Chapter 274: 271
Chapter 271: Memory Block
Plugging in the USB drive, he logged onto the Octopus Monster website.
This USB drive was one of the several "safe alternate accounts" Davarishi had given Chen Nuo before he left.
A Black Level account, very inconspicuous.
After logging in, Chen Nuo casually browsed through the website’s messages and news, finding nothing of value or interest.
The Underground World was just as he understood it, with a calm task posting area and official zone.
Chen Nuo had no interest in further flooding the forum with posts or becoming an internet troll.
After some thought, he decided to change his ID first.
ID Name: Tulip Duke.
Since it was only the year 2001, that novelist who would later be famous hadn’t made his debut yet, so using this name wouldn’t raise accusations of plagiarism.
Hmph!
Sitting in front of the computer idly scrolling through web pages, the door to the room was tapped a few times.
Looking up, Ou Xiuhua walked in with a plate of fruit in her hand.
An apple was washed, peeled, and cut into small pieces, and there was also a small fork placed on top.
"Thank you... Mom," Chen Nuo said with a smile and a nod of his head.
The last "Mom" was a bit muffled, but Ou Xiuhua seemed pleased and nodded, "Don’t stay up too late tonight."
"Hmm."
"That..."
Chen Nuo looked up again, "Is there something else?"
"It’s about Ye Zi," Ou Xiuhua seemed to hesitate for a moment, then slowly said, "Next weekend, Ye Zi’s kindergarten is organizing a picnic that parents can attend..."
"You should go."
"Would it be appropriate for me to go?" Ou Xiuhua seemed a bit troubled.
Chen Nuo was taken aback.
"What would be inappropriate about that?"
"I mean, all this time, anything in the kindergarten that required parental involvement was always..."
"You should go. You’re Ye Zi’s mother," Chen Nuo smiled, understanding Ou Xiuhua’s concerns. He slowly said, "You should be the one to decide these things from now on. You’re the mother in the house; these decisions should be up to you. I’ve said it before, when we live together as a family, there’s no need to be so cautious and polite. It only makes everyone uncomfortable, right?"
Ou Xiuhua relaxed, nodded, and said, "There’s another thing..."
"Yes?"
"It’s about Ye Zi’s name."
Chen Nuo sat up straight and seriously asked, "Ye Zi’s name?"
"Her current name on the household registration is Gu Xiaoye, and there’s the issue of her household registration..."
Chen Nuo understood.
Previously, although Ye Zi had been living with him, her household registration and household registration book hadn’t been processed and were still with the Gu Family.
Old Sun had just asked an old classmate who was a lawyer to help, and he had managed to transfer the temporary custody rights while Ou Xiuhua was in prison.
But now that Ou Xiuhua was out, it was certain that Ye Zi wouldn’t have any more ties with the Gu Family.
Some legal procedures, like the household registration and household registration book, needed to be properly handled to avoid future troubles.
"After she graduates from kindergarten, she still has to go to elementary school, and then to middle school... This household registration and the location of the school registration need to be dealt with in advance."
"It does need to be done," Chen Nuo nodded. "You’re right, so let’s do it. Hmm, you should handle this. You are Ye Zi’s mother; it’s only proper for you to take care of her paperwork, better than me stepping in."
"About Ye Zi’s name... Do you want her to stop using the surname Gu?"
"Of course," Chen Nuo said, very firm on this point. "There’s not a single good thing about the Gu Family. From now on, Ye Zi will live with me. I will raise her, so naturally, she is one of the Chens."
Ou Xiuhua wasn’t resistant to the idea, but she felt somewhat troubled. "Then, will the Gu Family...?"
"The Gu Family won’t have any objections," Chen Nuo was quite confident.
"Handling the household registration, transferring the residency, things like that will require some procedures to be done with the Gu Family," she mentioned.
Chen Nuo understood where Ou Xiuhua’s difficulties lay.
Although Gu Kang was in prison, the Gu Family definitely wouldn’t be pleased to see Ou Xiuhua.
After thinking for a moment, Chen Nuo said with a smile, "Here’s what we’ll do: tomorrow you call Brother Lei and talk to him about the matter.
As for the Gu Family, let Brother Lei go with you."
Seeing that Ou Xiuhua was a bit troubled and concerned, Chen Nuo continued with a smile, "What’s wrong?"
