Page 18
But Ling also knew that Beidou was Ace, and just as Nan Xizi said, Beidou shouldn't say such things. "I had a lot of fun, so I won't come back.", "TAC is really boring", these words coming out of Beidou's mouth really make people feel very inconsistent.
And according to Nan Xizi, the East Lake where those college girls were camping was near the TAC team's second radar base, and was also the next target of the super beast's attack.
It is really too coincidental, but when many coincidences are superimposed on each other, it is no longer a coincidence, but can only be a deliberate arrangement.
It is now five twenty in the evening. The setting sun has already fallen towards the horizon, and the sunset glow has dyed Chiba's distant mountains, rivers and forests red.
The Oshima family's villa in Chiba Prefecture is not very big. The two-story house does not even have a dedicated dining room. There is a piano in the corner of the living room, and a dining table in the center is the dining area.
It would be a bit impolite to use it to formally entertain guests on weekdays, but it would make people feel at ease if they use it at home.
In the living room, Ke Yue had already brought several prepared main dishes to the table, leaving only the soup on the stove.
"Miss, dinner will be served in about ten minutes. Today's main course is grilled coral fish, lamb chops, and sage. Gensuke and I learned to make them by looking at the menu. I don't know if they are to your taste. The seafood and vegetable soup will take some time. Do you want to go to your room and rest first, or sit in the living room and wait for a while?"
"Sorry, Grandma Keyue, I won't be eating dinner at home. I have something to go out for."
"Oh, at this time? Can we eat first before going out?"
Ling also thought about it and felt that eating didn’t actually take up too much time, but she was a little worried because she was not sure about the situation on Beidou’s side.
"Sorry, it's urgent. Jianye, I have to trouble you again to take me to Donghu Lake. My friends are waiting for me there."
This time, Jianye rarely agreed.
"My lady, it's a good thing that you have friends. The master and the mistress will definitely be happy if they know about it. But three meals a day are equally important. You are growing up now, and you absolutely cannot skip dinner. And it's already evening. Please forgive me for being frank, but you are not old enough to go out and play at night."
Ling was stunned for a moment as she didn't expect Jianye to say that.
Jianye felt that his tone was a bit harsh, so he slowed down his tone and said, "I am just the housekeeper of the Oshima family. It is not my place to criticize the master's decision. However, the master and the mistress entrusted the young lady to me, so please forgive me for some of my words. You are the only one in the Oshima family. Only by watching you grow up safely, will I have the face to see the master and the mistress in the future."
Ling couldn't refute it. After all, she was only 9 years old. If she was really an ordinary 9-year-old girl, she really shouldn't go out at night. When the Oshima couple was alive, she was also banned from going out at night. In fact, if a 9-year-old girl appeared on the street alone at night, both the Child Protection Association and the police would come to question her.
But she is different. Beidou may also be in life-threatening danger.
"I'm sorry, Grandpa Jianye, I will eat a good dinner, but I really have to go to East Lake after dinner. I'm not going there for fun, but my friend needs me, so I have a reason to go."
Lingya's tone was a little tough. This was the first time she spoke to Jianye in a commanding tone.
Ling also knew that saying this would definitely make Jianye sad, but she had no other choice.
Jianye was a little disappointed, and said nothing more, nodding his head in agreement. No matter how many reasons there were, once Lingye really made up her mind, as a butler, he could only obey.
Ling didn't know what to say except to apologize.
Ke Yue and Gensuke were both very good cooks. Although they followed the recipe, the grilled coral fish was still very tasty. However, the dinner was very dull. On weekdays, there would always be some talking, but today's dinner was particularly quiet.
Ling was also a little upset, and she knew that Jianye felt the same way. But there were some things she didn't know how to tell Jianye.
After the meal, Jianye drove the private car out of the garage. After Ling sat in the back seat, the car started, and soft music played on the stereo. This car was not equipped with the Burmester speakers she was familiar with before, because that famous speaker had not yet been released, but it was still good.
But it was obvious that neither of them was paying attention to the music.
The East Lake Nature Reserve is a camping park. Although it is also in Tokyo, it is located in the southeast suburbs. It is not far from Chiba, about 40 kilometers away. It is closer to East Lake from Chiba than from the center of Tokyo.
Along the way, the car was still a bit dull. Ling wanted to speak several times but didn't know what to say.
