Section 36: When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do

Sima returned to his rented apartment under the cover of night. He had enjoyed a sumptuous dinner, leaving his stomach full and his heart satisfied, bordering on the lethargy that follows a heavy meal. After a quick shower and mentally rehearsing what he needed to say, he dried off and made two phone calls—first to Zhao Ronghua, then to Lu Youyou. Both had already learned through various channels about his "abnormal physiological adrenaline secretion." They forgave his delayed contact, expressed their regrets, and unanimously urged him to stay calm; since he could no longer compete in the games, he should focus on his studies. Sima offered vague, perfunctory replies. He knew full well that staying at Beizhi Foreign Studies University to "focus on his studies" was impossible. The authorities would never allow a "Gu Master" to remain beyond their control. They were essentially "ticking time bombs," far too dangerous to be left to their own devices. He knew that his "Psychic Gu" was harmless, but Yang Zirong and the others didn't know that. What if it had been a "Zhurong Gu" or a "Blood-thirst Gu"?

He could never go back to Beizhi Foreign Studies University.

He tossed his phone aside and opened the plastic bag he had brought back. Inside were boxes of leftovers—a balanced mix of meat and vegetables, plus eggs and fresh milk, enough for breakfast the next day. Sima read for a while under the lamp before heading to bed early to rest and recharge, preparing to arrive on time the next day and continue playing the role of the newcomer.

He slept without dreams and woke up the next morning feeling refreshed. Sima heated up the leftovers, finished them off along with the eggs and milk, and decided that a life like this wasn't so bad. The sun was shining outside, yet the temperature was mild. He left early and walked briskly to his workplace, swiped his badge to enter the small building, and headed straight to the administrative office on the second floor. Neither Xue Dong nor Bian Yaoshun had arrived yet, and the office was empty. Sima opened a window for fresh air and took a thermos to the breakroom to fetch hot water, where he happened to run into Zhou Lingri. They exchanged a lukewarm greeting.

Returning to the office, Sima brewed a cup of flower tea and stood by the window, sipping it slowly. Outside, the green trees swayed with vitality. The muffled noise of the city drifted in—the world of men was separated yet connected, just right, and not at all unpleasant. He had finished three infusions of tea when he heard someone enter. Looking back, he saw a man in his fifties with a buzz cut, stubble on his chin, and eyelids drooping as if he hadn't fully woken up. The man swayed toward the sofa and plopped down. He eyed Sima for a moment and asked in a slurred voice, "You’re the new one... what was it again?"

"Sima," he replied calmly.

Bian Yaoshun spoke as if he had an olive stuck in his mouth. "Right, Sima. A rare name... You haven't had your physical exam yet, have you? Let me tell you, that physical is a life-or-death hurdle..."

Xue Dong walked into the office just in time to hear the tail end of that sentence. He frowned and cut him off, "Old Bian, stop fear-mongering and scaring the new guy!"

Bian Yaoshun glanced at him, completely disregarding the director's authority. He grumbled, "Who's scaring him? Didn't I fall into Yang Zirong’s trap? Tossed and turned, until I had only half a life left..."

Xue Dong showed no deference to the senior. "Spare us," he retorted irritably. "If it weren't for that, you wouldn't have even half a life left!"

Bian Yaoshun grunted but didn't pursue the topic. Instead, he gestured to the desk, ordering Sima to brew him a cup of tea—the same kind of flower tea he was drinking. Sima took the man's teacup from his desk and discovered the dregs were covered in a layer of white, fuzzy mold. It was repulsive. He had no choice but to take the cup to the breakroom, scrub it clean, and use his own tea leaves to brew a fresh cup. He placed it on the coffee table. Bian Yaoshun took a deep breath, smacked his lips, and said, "Wuyutai’s high-grade fannings, that’s the flavor! Kid, let me give you a tip: high-grade tea must be brewed in an enamel mug. Never wash away the tea stains. Take half a handful of leaves, use water just off the boil, and pour slowly in a circular motion. Don't rush—"

Xue Dong scoffed, cutting him down without hesitation. "Tea dust, and you call it class! Beizhi people are so pretentious. Douzhi, fried intestines, stewed liver, mung bean curd, boiled cabbage—it’s all cheap junk. No matter how fancy you make it sound, the truth is you can't afford the good stuff! Who eats offal if they can afford meat?"

"Bah, you don't understand," Bian Yaoshun countered. "The God of Five Flavors is in Beizhi; it’s that specific taste you're paying for!"

Sima found it quite interesting. Bian Yaoshun was an old Beizhi local, while Xue Dong was a transplant. Watching them bicker was like watching sparks fly, and he learned quite a bit from their exchanges.

After drinking Sima's tea, Bian Yaoshun decided the lad wasn't bad and asked how he had been "caught" by Yang Zirong. Sima explained that he had been eyeing the free meals provided to the university track team, so he pushed himself to train in the 100m and 200m sprints. He earned a Level 2 athlete certificate but hadn't considered holding back, and ended up running too fast, which gave him away. Bian Yaoshun slapped his thigh and roared with laughter, calling Sima a genius. He added that he’d never thought of becoming an athlete himself, but cautioned that one shouldn't be too flashy. "The tallest stalk of grain gets cut first," he warned. "Take it easy. Use five parts of your strength out of ten; steady progress is the key to longevity!"

Sima shrugged, saying that he believed in making the best of where he landed. The "special kitchen" at the Second Division was quite good, and if the opportunity arose, he asked Director Bian to put in a good word with Director Yang to keep him in the administrative office. Bian Yaoshun looked him over and remarked that the kid had good sense—administrative work was steadier than field duty. "Isn't the free food from the 'special kitchen' delicious enough? Why go out and risk life and limb?" Xue Dong chimed in, accusing Bian of poisoning the youth's mind, arguing that if you don't go out and strive, how will you ever know the wonders of this world...

Work started at 9:00 AM, and lunch was at 11:00 AM. Sima joined the two directors in the cafeteria. Although Bian Yaoshun was not a "Gu Master," he sat with them anyway. He finished his meal in a few bites, then spent the rest of the time swirling a glass of wine, watching them eat with a wistful look, as if reminiscing about the past. Sima guessed that Bian had once been a Gu Master, but the parasite within him had been too dangerous and was forcibly removed, leaving him with only half a life. Yang Zirong kept him in the office on a nominal salary, a gesture of kindness that allowed him to spend his remaining years in peace.

After lunch, the administrative office closed its doors for a nap. Bian Yaoshun unabashedly claimed the sofa, and within moments, his snoring was thunderous. Xue Dong had a lounge chair; annoyed by the noise, he put in earplugs and slept soundly. Sima could only rest his head on his desk. Outside the window, the cicadas chirped, harmonizing with the snoring. At 3:00 PM, Xue Dong woke Bian Yaoshun, and they opened the office for business. Sima took his empty thermos to get water and, as luck would have it, ran into Zhou Lingri again.

Zhou Lingri informed Sima that at 2:00 PM tomorrow, he should report to the general office. Once everyone was assembled, they would head for their physicals, followed by pre-job training, with Director Yang himself conducting the lecture—a rare opportunity. Sima asked if all the other newcomers had reported for duty. Zhou Lingri said only two had arrived, and one had already given up. Sima asked, as if casually, if it was still possible to quit. Zhou Lingri’s expression grew strange. "Surrender your Gu," she said, "and you can return to being an ordinary person." Sima recalled Bian Yaoshun’s words and thought to himself that when people are this foolish, there is truly no saving them.