DA chapter 28

 

Yan Xu seemed to have guessed that Lin Jia would bring up cooperation again. He showed no surprise, and he even guessed what Lin Jia wanted to cooperate on. “Cooperate to go to the rooftop? Tell me your plan.”

Lin Jia was surprised that Yan Xu agreed so readily. After a moment’s thought, he spoke. “Since there’s no chance to go to the rooftop at night, there’s one during the day. I mean right now.”

Yan Xu narrowed his eyes and stared at Lin Jia. Lin Jia noticed a thought rising in Yan Xu’s eyes, but he did not care if Yan Xu was thinking about what he said or about him as a person.

After a brief pause, he continued. “Isn’t the director going to check the answers to the sharp turn? This is the perfect opportunity. I can go with Captain Yan and help keep watch, but…”

Yan Xu pressed his fingers under his other palm, making a “stop” gesture. He smiled without much emotion. “In this cooperation, my task is obviously heavier, and you still want to make conditions?”

Lin Jia continued. “But I need Deputy Chen to help me take care of the cat.

It was not a condition, but a request.

Yan Xu indeed needed someone to keep watch for him. Although the task was simple, he could not let Deputy Chen do it. He could not let Deputy Chen fall into any danger. If something happened to Deputy Chen, the Underwater Wold would fall into chaos.

Just as Lin Jia thought Yan Xu was the best partner, Yan Xu agreed that Lin Jia was the most suitable choice. After all, it was only a cat. Its owner was going on a mission, so it was impossible to bring the cat along.

But Yan Xu asked suspiciously, “Why not ask the Buzzcut beside you?”

Of course, he was trying to create a chance for the cat to fuse.

Lin Jia replied without changing his expression: “The cat likes Deputy Chen more. I already explained the reason last night.”

Yan Xu nodded and agreed on Deputy Chen’s behalf. “Fine.”

Lin Jia returned to the cafeteria, and everyone looked at him.

Lin Jia walked back to where breakfast was and picked up the cat.

The cafeteria was quiet. Xiao Yao lowered his voice and asked, “Brother Jia, what’s going on?”

Lin Jia replied, “I’m going to the rooftop with Yan Xu. The cat will be looked after by Deputy Chen. You’d better behave yourself.”

Although Lin Jia’s words weren’t very polite, Xiao Yao nodded and said, “Then be careful.”

Meanwhile, Yan Xu explained the situation to Deputy Chen, and Lin Jia handed the cat over to Deputy Chen.

The cat was so nervous being so close to the original person that all four limbs stiffened, but its heart was soft. It looked gratefully at Lin Jia. Once it fused with the original person, it would definitely help Lin Jia leave Underwater Wold.

However, Lin Jia didn’t give the cat a single glance. Instead, he looked at Yan Xu. “Captain Yan.”

The director had just explained that she would check everyone’s answers in their rooms, but Yan Xu’s room was farther back. Once the director finished checking Yan Xu’s answers, there wouldn’t be much time left to inspect the rooftop.

However, they could not refuse the answer check, so Lin Jia planned to proactively find the director.

The director had once mentioned the word “well-behaved.” Actively and proactively answering was also a form of being well-behaved.

However, Lin Jia could not guarantee that they could be checked at the same time. When they arrived at the director’s office, Lin Jia looked at Yan Xu and yielded. “Captain Yan first?”

Yan Xu said nothing and reached to push the door open.

Lin Jia stopped him. When Yan Xu looked at him puzzled, Lin Jia raised his hand and knocked softly and slowly on the door.

The director’s voice came from inside the office: “Come in.”

Lin Jia stepped back, making room for Yan Xu.

Yan Xu laughed softly, pushed the door open, and walked in.

Lin Jia waited outside. From his position in the corridor, he saw the others walking out of the cafeteria, including Deputy Chen carrying the cat.

Lin Jia’s gaze fixed on the cat, seeing it curled up obediently in Deputy Chen’s arms.

Heh.

Lin Jia patted his shoulder expressionlessly, brushing away the paw prints the cat had left behind.

The world had suddenly changed, and the company had to stop operating. If he didn’t go back soon, who knew how many bad accounts would pile up?