After hesitating to speak again, Jianye, who was driving, suddenly laughed.
"Miss, if there are some things that are inconvenient, you don't have to tell me. I was very rude just now, but I have always believed in you, so please don't take it to heart. If I embarrass you, it would be my dereliction of duty as a housekeeper."
Some words really cannot be said. All Ling could say was sorry, but she found that she had said the word "sorry" too many times today.
This may be just a minor incident, but Lingye's mood has improved a lot. Now he is willing to take a look at this new car.
The familiar back seat of the Mercedes-Benz made her think back to her past life. Jianye's figure gradually overlapped with her former nanny.
Being called "young lady" was no different from being an unwanted child. On the contrary, it was the housekeeper and the nanny who were truly devoted to her.
The location of Beidou is not difficult to find.
In fact, the students of the "Dadong Women's University" that Nan Xizi mentioned were lighting a bonfire, singing and dancing there. The fire could be seen from afar and it was quite lively.
"Just stop here, Jianye, a little further away from that side."
The car stopped.
"Miss, are your friends those female students?"
Jianye's brows furrowed again. The atmosphere in universities was getting worse and worse. He admitted that his ideas were old-fashioned. He really didn't like those female students who played around and didn't go home. He really didn't want the young lady to have any contact with them.
"No, it's Brother Beidou."
"Beidou? The Beidou member of the TAC team?"
Since he was the one who helped the young lady before, Jianye still had some impression of Beidou. He was a very responsible member of the TAC team.
After saying this, Jianye discovered that there was indeed a person wearing a TAC uniform among the group of female students around the campfire. It was just that this combination made people feel a little weird. It was always a bit awkward to see someone who was fighting on the front line against the super beasts hanging out with a group of female students.
"Grandpa Jianye, wait for me in the car, I'll be back soon." Lingye got out of the car and walked to the door. After thinking for a while, he added, "If anything strange happens, drive away quickly."
"Miss, are you going to do anything dangerous?"
Is it dangerous? Indeed, there is perhaps nothing more dangerous than the Ultra Beasts in this world. But that is why there must be people who can resist them.
Beside the bonfire, a group of people sang and danced, seemingly without any abnormality. Beidou beat the rhythm, as if he was also immersed in the cheerful atmosphere. The rhythm of youth is enviable, but in this world where one's future is uncertain, one cannot bear to destroy this moment of peace.
But this atmosphere was finally interrupted.
"Brother Beidou."
The singing around the bonfire stopped, and the people singing and dancing all looked at the person who was speaking. It was like a movie being paused, with an indescribable sense of disharmony, from the bustle to the silence in just a moment, making people feel a little uneasy for some reason.
"Beidou, is this someone you know?" The woman who spoke was the leader of the group that called themselves the Daito Women's University Cycling Team. She was wearing hot pants and a beret, which was considered fashionable in this era. She asked with a smile, but that smile seemed to be a mask, and at first glance it seemed a little unreal.
"Ah, it's Reiya."
"Brother Beidou, I'm here to take you back. Everyone is worried about you."
"Go back? I'm not going back. I'm tired of the TAC team. They're talking about super beasts all day long. It's just a waste of my youth. I want freedom. I want to do whatever I want."
Ling was stunned. No wonder Nan Xizi was worried. Beidou at this moment was completely different from usual. Anyone who saw him would suspect that he was replaced by the Yabo people. Ling pretended to glance at his finger casually. The ring that symbolized the Ultra Federation was still there. The faint light was imperceptible to ordinary people, but in Ling's eyes, it was like a star in the dark night. It was indeed Beidou himself.
"But Sister Xizi is worried about you."
"Yuko? TAC team combat is a man's job. It's weird for a woman to wear a man's uniform. Look at these girls. They're cool and cute."
Ah, Nan Xizi must be furious after hearing these words? Beidou and Nan are probably not in a romantic relationship yet, but everyone can feel the tacit understanding between them.
"But Sister Yuko is much prettier than these 'cool and cute' sisters, isn't she?"
I didn't expect Ling to say that, and Beidou was a little stuck for a moment.
The women surrounding them remained indifferent, each like a puppet.
But how could a girl remain indifferent after hearing such words? Even Ling Ye herself, who thought she didn't care much about appearance, would definitely get angry if someone casually said that a stranger was prettier than her, and she would be tempted to argue.
