Apocalypse Forecast

Chapter 462: Chapter 400 A Sudden Surprise_1

”Click on this button for an urgent report, yes, that one!”

The raven landed on his shoulder, guiding him step by step: ”Aim at the dreamcatcher in this box, take a photo... focus, focus, there, next, activate your Level 6 ’Copywriting’ skill, and report to Jinling—emphasize the super erotic and disgusting eyes that seemed like a bitch’s you dreamed about while sleeping. After waking up, the dreamcatcher you just bought turned into this mess—right, elaborate on this part. Write more about that little vixen being even more promiscuous, ah, such vivid descriptions, exactly right!”

Following the raven’s instructions, he revised and casually deleted a heap of personal attacks against the Rotten Dream Queen, and a beautiful report was formed.

Precise and skillful three thousand words.

Perfect format, appropriate use of words, and beautifully written.

Vividly expressing the integrity within a Member of the Astronomical Society and their boundless love for the Current Circumstances, as well as the panic and helplessness of a seventeen-year-old boy...

Huai Shi read it over several times, almost wishing he could stuff it into the Book of Fate to add some word count.

It was really too beautifully written!

True to myself!

After clicking the send button, he realized: had he just sent another tattletale report to the organization?

The raven clicked its tongue, ”As the proverb says, a dog acts mighty with its owner’s power, you poor kid have yet to hitch a ride with the Astronomical Society, so this time let’s satisfy that craving.”

”Can you find a better adjective?”

”As long as the message gets across!”

The raven happily flapped its tiny wings, ”This time, let’s do something big!”

As soon as he heard her talking about stirring up trouble, Huai Shi began to feel a headache.

I hope I don’t get myself into trouble again...

”Relax, relax, how could I, your sister, possibly set you up.”

The raven, like a scoundrel after the fact, draped an arm around Huai Shi’s shoulder, assuring him he would be treated well in the future, which made Huai Shi feel even more unreliable.

Sooner or later, I’ll be played to death by this black-hearted woman...

Looking up at the time, it was just two in the morning.

Exhausted in both body and mind, Huai Shi rolled his eyes, lay back down on the bed, and fell into a deep sleep.

.

One minute after the report was sent, the preliminary review uploaded it to London Branch • Watt.

The duty personnel followed regulations, creating six copies of the report, sent respectively to Jinling Branch, Kyoto Branch, and Aerial Floor L4 • Summary Place, Clock Tower Management Science, Border Management Inspection Center, Jurisdiction Bureau East Asia Zone 4 Management Countermeasure Center.

Two minutes in, a grating phone ring echoed in the East Asia Division Information Collection Room amidst the brightly lit commotion, picked up by a hand. After fifteen seconds, the information summary was complete.

Two and a half minutes, preliminary sorting was finished, results obtained.

Three minutes, the report from Xinhai Inspector Huai Shi appeared in the data bank of the Clock Tower Management Science, marked as an urgent task. The Hongqiao β branch line began preheating preparations.

Three minutes, the Management Strategy Center’s application for an urgent increase in the security level of the Asian Border was approved. At the same time, a new action permit was issued, command delegated to the covert operations of the Original Dark Legion, and the new inspector’s authority application was approved and passed.

At four and a half minutes, an alarming siren sounded on the survey ship upon the Endless Sea.

Five minutes, the Casting Iron Army on urgent standby.

Six minutes... Seven minutes... Eight minutes...

By the ninth minute, the gigantic organization hidden behind the curtain had warmed up completely; thousands of duty personnel began fulfilling their duties and tasks in accordance to regulations, and tens of thousands received urgent notices from the higher-ups, entering standby mode. A total of three hundred and one people’s vacations were suddenly cancelled, and over six hundred urgent recall notices were sent into various depths of Hell.

All because the Astronomical Society looked up once more, setting their sights on the Abyss below.

Ten minutes later, Huai Shi in his sleep turned over and began to snore.

To dream is to do.

Do not wake.

.

.

The next day, at eight in the morning, Huai Shi’s room door was knocked on.

The elderly man in charge of the music hall reminded softly outside the door, ”Mr. Huai Shi, you have a visitor. Should I invite them to wait in the resting room for now?”

”A friend?” Huai Shi was taken aback, ”Male or female?”

”It’s a lady.”

The old man’s reply instantly gave Huai Shi an ominous premonition, looking back at the urgent report he’d sent out last night, his unease intensified.

”Three minutes, right away!”

Huai Shi jumped out of bed, quickly washed up, got dressed, and rushed out the door towards the resting room.

As soon as the door opened, amid the rising scent of tea, he saw a slender silhouette, which was entirely different from what he had anticipated.

”Yuan Yuan?”

The teenage girl in the gray dress raised her head slightly upon hearing him, examining Huai Shi’s confused look, her perception apparent, ”Mr. Huai Shi, have I misunderstood something? It seems my timing isn’t good.”

”Uh...”

Quickly catching on, Huai Shi didn’t say anything like ’Why is it you’ that would spoil the mood, and after coughing twice, sat down, presenting the business-like smile he learned from Old Liu, ”May I know the purpose of Miss Yuan’s visit?”

Meanwhile, he was on guard inside.

For some reason, he felt an odd sensation within him.

The calm and indifferent teenage girl in front of him didn’t seem as simple as she looked, and her purpose for coming to Group Star may not be as single-minded as she claimed it to be.

Especially after learning about the existence of the Rotten Dream, he became even more wary.

