Infinite Nightmares

Zhang Wenda had never experienced such a peculiar emotional sensation before. It was a well-known fact that he wasn’t exactly a man of delicate sensibilities.

Unless he was paying extremely close attention, he usually wouldn’t notice much. But now, things were completely different.

Calling it a new ability felt a bit exaggerated. It was more like his brain’s operating system had just been updated to a new version.

’Is this another new ability from "Blue"?’ Zhang Wenda wondered.

He noticed Ouyang Shuangdian looking at him and took a shallow breath, stuffing the badge in his hand into his pocket. "Alright, I get it. I promise this is the last time."

"It’s good that you’re taking this seriously. The punishment for your actions has been decided. Your military rank will be lowered by half a grade, all your benefits will be revoked, and you’ll have two months’ salary docked."

But at that moment, Zhang Wenda couldn’t care less about a bit of salary. His mind was completely preoccupied with the strange experience he’d just had.

Just as Zhang Wenda turned to leave, he heard Ouyang Shuangdian’s voice from behind him. "Also, congratulations on obtaining Blue. The path of Number 2 is certainly not an easy one to walk. You’ve already done very well."

’Is she trying to placate me? The old carrot and stick routine? Is this person using their management training on me?’ This question filled Zhang Wenda’s mind as he walked out.

He didn’t rush home. Instead, he went to the headquarters lobby to observe the bustling crowds, watching their micro-expressions and listening to their conversations.

He stayed there for a full hour. After gathering plenty of evidence, Zhang Wenda was now absolutely certain: he could indeed analyze the subtext and emotions behind people’s words. This was a gift from Blue.

"What are you doing here? I called you, why didn’t you answer?" Hu Maomao, hands on her hips, suddenly floated in front of Zhang Wenda and asked.

"Did you?" Zhang Wenda pulled out his phone and saw more than a dozen missed calls. He had been so focused just now that he hadn’t heard the ringer at all.

"So? Did you get past Ouyang Shuangdian? She didn’t give you a hard time, did she?"

From Hu Maomao’s words, Zhang Wenda could only sense pure concern. There was nothing else there.

"I’m fine, just had a couple months’ salary docked. By the way, Maomao, after I got Blue, I think I suddenly gained a new ability."

By the time Zhang Wenda had explained the whole thing, they had already arrived at Hu Maomao’s home.

After pouring a cup of barley tea for herself and another for Zhang Wenda, Hu Maomao said in surprise, "So it just enhanced your ability to perceive emotions? That can’t be right. Compared to your Red ability, that’s a huge difference."

Taking a sip of his tea, Zhang Wenda nodded. "I think so too. This definitely isn’t the full potential of Blue. I just haven’t figured out its other abilities yet."

"If it were related to Mind Control or willpower, I might be able to offer some advice. But with this, I’m afraid I can’t be of much help."

After speaking, Hu Maomao looked the refreshed Zhang Wenda up and down, feeling that his new appearance was much easier on the eyes. "The path of Number 2 isn’t an easy one to walk. Everyone’s journey is different, so you’ll have to figure this out on your own. Still, you’re exceptionally gifted to have already completed two-thirds of it so quickly."

"You think this is fast?" Zhang Wenda asked, looking at her with some surprise.

"Of course. You’ve seen the risks of this path. Very few people walk it, and the slightest mistake can lead to huge problems."

"Otherwise, the Third Line would have mass-produced a Thought Wave combat force long ago."

Zhang Wenda mulled it over for a moment, then came up with an idea. "Hey, Maomao, you’ve been in Bureau 507 for a long time. Do you know the other Thought Wave Strong People in the bureau? Could you introduce me?"

Hu Maomao stood up, walked over to the refrigerator, and opened it on her tiptoes to pick out ingredients for dinner. "Looking for advice from a senior? Don’t bother trying to get it through me. I’m not like Biaozi; I don’t have that many friends. In fact, most people in the bureau don’t want anything to do with me."

"Why is that? You’re not hard to look at." Zhang Wenda picked up the small Yixing clay teapot and poured himself another cup.

’Since this is a dead end, I guess I can try asking Big Circle Leopard tomorrow. He’s the only other Thought Wave master I know.’

𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"Nobody wants to be friends with a mind reader. Honestly, I can’t be bothered to read their thoughts, but who can stop them from imagining things?" With that, Hu Maomao pulled a bag of leftover rice out of the fridge. "Want some egg-fried rice?"

"Sure, I’m good with anything." The words had barely left his mouth when the cold bag of leftover rice was thrust into his hands. "Now that you have hands again, go cook it yourself. I worry about you all day long, and on top of that I’m supposed to cook for you? Do you really think I’m your own mother?"

"Heh, my own mother isn’t this nice. You’re like my favorite aunt." Zhang Wenda stood up and walked toward the kitchen.

After dinner, he washed the dishes and cleaned the kitchen under her death glare before he was finally allowed to escape.

When Zhang Wenda returned to his own home and pushed open the door, he saw a barefoot Song Jianguo sitting cross-legged on the sofa, her eyes glued to the TV. Only the Black Cats on the ceiling were meowing to welcome him home.

’No matter what happened, nothing could stop her from watching TV.’

Zhang Wenda placed a white box he was carrying on the coffee table in front of Song Jianguo. As he pulled the ribbon, a delicate little cake was revealed.

Song Jianguo’s eyes widened as she looked at him in complete surprise. "You bought this for me?"

"Mhm, it’s for you. I’m sorry about what happened before." As he spoke, Zhang Wenda pushed the custom-made cake, which was covered in various kinds of fish and chicken, toward Song Jianguo.

Song Jianguo was ecstatic. She grabbed a spoon and began gobbling it down in huge mouthfuls, tossing pieces of cake up to the ceiling to happily share with the Black Cats. "For once, you’re acting like a human being."

"Do you like it?" Zhang Wenda asked with a smile, looking at Song Jianguo, whose nose was dotted with white frosting.

"Mhm! It’s delicious!" Song Jianguo nodded vigorously.

"It was 2,000 yuan. I’m deducting it from your salary."

Hearing this, Song Jianguo’s expression instantly froze. She stared at Zhang Wenda in disbelief.

Then, she shot up from the sofa and pointed her fork menacingly at Zhang Wenda. "You damn Haozi! You just clearly said it was a gift! I’m telling you, I will absolutely not pay for this!"

That night, Song Jianguo, flanked by her menacing Black Cats, entered into another round of negotiations with Zhang Wenda. After intense talks and bargaining, Zhang Wenda was ultimately defeated by the eloquent Song Jianguo.

Party B, Song Jianguo, not only secured the special privilege of one free cake per month, but also had her salary raised from 2,500 to 5,000 a month.

Lying in bed once more, Zhang Wenda watched the eyes of the Black Cats on the ceiling, appearing and disappearing in the darkness like stars in the sky.

He let out a long breath and slowly closed his eyes. He felt truly good now, as if a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

Just then, as he was drifting between wakefulness and sleep, Zhang Wenda felt a heavy weight on his chest, like he was experiencing sleep paralysis.

He opened his one arm and gently hugged the presence, and then he felt the "ghost" pressing down on him gently hug him back.