Chapter 47
Su Ci stopped mid-step at the boy’s words and turned to look at him.
The teenager’s short hair was a mix of black and gray, with a small tuft of white standing out in his bangs. His cowlick swayed adorably, but it couldn’t compare to the sight of his fluffy, lustrous tail swishing behind him.
Number Eight, oblivious to Su Ci’s reaction, had already cast aside his initial hesitation.
After nervously blurting out the new “trade item,” he immediately began pitching it enthusiastically, determined to earn another taste of those potato chips.
“My tail is even softer than my ears! Number Five wanted to touch it before, but I didn’t let her.”
As a Red-Tailed Lion, both Number Four and Number Five had tails, but theirs were like sturdy leather whips—how could they compare to his fluffy masterpiece?
His tail was long, plush, and irresistibly soft. He even liked curling up with it to sleep, sometimes using it as a pillow or blanket. It was pure comfort!
“If you like touching my ears, you’ll definitely love my tail,” he declared confidently.
Then, wearing a “take-it-or-leave-it” expression, he added, “And I’m willing to let you touch it! Just two chips per touch!”
To emphasize his offer, Number Eight held up two fingers, his green eyes sparkling with hope and anticipation. Behind him, his tail wagged energetically in an attempt to please.
At this point, he looked less like a wolf and more like an eager puppy begging for a treat.
Su Ci looked at Number Eight with a hint of surprise. When had this little rascal become so shameless? Wasn’t this the same wolf cub who always called himself “little master” and pretended to be aloof while secretly craving attention?
Still, the proposal was intriguing.
Maybe it was because he had gotten used to sharing food with A-Yan, but the idea of sharing with someone else didn’t feel as difficult as before.
Besides, this was a trade, not mere sharing.
“Alright,” Su Ci agreed with a nod.
“Wow! You said yes!” Number Eight jumped up in excitement. “Yes!”
The hallway was empty, and Number Eight had no sense of volume control. His cheer echoed loudly through the space.
In a nearby room, a red-haired boy paused mid-bite, frowning as he glanced toward the door.
Number Two, who carried the bloodline of the ferocious Red Flame Tiger, had heightened hearing and perception. Since his mind had cleared up, these abilities seemed to have grown even sharper.
Even through the metal walls, he could hear the commotion in the hallway.
Since returning that afternoon, he had also occasionally caught strange, unfamiliar sounds coming from the room next door, which belonged to Number Three.
The intermittent, low whimpering noises puzzled him.
Surprisingly, though, he didn’t find them annoying.
Perhaps it was because he hadn’t lived like a normal person for so long. The newfound clarity, the absence of the constant burning agony of flames, and the vividness of his surroundings were all intoxicating to him.
Even just lying quietly on his small bed, staring at the ceiling light and listening to the odd sounds from next door, felt like a rare pleasure.
In Number Two’s memory, Number Three had always been a quiet, nearly invisible child who never spoke. Often, Number Two forgot there was even such a cub in the nursery.
Now, after returning, Number Two could faintly sense that something in the nursery had changed during the two days he spent in the medical purification center.
His thoughts wandered back to the new caretaker, Su Ci, with his lazy, unhurried demeanor.
Could it be related to him?
The idea flashed through his mind, but Number Two quickly shook his head, forcing himself to forget about the caretaker.
Even if there was something unusual about Su Ci, it had nothing to do with him.
After all, he would be escaping this place soon. The nursery would no longer matter to him.
Lying on his bed, Number Two closed his eyes and began reviewing everything he had observed during his return from the purification center to the nursery.
Base 24 was enormous, at least to someone like him who rarely ventured out. But its vastness was precisely why his chances of escaping would improve—once he made his move, it would be harder for the adults to catch him.
He knew that under normal circumstances, his chances of successfully escaping were slim.
After all, the entire base was under the watchful eye of the Intelligence Core.
That’s why he had to wait—for the perfect moment to make his move.
And that moment would come during the next instance of extreme weather.
Of course, Number Two wasn’t foolish.
Though he planned to escape into the Blood Mist outside the base, he was well aware that he didn’t yet have the strength to face the monsters there head-on.
The timing of his escape had to be perfect—right after an extreme weather event, when the base’s systems hadn’t fully recovered, and the guards and action squads were still recovering from their injuries and purification treatments.
During such a window, many of the base’s surveillance systems would likely be damaged. Even if his escape was detected, the guards, weakened by the monsters and the Blood Mist, would be too preoccupied to chase him down.
This was the timing Number Two had determined, after months of observation, to be his best chance of escape.
Until then, he needed to lie low, conserve his energy, and ensure his body was in peak condition.
