Chapter 8, Peace Agreement

This is certainly short-sighted; however, Chen Fengshi hopes to savor the beauty before him a little longer. Therefore, he altered his plans and decided to seek the true nature behind the red mist after dinner

Chen Fengshi felt a sense of shame in his heart, and thus found it difficult to respond to the overly embellished conclusions drawn by those thin individuals. For instance, regarding the incident where Lao Kai challenged him in the cafeteria, he was genuinely preoccupied with glancing at Shen Ai that day, and after finishing his meal, he was in a hurry to return to his dormitory to play games, which is why he did not engage. He also did not take offense at Lao Kai's somewhat rude tone at that time. However, later on, when they encountered each other, they compared their strengths through a handshake, and Lao Kai ended up at a disadvantage, yet Chen Fengshi did not boast about it.

After the red mist departed, Shen Ai was momentarily stunned, and the brilliance in her gaze gradually returned to the familiar state known to Chen Fengshi

This made Chen Fengshi feel even more like a bacterial virus, as a group of alumni systematically dispelled the red mist, which he found to be inherently unscientific, resembling something magical or akin to supernatural abilities.

This thing is quite capable of expressing peace and sincerity. The decisive performance of the red mist made Chen Fengshi feel it was very anthropomorphic, at least not like an incomprehensible otherness.

However, he allows the red mist to rampage and harm others for this reason

Chen Fengshi attempted to use mental focus to drive his efforts, hoping for greater efficiency. However, after several attempts, he found it to be completely ineffective. Upon reflection, his so-called mental focus involved repeatedly chanting "disperse the red mist, disperse the red mist, disperse the red mist." If this were effective, it would indeed resemble a spell, and it is certainly quite unscientific

My understanding of the Earth is still limited, but I believe that using this humanity as a condition for our peaceful coexistence is very appropriate. She will no longer be disturbed, and there will be no more conflict between you and me. Is this what you need? The tone of Shen Ai's voice remains the same, but it lacks the joy and enthusiasm of the past, making it sound completely different.

I never expected Sister Yao to dislike me so much, to deceive me into coming here and injure so many alumni. If it weren't for you, I don't know how she would have harmed me further. I am truly, truly grateful to you!" Shen Ai expressed her heartfelt gratitude, while Chen Fengshi, listening to her, felt happy yet somewhat terrified.

Although Chen Fengshi felt that the trope of a hero saving a damsel in distress was somewhat clichéd, since the parties involved were himself and the goddess Shen Ai, he was certainly more than willing to accept it

How difficult it is to be sincere

Dozens of alumni, all dispelling the red mist like this, and over an hour has passed just like that

"Alright, alright, it's not like I blame you for hiding things too deeply, no need to make excuses for forgiveness." The thin man dismissively changed the subject; to him, it was just a ridiculous joke, and he was more concerned about other matters. "Old Chen, you know that guy Xiao Baiqiu is pursuing my goddess. One time, I was talking to her, and he suddenly came over, treating me like I was invisible and pushed me aside. Damn, he practices karate! I've been feeling frustrated about this! You have to help me, right?" "Old Chen, you know that guy Xiao Baiqiu is pursuing my goddess. One time, I was talking to her, and he suddenly came over, treating me like I was invisible and pushed me aside. Damn, he practices karate! I've been feeling frustrated about this! You have to help me, right?"

Chen Fengshi felt quite moved, or rather, he had always believed that the difference between friends and strangers lies in a greater degree of sincerity. He was feeling uncomfortable about the matter concerning the red mist, and at that moment, he hopefully said to the thin man: "Something major has happened at our school; today, Sister Yao and Shen Ai are all involved in this mysterious incident."

Chen Fengshi was very pleased, but after trying a few people, he found that no matter how the positions changed, it was of no use. This inevitably led him to suspect that the size of the contact surface was the key factor. However, he neither wanted to embrace male alumni nor to be frivolous with female alumni, so he could only explore other possibilities

Returning to school, Shen Ai had arranged to treat Chen Fengshi to dinner in the evening as a gesture of gratitude. Originally, it was supposed to be in the city, but Chen Fengshi did not want her to spend too much and, feeling embarrassed to reveal his current inhuman appetite, suggested that he preferred the noodle shop outside the school.

