Thirty-six

“Who the hell are you cursing at?” The girl with glasses shot to her feet. “Looking for a fight, huh? Don’t think I won’t beat you to death!”

Ye Yin grabbed the glasses girl’s collar with one hand, yanked her out from behind the counter, and threw her to the floor. She planted a foot on the girl's back. “What did you just say? I couldn’t hear you. Say it again.”

“I—damn it, don’t think you’re so great just because you’re an Awakened. I’m an Awakened too!” The girl hadn’t been prepared; her head collided with the ground so hard she saw stars. “Don’t run if you dare, nobody who offends Sister Yao ends up well!”

Ye Yin was thoroughly annoyed. “Sister Yao? I’ve never frequented any brothel.”

“Ugh, get your foot off me!” Ye Yin pressed down hard, pinning the girl like a turtle on its back, her flailing arms and legs unable to lift her. She tried to kick wildly, but Ye Yin struck a nerve, and her whole body went limp.

Ye Yin remained unmoved. “Foot off? So you can get up and try to kill me?”

“You bitch! You—”

“What’s all this noise about?” Finally, a woman entered from the inner door, accompanied by several young men and women. She strode to the front desk and looked down at Ye Yin. “You dare assault staff here at the training center? Aren’t you afraid of breaking the law in the base?”

The woman looked to be about thirty-six or thirty-seven, dressed in a black business suit, with heavy makeup that betrayed a touch of faded glamour. One could tell she’d been attractive in her youth—almond eyes, an oval face—but her arrogant expression greatly diminished what beauty remained. The outfit was similar to Jiang Wen’s, yet on her it looked garish and cheap.

“We were the ones first subjected to unreasonable harassment,” Ye Yin replied. “Or are the laws of the base meant only for civilians, leaving training center staff above them?”

“Sister Yao, I kindly offered to help her with an evaluation, but she started the fight!” The glasses girl, having finally wriggled free, darted behind the woman called Sister Yao, twisting the truth. “Ungrateful wretch! Don’t let them in again!”

Ye Yin scrutinized Sister Yao, certain she’d never met her before.

“No need for any evaluation then. Wait for the security patrol to come and take you away.” Sister Yao withdrew her gaze with disdain and addressed the young people who were watching Ye Yin and her sister with curiosity. “Seven o’clock tonight at the usual place. Headquarters has sent a new member—a naturally gifted Awakened. I believe you’ll all benefit greatly from learning and exchanging ideas.”

“Thank you, Sister Yao!”

“Sister Yao, you’re so kind!”

“It’s nothing, just a small matter.” Sister Yao scribbled in her folder and led them out of the center. Passing by Ye Yin, she shot a barbed remark: “The training center isn’t open to every stray cat and dog. You are all chosen ones, unlike others who are destined to be eliminated.”

The young people’s eyes shone with confidence, and their backs straightened.

“Is that so?” Ye Yin sneered. “I think, in this era, the ones eliminated fastest are those blind to true talent.”

The atmosphere instantly froze.

“What did you just say?” Sister Yao stopped and turned back, her voice colder than ice.

“Let’s go home,” Ye Yin ignored her, took Ye Hua by the hand. “It’s easier to see the King of Hell than to deal with his minions. Tomorrow I’ll take you straight to the training center’s top administrator, save myself the trouble.”

“Stop right there.” Sister Yao blocked Ye Yin’s path, eyes full of contempt. “Do you know the consequences of saying such things today?”

Ye Yin narrowed her eyes. “Even if I didn’t say it, you’d still send the patrol after me. It’s all the same—might as well enjoy mouthing off so you don’t get too smug.”

Sister Yao advanced step by step. “You don’t really think snatching that house from me means you’re capable, do you? You just seduced Old Zhuo’s son with your bedroom skills. I’m not afraid of trash like you! Want to see the top administrator? Let’s see if you have the qualifications. Never mind Zhuo Chenglan, even Old Zhuo rushes to curry favor with us. Who do you think you are?”

