A single sentence from Sister Siwei caused Uncle Wan’s scent to fluctuate repeatedly.
His expression matched the shifts in his scent—first, he stared at Sister Siwei for a long time, then lowered his head, deep in thought.
“That’s right… Each of us in this ‘family’… should have the ability to stand on our own.”
As if remembering something, he walked outside and announced to the group:
“Everyone, I’ve just confirmed with this child—none of you are ‘Fragrant Ones.'”
Silence fell instantly after his words, followed by a clamor seconds later.
“What does that mean?!” a newly arrived young man demanded.
“It means no one gets a reward today,” Uncle Wan replied.
“After all of us showing up, we still don’t get food?!”
“Are you scamming us?”
“I think I smell pretty good! Let the kid sniff me again!”
Voices erupted from all directions. I knew this feeling—it was the prelude to a fight.
If the whole group turned on Uncle Wan, he wouldn’t just be outmatched—he might even get beaten.
Uncle Wan took a deep breath, about to speak, when I suddenly froze.
The scent arrived.
That strange, fragrant aroma from his body reappeared!
**”SILENCE!!”**
A thunderous voice boomed. Everyone went mute, and I covered my ears in shock.
Even Uncle Wan himself seemed startled by his own voice.
But he quickly steadied his scent and addressed the crowd:
**”Everyone, you must have noticed the change in my voice. This is my ability—’Amplification.'”**
He cleared his throat and stood tall before them.
**”Though my power may seem useless, I know I’m just an ordinary guide. You all are the ‘future.'”**
**”So while my ability might be trivial in the grand scheme, as a ‘guide,’ it’s just enough.”**
No one dared interrupt his booming voice, so they listened in silence.
**”Some of you know me, some don’t. My name is Wan Cai, but that doesn’t matter. Call me A, B, Doraemon, or Astro Boy—it’s irrelevant. What I want to ask now is: What’s most important?”**
The crowd stayed silent, no one answering.
Uncle Wan suddenly reminded me of a teacher—the kind who throws unexpected questions, startling daydreaming students.
“What matters is earning… What matters is escaping!”
Uncle Wan continued loudly.
**”But let’s be honest—’escaping’ and ‘earning’ are fundamentally the same. Without guidance, you’ll struggle aimlessly and die here. For example, if you find a hundred bucks on the street, you won’t first wonder who lost it. That’s my point. My name doesn’t matter. Just know I’m a ‘guide,’ a ‘selfless one,’ someone who’ll lead you all to escape.”**
The crowd’s scents grew conflicted—doubt lingered in the air.
“But…” a young man spoke up, “Do you even know what this place is? Why are we gathered here?”
**”I don’t. The rules I know are the same as yours: First, we must ‘survive’ here, so I’ve prepared food for everyone. Second, each of us may gain ‘abilities,’ so I arranged for an examiner.”**
Uncle Wan pointed at me.
**”That child’s ‘ability’ is detecting others’ powers. That’s why I had you approach him one by one. Sadly, no one awakened today, so no rewards.”**
“We only came because we heard there was food,” a chubby guy complained. “Are you scamming us? Playing games?”
His scent reeked of anger, but Uncle Wan only chuckled.
“Hello,” Uncle Wan said, dropping his **Amplification** and speaking normally. “Those behind this young man, step aside.”
“Behind?”
The crowd checked their positions and moved, clearing a path behind the questioning guy.
“What’s this about?” the chubby man asked.
“Leave,” Uncle Wan said.
“Leave…?” The guy hesitated. “You’re the one who called us here!”
**”Let me reiterate—we’re not a team or an organization. We’re a ‘family.’ Anyone who distrusts me can leave now.”** Uncle Wan’s tone turned stern. **”I won’t force anyone. Staying must be voluntary, with full trust. This young man doubts me—he can go.”**
The atmosphere turned tense. The chubby guy, cornered, flushed red.
“Kicking me out…?” he stammered. “Then you’re just a fraud! Why bring us here?”
The others grew cautious, their scents wavering between him and Uncle Wan.
“Fraud?” Uncle Wan smirked. “Fine. Young man, shout it now—what have I stolen from you? Money? ‘Jade’? Food? Property? We’re all here. Say it.”
The guy faltered under the collective gaze.
“I… I…”
“Young man, I’m not just giving you food for free—I’m teaching you the rules of this place,” Uncle Wan said earnestly. **”Have you ever met someone more selfless?”**
Seizing the moment, Uncle Wan pressed: **”Tell me, all of you—have I stolen anything?”**
After a pause, an auntie muttered, “No.”
“I can’t hear you,” Uncle Wan said.
“No!” several voices shouted.
**”I CAN’T HEAR YOU!!”**
“NO!!” the crowd roared.
Uncle Wan turned back to the chubby guy. **”Leave.”**
After a long silence, the guy finally spat, “I won’t. I’ll see what you’re really up to.”
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