Deviant: No Longer Human

Anran sat back, her curiosity momentarily satisfied.

She looked at him, her expression a mixture of gratitude and lingering doubts. "I guess, but... I don't like the way you operate," she said, her lips curving into a small, wry smile.

Wang Xiao gave a nod, a gesture of understanding. "And what exactly do you dislike?" he inquired, his tone open and inviting.

Anran extended her hand, counting off on her fingers. "Firstly, if you wanted to know something, you could have just told me who you are, then asked your questions. There's no need for threats or violence; I'm not your enemy." She held up a second finger. "Secondly, you should act more... humanly when treating a lady.

And thirdly," she continued, her grin widening, "since you seem clueless about the world, let me educate you!"

Wang Xiao couldn't help but wonder at her resilience. Perhaps she had grown accustomed to trauma, able to quickly move past even the most challenging situations.

As she began to recount the same information Li Zhiming had shared, Wang Xiao played along, listening attentively. It confirmed his suspicion that despite his earlier threats, Anran had withheld information. 'I need to be more decisive in future interrogations,' he mused silently.

Anran elaborated on the protocols they were trained to follow if captured, emphasizing the importance of revealing only certain details, even at the cost of their lives. While Wang Xiao found it hard to understand such unwavering loyalty, he recognized the futility of debating with someone deeply ingrained in military discipline.

After confirming the details Li Zhiming had provided, Wang Xiao listened as Anran finally exhaled a sigh of relief. "So now it's your turn! Were you in one of those big test tubes with green shiny liquid before you were sent on this mission?" she asked, her curiosity apparent.

Anran's speculation about Wang Xiao's origins took him by surprise, and he couldn't help but shake his head, eliciting a look of disappointment from her. "The liquid was orange, not green, and it wasn't exactly a test tube, but you're halfway there," he corrected her with a hint of amusement.

Her eyes lit up. 'I knew it!' Anran thought triumphantly. She had always harbored suspicions about the activities of Prometheus. 'They must be creating superhumans in secret!' Her mind raced with theories about why they operated from a high-security island at an undisclosed location.

Her attention then shifted to a rifle she had been examining earlier, before he came. With a confident gesture, she offered it to Wang Xiao, adjusting the safety lock. "Do you know how to use these, or should I teach you?" she asked, her tone playful yet challenging.

Wang Xiao's lips twitched in response. The 'rifle' in her hands was actually a sniper rifle, comically oversized compared to her petite frame. He was about to intervene, concerned she might accidentally discharge it, when the doorbell rang. The door was still open from Li Zhiming's departure, revealing an agent standing there with a box.

He accepted the box, finding inside a series of new identities for himself and Anran, along with debit cards and a note confirming the restoration of utilities at the villa. 'Quite efficient,' Wang Xiao mused, examining the contents.

As he inspected a new phone, Anran, who had been sorting through her own items, looked up at him. "How long do we have to stay in this hideout?" she inquired.

Wang Xiao, still focused on the phone, replied nonchalantly, "As long as it takes to find out why someone wants to kill you."

Anran's skepticism was evident in her tone as she prodded Wang Xiao further. "Don't you have any other work, like catching some Deviants?"

Wang Xiao's frown deepened, a hint of feigned irritation creeping into his voice. "Stop asking so many questions. I had no connections with anyone in the Pantheon, and they didn't know me either. If it weren't for the HQ's instructions to assist, I would've left right after completing my mission here."

Anran leaned back, a playful yet challenging glint in her eyes. "Okay. But just so you know, I don't believe everything you and uncle are saying. Your acting was too realistic yesterday!" She revealed her thoughts with a wide grin, confident in her own deductions.

In her mind, she couldn't be easily fooled. Despite not knowing the specifics and acknowledging that Adam might indeed have defected and her life could be in danger, Wang Xiao's existence remained an riddle to her.

His entire persona was shrouded in mystery.

She recalled how he seemed clueless at first, and now suddenly he was playing a crucial role. 'Was he really unaware, or was it all an act?' she pondered.

Despite her doubts, she knew her role required compliance and minimal questioning, especially given her trust in Li Zhiming.

She decided to accept the dubious narrative for the time being.

Anran considered the possibility that Wang Xiao might be from a neutral faction like Prometheus and had switched allegiance to Li Zhiming's side. 'If that's true, it's a secret best kept hidden,' she thought, aware of the delicate balance of power and alliances in their world.

Wang Xiao's gaze lingered on Anran for a few moments before he redirected his attention to the TV, flipping through channels in search of English broadcasts to catch up on global events.

She didn't press for anymore answers either, knowing all to well, the futility of such act.

Rather, she quietly retreated upstairs, only to return moments later with a blanket, which she wordlessly offered to Wang Xiao before disappearing again.

He held the blanket in his hands, a perplexed expression on his face. "How weird," he muttered under his breath.

The cold never bothered him, but the gesture, unexpected and oddly considerate, left him pondering her motives.

Yin Yue's voice echoed in his mind, a touch of amusement in her tone. [Pfttt... Is she troublesome?]

Wang Xiao shrugged slightly, his thoughts elsewhere. 'Who knows, she just seems quite happy for some reason.'

[Maybe because she got a vacation after a long time? Or maybe being around someone who isn't a spy is a change for her, you know?] Yin Yue suggested, trying to understand Anran's demeanor.

Wang Xiao's thoughts were already racing ahead. 'I don't care much for that. What bothers me is how to proceed from here. There are too many variables, and now people want to hunt me.'

[You know, I could teach you more about PK, but it would take time.] Yin Yue offered, then her tone shifted, becoming more serious. [By the way, when Li Zhiming was leaving, I sensed a very terrifying presence in the town. It was strong... very strong. A hell spirit, perhaps.]

Wang Xiao's brow furrowed in concern. 'Should I be worried?'

[Not exactly. The entity's target wasn't you. It must have sensed us but chose not to act. How about we go outside and take a stroll? We might find some clues or even learn more about this presence.]