Ye Yin wasn’t intimidated. Instead, she stepped forward, matching Sister Yao’s aggression. “First, that house was my home to begin with. If anyone snatched it, it was you. Second, my relationship with Zhuo Chenglan is perfectly proper—stop projecting your own schemes onto others. Third, I may not be extraordinary, but my sister is. If the head of the training center learns she’s a full-star Awakened, what do you think he’ll do?”

Tension filled the air; some watched for drama, others sized up both sides quietly.

Ye Yin quickly understood why this woman was so hell-bent on opposing her, and decided to escalate matters. Ye Hua’s identity as a full-star Awakened was an irresistible bait; the Awakened Association valued talent above all, and wouldn’t let a personal grudge harm such a promising child. Ye Yin had always intended for Ye Hua to receive all the attention and protection she deserved—otherwise, they’d risk ending up in prison at the whim of someone like Sister Yao.

Her words shocked everyone present. Sister Yao froze, then scoffed. “Boasting until your tongue splits! There isn’t any device outside capable of accurately assessing Awakened potential. You think it’s as easy as earning five hotel stars?”

“If you’re so sure, how about a wager? If my sister isn’t a full-star Awakened, we’ll never set foot here again. If she is, you run a lap naked around the base—how about it?”

Someone burst out laughing.

Sister Yao was furious, but seeing Ye Yin’s resolute gaze, she was suddenly fearful. If this girl really was a full-star Awakened… No, she couldn’t let it be discovered! The teacher was away from the base these days—she had to eliminate the threat quickly.

A cruel smile curled at her lips as she flirtatiously tossed her hair. Her voice was languid. “Xiao Lin, hit the alarm.”

Ye Yin’s heart skipped a beat. Most people didn’t know, but she did: unless it was a life-or-death emergency, you couldn’t casually trigger the alarm in a government facility like this. If the alarm blared, within thirty seconds special armed guards would arrive and treat anyone not from the training center as a threat, killing them on the spot—even if they were innocent.

This vicious woman! Ye Yin was about to confront her directly when someone’s arrival defused the situation.

“Wait.” A gentle voice sounded from outside. “Who just said someone here is a full-star Awakened?”

Sister Yao’s face turned pale; she was nearly faint. She forced herself to greet the newcomer with respect. “Teacher Yue, what brings you here today? They just tried to attack—”

Ye Yin and Ye Hua looked to the doorway. A woman in her fifties stood there, smiling softly.

She was nothing like the typical “aunt” or “matron.” Her looks were above average; she wore a simple beige cotton dress with a white knit shawl, her hair casually tied in a bun. Every gesture radiated elegance and poise.

The internal structure of the Awakened Association resembled a school; there were few called “teacher.” At present, only four bore that title, and Teacher Yue was the only woman among them.

She was a born Awakened—an extraordinarily rare talent. No one knew her star level; only that her healing abilities bordered on resurrection within twenty-four hours. Her connections and backing were formidable; no one dared offend her.

“Just passing by on business.” Teacher Yue smiled, cutting off Sister Yao’s attempt to blame others first. “What a fortunate encounter. Who is the full-star Awakened?”

“My sister,” Ye Yin looked straight at her. “If you doubt it, you’re welcome to test her.”

“I was hoping for just that.” Teacher Yue approached and took Ye Hua’s hand. “Young lady, would you and your sister care for a cup of tea at my home?”

Ye Hua nodded, and Ye Yin smiled as well. Only Sister Yao looked as if she’d seen a ghost, her face twisted in horror. She clenched her fists so tightly her crimson nails nearly pierced her palms.

Teacher Yue’s home was in Area A, a small villa with a garden, where she lived alone. The rooms were tidy and elegant, the air fresh with a hint of fragrance—clearly she enjoyed her life.

She led Ye Hua into a room for examination. Ye Yin listened for sounds inside while munching on Teacher Yue’s homemade cookies—surprisingly good.

