Parasitic Child: Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Humans are difficult to understand.

How would the locals react if they discovered an alien?

Especially an alien like him, a “parasite” that invades human bodies. Based on the TV shows and movies he had watched, humans who discovered this would either scream in terror or immediately try to blow its head off with a gun.

Xiao Zhen pondered this question. Within 0.3 seconds, he had already considered several options, including rewriting Liu Xingquan’s memory.

Then, he picked up on Liu Xingquan’s shallow consciousness. Curiosity and surprise, but no fear.

Liu Xingquan stared at the pencil in the wall and asked, “What did you do?”

Indeed, throwing a pencil directly into a wall was quite absurd, but it wasn’t enough to expose his identity.

So, Xiao Zhen kept a straight face and, with a dramatic tone, said, “It’s time to reveal my true identity to you.”

“Huh?”

“Standing before you is the knight who has saved countless citizens from danger, the guardian of the night, the emissary of justice, the heroic thief Luosa!” Xiao Zhen recited a popular line from an animated show.

“… Luosa in the show is a fox.” Liu Xingquan turned back to stare at the wall. “You stuck a pencil into the wall? How did you do that?”

Xiao Zhen continued with his nonchalant bluffing, “Because I made a hole in the wall beforehand.”

“Huh?”

“I made the hole first, then pushed the pencil in.” For a human teenager, throwing a pencil directly into reinforced concrete would be impossible. Xiao Zhen wasn’t sure how much Liu Xingquan had seen, so he decided to use a reason that humans could accept.

Liu Xingquan was half-convinced. “Really?” He reached out to pull the pencil from the wall, but it didn’t budge. He gritted his teeth and tried harder, but the pencil still didn’t move. “Why can’t I pull it out?”

“I practiced a lot to get it in there.” Xiao Zhen mimicked a posture, “How was it? Was my performance cool?”

“Auntie’s going to scold you.”

“It’s fine. I’ll cover the hole with a poster.” Xiao Zhen easily pulled the pencil out and twirled it in his hand. “Just don’t tell my mom, okay?”

“… You went through all the trouble of making a hole just to show off by sticking a pencil in it?”

You’re overthinking it. “Exactly.”

Liu Xingquan grinned. “You’re really something else.”

It was the first time in days that Liu Xingquan had smiled at Xiao Zhen. It wasn’t the usual stiff, polite smile, but a genuine smile full of youthful energy. The subtle barrier between them seemed to dissolve in that moment.

The following days were uneventful. Liu Xingquan continued to come to Xiao Zhen’s house to do homework. But then one day, when Liu Xingquan was supposed to visit, he suddenly didn’t show up.

The next day, Liu Xingquan didn’t come either.

On the third day, Liu Xingquan still didn’t come.

Xiao Zhen didn’t mind at all; it was actually better that Liu Xingquan didn’t come, as he would have more free time to surf the internet and learn about the civilization on this planet.

However, Mother Yan was very worried. In the past, Xiao Zhen was never the type to sit quietly in the study, reading or studying. But ever since Liu Xingquan came over this summer, her Xiao Zhen had been diligently doing his homework, sometimes for an entire afternoon, something that had never happened before. This must be the influence of good company—a model of a good child.

In Mother Yan’s eyes, Liu Xingquan’s positive example was undeniable. She tiptoed to the door of Xiao Zhen’s study and saw him engrossed in playing on the computer.

Indeed, he needed a study companion.

After some thought, Mother Yan picked up the phone and called the Liu family. The call was answered by Liu Xingquan’s mother, Luo Qingxi. After some small talk, Mother Yan suggested that Liu Xingquan come over to keep Xiao Zhen company.

Luo Qingxi agreed.

Satisfied, Mother Yan put down the phone. She didn’t notice the hesitation and pain in Luo Qingxi’s voice.

In the afternoon, Liu Xingquan arrived at the Yan family’s home right on time.