"Xiao Nuo..." Ou Xiuhua spoke softly. "Strictly speaking, it’s not my place to interfere with your outside affairs. These years, I haven’t fulfilled my duties as a mother, but you’ve grown up so well on your own. Now you have a family and a career... You’ve done better than I and many others imagined, so I really shouldn’t be asking about..."
"Just say ’but’ then," Chen Nuo chuckled.
Ou Xiuhua was somewhat uneasy, hesitated for a moment, but still bit the bullet and spoke.
"That Brother Lei..."
"What about Brother Lei?"
"He is so much older than you, and he’s extremely respectful towards you. It just looks so odd to me.
Besides, he seems to have a fierce look, like he carries a tough, worldly air...
Xiao Nuo, your father used to like making friends with such people who carried a tough, worldly air, and in the end..."
The more Ou Xiuhua spoke, the more unsettled she became, but Chen Nuo’s smile didn’t change, giving her a bit of courage.
"What I mean is, after all, you’re still young, and people in this society are very complex. They’re nice to you now, maybe because they want something from you, or because... after all, you won a big lottery, you have millions, and you’ve gone into business with them.
In dealing with others, one shouldn’t plan to harm, but prevention is necessary.
Those who mix in society are always complicated...
Um, I don’t mean anything else, just a reminder that you need to be careful."
Chen Nuo understood.
He wasn’t at all offended by Ou Xiuhua’s words.
In fact, it wasn’t a judgment against Brother Lei.
It was purely out of concern.
This was very easy to understand.
Put yourself in her situation: your child suddenly wins millions in a lottery. And then suddenly, there’s a big bald man with a face full of horizontal flesh and a tough, worldly air by his side, and he befriends this person, going into business with millions... As a parent, you’d be worried too.
Ou Xiuhua didn’t know much about Chen Nuo’s secrets, and as a mother, it was perfectly normal for her to have these concerns.
After pondering for a moment, Chen Nuo smiled and said, "I understand what you mean, but don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.
And as for Brother Lei, well... Once you’ve associated with him for a longer time, you’ll understand that he’s a very reliable person."
Seeing Chen Nuo put it this way, Ou Xiuhua dropped the subject.
"Let Brother Lei accompany you tomorrow for the task of transferring Ye Zi’s household registration from the Gu Family. You don’t have to worry about your concerns; Brother Lei will handle any problems well. Just be at ease," he reassured her.
With that, the conversation between mother and son came to an end. Ou Xiuhua offered a few more words of reminder, then turned and left the room, not forgetting to add before she went out, "Try to smoke less."
"Hmm."
Chen Nuo watched Ou Xiuhua leave, as she gently closed the door behind her.
Going to the Gu Family to handle matters would definitely be troublesome. Gu Kang was back in prison, and compounded by the Gu couple and that unreasonable old lady. They must be seething with hatred. If Ou Xiuhua went alone now, she might end up being scolded out the door.
Chen Nuo couldn’t be bothered to do that kind of intimidating stuff anymore. He’d leave this task to someone like Brother Lei, who was "reliable in worldly matters," to handle.
Oh right, Ou Xiuhua and Gu Kang’s divorce proceedings are still in process. He’ll also ask Brother Lei to give Li Qingshan a heads-up so that Gu Kang in prison doesn’t get any ideas. He should just sign the papers willingly and swiftly.
After dealing with family affairs, Chen Nuo nibbled on a few pieces of apple. Looking at the apple cut into small pieces, he couldn’t help but chuckle to himself.
Well... how should I put it, having a "mom" to take care of things at home isn’t all that bad.
***
He browsed the Octopus Monster’s website for more than half an hour.
It wasn’t that there was nothing noteworthy at all.
The mission in Brazil had left some impact as well.
Bonfrey, Professor, Golden Bird, Bigfoot Harvey... These were well-known figures in the Underground World, and their sudden disappearance was indeed noticeable.
Especially the Sea Monster!
This was considered the number one expert just below a Controller.
However, the Octopus Monster’s website had kept the Brazilian mission confidential and locked down information, so the people of the Underground World had no clue that these experts had been wiped out on the mission in Brazil.
There were those who would speculate in forums, wondering if the simultaneous disappearance of these experts was related to an official mission previously posted by the Octopus Monster.
But these were just baseless guesses.
Just then...
