Chapter 39 – Luosa Tree (1)
After finishing the meal, the high schooler washed the dishes while Jiang Yujin returned to his designated seat on the couch for some post-meal relaxation.
As his Xiaoxiaole energy depleted, just before he could ask his friend for energies, his phone vibrated—a call incoming.
Upon hearing the sound, the high schooler washing dishes in the kitchen glanced over before returning focus to the task.
Jiang Yujin bowed his head to answer the call.
It was Xu Gao calling, amidst a noisy background, clearly from a lively place. This time, it wasn’t to share any explosive gossip but to enthusiastically invite him to watch a movie.
Considering his idle and uneventful day, Jiang Yujin stood up, walked towards his room while continuing the conversation on the phone.
Occasional contact strengthened their bond as friends who enjoyed fresh melons. Jiang Yujin accepted the invitation and, after ending the call, changed out of his pajamas, greeted the high schooler, asking if he wanted to join for a stroll.
Obviously, the high schooler wasn’t interested.
*
After ending the friendly call, Xu Gao was already waiting at the agreed-upon cinema entrance. Spotting Jiang Yujin, he immediately waved.
Having previously been tasked during many vacations, this time he finally got a day off approved by the department, radiating sheer joy of leisure.
As Jiang Yujin approached, Xu Gao eagerly pulled him close, speaking rapidly like a machine gun.
He mentioned that all his friends outright refused to watch the movie with him, their attitude resolute without a hint of hesitation, utterly ruthless.
Fortunately, he still had a movie companion in Jiang Yujin.
Jiang Yujin asked, “By the way, what do you want to watch?”
Xu Gao exclaimed excitedly, “The Great White Shark versus the Man-Eating Flower, the masterpiece of the year!”
A movie whose production quality was apparent from its name alone.
Jiang Yujin understood that Xu Gao’s friends were unwilling. He patted the person next to him on the shoulder, glanced at the movie poster outside the cinema, and kindly suggested, “They Love Each Other might also be good.”
Lowering his gaze, he noticed green buds sprouting on the tree branches outside the cinema and asked, “Do you really have to go to this cinema?”
Xu Gao replied, “This is the only cinema showing this movie.”
Unsuccessful in persuading him, the two went together to watch the blockbuster featuring the Great White Shark and the Man-Eating Flower.
It felt like a particularly special day today. Inside the movie theater, there were couples everywhere, and amid them, two single guys stood out—not so much awkward as recipients of sympathetic glances.
Xu Gao wiped away a tear, unwilling to confront this harsh reality. He attempted to steer the conversation elsewhere, bringing up the situation in C City, saying:
“Originally, the higher-ups wanted to send people from our unit there, but everyone was busy with the anti-social organizations before and didn’t make time.”
He patted his chest, a little shaken. “If it had been a day later, I might have gone.”
The SIU typically assessed disaster levels swiftly, within half a day, but this time, two whole days had passed with no news.
Until now, there had never been an assessment delay at the SIU, and the only plausible explanation was that the results were in, but they weren’t planning to disclose them.
The only reason they’d withhold information was if the level was too severe, causing panic once announced.
Because the surveillance showed individuals related to the previously dismantled organization Zero, the issue fell back onto the SIU, but fortunately, a separate team handled it. For now, he didn’t have to worry about it.
Jiang Yujin empathized, “Your job seems pretty dangerous.”
Especially with so few rest days.
Xu Gao sighed sadly. As the movie began ticketing, the moment of sorrow ended. He stood up eagerly to get the tickets checked, while Jiang Yujin took his time following behind.
Human interests sure varied widely; it seemed Xu Gao’s interests were shared by quite a few. Ahead of them, several silly couples were energetically discussing the movie trailer’s content.
The lights dimmed inside the theater, and the screen lit up.
Predictable production, yet every step unfolded with unexpected twists. Jiang Yujin’s mind was profoundly impacted, his once-normal eyes gradually losing their spark.
He began pondering why he chose to spend a beautiful day watching this year’s masterpiece, then delved into contemplating the universe’s origin.
During the intense battle between the Man-Eating Flower and the Great White Shark by the seaside, one audience member closed their eyes.
Xu Gao was extremely excited, oblivious to the popcorn in his hand or his movie companion, his eyes fixed earnestly on the screen, his palms sweating.
There was movement by his feet. He slightly adjusted but whispered, “It’s getting intense, please don’t disturb.”
The itching sensation persisted by his feet.
Xu Gao turned to look at his companion, only to find his eyes shut tight.
His eyelashes were oddly long.
Wait, that’s not the point.
The person had fallen asleep, meaning he weren’t the one who touched his foot just now.
The sound of the movie was still emanating from the speakers. Xu Gao bent down and, using the light from his phone screen, saw what was under the seat.
A brownish root was sprouting from some unknown place, slowly crawling towards his shin.