In front of Xiao Zhen, he reverted to being that aloof boy, silently distancing himself from Xiao Zhen with his cold demeanor. The improved relationship from the past two days seemed like nothing more than an illusion.

Xiao Zhen considered himself clueless about human emotions and the subtleties of interpersonal relationships, and he had no interest in studying the psychological issues of this teenager. So, Xiao Zhen buried himself in his homework, not bothering to engage with Liu Xingquan.

The atmosphere between them was so stifling that even Mother Yan found it odd. Probably to lighten the mood, after they finished their homework for the day, she asked the driver to take Xiao Zhen and Liu Xingquan to a nearby market for some fun.

The market was bustling in the evening, especially on the weekend, with throngs of people shoulder to shoulder under the bright lights.

After being here for so many days, this was Xiao Zhen’s first time getting so close to so many local humans. Everything before him was fascinating and intriguing, but also physically overwhelming.

He had the ability to sense human emotions. But having the emotions of hundreds of people rush into his brain simultaneously was overwhelming. Xiao Zhen felt like he was a small water bottle, and now a raging flood was desperately trying to pour into him. His true form could handle it, but he was worried it might harm his host’s body. Xiao Zhen quickly retracted his awareness and sensory feelers.

Now that his mind was calm again and the overwhelming flood of emotions was receding, Xiao Zhen let out a breath and began exploring the market.

He squeezed into the crowd, first watching an old man spin cotton candy as fine as silk, then eagerly watching others play ring toss to win prizes. When he turned around, Xiao Zhen realized that Liu Xingquan had somehow gotten lost.

Just as he turned to look for Liu Xingquan, a voice sounded in his head.

This voice was like noise directly cutting into his brain, carrying a vague burning sensation.

His body instinctively reacted with unease to this intrusion. But Xiao Zhen recognized this sensation well—it was the way his kind communicated with one another.

“(Hey, hello!)”

His kin was greeting him.

Their species didn’t have vocal organs in their true form, but they could send brainwave messages to each other over a certain distance, a unique communication method among their kind. Although he was mentally prepared for the possibility of encountering extraterrestrial visitors on this planet, he was still taken aback.

He hadn’t expected to meet one of his own kind so soon.

Xiao Zhen responded, “Where are you?”

“(I’m just giving you a heads-up—you’ve got a few human thugs tailing you.)”

“…Why are they following me?”

“(No idea. Maybe they’re looking for a bit of, let’s say, intense physical interaction.)”

“…”

“(They’re closing in.)”

Xiao Zhen sent a message back to his unseen kin, “Aren’t you going to help me out?”

“(This is a small matter. I’m sure you can handle it.)” The voice in his mind sounded gleeful, as if it were eager to watch the unfolding drama.

Not far away, several young men approached, their expressions hostile. They looked about high school age. They walked straight up to Xiao Zhen, grabbed his arm, and dragged him into a nearby alley. One of them shoved Xiao Zhen hard, causing him to stagger back a few steps.

Xiao Zhen asked, “Do I know you?”

“Don’t play dumb,” the leader of the thugs sneered. “Same old deal—make a contribution to your big brothers here.”

Xiao Zhen blinked, recalling scenes from TV shows, and asked, “Are you trying to extort me?”

The thug snapped impatiently, “Quit the chatter, and fork it over.”

“I’m not giving you any money.”

“Hah? Isn’t it fun being a rich kid, throwing your weight around? And now you claim you’ve got no money?” The thug raised his fist. “Looks like you need a lesson.”

Xiao Zhen replied kindly, “It’s not good to hurt a teenager.”

“Shut up! I’m just gonna make you a bit smarter!” The thug reached out to grab Xiao Zhen’s collar.

Xiao Zhen sidestepped, avoiding his hand. The thug was slower than Xiao Zhen expected.

“Are you trying to harm my body?”

Frustrated by missing again, the thug lunged for Xiao Zhen, but each attempt failed. “I’m gonna teach you a lesson!!”