... ... Truly, what a troublemaker. Why is she making things difficult for Shen Ai? Shen Ai is such a good girl, what has she done to deserve this? ... ... Oh my! So you are that strong! You took down twenty by yourself? It was really low-key of you not to accept Lao Kai's invitation to spar in the cafeteria last time; you really don't like to stir up trouble and have a sense of martial ethics! ... ...

When everyone asked Chen Fengshi, he did not uphold the virtue of speaking the truth, but instead affirmed Shen Ai's words

"Don't worry! How could I possibly betray you and end up harming myself in the process? Just give him a bump, let him experience the feeling of being angry yet unable to voice it, the taste of being on the back foot!" The thin man was invigorated, excitedly declaring that he was a good friend, and right then and there, he was filled with anticipation, pondering how to quickly find an opportunity for revenge.

Chen Fengshi removed his hands from the top and back of one person's head and then placed them on the top and back of another alumnus's head. In his eyes, the red mist quickly diminished, eventually disappearing completely from the external environment. However, if he were to remove his hands at that moment, it would soon surge out from the person's body again. He needed to maintain contact for a while longer, as although the external mist had dissipated, there was still some remaining within the body.

"What major event?" The thin man was taken aback, and Chen Fengshi mustered his courage to explain the matter as concisely as possible.

After listening, the thin man laughed and said, "Wow, this idea is quite good! Did you come up with it yourself or did you borrow it from some anime?"

Chen Fengshi placed both hands on the top of a fellow alumnus's head, and in just three minutes, the red mist surrounding that person dissipated completely, with no red mist overflowing from the head. After dragging the second alumnus away from the unconscious crowd, he attempted to improve the method. He placed one hand on the top of the head and the other on the back, thus dispersing the red mist. After this adjustment, the time was reduced to two minutes!

Having been busy, only Shen Ai remained, and she continued to watch quietly. At this moment, Chen Fengshi could not help but want to ask why. However, it was Shen Ai who spoke first.

You possess the power of life, and the deeper your understanding, the more detrimental it becomes for me. The peace agreement is founded on our mutual needs; you require that this human is not disturbed by me, while I need you not to interfere with my existence

When Chen Fengshi returned to the pavilion, he saw that Sister Yao and her group were still in a state of unconsciousness, so he proceeded to expel the red mist from each of them in the same manner.

"Shouzi—don't you think that if you keep embellishing things, the person I know is about to change?" Chen Fengshi couldn't help but interrupt, but Shouzi nonchalantly replied, "Damn! It’s just that I didn’t understand you in the past! One shouldn’t be too low-key, you know? Being so low-key that people are left in the dark is excessive humility, it’s insincere! In the past, Hanzi and I didn’t know your capabilities, and that is a form of insincerity towards us! Friends should have less concealment and more sincerity!" In the past, Hanzi and I didn’t know your capabilities, and that is a form of insincerity towards us! Friends should have less concealment and more sincerity!

Chen Fengshi felt very frightened, yet he did not want to miss the opportunity to learn more. "At the very least, I should have a sufficient understanding of the parties involved in the agreement. Shouldn't you introduce yourself?"

The red mist has made the benefits and drawbacks clear. If he maintains peace with the red mist, then continuing to engage with the goddess under the current circumstances would certainly represent a significant breakthrough in their relationship

Chen Fengshi felt that, upon further reflection, this was both a benefit provided by the red mist and a threat posed by it. Peace is beneficial for everyone, but a falling out could instantly turn him into a stranger with Shen Aiyong.

