The Deal

Huo has been watching his contractor gaze at the roof of his office for hours. She has been in that state after knowing the truth of her misery. The once hopeful eyes were now lifeless, staring blankly at an empty space.

Fortunately, he doesn't have other appointments at the moment or rather doesn't have other applicants for the task. So he could wait for this lady to make up her mind.

He never thought he was capable of having such patience.

In the future, he must rub it on that guy's annoying face. Tell him that his pp clearly isn't as short as his patience. Just thinking of it makes him want to punch his face. But no way, who made him his boss? He was so annoyed he started losing his luscious hair.

" It smells like mint. " A soft voice pulled his attention back.

" What? " Huo said and turned his head to glance at her.

She slightly bowed her head, gently covered the tip of her nose with a black handkerchief, and inhaled deeply.

" The scent of mint feels refreshing. It helps soothe my mind." Her hand returned to her lap, raised her head, smiled but met his bewildered eyes.

If it weren't for a fact that those reddish eyes were pure and devoid of any longing, Huo may have thought that she was flirting with him. That handkerchief was what he handed when she wept earlier. As a gentleman, he couldn't just watch her drain her tear ducts without doing anything.

" You can keep it. " He decisively said when he remembered her saying she'll return it.

" Thank you." She paused then continued,

"Mr. Huo is actually kind. " She can't help but appreciate every kindness she receives. Maybe it's due to her life experiences, but she treasures such sincerity.

Huo can't help but wrinkle his forehead.

[ I never thought I'd be called kind my entire life.]

How awkward to hear his name and kind in the same sentence. He had goosebumps.

" How can you tell that I'm kind? I only lent you once and clearly, you don't even know me."

He tried to clear his name of such 'stain'

" True. " She admitted.

" But clearly you have the option not to tell me of the truth yet you did. "

" You also chose to lend me your handkerchief when clearly you could choose not to."

" And you gave me chance to escape my fate when you offered me to be a tasker. "

" To me that was kindness. That is my opinion and you can't force me to think otherwise." There was a small curvature on her lips, clearly smaller than her usual smile. Her eyes are still puffy yet brighter than ever.

Huo can't help but feel amazed. This girl has a strong belief in such non-existent things. It's her life anyway, he didn't need to bother as long as the tasks are done.

" So what's your decision?" The lackadaisical aura is back as he cupped his face, looking at her.

" It's a deal. " Her voice was firm and yet again filled with determination. She decided not to hope for happiness anymore but claim it herself.

Huo's grin can't be contained.

He waved his hand and the contract was laid on the table while a black quill pen appeared in his right hand.

Offering the quill pen to her, he said.

" Your name using your blood."

She walked up to him, took the pen, and glanced at it. She wonders how to feed it with blood.

" Just cut your finger with the nib then write."

The wounded finger healed instantaneously after it collected the blood. She then proceeded to write her name. The moment she did, she felt an unexplainable feeling within her. It wasn't unpleasant. It just felt like a cold breeze blew her soul then nothing.

Seeing her dazed look, Huo decided to inform her.

" That's the system binding your soul."

He took the contract and squinted his eyes when he saw the bottom.

" An advice to you dear contractor, you need a new name. "

Clicking his fingers, the agreement vanished in thin air.

" Why is that?" She asked.

" Because this person is ours now. She is your past but now, her everything, her unwritten future is ours. From now on, you two are different entities. You were her. Were. " His gaze the most serious as he looks at her now.

" Also, you will be born anew. "

Sensing her doubts, he continued.

" Remember the golden finger I told you about? Your ultimate cheat is the manifestation of what your heart desires the most. Its power is directly proportional to the price you have to pay. The thing is, as you may have noticed, the system's goal is the 'kindness' inherent to an individual." Huo watched her digest the information.

" I understand. " She nodded and continued to listen.

" Now you can't take something without replacing it. Thus the system will give you equal value from the opposite scale. "

Her brows can't help but tighten.

" It means, dear contractor, that how much 'goodness' it will take off you, how much 'badness' it will replace."

She looked at him with a ' please enlighten me ' look.

Huo sighed. He felt like he used up all the patience he had his entire life for today.

[ Forget it. She agreed anyway]

" In short, how inherently good you were, how inherently evil you will be. "

" That is the price for your golden finger."

" About the mechanism involved in your task, the system will assign you something that will guide you."

Glancing at the young lady in front of him, he nodded in appreciation.

[ At least she took it well.]

She had actually seriously pondered about it. Mr. Huo was right, she needs a new name. That name she shared with all her reincarnations only felt like a shackle to her. A constant reminder of her endless miserable fate. The thing about her losing her 'kindness', she felt it unnecessary. It didn't do her good anyway. Her kindness was their gateway to hurt her, calculate her, and drive her to her death. She thought that since being kind wasn't the way for her, maybe being evil will do. So she accepted the fact with a calm heart.

" Do you still have a question? " Huo asked.

" I do." She smiled as she looked at Mr. Huo

"Mr. Huo, will our paths cross someday?" Curios, she had to ask.

He thought for a moment before uttering,

" I doubt. "

" Then this is goodbye huh." She muttered.

She walked up to him, raised her hand for him to shook.

"Farewell, Mr. Huo." Her eyes bright as she smiled.

He stood up, walked in front of her and took her hand.

" Farewell, Ms. Xue." He smiled as he watches her fade away.

[ We might not meet again but I do wish you luck.]