HTCYH Ch 41

Chapter 41: Daily Life (Squad One Mini-Theater)

Tu Si watched as Wuming sent off those few high-ranking officials and dignitaries, completely ignoring the middle-aged police officer—already sentenced to “death”—who left in despair and terror. Hopping and skipping, Tu Si ran into Wuming’s office, plopped himself into Wuming’s main seat, and sat there with a heart full of anticipation for his dinner. Over the past few days, because of all sorts of messy dreams and because of Wuming’s ever-present, soul-disturbing eyes, he had grown somewhat estranged from Wuming. But today, the Wuming before him gave Tu Si a very strong sense of safety and familiarity.

So Tu Si completely let go of the knot in his heart and decided not to pursue Wuming’s unreasonable behavior anymore. He would simply continue being a pure, naive dodder-spirit, not wanting to bother with the twists and turns of human affairs. He would leave everything to instinct, believing that fate would arrange everything. Life and death were predestined, wealth and honor granted by heaven. What mattered was to cherish the present, to cling to Wuming for a slice of leisurely happiness for now, and leave all the schemes and tribulations for later.

After spinning around a few times in the leather boss chair inside Wuming’s office, Tu Si, unable to sit still, began treasure-hunting around the room. Here he poked, there he tapped, conducting a 360-degree, no-dead-angle exploration of Wuming’s office as if searching for clues.

Empty-handed, Tu Si returned to the boss chair and fiddled with the fused crystal he had once given Wuming. This crystal sat in the most prominent spot next to the computer, wiped so clean it gleamed, the gaps between its fused crystalline clusters scrubbed spotless.

Seeing his little darling so carefully cared for by Wuming, Tu Si felt a little more comforted. He put the crystal back onto its stand, lifted the lid of the large Lei Feng-style mug—one of the identical mugs Ai Lin had given everyone—inside which steeped half a cup of Tu Si’s self-made dodder-seed tea for nourishing liver and kidney, preserving essence, restraining urination, stabilizing pregnancy, and brightening the eyes. He took a sip and then, imitating Wuming’s posture, pretended to flip through the meeting records on the desk.

When Ke Xian entered, what he saw was Tu Si with one leg crossed over the other, chin propped on one hand, flipping through a report with the other, carrying the aura of a lordly leader claiming his territory. There was none of the image Xu Jinyan had mentioned in the group chat—that of someone bullied by the people sent from the complaints department. Ke Xian, uncertain, asked:

“Tu Si? Are you alright? I heard you got bullied by those idiots from the complaints department?”

Tu Si looked up, saw Ke Xian’s sweat-streaked face, clearly from having rushed back, and grinned:

“Your news is a step late. There is no complaints department anymore. Our squad is now the complaints department. What do you think, am I fine or not? Look at you, all sweaty—did you rush here from school? Skipped class?”

Ke Xian scratched his head and tried to act calm:

“How can this be called skipping class? I’m just worried about you! A case of a dog biting Lü Dongbin!”

Tu Si nodded:

“Not at all. Students skipping class is normal. I wouldn’t scold you. Anyway, if they call your parents, it’ll be Wuming going to your school to get scolded by your homeroom teacher. You came at just the right time~ How about I tell you some good news?”

Ke Xian’s eyes lit up:

“The captain doesn’t have time to go to school as a parent! Quick, tell me, what good news? Did you and the captain make up? Quarreling at the head of the bed, reconciling at the foot of the bed?”

Tu Si choked, his eye twitching for a while, before saying:

“What nonsense! What I meant to tell you is—I’ve landed. From now on, I’m a full-fledged official member, just like you.”

Tu Si thought Ke Xian would be angry and complain about the unfairness—that he hadn’t taken any exam, hadn’t gone through the proper process, that he’d pulled strings and used privilege. That way, Tu Si could lecture him properly about what fairness in the adult world meant.

But Ke Xian’s reaction was completely out of Tu Si’s expectations. He cheered happily:

“Wow! So the approval went through? That was fast this time. Congratulations! Now you’ll have better medical insurance and housing fund benefits. The perks of a regular employee will be much better than just relying on the captain’s wallet.”