That’s why, from the moment he returned to the nursery, he hadn’t refused any meals brought by 4586. Tonight’s dinner wouldn’t be wasted either.
Yet the noises outside his door still drew his attention.
Wasn’t that Number Eight’s voice?
Number Two frowned. Number Eight lived on the fifth floor—why was he outside his room?
Come to think of it, aside from the strange whimpering sounds that occasionally came from Number Three’s room this afternoon, Number Two had also heard a child’s voice.
That voice couldn’t have been Number Three’s—he never spoke. And it didn’t sound like Number Five, either.
Could it have been Number Eight? What was he doing in Number Three’s room? And how had he gotten permission to leave his own?
Number Two’s expression grew serious.
The issue of gaining an exit pass was one of his greatest frustrations.
The nursery cubs were only allowed out during morning activity time. While meals were usually eaten in the dining hall, the current lack of staff—4586 was the only nanny robot left—meant the cubs rarely dined together anymore.
For instance, tonight, 4586 had delivered his dinner directly to his room.
If Number Two could obtain an exit pass, it would open up opportunities for him to gather more information and lower the caretaker’s guard. When the time came, his chances of a successful escape would improve significantly.
Putting down his spoon, Number Two moved closer to the door, his furry tiger ears pressed against the cold metal surface.
Was it really Number Eight outside?
At this hour, what was he doing in the fourth-floor hallway? Had he snuck out again while the robot or caretaker was delivering meals?
Then again, remembering the voice he’d occasionally heard this afternoon, Number Two doubted it was that simple.
If only I could see what’s happening in the hallway.
Closing his eyes, Number Two pressed his ears even closer to the door, attempting to sharpen his hearing.
But unexpectedly, as he shut off his vision, a strange sensation swept over him.
The surroundings seemed to manifest clearly in his mind.
Startled, Number Two’s eyes snapped open, breaking the surreal state.
What was that?
A flicker of confusion crossed his face. Closing his eyes again, he found that the scene inside his room was indeed vividly projected in his mind.
This wasn’t like recalling a memory—it was something else entirely.
What he “saw” was different from what his eyes would capture. While the images were slightly blurry, focusing on specific objects yielded details he wouldn’t normally notice.
For instance, he could perceive the heat radiating from his dinner plate or spot fine cracks in the tabletop that he’d never paid attention to before.
Although Number Two lacked the knowledge to fully understand what was happening, he was quick to explore and experiment with this newfound ability.
If I can “see” inside my room like this, could I also “see” outside it?
The thought barely formed before the hallway’s scene appeared in his mind. He could perceive up to two or three meters away; beyond that, everything blurred into obscurity.
Sure enough, Number Eight’s figure was there. Number Two hadn’t misheard—the boy had been cheering moments ago.
Standing beside Number Eight was a strange fog-like figure.
It seemed to hover at the very edge of Number Two’s perception range, making it difficult to discern who or what it was.
Frowning, Number Two focused harder, attempting to clarify the figure’s identity. He was certain that whoever this obscured individual was, they held the key to Number Eight’s ability to roam freely.
After all, just look at Number Eight’s current demeanor.
The nursery cubs all carried a natural arrogance—none of them truly submitted to anyone. Even Number Six and Number Seven, who were closest to him, treated their relationship more like an alliance than genuine subordination.
Number Eight, in particular, was a fiery, vengeful little wolf. He used to bite everyone he met when he first arrived at the nursery. Over time, he had formed a bond with Number Four and Number Five, often teaming up with them to brawl.
If it weren’t for the fact that the three of them were nearly unbeatable when united, and that Number Eight loved stirring up trouble, Number Six and Number Seven wouldn’t have sided with him. The nursery’s current dynamics wouldn’t exist otherwise.
For the first time, Number Two witnessed the fiery-tempered wolf cub, Number Eight, displaying such a demeanor—completely free of hostility, metaphorically exposing his soft underbelly in trust, wagging his tail and panting like an eager puppy inviting someone to pet him.
The comparison felt strange, but the image inexplicably lodged itself in Number Two’s mind, making his expression turn slightly odd.
Who would’ve thought Number Eight had this side to him?
The question nagged at him: who was the person standing within that mist? How had they earned Number Eight’s trust?
While Number Two strained to make out the figure’s identity, he failed to realize that his mental probing had already been detected by Su Ci.
To Su Ci, it felt like someone tapping insistently on the protective barrier of his spiritual senses—a sensation impossible to ignore.
Su Ci had set up a spiritual shield not out of paranoia but to protect these reckless kids.
