About an hour later.

The meal gathering came to an end.

Teachers and students all went home.

On the way home.

Lin Zichen noticed Shen Qinghan seemed upset, so he stopped and asked, “Hanhan, you look a bit down, did something happen?”

“No, just a little tired.” Shen Qinghan forced a smile.

Lin Zichen could tell she was faking it, but since she didn’t want to talk, he didn’t press further.

As they passed a supermarket.

Shen Qinghan stopped and said, “Xiao Chen, come with me to buy something.”

“Okay.” Lin Zichen agreed and followed her inside.

They walked straight to the back shelf.

It was filled with women’s personal products.

Shen Qinghan naturally reached for the top row and picked up a large pack of adult diapers for women.

Then, blushing, she whispered, “I only wear them at night when I sleep, not during the day.”

“Mm, you told me before.”

Shen Qinghan gave a bitter smile, “When I was little, my mom always said I’d grow out of it, that when I grew up, I wouldn’t wet the bed anymore. But even now, I still wet the bed at night. I can only sleep wearing diapers. It’s so annoying.”

Her mood dropped, “Xiao Chen, I feel like I’m disabled, like a cripple who can’t hold her bladder.”

“You’re not disabled.”

Lin Zichen looked at her seriously, “Not holding it is your superpower, it’s just that you haven’t fully developed it yet.”

“Superpower?” Shen Qinghan’s eyes lit up a bit.

“Yes, a superpower.” Lin Zichen nodded, “Your water affinity talent being so strong is proof of it.”

Shen Qinghan suddenly thought of something and asked, “Then Xiao Chen, since you’ve been strong since young, do you also have a superpower?”

“Yeah, just like you.” Lin Zichen answered without hesitation.

“Really?”

“Really.”

“What is your superpower then?”

“My superpower is that my body and learning ability are both very strong.”

“Ah?” Shen Qinghan looked disappointed, “That’s just talent.”

“Talent is also a kind of superpower, just like your water affinity.”

“Right, that makes sense.” Shen Qinghan smiled, “If I really have a superpower, I wonder what kind it’ll be.”

“It’ll definitely be a great one.” Lin Zichen smiled.

“Let’s go, Xiao Chen, time to pay.”

She smiled sweetly, then turned with the pack toward the cashier.

But when her back was to him, her smile dimmed.

Her acting had improved, but she still felt cursed, not gifted.

* * *

After paying, they left the supermarket.

Passing the vegetable market, they saw the security team exterminating rats.

But this time, a crazed man ran out crying, “Stop! Don’t kill my brothers! Stop it, now! Kill them again and I’ll fight you all!”

He grabbed a broom and charged the officers, trying to protect the rats scurrying everywhere.

“Xiao Chen, is he crazy?”

“Probably mentally ill.”

“He looks scary.”

“That’s how it is, let’s go home.”

“Mm.”

They watched briefly, then left.

Soon after, the man was subdued, handcuffed and thrown into a security car for interrogation.

* * *

At home, Lin Zichen ate dinner with his parents as usual while watching the news.

It reported another missing young teacher who vanished after school last week, the fifth missing woman this month.

“Another young woman missing? That’s the fourth this month, right?” Zhang Wanxin frowned.

Lin Yansheng corrected, “Fifth.”

“Five already? How has the culprit not been caught?” Zhang Wanxin asked.

Lin Zichen listened in, with eyes on the news.

The anchor said all five missing were young, pretty women. They warned women to avoid going out at night alone and stay away from deserted places.

“Xiao Chen, things aren’t safe. As a boy, you need to look after Hanhan. Don’t let her go out alone, understand?” Zhang Wanxin urged.

“Don’t worry Mom, I’ll watch over her.”

“Send her a WeChat message now, remind her to be careful. Tell her to always take you along if she needs to go out.”

“Okay.” Lin Zichen sent the message.

* * *

Shanhai City, XX District Security Office.

Inside a bright interrogation room.

The crazy man from the market was being examined by a psychiatrist.

Two security officers guarded outside.

Half an hour later.

One officer entered and asked, “So? Mentally ill?”

“Not sure.” The doctor shook his head, “He won’t talk, like he’s mute.”

“He’s no mute, he was screaming nonstop earlier.”

Just then, the officer noticed the man’s face twitching, fur sprouting rapidly.

His face paled, shouting,

“Quick, call headquarters! Send in cyborg support! He’s transforming into a Giant Aberrant Rat!!”