Feng Chi was shocked and furious. “You investigated me, fine—but you investigated Feng Zhi, too?”
The middle-aged man replied, “That’s not quite right. We only looked into your family background. After all, we naturally conduct background checks on anyone joining our group.”
“Guide Feng Zhi happens to be the person closest to you, so we looked into her as well while we were at it. Of course, we have no intention of doing anything to Guide Feng Zhi. This sort of thing has to be mutual, after all. We wouldn’t want a Sentinel who resented us and might stab us in the back at any moment.”
He paused briefly, then continued, “You see, we can investigate your background whenever we want. That’s the influence we have. You have none, so you can’t stop us. You didn’t even know we were investigating you.”
“Young man, think it over.”
Feng Chi tightened his grip on the card and refused him outright. “I’m sorry. My heart and body already belong entirely to my Bonded Guide.”
The middle-aged man’s smile didn’t falter. “It seems you’re not destined to become our Sis’s Bonded Sentinel. Still, I hope we’ll have a chance to work together in the future.”
“Until next time.”
The middle-aged man nodded to Feng Chi, glanced down at his Optical Brain, and walked off in the other direction. Before long, he had approached another newly awakened Sentinel.
Feng Chi put the card in his Backpack and headed for the door, but he had barely taken a couple of steps when someone else blocked his way.
By the time he got home, several hours had passed.
At the sound of the door opening, Feng Zhi looked over and beckoned to him. “Come on over. It’s dinnertime. Let’s have barbecue tonight.”
“See what you want to order.”
Feng Chi hesitated where he stood, then strode over, his heart gradually settling.
Wherever Feng Zhi was, that was home—the place where he could feel at ease.
They ordered their food. This time, they got prepared dishes, while the barbecue would arrive later and take thirty minutes.
Feng Zhi looked at Feng Chi. “What’s wrong? Are you unhappy, or is something on your mind?”
It was impossible not to guess, seeing him looking so troubled.
Feng Chi’s breath caught. He glanced cautiously at Feng Zhi, then finally spoke. “At noon today, I awakened as a Sentinel, didn’t I? My Sentinel rank is…”
“S-rank? It’s all over the school group chat. Congratulations!” Feng Zhi said with a bright smile. “You’re destined to become an SSS-rank Sentinel. I’ll be counting on you to protect me from now on.”
Feng Chi’s Adam’s apple bobbed. Watching the unguarded smile on Feng Zhi’s face, he clenched his fists slightly and forced himself to speak. “Feng Zhi, I…”
He didn’t know what would happen once he said it, but he knew he had to make his feelings clear now. Feng Zhi’s attitude yesterday had given him some courage, too.
Taking a deep breath, Feng Chi blurted it all out. “Feng Zhi, can I become your Bonded Sentinel?”
Once the question was out, Feng Chi felt as though everything had finally come to a head. Only then did he realize that his palms were already damp with sweat.
Feng Zhi tilted her head to look at him. His question didn’t surprise her; she had seen his feelings for Feng Chi long ago.
She leaned forward slowly, moving closer to Feng Chi, and placed a hand on his face, gently stroking it.
His face was firm and springy, warm beneath her hand. It really did feel wonderful.
Feng Chi stopped breathing. He couldn’t ignore the sensations spreading across his face.
Her hand was so soft. Wherever she stroked him, a tingling sensation spread, as if it could travel through his whole body, making him feel warm all over.
“F-Feng Zhi…” he stammered, his face already bright red.
When they were children, Feng Zhi used to pinch his cheeks, but she hadn’t been this physically affectionate with him since they’d grown up.
Feng Zhi chuckled, her laughter clear as jade striking jade. “Feng Chi, you want to become my Bonded Sentinel?”
Feng Chi stared at her without blinking. “I do.”
“Feng Zhi…” He worked up the courage to take her hand, pressing her palm fully against his face.
His face enclosed her hand, and the intimate contact left him deeply content. He rubbed his cheek against her palm. “Feng Zhi, please, let me be your Exclusive Sentinel, okay?”
A strand of chestnut hair stuck up, swaying gently as Feng Chi nuzzled her, a silent plea.
Feng Zhi’s thumb settled at the corner of Feng Chi’s mouth and pressed down lightly.
She leaned closer. Their breaths mingled, and they were close enough to hear each other breathing.
Feng Chi’s face was so red it was almost unbearable. His breathing quickened, and he couldn’t tear his gaze from Feng Zhi’s lips.
Was Feng Zhi going to… kiss him?
At the thought, he felt his face grow hotter in an instant, and even his ears began to burn faintly.
Feng Zhi pressed her thumb against his lips again and spoke softly. “Feng Chi, you do know that a Guide can bond with multiple Sentinels, right?”
Feng Chi’s heart abruptly stopped. The color drained from his face.
He struggled to summon a smile, his voice tinged with pleading. “Feng Zhi, I’ll become an SSS-rank Sentinel someday. I can earn lots and lots of money, and I’ll give it all to you. We’ll be able to eat natural food every day.”
“We can buy a big house. From then on, it’ll just be the two of us living together, okay?”
“Our lives used to be just the two of us. Can’t they stay that way in the future, too?”
Feng Zhi withdrew her hand and answered coolly, “No.”
“A Guide can bond with multiple Sentinels, and I happen to like beautiful things. I’m not going to give up an entire forest for the sake of one tree.”
“There were only the two of us before because we were both Ordinary People. Ordinary People have to follow the Federation’s one-man, one-woman law.”
“Besides, of all the people I know, you’re the best-looking. You know I’m a sucker for a pretty face.”
“I hear those Sentinels are all extremely handsome. I can’t help looking at them.”
Feng Chi stood frozen, without a word or a movement, like a statue.
His chestnut hair had gone dull, and the strand that had stuck up drooped as well, as though all the life had left him in an instant.