NOVEL NEXT Chapter 27 - The Strange Dorm Supervisor and the Power of Minced Beef!
Carrying the things he just bought from the store, He Gu soon returned to the front of the dorm building.
The dorm supervisor was still sitting at the entrance reading his newspaper. As He Gu walked in carrying his things, the supervisor suddenly called out to him.
“Young man, wait a minute.”
He Gu stopped in his tracks and turned around. “What’s up, uncle?”
The supervisor tapped He Gu’s shoulder with his newspaper. “What’s going on with you? I’ve seen you going in and out a lot these past few days.”
He Gu explained helplessly, “I have to go out to eat and buy stuff, that’s not against school rules.”
The supervisor’s face hardened. “It’s not against the rules, but there are so few people left in the dorm and no one else runs around as much as you!”
It seems like the supervisor was just trying to find fault with him.
He Gu didn’t want any trouble, so he nodded. “Alright, I’ll try to stay in more from now on.”
The supervisor’s expression softened a little as he added, “Don’t think I’m being too strict. It’s for your own safety.”
“With so few people left on campus and only one guard at the gate, it’s dangerous to be out and about so much. You saw in the news how a student at another school got into trouble recently!”
As he spoke, the supervisor held out his newspaper, gesturing for He Gu to take a look.
He Gu waved away the newspaper impatiently. “Okay okay, I got it uncle.”
Seeing this, the supervisor shot him an annoyed glance. “Forget it, you won’t listen no matter what I say. Just watch yourself and be back by 9pm if you go out at night.”
“If you come back late and get locked out, don’t come crying to me!”
Having said his piece, the supervisor sat back down in his chair, waving He Gu away impatiently.
As He Gu turned to leave, he suddenly noticed a black line quickly spreading up the supervisor’s arm from his hand, already reaching his neck!
This was a sign of bizarre corruption!
He Gu’s heart skipped a beat. Then he saw the supervisor jerk up from his seat as if shocked, hastily throwing on his uniform jacket.
Seeing this, He Gu didn’t dare linger. He dashed up the stairs back to his dorm room and locked the door, leaning against it to catch his breath.
Thinking back now, He Gu realized the supervisor was acting strangely today.
Why did he suddenly pick on him?
And why did he say all those things?
He Gu had wondered if the supervisor could be fully trusted, but now he’d seen clear evidence of bizarre corruption on the man.
He Gu’s thoughts were in turmoil.
After catching his breath for a while, He Gu looked up to see Little Ying’s bed curtains tightly drawn. He had no idea what she was doing in there.
Ignoring Little Ying, He Gu glanced at the birdcage hanging over his bed. He froze in shock.
The cage door was open!
He Gu rushed over to check. Thankfully the parrot was still inside, though its head drooped listlessly, eyes glazed over.
Looking closer, the red in its feathers seemed a little more prominent than before.
He Gu turned and shouted angrily at Little Ying’s bed, “Did you open the birdcage?”
Little Ying’s indifferent voice sounded from behind the curtain. “It was squawking and thrashing about like crazy just now, I was afraid it would hurt itself. I opened the cage to let it out but then it went still again.”
Hearing her explanation, He Gu’s anger abated somewhat. He didn’t know if she was telling the truth, but at least the parrot was alive.
Too lazy to argue with Little Ying, He Gu took the cage off its hook and placed it on his lower bunk. Then he took out the bag of “Tasty Minced Beef” he’d bought from the store.
Seeing the minced beef, the parrot seemed to revive. It flapped its wings excitedly and hopped over. Just like a greedy housecat spotting its favorite treat.
He Gu immediately ripped open the package and crushed one piece in his palm. He held it out to the cage. The parrot eagerly started pecking, gobbling up the crumbs in seconds.
Then He Gu saw the parrot vigorously ruffle its feathers, and some of the red faded away.
The parrot already looked livelier, flapping its wings happily, its eyes bright with anticipation.
He Gu crushed another piece and fed the parrot. After eating, more red disappeared from its feathers and it seemed much more spirited.
After five pieces, all the red was gone and the parrot was back to snow white. Its eyes shone brightly with an almost human-like gleam. It cocked its head at He Gu.
“Food is always good, especially delicious food. It can heal anything… So that’s what the hidden message in Rule #4 meant!”
Seeing the recovered parrot, He Gu finally understood the implication behind that line in Rule #4.
He still had three pieces of minced beef left. The store clerk said it was limited to one package per person, so this was the last of the stock.
After thinking for a moment, He Gu took another piece and carefully crushed it into dust. He held out a grain-sized bit to the cage.
The parrot cocked its head, seemingly hesitant, but soon started eating.
Hopefully, He Gu asked, “Is the person coming for me tonight trustworthy?”
This was his biggest concern.
But the parrot just cocked its head at He Gu and squawked, “Caw! Meat! Meat!”
…
He Gu frowned. “You just ate!”
But the parrot didn’t seem to understand. It kept squawking, “Caw! Meat! Meat!”
…
Seeing the parrot like this, He Gu felt exhausted.
Did these minced beef snacks not count? Did the parrot have to eat cafeteria meat to answer questions?
Or could it only answer one question total?
It looked like he’d have to try sneaking some meat from the cafeteria at lunch to find out.
With that thought, He Gu carefully wrapped up the remaining minced beef and locked it away in his cabinet.
The beef could heal the parrot, so it was clearly a key item. He had to conserve what was left.
After that, He Gu glanced at Little Ying’s bed again before placing the birdcage on his bunk and climbing up himself.
Now all he could do was wait until lunchtime, then battle wits with the cafeteria staff to sneak out some meat.
…