He only hoped the cat would adapt quickly and stop causing trouble. His patience was very limited when it came to things he was not interested in.

With a creak, the door to the director’s office opened.

Lin Jia lifted his gaze. Yan Xu walked out of the office unharmed. It seemed that Yan Xu had given the director a satisfactory answer with his response of “two ears, four feet.”

“I told her you were outside, too.” Yan Xu did not plan to reveal the answer.

“Thanks.” Lin Jia did not plan to ask, either.

After knocking again and receiving the director’s permission, Lin Jia walked in and greeted her politely.

“Director, I’ve thought of the answer. I wanted to tell you earlier.”

Even though Yan Xu had already entered the office, Lin Jia explained why he was there, since being thorough with etiquette could never be a mistake.

The director smiled and praised him: “Good child.”

Lin Jia said, “Guinea pig.”

“Excellent!” The director looked exactly like a kindergarten teacher—an ordinary answer earned enthusiastic praise.

“Go back and rest quickly.” The director stood up.

Lin Jia thoughtfully handed her the cane and calmly asked, “The director is going to check on the others…” Considering the roles they were playing at the Yile Welfare Institute, Lin Jia changed his wording. “Check the other children’s answers?”

“Yes, if only everyone were as well-behaved as you and Yan Xu.” The director tucked her cane under her arm.

Lin Jia lowered his eyes. “I’ll walk you there.”

“No need. Go back and rest quickly.” The director urged Lin Jia again.

Lin Jia did not insist further and nodded, saying okay.

Before leaving, he turned to the director and said, “Please be careful.”

The director looked very gratified. “Alright.”

Only then did Lin Jia walk out of the office. Outside, Yan Xu leaned lazily against the wall. Lin Jia glanced at him and realized that he probably didn’t have any bones—if there was something to lean on, he would absolutely not stand on his own.

“So long?” Yan Xu said.

Lin Jia replied directly: “I didn’t fish for information.”

Yan Xu smiled and did not continue the topic. Instead, he raised his brows at Lin Jia.

Lin Jia said, “Wait a bit longer.”

The director revealed that she was going to check everyone’s answers and urged Lin Jia to hurry back. She was clearly on her way, yet she did not allow Lin Jia to escort her. Lin Jia guessed that the director might first go to the rooftop. If they went now, they would most likely run into her.

Yan Xu said: “Fine.”

Seeing Yan Xu head toward where everyone was staying, Lin Jia quickened his steps.

Hearing hurried footsteps behind him, Yan Xu turned back and gave him a puzzled look.

Lin Jia: “Go take a walk?”

He didn’t stop walking, brushing past Yan Xu and giving him no chance to refuse.

Yan Xu paused, but seeing Lin Jia getting farther and farther away, he could only follow.

The sunlight was gentle. Two tall figures, one in front of the other, moved down the corridor.

Lin Jia tilted his head slightly. Part of Yan Xu’s figure was in the corner of his eye. The cat was already stupid enough—he did not know if this chance would allow it to fuse with Deputy Chen. However, if Yan Xu returned to the room, the cat was destined to fail.

At that moment, however, Yan Xu followed, and Lin Jia felt relieved.

After a few steps, he heard dissatisfaction come from behind. Lin Jia heard a voice behind him. “Hey.”

He didn’t stop, though, and continued forward.

Lin Jia found a shady corner on the second floor of a building that was not easy to notice and only then did he stop. Glancing at Yan Xu, who didn’t seem to know why he had followed along, Lin Jia explained, “Wouldn’t it be better if fewer people knew about our movements?”

Yan Xu neither agreed nor disagreed. After Lin Jia finished, he didn’t speak again but looked into the distance. On the same piece of land, there was also a Fishman.

The Fishman was mutating. His facial skin was already covered with dense scales that glinted in the sunlight.

“What was your answer?”

Yan Xu asked from beside him.

Lin Jia withdrew his gaze and asked back. “What was Captain Yan’s answer?”

Yan Xu said: “Arctic fox.”

Only then did Lin Jia reply. “Guinea pig.”