Like now, with Number Two clumsily testing his limits.
Spiritual perception doesn’t rely on physical sight but on extending one’s consciousness to sense the world. When one’s awareness “observes” an object, it inherently makes contact with it.
Non-living objects appear as hazy, gray outlines within spiritual perception. Observers can discern their shapes, states, and even some details invisible to the naked eye.
Living beings, however, possess spiritual consciousness to some degree. While most creatures lack the ability to control it, the mere act of spiritual observation can create contact.
For weaker beings, this contact often goes unnoticed. But for stronger ones, even the faintest brush of spiritual energy can be dangerous.
For the weak, attempting to observe a powerful existence doesn’t just reveal them—it can trigger severe backlash.
This isn’t intentional malice on the stronger being’s part; rather, the weaker observer’s spiritual consciousness is overwhelmed, overloaded by the incomprehensible information it encounters. The result is often catastrophic: mental collapse or even death.
Though Su Ci was currently in a weakened state, his spiritual strength had not diminished much from his peak. Having witnessed countless tragedies of this nature, he instinctively kept his spiritual defenses raised.
Yet here was Number Two, recklessly knocking on the barrier, desperately trying to push through—a situation Su Ci had never encountered before.
After all, most cultivators who could control their spiritual perception knew better. The moment they sensed an impenetrable barrier, they would wisely retreat, understanding they’d stumbled upon a presence far beyond their capacity.
Su Ci hesitated briefly before flicking his fingers, allowing a small gap to form in the shield.
Suddenly, the misty figure Number Two had been observing began to clarify.
It was the new caretaker!
Though Number Two had suspected this, confirming it still left him startled.
Unaware that Su Ci had deliberately let him “see,” Number Two believed his success was purely a result of his own efforts. Consequently, he failed to recognize Su Ci’s true capabilities.
In his perception, the caretaker appeared utterly ordinary, with no notable qualities. In contrast, Number Eight glowed faintly with a pale green aura, making him seem far more special.
Why is Number Eight so close to the caretaker? What charm does this man have to win him over?
Number Two studied Su Ci’s lazy, relaxed posture and recalled their previous interactions. After a pause, his thoughts took a different direction.
Or perhaps… what methods did Number Eight use to bribe the new caretaker into granting him free access?
The mystery deepened, leaving Number Two baffled.
But he didn’t have to wait long for answers.
In the hallway, the little wolf cub suddenly glanced furtively around, checking for onlookers. After ensuring the coast was clear, he turned back to the caretaker, his expression oddly bashful—something Number Two had never seen from him before.
Then, to Number Two’s shock, Number Eight turned around and presented… his tail.
More specifically, he positioned his fluffy, plush tail directly in front of Su Ci.
Number Two’s eyes snapped open, his reddish-brown pupils trembling in disbelief.
Surely it’s not what I think it is…?
Shutting his eyes again, he refocused his spiritual perception to continue observing.
Number Eight had no idea he had just socially self-destructed. He wagged his large, fluffy tail, urging, “Hurry up! I need to go back and eat with Number Three!”
Then he raised two fingers again.
“We agreed, okay? One touch, two chips!” The boy emphasized, afraid Su Ci might renege on their deal.
Su Ci looked at the wolf cub’s fluffy ears twitching on his head and his tail swishing impatiently. It was undeniably adorable, but…
After a moment’s hesitation, Su Ci decided not to remind Number Eight that Number Two was watching from his room.
He figured if the wolf cub found out, his reaction would likely go beyond simple indignation.
Anyway…
Given Number Two’s personality, he probably wouldn’t spread the story around, right?
“Hurry, hurry!”
Number Eight urged again, his excitement growing at the thought of the chips he was about to earn. As his anticipation peaked, his tail started wagging uncontrollably.
He wanted the deal over with as soon as possible. Though he knew the hallway was under surveillance, the nursery had cameras everywhere—he’d be caught on tape no matter where he made the trade. Might as well finish it quickly and get his reward.
Thoughts of the delicious chips erased all other concerns from his mind. Nothing else mattered anymore.
With such a sincere invitation, Su Ci couldn’t refuse.
Number Eight’s tail was plush and soft, almost like cotton, but with a luxurious, velvety texture that went beyond mere fluff. The silky strands slipped effortlessly between his fingers, wrapping his hand in a cocoon of warmth and comfort.
The sensation was exactly as Su Ci had imagined—or no, it was even better.
Number Eight couldn’t help but feel embarrassed, his face heating up as he squirmed in discomfort. This was the first time anyone had touched his tail! It felt so strange!
But for the sake of chips, he endured it.