Tu Si froze for a moment, staring at the young man with his little-grown-up demeanor. He suddenly felt how dark and malicious his own thoughts had been, a brief wave of guilt washing over him. At a loss for words, he finally said:

“Uh, hey, emmm… thanks~ heh-heh. You must be tired after rushing here from school. Come on, your Brother Tu will treat you to hotpot!”

Wuming, returning after seeing off the leaders, just in time heard Tu Si’s dinner invitation. He asked:

“I already make you three meals a day, and now you want to treat people to dinner too? So you won’t be eating tonight? Don’t go running to the director later, complaining that I’m irresponsible.”

Tu Si raised the roof:

“Captain~ heeheehee~ How about we do hotpot right here at your place? I’ll go call Sister Ai Lin, Fang Xia, and Xu Jinyan! We’ll celebrate your promotion together~”

Ke Xian’s eyes instantly lit up, and he pressed:

“Promotion? Captain got promoted? Promoted to what? Division level? Department level? Or bureau level? Our squad will rule the research department? From now on, we’ll feast while following behind the captain?”

Wuming flicked Ke Xian on the forehead and then smacked Tu Si on the back of the head:

“Nonsense! Division level, department level, bureau level—you dare dream that far? Your captain isn’t even a superintendent yet. The complaints department has been disbanded, and the complaint-handling duties got dumped on me. This kind of thankless, offending-people task—if you go around bragging about it and flaunting yourselves, then when Squad One becomes public enemy number one and you’re targeted and given a hard time, don’t come crying to me!”

“Complaints are the captain’s responsibility. What’s that got to do with the rest of us? I’m sure the members of other squads are reasonable. They’ll only target the captain, not drag Squad One into it~” Ai Lin said with a smile as she walked in side by side with Xu Jinyan.

Behind Ai Lin, Fang Xia hopped into the room and announced:

“I ordered hotpot delivery~ It’ll be here soon~ Let’s celebrate~ Captain definitely won’t be that stingy, right~”

Wuming glanced around at the people in the room. The originally spacious office suddenly felt a bit cramped. With a light sigh, he said:

“Move the tables and chairs then! What, you all planning to squat on the floor to eat? And you! Brat! Do you want takeout, or should I make you a little hotpot of your own? Let me be clear upfront—I don’t have the skills to make you a butter-based broth!”

Tu Si beamed at Wuming:

“I want~ Of course I want the captain’s personally-made hotpot~ If no butter broth, a tomato broth isn’t too much to ask, right~ And lots and lots of shrimp paste!”

Wuming smirked without smiling:

“Tomato broth? Dream on. You’re getting medicinal broth. Eat it or leave it.”

Saying that, Wuming turned and walked toward the department cafeteria. Xu Jinyan watched the captain’s departing back and, once Wuming disappeared from view, said:

“Honestly! Even heroes can’t withstand a beauty’s charm~”

Everyone present, except Tu Si, nodded vigorously. Tu Si gave them a confused look, only to be met with four teasing expressions.

The hotpot feast was lively and satisfying. Tu Si was now certain that when Wuming cooked, he must have put in something extra, otherwise how could Tu Si taste the flavor of food? Especially this special dipping sauce bowl Wuming had prepared—anything scooped from the big pot, after being dipped, carried some faint taste. Though diluted by water, it was still better than nothing, and the slight numbing spiciness made Tu Si’s eyes sparkle. Suddenly, the nourishing medicinal broth no longer seemed appetizing; his eyes were fixed squarely on the bubbling, chili-oil-filled pot.

Wuming quietly continued placing food into Tu Si’s small pot, occasionally adding a bite from the red-oil hotpot into Tu Si’s bowl. Watching Tu Si eat from his bowl while staring at the pot, Wuming’s gaze grew so tender it was practically dripping water.

Meanwhile, under the table, Xu Jinyan and Fang Xia were poking each other’s fingers so hard it felt like they’d pierce through. Watching the interaction between Wuming and Tu Si, they looked like two CP-shippers sharing the same bias—silently screaming, chanting, and squealing, exchanging glances to share their sugar rush.