The world is always so mad, who knows what kind of madness lies hidden beneath those beautiful facades?

More importantly, when he was being scrutinised by the teenage girl’s eyes, Huai Shi felt a looming sense of crisis.

It was as if... something dangerous was being hidden.

Yuan Yuan set down her teacup and seemed to be deep in thought for a moment before speaking directly, ”I came here mainly to apologize for Wang Xu’s foolish words yesterday. I hope it won’t affect the relationship you had with Ah Zhao before.”

”Not at all, not at all,” Huai Shi waved his hand, looking completely unconcerned.

After all, once he had enjoyed his moment of pretense, he wouldn’t remember the names of some random cats and dogs. Had Yuan Yuan not brought it up, Huai Shi would have nearly forgotten what that guy was called.

”That’s great then.”

Yuan Yuan smiled slightly, her tone also relaxing somewhat, ”Ah Zhao is somewhat of a loner and always seemed to have no friends. To be honest, I was also a bit surprised to see him getting along so well with others this time. He hasn’t caused you any trouble, has he?”

”Cough cough, not at all, not at all,” Huai Shi quickly waved his hands, ”Helping each other, understanding each other, although Yuan Zhao can be a bit impulsive sometimes, he’s still pretty good.”

Studying the girl’s flawless smile before him, Huai Shi felt something was off. Why did their conversation feel like a parent-teacher meeting in front of a school?

But aren’t you also only about a year older than Yuan Zhao, only sixteen now?

Someone who had completely forgotten that he was only seventeen himself couldn’t help but retort inwardly.

”If that’s the case, then I shouldn’t disturb you any longer. I’ll take my leave now,”

As if she had come for this purpose alone, Yuan Yuan politely stood to say goodbye, leaving Huai Shi a bit stunned.

That’s it?

”It’s too early to leave just after arriving, how improper,” Huai Shi stood up to see her out, asking habitually, ”How about staying for breakfast before you go?”

”Hmm?”

Yuan Yuan paused for a moment, then turned to ask, ”Won’t it be a bother?”

Of course, it’s a bother!

Huai Shi couldn’t help but want to smack his own mouth.

Why are you being so excessively polite when you could just send her on her way quickly! What’s with all these unnecessary words?

”Not at all, it’s just an extra pair of chopsticks,” Huai Shi waved his hands, pretending to be generous and enthusiastic, ”I haven’t had breakfast yet either, let’s eat together.”

”Then I shall not stand on ceremony.”

Yuan Yuan agreed amiably, nodding with a smile, standing in place, her subtext seemingly: Why are you still standing there? Aren’t you going to lead the way?

So the Yuan family is so rich yet insists on taking advantage of my breakfast!

Ignoring the embarrassing fact that he had planned to freeload a lunch from someone else the day before, Huai Shi maintained a smile and opened the door for her.

Without waiting for Huai Shi’s instructions, the old man managing the music hall had already prepared two breakfasts in the dining room, thoughtfully providing both coffee and tea.

The breakfast was a western-style pairing of bread toast and fried eggs.

The portion wasn’t large, but it was done exquisitely.

The fried eggs were perfectly cooked, with a bit of pepper and salt sprinkled on the sunny side up, tempting one’s appetite as thick egg yolk flowed out when poked with a fork.

It must be said, having a well-bred young lady sitting across from oneself for breakfast is a rather pleasing experience.

After glancing a couple of times, Huai Shi politely withdrew his gaze and started eating his own portion.

Then he paused.

He thought he heard a short, fragmented sound that sent a chill down his spine.

When he looked up, there seemed to be nothing amiss. Yuan Yuan still had her head down, eating her own portion. Feeling his gaze, she looked up in confusion, ”What’s wrong? Is there something on my face?”

”No, no,” Huai Shi forced a smile and continued his breakfast.

After finishing breakfast, Yuan Yuan put down her teacup and suddenly said softly, ”I hope I’m not being too bold, but may I ask what your plans are for today, Mr. Huai Shi?”

”Ah, no need to be so formal, just call me Huai Shi like Yuan Zhao,” Huai Shi shook his head, ”Although I’m waiting for a call from a colleague at the Astronomical Society, my day is rather free. Is there something you need?”

When mentioning the Astronomical Society, he stressed the words a bit, carefully observing Yuan Yuan’s reaction.

And naturally, he saw nothing.

It wasn’t that he was particularly good at reading people’s expressions anyway; unless Yuan Yuan had shown a huge reaction, dropping her teacup beneath the table, he wouldn’t be able to discern much.

Yuan Yuan maintained her smile, ”That’s great.”

”Hmm?”

”To be honest, I’ve been practicing the violin recently,” Yuan Yuan said, her hands placed neatly in front of her, as she made a polite request, ”I also came to Group Star to buy a suitable violin and sheet music to take back. But after looking all afternoon yesterday, I really didn’t know how to choose. Could I trouble you to give me some advice?”

”...Sure.”

After hesitating for a moment, Huai Shi nodded, ”If we need to head out, let me change clothes. Please wait a moment.”

As Huai Shi turned around, he heard the same faint sound from before.

It was like an illusion.

His movements didn’t pause as if he hadn’t heard anything and he walked out the door.

It was not until Huai Shi had left that the young lady sitting under the light bowed her head and elegantly picked up the teacup.

”Heh...”

The corners of her lips, hidden in the shadows, curved up slightly.

In the corner, a black flying bird watched everything in silence.

As if foreseeing the upcoming scenes, its eyes gleamed with pleasure.