CH 29.1

Next, Xiao Zhenyun snapped a series of photos with a rapid clicking sound. Surprisingly, none of the over ten pictures of Si Chu resembled a human being. Even the unexpected appearance of the wolfdog, Xiao Mu, looked much more appealing than him. Xiao Nian couldn’t stand it anymore and scolded him in a low voice, “Can you take better pictures, please?”

Xiao Zhenyun admitted that his photos lacked any emotional touch; they were all cold and technical. However, when he glanced at the photos in Xiao Nian’s hands, he realized that they were just as bad.

“It must be the ring’s fault,” he decisively pointed the gemstone at himself and took a shot. Looking at Xiao Nian’s terminal again, the central figure was him, with his long hair tied high, his features like a painting. After three days of indulgence, he finally looked a bit revitalized. The redesigned Tang suit with a white background and golden peony embroidery transformed him into an elegant classical beauty. The graceful curve of his neck under the collar was as enchanting as a swan’s neck, and he gazed at the camera with his smoke-blue eyes.

Xiao Zhenyun had chosen this outfit for him, claiming he was too slim for a Western suit. So, they had it custom-made. He even stroked his chin and said, “This should really charm those little sentinels.”

Whether it charmed the little sentinels or not, Xiao Zhenyun didn’t know, but personally, he was quite satisfied with this look.

Taking photos of Si Chu turned out to be a disaster, but when he snapped pictures of himself, he looked quite presentable. He pondered, perhaps the distance was too far? So, he lifted his head and beckoned to the little dog, “Come here.”

In the next moment, both dogs ran over eagerly. The wolfdog panted with its tongue out, while Si Chu politely bent down, trying to maintain a height only slightly taller than Xiao Zhenyun’s.

“Little uncle, what’s up?” Si Chu asked.

Xiao Zhenyun pretended to be nonchalant as he caressed the ring and took a few pictures. Si Chu didn’t seem to notice, but not far away, Ye Feiran noticed the two of them. With a peacock by his side, he strolled over.

“Xiao Chu, your tie is crooked,” Xiao Zhenyun said with a faint smile. Hearing this, Si Chu blushed and tried to adjust it but was stopped by Xiao Zhenyun, who reached out to straighten the tie.

“There you go,” he patted Si Chu’s chest, and the latter thanked him shyly. At that moment, Ye Feiran called Si Chu’s name from behind, and Si Chu immediately turned to look. Xiao Zhenyun seized this rare opportunity to pinch out a pair of affectionate and meaningful eyes, gazing lovingly at Si Chu’s handsome profile.

When the little dog turned back with a smile, Xiao Zhenyun quickly shifted his expression to that of a kind and amiable elder.

Ye Feiran had come over to inform Si Chu about a spontaneous game that sentinels and guides were participating in. He asked Si Chu if he wanted to join; there were small prizes to be won. Eager for some fun, Si Chu readily agreed. Their gazes simultaneously turned to Xiao Zhenyun, seemingly seeking his opinion, but in reality, they had already made the decision for him. Xiao Zhenyun didn’t even have a chance to refuse as Si Chu swiftly wheeled him away, executing some dramatic wheelchair maneuvers to transport him to the game area.

Among ordinary people, many remain single throughout their lives. However, due to the physical characteristics of sentinels and guides, they usually find their life partners before the age of fifty.

While studying in the Tower, socializing was a required weekly course that counts for credits. After leaving the Tower, wherever special individuals gathered, there were always various activities specifically designed for finding partners.

For example, the small game taking place on the lawn right now. Sentinels and guides who were looking to participate in the game registered and received a number from the host. When the game started, everyone released their spirit forms simultaneously upon the host’s command. Then, sentinels and guides lined up in pairs. Participants selected their favorite spirit form first and then guessed which sentinel or guide it belonged to. If they guessed correctly, they won a prize.

Ye Feiran and Si Chu enthusiastically went to register and claim the practically free little gifts. Xiao Zhenyun finally had the chance to spend some time alone with Xiao Nian. He turned his head to look at him but saw the administrator shaking his head solemnly. “The plot hasn’t progressed.”

“…Not progressing? Why?” Xiao Zhenyun was puzzled. “Do I really have to find Si Chu, interact with him, and then give him a deep, affectionate look?”