“Then I must protect my body,” Xiao Zhen said. He suddenly grabbed the thug’s right hand and twisted it downward, causing the thug to scream in pain. At the same time, Xiao Zhen hooked his foot behind the thug’s knee and gave it a sharp kick, sending the thug crashing to the ground. In the next second, Xiao Zhen spun and kicked another thug in the back of the leg, grabbed his arm, and flipped him down, making him cry out as he hit the ground.

In the blink of an eye, Xiao Zhen had taken down two of them. The last thug stared in disbelief at the scene; everything had happened too quickly, and all at the hands of a mere child. Shocked and angry, the thug glared at Xiao Zhen, who simply waved at him. The thug let out a shriek, “Y-you’ll pay for this!!” and all the thugs ran off in a panic.

Xiao Zhen rotated his arm. After several days of practice, his control over this body had improved considerably. However, this body was still too weak, so he focused on refining his precision and accuracy, ensuring he couldn’t fight for too long. Xiao Zhen mused as he clenched his hand.

Liu Xingquan’s voice called out from the alley’s entrance, “Are you okay?” His face was pale, and he rushed over, full of concern. “Are you alright?”

At this moment, Xiao Zhen heard the voice of his kin in his mind: “(Is he your friend?)”

“My host’s friend.”

“(He’s in cahoots with those thugs.)”

Xiao Zhen was shocked. “What did you say?”

“(Before those thugs targeted you, they spoke with him. I overheard it. Those thugs are his friends.)”

“…”

Liu Xingquan was anxiously checking Xiao Zhen for injuries. The boy’s nose was dotted with tiny beads of sweat, and his eyes were filled with anxiety and unease.

I really don’t understand the emotions and behavior logic of this species.

Curious, Xiao Zhen probed into Liu Xingquan’s surface thoughts, a natural ability of his kind. Guilt and regret were churning within Liu Xingquan’s mind. Human emotions are like fine sand, fluid and formless. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry…” Liu Xingquan’s apologies coalesced into an invisible halo, but when Xiao Zhen tried to lock onto it for a closer look, it slipped away like grains of sand.

“Thank goodness you’re okay; otherwise, Auntie would be worried sick…”

Xiao Zhen interrupted Liu Xingquan, “Do you know them?”

“What?”

“The thugs who just caused me trouble—do you know them?”

Liu Xingquan froze. His eyes flickered before he averted his gaze to the ground, resisting Xiao Zhen’s questioning.

“So, you do know them?” Xiao Zhen continued, “Are you working with them?”

“I…”

It seems he does. What’s the most logical human response in this situation? Let me think about how it’s usually portrayed in TV dramas.

Xiao Zhen said, “So, shouldn’t you apologize to me?”

As soon as these words were spoken, it was as if an invisible restraint binding Liu Xingquan was suddenly torn apart. Liu Xingquan looked up, and Xiao Zhen saw an expression on his face he had never seen before. Liu Xingquan’s delicate features were distorted with anger, his dark eyes trembling as if sparks were flying within them. He shouted, “You’re the one who should apologize!!”

“Huh?”

“Yan Zhen!! Do you think the world revolves around you and that everyone is here to serve you? You’re just riding on your parents’ wealth!” The boy gritted his teeth, “I’m not your servant, at your beck and call—I’m not!!”

Xiao Zhen looked at the boy in front of him, utterly baffled. Tears welled up in Liu Xingquan’s eyes, and as his anger dissipated, what remained in his dimming gaze was sorrow.

He turned and ran away.

Xiao Zhen stood there, dazed for a long time. He admitted to himself that he completely didn’t understand humans.

**********

After Liu Xingquan left, Xiao Zhen followed the guidance of the voice from his kin to find it.

He found his kin outside a small snack shop. Only then did Xiao Zhen understand why his kin had been unwilling to help earlier.

Because it was trapped in a chicken cage.

The kin was jumping around inside the cage, its host body being a chicken.

