Yan Xu followed out anyway. As he left the cafeteria, he saw Lin Jia standing in the shade of a tree.

Lin Jia stood very straight. Compared to others’ panic, he appeared extremely calm. This may have been related to how carefully he had tidied himself: a gray windbreaker with stiff, shaped fabric that was slightly lifted by the sea wind, revealing the hidden patterned lining inside that seemed like blooming petals outlined with silver embroidery thread.

Others entered Fish Belly, even voluntarily, with resistance. He was different; he looked as if he were arriving for an appointment.

Yan Xu walked nearby and smelled a faint fragrance.

“What?” Yan Xu raised an eyebrow and failed to control his nose, lightly sniffing.

Although Yan Xu had felt from the moment he first saw Lin Jia that this person had problems, he was not disgusted by Lin Jia’s fragrance. In fact, he thought it smelled pretty good.

Lin Jia said directly, “I would like to work with Captain Yan once.”

Yan Xu looked somewhat surprised. He sized Lin Jia up and down, pointed at himself to confirm further: “Cooperate with me?”

“Mm.” Ignoring the suspicion on Yan Xu’s face, Lin Jia said, “I want to go out tonight and look around.”

Yan Xu looked at him, his suspicion becoming clearer. He put away his joking tone and asked, “Why choose me?”

Lin Jia said: “Because Captain Yan is reliable.”

Yan Xu clicked his tongue, obviously unwilling to be fooled by Lin Jia.

“If there are clues at night, is Captain Yan someone who can endure not going?” Lin Jia slowly explained his reasoning. “But why did the director only tell me that Night is dangerous? What exactly is before me, a clue or a trap? Who can say for sure?”

Yan Xu smiled lightly: “So?”

Lin Jia knew Yan Xu understood him, but since he needed help, he explained the reason for their cooperation in detail. “Captain Yan, night exploration is dangerous. I want to cooperate with you.”

Lin Jia stared at Yan Xu without blinking; scattered summer sunlight flashed slightly in his eyes.

Yan Xu paused. Because of his position, surrounded by deceit and schemes, he was very unaccustomed to Lin Jia’s sudden bluntness.

Lin Jia: “With Captain Yan’s help, I think night exploration will become much easier.”

Yan Xu: “Don’t flatter me. I don’t buy it.”

Lin Jia changed his wording. In a calm but controlled tone, he continued, “Given Captain Yan’s character, if we encounter danger at night, he will certainly try his best to save me. This is why I want to cooperate with him.”

Yan Xu looked at Lin Jia. He looked too good, and what he said sounded too good to be true, almost convincing Yan Xu that he was telling the truth.

Would this person risk night exploration to search for clues? Yan Xu did not think so. The better-looking a person was, the better they could lie. Based on his impression of Lin Jia, Yan Xu thought that even if Lin Jia wanted to explore at night, he would first find a substitute ghost to scout.

Thinking this, Yan Xu paused.

Substitute ghost.

Wasn’t that him?

Yan Xu bit his back teeth. “State your purpose.”

Lin Jia pressed his lips together. It looks like Yan Xu’s ability to sit in the patrol captain position is indeed due to his own ability. Of course, Lin Jia couldn’t directly ask Yan Xu what he had found the night before. He knew that if Yan Xu had found clues, he wouldn’t hide them. But what Lin Jia wanted was not only clues, but also every detail.

He was perhaps too arrogant; he did not believe in others’ conclusions and only believed in his own.

However, if he asked directly, Yan Xu would notice that he had been used by Lin Jia and would develop a negative impression of him, which would not be good for Lin Jia.

So, Lin Jia went around in circles, but it all seemed useless now.

Therefore, Lin Jia simply said, “Captain Yan left the room last night, didn’t he? I want to know everything about Captain Yan leaving his room.”

Yan Xu snorted, thinking that his sharp instincts had not misjudged.

Lin Jia said no more, only looked at Yan Xu like this.

Yan Xu made a demand: “Answer one question for me.”

Lin Jia said: “Then forget it.”

Yan Xu: “…”

“Ha.” Seeing Lin Jia turn around, Yan Xu called him back, amused. “I didn’t meet any ghosts, but the director was writing letters. She goes to the top floor every half hour to write, then comes down again.”

This wasn’t a secret that couldn’t be told. On the contrary, Yan Xu felt it should be told to Lin Jia. This person’s thinking was meticulous and deeply calculated; maybe he could find a blind spot.

Lin Jia stopped: “What’s on the top floor?”

Xiao Yao had previously mentioned that there was an iron door on the third floor, and that it was locked. Lin Jia had also waited for Yan Xu to find clues on the third floor once, but Yan Xu never mentioned it.

Yan Xu said, “It’s locked.”

Lin Jia looked at Yan Xu suspiciously. Yan Xu had demonstrated his lock-opening skills several times. Lin Jia had even thought that maybe Yan Xu was a locksmith before entering Fish Belly.

Disliking Lin Jia’s gaze, Yan Xu said unhappily, “That lock isn’t easy to open. The pattern I mentioned—her going to the top floor every half hour—is established when the third floor makes no sound. If there is a sound, she immediately goes to the top floor.”

Lin Jia lowered his eyes and thought. After a moment, he said, “Captain Yan, shall we cooperate?”

 

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