Knock, knock, knock!
"Come in!"
As she spoke, Àilínnà did not put down her phone, but continued to stare at the screen with an anxious expression. However, she soon sensed that the atmosphere had changed. She looked up toward the door, and when she saw who had arrived, a look of panic flashed across her face instantly.
"Why are you here?"
As she spoke, Àilínnà put on a ingratiating smile.
Mòyī closed the office door, walked over to sit opposite Àilínnà, and stared at her quietly. Seeing the other woman avoiding her gaze and glancing at the phone on the table from time to time, the corner of her mouth couldn't help but lift slightly.
"You don't need to ask anyone else. I applied for this myself, and The Alliance has already approved it, so there is certainly no problem with the procedure."
Àilínnà’s face stiffened, and then she averted her eyes unconsciously.
"Haha, what are you talking about? I don't understand!"
After these words, Àilínnà saw that Mòyī didn't speak and just continued to stare at her. Suddenly, it was as if her bones had been removed, and she slumped onto the desk.
"No, seriously, what are you doing here? Garnishing my allowance wasn't enough? You actually chased after me in person. Did I offend you somewhere?"
Mòyī shook her head, her expression suddenly becoming serious.
"Senior, you didn't offend me. On the contrary, I have always regarded you as a role model. However, I truly cannot stand your daily conduct.
So, I am here to urge you, Senior, to develop better living habits."
Àilínnà opened her mouth, not knowing what to say for a long while. Finally, she thought of something and muttered sulkily, "I don't believe you came all the way here just to urge me..."
As she spoke, Àilínnà’s expression suddenly turned somber.
"Could it be... that little girl..."
Mòyī pressed her lips together tightly and did not speak, but her posture obviously indicated that something was the case. Àilínnà’s eyes flashed with confusion.
"I thought they would take her to the Ling River. It’s better suited for her growth."
"..."
Mòyī still remained silent.
Seeing this, Àilínnà straightened up and then leaned back into her chair. Her whole body relaxed, and the serious look on her face completely vanished.
She waved her hand casually.
"Forget it. You won't say it if I ask, so I won't ask. After all, it's a matter internal to your Dragon Race, and if the old folks at The Alliance don't manage it, what position do I have to interfere? But you must keep a close eye on things for me. Pulin City is a small place; we cannot afford a major disaster."
"Senior, rest assured. Under normal circumstances, her abilities will not spiral out of control. A year from now, once she has mastered her abilities, there will be even less to worry about."
Hearing this, Àilínnà suddenly remembered something.
"By the way, you’d better keep an eye on that kid Fāng Líng. I assume you know who he is. Don't let his usual obedient appearance fool you; that kid is full of mischief. Besides... that brat has the same temper as his father—stubborn as a mule."
Upon hearing this, a hint of nostalgia flashed in Mòyī’s eyes, and she nodded.
"Rest assured, Senior!"
"Oh, right. There is one more thing. You see, about my allowance for next month..."
"Have you already forgotten what you did last night? Don't worry, it's already been deducted. There's none left at all."
"No... I..."
"You have achievements, but your faults are too great. If it weren't for your hard work and great contributions, let alone one month, even a thousand years of allowance wouldn't be enough to cover the fines... That is the official word from The Alliance."
Àilínnà silently pulled out a cigarette, lit it, took a deep drag, and then...
"Mòyī, let's rebel against those bastards!"
...
*Whoosh.*
As soon as the door closed, Fāng Líng walked to the sofa, plopped down onto it, threw his head back against the backrest, and let out a long sigh.
"That was way too enthusiastic!"
With that, Fāng Líng gave a wry smile.
He had already bought the ingredients needed for lunch tomorrow on his way back. After putting them away, Fāng Líng headed to the place next door. He had promised yesterday to go for tea with Uncle Zhao, which was the very reason why Fāng Líng had made this special trip back today. Otherwise, he wouldn't have needed to come back at all. Of course, tomorrow's gathering was also under the premise that he had already decided to return home today.
While drinking tea, Fāng Líng incidentally told Uncle Zhao and Auntie Liu about his awakening. As close neighbors, both of them knew about Fāng Líng’s parents, so while they were happy for him upon learning he had become a God-Favored One, there was inevitably some worry as well. In response, Fāng Líng spent a long time reassuring them before they finally accepted the fact.
However, under such circumstances, a meal was inevitable. Knowing that Fāng Líng would be living in the dorms from now on, the dinner table was filled with more worrying and advice. Then... Fāng Líng rubbed his belly, which had grown several sizes, and gave a helpless smile.
After relaxing for a while, Fāng Líng glanced at his phone. It was past ten o'clock.
Seeing this, he stood up and walked toward the bathroom.
A moment later, at a different time but the same place, Fāng Líng looked at the God-Favored Mark on his shoulder in the mirror, a look of deep thought crossing his eyes. Come to think of it, there was another test tomorrow afternoon. He had to make his God-Favored Mark glow. So far, his God-Favored Mark had only lit up twice. Once was right after he awakened—Teacher Àilínnà had told him about it, though he hadn't seen it himself—and the other time was last night in the shower when that strange Deity initiated contact with him.
But if he wanted to make the God-Favored Mark glow by his own volition...
Well, he had just tried it, but the God-Favored Mark didn't show the slightest reaction.
"Faith..."
Fāng Líng thought of Teacher Mo’s suggestion, and his eyes revealed a sense of helplessness. Just as Teacher Àilínnà had deduced, after the experience he had yesterday, he had abandoned his faith. Believing in a Deity... whenever such a thought surfaced in his mind, he felt an uncontrollable sense of repulsion.
Of course, he didn't hate the existence of Deities. Whether based on his own knowledge or his encounter with that strange Deity, both pointed to one fact: Deities were saviors!
Respectful, yet unable to believe—that was his current state. Moreover, even if he were willing to have faith, the one who bestowed his God-Favored ability was also a "Three-No" Deity: no name, no divine title, and no image. For this strange Deity, the only thing he could imagine was that brilliant golden eye, which looked exactly like the one belonging to the Dragon Race.
Just as the image of that eye surfaced in Fāng Líng’s mind, he suddenly realized that the God-Favored Mark on his shoulder was actually glowing.
However, before Fāng Líng could be happy, a familiar voice echoed inside his head.
"Don't get happy too soon; it wasn't you who made it glow."
Fāng Líng’s mouth twitched.
"I knew that as soon as your voice echoed in my head. No need for a special reminder. By the way, didn't you sneak off yesterday?"
"You said it yourself, that was yesterday. She can't keep an eye on me every single second."
"..."