Translator: Xena
After finishing dinner, Jian Xie went into his bedroom, took out his homework from his bag, and spread it out on the table.
Before he could even pull out a chair and sit down, a cloud of black mist surged before his eyes, like a rolling mass of dark clouds.
The next moment, Qin Zhuo’s figure emerged from the mist, his outline still carrying a faint, shadowy blackness. The mist grew denser below him, eventually coalescing into liquid and dripping to the ground, merging with Jian Xie’s shadow under the indoor lighting.
It’s physical body had disappeared long before the fish was eaten.
Currently, It has reverted to the state of a shadow.
Seemingly anticipating Jian Xie’s actions, It braced Itself with his hand and sat down in front of the table before Jian Xie.
The table was wide enough for several people to use at the same time, and Qin Zhuo just sat on the other side of the desk, It’s face turned slightly to look at him. Even though It’s posture was extremely arrogant, It was very quiet throughout, so as not to disturb his studies.
It seemed It still remembered he was a senior in high school.
However, for some reason, Jian Xie felt uneasy after writing only a few lines.
Perhaps because Qin Zhou was comepletely indefferent to human social etiquette, It’s gaze was always starkly and unwavering. Like the most dangerous predator, it spread like an impenetrable net, trapping whatever caught its interest within its web, causing those being stared at to instinctively hold their breath.
Jian Xie believed that if he turned his head to meet It’s eyes at this moment, those dark crimson eyes would surely be filled with his own reflection.
Although he had long been immune to other people’s gazes, Qin Zhuo’s seemed to be an exception.
Jian Xie could never ignore the gaze emanating from It, probably because Qin Zhuo’s presence was simply too strong. Moreover, no one could overlook an evil god.
Especially under the orange light, It’s nonchalant expression seemed even more striking.
“……”
Although he’s a very dangerous guy, and not even human, for that matter, why does he match his own aesthetic standards so much?
He had been itching to ask this question ever since he first met Qin Zhuo.
He suspects he might be a bit of a face-con1Literally, obsession with good-looking faces. I translated it like this because it’s short and easy to understand like the Japanese equivalent sis-con or bro-con..
Out of the corner of Jian Xie’s eye, Qin Zhuo seemed to frown, surprised by his sudden pause in writing.
【You’re thinking about something.】
It did not pose a question, but rather made a statement.
It seems I can’t just do it half-heartedly; this assignment is definitely not going to be done right now.
Jian Xie simply gave up trying to steal glances and instead looked directly at Qin Zhuo, admiring It’s pleasing face.
He was probably the only one qualified to look directly at the other, since anyone who dared to look at It’s face would have their eyes burned away in an instant.
At the same time, words slipped out unconsciously.
“I’m thinking of you.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Jian Xie was stunned for a moment, not understanding why he said that.
This explanation might be a bit too misleading for the other party…
Upon hearing this, It propped It’s chin up, raised an eyebrow, and lazily said, 【Why? I’m right beside you.】
Jian Xie: “…”
Jian Xie’s lips twitched. “Nothing.”
Very good, test complete.
Purely non-human.
He was just a little confused. How did It came up with those suggestive, ambiguous remarks that sparked endless speculation?
However, just a few seconds later, Qin Zhuo smiled and said, 【You rarely show this kind of emotion.】
Jian Xie was taken aback.
If he didn’t know that he was usually described as a cold person, he might have thought his emotions were quite outwardly expressed.
So… what emotion?
It sounded as if Qin Zhuo could see right through his true feelings at any time.
If it were just thoughts, that would be one thing, but to be able to even grasp his mood, that was just too unfair.
【Your eyes.】It smiled, It’s voice sounding exceptionally pleasant, and turned his head to look at him. 【Are you upset that I didn’t respond right away?】
Jian Xie: “…”
What do you mean by slow to respond? This guy was clearly doing it on purpose.
Teasing him on purpose.
So he didn’t reply to It, but instead started twirling his pen, indicating that he was going to resume doing his homework.
【I’m thinking about you too,】 Qin Zhuo continued, 【more than you’ve been thinking about me, so don’t be angry.】
“……”
Upon hearing this, Jian Xie’s face flushed slightly.