After a while, Ye Hua and Teacher Yue emerged. Ye Yin quickly stood, but Teacher Yue gestured for her to sit.

“This child truly is…” Even someone as poised as Teacher Yue sounded overtly excited. “May I ask you to let her become my student? I have some experience in Awakened training—she wouldn’t be delayed.”

“You honor us, teacher,” Ye Yin was startled. “My sister and I are privileged to receive your favor.” She bowed deeply.

“Good child, meeting your sister is fate—I will do my best to nurture her.” Smiles creased Teacher Yue’s face. “As it happens, I am also an Awakened of the water element, so teaching her will be doubly effective.”

“Teacher.” Ye Hua, sweet-tongued, copied her sister and bowed.

Teacher Yue smiled and quickly helped her up. “I’ll speak with Elder Zhen and have him register you, and make a special badge. From now on, you don’t need to attend the training center; just come here for lessons. Nine in the morning till five in the afternoon, lunch provided. Any special courses or activities, I’ll notify you and your sister in advance. How does that sound?”

Ye Hua glanced at Ye Yin, who nodded repeatedly. Ye Hua quickly answered, “Yes! Thank you, teacher.”

With two issues resolved at once, Ye Yin felt a weight lift. When they got home, she celebrated by making Ye Hua’s favorite three-delight hotpot and brought out a huge ice cream cake, making Ye Hua beam with joy.

“Here, young lady, drink this juice. From today onward, your big sister will rely on you.” Ye Yin wasn’t joking; Teacher Yue had told them that full-star Awakened received generous subsidies every month—not only was their rent covered, they’d get two hundred pounds of grain, plus various other perks: help from patrols for special issues, exemption from scrutiny by officials below minister level, and so on. As Ye Hua’s abilities advanced, the benefits would only increase.

A hundred pounds of grain wasn’t much to Ye Yin, but pride mattered! Even crumbs had value; she’d take what she could get.

Ye Hua happily finished her fruit juice, then placed Ye Yin’s favorite chocolate decoration from the cake onto her sister’s plate. “Sis, if I run into people trying to make things difficult for me like today, should I always confront them head-on?”

“It depends,” Ye Yin replied. “When making decisions, consider whether you can handle the consequences. There’s no perfect way, and nobody’s always right. Try to analyze and judge, keep your principles in mind, and don’t regret your choices.”

Ye Hua nodded with admiration, half-understanding.

Ye Yin placed a slice of tender boiled beef in Ye Hua’s bowl. “Eat more. I have a lot to learn, just like you.”

Although Teacher Yue kept things low-key, news of Ye Hua’s full-star status spread instantly across the base, even reaching the Awakened Association headquarters of the First Military District.

Under pressure from all quarters, Sister Yao dared not act against the Ye sisters for now. Ye Yin, however, was busy—she spent a fortune digging up Sister Yao’s complete background.

Thirty-eight years old, real name Qiong Yao, divorced, childless. Qiong Yao awakened her spatial abilities only after the apocalypse—just five cubic meters, but still useful. With her background in public relations, she quickly ingratiated herself with key figures in the Awakened Association, securing a position at the Third Base’s training center.

Her teacher, surnamed Zhen, led the training center and was a founding member alongside Teacher Yue; other details were unknown.

At first, Ye Yin didn’t understand Qiong Yao’s obsession with her house, but later she learned the truth and realized why. The man Qiong Yao currently lived with was the father of the “three-star peak little girl” mentioned by Granny Qian and the others. Most likely, she’d boasted before him, failed to deliver, and was left humiliated—hence the grudge.

A woman willing to do anything for her desires would eventually reap the consequences of her own actions.

Moreover, she had murderous intentions toward Ye Yin and Ye Hua…

Ye Yin tossed Qiong Yao’s dossier into the fireplace, watching it turn to ash. The flames danced in her eyes, reflecting deep, inscrutable thoughts.

Author’s note: First of two consecutive updates! Please encourage me =3=~~