Double Standards

When Shi Mo returned to the Seventh Sequence Base, he was still wearing the same silk robe, his bare feet stained with dust and dried dark red blood. He appeared calm and composed, as if he had merely gone for a walk rather than just undergone a bloody cleanup.

When he pushed open the door to the base's main control room, he found the atmosphere inside to be somewhat unusual.

Bai Xu, Bai Jin, Hong Yuan, You Ying, Lin Chen, and even Tie Quan were all there. Some sat, some stood, but their eyes were all fixed on Shi Mo, who had just entered, clearly waiting for him on purpose.

Bai Xu stood in front of the control panel, his gaze immediately falling on Shi Mo, looking him up and down.

When he saw that Shi Mo was still wearing a bathrobe, barefoot, and with stains on his feet that clearly did not belong to the base, his usually calm and composed brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

When Iron Fist saw Shi Mo's "disheveled" (in his eyes) appearance, and recalled the reports he had heard about the chaos in the West City Industrial Zone, and the fact that Shi Mo happened to be out, he instantly felt that he had a handle on him, and his confidence immediately rose.

He abruptly stood up from his seat, his thick finger pointing at Shi Mo, his voice booming with accusation: "Shi Mo! Where were you just now?! Did you do what happened in the West City Industrial Zone?! Do you know how much of a commotion you caused? The police were alerted! Although we in the Seventh Sequence have our own rules, we can't act so lawlessly, just running around outside like this..."

Before he could finish his impassioned accusations, he was interrupted by Bai Xu's calm and composed voice.

"Let's go." Bai Xu looked at Shi Mo, completely ignoring the red-faced, thick-necked Iron Fist beside him. "I'll take you to buy some clothes."

"Huh?" Iron Fist's righteous indignation caught in his throat. He opened his mouth wide, his eyes wide like saucers, looked at Bai Xu, then at Shi Mo who still had no expression, and his mind couldn't process it for a moment.

No… Captain? I'm talking about serious matters! He might have killed over thirty people outside! It caused a terrible social impact! You're only concerned about him not being dressed?!

An eerie silence instantly fell over the hall.

Hong Yuan couldn't help but burst out laughing, quickly covering her mouth with her hand, but her shoulders were still shaking. You Ying's lips also visibly curved upwards, before she regained her expression, though her eyes held a hint of anticipation. Lin Chen pushed up his glasses, lowering his head to hide the smile on his face. Even the usually fiery Bai Jin crossed his arms, giving Tie Quan a "you deserve it" look.

Iron Fist's face instantly turned a deep liver color; he felt like an idiot.

"Captain, Captain!" His voice trembled with grievance, almost crying.

"You're so hypocritical! Last time I went out to deal with that out-of-control Awakened, I accidentally broke two walls, and when I got back you docked three months' pay and made me write a 5,000-word self-criticism! But when it comes to him, he killed over thirty people, and all you care about is whether he was wearing clothes or not?!"

This discrimination is too obvious! Iron Fist felt his fragile heart had been greatly hurt.

Bai Xu then glanced at Iron Fist indifferently, his tone flat: "He could take down thirty armed thugs without a scratch, and without even using much unconventional power. And you? You destroyed half a street to deal with a C-level out-of-control individual."

Iron Fist: "..." He choked, his face turning even redder, unable to refute. The difference in strength was so stark.

Bai Xu ignored Tie Quan, who was on the verge of tears, and looked at Shi Mo again, his tone softening slightly: "It's inconvenient for you to go out like this. There aren't any suitable everyday clothes for you at the base. I'll take you to get some."

His considerations clearly went beyond mere aesthetics. Shi Mo's unique appearance and demeanor, walking barefoot in his bathrobe, were far too conspicuous and could easily attract unnecessary trouble. Moreover, as a nominal member of the Seventh Sequence, he also needed to maintain a basic image.

Shi Mo neither confirmed nor denied this.

He didn't care what he wore, as long as he was comfortable. However, going out for a stroll seemed a little more interesting than staying in the base. He nodded: "Okay."

Seeing that Shi Mo agreed, Bai Xu did not delay any longer and instructed the others: "Lin Chen, pay attention to the police and media's follow-up on the incident in the west of the city, and intervene in information if necessary. The rest of you, rest as originally planned."

"Yes, Captain." Lin Chen replied immediately.

Hongyuan and Youying nodded in agreement.

Bai Jin snorted but didn't say anything.

Only Iron Fist was still immersed in the sadness and resentment of "the captain doesn't love me anymore," glaring angrily at Shi Mo's back, yet helpless.

Bai Xu walked over to Shi Mo, glanced at his stained feet, and said, "Go to your room and wash them first, then change your shoes. I'll wait for you in the garage."

Shi Mo had no objections and turned to walk towards his bedroom. The Silver Serpent System appeared intermittently at his feet, curiously following him.

Watching the two leave the main control room one after the other, Hong Yuan finally burst into laughter: "Hahaha, Iron Fist, your expression just now was absolutely hilarious!"

Even the shadowy figure couldn't resist adding insult to injury: "He brought this humiliation upon himself."

Lin Chen adjusted his glasses and analyzed rationally: "The captain's decision is very reasonable. Shi Mo's strength and value dictate that he should enjoy different treatment and freedom. Moreover, the captain seems to be... paying special attention to him."

Bai Jin crossed his arms and snorted coldly, "My brother just likes that kid. But that kid's strength is truly freakish, I admit it. Iron Fist, just accept it, and don't mess with him anymore."

Iron Fist, on the verge of tears, plopped back into his chair, clutching his head and wailing, "Why?! Does being handsome mean I can do whatever I want?! Does being strong mean I don't have to write a self-criticism?! I refuse to accept this!"

His wails echoed in the hall, drawing another round of low laughter.

Meanwhile, Shi Mo returned to his room and used a [Appearance Talisman] to instantly remove the stains from his body and feet, restoring them to cleanliness. He was still wearing the same bathrobe, and only after being reminded by the system did he retrieve a pair of relatively normal-looking black soft-soled ankle boots from his system space to put on—these were probably some unlucky person who had dropped them and he had casually picked them up.

When he arrived at the underground parking garage, Bai Xu was already sitting in the driver's seat of a low-key but sleek black sedan, waiting for him.

Shi Mo opened the car door and sat in the passenger seat.

Bai Xu glanced at him, but didn't comment on his continued wearing of a bathrobe. He simply started the car and drove smoothly out of the base.

The car merged into the city traffic, and outside the window was the bustling world. Shi Mo leaned back in his seat, his heterochromatic eyes watching the neon lights and crowds rushing past the window. His face remained expressionless, but compared to the deathly silence in the base, there seemed to be a faint sense of observation.

Bai Xu focused on driving, occasionally glancing at Shi Mo beside him through the rearview mirror.