The chicken glared at Xiao Zhen from within the cage, clearly displeased. “You criminal! You’ve violated the law, invading an intelligent being…”

Xiao Zhen turned to leave.

The chicken screeched, “Wait! Don’t you want to take your kin with you?”

“No, I don’t.”

“I just helped you out.”

“I could’ve handled it without you.”

“I don’t think what you did qualifies as ‘handling it.’ What did you do to your human friend? He ran off crying.”

“I didn’t do anything. Goodbye.”

“Don’t you have any compassion for your kin?”

“Nope.”

“Bullshit!”

“I could take you with me, though.” Xiao Zhen stroked his chin thoughtfully and asked sternly, “Who do you pledge allegiance to? The Council or the Legion?”

“… Are you seriously bringing factional conflicts into this remote corner?”

******

That evening, Mother Yan stared at Father Yan in shock, unable to believe her ears.

“What?? Driver Liu had an accident and passed away?”

Father Yan looked deeply saddened. “Lao ¹ Liu has been driving for me for nearly ten years. I never imagined he’d be gone just like that. I thought he’d finally be able to quit driving and take care of his family with a normal nine-to-five job… It’s just so unexpected…”

“How could this happen…” Mother Yan still couldn’t accept it. “I called Luo Qingxi today, and she didn’t mention anything at all.”

“Lao Liu’s wife has always been that way, never wanting to trouble anyone. She probably thought he was just out of town for a few days. She might not have wanted to say anything until it was confirmed.”

“Oh… Qingxi really is…” Mother Yan whispered, then suddenly looked up in alarm. “Oh no, I asked Liu Xingquan to come over and keep Xiao Zhen company today…”

“With everything going on at their house, you still asked Liu Xingquan to come over?” Father Yan’s voice grew a bit stern.

“I didn’t know anything had happened… Liu Xingquan didn’t say a word.” Mother Yan’s voice softened. “Was I being too insensitive?”

Father Yan sighed, “It’s not your fault. Let’s find some time tomorrow to visit Luo Qingxi and see if there’s anything we can do to help.”

“Yes, we should go together. But Qingxi has such strong pride; I’m afraid she might…” Mother Yan sighed softly. Just then, a noise came from the living room. They both walked out of the room and saw their son, Xiao Zhen, crouched on the floor, seemingly holding something down.

Mother Yan asked in surprise, “Xiao Zhen, what are you doing?”

Xiao Zhen let go, and a chicken jumped out from under him. The chicken pecked at its feathers, then hopped onto Xiao Zhen’s head, tilting its head to look at Father Yan and Mother Yan. It opened its beak and said, “Cluck.”

“A chicken????”

Xiao Zhen reached up to steady the chicken on his head and said, “Let me introduce you. This is my new friend. It’s called Captain Ban(Spot).”

If you're enjoying the story don't forget to support the author! You can also support me on KOFI for site maintenance, raws purchase or as an energy boost~ 

 

AFFILIATE AD

Want to develop your career or work on a new hobby but don't have the financial resources? Check out these courses encompassing all aspects and topics. Want to build your own website or app, but don't even know what <!DOCTYPE> is, how about these IT Courses. Don't want to keep waiting for slow translators to update? 别担心！中文课程来拯救你了! Did you just become a Teacher and have NO idea what the f*ck you're doing? Early Childhood Education For Dummies 101 is in session! Lied on your CV that you can work under pressure but are now hiding in the bathroom playing ostrich? You still have to come up for air anyways so how about taking a Self Development course to manage stress and improve mental health. Whatever you're interested in, at the click of a button. And the best thing it's all for free! And...you can get an accredited certificate! START LEARNING BEFORE YOU'RE TOO OLD TO RETAIN ANYTHING OR GET FIRED FROM YOUR JOB! Or if you are fired, Build A New Resume to reel in the next one~

 

 

Translator Notes

1. Old – attached before a surname to show familiarity[↩]