Chapter 52: The Shifting Freezing Point

“Money? Money?”
“Yeah, like whether there are subsidies, benefits, or if only those with special abilities can easily secure stable jobs without much effort. Anything like that.”
“Uh—”
Xidai’s eyes flickered in surprise; for a moment, he didn’t quite know how to respond.
This answer was second only to the time he interviewed Cheng Sanli, when the chubby guy cheekily asked if there were any attractive women in the special operations team to flirt with.
But back then, the guy was already 25 and had experienced many ups and downs in society.
It was hard to imagine hearing such a materialistic remark from a vibrant, academically driven high school student in the prime of youth.
“Because those with special abilities are still under secrecy, the government hasn’t established any subsidies yet.”
“Ah, I see...” Su Yi’s mood instantly soured after revealing he had special abilities.
The only comfort he had was the hope that the Daxia government was open-minded, not only accepting of special ability users but also offering subsidies and benefits.
Now, even that small consolation was gone—truly disappointing.
Seeing his displeasure, Xidai gently comforted him: “Su Yi, although your reexamination shows no current health issues, we will continue to monitor you.”
“If you truly awaken your abilities, you can choose to join the special operations team. We will train you to become a qualified warrior with awakened powers, and naturally, you will receive appropriate treatment.”
According to current records, Su Yi’s parents are divorced, he lives alone, is somewhat rebellious, once involved in a dormitory stabbing incident, has no close friends among classmates, and was even missing for several months.
Students like him can no longer be viewed through a conventional lens.
Given all this, his excessive obsession with money is understandable.
But Su Yi felt no temptation at all from this description. Controlling special abilities and becoming a warrior—he’d already done that on the wasteland; he didn’t need anyone’s help.
He wanted to attend military academy, but definitely not by being recruited as a special ability user.
Currently, Daxia hasn’t publicly acknowledged the existence of special ability users. The special operations team works secretly, unwilling to make a fuss, even resorting to underhanded tactics—arresting students under various pretexts, using anesthetics.
Someone unaware might think it’s a cult.
This shows the government is reluctant to officially recognize special ability users. Even if recruited, they would hold low status, likely remaining on the periphery of power, mere pawns wielding military weapons.
Besides, special abilities have side effects—they can cause madness and are inherently dangerous. Leadership changes could alter their treatment.
Big promises won’t fool him.
After weighing everything, Su Yi felt it was better to continue pretending he had no abilities, even if forcibly disguising himself weakened his physical condition by about 0.2%.
It was troublesome and exhausting.
But it was a matter of endurance. If his abilities didn’t manifest in a few months, he’d likely be abandoned.
Though thinking this, he still nodded solemnly as if he understood.
The conversation wasn’t over.
Xidai then explained some precautions, including the dangers of special abilities, the government’s control motives, and emphasized the formal status of the special operations team.
From his words, Su Yi sensed that Blue Star now had a basic understanding of special abilities, at least being clear about the mental hazards.
Whether deliberate concealment or ignorance, it seemed the Daxia government hadn’t yet connected special ability outbreaks to the wasteland phenomenon.
The foreigner he killed last night had even used wasteland drugs—bad news for Daxia.
But on second thought, Su Yi had stopped the wastelander Lolixi from causing a stir in Daxia and taken her home. They couldn’t be blamed for lagging behind on intelligence.
As the talk drew to a close, Xidai handed him a confidentiality agreement to sign, stressing that revealing the existence of special abilities to the uninformed or posting about it online was forbidden, punishable by trial and imprisonment.
Using legal threats against inexperienced high schoolers was indeed effective. Su Yi was not one to seek attention; signing the document was no big deal.
He quickly stamped his fingerprint.
Taking the signed document, Xidai looked at him with a sigh and said earnestly:
“Su Yi, I see a fire deep in your eyes—not someone without passion. I don’t know what troubles you, but if you have any problems, you can come to me.”
Xidai had an inexplicable feeling about Su Yi. The boy’s words were crude and offbeat, but there was an undeniable strength beneath.
This prompted him to unusually take out a delicate black business card with gold trim and hand it over.
Many in the special operations team didn’t even have direct contact with him.
“For your safety, we’ve assigned a personal bodyguard to protect you these months—someone you know.”
“Someone I know?”
Su Yi was momentarily stunned. At school, he only knew Meng Xi and Cheng Sanli.
Cheng Sanli was already assigned to protect He Cheng. Could it be Meng Xi?
What kind of scenario is this, a beautiful female homeroom teacher moving into his home? But on second thought, Su Yi thought it might not be bad—not because of any impure intentions or forbidden teacher-student romance.
Men and women are different; even if he was open-minded, Meng Xi was a mature woman and wouldn’t be able to monitor him without embarrassment.
But then Xidai’s words interrupted his thoughts.
“It’s old man Li Chengyuan who moved next door a few days ago.”
“He said he greeted you and didn’t expect the young man next door to awaken abilities. He wants to personally look after you.”
Su Yi recalled the white-haired old man standing outside the lab door that night.
According to Xidai, he just happened to live next door.
Now, he was truly watching over him.
But since he had been mentally prepared, it didn’t seem so bad.

...

