SS-Class Guide - Chapter 21

Rong Xiushi asked Rong Xiujia exactly how her accident happened. At the question, the two children immediately became hesitant and evasive. It was only after Rong Xiushi’s repeated questioning that they finally revealed the truth.

Rong Xiujia had taken a job as a food delivery rider. To save money, she had bought a low-priced electric scooter that was nearly at its breaking point. It was highly dangerous, but she did it all to earn more. It was not just Rong Xiujia; Rong Xiuxi had been working as well. While Rong Xiujia delivered food, Rong Xiuxi worked as a waiter in places like nightclubs.

In the beginning, Rong Xiujia had also worked in nightclubs. Studying in the morning and working at night fit her schedule well. However, as a girl, she had once encountered sexual harassment. After that incident, she did not dare work in such places anymore and switched to delivery. Since delivery pay was based on the number of orders, she worked whenever she had a spare moment.

At this point, Rong Xiujia looked at Rong Xiuxi and said, “Little brother, I feel like delivering food is quite dangerous. Do not think about buying a scooter like that to join me anymore.”

Hearing this, Rong Xiushi was shocked to discover that Rong Xiuxi had actually planned to follow his sister’s lead by buying a nearly scrapped electric scooter to squeeze in delivery shifts whenever possible. At that moment, Rong Xiushi did not know whether to be shocked that minors in the Fifth District could work in nightclubs and delivery, or that these two children were so bold they seemed unafraid of death.

A scrapped electric scooter is dangerous.

Snapping back from his shock, Rong Xiushi said, “Xiujia, Xiuxi, from now on, neither of you is allowed to do such dangerous work. Leave the money-making to me. You do not need to do this anymore.”

The two children froze, their eyes snapping toward Rong Xiushi simultaneously. Their gaze was filled with deep emotion and a total lack of belief. The twins looked at Rong Xiushi movingly for a moment before changing the subject. They knew how expensive the tuition at Fanse Academy was, they knew how little income Rong Xiushi made from providing mental stabilization to a single Sentinel, and they knew how difficult his life was there. They understood that he wanted to provide for them, but they did not agree with him neglecting his studies just to earn money.

Rong Xiushi wanted to say more, but without giving him a chance to speak, the siblings began peppering him with questions about his life.

“Are you eating well?” “Are you attending classes properly?” “Are you getting along with your classmates?” “Are there any interesting things happening in your school life?”

Caught off guard by their questions, Rong Xiushi answered stumblingly.

Rong Xiujia suddenly asked with sparkling eyes, “Brother, everyone says you should date in college. Do you have a girl you like?”

Sixteen was an age full of vitality, but also an age prone to being love-brained. Rong Xiushi looked at the two little ones in front of him and suddenly thought of Wen Xiuyu, the God of Fanse Academy to whom the original host had recently confessed, possibly leading to his own hair turning white.

Rong Xiuxi suddenly leaned in close to Rong Xiushi. Rong Xiushi pushed him back slightly to create some distance and said, “Xiuxi, do not overthink things.”

Suddenly, Rong Xiushi remembered a bouquet of roses. On the Qixi Festival when Wen Xiuyu finished his second year of high school, he had wanted to give them to someone but failed. In the end, those roses had passed from Wen Xiyan’s hands to his. Looking at his younger siblings, Rong Xiushi urged, “Xiujia, Xiuxi, you must understand that you are still young. No puppy love, okay?”

Rong Xiujia tilted her chin up slightly and said, “Brother, look at me. Looking like this, who do you think could possibly like me?”

Rong Xiushi stroked her hair and said seriously, “What do you think you look like? I think my sister is the most beautiful.”

The corners of Rong Xiujia’s lips curved into a sweet smile.

Rong Xiuxi chimed in, “I do not want to date. My friend is in a relationship, and his girlfriend keeps asking for gifts. Gifts cost so much money. I do not have any money now; I will wait until I am rich to date,” he muttered softly.

