Chapter Twenty-Three: The Sentinel Base

Ji Cheng spent over an hour testing before finally getting a general grasp of the “Tyrant Serum.” Having stayed up all night and exhausted himself in fierce battle, once the excitement faded, drowsiness hit him hard, making his head spin. He packed up his things and collapsed onto the bed, falling asleep instantly.

He slept the entire day.

The next day, by noon, Ji Cheng opened his eyes, his fatigue gone. He stretched lazily before climbing out of bed.

“Sis, can we buy some spare ribs today? I want sweet and sour ribs.”

“I’m not allowed to buy meat,” Luo Rao replied, helping him into a shirt she’d found. “Right now, only registered heads of households in the Grey Zone can buy meat and rice. If I go to the supermarket, I can only get leafy vegetables.”

She’d gone hungry for a week because of this, so the memory was vivid.

“Oh, right, I almost forgot. I’ll wash up and head out,” Ji Cheng said, laughing awkwardly. “Once I become an Ability User, we can move. Then we won’t have to shop ourselves—groceries will be delivered straight to our door.”

“Will we still sleep together after we move?” Luo Rao suddenly asked.

Come on, you’re my sister. Even if not by blood, you should at least mind appearances, Ji Cheng complained inwardly, but his face betrayed nothing. He simply smiled without answering.

Seeing Ji Cheng remain silent, Luo Rao puffed her cheeks in annoyance. “I don’t care. Wherever you sleep, I sleep. No one’s taking away my quality rest.”

“We’ll see,” Ji Cheng replied evasively.

“Knew you’d brush me off,” Luo Rao grumbled, pouring him a glass of water before taking out pen and paper and carefully writing out a list.

“Ginger, sesame, spare ribs, sugar, vinegar—that’s it.”

Ji Cheng glanced at the list. “Just these?”

“Yeah, get the front ribs—they’re more tender. One small piece of ginger, a bottle cap of sesame, and we have the rest at home.” After a moment, she added two more characters.

“Ice pops.”

“Why do you like those so much?” Ji Cheng asked, puzzled.

“Kids shouldn’t ask so many questions.”

Ji Cheng tidied himself up, grabbed a bag, and headed to the supermarket, buying the ingredients and an ice pop for Luo Rao.

The process was quick, but he felt on edge. Some women he passed looked ecstatic upon seeing him; one even went so far as to hug him, asking for an autograph and a photo. If not for the murderous stares of the other women nearby, Ji Cheng suspected he’d have been mobbed right then and there.

Only then did he learn that, ever since he’d participated in the mining exam—thanks to the live broadcast—many young women had become his fans. After a week, a fan club called “Chicken Coop” had even formed.

He grew wary and hurried straight home after shopping.

“How careless of me, showing off and forgetting this body’s maxed-out charm. I need to be more careful with that in the future,” he reflected, troubled. “Most importantly, I can’t let Luo Rao get involved with those people, or she’ll dream up something bizarre again.”

He dreaded the thought of Luo Rao luring his female fans home and concocting some mad selection of consorts. He could already see himself eventually being hunted down by hordes of furious men.

“She’s already used hypnosis—what won’t she try next?” Ji Cheng shuddered.

He unlocked the bolt on the front door and set down the bags. “Here, your ice pop. I got the Slick Ox brand—see if you like it.”

Luo Rao tore open the wrapper and, to Ji Cheng’s utter shock, swallowed the entire ice pop in one go, leaving just the small wooden stick protruding from her lips.

“Is this how you always eat ice pops?” Ji Cheng asked, touching her throat; her smooth, pale neck bulged slightly.

“All… skills… are practiced,” Luo Rao mumbled, mouth still full.

“You can even talk like that?” Ji Cheng was so startled his jaw nearly dropped.

Luo Rao rolled her eyes in triumph, grabbed the ingredients and seasonings, and headed out the door. The kitchen was communal; cooking had to be done outside.

“Oh, right,” Ji Cheng called as he followed her, “I suggest you stay in more for now.”

“Okay.” The ice pop had started to melt, making her reply clearer. “A-Cheng, can you bring out that half bottle of wine from the box?”

“We need wine for spare ribs?” Ji Cheng was surprised.

“Yes, just a splash to get rid of the smell.”

When Ji Cheng brought the wine, Luo Rao had already started boiling the ribs and ginger. The water was bubbling with fish-eye blisters.

“Are you boiling them?”

“This is blanching,” Luo Rao explained. “There’s a lot of blood and impurities in the meat. Blanching drives those out.”