He didn’t speak and just lowered his head to stare at his homework for a while, forcing himself to focus on solving the problems.
But after a few minutes, he was completely stumped by the multiple-choice question that he could have answered in seconds, his mind filled with Qin Zhuo’s words.
No wonder teachers often say not to have early romantic relationships in senior year of high school. He wasn’t even in a relationship yet, but with someone constantly hanging around him, it had already begun.
A moment later, he simply put down his pen and picked up his phone, which was lying to the side.
Since he couldn’t continue with his homework and had already learned about Qin Zhuo’s second set of materials for reshaping his clone, he decided not to delay any longer and just get it over with.
Jian Xie didn’t have many contacts on his phone.
Especially among the three-character names, Wu Qinghe stood out like a sore thumb, easily spotted with a casual glance.
He didn’t care what time it was and made a call right away.
Jian Xie had not forgotten his last meeting with Dr. Li.
Dr. Li warned him with great caution that he needed to be careful of Wu Qinghe, because compared to him, a reformed A-level monster, Wu Qinghe was one of the core members of the monsters’ gathering and was likely to know many core secrets and involved in many plans.
The last time, it was this gathering that leaked the information about the wooden statue.
Therefore, if he wanted to know about [Eagle Eye] without wasting unnecessary time, contacting Wu Qinghe was the best option.
The phone rang a few times, but wasn’t answered immediately.
Jian Xie became somewhat distracted as he listened to the busy tone coming from the receiver.
He suddenly said, “Qin Zhuo”.
【I didn’t mean to bother you.】
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have merely kept quiet and sat on the other side of the table.
—Just watching, that’s all.
Always knowing what Jian Xie was thinking, Qin Zhuo’s figure had already transformed into a cloud of black mist before he could finish his sentence, quickly melting into Jian Xie’s shadow on the ground. His voice was devoid of emotion, simply saying, 【Hate my face?】
Sure enough, how could such an all-knowing and all-powerful evil god not know that Jian Xie was always watching him?
It was just It lacked a positive mindset. Instead of assuming that he liked it, It choose to say he hated it instead.
These words made everything Jian Xie originally wanted to say disappear from his mind.
“…” He paused for a moment before saying, “No, actually, I like it very much.”
【……Like?】
“I like your face.”
As his words trailed off, a faint, hesitant voice drifted in.
If Jian Xie hadn’t been so observant, he would have missed the noise altogether, because the other party was being extremely cautious.
On the other end of the phone, Wu Qinghe said in a heavy tone, “…Um, is it inappropriate for me to answer the phone at this time? Should I hang up?”
Why did I hear what sounded like a confession from Jian Xie as soon as I answered the phone?
To whom? To It?
What if it’s not?
It suddenly became a little nervous.
But then it thought, It lived inside Jian Xie’s body, so what secrets could there be between them? And even if that was the case, Jian Xie wasn’t afraid, so what right does a superfluous creature like it have to get involved? At worst, it could just sway back and forth, condemning each side in turn before them.
But it could very well be It, and the two of them were getting closer, since they were already wearing rings, it was practically a done deal.
—Wait, why would a Special A-level monster always be thinking about these things?!
Wu Qinghe was momentarily at a loss.
It felt a pang of grief. As an A-level monster, it was utterly unqualified.
Jian Xie: “…”
Wu Qinghe’s words, even if unintentionally offensive, were in itself offensive that moment it left its lips.
“……”
“Lu Xueya came to see me.”
Jian Xie wasn’t interested in explaining it, but instead directly stated one of the purposes of the call, “You know what I’m trying to say. I know you’re from the [Weapons Department]. So, were you in charge of her application report, or was it someone else?”
He didn’t introduce who Lu Xueya was, but he believed that Wu Qinghe definitely knew her.
Jian Xie didn’t forget that she mentioned something when she was recounting her experience.
Her prop was destroyed, so she immediately submitted an application to the department to replace the weapon. However, its approval was delayed for an extended period of time, which was obviously intentional on the part of the [Weapons Department].
The person on the other end of the phone immediately gave a reply, seemingly afraid that Jian Xie might misunderstand.