“I don’t think the issue is with Si Chu…” Xiao Nian paused. “Honestly, your eyes last night when you were looking at roasted duck were hotter than when you looked at Si Chu.”

“…Really?” Xiao Zhenyun wore an expression of mixed feelings. He indeed had no romantic feelings toward Si Chu, but this?

“Give it a few more tries, practice makes perfect. I’ll keep an eye on the original text, and if I spot any progress, I’ll let you know right away,” Xiao Nian comforted. He glanced at the enthusiastic host who was promoting active participation, then suddenly added, “Oh, I just remembered, in the novel, there was a sentence that expressed your infatuation. It said that every time you saw Si Chu liking something, you’d go to great lengths to get it for him.”

“…”

Xiao Nian, like a university professor trying to help a struggling student pass, set very lenient grading conditions, saying, “I don’t think it needs to be every time, but at least three times or more?”

“…” Xiao Zhenyun lifted his head, only to see Si Chu walking towards him with a number tag in hand, saying regretfully to Ye Feiran, “There are actually three different terminal frames, and I want all of them. What should I do?”

“Too bad, even with my share, you can only pick two that you like the most.”

“I like them all!”

“Greedy little dog.”

Si Chu glanced at Xiao Zhenyun, his eyes brightening. But then he quickly closed his mouth, not daring to ask Xiao Zhenyun to play any special mind games.

As for the kind-hearted old uncle who witnessed all of this, what else could he do? He bravely wheeled his wheelchair to the backstage host and asked, “Can I buy the small gifts from the game?”

The host was worried that the guests were being too reserved and not participating enough. He looked at Xiao Zhenyun’s face and saw an opportunity. He quickly shook his head and said, “No, these can only be prizes for guessing the spirit body and owner’s identity. Would you like to sign up, sir?”

“But there’s a link to purchase online…”

“No, these were all custom-designed by the bride and produced by the manufacturer. They’re all here.”

Xiao Zhenyun: “…”

Xiao Zhenyun: “I’ll sign up.”

“Okay.” The host smiled broadly and registered Xiao Zhenyun with a number tag. Xiao Zhenyun initially wanted to leave quietly, but the host wouldn’t let him. Using the excuse that Xiao Zhenyun had difficulty moving, he attentively guided and escorted him, being all polite and considerate, making way and saying things like ‘please go this way.’ This drew the attention of everyone present.

Si Chu’s eyelid twitched, and he exchanged a glance with Ye Feiran. The former went to approach Xiao Zhenyun, while the latter quickly sent a message to a certain sentinel who had been missing in action.

It turned out that the host’s strategy to boost participation was quite effective. The number of sign-ups for this round of the game quickly reached an all-time high of 35 people. There were 23 sentinels and 12 guides, making the ratio in this 2:1 sentinel-guide environment quite intimidating.

The game of telepathic connection officially began. At the host’s command, all the special individuals released their spirit forms within the designated area. Suddenly, the sounds of sheep bleating and lions roaring filled the air, joined by the sounds of whale songs and bird calls.

An obedient little rabbit huddled in a corner with folded hands, while a somewhat introverted black cat found a spot without any animals and started grooming itself. The friendly wolfdog eagerly sought to make friends with the whole world… Tian Lu, on the other hand, after landing, arrogantly surveyed his surroundings. At first, he strolled around gracefully, but then he noticed a delicate and lovely multi-layered balloon in the center of the venue. It was an outer transparent balloon with colorful balloons inside, and there were even a few light ocean balls attached. This piqued Tian Lu’s curiosity. He immediately rushed over like a speeding deer and began licking and biting the balloon, with balloon strings wrapped around his neck and legs.

Xiao Zhenyun didn’t want to admit that this silly deer was his spiritual body. Looking at the elegant crane, the lazy cheetah, the fluffy white sheep, and even the golden monkey, all of them had much more refined behavior!

Sentinel number 1, like Si Chu and Ye Feiran, had come with his desired guide and immediately pointed out guide number 2, earning them a prize. The guide, in turn, pointed back at him, increasing his score by 1.

Sentinel number 3 hesitated for a moment, then pointed at a translucent jellyfish-like creature and then at Xiao Zhenyun.