As they talked, the ward door opened and closed repeatedly. Nurses bustled in and out to change dressings for the patients. After a short while, Wei Hetai arrived. The twins were delighted to see him. Even though Wei Hetai had clearly rushed there just like Rong Xiushi, he had still bought gifts for them. He bought a small lamb plushie for Rong Xiujia and a currently popular racing car model for Rong Xiuxi.

Together, the gifts cost at least several hundred, which was a huge sum for the three Rong siblings but not much for Wei Hetai. The children loved the gifts but were hesitant to accept them. Only after Rong Xiushi nodded did they reluctantly take them.

Wei Hetai looked at Rong Xiushi and asked, “You came here just like that? Are you not afraid of getting your siblings dirty? Go wash up and then come back.”

Rong Xiushi nodded. To an ordinary person, a little dirt might be nothing, but for Sentinels and Guides, it was a disaster. Even with a spiritual barrier, it felt incredibly uncomfortable. The twins also understood that Rong Xiushi must be feeling very uneasy. In the past, when the three of them lived together, no matter how tired he was, Rong Xiushi would clean their wretched environment until it was spotless. It was not that he was a germaphobe or particularly loved cleaning; it was simply because his five senses were so acute that, without an isolation room, this was the only way he could make himself comfortable.

Rong Xiushi and Wei Hetai walked out of the hospital together. He looked at Wei Hetai and said, his voice sounding a bit aggrieved, “I brought a change of clothes, but they were stolen.”

“Let us buy new ones,” Wei Hetai said.

Rong Xiushi agreed. He planned to buy clothes from a roadside stall. Unlike the Central District or the Shuhuan District, roadside stalls were everywhere in the Fifth District. However, cheaper clothes usually meant poorer quality, which felt extremely uncomfortable for Sentinels and Guides to wear.

Wei Hetai stopped him and led him into a brand-name specialty store, where they bought some well-regarded, cost-effective discounted items. Since the hospital was far from where the twins were currently renting, Wei Hetai took Rong Xiushi to a decent hotel for convenience. Before entering the bathroom with his new clothes, Rong Xiushi said sincerely, “A-Tai, thank you.”

“Do not mention it,” Wei Hetai replied.

Rong Xiushi went in to wash. His first bath in several days felt incredibly soothing; the clear water seemed to wash away all impurities. He loved water. He loved it very much. While rinsing off, he smelled smoke again. Wei Hetai was smoking.

Rong Xiushi thought that his friend must be going through something bad, and as a good friend, he had to show concern. After drying himself and putting on his thick black-rimmed glasses, he walked out. Seeing him, Wei Hetai immediately extinguished his cigarette by the window.

“Sorry, I have been in a bit of a bad mood lately,” he said.

“Is it still because of that senior?” Rong Xiushi asked.

Wei Hetai gave a soft “mm” and added, “Not entirely.”

Rong Xiushi said, “I might not be able to help much, but I am willing to listen.” He was determined to be a good listener. Most people shared their troubles not for advice, but simply to vent. He decided that if Wei Hetai needed it, he would even help badmouth the senior. Even if the senior was not necessarily wrong, he would always side with his friend.

Seeing Rong Xiushi’s serious expression, with his hands even subconsciously clenched into fists as if prepared for a verbal fight, Wei Hetai’s mood lightened slightly.

“Xiushi, do not worry. It is nothing, really. It is just…” He frowned. “She thinks that because I am B-class, my rank is too low. She said I am not worthy.”

Rong Xiushi understood exactly how Wei Hetai felt. In his own life as An Yuan, back when he was considered a D-class Guide, the most common thing he heard was that he was not worthy of being an An family child. People also questioned why someone like him could be best friends with Wen Xiyan. Everyone thought they were a mismatch. Luckily, the Wen family never looked down on him.

