Volume Two: The Youth of a Thousand Faces, True or False Chapter Thirty-Four: United in Life and Death, Bound for Eternity

As soon as Huo Ye and his companions stepped out of the office, they ran into Ke Zhen, who had arrived late. This was the first time Leilimi and Alice saw Ke Zhen, and for a moment, they felt they should have reconsidered their decisions, though none voiced their doubts.

Ke Zhen asked Huo Ye why he had gone in so early, joking that if Huo Ye was planning to throw a punch, he should have waited for him to observe—or rather, to mediate. Fortunately, Old Meng was probably still furious, so he figured going in to add fuel to the fire wouldn’t hurt.

Before leaving, Ke Zhen announced that classes were suspended for the day, and that the three of them would attend a group session tomorrow. He then went to provoke Professor Meng.

Watching the other two’s helpless expressions, Huo Ye said, “As there’s nothing going on today, why don’t you come to our place tonight? I’ll cook, and we four can have a dinner together.”

“Great!” Alice responded immediately, and Leilimi agreed as well.

When Shangguan Yudie returned home from her afternoon class, she found Huo Ye in an apron, busy in the kitchen, while Alice and Leilimi sat on the sofa playing chess.

Leilimi’s intelligence was unmatched; within a dozen moves, he had routed Alice completely.

“Checkmate!” Alice, seeing she couldn’t win, picked up her distant cannon and, with an angled move, captured Leilimi’s general.

“You… can you really play chess like that?” Leilimi was bewildered.

“This is a satellite laser cannon. With global positioning, I can fire wherever I want.”

“Well, alright then.” Leilimi conceded.

Shangguan Yudie sat on the sofa and greeted Leilimi, “Leilimi, it’s been a while.”

“It’s been a while, Sister Yu,” Leilimi replied.

The four had grown up together, all nearly the same age, but with a few months’ difference between them. From eldest to youngest, it was Huo Ye, Shangguan Yudie, Leilimi, and Alice, so Leilimi called Shangguan Yudie “Sister Yu.”

Alice began recounting the events of the day to Shangguan Yudie, who listened quietly, nodding and smiling from time to time.

Suddenly, Huo Ye called out, “Little Alice, come help me out.”

But two minutes later, Shangguan Yudie, wearing an apron, entered the kitchen instead. Huo Ye couldn’t help but sigh, “Has that girl grown this lazy?”

Shangguan Yudie smiled.

Huo Ye said helplessly, “Forget it, you go play with them, I can handle it myself.”

Shangguan Yudie shook her head. “Why are you being so formal with me?”

Huo Ye sighed and didn’t refuse her help.

In the living room, Alice craned her neck toward the kitchen. Leilimi asked, curious, “Alice, what are you looking at?”

“Shh—” Alice made a gesture for silence, then whispered, “I’m matchmaking my brother and Sister Yu.”

“Huh?” Leilimi was surprised. “Why would you do that?”

“You don’t understand. Sister Yu likes my brother, and my parents are planning a blind date for him. I’m helping Sister Yu. If my brother really gets a girlfriend, she’ll be heartbroken.” Alice wore an expression of complete confidence.

Of course, Shangguan Yudie wasn’t simply interested in Huo Ye, or perhaps she was—but not the ordinary Huo Ye. Alice knew of Yudie’s affection for the mysterious Night Rain Cold Crow. Eventually, Huo Ye would surely unravel the secret of that identity, and if Yudie wasn’t by his side then, she would truly be devastated. So, it was best that his sister and her best friend helped bring them together.

Leilimi, unaware of these secrets, found Alice’s words overwhelming. “Sister Yu likes my brother? I never noticed.”

“You don’t understand a girl’s heart, so don’t talk nonsense.” Alice’s glance silenced him.

Huo Ye had just finished chopping parsley and was about to ask Yudie to wash two tomatoes when, as if reading his mind, two gleaming, round tomatoes were already placed on the cutting board.

“Uh… thank you,” Huo Ye said, momentarily stunned. Was it necessary to use her mind-reading power just to wash vegetables? But then he understood: Yudie didn’t like talking but wanted to help him, so she used her ability. Perhaps this was her unique form of tenderness beneath her cold exterior.

Having caught this thought, the golden light in Yudie’s eyes faded suddenly, and her cheeks flushed red.

At that moment, Huo Ye realized she had just read his mind. Luckily, he hadn’t thought about Night Rain Cold Crow, or the truth would have been exposed. Thoughts were hard to control. There’s a classic example in cognitive linguistics: if you tell someone, “You can think of anything right now, just don’t think of elephants,” the first thing they’ll think of is elephants. Impulses are controlled by the subconscious, and Huo Ye couldn’t predict when Yudie might read his mind. He resolved to be more cautious in the future.

Dinner was served, and the four sat around the table.

Huo Ye had prepared seven or eight dishes, both Chinese and Western, with a large pizza perfectly sliced into eight pieces.

Each person had a bowl of rice and an empty plate, with knives, forks, and chopsticks beside it.

In this era of superpowers, cultures had long blended, and people were used to combining Eastern and Western dining styles.

“Alright, let’s eat,” Huo Ye announced.

“Mmm, delicious!” Alice exclaimed.

“I didn’t expect your cooking to be so good, big brother,” Leilimi said.

“Well, if I didn’t cook, the whole family would be eating takeout.”

“Aunt Vivian can’t cook?” Leilimi asked.

“Don’t even mention it. Can you believe someone could make tomato stir-fried watermelon? My mom did,” Alice said.

Huo Ye laughed, recalling his mother’s culinary disasters, which had once left him with an upset stomach for an entire day. Even the digestive system of a superhuman couldn’t withstand her creations—testament to the power of Vivian’s cooking.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve gathered like this,” Huo Ye said, placing a piece of meat in Alice’s bowl.

“Yeah, we only ever meet in twos and threes. The last time all four of us were together was six years ago,” Leilimi replied.

“Exactly. It’s always either you busy or me busy. It’s hard to find time for a get-together,” Alice said.

At that moment, Shangguan Yudie spoke: “We’ve all grown up.”

Everyone at the table felt a wave of nostalgia. Yes, they had all grown up.

“But… our friendship hasn’t changed, has it?” Huo Ye said, breaking the silence.

“Not at all. Cheers!” Alice raised her glass, filled with juice.

The four clinked glasses, toasting their lasting friendship.

Huo Ye set down his glass and, after a brief pause, said, “Actually, I have something important to announce.”

The three quieted, waiting for him to speak.

“The reason I came to Bancroft wasn’t just to study,” Huo Ye began. “You all know I’m destined to inherit the Reaper Hunter Corps. Before that, I need to build the strongest, most trusted team to help me uphold the glory of the First Hunter Corps.”

“This is my own idea, but also my father’s task for me. My plan is: seven major attributes, each one representing a core position on the team, since the Reaper Hunter Corps may face the Twelve Calamities, the most formidable threats. To stand at the top, I need comprehensive support.” Having finished, Huo Ye’s meaning was clear to the others.

Alice asked, “Did you count us in?”

She hadn’t known about this, but it seemed her brother and father had decided it long ago.

“Of course. I’m darkness, Alice is holy light, Yudie is ice, and Leilimi is lightning. That’s already four positions. That’s what I’m thinking, but I want to ask: are you willing to join the Reaper Hunter Corps, to go through life and death with me, facing the most dangerous enemies?”

“Absolutely! I’ll always follow you, big brother!” Leilimi declared.

“No hesitation.” Shangguan Yudie raised her glass.

“Do I even need to say it?” Alice retorted.

“Good! Cheers—to sharing life and death together!”

“To sharing life and death!” they chorused.