Shībài zhě opened his eyes. He looked around to find David, but he noticed something else. They weren’t in the alley where David had gone to sleep. They were in a bedroom. But not just any bedroom, but what looked like one out of a five-star hotel.

“Where am I?” David said as he got out of the bed (That seemed very comfortable to Shībài zhě) he was laying in.

“I got here the same time as you kid.” Shībài zhě answered as he and David looked for a light switch. “I’m as confused as you are.”

Just then, the door of the room opened. Both Shībài zhě and David turned towards the door quickly and both were in fighting stances.

“Good morning, Master David.” The man said who was standing in the doorway. He then saw David’s fighting stance “It appears that I have startled you. My apologies sir.”

“Wait, that voice,” David said as his stance relaxed. “Chandler?”

“Yes sir.” The man said as he bowed to David. “It is me.”

He then proceeded to make his way towards the curtains and pulled them apart to reveal a stunning view of the city of New York from high above.

“Wait, if you’re here,” David said, “And I’m so high up, does that mean …”

He ran out of the room and Shībài zhě followed him. Once outside of the room, he saw the rest of the place. It was a penthouse apartment. They were on the second floor, and he could see below, the modern-looking, kitchen, an open-air pool outside, and a large living room with a large T.V and couches where a man was sitting reading a book. As David was rushing toward him down the stairs, Shībài zhě recognized him from a picture he had seen in David’s house.

“Marc!” David said as he made his way down the stairs and in front of his brother. Shībài zhě meanwhile jumped down the balcony.

“Hello there little brother,” Marc said as he stood up, dropped the book on the table in front of him, and hugged his brother. “How are you?”

“How did you find me?” David asked as he got away from his brother's grasp. 

“You were sleeping in the alley next to the apartment building. Chandler found you and brought you in when he was going out to get me the paper and this book.” Marc answered and pointed at the book and newspaper on the table.

“I think it is quite rude to not introduce yourself, young man,” Chandler said as he came down the stairs. “I am talking about you, Mr. Min.”

David turned around at the sound of the name. “Wait, Mr. Min who’s that.”

“That’s me.” Shībài zhě said as he turned towards the old butler. “I presume the old man told you about me.”

“So, you’re the man that is taking my brother down his rebellious phase huh,” Marc said as he folded his arms and turned to Shībài zhě as well. “Zhang Min.”

“Wait, your name is Zhang Min?” David asked Shībài zhě with shock on his face. “You said it was Shībài zhě?”

“I never said that.” Shībài zhě answered while Marc laughed behind David. “I only said to call me that since it’s what other people call me.”

“It means loser,” Marc said from the back. “Shībài zhě means loser. Probably Because of his poor quality of life.”

“How do you know the old man?” Shībài zhě asked him as even David started to giggle.

“The world of the people with abilities is bigger than you think,” Marc said as he picked up his jacket and put it on. “Which I will explain once I return.”

“You and the old man are the same.” Shībài zhě said as he sighed.

“How so?” Marc responded.

“Both of you will only explain after you give a job.”

“Well, I hope you don’t take it personally,” Marc said as he stood right in front of Shībài zhě. “But I don’t trust my little brother with you. He has been through a lot. I hope you can help him. I heard about the fight at the school and the challenge. There is a gym behind you in the hallway. You can train him there. Once I return and confirm a few things, I’ll explain things to you.”

All the while, Marc had a serious and business-like face. As he turned towards the door with Chandler following him, he turned to David.

“Oh, David.” Marc said as he turned around, this time with a much kinder face and softer voice, “There’s a lot of food in the fridge, and don’t be afraid to order anything or explore the building. You can stay here for as long as you want little bro.”

After he had left through the door, Shībài zhě turned to David and said, “You have a weird family kid.”

All David could do was shrug.

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Sorry for the late update, I was busy with other stuff which made me rethink this upload schedule. Now I will update every Sunday to make it easier for myself.

In the meantime, you can also read

The Guides "Ethrian Compendium" | Tapas Web Novels By @Spectorium_1

Or you can also read,

Knight of HOPE | Tapas Web Comics By @SargentAlchemist

See you next week.