The host, being quite mischievous, kept everyone in suspense for a while before shaking his head and saying, “Unfortunately…”

Number 4 Sentinel was very grateful to Number 3 for eliminating a wrong answer, and he confidently pointed to the peacock and Xiao Zhenyun.

Ye Feiran’s lips curled, and he quickly lowered his gaze to suppress his smile.

“Ah, it’s a pity, the connection is wrong. The sentinels behind you have a better chance now.”

The game continued until it was the turn of Number 12, Ye Feiran, and Number 13, Si Chu. Half of the sentinels in the front were trying to connect with Xiao Zhenyun, but not a single one chose the right spiritual form. The first and the second male leads did not engage in such nonsense; they simply pointed at each other and then, under the host’s ambiguous questions, revealed a dog’s ear and a peacock feather.

Number 14 was Xiao Zhenyun, the stunning man in the wheelchair who had everyone’s attention. The whispers from the onlookers grew louder, speculating that perhaps he had an extraordinary spiritual form because none of the sentinels had matched him even after multiple attempts.

Xiao Zhenyun had already decided on his answer as soon as the game began because he had spotted a familiar animal in the ‘zoo’ – a swordfish. He had observed this particularly lively marine creature when he entered the banquet, and he remembered the owner constantly apologizing for its vigorous swimming among the guests.

With all eyes on him, he pointed at the swordfish and then at Sentinel Number 19.

The chosen sentinel was overjoyed and looked at Xiao Zhenyun with delight amid the cheers from the crowd.

As for Xiao Zhenyun…, he was looking at the prize in the host’s hand because he hadn’t been matched yet and had to continue waiting on the stage. Fortunately, there were fewer spiritual forms inclined toward guides, and with even small carnivorous creatures like the white ferret having been chosen once, it happened that Sentinel Number 19, the swordfish, hesitantly pointed at the silly deer playing with balloons.

“Congratulations!” The host was ecstatic; the effect of this game program was surprisingly good. “It’s not easy!”

The onlookers: “…” Who could have expected this? The contrast between the guide and the spiritual form was cute, but this was a bit too extreme!

The host invited both Xiao Zhenyun and Sentinel Number 19 to the center of the stage and asked, “Have you two met before?”

The sentinel kept stealing glances at Xiao Zhenyun and shook his head, “No, we haven’t.”

“Really?” The host exaggeratedly said, “That’s destiny for you, choosing each other and even picking the right spiritual forms. You’ll have to get to know each other later, won’t you?”

A group of spectators who loved drama shouted, “Yes!”

Xiao Zhenyun maintained a polite and distant smile throughout, his eyes fixed on the terminal frame. Ye Feiran chose the orange version, Si Chu went for the kiwi design, and it was his turn to pick the third option, the watermelon style…

The host, seeing that everyone liked this guide, extended the questioning time on purpose. However, Xiao Zhenyun didn’t cooperate at all, leaving the host sighing in resignation and moving on.

After going through countless difficulties, Xiao Zhenyun finally got the watermelon-themed terminal frame. He felt physically and mentally exhausted, especially when the host asked a bunch of random questions while he was on stage. Suddenly, he noticed Xiao Jingfeng and a group of people passing by.

At first, his uncle didn’t dare to believe that the guide participating in the blind date game was his prestigious and reserved nephew. However, when he confirmed it was Xiao Zhenyun, he burst into laughter, startling the people around him, who had no idea what had gotten into the chairman.

Xiao Zhenyun was about to walk into the crowd when someone hurriedly approached from behind. It was the sentinel with swordfish spiritual form, the streamlined swordfish spiritual body frantically swaying in the bubble, circling around Tian Lu.

“Hey there, sorry for, um, stopping you,” the sentry stammered nervously, “I feel like we’ve got some kind of connection, can we—”

“Little uncle.”

Only two people in the banquet addressed Xiao Zhenyun like that. This man’s voice was noticeably deeper and sexier than sentinel Si Chu, a hint of huskiness in his tone.

Hello, everyone ヾ(＾∇＾). I hope you enjoyed the story! If you’re feeling generous, please buy me a coffee, share/comment on my translated works! Check out the link below for early chapters.  (๑>ᴗ