Unexpectedly, this answer made Yan Xu laugh. Yan Xu said: “Why didn’t you say ‘cat’? I thought your answer would be ‘cat.’”

There was a probing meaning between the lines.

Lin Jia asked: “Does Captain Yan care a lot about my cat?”

“Not really.” Yan Xu denied.

Lin Jia’s gaze drifted into the distance again. Yan Xu’s voice sounded beside him again: “What’s your cat’s name?”

Lin Jia didn’t respond, but his face clearly showed: I’m not telling you.

Yan Xu: “…”

Not wanting to waste any more time on Yan Xu, Lin Jia looked past him. He saw the director’s figure appear on the second floor of the building, where everyone lived.

He lifted his foot and started walking again, softly calling, “Captain Yan.”

Yan Xu understood and put away his nonsense, turning to follow Lin Jia.

After confirming that the director had started checking, Lin Jia and Yan Xu quickened their pace toward the rooftop.

Since the rooftop they wanted to explore was right above the second floor, where everyone lived, they did not dare move too loudly in case they attracted the director, who was checking everyone’s answers on the second floor.

Just as Xiao Yao said, there was an iron gate installed on the stairway leading to the rooftop, and it was locked.

Lin Jia examined the lock cylinder. It was at most an A-level lock, not as difficult to open as Yan Xu had said.

As if knowing what Lin Jia was thinking, Yan Xu took out a piece of wire, unlocked the gate in a few quick moves, and said, “Not this lock.”

Lin Jia said nothing. Since the lock was open, they entered the third floor.

Seeing how familiar Yan Xu was with the place, Lin Jia knew that Yan Xu had already come to the third floor before the Fishman appeared.

It seemed that the difficult lock Yan Xu had mentioned was a different lock entirely.

Yan Xu led the way and arrived outside a room on the third floor.

He pointed at the lock on the door and said, “Here.”

It was an electronic lock that was indeed not easy to open.

Generally, electronic locks have an alarm function. If the wrong password is entered, a loud alarm will sound. More complex electronic locks will also sound an alarm if they are damaged.

This lock could not be broken. The only option was to try the password.

Yan Xu crouched down and stared at the electronic lock’s screen.

Lin Jia looked at the electronic lock’s screen and noticed oil from fingertips on it. After he touched the screen to light it up, a numeric keypad appeared. The numbers on the keypad with oil marks were: 0, 2, 3, and a pound key.

There were three chances to guess the electronic lock password.

“Tsk,” Yan Xu said. “If it were four digits, it would be easy.”

He tried ‘0023#’ right away.

Beep, beep, beep—

Password incorrect.

Lin Jia also frowned slightly. If the electronic password lock used a four-digit password, the difficulty was 30%. However, if the lock used a six-digit password, the difficulty increased to 60%.

If the password length was unknown, the difficulty was 100%.

Even someone like Yan Xu, who usually dared to risk everything, became cautious after entering the wrong password once. He did not try again for a long while.

Lin Jia looked at the oil marks on the screen. Suddenly, he heard a “pat pat pat” sound coming from downstairs. He was quite familiar with this sound—the sound of cat paws pattering on the ground sounded exactly like this.

Realizing that the cat’s fusion was not going smoothly, Lin Jia immediately displayed more disgust.

When Yan Xu turned his head, he saw the disgust on Lin Jia’s face.

“What?” Yan Xu asked.

“Nothing.”

Perhaps because they were completely clueless about the electronic lock, Yan Xu was happy to find some amusement to relieve his frustration at not being able to open it. “Really? You took the initiative to cooperate with me and come to the rooftop alone with me. Do you have some kind of ulterior motive?”

Lin Jia gave an emotionless smile. “Really? Does Captain Yan think I did it to be alone with Captain Yan or to let the cat hurt Deputy Chen?”

Yan Xu choked.

Lin Jia was already irritated, and someone just happened to walk right into the line of fire. He said lightly, “Being suspicious isn’t a bad thing, Captain Yan, but making yourself a joke isn’t a good look.”

Yan Xu: “…”

He didn’t speak again, but continued to stare at the oil marks, studying them.

 

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