Our Entire Family Has Secrets [Transmigrated] - Chapter 32
Yuan Bozhu stayed up until 2 AM last night.
It was his first time knowing that even milk tea could cause insomnia.
After breakfast, he set off for school. Along the way, he didn’t check his phone once.
He didn’t reply to the message from Lin Shuanghuai inside.
Oddly enough, although Yuan Bozhu clearly didn’t understand the meaning of that sentence, he subconsciously felt that he couldn’t reply easily.
Unfortunately, this vigilance didn’t work at the school gate.
Lin Shuanghuai was waiting there.
Yuan Bozhu walked over, and naturally turned to walk shoulder to shoulder with him, handing over a paper bag.
“Review materials,” Lin Shuanghuai said. “I asked the teacher for a copy of the school exam results. Yuan’s ranking in the grade is 230th out of 360 students. So it seems, Yuan might be assigned to Class 5 this time.”
Yuan Bozhu was confident he would remain in Class 7.
Lin Shuanghuai didn’t know his plans, only helping him analyze: “I looked at your scores in each subject, Yuan. You’re quite balanced across all subjects, which can be both good and bad. It might be challenging to allocate time during revision.”
“I’ve already summarized the subjects where you can make significant improvements in a short time. Key points and exam tips are all here.”
He had already figured out how to help Yuan Bozhu improve his grades, confidently patting the bag in his hand, then suddenly smiled and said, “…Actually, I was thinking last night, it would be great if we were in the same class.”
Yuan Bozhu looked at him silently.
That was obviously impractical.
The class Lin Shuanghuai was currently in was already considered the elite class. When the midterm exam results came out, those assigned to their class were all top students.
Not to mention Yuan Bozhu had no intention of aiming for the top fifty, even if someone else tried, it wouldn’t be possible to make such progress in just two days.
There was a simple way, though: Lin Shuanghuai could intentionally perform poorly and get assigned to Class 7.
But that was even more unlikely.
No one would joke about their own future.
No… Suddenly, Yuan Bozhu frowned. He thought of a problem.
Before Lin Shuanghuai turned eighteen, he would definitely awaken his bloodline. Unless he had the ability to conceal his identity like Yuan Bozhu, blending in with ordinary people, he would inevitably attract attention.
For rare species like them, going to a normal university was almost impossible.
Which path would he choose?
To conceal his identity and live among the crowd, or to follow the Alliance government, or some other organization?
Yuan Bozhu didn’t know.
This mainly depended on how Lin Shuanghuai’s family would teach him.
A rare species in their early youth was easily led astray; they usually needed the care and guidance of elders and family.
Despite Yuan Wanjiao and Yuan Qifeng appearing adept at disguising themselves as humans, it was because they had been taught since childhood.
When they entered adolescence and awakened, they were watched twenty-four hours a day.
Because no one dared to guarantee what the awakening of a rare species would bring.
Perhaps it was the calm before the storm, or perhaps it was a natural disaster or human misfortune. Lin Shuanghuai would inevitably have that day.
“Yuan, did you hear me?”
“Mm.”
Yuan Bozhu responded lightly, taking the tutoring materials from him and saying, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome!”
Seeing Yuan Bozhu didn’t refuse, Lin Shuanghuai was excited inside, but he restrained himself and didn’t show it.
Not refusing usually meant something more would follow. Lin Shuanghuai knew it, and Yuan Bozhu knew it too.
This morning was slightly different from every calm morning Yuan Bozhu had spent with Lin Shuanghuai over the past eighteen years.
But it wasn’t drastically different.
Because from the school gate to the classroom building, there were only a few steps. It seemed unnecessary to specifically drive away the quietly following person beside him.
Lin Shuanghuai was not a sudden thunderstorm but a gentle rain, silently nourishing everything.
At first, he didn’t think he could bring about any earth-shattering changes.
Over the next two days, Lin Shuanghuai would wait for Yuan Bozhu at the school gate early in the morning, just to walk together for less than five minutes.
At noon, Lin Shuanghuai would still wait for him in the cafeteria, and they would eat together and return to the classroom.
After school in the afternoon, Lin Shuanghuai would use the excuse of “taking you home” to take the same bus with him.
Lin Shuanghuai seemed very concerned about Yuan Bozhu’s midterm exams. Whenever he heard particularly useful points in class, he immediately wrote them down to send to Yuan Bozhu.
