The moment Yan Huang stepped out of the car with his briefcase, the vehicle behind him immediately sped away.
Before him stood a massive wooden plaque inscribed with three large characters—”Hatching Town”—with a small tagline beneath it:
“A town where hope comes true.”
Beneath the sign, three people were smiling at Yan Huang.
Their smiles were warm and easygoing. The trio appeared to be a family. The middle-aged man wore a brown plaid shirt, and his slightly protruding belly added a touch of affability and honesty—likely the father of the household.
The wife was a beautiful woman with a thick braid draped over her shoulder.
But if one had to point out the most eye-catching figure, it was the youth standing in the middle.
The boy looked around fifteen, wore thick glasses, and had a somewhat delicate, handsome face. His school uniform was nearly spotless, yet he kept his head lowered at all times, his expression wooden. He seemed both ordinary and strangely stiff.
The father extended his hand toward Yan Huang. “Teacher Yan, hello. We’re from the Hatching Inn, responsible for your meals and lodging during your stay. Just call me Old Xie.”
Yan Huang shook his hand.
Then Mother Xie praised him: “Teacher Yan truly looks impressive. Our Fumu has read many of your articles. He wants to become an outstanding person just like you. Come now, Fumu, greet Teacher Yan properly.”
But Xie Fumu only lowered his head even further, whether from shyness or something else, remaining completely silent.
Yan Huang thought this was the moment he should step in to ease the awkwardness—but he happened to catch sight of Mother Xie, still wearing her smile, while her hand was viciously pinching Xie Fumu’s waist beneath the surface.
The veins on the back of her hand bulged as she squeezed with considerable force.
Though Xie Fumu gritted his teeth and stayed silent, the slightly contorted muscles of his face spoke for him.
He was in pain. He was afraid.
“Fumu, what’s wrong…? Greet Teacher Yan properly?”
Xie Fumu finally lifted his head, muscles tense, forcing out a smile that wasn’t quite pleasant to look at: “Hello, Teacher Yan.”
By no stretch of the imagination did it look voluntary.
Mother Xie’s brow furrowed slightly, but she still put on a friendly front: “Look at this child, so shy. Please don’t mind him, Teacher Yan.”
Yan Huang returned a smile. “Of course I don’t mind.”
This family’s way of interacting was certainly… exceptionally warm.
“Alright then, it’s getting late, and Teacher Yan must be tired from the journey. Best to get back to the inn early. Let’s go, Teacher Yan.”
Yan Huang followed along.
The atmosphere in Hatching Town was rather unique. Along the way, Yan Huang could see groups of well-groomed young men and women conversing with one another, their bearing and features exceptionally refined.
People of all kinds lined the streets, each displaying a variety of skills.
Signboards were everywhere, their contents touching on highly advanced subjects. He could even spot a few children under ten calmly seated in one spot, playing Go.
All of them were remarkably gifted children.
The title of “Land of Geniuses” was certainly well earned.
Halfway down the road, Yan Huang noticed a massive pit. Inside it lay a stone that filled nearly two-thirds of the hollow. Standing at the edge and comparing, a person looked utterly tiny beside it.
As they passed by, Xie Fumu’s expression visibly soured.
Father Xie and Mother Xie, meanwhile, bowed to it with sincere reverence, as if offering a prayer.
Yan Huang was rather intrigued. “Is this a meteorite?”
Father Xie shook his head and explained, “No, no, Teacher Yan, this isn’t a meteorite. Meteorites come from the sky—this one grows from the ground.”
“Grows from the ground?” Yan Huang narrowed his eyes.
Father Xie said, “You wouldn’t know this, but this is the Genius Stone. The reason our Hatching Town produces so many geniuses is all thanks to this Genius Stone. Ever since it appeared, the children in our town have become exceptionally easy to raise. If you have the time, you can pay your respects to it—it’ll bless your future child to become someone truly outstanding.”
“Is that so?” Yan Huang took another look at the stone.
It was dull and lusterless. If he had to say what made it different from an ordinary stone… it was its size—and the fact that it was overly smooth.
“That’s pretty impressive.”
By now, a few people had started watching Yan Huang’s livestream, but there wasn’t much interaction. Viewers came and went, hovering at a dynamic balance of one to two people.
No tips.
No engagement either.
They finally arrived at the inn—a two-story wooden cabin with a modest setup.
From the outside, it looked unremarkable, except for the bulletin board covered in missing person notices.
Father Xie let out a sigh and said, “Our town is great in every way, but outsiders sometimes don’t know the roads and like to wander off. When they go missing, no one can find them… Their families worry, and the town tries its best to help, so we put up these notices. But it’s been so long and no one’s ever been found, so… Teacher Yan, you must be obedient and not go wandering around. If you get lost… you might never come back.”
Yan Huang stared at the missing person notices, a faint smile playing on his lips.
“Of course. I know exactly why I’m here. I won’t go running off randomly.”
The missing were all outsiders—yeah, right, he’d believe that when he saw it.
Father Xie kept his simple, honest smile. “Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease. It’s getting late now, so let me take you inside to find your room.”
“Sure.” Yan Huang agreed.
…
Second floor.
“Alright, this is your room. We’ll bring your meals promptly at noon and six in the evening. If you need anything, just say the word—we’ll do our best to help. If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back downstairs. I hope you enjoy your stay these few days, Teacher Yan.”
After being led to his room, Yan Huang watched Father Xie take his leave.
The moment Father Xie was gone, Yan Huang hadn’t even stepped through his door yet.
He heard a “creak, creak” sound from behind.
He turned to look—it was the door across from his. Through the gap in the door, a single eye peered out.
It stared at him, dark and unsettling.
Yan Huang smiled naturally. “Hello?”
The next second, the other party went “bang.”
And slammed the door shut tight.
Yan Huang: “Not very friendly, huh.”
From behind the closed door came an unpleasant “squeak, squeak” sound—like fingernails scraping across damp wood, sending goosebumps crawling across one’s skin.
An unbearable noise.
Yan Huang ignored it and stepped into his own room.
The room was kept reasonably clean.
Bed, desk and chairs, private bathroom—the basic amenities were all there.
Bored, Yan Huang sat down in the chair to test it out.
Then, he noticed something.
There seemed to be faint marks on the wooden desk—slightly uneven, yet somewhat regular in pattern.
A thought struck him. He opened his briefcase, pulled out a pencil, and quickly shaded over the faint marks.
The smeared marks became even more visible as they reflected the light from outside the window.
Yan Huang was able to see them clearly.
—This town has a strange ritual.
—Do not wander around in the dark, or you will become Hatching Nutrient.
Hatching… Nutrient?
CRACK!!
Just as Yan Huang was pondering this, a crisp shattering sound suddenly came from below.