Xu Gao nearly jumped up, making a sound resembling a monkey’s cry.
He disturbed the other audience members, and they all turned to look at him, expressing annoyance.
The intense battle sounds from the movie masked the rustling and the noise of something growing.
No one was spared. Even the displeased audience members made sounds resembling a monkey’s cry. Someone, startled, pushed away their girlfriend, hopped onto their seat, squatting and shaking continuously. The girlfriend was incredulous, and the two started arguing on the spot, accusing each other.
The sleeping audience who had closed his eyes suddenly opened them, and the first thing he said was, “Is there some gossip?”
“…”
There was indeed gossip, but now wasn’t the time for idle talk.
Xu Gao’s heart was still racing; after calming down, he took out his phone. “I need to call the authorities immediately.”
Jiang Yujin yawned, reminding him, “You’re from the Special Investigations Unit.”
Xu Gao replied, “Right.”
On the movie screen, the fierce battle between the Great White Shark and the Man-Eating Flower reached its climax. As the screen brightened, the theater also lit up.
They saw the knotted roots of a plant winding around the walls and audience seats, thick and densely packed, completely obscuring the door to the projection room behind them, slowly and dramatically extending.
“… “
Xu Gao took out his phone again, trying to dial. He turned to the person next to him. “What’s the Special Investigations Unit’s number?”
Jiang Yujin said, “…”
Even Jiang Yujin didn’t know.
The only two who appeared relatively calm were them. Xu Gao seemed only half composed, without any intention of taking action. Jiang Yujin managed to get through to the helpful Captain Xu on the phone.
Seeing Jiang Yujin dialing an unmarked number, Xu Gao asked, “Who are you calling?”
Jiang Yujin replied, “Captain Xu Tonggui.”
Xu Gao waved him off, “He’s heading for another task today. I’ll find Deputy Hu’s number.”
The call connected, and a steady male voice came through, “Tell Xu Gao to manage things; I’m on my way.”
Facing the gaze of his companion, Jiang Yujin ended the call, “He said he’s coming. He told you to figure things out first.”
Xu Gao said, “…”
He didn’t need Jiang Yujin to repeat it; Xu Gao had heard and fell silent for a moment.
It would take some time for Xu Tonggui from the Special Investigations Unit to arrive, and it seemed the people around were of no immediate help. Xu Gao glanced at the roots already spreading onto the seats, then caught sight of a fire axe hanging on the wall, illuminated by the screen’s light. He carefully navigated past the twisted roots on the floor, finally managing to reach and retrieve the fire axe.
As the Great White Shark roared on screen, he swung the axe at the roots blocking the exit.
It made a cut, but not enough—a minor gash appeared on the root, visible upon closer inspection.
Jiang Yujin bent down to inspect closely, clapping softly, “Well done! You’ve managed to create quite a significant wound!”
He was certainly good at encouragement.
Too consumed by sorrow, Xu Gao hadn’t noticed the person beside him casually stepping on the roots and approaching. All he heard was the praise, and it instantly choked him up. As he geared up to continue chopping, the previously terrified couple ahead let out a sharp scream.
They had been too frightened to move before, their legs weak, and they only reacted now as they watched the roots entangle their legs, realizing the danger too late.
Xu Gao temporarily abandoned opening the door, turning instead to rescue the two entangled individuals.
The growth of the roots was slow, and as long as people could move normally, they wouldn’t get entangled. Except for the couple, others managed to protect themselves.
Jiang Yujin moved slowly around the theater, glancing up at the intricate patterns of the coiled roots above, feeling a bit of strain in his neck, so he averted his gaze.
There was another fire axe on the other side of the theater. He walked over, weighed it in his hand for a moment, then glanced at the others moving cautiously around the hall to avoid entanglement. Feeling a bit idle, he crouched at the door and continued the task that Xu Gao couldn’t finish.
He chopped away slowly, breaking off any roots that attempted to approach, finally making a slightly larger notch than Xu Gao had managed before.
Compared to the roots covering the entire door, it was tiny and utterly ineffective.
Then, someone kicked the door in, causing the roots clinging to it to fall around.
A figure appeared at the doorway, clad in sleek black combat uniform.
Jiang Yujin raised his eyes and met the person’s gaze.
Xu Tonggui looked down at him, seemingly surprised to find him crouched there. He paused momentarily in his movement, then half knelt down, noticing the roots near Jiang Yujin that already had a small notch. After a moment’s thought, he said, “Impressive.”
He added, “You did well.”
This person was quite good at praising others. After the compliment, he half-knelt and extended his hand.
Jiang Yujin smiled, graciously acknowledging the praise but refrained from taking the hand. He patted his clothes and stood up, feeling it was enough.