From there, it spread infinitely—whatever delicious food he saw, he wanted to bring it to Yuan Bozhu; whatever interesting things he heard, he wanted to share them with Yuan Bozhu.
Their time together increased imperceptibly.
But Yuan Bozhu was unaware of his wavering.
Because the most frequent words exchanged between him and Lin Shuanghuai were still “no need.”
However, Lin Shuanghuai gradually understood him and no longer let such refusals deter him. As long as Yuan Bozhu didn’t seem unhappy, Lin Shuanghuai would continue as he pleased.
Once acceptance occurred the first time, the second time would become simpler.
This was a basic principle.
Often like boiling a frog in warm water, because the changes were too subtle, people didn’t realize that something had quietly changed.
So until today, Yuan Bozhu still felt everything was under control and there was no need to worry temporarily.
On this Thursday, the day of the midterm exams, when Yuan Bozhu entered the school, Lin Shuanghuai surprisingly wasn’t waiting at the gate.
That was the first time Yuan Bozhu realized that he had already accepted the fact that Lin Shuanghuai would wait for him.
He felt somewhat wary.
But considering that even if Lin Shuanghuai waited for him, it wouldn’t be a big deal, so this wariness didn’t last long.
After finishing two subjects in the morning exam, Yuan Bozhu checked his papers to make sure he wouldn’t place in Class 7 before handing them in.
He walked downstairs and didn’t see Lin Shuanghuai.
Yuan Bozhu handed in his papers early, guessing that Lin Shuanghuai’s exam room probably hadn’t finished yet.
It was a good opportunity to have lunch alone.
For the sake of rare alone time, Yuan Bozhu even ordered an extra dish.
But as he finished eating, other students began to enter the cafeteria, and Lin Shuanghuai was still nowhere to be seen.
There were no messages on his phone either.
Yuan Bozhu realized something was wrong.
After finishing the last subject, Yuan Bozhu walked out of the school gate. Han Banlan and Yu Yangen saw him and waved vigorously.
At that moment, Yuan Bozhu already guessed what they were going to say.
“Yuan Bozhu!!”
“Wow, we finally caught you!”
The two surrounded him, one on each side.
Yuan Bozhu asked, “What’s going on?”
“Do you know where Huai’er went? It’s the midterm today, and he didn’t even ask for leave, just skipped class!!” Han Banlan’s face was full of worry.
Yu Yangen also said, “I called, but no one answered, and there was no reply to messages. At noon, I took a taxi to his previous residence, but he had already moved out, and we had no idea!”
Although expected, Yuan Bozhu still furrowed his brow, his expression slightly darkening.
“He’s been looking for you these past few days. Did he mention anything to you?” Han Banlan asked anxiously. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not accusing you. It’s just that now no one can find him. The teacher called his home and found out the phone number belonged to a nanny who has since left, and now they can’t contact Lin Shuanghuai.”
After hearing this, Yuan Bozhu fell into silence.
He had considered whether to directly give them Lin Shuanghuai’s address.
But this involved a major issue between rare species and humans.
Lin Shuanghuai could awaken at any time. Perhaps today’s absence was related to physical changes. Allowing ordinary people to hastily look for him would be unsafe.
But what if it wasn’t an awakening, just trouble?
“Sigh… If you don’t know, forget it. We’ll think of another way,” Han Banlan said in a dejected tone, burying her head and discussing with Yu Yangen, planning to wait until tomorrow. If Lin Shuanghuai still didn’t appear, they might need to call the police.
Yuan Bozhu didn’t participate in their discussion.
He parted ways with them, walked to the intersection, and hailed a taxi.
In his phone, the last message from Lin Shuanghuai was from last night at 3:29 AM.
[Lin Shuanghuai]: Yuan, my bones ache.
[Lin Shuanghuai]: Maybe this time my body is really going to change.
He had initially thought these were just nonsensical words from someone suffering from insomnia. But thinking about Lin Shuanghuai’s disappearance today, everything seemed to make sense.
Yuan Bozhu returned home first, put down his backpack, and changed his clothes.
He needed to be adequately prepared—
If Lin Shuanghuai lost control when awakening, causing chaos in human activity areas, he couldn’t appear in school uniform, which would be too conspicuous.
Coincidentally, Yuan Wanjiao, who had been missing for several days, returned home at that moment.
Facing Yuan Bozhu, who was about to leave, Yuan Wanjiao suddenly said, “Ah Zhu, I’m hungry. Can you cook some noodles for me?”
She stood at the entrance and showed no intention of stepping forward.