Unlike him, Wei Hetai was experiencing contempt from someone he liked, which was a feeling that combined betrayal with a deep wound to one’s self-esteem. However, having inherited most of Rong Xiushi’s memories, he knew that in the world of ordinary people, especially those born in the Fifth District, the talent of a B-class Sentinel was extremely rare.

Rong Xiushi pulled up a chair and sat in front of Wei Hetai to console him. “Talent is divided into fixed and growth types. Since you broke through from C-class to B-class, it means you have growth talent. If we work harder, maybe you will become an A-class Sentinel soon.” He searched his memory for an example. “Like Lord Bai Jinghui from the Se’an Temple. You know, he started as a C-class but is now an S-class Guide.”

Wei Hetai met Rong Xiushi’s eyes.

“When you reach A-class, I am sure that senior will be very happy!” Rong Xiushi added.

Wei Hetai’s lips curved. He reached out and rubbed Rong Xiushi’s still-damp hair. “What nonsense. I have already broken up with her. If I really become an A-class Sentinel, it has nothing to do with her anymore. It is just you who is so selfless and willing to stay with someone like that.”

Rong Xiushi looked at him blankly.

“But using her as motivation for my progress is actually quite good,” Wei Hetai added. Unfortunately, they had a very high compatibility rate. She was the most compatible Guide he had ever met. But if it was not a fit, it was not a fit.

While some people collapse after a setback, others turn it into a driving force. Rong Xiushi had successfully comforted him. After a moment, Rong Xiushi looked at Wei Hetai with hesitation, but he knew he had to speak up. “A-Tai, I have a favor to ask.”

Of the five districts, Rong Xiushi could currently access only the Central District and the Nameless District. As far as he knew, the Central District did not have places like black markets, but the Nameless District did. However, he did not know how to enter, and even if he did, it was dangerous. As a Guide, he had no way to protect himself.

“A-Tai, do you know about the black market?”

Wei Hetai frowned. It was not strange for someone from the Fifth District to know of its existence, even if they did not know the entry methods.

“Xiushi, you cannot go there,” Wei Hetai said. His voice was stern.

Rong Xiushi shook his head. “A-Tai, do you know how Jiajia got hurt?”

Wei Hetai remained silent.

“Since I got into Fanse Academy, Jiajia and Xiuxi have spent almost all their time working outside of school. Look at them. They are at the age where they should be growing, yet they are thinner and shorter than their peers. They deliver food under the scorching sun and work in clubs at night. It is only luck that nothing major has happened until now, but I do not dare to gamble on that luck anymore.”

“Xiushi, the black market is a trading floor. Have you thought about what you could even do there?” Wei Hetai asked.

In his memories, Wei Hetai was a very good person and the one the original host trusted most. Although he had some bad habits like smoking and drinking, he was upright and reliable despite being the same age.

“I want to earn money through mental stabilization,” Rong Xiushi said.

Wei Hetai’s lips curved slightly. “Xiushi, you are a D-class Guide.” Before Rong Xiushi could respond, he continued, “Even in the lowest-level black market, no Sentinel will look for a D-class Guide for stabilization.”

Rong Xiushi’s eyes scanned the room. His lips moved slightly as he said soundlessly, “But I am not a D-class Guide.”

Rong Xiushi did not make a sound, but Wei Hetai understood him through lip-reading. He froze, wondering if he had misunderstood. The next second, Rong Xiushi grabbed Wei Hetai’s hand. Without any warning, Rong Xiushi’s spiritual power instantly enveloped him. A massive, tide-like force of stabilization submerged him in an instant.

Wei Hetai’s eyes widened in disbelief. This was a stabilization power beyond his imagination. At this moment, he could not even judge what rank Rong Xiushi should be under the current grading system. One thing was certain: if Rong Xiushi wanted to, he could absolutely enter the highest levels of the Se’an Temple.

A moment ago, the youth before him was a weak person who needed his protection; now, he realized that if this youth wished, he could be someone high above, unreachable by others.

