The walk to the Administration building is long and definitely irritating. Mainly because Xin Linhua seems to have no filter and won’t shut up for a minute!
"Yaras?. Why did you agree to come with me? You seem reluctant before."
"Do you feel sorry for me? No, that can be right. You don’t even want to be near me, it’s probably for another reason."
"Yaras?, do you think the Director will ask me to guide others? I can barely control it and I haven’t even guided you yet. He better not!"
"Yaras?!"
Every single word chips away at his patience.
He has run into different types of humans in his life, but no one provokes, teases and jabs at him like Xin Linhua does. it’s like he has a knack for it!
"Xin Linhua." Rong Yizhan finally speaks.
"Mm?"
"Can you shut up?"
"You want me to?"
"It’ll be appreciated."
"Okay!"
Surprisingly, he does. The rest of the walk is peaceful and quiet. So quiet, Rong Yizhan has to glance sideways to make sure Xin Linhua is still himself and he hasn’t been possessed.
The observed subject just rocks his head sideways to a tune he’s humming softly to himself, his hands behind his back like some obedient kid. What a deceiving human.
They arrive at the administration building soon enough, a fortress of cold metal and office doors.
At the entrance, they verify their identities. The front desk calls the Director to confirm Xin Linhua’s appointment before opening the second gate. They walk in.
A large hallway is an expanse of doors and zero ambiance. One look and you’ll get the feeling of walking into an abyss.
"Please, follow me." A man walks towards them "I’m the Director’s Assistant."
The two nod and follow behind him. For some reason, Xin Linhua who always acts like if the sky were to fall, he’ll be the last one to get hit, is suddenly digging his nails into his skin. He’s gone unusually quiet, no more humming too.
"What is it?"
"Uhn?"
"I can smell the blood from beneath your sleeve, your nails will crack."
Xin Linhua freezes. He releases his hold on his arm and resumes walking.
"It’s nothing."
Rong Yizhan doesn’t believe him. Then again, why should he care? He has no reason to. He’s only here because...
He freezes. His fingers twitch slightly. Why is he here? Why did he come with Xin Linhua? He had done so without thinking.
"Earth to Yaras?!" Xin Linhua snaps him back to life "What are you thinking about? Oh, are you worried about me?"
Seeing the teasing smile on Xin Linhua’s face, Rong Yizhan brushes him aside.
Xin Linhua isn’t someone you can pity, he’s a bastard through and through. What’s the point of doing that when the subject involved is acting so carefree.
"Director Chen, they’re here." The man stops in front of a white door.
"Let them in."
The man opens the door and escorts them into the office.
Behind a polished white table, stacked files and a holographic screen, Director Chen’s figure can be seen. Sharp, proper and pristine, just like his office.
"Phantom." Director Chen raises an eyebrow "What are you doing here?"
"I bumped into him on the way here. I practically dragged him down here." Xin Linhua answers instead.
Director Chen waves his assistant off. The man nods and walks out, closing the door behind him. Silence descends.
"Xin Linhua." Director Chen turns to him "I discussed with the board and we’ve come to a conclusion."
"A guide who can guide more than one Sentinel is unusual. What more, you’re F-Rank, but according to Xu Min, just a few seconds of contact is enough to soothe the pain... before you tossed him across the room and he broke a couple more bones."
Xin Linhua coughs slightly, turning away at the last sentence.
"The institute won’t hold that against you, rest assured." Director Chen smiles "Although, you will be asked to report in for a couple of tests. You shouldn’t have any wave lengths to begin with, but now it seems that isn’t the case. I conducted your guide test myself, I saw the numbers. I’m baffled as well."
"Director Chen, may I be bold as to ask what will happen to me should this test show promising results?"
The Director goes quiet. He casts a glance at Rong Yizhan who hasn’t said a word since they got here, but the man is staring at him and waiting for his response as well.
"I doubt the test will show anything." The man turns back to him "After all, nothing came up during the exams. To confirm our suspicions, you’ll be asked to guide some Sentinels instead."
"And if I succeed?"
"Well, if what Xu Min said and described is true, under the institute law, a guide cannot refuse to render his services. You’ll be assigned to other Sentinels."
"No."
"Yeah, no way in Alabama."
The two speak at the same time. One, detached and cold, the other, firm and determined.
"Phantom." The Director turns to Rong Yizhan "Shouldn’t you be happy? You’ve expressed time and time again how you hate guides and guiding. I’m taking him off your hands, you should be glad."
"Director." Rong Yizhan takes a step forward "You weren’t this enthusiastic when I told you I didn’t need a guide. During the exam, you didn’t take my words seriously, you practically forced him on me."
"He’s the only one who has a high success rate of guiding you despite having no wave lengths. He’s the only one who’s perfect for you. And he agreed."
"Eh..." Rong Yizhan sneers "You think I’ll buy that? A triple S-Rank who has never failed to clear a rift before. A defect with no abilities, yet he’s terrifying without them. You’re scared of me, Director Chen."
"Phantom..." The Director massages his forehead "What are you talking about? Why are you going so far for someone you detest so much, you showed it in public."
"I think you’ve got it wrong." Rong Yizhan walks towards him "I’m not doing this for him, I’m doing this for myself."