Fortunately, Su Ci didn’t take advantage and withdrew his hand after just one touch, keeping his word.
Strangely, the wolf cub felt a pang of disappointment. Just one touch? If Su Ci had gone for two, Number Eight calculated… he could’ve gotten four chips!
What a missed opportunity…
Meanwhile, Su Ci picked up Number Eight’s dinner tray and handed it to him.
Taking his meal, Number Eight quickly forgot his regret and excitedly shouted, “Chips! Chips!”
“I’ll give them to you once you’re inside,” Su Ci said, pointing toward Number Three’s room.
“Alright then!”
Carrying his dinner, Number Eight bounded toward the metal door. As it slid open, he impatiently called back to Su Ci, “Hurry up! You’re so slow!”
Eventually, they both entered Number Three’s room, and the door closed behind them.
The hallway fell silent again.
Inside Number Two’s room, the red-haired boy sat frozen, his expression blank.
Number Eight actually let the caretaker touch his tail.
And what’s more…
He offered it himself.
This discovery was enough to shock Number Two for an entire year.
For someone like Number Two, who had always been tormented by the power of his bloodline, his ears and tail were untouchable, like sacred taboos. They could only be used as weapons, never to be touched by others.
Under any other circumstance, letting someone touch them?
Absolutely not!
Number Two had always assumed that this was an unspoken rule among all the cubs—ears and tails were sacred, untouchable. But recalling how Number Eight had openly invited the caretaker to touch his tail, Number Two started to doubt.
This wolf cub… he was just too…
Number Two struggled to find the right word. After a moment of reflection, one finally came to mind—shameless.
Yes! That’s it! How could anyone accept such a thing? If it was all for the sake of earning permission to roam freely, wasn’t the price far too steep?
Slowly, Number Two slid down to sit on the floor, still reeling from the sheer shock of what he had witnessed.
The most terrifying part was that his gaze unconsciously drifted to his own tail. A terrifying thought began to creep into his mind.
If it meant gaining free movement privileges in the nursery… letting someone touch his tail didn’t seem so bad?
After all, Number Eight had done it…
As soon as he became aware of this thought, the red-haired boy slapped his hands over his face, horrified.
No, absolutely not! He couldn’t accept this!
This new caretaker… he might look weak and harmless, but in truth, he was far more dangerous than all the previous caretakers combined!
*
Inside Room 403.
Number Eight had no idea that his “transaction” with Su Ci had been fully observed. After putting down his dinner tray, he eagerly bounded over to the caretaker, his green eyes brimming with excitement.
“Chips! Chips!”
True to his word, Su Ci reached into his space button and retrieved a bag of barbecue-flavored potato chips.
Moreover, given the significant “sacrifice” Number Eight had made, Su Ci decided to be a little more generous. After handing him the agreed-upon two chips, Su Ci fished out a third chip and placed it lightly in the boy’s hand.
The wolf cub was completely taken aback by the unexpected bonus. His eyes widened in surprise before he erupted into gleeful cheers.
“Yay!”
Carefully placing the three precious chips on the table, Number Eight happily bounced in place.
For the first time, he felt the joy of abundance. Once he had vented all his excitement, he did something unprecedented—he turned to the caretaker and said, “Thanks!”
The genuine delight in his voice and the sincerity in his expression made it hard to believe that all this joy came from merely three potato chips.
Su Ci chuckled and shook his head. “You earned it.”
The wolf cub grinned wide, inhaling the aroma of the chips. He felt utterly satisfied, even thinking that the deal had been an incredible bargain.
“Come back later! I’ll eat my dinner before I return,” Number Eight announced, scheming to stretch out his stay.
But as he prepared to sit down and savor his meal, Su Ci paused by the door and added, “You’ve got half an hour.”
Watching the caretaker leave, Number Eight pouted and muttered under his breath, “Stingy,” before turning his attention back to the chips.
Three chips!
He decided he’d eat one now and save the other two for later.
However, as he glanced at the small figure curled up in the corner of the room, Number Eight hesitated.
After a moment of internal struggle, he grabbed one chip and approached Number Three. Holding the chip out, he offered it to his new friend.
“Here, I’ll share my chips with you!” Number Eight said generously. “These are super tasty!”
When Number Three didn’t respond, Number Eight grabbed his hand, gently pried it open, and carefully placed the chip into his palm.
“Don’t squeeze it too hard,” he warned. “It’s really fragile.”
Number Three sat there in a daze, staring down at the chip in his hand.
The vibrant voice rang in his ears again, full of encouragement:
“Go on, Number Three, give it a try! I promise you’ve never tasted anything this good before!”