Chen Nuo suddenly noticed a notification on the website indicating a new private message in his inbox.
His interest piqued, he casually opened it.
The sender was "Burning Mig-25".
After seeing the name, Chen Nuo smiled.
One could tell at a glance that it was a throwaway account, but he immediately guessed who it was.
"Can you talk now? I’ll give you a call."
Chen Nuo thought for a moment and typed two letters in response: OK.
One of his phones buzzed almost instantly.
He picked it up to answer.
"Davarishi!"
Chen Nuo smiled, "Good evening, Davarishi. Hearing your voice again and knowing you’re safe is truly good news! Have you passed the company’s vetting?"
On the other end of the line, Vanel sounded tired, "Yes, I’ve passed. But I really don’t want to recall that process."
Pausing for a moment, Vanel rushed to say, "This call is secure, but I don’t have much time, so I’ll get straight to the point."
Chen Nuo sat up straight and said solemnly, "Alright, go ahead!"
"I’m currently in London, and I just visited your wife last night."
Huh? My wife?
Chen Nuo instantly understood; she was referring to Lu Xixi.
Frowning, Chen Nuo asked, "Why did you visit her?"
"On behalf of the company, to invite her to join a very significant project."
Vanel spoke very carefully; clearly, although the phone line was secure, she was still avoiding sensitive words like "Star Sky Empress" or "Octopus Monster" to prevent any chance of being overheard.
"The project you’re talking about, does it have something to do with that matter?"
"Yes," Vanel replied.
A heaviness settled in Chen Nuo’s heart. "So, did she accept?"
He suddenly felt a bit worried.
"...No, she refused."
Vanel’s response brought relief to Chen Nuo.
"She refused?" Chen Nuo laughed. "Then why did you call me? Were you inviting me to join? Davarishi, my physical condition is not suitable for joining a project right now."
"No, I was hoping you could help persuade her." Vanel sighed. "I know this is a bit presumptuous of me, but we really need her to join the project.
We lack someone who is trustworthy at crucial moments... well, a top expert who can keep everyone in line."
"What’s her reason for refusing you?" Chen Nuo smiled. "Could it be to drive up the price?"
He knew Little Candy’s style too well; such a willful refusal often aimed to raise the price.
"No, she really refused, and she didn’t give a reason." Vanel said with a bitter smile, "It’s not about the price; the price is already very high.
Moreover, when we talked, I hinted at it, and she clearly saw my hint.
But in the end, she still declined the invitation."
"What did she say?"
"She said... she’s been in a bad mood lately and doesn’t want to go out."
Alright, Chen Nuo sighed.
"So, Davarishi, can you try to persuade her for me? With your relationship, maybe she would listen to you. This project is really very..."
"Sorry, I refuse!" Chen Nuo said without hesitation, "Other matters are discussable, but that thing is too dangerous. I wouldn’t want her to take the risk!"
Vanel sighed, "Okay... I can certainly understand your concerns."
"Why don’t you go to that old man?"
Chen Nuo was referring to the Son of the Sun.
"He... he’s not in a position to come forward recently. You know, he was involved in the last incident, and he’s kind of on the record with the company. So, the company has been wanting to find him to understand what happened last time, thus he can’t meet with the company’s people now."
"Why must you find my... wife?"
"We need top experts," Vanel said quickly. "This project is a big one, and the company will gather at least three big names."
Three big names, so three Controllers? The lineup was really luxurious. Enough for another head-on confrontation with the Seed!
Chen Nuo instantly understood loli Vanel’s predicament.
Noah’s Ark lacked top combat strength—obviously, in the centuries-long struggle against the Mother, this organization wasn’t always so powerful. After all, it’s too hard to find someone with both exceptional strength and great dedication, a lofty idealist. Chen Nuo suspected that within Noah’s Ark, the only top Controller combatant they might have left was that unreliable old man, the Son of the Sun. In that case, they were mingling within the Octopus Monster Company, utilizing its channels and influence to search for the Mother. Once this new mission found it... then, if there wasn’t a top combatant on their side... in the final moment when they wanted to destroy the Mother... what if the Octopus Monster’s people wanted to awaken it? They wouldn’t be able to control the situation!
Yet, Chen Nuo was still unwilling to help Vanel persuade Lu Xixi!
It was simple!
If it were Chen Nuo himself going, he would be willing.
His proactive trip to Brazil for the mission was his own choice.
