AZI Volume 3 Chapter 19

"Well, well, well…"

Having caught two potential fish with their bait, Ye Chen has a pleased look on his face, as he sits inside of the truck with Li Xue, who replies—

"A bit too early to be excited there, captain."

"One of them is bound to be the fish we're looking for; I refuse to think they're both a miss."

"The question is which one, then."

...…

As it has been some time since class had ended, it's relatively easy to find a roadside bench—to rest one's feet at.

"I see. So, your little sister is in a bad situation."

Deciding to mix some truths into her lies, Yu Ji had talked to the young man using Li, as their topic of discussion.

Sharing the bench together, there is an arm's length of distance keeping them apart.

Clearing his throat, the young man says—

"Probably won't make you feel any better, but my condolences for that."

"Thanks. So, what about you? Doesn't the food in these schools suck?"

"Hahaha. Yeah, you're right about that."

Taking a sip of the canned coffee, the young man agrees with Yu Ji's remark, prior to replying—

"But at least, the food here is easier to acquire than the stuff from my hometown."

"Hometown?"

"I'm from the slums of that place, so… You know."

"I see?"

Deciding to ignore the vagueness in this individual's claim, Yu Ji asks—

"By the way, what's your name? I'm Yu Ji."

"You can just call me Chén Lán."

"Nice to meet you then, Chen Lan."

"You as well. Ah, this might just be me being nosy, but have you ever checked the amount—that your Guild is charging you, and your sister for; compared to the average price—that an ordinary person would be charged with, for these medical services?"

It was a fairly simple question, but the notion had never occurred to Yu Ji up until now—due to how hectic her life had been.

"I'm assuming, you haven't then?"

Seeing the look on Yu Ji's face, Chen Lan assumes as such, to which, the former raises a sigh, and replies—

"I guess I'll check afterwards. You're a lot sharper than me, despite us being… Maybe around the same age?"

"Despite being only 18, I'm often told that. Even though Guilds are meant for Sinners, they can still be quite underhanded with their treatment of us."

...…

Back in the truck—

"…This surnamed Chen has good communication skills."

Hearing the conversation between Yu Ji and Chen Lan, Ye Chen remarks as such, while Li Xue remarks—

"I've searched through the list of students, and four results came up. If only I knew which chen, and lan is used in his name—that could narrow it down further."

"Having 2nd Lieut. Yu Ji ask that—would just be awkward at this point. How about the age of the four results?"

"Two can be cut out with that factored in."

"Hmm. Well, this is quite…-"

[The one over there in the sunglasses, wait up.]

"Hm?"

Just as Ye Chen is thinking about whether or not to head out, and put cuffs on Chen Lan, a woman's voice comes from the laptop's speakers.

"It's coming from Long Hua's side."

"…Tell 2nd Lieut. Qing Yue to head over to 2nd Lieut. Yu Ji's side, just in case."

...…

"Did you need something?"

Tapping the fan against the palm of his left hand, Long Hua subtly rotates the Tranquil Heart Incantation, as he faces the young woman dressed mostly in black.

"Nothing really. I just figured that I might have found someone—who was just as rebellious, as me."

Raising an eye beneath his sunglasses, Long Hua replies—

"Hmm. As far as I'm aware of, I've always been an honor student in these parts."

"An honor student? Class has been out for a while. The fact that you're just on your way out of this ward now—means, you were probably given a pep talk, or something, right?"

Turning his head slightly to the right, Long Hua raises a sigh, and answers—

"Those military instructors really love the sound of their own voice."

Approaching Long Hua, the young woman raises her arm with what seems to be a business card in her hand.

"What's this?"

Receiving the business card, Long Hua narrows his eyes beneath the sunglasses. What is being advertised on the card is a nightclub called the "Refuge," which opens from nine PM to 7 AM.

Returning his focus onto the woman, Long Hua asks—

"What sort of place is this?"

"A place for, I guess, people who want to get away from society? You're welcome to come by at any time. Of course, you're also free to bring some friends along."

Saying this, the young woman looks to the right pocket of Long Hua's jacket, where his phone is, while the latter asks—

"What's your name?"

"Lǐ Zǐ Xiāng."

"I see, my name is Ye Chen."

Introducing himself using Ye Chen's name, Long Hua opens his hand fan—causing Li Zi Xiang's lips to twitch, in response to what is written on there.

"…Number one hottie in the mortal realm, surnamed Ye, you've got quite a bit of confidence in yourself."

"But of course. After all, I—Ye Chen, am the number one hottie in the mortal realm."

...…

Back in the truck—

"Hahaha!"

"That bastard is slandering me…"

Hearing what Long Hua had said, Ye Chen grips the steering wheel of the truck tightly.

[Yu Ji, I'll gift this to you.]