I’ll treat you with a meal

Under the hazy moonlight, a black sedan sped along a silent road. Inside were three people: Uncle Shui, Xu Feng, and Xu Xiaoyu.

Ten minutes prior, Uncle Shui had only spoken a few calm words to them at the Bureau.

“It’s almost dawn. Get in my car, I’ll take you both home.”

Although Uncle Shui mentioned nothing else, both Xu Feng and Xu Xiaoyu realized that he had likely seen their home address. He must have noticed something, but he chose to keep it to himself.

The night scenery flashed by outside the window. Xu Feng rested her cheek in her hand, staring blankly at her skirt, while Xu Xiaoyu sat restlessly, her lips pressed tight as if she were terrified of being interrogated.

The car stopped at a red light.

Uncle Shui rested his hands on the steering wheel and looked at the two silent figures through the rearview mirror. Finally, he spoke.

“Xiaoyu, where does your brother live?”

Xu Xiaoyu didn’t react. Xu Feng quickly nudged her with an elbow and whispered.

“He’s asking you.”

“Huh? Oh! Uncle Shui, my brother lives… in… a residential complex.”

Xiaoyu’s words were incredibly awkward. Uncle Shui wanted to laugh, but he restrained himself and maintained a serious tone.

“I know it’s a complex. What’s the exact location?”

“I… well…” Xu Xiaoyu looked distressed and turned her gaze toward “Wei Jiu.”

She wants me to talk. Aren’t you older than me? Sigh, psychologically, she really is the younger sister.

Xu Feng prepared her words, intending to take the initiative and clear things up.

“Uncle Shui, Sister Xiaoyu lives with me.”

“Oh, then it’s right on the way. You should have said so earlier.”

The light turned green, and the sedan continued its journey.

Xu Feng was a bit surprised, and so was Xu Xiaoyu. Neither of them understood why Uncle Shui didn’t press for more details. Seeing their reactions in the mirror, Uncle Shui began to explain in a leisurely tone.

“I’ve checked. The three of you are currently living together, right?”

“Uh… yes.” Xu Feng admitted it openly, and after a stunned moment, Xu Xiaoyu nodded along with her.

“Sigh, you two. I was wondering why you were so stiff when you first met; so that was the reason.” There was a hint of a smile in Uncle Shui’s voice, as if this wasn’t a particularly grave matter to him.

“Uncle Shui, aren’t you going to ask what happened in between?” Xu Feng toyed with her fingers, curious about his subtle attitude toward the situation.

“That’s your private business, isn’t it? If I asked, would you want to tell me?” He countered with a relaxed tone, causing the atmosphere in the car to soften considerably.

“Um… no, I wouldn’t.” Xu Feng followed his lead, affirming his approach.

“Exactly. And that’s something I want to tell you: as members of the Dream Protection Bureau, whether new or old, as long as it doesn’t involve a dream-handling incident, do not pry into others’ real lives unless they are willing to share.”

“Mm, I understand, Uncle Shui.” Xu Feng nudged Xiaoyu again. Reacting a beat late, Xiaoyu also nodded in gratitude.

“Thank you for the guidance, Uncle Shui!”

“If you run into any problems in the future, you can talk to me. Your identities are special, as is the nature of your missions. There’s a saying—paper cannot wrap up fire. One day, the affairs of the Dream World will be exposed to everyone, and at that time, you will be on the front lines, bearing the public’s most concerned gazes. So, we must all work hard together.”

Once Uncle Shui finished, silence returned to the car. Xu Feng and Xu Xiaoyu looked at each other, both taking his words to heart.

The sedan arrived at the entrance of the complex where Xu Feng lived. By then, the sky was beginning to brighten. Breakfast stall owners were starting their day’s work, and the city was waking up in the busy dawn light.

“Uncle Shui, can you wait for me for a second?” Xu Feng asked as she stepped out of the car.

“Hmm? Is something the matter?”

Uncle Shui rolled down the window, and Xu Xiaoyu, getting out from the other side, looked at “Wei Jiu” in confusion.

“Wait a moment, I’ll be right back.”

Xu Feng jogged across the road to a steaming stall. She stood on her tiptoes, pointing at items on the counter. Once the owner had packed a bag, she pulled out her phone to scan the QR code and pay. She looked both ways to ensure no cars were coming before running back to the car.

“Uncle Shui, try some of our local breakfast. It’s delicious.” Xu Feng stuffed a full bag through the window. Before Uncle Shui could refuse, she backed away with a smile.

“This is too much. I have the money to buy my own.” Uncle Shui lifted the bag, gesturing for her to take some back.

“Then share it with the others at the Bureau. Consider it my way of paying back everyone who has helped me. It’s also gas money for all the rides you’ve given me.” Xu Feng truly valued the help Uncle Shui and the other kind people had provided.

“Sigh, alright then. Be careful heading back and try to get along. I’m heading out.” Knowing he couldn’t win against her kindness, Uncle Shui tied the bag securely and placed it in the console.

“Goodbye, Uncle Shui.” Xu Feng waved, and Xu Xiaoyu, always a beat behind, followed suit.

The black sedan turned around and gradually drove off toward the distant morning sun.

Watching “Wei Jiu’s” face, Xu Xiaoyu suddenly realized something. Since they got into the car, she had felt a bit strange—as if everything she did was being silently guided by her. This subtle sense of leadership and mediation… she reminded her of someone.

“Big Brother…” Xu Xiaoyu murmured unconsciously.

“Hmm?” Xu Feng turned around in surprise, thinking she had exposed something.

“Oh, I was just wondering if Big Brother is awake yet.” Xu Xiaoyu changed the subject, looking toward the windows of their home.

“He’s probably awake.” As Xu Feng spoke, her expression turned calm and slightly withdrawn.

“I need to find a place to change out of these clothes. You go up first and distract him for a bit, okay?” Xu Xiaoyu gestured to her magical girl outfit. Luckily it was early morning, so not many people were paying attention to her.

“Mm. Hurry up.”

With that, Xu Feng ran into the complex. After greeting the security guard, she successfully entered the stairwell.

Xu Xiaoyu looked at her wand and gave it a light flick. The wand transformed into motes of light and dissolved into the air, as naturally as a breath of cold air in winter.

“Big Brother… the people around you now aren’t simple characters at all.” Xu Xiaoyu muttered to herself as she stepped into a nearby public restroom.

Opposite Xu Feng’s building stood a large tree, beside which a bicycle was propped. A man in black clothes stepped out from behind the tree and, as if following a routine, raised his phone and snapped a photo.

Click.

He added the image as an attachment and wrote:

The Vampire Lady has accepted the sprouted Dream Seed and is living with a new Dream Protection Bureau recruit estimated at Grade A.

The man sent the file to a contact with a question mark as a profile picture. Two minutes later, his phone rang. Looking at the notification bar, his expression froze.

It was a sixty-second voice message!

The man covered his forehead, thinking helplessly to himself.

Boss, I know we changed communication methods, but this is a bit much.

Resigned, he clicked the message.

“Fei Guang, your surveillance mission is over. In two days, go cause a scene at the Dream Protection Bureau. Don’t go too far, and don’t alert that Dragon [Chronicler]. Just ensure she enters the sprouted world. Also, pay attention to these things…”