Leaving the principal’s office, before stepping out the door, Su Yi heard steady breathing outside—familiar in rhythm and depth.
Sure enough, just as he stepped out, he saw Mu Xiaowei wearing the blue and white school uniform, hands behind her back, left knee slightly bent, leaning quietly against the corridor wall.
Nearby, a window was open; loose strands of her bangs fluttered, revealing a youthful, soft face. Her hair was tied in a neat high ponytail, and the snow-white, flawless nape of her neck gleamed under the cool light. Upon seeing him, a gentle light flickered in her eyes.
“Su, Su Yi!”
Mu Xiaowei lightly hopped forward to stand before him.
“Hm? You’re still here?” Su Yi paused briefly, watching her rise from the wall and walk beside him. “It’s still early; you haven’t rushed home to do more math problems?”
He teased casually and began to walk downstairs. Mu Xiaowei followed him.
Night was deep; a soft breath produced white mist in the hallway. The pale blue light overhead cast shifting shadows.
“Have you awakened your abilities too...?”
Hearing this, Su Yi glanced at her coolly, thinking, “This girl really has guts. Everyone must have signed that confidentiality agreement, yet she asks me like this, not even afraid it’s about something else.”
Fortunately, he knew Mu Xiaowei was also a special ability user, and he kept his mouth shut.
“Is that so?”
Mu Xiaowei lowered her head, hesitated, then gently tugged at his shirt corner and whispered. In the narrow hallway, the gap between them narrowed. The scent of milk-like shampoo wafted from her shoulder, filling his nostrils.
Having developed a habit on the wasteland, Su Yi disliked being touched, especially from behind. Instinctively, he stepped forward a few paces to create distance.
“That’s still undecided.”
Seeing him avoid her, a hint of sadness colored Mu Xiaowei’s eyes as she slowly withdrew her hand.
Quietly she murmured:
“What does ‘undecided’ mean...?”
Su Yi remained expressionless, turning his head to continue walking. “Undecided means it’s not certain if I’ve awakened. Like Schrödinger’s cat—you can think of me as awakened or just an ordinary person.”
“Oh, so that’s what undecided means.”
Mu Xiaowei squeezed her fingers and encouraged him, “Don’t worry, you’ll definitely awaken. I believe in you!”
Xu Chen’s words still echoed in her ears. This was heartfelt. Dealing with special ability users was dangerous, but if both were users, it was different.
Just as she spoke, Su Yi suddenly halted, glanced around—no one was there.
He turned back to Mu Xiaowei, locking eyes with her:
“Xiaowei, if you still consider us friends, I hope you won’t use your abilities lightly. It’s not a good thing.”
His tone was serious, his delicate but somber face unusually restrained.
“Mr. Xidai told you too, right? I understand that…” Mu Xiaowei nodded.
But soon her tone shifted. She stepped closer again, tilting her delicate oval face up to ask softly:

“Su Yi… aren’t we friends now?”
Her eyes sparkled, hoping for a yes.
But Su Yi shook his head firmly, delivering words colder than the midwinter wind:
“Of course not.”
Mu Xiaowei felt a chill, her expression tinged with disappointment.
Then Su Yi pointed at her face and said earnestly:
“Haven’t I said? Though I’m reluctant to admit it, ethically you’re a burden on my stepfather.”
“You should call me brother.”
Su Yi put his hands behind his head and teased with a smile:
“Say ‘brother’ first, or even ‘onii-chan’ will do.”
Moonlight spilled softly, the late-night high school campus utterly silent.
Mu Xiaowei stared at him, silent.
“Forget it... your expression is kind of creepy.”
Su Yi smirked, turning to walk alone toward the classrooms, softly reminding her once more, “Remember what I said—no matter what teachers say, special abilities mustn’t be used recklessly.”
That was all he could say, hoping the girl would at least heed some of it.
The side effects of special abilities were obvious; with time, big problems were inevitable.

Just then, a familiar figure appeared on the sports field.
Lolixi, dressed in a white sweatshirt, was sneaking electricity from the substation, hurrying back to the classroom with quick steps.
Su Yi saw her; she saw him too.
No words were exchanged. Silver hair fluttered in the night sky. Lolixi activated invisibility and jogged past Mu Xiaowei, joining Su Yi’s side.
“The officer’s energy is full,” Lolixi signed quickly.
Su Yi nodded in reply and quickened his pace.
A cold wind blew through.
The atmosphere turned somewhat awkward.
Suddenly, Su Yi sped up.
Mu Xiaowei was slightly puzzled, thinking he was deliberately avoiding her, so she didn’t press with annoying questions.
She silently followed behind, eyes never leaving him.
Her heart ached—a taste like bitter melon mixed with almond kernels, bitter yet hopeful, always tinged with disappointment. She had hoped for a breakthrough recently.
“It’s always like this. When will things go back to how they were...”
Walking through the campus, Mu Xiaowei whispered softly, but didn’t give up. She gently massaged her temple, encouraging herself.
Emotions deepen over time; even the coldest, most indifferent people have their breaking points.
Especially since Mu Xiaowei knew the former Su Yi was not like this.
No need to overthink.
Su Yi had grown increasingly reclusive, no female friends, despite his good looks, he had a bad reputation.
At least until university reset his social circle, no one would approach him.
She was already the closest person to Su Yi.

“Ring ring ring—”
The bell for the last evening class rang. Mu Xiaowei ran ahead to him, offering a faint smile and waving warmly.
“See you tomorrow, Su Yi!”