Wu Xiangnan furrowed his brows tighter upon hearing Lin QiYe's response.
Just as he was about to ask something else, Hong Ying suddenly sat up. Her red eyes locked onto Wu Xiangnan as she shouted in anger:
"Wu Xiangnan! What do you mean by this?
Zhao Kongcheng is dead! Our teammate is dead! And you're still fixating on his past issues!
Don't you feel any sorrow at all?!"
Wu Xiangnan opened his mouth but paused for a moment before responding calmly: "Old Zhao is dead, and I'm sad too, but the truth is just as important."
Hong Ying glared at him fiercely. Her chest rose and fell sharply with her breathing. She let out two cold laughs, then slammed the black box in her hand onto the ground before turning to walk toward the exit to the basement.
Wen QiMo, standing beside her, was about to say something but felt his sleeve tugged. He turned in confusion.
Si Xiaonan was standing next to him, shaking her head.
"So, about what happened at the scene..."
"Xiangnan, enough!"
Wu Xiangnan was about to ask Lin QiYe a follow-up question, but the captain, Chen Muye, who had been standing on the sidelines, suddenly spoke, interrupting him.
"Lin QiYe has already made himself clear. As for the details... there's no need to press further. This matter ends here." Chen Muye inserted his hands into his pockets and walked behind Wu Xiangnan, giving his shoulder a firm pat.
Wu Xiangnan turned in surprise, meeting Chen Muye's unwavering gaze. After hesitating for a moment, he gave a reluctant nod.
Chen Muye walked to the sofa across from Lin QiYe and slowly sat down.
"Zhao Kongcheng's matter is over, so it's time we talk about you, Lin QiYe."
"Talk about what?"
"As I understand it, Zhao Kongcheng once invited you to join the Nightwatchers, but you declined. Later, he even told us he lost track of you. If you hadn't brought out Zhao Kongcheng's body, we might never have found you again...
Given that, why do you want to join the Nightwatchers now?"
Chen Muye fixed his deep gaze on Lin QiYe's eyes.
"To return a favor," Lin QiYe replied calmly.
Chen Muye froze for a moment. "A favor?"
"I made a promise to him that I would join the Nightwatchers," Lin QiYe paused, then added, "But I have one condition."
"What condition?"
"I'll stay in the Nightwatchers for ten years. After that, I will leave."
Everyone in the room was taken aback at Lin QiYe's words, their expressions turning strange.
"The Nightwatchers aren't community volunteers. Once you join, you can't leave. So, about this ten years... I can't promise you that. No one in the entire Nightwatcher organization can give you that guarantee."
Just as Lin QiYe was about to respond, Chen Muye continued:
"However, if, after ten years, you manage to leave the Nightwatchers on your own and the higher-ups can't do anything about it, then that's a different story.
But as for leaving through normal channels... not happening!"
"Fine." Surprisingly, Lin QiYe agreed quickly. "After ten years, if I can't leave, that will be my problem."
Hearing Lin QiYe's almost reckless reply, Si Xiaonan and Wen QiMo both widened their eyes in shock. Even the usually icy Leng Xuan blinked and took a closer look at Lin QiYe.
"Since that's the case, I'll submit your application to the higher-ups. But until you've completed the training, you're not considered a formal member."
"Training?"
"The Nightwatchers are a semi-militarized organization. All new recruits must undergo a year-long training before officially joining. During that time, you'll learn combat skills, firearms, tactics, and the use of the Forbidden Void, among other things."
"When does it start?"
"Every September, which is one month from now. Until you finish the training, you're considered a temporary member of our squad." Chen Muye added with a serious tone, "By the way, we don't cover meals or lodging for temporary members."
Lin QiYe: ...
No meals or lodging?
Wasn't the welfare in the Nightwatchers supposed to be good? Why is it so stingy?!
"Then... where do I stay for this month?" Lin QiYe panicked.
Go back to my aunt's house? No, no, no, if I go back, there's a 99% chance I won't leave again. I might even end up running away with the whole family...
But I must at least notify my aunt, maybe write her a letter to let her know I joined the military. That would at least put her mind at ease.
But now, the problem is, the Nightwatchers won't let me stay... Does that mean I'll have to sleep on the streets?
"It's fine, you can stay at my place."
At that moment, Hong Ying, who had been quietly hiding behind the door, peeked out and softly said, "My place is quite big. I can give you a room."
"Hong Ying, didn't you leave because you were angry?" Wen QiMo stared at her wide-eyed.
"I... I... I forgot something, okay? I came back to get it!" Hong Ying shot her a glare, walked into the room, picked up the black box from the floor, and shot Wu Xiangnan another glare.
Wu Xiangnan: ...
Under Wu Xiangnan's speechless gaze, Hong Ying approached Lin QiYe with a gentle smile. "QiYe, don't worry. Since you're part of our squad now, I've got your back!"
"Temporary. He's a temporary member." Chen Muye corrected seriously, "And besides, you two aren't even sure who's older. You can't just call him 'little brother' like that."
"Captain, you're such a stickler!" Hong Ying stuck her tongue out at Chen Muye, grabbed a piece of paper from the table, wrote down an address, and slipped it into Lin QiYe's hand.
"QiYe, I've got to go practice shooting now. If you can't find me after finishing the paperwork, just head back on your own."
Hong Ying's face was very close to Lin QiYe's, so close that he could clearly smell her faint scent and see her eyelashes flutter slightly...
Her clear eyes smiled at him, like a pool of autumn water in a golden maple forest, clear and captivating, yet filled with warmth.
I have to admit, Hong Ying is really beautiful.
Fair skin, a delicate nose, crimson lips, exquisite features, and a...
Lin QiYe quickly averted his gaze.
Two pinkish hues suddenly appeared on his face.
This was the first time he had ever been so close to a girl... especially a girl as naturally graceful as Hong Ying.
"Th-thank you, Hong Ying."
"Ahhahaha—!" Hong Ying suddenly stood up, laughing excitedly, giving Wu Xiangnan behind her quite a scare.
"What's wrong with you?" Wu Xiangnan grumbled.
"Mind your business!" Hong Ying pouted. "Who told our new little brother to sound so sweet when he calls me that..."
Lin QiYe's mouth twitched, and he instinctively turned his head to the side.
At that moment, Wen QiMo smiled and walked over. "Hong Ying, stop bullying the new guy. QiYe, let's go. I'll give you a tour and explain the situation with the Nightwatchers."
Lin QiYe felt as if he had been saved and followed Wen QiMo out the door, heading down the stairs toward the ground floor.
"QiYe." In the hallway, Wen QiMo suddenly spoke.
"Yes, Wen QiMo?"
"Ah, don't call me 'senior.' It sounds too formal. I'm only two or three years older than you." Wen QiMo scratched his head awkwardly. "Just call me by my name, or like everyone else, call me QiMo."
"Alright."
"Actually, I have a small request." Wen QiMo stopped and looked seriously into Lin QiYe's eyes.
"What is it?"
"Tonight... can I stay at Hong Ying's place with you? I've wanted to do that for a while."
Lin QiYe: ...