Chapter 63 – Food

Translator: Xena

 

Just a heads up everyone, I’m moving the Sunday update sched to Monday! It’s more convenient for me at the moment. Thank you <3  

Jian Xie looked at the woman in front of him and said calmly, “So, would you like to stay for dinner?” 

He took off his sports jacket, rolled up his shirt sleeves, and turned his face toward the kitchen.

“Me… what?”

Ever since Lu Xueya received the bracelet, she has been staring intently at the gem hanging in the very center.

She held the cold gem in her palm, her expression momentarily stunned, still processing how things had happened—

Her prop…

It actually works?

Even the people in the [Weapons Department] didn’t know how to repair the destroyed prop. They could only provide each investigator with new props and let them readjust.

Jian Xie simply had her close her eyes for a few minutes, and when she opened them again, a brand new bracelet was placed in her hand.

If she heard correctly, Jian Xie had said that he was going to give it a try…?

Therefore, this boy, who clearly had no prior experience, was able to accomplish this impossible task in just a few minutes.

—If those self-proclaimed geniuses from the [Weapons Department] knew about this, they would probably be speechless with shock!

“……”

It wasn’t until Jian Xie asked the question again that Lu Xueya finally struggled to come to her senses.

“N-no need.” With a complicated expression, she said with some difficulty, “Thank you… for fixing my prop.” 

Lu Xueya didn’t know how to face Jian Xie.

Any investigator witnessing his decisive handling of an A-level monster would likely find it impossible to breathe normally next to him.

“I won’t tell anyone.” She said, “The prop… I’ll find a way to explain it.” 

She wasn’t the kind of person who repaid kindness with enmity.

Fortunately, the other person didn’t seem to care about her awkwardness at all. He just gave a soft “hmm” and turned to walk towards the kitchen.

…Why does it feel like he doesn’t think he’s ridiculously strong?

Or could it be that he simply doesn’t care if the Supernatural Affairs Bureau discovers the anomaly within him? Does this have anything to do with Minister Zhang?

She couldn’t help but stare at his back, lost in thought.

Upon seeing this, a “tsk” sound came from beside her; it was the young man who had been sitting quietly on the sofa for a long time.

The sudden sound startled her.

If he hadn’t spoken up at that moment, Lu Xueya would have forgotten that there was such a detached bystander in the room.

While she was experiencing what she considered thrilling and exciting moments, the unidentified person simply sat on the sofa, not even lifting an eyelid, as if he were extremely bored.

So, who exactly was this guy…?

As Lu Xueya watched, he took a step and stood up from the sofa. His height of 1.9 meters easily gave people a sense of imposing presence.

The moment his gaze casually swept over her, every pore on her body seemed to explode.

Danger.

Every nerve in her brain was screaming for that word.

This young man was dangerous.

If Jian Xie was the kind of person who, upon first meeting, was stunningly beautiful with a slender figure that evoked one’s protective instinct but upon closer acquaintance feels chillingly unsettling…

The young man before her was the kind of arrogant fellow who unabashedly exuded the extremely terrifying aura of a predator.

It took time to recall the details of Jian Xie’s unusual behavior in order to realize that something was amiss.

But this young man before her…

This being, even a single glance was enough to determine that he was different.

He slowly walked towards her.

Her survival instincts made Lu Xueya want to dodge immediately and avoid the sharp edge he was radiating, but she was completely unable to move, suppressed by that sinister aura.

It’s getting closer.

She thought painfully.

However, a few seconds later, she watched helplessly as he brushed past her without even pausing.

The young man completely ignored her and walked past her.

So this aura wasn’t directed at her at all.

In other words, he simply didn’t restrain his imposing manner…?

“……”

Just as he was about to enter the kitchen, the young man suddenly stopped, leaned against the door frame, and turned around to look at Lu Xueya, who was standing there stiffly.

“Aren’t you leaving yet?” He said lazily. 

This was the first thing the young man said to her, and it was telling her to hurry up and leave, his impatience practically overflowing.

He then quickly shifted his gaze back to Jian Xie in the kitchen.

Apparently, giving her their attention was a waste of time.

Lu Xueya: “…”

Suddenly, she realized how superfluous she was.

This villa simply couldn’t accommodate her.

So, she quickly composed herself, grabbed the bracelet, and swiftly pushed open the door.

Lu Xueya took a few steps after leaving the villa, still gripped by fear of what she had seen that day, before suddenly stopping.

She belatedly realized why Jian Xie hadn’t cared whether she reported to the Bureau first—it wasn’t out of trust in her.

He wasn’t some naive and innocent fool.

The real reason might be more complicated than she thought. It was probably due to Minister Zhang’s subtle attitude when he mentioned him…

It was also because Jian Xie trusted that young man.

She would never tell anyone, because she dared not, and the young man would never give her the opportunity to do so.

“……”

The image of the rapidly disappearing flock of crows flashed through her mind, as did the young man’s unsurprised reaction when she mentioned [Eagle Eye].

He even knew the whole story before she, the investigator, could even grasp the monster’s true intentions.

No wonder they looked down on that A-level monster’s [omniscience and omnipotence]…

Her years of experience as an investigator taught her to realize why.

Lu Xueya shuddered, glanced back at the villa one last time, then quickened her pace and left.

Fortunately, they were not enemies.

……

When Jian Xie was preparing to serve the rice, he opened the cupboard and found that there seemed to be only two bowls and two pairs of chopsticks in the entire cupboard.

“……”

Fortunately, Lu Xueya didn’t stay for dinner, because there simply wasn’t enough for her.

It doesn’t seem like the type to go to the supermarket and buy furniture Itself, so It probably ordered Wu Qinghe to buy these kitchen utensils.

