Chapter Sixty-One: A Second Blooming

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Zhao Bohan was truly deserving of his reputation, possessing knowledge and analytical skills akin to a human-form AI. Just a single phrase—“his status even surpasses Wu Zirui”—revealed the sharp edge beneath this composed deputy team leader's demeanor. Qi An admired him greatly. She had already guessed that a major battle was imminent, and that their squad’s opportunity would come from it.

However, she could only surmise that this great battle must be related to the Queen Nest, for although it had been discovered quite some time ago, the base seemed never to have launched a concerted extermination effort. She hadn’t yet clearly assessed the strategic value of those several cities involved.

“Got it. We’ll leverage the contacts we made from these two operations and seek opportunities amid the battle!” Yu Shuang summarized, her emotions quick to arise and just as quick to fade. Now that the storm had passed, she gave Zhao Bohan a thumbs-up.

“It’s gotta be you, Old Zhao! What would we do without you in our team?”

A faint smile tugged at the corners of Zhao Bohan’s lips as he looked at Yu Shuang, whose smile blossomed with warmth and vitality. Yu Shuang hesitated, about to say something more, when her phone buzzed with a message.

Qin Erha: [Starving, starving! When can we have hotpot?]

Clearly urging for a group meal, Yu Shuang smiled and replied, [Don’t wail, I’ll ask Xu Le.]

Qin Erha: [Xu Le is right here in our dorm. He said they’re free at noon.]

Yu Shuang raised an eyebrow: [Alright then, lunch at a restaurant today!]

Qin Erha: o(*≧▽≦)ツ

Yu Shuang smiled again, but when she looked up, she caught Zhao Bohan’s gaze fixed on her, cool and steady.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, puzzled.

Zhao Bohan said nothing, silently rolling up the map and retreating into the small dressing room to change clothes. The atmosphere grew inexplicably tense. Zhuang Xiao, halfway through cracking a sunflower seed, glanced toward Su Qingran, who already understood and smiled softly, enjoying the unfolding scene.

Zhao Bohan’s words had steadied everyone’s emotions; the lounge gradually regained its liveliness. Yu Shuang didn’t comprehend what Zhao Bohan was up to, but the matter at hand was important. Once Zhao Bohan finished changing, she blocked him at the dressing room door and whispered:

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“That video has been fully restored and is very clear. Old Yang’s friend sent it to me last night.”

Zhao Bohan’s expression immediately turned grave. “Send me a copy... better yet, make sure everyone has one!”

Yu Shuang nodded, her eyes bright. “The tampered spy drone footage was also sent last night. I’ll send both to you. With these two deadly pieces of evidence, we might not be able to topple Wu Zirui, but Team One is doomed, and at least Liu Hui will lose some ground!”

Zhao Bohan nodded, his eyes cold.

The conflict with Zhou Yang, Liu Hui, and their group was more than just bullying and being bullied; four lives from Xiao Zhou’s team lay in the balance. Zhao Bohan’s earlier strategy outlined a grand struggle, while the two pieces of evidence in Yu Shuang’s hands were the key to revenge and counterattack.

However, Zhao Bohan had another matter to discuss with Yu Shuang. He stepped back deeper into the shadows of the small cubicle.

“My mental enhancement level has increased,” he said in a low voice.

Yu Shuang was stunned, almost disbelieving. “Really?”

Was it now so easy to raise one’s mental enhancement level? Qi An had just advanced, and now Zhao Bohan too? Moreover, Zhao Bohan’s previous level was five; now it had risen to six—that was the level required to become a Purifier!

A smile touched Zhao Bohan’s face. This was a major breakthrough for him, almost doubling the breadth of his future path. But he also harbored worries, whispering:

“This can’t be revealed just yet. There’s never been a precedent for a team to have two Purifiers. If I officially become one, either I or Xiao Qi will have to leave.”

His concern was very practical. Yu Shuang immediately nodded. “I understand.”

Zhao Bohan glanced toward the sofa where several people were passionately chatting, his gaze resting on Qi An.

She sat in the corner, holding a cup of water, seemingly smiling as she listened, but her eyes were unfocused—lost in thought.

After a moment’s hesitation, Zhao Bohan lowered his voice near Yu Shuang’s ear:

“My mental power probably started to increase after being purified by Xiao Qi.”

Yu Shuang was stunned again, but then looked up, catching the complexity in Zhao Bohan’s expression.

She snapped, “You’re doubting her again? A second time? Want to apologize once more? This time, don’t mention her—I won’t forgive you!”

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Though angry, she barely raised her voice.

Through the gap in the curtain’s fold, Zhao Bohan caught the meaning behind Yu Shuang’s words. After a brief silence, he said, “Perhaps I’m mistaken, or it’s just wishful thinking.”

Yu Shuang snorted. “Just know this! Xiao Qi is really good. Countless times, without her, we wouldn’t have made it back. Don’t hurt her feelings!”

Zhao Bohan responded with a grunt.

Outside the curtain, Su Qingran’s teasing voice called out, “What secret whispers are the captain and deputy team leader sharing? Care to let us in on it?”

Yu Shuang suddenly realized the two had been squeezed into a tiny, dark cubicle for quite a while, their bodies nearly touching, breaths mingling.

She felt a little uneasy but still gave Zhao Bohan a warning glare before stepping out first.

Zhao Bohan smiled faintly and followed.

Neither of them expected that once they sat back down on the sofa, Tang Long stood up and announced, “I have something to share. I went to the military hospital yesterday to check my mental enhancement level. I... I’ve risen to level three!”

He was a bit shy but could hardly contain his excitement, his face beaming with joy.

His mental enhancement level had improved; from now on, he could be less of a burden to the team!

Everyone was surprised. Qi An reacted with a smile, “Congratulations!”

Zhuang Xiao groaned, “You just got promoted last month, and now your enhancement level goes up again. You... I... sigh!”

He buried his face in a pillow, lamenting.

His own lack of progress was frustrating enough, but his friends’ rapid advancement was even harder to accept.

Yu Shuang and Zhao Bohan exchanged glances. Yu Shuang furrowed her brow but still shot Zhao Bohan a warning look:

Don’t look at Xiao Qi!

She lowered her gaze for a second and then raised her fist to playfully punch Tang Long.

“Alright, you little rascal! You’re buying the drinks for lunch today!”

“Okay, okay!” Tang Long scratched his head and grinned sheepishly.