“It wasn’t me, there’s no way.” Wu Qinghe explained, “Besides, I’m only a B-level investigator on the surface. A Special A-level investigator submitting a weapon replacement application would definitely be classified, and the Bureau would never entrust it to me…”
Jian Xie interrupted him. “I didn’t ask you about the Bureau.”
His tone was a little cold.
Even though it was over the phone and his voice was somewhat distorted, Wu Qinghe was still taken aback by the chilling aura emanating from him.
It knew it had to say it.
Wu Qinghe almost forgot that Jian Xie was now the master of [Hell].
Everything it witnessed at the auction last time left a very deep impression on it. Even though it couldn’t be told from Jian Xie’s thin appearance, the other party was definitely the kind of person who was best avoided.
If it wasn’t about the Administration, then he was asking it whether it learned anything from the monsters.
“I know who it is.” Wu Qinghe took a deep breath.
Confess and you would be treated leniently; resist and you will be treated severely.
It could also clearly distinguish who its true backer was, so it didn’t hesitate much and quickly switched sides, deciding to give a clear account, “Then, do you remember that guy who went to the fall recruitment with you?” “The newcomer who got beaten by you, the one who got number 6.”
Wu Qinghe knew that talking about names with Jian Xie would not awaken memories as it wouldn’t register.
After all, he didn’t seem like the type to remember people well.
However, Jian Xie would definitely remember the number the other party drew during the fall recruitment since he was number 7, and the two of them were compared again and again.
“I don’t remember,” Jian Xie said.
The fall recruitment season was so long ago; he’d almost forgotten everything except for the important things.
Let alone a passerby.
Wu Qinghe choked for a moment.
“Okay, if you don’t remember, that’s fine. Anyway, I don’t know how he got involved with the Special A-level monsters, but because he was an A-level investigator, the [Weapons Department] assigned him this task and told him to stall it. In short, this was his responsibility, and it had nothing to do with me.”
There was a cause for every wrong, and a debtor for every debt. If Lu Xueya died, the blame shouldn’t be place on itself.
An Investigator, colluding with the monsters?
Jian Xie frowned.
Wu Qinghe was not surprised by his reaction. The complexity of humanity couldn’t be explained simply. Especially since the investigators and the monsters shared the same origin. “You must know about the seven deadly sins, right? He must have committed one of those mistakes to be tempted. Humans only want those few things.”
Guessing that Jian Xie was considering the situation of the Management Bureau, it added, “You don’t need to worry about him. He’ll die soon anyway. As long as he goes to ask for his reward this time, something bad is bound to happen.”
They’ll kick you away after you’ve served your purpose. Monsters show no mercy.
As for cooperating with the investigators, that was just sweet-talk. Anyone who trusted a monster’s sweet talk clearly has no brains.
Seeing Jian Xie remain silent, Wu Qinghe recalled what he had just said and immediately broke out in a cold sweat.
It hurriedly racked its brains to remedy the situation. “Well, there are exceptions, though. Of course, It is different. Special A-level monsters rarely share their meals, and It’s possessiveness far surpasses ours— that It’d even let you eat. At the auction, monsters were incinerated just for touching the carving, but you could offend It however you wanted without consequence…
Wu Qinghe laughed awkwardly.
Qin Zhuo suddenly said coldly, “If you can’t speak properly, then don’t speak at all.”
“Oh, okay.”
It obediently shut its mouth almost immediately.
Jian Xie: “…”
He even forgot what he was thinking about due to the interruption.
He wasn’t really concerned about an A-level investigator becoming a traitor, because as Wu Qinghe had said, there was no such thing as a free lunch.
If you dare to make a deal with a monster, then be prepared for trouble.
Moreover, Lu Xueya was not dead. She would definitely not let go of the person who refused to approve her prop, and once the Bureau investigated and tracked them down, the other party would not be able to escape.
“Where is [Eagle Eye]?” Jian Xie said, “You already know, don’t you?”
Wu Qinghe frowned, his face showing a conflicted expression. “Not exactly, we’ve just found it. I’ll only know the exact location at the next gathering.”
Otherwise, it would have sent the location directly to It.