Rong Xiushi let go of his hand. “A-Tai, I only trust you.” He was a bit nervous.

Wei Hetai understood. He was being asked not to betray this trust and not to spread the word. He asked soundlessly, “Why?”

As a double S-class Guide, Rong Xiushi knew how to build a spiritual barrier to block others from overhearing, but he did not dare. If he did, any Hunter could track him down through the traces. To avoid eavesdropping, the two communicated using simple words or lip-reading. Wei Hetai was asking why he did not just report his talent.

Rong Xiushi had many reasons. He did not want to be involved with his past self, he did not want to disturb the peaceful life of his loved ones, and he was living as Rong Xiushi now. Perhaps one day the real Rong Xiushi would return. If he re-established a connection with Wen Xiyan and the others now, they would only have to face losing him a second time. He knew that losing someone was one of life’s greatest pains.

Of course, he could not tell Wei Hetai any of that. He thought seriously and said, “Because I want freedom. I do not want to be locked up, I do not want to enter the struggles for power, and I do not want to be used as a bargaining chip. A-Tai, I just want to live a good life with my brother and sister.”

This was the sentiment of many hidden Guides across the five districts. Simple, yet pure. They just wanted to be free. Rong Xiushi added, “However, I need money. A-Tai, I want to go to the black market. I must go.”

Wei Hetai hesitated. They talked further but could not reach a consensus. To him, it was dangerous for Rong Xiushi to enter the black market as a D-class, but it was even more dangerous for him as he was now. The higher the rank, the higher the danger in those lawless places. Could he really protect him?

Wei Hetai’s heart was conflicted. Rong Xiushi looked depressed and preoccupied.

“Xiushi, you can give me stabilization, and I will pay you,” Wei Hetai suggested.

“You might not realize, but when I stabilize a D-class Sentinel, the income is only fifty yuan per session.”

“I am B-class,” Wei Hetai countered.

Rong Xiushi wanted to say that even for B-class, the market price was not that high. But Wei Hetai cut him off. “Besides, I was worried because the senior I dated was my most compatible Guide. After the breakup, it is not convenient to ask her for help anymore. Now that I have you, I am relieved.”

Feeling happy that he could help his friend, Rong Xiushi said, “I will not take your money.”

“Even so, I still do not agree with you going to the black market,” Wei Hetai replied.

Rong Xiushi became unhappy again. Seeing the time, they left the hotel together but did not check out. Wei Hetai took Rong Xiushi to buy some cakes, snacks, and fruit before heading back to the hospital to see the twins. The two children were delighted by the pile of snacks but also felt embarrassed. Rong Xiujia wanted to share her snacks with them, but Wei Hetai refused; he could not eat things that were too sweet.

They stayed with her for a while, but noticed that Rong Xiuxi seemed anxious.

“Xiuxi, what is wrong?” Rong Xiushi asked.

Rong Xiuxi glanced at him cautiously, lowered his head, and whispered, “I need to get ready for work.”

Before Rong Xiushi could speak, Rong Xiujia said calmly, “Little brother, you go ahead. I do not need you to stay overnight.” She then looked at the two older men. “Brother, and Brother A-Tai, I know you must be tired. You should go back too.”

Rong Xiushi grabbed Rong Xiuxi’s wrist. “I will go with Xiuxi. You must quit that job.”

Rong Xiuxi frowned, clearly unwilling. He felt he could not afford to lose the income. Wei Hetai looked at Rong Xiushi and said, “Xiujia, Xiuxi, listen to Rong Xiushi this time. Quit the job. Leave the money to us.”

Hearing Wei Hetai say this, the children stopped arguing. The twins exchanged a look that said: It is okay, once they leave, we can go back or find new jobs.

Rong Xiushi and Wei Hetai took Rong Xiuxi to the bar to resign. It was a very small bar frequented by young people. The manager was foul-mouthed and tried to deduct wages for various reasons. In fact, if it had not been for the tall and sturdy Wei Hetai, Rong Xiuxi might not have received any pay at all.

