AZI Volume 2 Chapter 38

Walking out of the hospital, Long Hua and Tian Cheng stand to the side of the building's entrance.

Momentarily, Tian Cheng remarks—

"It's rather strange."

"What is?"

"How much value does master place on contracts?"

Raising an eye, Long Hua answers—

"I would think to put a great amount of importance on them."

"The reason?"

Placing a hand to his chin, Long Hua thought for a moment, but he ultimately came up empty, as he answers—

"Can't remember. Maybe it was because of something that happened in my previous life?"

(Well, he's not far off.)

Towards this answer, the Tian Cheng that resides within the dreamscape narrows her eyes, while on the outside, she remarks—

"Despite placing a high importance on them, master seems more interested in seeing them broken than maintained."

Towards this remark, Long Hua frowns, but instinctively, he doesn't deny it, as he says—

"Hypocritical of me, I suppose? What made you notice this?"

"When Lady Nian asked, if master would betray her with a contract active. The flavor of master's smile then—was leaning more towards her betraying you, than the other way around."

Turning to face Long Hua, while maintaining closed eyes, Tian Cheng goes on to state—

"Feeling joy in the act of seeing a contract broken, isn't this fetish rather strange?"

"Don't call it a fetish… But hmm…"

Thinking for a bit, Long Hua answers—

"I can't say why, but the thought of a contract being broken by the other side… I guess it makes me feel like a winner at life—for being able to be disciplined enough to maintain it up until that point?"

Towards this reply, Tian Cheng thought—

(…Seems like not even death is capable of amending some of the flaws that a person may carry.)

"In any case, how did it feel to see your previous employer again?"

"Hm?"

"I'm talking about Zhou-laoye."

(Ah, prior to getting the connection through, this vessel did mention something like that, didn't it?)

Before her connection had been established, Tian Cheng had her vessel act in an autonomous manner with the objective of aiding Long Hua.

"That was just a lie."

Towards this answer, Long Hua asks—

"Huh? But then, how did you know that Zhou-laoye's mansion was filled with dolls?"

"A bit of searching in the digital seas."

"…And you choosing to stay in the car?"

"I figured that me not being present for that meeting would reduce the odds of Zhou-laoye realizing master's identity, but I suppose it was all ultimately in vain, since he noticed either way."

Blinking his eyes, Long Hua remarks—

"I kind of figured that to be the case, so I'm not surprised, but… What would you have done if it turns out we really needed to raid his place for the map?"

"The digital seas can be used to fish up all sorts of information if I try hard enough. A blueprint of his mansion can be acquired easily if it is deemed necessary. While I was waiting in the car, I had also hacked into the doll that was standing out front; through her—I managed to create a detailed diagram of the mansion's interior."

"…"

Pressing a finger to his temple, Long Hua feels like this doll—that is currently in his possession, is the nightmare of all modern civilizations, due to most individuals and corporations choosing to store their valuable assets in a database.

"What will master do should Lady Nian choose to cut you off?"

"Well…"

Thinking of the many issues that would arise with this, Long Hua's expression turns a bit sour.

The biggest issue would be the loss of his side job that is associated with NPI; without this connection—he would probably be kicked out of his current residence, that is the yacht.

On paper, both the yacht and port space are still under the ownership of NPI; legally purchasing them from Nian Yao Yao would definitely cost a fortune.

"I could take up residence in the bureau's office if needed. Another option would be—to see if that surnamed Bai can get me a new place to stay with his connections."

"And the worst that could happen?"

Shrugging his shoulders, Long Hua answers—

"The worst case possible is—I get sent out to the frontlines, or even be forced to live out in the wastelands. Regardless, it's not the end of the world if she decides to cut me off out of distrust."

"Assuming that master is unwilling to be cut off, wouldn't Lady Nian choosing to one-sidedly void the contract go against the original agreement?"

"Oh, so you noticed?"

Seeing the faint smile on Long Hua's face, Tian Cheng inwardly puts on a similar smile, as she remarks—

"A test for the young lady? I believe, she will find this to be rather distasteful."

"If she cannot reach this conclusion on her own, then I do not see any worth in continuing to work with her. Besides, I do not consider my relationship with her to be an employer and an employee. We are both just using each other for our own benefits."

(Well, all things considered, our relationship isn't any different.)

Detecting the sound of multiply footsteps—approaching from the side, Long Hua looks to his left to see Nian Yao Yao walking towards him, while the others stood back.

(Hm?)

Blinking his eyes, Long Hua notices immediately that—aside from the short-statured Moon Guard, the others are missing.

Ignoring this for the time being, Long Hua asks—

"Have you decided?"

"We're maintaining this contract."

Towards Nian Yao Yao, who has a sour look on her face, Long Hua smiles with amusement, as he says—

"This will probably not be the last time that I ask you this question."

"You never gave me much of a choice."

Maintaining his smile, Long Hua remarks—

"Weren't you curious as to what would happen—if one of us were to break the contract? I've given you the opportunity to find out, and yet, here you are refusing to take it. How ungrateful."

"Long Hua, I've always thought you to be a do-as-told sort of person—so long as it doesn't go against our contract, but now… If possible, I really want to sock you in the face for attempting to con me."

Comparing and contrasting the Long Hua—that she had known previously, to the one in front of her now, Nian Yao Yao feels as if the former had been putting on an act up until last night.

Blinking her eyes on the inside, Tian Cheng thought—

(Hmm, his current temperament is much closer to the one that I remember. Perhaps, it's because—his twisted fetish with contracts is being stimulated?)

Wiping away his smile, a solemn expression appears on Long Hua's face, as he says—

"I wasn't joking when I said—that I am not able to guarantee anything."

Towards this, Nian Yao Yao nods, and replies—

"If there really does come a time—in which, you have to betray me, I'd at least hope it'd be a time of great significance."

"Meaning?"

Thinking for a bit, Nian Yao Yao, with a tone of uncertainty, answers—

"Hmm… Some kind of world-ending event, perhaps?"

Raising an eye, Long Hua asks—

"So, you wish to die a martyr?"

"Beats dying like a dog on the streets—out of starvation. A legendary beast should at least try to maintain its image—even in death."

"Quite accepting of your newfound identity, aren't you?"

Heaving a sigh, Nian Yao Yao answers—

"More like I'm just going with the flow—since my brain hasn't caught up to the situation yet."