The number as well…

He couldn’t help but glance at Qin Zhuo.

The other remained leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching him bustle about, He wondered what was so interesting that made It stand there.

Seeing Jian Xie turn to look at him, Qin Zhuo immediately said calmly, 【I didn’t.】

Jian Xie: “…”

Jian Xie, “I haven’t said anything yet.” 

Upon hearing this, It narrowed It’s eyes, revealing It’s displeasure. 【But you were going to say it.】

… You’ve learned to answer first, haven’t you?

This was the downside of having an entity living inside your body that could hear your general thoughts.

“That’s not what I wanted to say,” Jian Xie abruptly changed the subject, raising his eyes as he said, “I just wanted to ask, how long is the cooldown for revealing yourself?”

Cooldown was a term used by people who enjoy playing games.

The translated meaning was that he wanted to ask Qin Zhuo when he could make an appearance again.

Before he could ask, Qin Zhuo disappeared from his sight, switching into a formless shadow and black mist.

At those words, It smiled slightly, mood instantly improving: 【Thirty-six hours.】

“……”

It paused for a moment, then said lazily, 【Of course, even without manifesting in physical form, it doesn’t prevent me from using my power.】

Jian Xie could tell that It was implying that It had the ability to fulfill any promise.

Upon hearing that Jian Xie was concerned about It’s appearance, It was initially pleased, but It quickly considered the safety of It’s human…

As a human being protected, or rather indulged, by an evil god, Jian Xie’s feelings became extremely complicated in that moment.

“You don’t need to do that.” Jian Xie said slowly, “That’s not what I meant.” 

He merely wanted to ask.

There was no other reason, nor any utilitarian motive.

He was not the type to take other people’s kindness for granted.

Qin Zhuo’s dark crimson eyes studied him as if deciphering some perplexing puzzle, making Jian Xie feel utterly unsettled. Then, quite suddenly, It chuckled. 【So, what you really mean is that you’ve actually started to care and like me?】

Jian Xie: “…That’s not what I meant either.”

Under It’s gaze, the tips of his ears flushed involuntarily, and he desperately wanted to avert his eyes from that intensely piercing stare.

Qin Zhuo lazily hummed in agreement and said, “I’ll take that as your answer.”

Jian Xie: “…”

Qin Zhuo straightened from his leaning posture against the doorframe and began walking toward him, causing Jian Xie to instinctively take a step back, his lower back nearly colliding with the edge of the kitchen cabinet.

But It grabbed his wrist and pulled him forward a little.

【Say it once.】

This close, It’s icy aura was like from a marble monument, as if he were conversing with a wandering spirit from hell.

Jian Xie paused for a moment. “What?” 

“That you’re starting to care about me.” Qin Zhuo narrowed his eyes, fingers stroking Jian Xie’s chin as It said softly, “This is my reward this time.”

Even if it wasn’t his true feeling, and even if It knew it wasn’t the right time, It still wanted to hear Jian Xie say it.

Jian Xie: “…”

They were very close to each other.

His heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was about to burst out of his chest.

Qin Zhuo’s eyes resembled two pools of dark crimson blood. Though they flickered with glimpses of skeletal remains and burned with terrifying karmic flames, they radiated a cruel, bloodthirsty, inhuman beauty—possessing the power to ensnare that no thrill-seeker could resist.

Agreeing might make one plunge into the abyss of hell.

The two of them were so close that he could clearly see his reflection in the blood-red flames.

Jian Xie paused for a moment.

A moment later, Qin Zhuo heard his voice.

“I do want to start getting to know you.”

He revised his wording.

But this was actually the most satisfying reward Qin Zhuo had ever received.

It didn’t want much, because often It could get everything effortlessly with just a wave of It’s hand.

A beating, warm, bleeding heart was possible to get.

But that heart, was unlikely.

The heart could be infested with maggots, eaten by insects, and eventually turn to dust, but it was something that cannot be taken away.

An eternal existence far removed from resentment and hell.

【Actually, I once thought of burning you too】Qin Zhuo suddenly said.

It gazed into Jian Xie’s eyes, licked It’s lower lip, and said, slowly and deliberately, 【Because you are the only thing that gives me an appetite.】

It claimed to want fish, but in reality, It couldn’t taste anything in It’s physical form. Any delicious food tasted like wax to It.

Only when It was inside Jian Xie’s body could It taste the true flavor of food.

Therefore, Jian Xie was indeed the only one.

The reason was quite simple.

Although Qin Zhuo was not a lowly being like a monster, they did indeed come from hell.

That was why the allure of Jian Xie’s flesh and blood actually had a greater impact on It.

But after observing him, It grew to like this offering, It’s food…

Qin Zhuo’s eyes darkened.

How ridiculous.

This was the real reason why It believed that Jian Xie would be afraid of It.

Qin Zhuo wasn’t worried that Jian Xie’s mental fortitude wouldn’t be able to accept the existence of an evil god, but rather that no prey would ever feel favor towards its predator as this was dictated by the the cruel nature of the food chain.

It may scoff at this, but It couldn’t make the decision for Jian Xie.

However, It did not find any fear in Jian Xie’s eyes regarding this matter.

After a long while, the other party even reached out and gently touched the hair on the side of It’s face, as if to soothe It’s agitation. This made It, who had never been touched by a human before, pause slightly, forgetting that this behavior was actually a great offense.

Jian Xie’s voice was calm and unwavering. “I understand.” 

【……】

“The fish is ready, come back into my body and eat.” He paused for a moment before asking, “Also, what would you like to eat tonight?” 

Author’s Note:

Jian Xie: And just like that, I became an exclusive chef.