Chapter 154: 154, Research results

In truth, Ren Xiaosu was a man of contentment; possessing extraordinary abilities was always better than none, and not drawing a master-level jump rope was already fortunate.

Ren Xiaosu believed that Luo Xinyu must also possess a high-level jump rope skill, for he reasoned that Yang Xiaojin jumping alone was rather pointless...

But contentment aside, whenever he recalled the chance he once had to fully replicate the Shadow Gate, a flicker of anger still stirred within him...

If your palace-replicating ability cannot recreate it perfectly, why not speak sooner? To discover flaws only after completion was absurd.

Recalling the countless times Luo Xinyu had opened the Shadow Gate to flee with Yang Xiaojin, Ren Xiaosu truly coveted such a skill—if the gate were whole, even a wolf pack would not frighten him.

Yet now he could only traverse with one hand! What use was that? Theft?

Moreover, his Shadow Gate lacked precision; the deviation just now suggested that achieving exactitude might be impossible.

Still, Ren Xiaosu believed accuracy could be honed through practice—there would come a day when the Shadow Gate opened flawlessly.

Unbeknownst to him, Luo Xinyu had spent nearly a year merely practicing door-opening, a feat that allowed the Shadow Gate to obey her will.

Upon returning to the shop, Ren Xiaosu locked himself inside to practice, opening the Shadow Gate repeatedly in search of its hidden patterns.

Were Luo Xinyu to witness this, she would surely be stunned—for in her early days, practicing once or twice left her exhausted and dizzy, and even now, she could only open doors within a kilometer’s range, managing three or four times without draining her spirit.

Yet in that brief span, Ren Xiaosu had opened it over a dozen times...

At that moment, Sister Xiao Yu knocked on his door. Ren Xiaosu opened it curiously: "What’s the matter, Sister Xiao Yu? Has dinner started yet?"

"Not yet," Sister Xiao Yu frowned. "I wanted to ask about Yan Liuyuan. Did you forget them at school?"

"Ah?!" Ren Xiaosu finally realized—he was meant to pick up Yan Liuyuan and Wang Dalong from the junior high department, but in his haste to find Yang Xiaojin’s residence, he’d left them behind: "I’ll fetch them right away!"

"How irresponsible of you," Sister Xiao Yu chided. "Hurry and bring them home—the meal is nearly ready."

Yet the next moment, Jiang Wu entered with Wang Dalong and Yan Liuyuan. She smiled: "Didn’t you say today you’d continue learning to ride a bicycle? Why did you leave alone after class?"

Sister Xiao Yu laughed: "Teacher Jiang has arrived. Wash up and join us for dinner."

Yan Liuyuan glared coldly at Ren Xiaosu: "I was in the teaching building, watching you and Yang Xiaojin leave..."

Ren Xiaosu awkwardly chuckled: "Hahaha, urgent matters, urgent matters!"

Suddenly, the sound of a car engine echoed outside, as if a vehicle had stopped at the entrance.

Hm? Ren Xiaosu wondered what was happening—people kept arriving in groups.

Luo Lan’s voice drifted in: "Ren Xiaosu? Come see my new car!"

Ren Xiaosu rolled his eyes—buying a new car and showing off? How pretentious!

Yet why had this fat Luo Lan suddenly taken to visiting him? Wang Fugui had mentioned Luo Lan came to deliver money at noon.

As he pondered, Luo Lan and Tang Zhou entered, Tang Zhou carrying several items. Luo Lan instructed him: "Deliver these to Miss Dong Funi—they’re supplements to aid her recovery."

In that instant, Ren Xiaosu glimpsed love in Luo Lan’s demeanor.

Ren Xiaosu asked curiously: "Surely not? As a prominent figure of the Qingshi Consortium, after being rebuffed for so long, why eagerly seek reconciliation?"

Luo Lan bristled: "You know nothing. Before, I wandered through countless beauties without attachment. Now, having reformed, I realize only Miss Dong Funi is worthy of me!"

"Without attachment?" Ren Xiaosu laughed. "So the medicine you bought here was for Tang Zhou?"

"Don’t spout nonsense—I never bought medicine!" Luo Lan’s face darkened.

At that moment, Dong Funi remained recuperating in Sister Xiao Yu’s room, but upon hearing Luo Lan’s voice, she locked the door.

*Click.* Luo Lan’s expression grew as awkward as possible...

Yet Luo Lan was no ordinary man. He pulled Ren Xiaosu aside to shift the topic: "Lately, could I borrow Chen Wudi?"

"What do you need Chen Wudi for? He’s a living person—how could I lend him to you? Speak to him yourself," Ren Xiaosu evaded.

"These days, I’ve noticed other factions have also arrived at the Bastion," Luo Lan whispered. "Apparently, a research project at that university in the 109 Bastion is nearing completion, and many seek to seize its results."

"What kind of research?" Ren Xiaosu grew intrigued, though his face remained impassive.

"I don’t know..." Luo Lan replied.

"You’re after something you don’t even understand?" Ren Xiaosu frowned. Yet judging by the situation, the Qingshi Consortium likely hadn’t infiltrated the university, and Luo Lan’s source remained unclear—Yang Xiaojin had once mentioned the Li Consortium’s fierce protection of it.

This thing... It must be pivotal enough to reshape the consortiums’ balance, explaining why all sides coveted it.

Moreover, on the night the supernaturals fled, the Li Consortium had only expelled known members of the Huo Chen Company, avoiding a broader hunt—suggesting they prioritized safeguarding the research.

Yet Ren Xiaosu wondered: How could the Qingshi Consortium remain unaware of the research’s nature? Others knew, yet he alone was kept in the dark?

"We’ve never paid attention to that university," Luo Lan said. "But with so many factions eyeing it, it must hold extraordinary value! So, command Chen Wudi to protect me—I’ll pay!"

Ren Xiaosu deemed Luo Lan’s words utter nonsense; the other party surely knew the research’s nature but refused to share.

He shook his head in refusal: "If you want Chen Wudi’s protection, speak to him yourself. I won’t command him."

At that moment, a Qingshi Consortium member entered, whispered to Luo Lan, and hurried away. Ren Xiaosu studied the man’s retreating figure, suspecting the Consortium was scheming.

Ren Xiaosu mused: If he could locate the research, might he steal it through the Shadow Gate?

Seeing Ren Xiaosu’s reluctance to lend aid, Luo Lan approached Dong Funi’s door again. Before he could speak twice, she coldly replied from within: "When I’ve slimmed down, I’ll see you."

Ren Xiaosu laughed heartily: "Then we may never meet."

Luo Lan snapped: "What defeatist talk! It’s just weight loss—I’ll shed pounds soon!"

No sooner had he spoken than he whispered to Tang Zhou: "How does one lose weight quickly?"

Ren Xiaosu grinned: "One steamed bun in the morning, one at noon, one at night—sure to work."

Luo Lan fell silent: "...Before or after meals?"

Ren Xiaosu: "..."