Grotesqueries of the Old Domain

Chapter 6: Youth Center

Under the effect of the lollipop, the previously battered and bruised body was gradually scabbing over and the swelling was going down.

Though the process was slow, it was visibly recovering.

At this moment, Zhang Wenda couldn't help but feel utterly shocked.

In this world, this thing actually had the same healing effect as "Da Hong"?

So that fat deadbeat wasn't surprised at all when he saw him so badly injured, because wounds like this could be easily treated?!

Zhang Wenda, lollipop in mouth, thought for a moment and shouted toward the fat boy not far away: "Fatty! Thanks for the candy! When I get rich in the future, I’ll make you my godson!"

"You’re something else. I kindly gave you candy, and now you’re taking advantage of me."

He took out the lollipop and examined it curiously.

It looked like ordinary candy, but the effects on his body now couldn’t be faked.

"Not bad. Although this world is really strange, it seems there are bad strange things and good strange things. As for how it truly is, I’ll have to find out for myself."

At this moment, Zhang Wenda perked up again, ready to face this world anew.

So many things in the past hadn't crushed him — this little mess was nothing.

Lollipop in mouth, he pulled out the Student Handbook and began memorizing it.

He didn’t believe this thing could really stump him.

Along the way, Zhang Wenda followed behind the other students, walking and stopping.

It really felt like some sort of field trip — if not for the bizarre place, it would’ve been just like one.

Just as he was about to completely memorize the handbook, the little fatty in front suddenly stopped.

Catching off guard, Zhang Wenda bumped into his back. "Why did we stop?"

"Mouse, we’re here."

Upon hearing that, Zhang Wenda looked up and saw a large rainbow arch appear in front of them.

The arch looked like it was made of cheap plastic, with white clouds bearing smiling faces hanging from it.

"This is the Youth Center?"

Suddenly, the rainbow arch lit up with flashing bulbs, startling Zhang Wenda.

As he recoiled like a startled bird, a cheerful children’s song slowly drifted over from the direction of the arch.

"It rained all night long\~

Waking up, it’s sunny and strong\~

Last night I dreamt of you\~

We play so happily too\~"

"Wait… isn’t that the theme song of Cartoon City?"

Zhang Wenda was deeply surprised.

The moment the music played, it brought him back to his childhood days — every afternoon at 6 PM, sitting in front of the TV, waiting for cartoons to start.

But in this situation, hearing the familiar children's song, slightly distorted and coming from inside the Youth Center, made his heart feel uneasy.

"Fatty, is this really the Youth Center? Why doesn’t it feel like one at all?" Zhang Wenda asked his companion.

"Why not? Aren’t all Youth Centers like this?" the little fatty replied.

As they spoke, the others were already arguing while passing through the rainbow arch and descending a concrete staircase littered with snack wrappers.

After hesitating briefly, Zhang Wenda decided to follow the locals and went in.

As they descended, a wave of humidity hit him.

"So the Youth Center is underground?" Zhang Wenda wondered as he walked.

After one flight of stairs, there came a second in the opposite direction — like in an old apartment block, but wider and older.

At some point, a flashlight that should have been in his backpack had appeared in Zhang Wenda’s hand.

They were still heading down.

While Zhang Wenda was tense and vigilant, the others showed no reaction, still arguing passionately.

This time, their debate was whether Jianlibao or Coca-Cola tasted better.

Zhang Wenda cautiously observed his surroundings.

The cement staircase seemed to descend endlessly.

Above them were flickering light bulbs embedded in damp, gridded wooden boards — nothing else.

That familiar melody continued to play in his ears, growing louder as they got closer.

This time, it was a different song.

"I remember mama’s words each night,

Dewy tears like lupine lights,

The stars above say nothing bright,

The children below miss mama’s light…"

"I’m telling you, Coca-Cola is definitely better than Jianlibao.

Have you ever tried Coke with ice? I have!

That one time, it was my birthday.

My mom brought a bottle all the way from the supply store.

Chilled! One sip — oh man!"

Zhang Wenda kept walking with them for about two minutes.

Then, a platform the size of a classroom appeared before them.

The walls were draped in black cloth, and the floor was covered in black-and-white checkered tiles.

The space was filled with clutter — boxes, bottles, even an old bicycle — almost completely occupying the platform.

A person dressed in a plush mascot costume was organizing the mess.

Upon hearing footsteps, the mascot turned its oversized head toward them.

It was a purple-furred rabbit with red eyes.

Possibly due to the ill-fitting costume, the head was crooked and occasionally needed adjusting, giving it a comical appearance.

"Good afternoon, teacher."

All the students shouted in unison toward the rabbit, startling Zhang Wenda.

"This is the teacher?"

Zhang Wenda covertly examined the figure.

This was outside his range of understanding.

He wasn’t sure whether Youth Centers ever had teachers dressed as mascot rabbits to play with kids.

"Maybe they do. Otherwise, why would Xiao Ming go to the Youth Center so often?"

When he saw the mascot rabbit walking toward him, Zhang Wenda’s heart tightened again.

He quickly lowered his head, afraid to look, worried about triggering another rule.

As the ceiling bulb flickered above, the plush mascot began to speak.

The voice was that of a normal man — yet faintly tinged with the whir of cassette tape spools.

"During activities, please be sure to follow the rules. If anyone misbehaves deliberately, we’ll be telling your teachers, okay?"

While Zhang Wenda kept his head down, still confused about where this Youth Center’s rules suddenly came from, a pair of furry rabbit legs stood upright before him.

The atmosphere momentarily froze.

Cold sweat began to form on Zhang Wenda’s forehead — this scene almost made him stop breathing.

‘What did I do wrong this time? Is even lowering my head not allowed?!’

After a long three seconds, a colorful booklet was handed to him from beside the rabbit leg.

On the cover, scribbled in crayon, were large twisted words: Old Man Ding Takes You on a Youth Center Tour

Below the word “Center” was a doodled smiley face of Old Man Ding — yes, that Old Man Ding, who owed him two eggs, promised to return them in three days but said four instead.

With trembling hands, Zhang Wenda took the booklet, and the rabbit legs finally moved on to the student beside him.

‘Damn, that scared me! I thought something went wrong again.’

Zhang Wenda cautiously lifted his head a bit and saw that everyone was getting a copy of the Old Man Ding’s Guide.

This seemed to be part of the normal process.

After all had received theirs, the rabbit pulled aside a curtain, revealing an old wooden door bearing red characters: "Serve the People."

As the jangle of keys rang out, followed by a creaking sound, a long corridor appeared before Zhang Wenda.

"Students, the Youth Center is open from 12 PM to 6 PM.

No overnight stays are allowed.

If anything happens, refer to the guide immediately.

If anything occurs that is not covered in the guide, return to the entrance at once."