At Rong Xiushi’s request, Rong Xiuxi led them to the place where he and his sister were currently staying. It was a thirty-minute bus ride from the bar, followed by a thirty-minute walk. The environment was extremely harsh. Even before reaching the street, a variety of sour and foul odors wafted toward them. Rong Xiushi frowned as he walked with Wei Hetai.

“You told me you were moving to a better place, and you moved here?”

Salaries in the Central District were higher than in the Fifth District, and Rong Xiushi was always busy working during holidays. Combined with the high travel costs, he only occasionally visited the Fifth District when he could find discounted tickets.

“It is cheap here,” Rong Xiuxi said.

Rong Xiushi felt a sharp pang of heartache. On the way to the rental room, a drunkard yelled at Rong Xiuxi, making the boy tremble in fear. Immediately, Wei Hetai cast a sharp, piercing glare at the man, who was so frightened he ran off.

The twins were renting an underground storage room for two hundred yuan a month. It was dark and filthy. It was not the kind of place that could be cleaned; insects and vermin could crawl in from anywhere. Even when Rong Xiushi lived with them in the past, their situation had never been this bad.

Perhaps feeling ashamed, Rong Xiuxi twisted his fingers together and said softly, “Brother, sister and I are not Sentinels or Guides. We are just ordinary people. Living here does not feel that bad.”

Rong Xiushi could not hold back anymore. He reached out and pulled Rong Xiuxi into a tight embrace. Rong Xiuxi was a bit embarrassed but did not want to let go of the warmth. For reasons he could not explain, his eyes grew hot. “Brother, sorry. Sister and I made you worry.”

Rong Xiushi stroked the boy’s hair, his own tears falling uncontrollably. Wei Hetai scanned the room. “Xiuxi, pack your things. You are moving out with us today.”

When the boy instinctively tried to protest, Wei Hetai added, “Every year, people living underground in the five districts are drowned in heavy rain. It is on the news every year. This area is low-lying and dangerous. Listen to us.”

Seeing the boy hesitate, Wei Hetai continued, “Do not need to worry about money. Rong Xiushi found a very good job that can pay for his tuition and take care of you and Xiujia.”

Rong Xiuxi froze, looking at his brother with joyful surprise. Rong Xiushi nodded, wiped his tears, and said, “I originally wanted to tell you as a surprise.”

Only then did Rong Xiuxi happily begin packing a pile of messy belongings. He wanted to take everything, but to the older men, most of it was junk. Wardrobes and quilts scavenged from landfills, mended clothes, and old appliances; everything here was steeped in the scent of hardship.

Wei Hetai sighed softly. “Xiuxi, just take the important things. We will replace the rest with new ones.”

Rong Xiuxi was a bit uneasy, but under their persistence, he obeyed. That night, Rong Xiuxi stayed in the hotel with the two older brothers. Like a country bumpkin entering the city for the first time, his eyes were full of wonder.

“Wow! Sister came to a hotel when delivering food, but this is my first time in such a nice place!” he said excitedly.

Rong Xiushi paused, then said in a voice as warm as a spring breeze, “Then I will work harder so that my Jiajia and Xiuxi can come whenever they want.”

Rong Xiuxi smiled brilliantly. This was what the original host loved most about the twins, and what he loved most too: growing up in the worst conditions yet remaining full of hope and striving to live. Like beautiful flowers growing out of the mud. Rong Xiushi felt that their smiles were brighter than sunlight. He waited until Rong Xiuxi was not looking and nudged Wei Hetai.

When Wei Hetai looked over, Rong Xiushi said soundlessly once more, “I am going to the black market.”

He had to. He wanted to give his siblings a new life. He wanted to raise them like a little prince and princess. Wei Hetai sighed silently and gave a slight nod.

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