So meticulous? Ji Cheng’s interest was piqued. “What next?”

“After blanching, you dry them with a little oil. The drier you fry them, the better they soak up the sweet and sour sauce,” Luo Rao said, efficiently fishing out the ribs and heating some oil in the pan.

“Mix up the sauce, then simmer the fried ribs in it until the sauce thickens and coats the meat. That’s when they’re done.”

Ji Cheng nodded, appetite whetted just by her description.

Tap, tap, tap—high heels clicking approached from a distance.

“Someone’s coming,” Luo Rao said, glancing beyond Ji Cheng.

“Excuse me, which is Unit 141?”

Ji Cheng turned. A woman in a business skirt, lightly made up and not stunning but certainly attractive, was standing there holding a large silver case, flanked by two assistants. She smiled politely.

“Ah, Mr. Ji!” The woman clearly recognized him, exclaiming as he looked back.

“Yes, that’s me. Can I help you?”

“We’re here to deliver your selection application forms.” She extended a hand. “Chen Qian, pleased to meet you.”

“Likewise.” Ji Cheng shook her hand politely, intending to let go, but she held on, gripping tightly.

Hmm? Ji Cheng was puzzled.

Flushing, Chen Qian quickly released him. “Sorry, I got a bit excited.”

“Let’s talk inside,” Ji Cheng said with a shrug.

He led the three staffers into his room and offered them seats.

“Good thing I bought a few extra stools,” he remarked, pouring three cups of cheap tea and bringing out some snacks.

The tea was cheap only because he was poor, not because he looked down on the staff.

“I don’t have a coffee table—just set your cups on the stools.”

“Oh, thank you,” they replied, surprised by Ji Cheng’s humility. They hadn’t expected a genius like him to live in such modest conditions, nor to be so approachable.

“Thank you, Mr. Ji,” Chen Qian said, setting the silver case on the floor and holding the steaming tea. She bent forward deeply as she sat, her hair falling to one side as she watched Ji Cheng out of the corner of her eye.

Seeing him sneak glances at her, she smiled with satisfaction.

“Mr. Ji, besides the application, we also come with a commission from the City Defense Command.”

“What commission?” Ji Cheng’s mind spun. Surely they weren’t here to arrest him again? After all, by rights he should’ve been detained for causing a disturbance.

“It’s an apology. Due to their negligence, you were put at unnecessary risk. Minister Zeng Hang wishes to offer you compensation, and he has a proposal as well.” Chen Qian crossed her legs elegantly.

So it’s compensation—what a relief.

Realizing he wasn’t in trouble, Ji Cheng relaxed. He glanced at her long legs, then looked away.

“Compensation is always welcome.”

Chen Qian explained with a smile, “Minister Zeng’s idea is that, after you pass the selection, the City Defense Department will assign you a sentinel base as your residence. You know, each sentinel base comes with at least two underground safe rooms—very helpful for training and keeping your family safe.”

A sentinel base? That’s a real prize. Ji Cheng’s eyes lit up.

Sentinel bases were typically located in buffer zones between the main city and defense fortifications, ranging from one to two thousand square meters. Each came equipped with automated fire-control systems, radar, a small nuclear power facility, high walls, drone hangars, and a special underground network defense structure.

Officially, they were the city’s second line of defense against mutated beasts—after the main fortifications—but in reality, because of their low profile and 3D land-air defenses, they were the safest places in the city.

Ji Cheng was first delighted, then wary. There weren’t many sentinel bases in all of New Southport City—wasn’t this an overly generous compensation? Such a good offer had to have strings attached.

“And the proposal?” Ji Cheng asked.

“Minister Zeng hopes that, once you become an Ability User, you’ll help him deal with the Black Isle situation. You’re one of the few who’ve had direct contact with that group.”

That’s more reasonable—a fair exchange.

Ji Cheng nodded. “I accept.”

“Minister Zeng will be pleased.” Chen Qian lifted the silver case from the floor. “Almost forgot the main business.”

The lock was finely made; with a click, it opened to reveal a paper contract.

“For security, all vital documents are still kept in hard copy,” she explained.

“Alright.” Ji Cheng skimmed the contract—just guidelines and disclaimers for the selection. Finding nothing amiss, he signed his name at the end.

Chen Qian grew solemn. “That completes your registration. The Ability User selection is in six days—meet at the Parliament Building. Please arrive a day early.”

Ji Cheng nodded, ready to show them out, when her expression suddenly turned playful.

“Ji Bao, you’re even more handsome in person than on TV!”