It’s confirmed that these people are definitely not human.
Chapter 24: Eight-point Light Wheel
"Miss Lingye, Mr. Beidou, let's go back and talk." Jianye came over at some point. The old man lowered his head and said with his hands hanging by his side.
"Meet Grandpa Ye? Didn't I ask you to wait in the car?"
Jianye didn't answer. He looked at the people around him with some fear, then walked forward and held Lingye's hand.
"Let's go, young lady. You are still young, and this bonfire party is not suitable for you."
Ling did not resist and let Jianye pull her out. The ten female college students and Beidou Xingsi did not stop them and just looked at them coldly. However, Ling also felt that Jianye's hand was shaking.
The wind blew across the empty lawn, feeling a little cold.
"Are you cold, Grandpa Jianye?"
Jianye's face was a little stiff. After walking a few more steps, he whispered softly in a voice that the two of them could hear: "Miss, you didn't watch the news. Last week, ten girls from the Daito Women's University cycling team were out for an activity and encountered a landslide. All of them died."
Jianye said, and out of the corner of his eye he saw the bicycles parked nearby. If you don't pay attention, it's easy to overlook the bumps and dents on these bicycles.
Even with the light of Gaia, Ling, who has always been afraid of ghost stories, felt a chill after listening to them.
"Little sister, how about you stay and play with us?"
Jianye stopped walking. The female leader who was supposed to be behind them suddenly appeared in front of them and blocked their way. Jianye sweated coldly. He was sure that there should be no one in front of him a second ago. He couldn't see how she appeared here.
Behind them, the remaining "college girls" slowly approached and surrounded the two of them.
However, Ling was more concerned about Hokuto Seiji, who was still staying by the campfire. He stared at the campfire motionlessly, as if he was laughing. In the crackling of the flames, he seemed like a mindless puppet.
"Okay, I'll stay. Jianye, you go back first."
"Miss!" Jianye said in panic, but then he saw those people gradually approaching. His back, which was a little hunched due to his age, straightened up a little, and he clenched his originally stiff hands.
"Master and Madam have entrusted you to my care. I will never leave you alone. Don't look at me like this. I was also a ninth degree Aikido master when I was young!"
"Is that so?" Ling couldn't help but laugh, which made Jianye a little overwhelmed. He couldn't understand why the young lady could be so relaxed in such an environment.
"Nothing, I just thought of something. I should have trusted Jianye a long time ago. After all, Grandpa Jianye is my only relative."
The female leader was a little confused and didn't quite understand what the two were talking about. She lost her patience and walked forward, trying to reach out to grab Jianye. However, Jianye was pulled behind him by Lingye, "Grandpa Jianye, just like you said just now, don't leave me alone."
Jianye was a little surprised. He didn't expect the young lady to be so strong. He was not bragging. He was indeed a ninth-degree black belt in Aikido when he was young. Although he was not prepared against Ling, he should not be so defenseless.
The female leader was trying to grab Jianye's hand, but Lingye grabbed it. She was stunned for a moment and stepped back suddenly, but found that the girl's slender fingers were difficult to break free.
It was not until her fingers and elbows made loud cracking sounds that she was freed from Lingye's control. It was obvious that her hand was broken, but she seemed to have no feeling at all, and she was still smiling, that smile fixed on her face like a mask.
Ling didn't care either.
"The plot of ghost movies is a bit scary. But if you talk about accidents, I was on a plane that was destroyed by missiles. Air crashes are more serious than landslides, right? So, I should be more 'fierce' than them."
"Ah?" Jianye didn't expect the eldest lady to say this.
That did make him confused, but he deliberately put it out of his mind. The eldest lady is the eldest lady. If even the eldest lady is gone, everything he has is meaningless. Jianye has no children, and the eldest lady is also his only relative.
"Grandpa Jianye, are you afraid of me?"
Reiya's question was a little abrupt, but Jianye knew what she was asking.
"Don't be afraid. Even if Miss is the same as 'them', she is still Miss."
"How can it be the same as them? Jianye, there are no ghosts in this world. If there really are, it is the Yabo people and the super beasts who are causing trouble."
Ling was no longer hiding, and a soft light appeared on her hands.
The leader's smile finally changed, revealing a look of surprise, "So it's you, you are Gai——"
Ping——