AZI Volume 2 Chapter 12

(Right, when you think about it like that—me not revealing my circumstances is just my method of protecting this world from harm; there's nothing selfish about it.)

Despite not feeling any hint of guilt towards his selfish decision, Long Hua still felt the need to make up an excuse in his mind.

"…"

Maintaining shut eyes, Tian Cheng turns her head subtly towards Long Hua's direction.

(Unwanted competition will indeed hinder master's progression, but it feels as if he has a natural trust issue that requires addressing.)

Due to their connection with one another, Tian Cheng has a rough idea of what Long Hua is thinking of.

As the sound of moving tableware and chopsticks filled the air, the group seemed to have stopped their conversation completely, as they focused on their meal.

"Hey, how is it possible that all the meat is gone so soon?"

Towards Nian Yao Yao's question, Jing Yao answers—

"Didn't Zhui Yun eat most of it during the conversation?"

"Oh?"

"S-Sorry… Other than that slice of cake from a few hours back, I didn't have anything else to fill my stomach with."

Towards Nian Yao Yao's glare, Zhui Yun is quick to respond with a flushed face of embarrassment.

"Ai, whatever, it's fine. Long Hua, you're the closest to the cart, so call for more."

Turning around, Long Hua reaches for the phone that is on the cart's second layer, and presses the one button that is on it.

[Hotel service center, how may we assist you?]

"99th floor, more plates of meat delivered to us."

[Certainly. A staff member will bring it up to you shortly.]

Hanging up the call, and placing the phone back, Long Hua finishes off his bowl of food.

"Shall I prepare another bowl with these?"

Seeing five neatly peeled prawns that are already cooked being gestured to by Tian Cheng, Long Hua nods.

"Please."

Receiving Long Hua's emptied bowl, Tian Cheng rises from her seat and begins to refill it.

"How attentive… I'm actually jealous."

Peeling off the shell of her own prawn, Nian Yao Yao can't help but voice her envy.

"You could have brought a servant along."

"Hmm, maybe I will next time."

"Lady Nian, I can peel them for you if you want."

"That'd be nice, so I'll take you up on that offer."

(What an ass kisser.)

Towards Zhui Yun—who had been so ready to offer her services to Nian Yao Yao, Long Hua directs a cold gaze at her, as he receives his bowl back from Tian Cheng.

"Zhui Yun, don't spoil her."

"Jing, don't ruin this for me."

"It really wouldn't kill you to learn how difficult it is for the common person."

"Hmm, the old hag used to say that to me as well, but I'm far too used to being waited on. At this point, it's difficult for me to imagine living any other way. In fact, would I still be Nian Yao Yao—if I'm not the one sitting back in a luxury chair, and being waited on by numerous servants?"

Despite her not going too into detail, an image of Nian Yao Yao resting on a fully reclined beach chair, with four female servants surrounding her—appears in Long Hua and Jing Yao's mind.

Within this image, two of the four servants are holding onto a large feather fan, while another is standing behind Nian Yao Yao—using a large parasol to shield her from the sun.

(The last servant is definitely Zhui Yun.)

(The last servant is definitely the ass kisser.)

The last servant in this image stands closest to Nian Yao Yao, and is feeding her a freshly peeled fruit of some kind.

"I have a feeling that's going to come back and bite you in the future."

"I'll figure something out then."

As Nian Yao Yao and Jing Yao conversed, the double doors located at the back walls were opened.

Pushing along a cart filled with plates of meat, a hotel staff member approaches their table.

"Enjoy."

"Thank you."

Halting the meat-loaded cart next to the rice and wine cart, the hotel staff takes his leave immediately.

"…"

Watching the hotel staff leave in such a hurry without even turning towards them with a bow of etiquette, Long Hua constricts his eyes.

(Maybe he's a new hire that hasn't been fully trained? Hmm even if that were the case, with flowers as lovely as these two at the table—it's still rather odd that he wouldn't turn an eye over…)

Just as Long Hua turns his attention back to his meal—

"Hm…?"

Upon seeing Tian Cheng—who had abruptly opened her magenta-colored eyes, Long Hua is startled for a brief instance.

"…"

Meeting Long Hua's questioning gaze, Tian Cheng shuts her eyes, and stands up from her seat.

(Looks like something really is up.)

Similarly, Long Hua does the same, and follows Tian Cheng.

"Something wrong?"

"Don't worry about it, it's nothing major."

Upon distancing themselves from the group, Long Hua and Tian Cheng stand near the glass walls.

"Well?"

Unless deemed necessary to increase her information processing capabilities, Tian Cheng wouldn't just open her eyes at random.

"Cameras show that five individuals with military dolls have entered the building."

Opening her eyes, Tian Cheng answers with a voice that is devoid of all emotions.

"Any idea where they came from?"

"Unknown. Their attire consists of a hooded black jacket and a bodysuit. Other than that, their faces are covered by an oni mask."

"So, a bunch of masked freaks in BSDM gear… Ai, as the saying goes—a lone pervert isn't what's terrifying, what's truly terrifying is a group of perverts. Well, how close are they to this floor?"

"The five accompanied by 13 military dolls are estimated to reach this floor in 12 minutes and 48 seconds. Another four have begun descending to our floor from the helipad. Also…"

Without continuing, Tian Cheng turns her head, and throws a brief glance at the meat-loaded cart.

Unlike the first cart, this one is covered by a long dark cloth that just barely touches the ground.

"I see."

The bottom half of the cart is large enough to fit an adult if they just curl up into a ball.

"What shall we do, master?"

"Ai, 99th floor of the building, and we're already surrounded. Just let it play out."

"Apologies, I should have kept my eyes focused on the cameras earlier."

"No need to feel bad about it. Even if you spotted them earlier, it wouldn't have mattered—since we're on the 99th floor. In any case…"

Looking around the vicinity, Long Hua's attention is drawn to the 12 support pillars—that are holding up the 100th floor that is above their heads.

"Should work. When they arrive do me a favor."

"Awaiting your instructions."

Providing a few more instructions to Tian Cheng, the two returned to their seats.

Upon seating themselves, Long Hua takes out Kun, and passes it over to Tian Cheng under the cover of the tablecloth.

"Hua, are the grounds red?"

Noticing the presence of tension in the air, Zhui Yun asks this in a low volume.

This is a code that NPI agents would use to secretively alert their combatants of lurking trouble—while keeping their enemies in the dark, should they be in range of prying eyes and ears.

"Yes, very red in fact."

Taking up his bowl of food, Long Hua resumes picking away at his meal.

"…"

"…"

Hearing this answer, both Nian Yao Yao and Jing Yao blinked their eyes, but they continued to maintain a casual air as they ate.