It wasn’t for the money; it was purely out of concern that the existence of this Mother would endanger the world.
He considered himself a person with somewhat lofty ideals. But...
While Chen Nuo was willing to sacrifice himself, he didn’t want to see someone he cared about take risks.
From this standpoint, although he had some noble qualities, he wasn’t completely selfless.
"Can you tell me about this project?"
"Of course, we’re Davarishi! But I’m sorry, I don’t know much right now. The confidentiality procedures for this are very strict, and I feel this project is of a higher level than the last; the company has mobilized even more substantial resources for preliminary preparations. So, I currently don’t know much."
"Is the project similar to the last one?" Chen Nuo asked.
"Yes, similar."
Understood, it was still a search mission. Exploring something in a certain area.
"Time, location?"
"Around October, there’s still a month and a half to prepare... The location is Antarctica."
When Chen Nuo heard the word "Antarctica" come through the phone, his expression suddenly changed!!
"I’m sorry, Davarishi, I can’t continue talking to you; I need to leave immediately.
Regarding your wife, I sincerely hope you will reconsider.
Of course, if you’d rather not, I completely understand.
But... please think it over carefully!
You can contact me through private message, the same account I just messaged you from, but don’t mention any sensitive topics or words in the private message. You can contact me that way, and I will call you when convenient!
Good luck!"
Chen Nuo subconsciously said, "Goodbye," and Vanel hung up on the other end.
After putting down the phone, Chen Nuo’s face was grim!
He even felt a bit out of sorts.
That was... Antarctica!
***
The Antarctica mission!
This event had always occupied a very significant and heavy part in all the experiences of Chen Yanluo’s past life!
The Antarctica mission was the first time he met Lu Xixi, encountered the Star Sky Empress, and started the complex entanglement with this woman.
At the same time, that mission...
But no, something’s not right! The timing was wrong!!
In his past life, Chen Nuo was certain that he had embarked on the Antarctica mission in 2007!
In his past life, Chen Yanluo made his debut in the Underground World around 2004, earning the nickname "Yama" as he began his ventures.
Like a comet, he rose spectacularly!
In his debut battle, he annihilated the long-standing "The Abyss" organization, making the name "Yama" famous. And by that time, Chen Nuo’s strength had already reached the "Controller" rank! One could say he debuted at his peak! A young man who, without struggling up from the lower ranks, stood out from the very beginning, displaying top-tier Controller level strength! This was also one of the most shocking reasons Lord Yanluo was so revered in the Underground World in his past life!
After making a name for himself in the Underground World over a few years and establishing a solid relationship with the Octopus Monster Company, he was invited to be a member of the "Senior Security Consultant Group."
He enjoyed the massive bonuses provided by the Octopus Monster Company every year.
Thus, naturally, in 2007, he was invited to participate in the mission that changed Chen Yanluo’s life in his past life... the Antarctica mission! He met Lu Xixi, got tangled up in complications, and then...
It must be stated.
In his past life, Chen Nuo didn’t know about the existence of "The Mother."
Therefore, although the Antarctica mission was an intricate and complex affair, Chen Nuo at the time had not discovered or gotten involved in anything related to "The Mother."
It seemed that the mission was just a difficult and large-scale commission in his memories.
Unrelated to The Mother.
But...
Why now, when recalling it, does his heart race wildly with an inexplicable anxiety?
That mission in Antarctica, after Chen Nuo experienced it, always stirred a powerful resistance deep within him whenever he thought back on it.
It seemed to be a very unpleasant, terrible memory.
In his mind, every time he thought of the Antarctica mission, there was an instinct to avoid it, reminding or even forcing himself to refuse recalling any further...
***
At the moment, Chen Nuo felt his breathing quickening, with a faint sense of discomfort and resistance inside. Subconsciously, he reached for the fruit on the table and took a couple of bites.
After catching his breath, Chen Nuo almost naturally wanted to push the thought of "Antarctica" out of his mind and not think about it again.
After staring blankly at the computer screen for a while...
About ten minutes later, Chen Nuo touched his nose.
"Hmm... was I just spacing out?"
Smiling wryly, just as Chen Nuo was about to turn off the computer...
Suddenly, he saw that private message box on the screen!
In the private message box was the message Vanel had sent earlier.
Chen Nuo was stunned!
Huh?