“I need to go out for a while. You can order takeout,” Yuan Bozhu said to her.
“Takeout isn’t healthy.”
“Or wait for Mom to come back.”
“But I’m really hungry and can’t wait at all.”
Both of them looked at each other, neither willing to give in.
Just as Yuan Wanjiao was about to say something, their phones rang.
Both of their phones rang at the same time.
Seeing the caller ID, Yuan Wanjiao’s face changed suddenly, and she said perfunctorily, “Ah Zhu, wait for me. Don’t leave!”
Then she hurriedly ran to the bedroom and locked the door before daring to answer.
Yuan Bozhu naturally didn’t listen.
He walked towards the door while opening the message that had just arrived.
[Sender – Unknown] —Spider Domain Encrypted Letter— Attention, Qiancheng Area. Observed awakening aura fluctuation of rare bloodline. Estimated awakening time within 30 days. No detected attributes for now, suspected ancient red land bloodline. Qiancheng Area must remain vigilant. Ensure contact with similar entities before Alliance government.
–
Lin Shuanghuai cowered alone in the closet.
The cramped and sealed space made him feel safe.
He didn’t know what he was afraid of. His body hadn’t undergone terrifying changes like last time, but he still didn’t dare to step out of the house.
There was a strange perception, making Lin Shuanghuai aware that someone was looking for him.
Who was looking for him?
Why were they looking for him?
Undercurrents surged, and a strange and dangerous atmosphere gradually enveloped him from miles away.
Lin Shuanghuai inexplicably believed that these people would harm him.
Since last night, he had been plagued by this groundless panic.
He messaged Yuan Bozhu, hoping to gain some sense of security. It didn’t make sense, though.
Yuan Bozhu was just an ordinary person.
How could he provide comfort to a monster like him? Lin Shuanghuai might even scare Yuan Bozhu.
Lin Shuanghuai felt like he was burning up, his vision blurred, mind foggy, limbs heavy, and bones aching.
But he dared not go to the hospital.
He always felt that doctors would take one look at him and know what he really was.
So even though it was very likely just a common fever, he didn’t dare to go out.
Calls kept coming in, but when he hid in the closet, he had left his phone on the bedside.
Lin Shuanghuai hoped that one of those calls was from Yuan Bozhu.
Maybe his feverish mind was playing tricks on him, making him unconditionally trust his subconscious.
Lin Shuanghuai felt that only Yuan Bozhu could help him.
He didn’t dare to open the closet door. It was as if leaving this place would shatter him.
Lin Shuanghuai unreasonably longed for the “golden egg” that had protected him in the fire.
No matter how much he had loathed and feared it at the time, his body now seemed more honest than his mind.
He needed that protection.
After his temperature rose sharply and then abnormally dropped, Lin Shuanghuai experienced a dizzying sensation akin to being drunk.
Then he began to feel nauseous, wanting to vomit.
His temples throbbed as if someone were jabbing them with needles.
How long could he hide?
Could he even leave here?
What would he be after leaving—human or something else?
Just then, the doorbell suddenly rang.
Lin Shuanghuai trembled all over, countless terrifying thoughts flooding his mind, his heart racing.
He huddled forcefully into the corner, already with no way out.
But after careful consideration, he didn’t smell any danger.
The doorbell continued to ring for at least ten minutes.
Lin Shuanghuai couldn’t think of anyone who would be so persistent in looking for him.
He just felt that even if he disappeared one day, he would only be a dust mote flying into the desert of the world.
No one would care about his whereabouts because Lin Shuanghuai was not an important person to anyone.
But the doorbell kept ringing.
Lin Shuanghuai felt dizzy and uncomfortable. At this moment, the phone also rang.
Countless voices mixed together, plunging Lin Shuanghuai into anguish.
He suddenly wanted to set everything on fire and burn it all down.
All the sharp voices would vanish, and the heart-wrenching pain would return to chaos.
The world would burn to ashes, and he would no longer feel pain.
Nor would he feel loneliness.
The phone’s ringing abruptly stopped.
So did the doorbell.
Ding.
A private message arrived.
Lin Shuanghuai couldn’t care less about anything and couldn’t possibly check that message.
So he missed the advance notice from Yuan Bozhu:
[Is the door lock expensive?]
In less than three seconds, with a bang, the door was kicked open by Yuan Bozhu.
Author’s note:
Lin Shuanghuai: Yuan, what do you mean by asking that question when you were going to kick it anyway?
Yuan: Politeness 🙂