Chapter 8: Tarot Cards, Guide My Path
1116 Words
Chapter 8: Tarot Cards, Guide My Path
On the table in the Wolf-Hunting Squad’s room, there was a bag of cat food. The walls were covered with several photos of Rao Tian taken the day before.
“So this is what a werewolf looks like in a photo. I like the fur color,” Rao Tian thought as he looked at his own picture.
“My squad is called the Wolf-Hunting Squad. Don’t be scared. The creature in these photos is a werewolf. It’s real.
“Yesterday, it appeared in the city. It destroyed things and hurt several of our team members.
“If you walk around the city at night, the big wolf might take you away.
“Creatures like this are sly and evil. They like to hunt young boys like you...”
“Achoo!” Rao Tian sneezed.
“What’s wrong?”
“I... forgot to put on clothes and cover myself last night. I think I caught a cold,” Rao Tian said.
“Cough, cough.” Li Ran paused, then continued.
“Do you want to join us tonight? You can see how I catch that beast. Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.”
Li Ran thought Rao Tian was cute and felt protective. She didn’t realize the beast she spoke of was standing right in front of her.
“Well... I’m kind of scared of this... uh... sly and evil creature...”
“Based on what Mr. Li told me, I think it’s safer to catch its disguise during the day than at night...”
Rao Tian was worried Li Ran might say, “Then we’ll capture you instead.”
“So... what do you think its disguise would be?”
“Well, since it’s like a dog, its disguise should probably be a dog or coyote,” Rao Tian said, hoping to mislead Li Ran.
“Good idea! You’re so smart,” Li Ran said, patting his head.
“Well... I’m still scared of the werewolf. Let’s check out other places first.”
“Of course. What would you like to see?”
“The prison cells and maybe some escape routes.”
Li Ran then showed Rao Tian around the entire base and explained the work of each department.
Rao Tian felt tempted. Without his special identity, he might have been able to join the organization.
Just as he was about to leave, Li Bo stopped him. He pinned a commemorative badge on Rao Tian’s shirt.
“Remember, you can’t tell anyone about our organization.
“Since you’re recommended by Wang Jie, we’ll make an exception for you.
“This involves confidential matters. No one can know. Can you do that?”
Rao Tian, now more sensitive to things after turning into a canine, felt his tail almost wagging. But he controlled himself.
“Goodbye, everyone.”
“Goodbye, Rao Tian. Don’t forget to come back sometime!”
After the strange experience, Rao Tian felt like he was a chicken walking into a KFC or a wolf entering a flock of sheep.
“Hm?”
He noticed Chen Xia standing behind the group. Chen Xia’s eyes glowed red as he licked his sharp teeth.
It seemed like Chen Xia noticed Rao Tian’s gaze. He bent backward suddenly.
“?” Rao Tian stared in shock as the elevator slowly rose.
The others turned to look at Chen Xia.
“Old Chen, what are you doing?”
“Stretching my muscles?”
When Rao Tian got home, he opened the fridge and walked into the kitchen. He cooked himself a bowl of noodles.
He liked his noodles firm, seasoned with chicken essence, soy sauce, and Sichuan pepper oil. He added the leftover meat from lunch.
While eating, his phone played the latest episode of an anime. Rao Tian thought about his experience in the organization.
“This organization clears out monsters at night, and they even have a special team to capture me.
“If I don’t act soon, they’ll find out about me. Looks like I have to go out tonight,” he thought.
Suddenly, his phone rang with a video call request. Rao Tian quickly covered the screen.
“Who is calling me now?”
Rao Tian didn’t like video calls. If a voice call would work, why bother with video?
After a while, the phone stopped ringing. The caller had hung up.
Rao Tian grabbed his phone and saw the notification.
It was a video call from Li Xian. What does she want?
Rao Tian tossed his phone aside and continued eating.
After finishing his meal, he remembered the birthday gift his mother had sent. It was still under the coffee table.
Inside the box was a deck of tarot cards.
“Son, I had a master bless these cards. They’re very accurate,” the note inside said.
Rao Tian flipped through the instruction manual. He had some questions he wanted to test.
However, he didn’t want to ask any questions that might reveal his future. If he knew too much, it would make things hard.
Following the manual, Rao Tian picked 27 cards. This spread could reveal the answers he needed.
—Is there a girl who secretly likes me?
The Fool... Alright.
—Should I go out tonight at midnight?
Nine of Cups...
—Will I come home safely tonight?
The Chariot... Sure.
—Should I have agreed to join the organization today?
Death... That card feels pretty accurate.
After eating, Rao Tian took a short nap and woke up at 9:30. He took off his clothes and went to the bathroom to test some things.
At 11:00, he got ready to leave. His eyes still hadn’t returned to normal.
He opened his phone and sent a message to Li Ning.
“Didn’t you want to see something? I can show you tonight.”
“Forget it. My parents are home tonight.”
Seeing Li Xian’s video call request, Rao Tian rolled his eyes.
“What is she doing, big sister?”
“I accidentally touched the wrong button. Sorry,” Li Xian said.
Rao Tian walked down the street. He wanted to check on the warehouse.
Suddenly, he heard footsteps behind him. Before he could turn around, someone slapped him on the shoulder.
“Hey, isn’t this the little brother I met earlier today? Still out wandering the streets so late?”
It was a member of the Wolf-Hunting Squad. Rao Tian didn’t know how she had found him.
She hugged him and ruffled his hair.
“Caught you today. Let’s go hunt wolves with our big sister!”
“Ah! Wait—”
Before Rao Tian could finish, the woman pulled him away.
- Writer