***
Vanel had just contacted me... Yes, she said those things to me... Mentioned Antarctica... Such an important issue, I clearly was very troubled just now. But why did I seem to have ignored it in the blink of an eye? Now that I was reminded again, that sense of resistance, avoidance in my consciousness... The emotions surged up again!
As someone strong, or someone who was once very strong in spiritual power, Chen Nuo immediately realized that something was wrong with him!!
How could the memory of a strong spiritual power user be so fragile?
How could he have subconsciously ignored something that just caused huge emotional turmoil in the blink of an eye?
This kind of "subconscious" action was much too abnormal, right?!
Antarctica! The word sprang to his mind. Countless thoughts seemed to sweep through his heart like a frenzied storm. Don’t think about it... Don’t go there... Resist... Avoid...
Chen Nuo’s eyes widened as he clenched his teeth forcefully!!
Suddenly, he grabbed a pen from the desk and began writing frantically on a notepad in front of him!
Antarctica! Antarctica! Antarctica!! Antarctica! Antarctica!!!
When he had written half a page, Chen Nuo suddenly felt an incomparable surge of irritability!!
With a swipe, as if acting on instinct, he tore off the paper!
Then he quickly crumpled it up and stuffed it into his mouth! Attempting to swallow it!!
At that moment, Chen Nuo’s eyes suddenly went wide!
SMACK!!
A loud slap landed viciously on his own face!
Chen Nuo’s strike was so forceful that it turned half of his face red!
Forcing himself to take control, he took the wad of paper out of his mouth and laid it on the desk.
He snatched up the pen in his hand and rushed to the wall!
Quickly, he wrote two large words on the snow-white latex-painted wall!
Antarctica!!!
***
With labored breaths, Chen Nuo gripped the pen tightly!
A strong, restless impulse surged in his heart, unexpectedly giving rise to a thought so strange and shocking to himself!
(Find something to scrape off the words on the wall!! I feel an unbearable resistance, immense irritation, and overwhelming disgust when I see those two words... Scrape it off! Scrape it off! Scrape it off!!)
Chen Nuo gripped the pen tightly, then suddenly bit down hard on the tip of his tongue!
SMACK!
SMACK SMACK!
SMACK SMACK SMACK!!
Several slaps landed on his face one after another, left and right!
The sting of his flesh made him snap back to clarity for a few moments.
Something’s not right! It’s very not right!! This feeling is too not right!!
Chen Nuo stared in horror with wide-open eyes.
A second later, he tried to forcefully concentrate and quickly began to write on the wall!
"2007, April!
Antarctica mission!!
Lu Xixi!!
Other personnel..."
SMACK!
He slapped himself again, yanking himself out of the irritability and emotional tumult!
Continue writing!!
"Met Lu Xixi, an unpleasant encounter...
Kicked into a glacier..."
Then what? What else happened in Antarctica?
***
In the room, Chen Nuo was sweating profusely, panting like an ox, his eyes bloodshot!
His face was swollen high from his own slaps, looking like a pig’s head!
But at this moment, Chen Nuo was engulfed by immense fear and confusion!!
Antarctica... The events that occurred... I... Can’t remember at all!!!!!!!!!
***
Yes, I need to carefully sort through my memories! It’s as if it’s always been this way! For a long, long time! All I’ve retained about Antarctica are a few profound impressions and emotions. An important, unhappy, painful memory... The first encounter with Lu Xixi, the start of our entanglement... Sad memories... And then... Every time I reach this point, I resist recalling any further. It seems to happen every single time!
And now, as he forced himself to recall under the stimulus of physical pain... Chen Nuo suddenly realized in shock...
When digging deeper into this memory... It is actually... An... Absolute... VOID!!!!
***
Dropping the pen, Chen Nuo sat heavily on the edge of the bed.
He blankly stared at the words on the wall...
"What... what’s going on with me?!"
***
After lying straight on the bed, Chen Nuo quickly closed his eyes, and then slowly, he seemed to fall asleep.
Moments later, Chen Nuo slowly sat up from the bed.
With a calm expression and a vacant look in his eyes, he stood beside the wall.
He gently ran his hand over the wall...
The latex on the wall immediately peeled away!
Then, he picked up the wad of paper from the desk and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing it over and over before swallowing it.
Finally, he lay back down on the bed, closed his eyes, and fell into a deep sleep...