However, no matter what, it is always a good thing that Shen Ai is able to cooperate so well

Chen Fengshi was waiting in the dormitory as the appointed time approached. Suddenly, Shouzi, while playing a game, heard someone returning to school talking about a heroic rescue of a beauty. Excited, he ran to the bedside and grabbed him, persistently inquiring about all the details of the incident.

I am serious; it is because you said that friends should be more sincere that I was able to muster the courage to speak the truth

Does this mean that the red mist can also, in turn, leave Shen Ai with a relationship that is unfavorable for Chen Fengshi to approach her after the infection

Dating the goddess is certainly an exhilarating matter, but when Chen Fengshi thought of the existence of the red mist, he felt quite irritated

However, Chen Fengshi did not intend to seek reconciliation. Given the wisdom of Hongwu, could such a reconciliation be merely a delay? With the control demonstrated by Hongwu, as it gains a deeper understanding of human society in the future, Chen Fengshi felt that he might be subjected to a hundred different methods leading to his demise

The red mist surrounding Shen Ai swiftly retracted along the beam of light extending from the top of her head, fading away...

The thin man was completely immersed in the exhilarating emotions of being awed by Chen Fengshi, sifting through the fragments of the past, all of which were reinterpreted from a beautified perspective

Chen Fengshi no longer expected the thin man to believe him; if he continued, the thin man would think he was crazy. "When your solid backing is not an issue, it is unacceptable to take the initiative to hit someone and seek punishment."

It is evident that these are the attitudes of the red mist

Except for Shen Ai, the other sober alumni do not remember what happened, nor do they recall why they are here. Even after listening to Shen Ai's account, many of them remain confused, wondering—why do so many people not remember? Has everyone’s mind been damaged? ... It can't be that coincidental ...

"Chen Fengshi, thank you." When Shen Ai expressed her gratitude, her expression seemed to be mixed with a sense of admiration

Chen Fengshi found the red mist to be unexpectedly troublesome, so he certainly could not approach it with the same mindset he would use for benevolent beings. Therefore, he feigned hesitation and then said: "I need a day to consider."

Chen Fengshi had just exited the dormitory building when he suddenly received a message from his goddess

Chen Fengshi felt a chill run down his spine. The red mist, whatever it may be, indeed appears to be non-human! Moreover, it is a non-human entity with intelligence. If its actions so far can be attributed to a lack of understanding of humanity, what will happen when it understands us better?

Chen Fengshi observed the expression and gaze of the thin man with great seriousness, and then he became certain of one thing: the thin man did not believe him at all, and had regarded his words as mere nonsense and amusement from the very beginning.

Chen Fengshi let out a sigh of relief, his gaze falling upon the goddess Shen Ai, who stood quietly there, enveloped in a red mist.

In Shen Ai's memory, the fallen alumni were all knocked unconscious by Yao Jie’s people, and then Chen Fengshi defeated Yao Jie’s people to rescue her

This implies that in Shen Ai's memory, there exists a seamless connection in the memory process regarding the current situation, but not long ago, she was not like this. Does this mean that the red mist gave him a gift before leaving—that is, consciously preserving memories for Shen Ai, or perhaps a more harmonious memory in relation to their relationship

However, this statement left Chen Fengshi completely baffled... Based on previous limited experience, the red mist loses its memory after separation. Could it be that during the second separation, Shen Ai would be able to remember?

He pointed towards the pavilion where his sister was and said: "Shall we go?"

What is referred to as consideration is merely a delay tactic, allowing the red mist to remain unprepared

As Chen Fengshi noticed that the time was approaching, he no longer had the leisure to accompany the thin man in pondering the details. He agreed to assist him in the implementation, took a shower by himself, changed his clothes, tidied his hair, and repeatedly checked himself in the mirror. Once he confirmed that everything was in order, he finally stepped out.

Rather than explaining that he knocked everyone out because others could not see the red mist, it is evidently better to state the fact that everyone was defeated by Sister Yao, and he also defeated the villains

To my surprise, Shen Ai truly walked away obediently, cooperating in such a way that Chen Fengshi could not fathom what the red mist was thinking