AZI Volume 2 Chapter 8

Seating themselves within a western styled café are Long Hua, Tian Cheng, and Zhui Yun.

The table they occupy is in the far-right corner, where the people closest to them are at least another three tables away.

(The scent here is quite nice, but I think I still prefer the Mirrored Moon Café's aesthetic choices.)

The central counter of the café, that is round in form, and is painted white with a yellow surface—gives the entire place a more modern feel when it is compared to the Mirrored Moon Café, that is focused on giving its customers a more archaic dining experience.

"…Your drinks and snacks."

Upon setting their drinks and snacks down on the table, the waitress leaves immediately from having sensed the tension that is in the air between Long Hua and Zhui Yun.

For drinks, the two had ordered themselves a glass of mixed fruit juice.

For a snack, Long Hua ordered a small bowl of strawberry ice cream, whereas Zhui Yun ordered a slice of vanilla frosted cake.

Judging by how most of the customers in this café are men and children, they are most likely waiting for the female members of their family to return from the luxury-branded clothing shop that is located next door.

"Ai, I wonder how long those two will take…"

Setting his glass of mixed fruit juice down, Long Hua sighs.

Knowing Nian Yao Yao, she will definitely not just be buying clothes for Jing Yao alone.

"They can take as long as they want. The sun is far from setting."

Picking up her fork, Zhui Yun cuts off a bit of her cake, and directs it to her mouth.

"Sweet."

"…Cold."

Taking a bite out of his ice cream, Long Hua looks to Zhui Yun, and—

"Right, get on with it. What did you want to talk about?"

"I feel like venting some stress."

"As far as I know, you're as free as a child. What sort of stress do you have to vent?"

"How long have we known each other, Hua?"

"I've known you for as long as I've known Jing, so… Over ten years?"

"And I've known mother for longer than that…"

"Mother," that is what Zhui Yun refers to Nian Yao Yao as—when the person isn't present.

"…"

The Bloodline Project, the lifelong work of Long Yue family's current head, Nian Tao Tao.

The general idea behind this project is the creation of artificial Long Yue family clansmen using Nian Tao Tao's blood.

An easier way to understand this project—would be the act of creating clones; and the clones that are created through the project—are collectively called the Moon Guards.

The existence of this project is the reason as to why there is an ongoing feud within the Long Yue family.

Despite Nian Yao Yao's objections, Nian Tao Tao still wishes to continue this inhumane project—where its creations have a high likelihood of dying while still being nurtured within the artificial womb.

Even if a Moon Guard survives that stage of the project, they may still not live pass the age of eight.

Zhui Yun is one of the few Moon Guards born out of this project—using Nian Yao Yao's blood as a base after numerous trials, so the former calling the latter mother isn't inappropriate.

"Hua, I really, really hate you for existing."

Raising her head, Zhui Yun glares at Long Hua, and towards the former's glare, the latter lets out a light chuckle.

"Your reason?"

"Mother is willing to listen to you when it comes to making important decisions. She's willing to assign you with important tasks. You have an unusual contract with her. She told me, nine is an auspicious number in some myths. When I asked her about New Moon Village, she would only smile, and say not to worry about it, but when you asked, she gave you all the details. Why is she so willing to trust you when you've only known her for around ten years? Why is it that she always seems to have high expectations of you?"

There was no set pattern in the way in which Zhui Yun is raising her observations, and questions—for she truly is just venting out her repressed emotions of envy towards Long Hua in a way that is reminiscent of a child throwing a tantrum.

Closing his eyes, Long Hua exhales a soft breath.

"You're envious of me, and afraid of your mother treating you like an extra."

"…"

Towards Zhui Yun's silence, Long Hua smiles, as he positions a hand beneath his chin.

"My relationship with Nian Yao Yao is purely business. Understand that business relationships are not meant to last forever. It is a give and take relationship; a day will come when one of us shall no longer have a use for the other, and that is when this relationship will end. The terms of my contract with her states clearly that I must aid her in taking over the Long Yue family. Once that contract is complete… A year or two afterwards is when I shall take my leave at the latest."

Stating his future intentions clearly, Long Hua reopens his eyes.

"People say that there is no relationship thicker than blood. Even if you were born through unusual means, the two of you are still related through such a connection. If you are feeling insecure about your own position in her heart, then you need only prove to her that you possess strength that she may rely upon in her times of need."

"…"

Towards Long Hua's words, Zhui Yun makes an expression that is difficult to describe. Was it irritation, or was it perhaps nervousness? If scrutinized further, there is also what seems to be a hint of fear.

"…Ai."

Raising a sigh, Zhui Yun's expression softens. However, there was still a hint of wariness within her eyes.

(Eyes are a window into a person's state of mind… Seems like my observation skills have gotten better. And they should continue to improve, as my cultivation base increases.)

Blinking his eyes once, Long Hua notices Zhui Yun's wariness. As he is only noticing this for the first time, he doesn't know if this has always been the way she looks at himself.

"That's the other thing that I really hate about you. Whenever you reprimand me with advice, I'm always forced to listen…"

In a sulking manner, Zhui Yun sips her glass of juice from a straw.

"Because you're but a child in my eyes."

Replying as such, Long Hua doesn't pay further heed to Zhui Yun's unusual display of wariness towards him.

"I really hate you…"

Placing a bit of ice cream onto his tongue, and savoring its taste for a bit, Long Hua asks—

"How old are you this year?"

"Sixteen, happened a while back."

According to what Nian Yao Yao had told him in the past, Zhui Yun had been brought to her by a squad of NPI agents when they were still just a fetus contained within an artificial womb.

With how difficult it is for a creation of the Bloodline Project to survive, Zhui Yun can be considered lucky to have reached 16 years of age.

"Ai, at this age you should be in school. Especially so if you weren't a Sinner."

"After hearing what you said about S09 in the past, I'm glad I was educated back at the company's main building."

Upon Zhui Yun finishing off her slice of cake, her phone notifies her of a text message.

"Mother wants me to head over."

"Probably because Jing got tired of being a dress-up doll."