After all, its outstanding business skills were the only reason it survived as a fence-sitter. Without definite information, it would not rashly contact Qin Zhuo.
Since the wooden carving went missing last time, the monsters have been very careful, afraid that the [Eagle Eye] might be lost again and displease that being, so they haven’t made a big fuss like last time.
…In fact, they didn’t know that the wood carving had already fallen into It’s hands.
Thinking about this, Wu Qinghe was once again glad that he had made a decisive decision, otherwise, he would probably also be very worried and anxious right now.
“Contact me for the next meeting,” Jian Xie said succinctly after a moment’s thought. “I’ll go with you.”
Once he got the address, he’ll take the eye right away.
Jian Xie didn’t know what the monsters intended to do. Since that previous A-level monster had been thrown out as a test, Jian Xie couldn’t shake the feeling that it wasn’t as straightforward as Wu Qinghe had claimed.
Without any unnecessary embellishments, he had essentially issued an ultimatum.
Wu Qinghe: “…”
“Go to the gathering venue? Is that safe?” It couldn’t help but feel a little worried, and subconsciously said, “This time is different from the auction. Moreover, from what you’ve said, Lu Xueya isn’t dead, while the crow is. They will be very vigilant—”
Jian Xie indifferently said, “The crow didn’t die.”
Not only did he not die, but he was alive and well, just trapped into a bracelet by [Lonely Hell].
Wu Qinghe: “…”
H-help me!
Although he said it wasn’t dead, his words conveyed a hint of the situation being worse off than dead.
It’s only been a few days, and Jian Xie has already developed new execution skills?!
……
He finished the call.
Now that Qin Zhuo had returned to his body, and there was no source of distraction anymore, Jian Xie could finally continue doing his homework.
But just as he finished concentrating on completing the test paper, his phone, which was on the table, suddenly vibrated.
Jian Xie paused, his pen going still.
He picked up his phone and glanced at the screen.
It was a notification from the class group chat.
After unlocking his phone, Jian Xie realized that it was the class president who had tagged all the members.
As the countdown to the college entrance examination drew to a close, the atmosphere in the class group cjat has become quite tense. People who used to chat casually in the group have disappeared, and basically no one sent messages casually anymore.
Jing Chen, the class president who cared most about grades, always announced something whenever he chatted.
Especially now that they’ve sent an @ together with the message.
Sure enough, as soon as Jian Xie opened his phone, the message popped up on his screen.
[School notice: A parent-teacher meeting will be held this Tuesday afternoon. All students must wear their school uniforms and inform their parents of their attendance.]
Jian Xie: “…”
Sure enough, it’s happening again.
He felt like he had forgotten something after the monthly exam last Friday.
The school held a parent-teacher meeting after each monthly test for students in the second semester of their senior year. The purpose was to mobilize all students to devote themselves wholeheartedly to the final sprint of the college entrance examination with the cooperation and supervision of parents, thereby achieving excellent results.
Strictly speaking, however, this matter actually has nothing to do with him.
After all, the homeroom teacher knew of his situation. Jian Xie had no parents, so no one would attend the parent-teacher conference in his place.
He would always sit in his seat by himself.
Meanwhile, other parents would occasionally glance at him with surprise, seemingly wondering why a student was sitting in the classroom instead.
Therefore, unlike the students who were wailing in the class group, he simply put down his phone indifferently and opened another workbook.
At that time, I’ll probably be bothered by those annoying guys again.
Although Jian Xie was too lazy to pay attention to them, he couldn’t block out the noise. There were always some people who wanted to find a sense of superiority from his circumstances, making a big deal out of his economic situation and the fact that he lost his parents.
It was so boring.
【I’ll attend the parent-teacher conference.】
Upon hearing this, Jian Xie paused for a moment. “…”
【To fulfill my guardianship duties.】 Qin Zhuo stated succinctly, 【I’ve decided.】
Author’s Note:
Qin Zhuo: I can’t fail to stand up for my wife.
1 thought on “Chapter 64 – Face-con”
Cutie Zhuo I don’t really think that Xie needs that and it even might cause trouble, but at least Xie doesn’t need to be annoyed 😄. Happy new Year dear Xena. Thank you for the chapter.