With Xu Tonggui’s arrival, it signified that the situation was under control. Xu Gao felt a rush of excitement upon seeing him, almost more than when meeting family, and hurriedly approached.
Once he was near, Xu Tonggui assigned him a task—evacuating the remaining audiences from other halls.
As a part of the evacuating crowd, Jiang Yujin voluntarily started moving towards the cinema’s exit but stopped abruptly in front of one of the halls. His droopy eyelids lifted, and he suddenly seemed more attentive.
Having physically removed the doors of all screening rooms with audiences, Xu Tonggui returned.
At the sight of Jiang Yujin standing there, he suspected something was amiss. He set down the walkie-talkie and drew out a dagger, striding purposefully closer, following Jiang Yujin’s gaze.
The four people on the screen were watching each other. One is looking at that, and that is looking at the other, the other is looking at the other one, the other one is looking at the one, forming intricate relationships that could easily confuse anyone.
Beside Xu Tonggui, someone remarked in awe, “It is indeed the masterpiece of the year.”
Such films could only be appreciated by those well-versed in melodramatic soap operas’ greatness.
Xu Tonggui: “…”
Due to potential danger in the cinema, Citizen Jiang, among the evacuated citizens, missed witnessing the resolution of the four characters’ love and hatred, feeling quite regretful.
Standing outside the cinema, it became clear what had unfolded inside.
On the otherwise ordinary cinema roof, a substantial canopy emerged, its roots spread throughout the building, penetrating inside and out.
With others around, Xu Gao efficiently completed the evacuation and tallying of the audience by the time Xu Tonggui finished dealing with the canopy.
As the canopy fell, glowing greenish particles flew in the air. Xu Tonggui raised his gun.
After a few shots, the green glow vanished. Xu Tonggui glanced at Xu Gao, briefly explaining, “It’s a Luosa Tree. The green ones are spores that parasitize humans.”
Though they knew what it was, the reason for its appearance here needed verification. Requests to check the street’s surveillance cameras had been made, and hopefully, they’d find something.
Xu Gao’s attention fixated on the word “parasitize,” sending shivers down his spine.
It was evident that Xu Tonggui had driven there himself, with the rest of the team arriving later.
Xu Gao joined Xu Tonggui and asked the burning question, “Wasn’t there something else planned for you today, Captain Xu?”
Xu Tonggui replied, “Hu Li wanted to go, so I let him.”
…It was hard to imagine Deputy Hu voluntarily taking on work.
Having asked his question, Xu Gao gradually retreated, ending up at the edge of the crowd, squatting beside Jiang Yujin.
Crisis averted, he finally relaxed his nerves, glanced at the people around him, and began contemplating from a mystical perspective, “Every time, something happens when I’m around you. Is it your fate to attract trouble?”
Jiang Yujin glanced at him and pulled out a stress toy, “Maybe you attract trouble.”
Xu Gao felt there might be some truth to that. Mid-thought, he received orders to check the surveillance footage and was called to review it.
The surveillance wasn’t in vain; there was indeed something peculiar. Just before the incident, they distinctly saw someone wearing a hat passing in front of the cinema, dropping something casually but purposefully.
Then Xu Gao saw himself in the footage, followed by Citizen Jiang appearing in the crowd, engaging in conversation.
Before Citizen Jiang looked back at the cinema, the person operating the video hit pause, pointing at an indistinct green sprout in the video, saying, “The person dropped what seems to be a sprout, and at this point, it’s clearly germinating.”
The surveillance footage replayed. Jiang Yujin stood up, glancing at the screen from a distance.
The person with the hat looked familiar. Even though the face wasn’t visible, he remembered the attire.
It was the kind passerby from the outskirts of F City who had previously guided him to the park. The attire was exactly the same as before.
Considering the situation at that time, it seemed this kind passerby was involved in the park incident.
It was precisely because of what this kind-hearted passerby did that Shi Bu returned to the city late. Because he returned to the city late, he met Xu Tonggui, leading to a conversation that was nothing short of astonishing until now.
“…”
Jiang Yujin’s drooping eyebrows twitched slightly.
Great, another vivid recollection of that incident.
Someone else analyzed, “The Luosa Tree’s branches take root when they fall. If there are branches, there must be a mother tree. To solve this completely, we need to find the mother tree.”
Jiang Yujin stepped back, seamlessly blending into the crowd and disappearing.
After Xu Gao finished reviewing the footage and attempted to find his movie-watching companion, he realized the person had vanished from the scene.
Meanwhile, Xu Tonggui turned and caught sight of someone moving casually through the crowd in the distance. The person wore loose clothing, casually patting someone’s shoulder in the crowd, smiling brightly, seemingly unaffected by what happened at the cinema just now. After exchanging a few words, they started chatting intimately, almost ready to become friends right there.
It seemed the peculiar events had no effect on this person; at least, there were no issues evident in their social interactions.
