Translator: Xena
Okay, I’ll stop pretending and set the update sched as “no fixed schedule”. I’m usually like this at the final leg of my novels haha. Please bear with me, there’s only 8 chapters left and it will pass like the wind (hopefully)~
Part 2 will be uploaded later, thank you!
Jian Xie has been idle for quite some time now.
As time passed, the library became noticeably more crowded. Some people, while wandering around the lending area, were subtly glancing at him.
Jian Xie was completely unaware that he had become a sight to behold for others.
He was still thinking about the mission.
The book signing was supposed to be on the first floor. From his position on the second floor, he couldn’t see whether the author had actually come or not.
Should he stand by the railing for now?
But wouldn’t that make it too obvious that he was slacking off?
Fortunately, before he could think for long, the store manager personally found Jian Xie sitting behind the counter looking visibly nervous.
He raised his eyes: “…”
“They ordered a cappuccino over there.” The store manager immediately added, “I’ve looked at your resume. It says you can do this. Once you’ve finished making it, bring it over.”
This was a well-rounded talent who clearly has good looks but insisted on relying on his abilities.
“And add some latte art.” She added.
Jian Xie nodded.
The store manager walked out with satisfaction. Behind her, Jian Xie stood up and took the apron from the counter.
This was the first step a server needed to take.
Then……
Jian Xie glanced at the various ingredients placed in front of him.
Silence.
He took out his phone, opened the browser, and typed in “how to make cappuccino”.
【……】
Before Jian Xie could even open the first search result, a familiar voice suddenly came from behind him. 【Are you really planning to make this for that monster?】
He’d never drank it before.
【You’re not actually a server.】
Despite his nonchalant tone, Jian Xie sensed a hint of unease.
Jian Xie: “…”
He suddenly realized what was happening.
It really did seem unnecessary after all.
Thus, when the other staff weren’t looking, Jian Xie picked up a paper cup with the standard design and took a closer look.
It has a lid.
That’s good.
Then, without changing his expression, Jian Xie placed it under the water dispenser, filled it up, and closed the lid, covering the full glass of pure water.
Mission accomplished.
Having been keeping an eye on his movements, Wen Heshu said from the other end of the line, “…So fast?”
He was a little surprised.
It has only been less than two minutes, even a veteran wouldn’t have this efficiency and speed.
“Do you really know how to make a cappuccino?”
“No.” Jian Xie said calmly, “But boiling water is readily available.”
Wen Heshu: “…”
He imagined the consequences of that monster in human skin drinking it down without a clue.
But… well…
As a monster, it didn’t deserve to drink cappuccino.
Neither he nor Jian Xie had eaten lunch yet.
After waiting a few more minutes, seeing that it was almost time, Jian Xie placed the cup on a tray and nodded to the shop manager who was sitting at a nearby table.
“I’m heading over,” He said in an indifferent tone.
After descending a few flights of stairs, he arrived at the first floor of the shop where the new arrangements for lunchtime came into view.
He noticed a new table near the bookshelves in the shop. The books that had been displayed there before he went upstairs had all been replaced with the same title. A life-size standee stood at the front, presumably a photo of the author holding the new book, which struck him as a hint of narcissism.
Jian Xie glanced at it.
He was just glancing at it casually. He wasn’t interested in the monster’s work at all but was purely drawn to the cover.
But that one glance made him stop in his tracks.
The book title was eye-catching.
—”In Love with an Evil God: The One Who Can Manipulate Minds”
“……”
Through his hidden earpiece, Wen Heshu was giving his final instructions.
“Although it’s unrelated to this mission, based on what I’ve found, this monster’s new book is a romance novel.” The investigator said with a tone that left much unsaid, and cautioned once again, “It might be a bit perverted. Be careful and don’t let the same thing happen again.”
Jian Xie didn’t speak.
Yet deep down, a voice within him answered Wen Heshu’s concerns.
…I have a feeling that the situation has already occurred.
The book title gave him a sense that he was being subtly implied.
Although the store manager had asked him to bring the cappuccino, there were only the staff who were busy running around along with a few eagerly waiting readers present.
The monster hasn’t appeared yet.
Jian Xie glanced at his watch; the autograph session wasn’t starting for another ten minutes.
He simply slipped behind a bookshelf, placed the tray aside, and then casually picked up a newly unwrapped book for readers to preview.
It wouldn’t take long, a quick glance should be enough.
This novel’s title wasn’t misleading.
The protagonist, due to family misfortunes, the special abilities he gained from escaping hell, and because he fed on emotions, was able to sensitively perceive other’s feelings.
The word “manipulation” was a very apt description.
A green tea bitch; very good at scheming, and secretly a backstabber who loved to tattle.
Although the evil god he had bewitched was capricious and reckless, he had never experienced true emotion, and thus fell into the trap the human had carefully set.
In summary, a love-struck fool.
Although it was labeled as sweet romance, it was actually a love trap, and the culprit was the human who schemed against the deity.
“…” Jian Xie.
If the protagonist wasn’t named X Xie, wasn’t a senior in high school, and his parents hadn’t been in a car accident… he truly wouldn’t have recognized himself as the model for the character in the book.
When did he ever complain to the evil god?
He always handled things by himself.
Seemingly having a hidden agenda all the time was the complete opposite of his personality.
But Qin Zhuo…
They were written quite realistically, without any character distortion.
He could even picture the other party’s lazy tone and arrogant manner of speaking.
Jian Xie’s lips twitched.
So this guy was very familiar with Qin Zhuo, but doesn’t actually know him, right?
He flipped to the very front of the book, and sure enough, there was an author’s biography on the title page.
Before this, this guy actually wrote horror novels and even won some kind of emerging writer award.
This new work was the author’s first romance novel, written after much reflection and breaking through his previous lack of emotional depth.
A card fell out of the book, along with a seemingly plausible but ultimately meaningless statement.
“A transitional work by a lost soul in the horror genre.”
Jian Xie once again: “…”
【[The Eagle Eye] was found by it.】 Qin Zhuo chuckled. 【It must have been several days ago.】
His voice didn’t seem particularly surprised.
Jian Xie could sense that he was finding the book somewhat interesting as he read it.
He wasn’t offended at all by being portrayed as someone obsessed with love.
But It’s words did resolve Jian Xie’s confusion.
One should know that the Eagle Eye was an all-knowing and all-powerful eye that could see anything it wanted to see.
As a top-tier prop, even if it couldn’t be physically touched or used, it would still impart some information to the user if they persevered.
So, did it see something by accident while it was watching over it…?
It was amazing that a horror novelist actually managed to transition into writing a romance novel.
No wonder that monster dressed as a student was so angry.
The plan was going smoothly until, unexpectedly, one of the core members of the gathering suddenly withdrew without giving a reason.
Not only did he remain silent, but he also went off to write romance novels. Who could make sense of that?
Jian Xie was about to put the book back on the shelf when he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure.
The other person, who had been trying to escape, was immediately frozen in place by his gaze.
“Come here,” Jian Xie said.
He raised his hand and turned off his earpiece.
A few seconds later, Wu Qinghe walked over looking dejected and shielding his face with a book. It said in a muffled voice, “…I’m just very interested in novels.”
Though, there was a hint of being a gossip involved.
It hasn’t even had a chance to read the book yet, but the synopsis alone has already caught its attention.
However, Jian Xie’s voice was completely flat, and it wasn’t fooled by its innocent appearance.
“Not here to tip someone off?”
This accusation was a bit too big.
Wu Qinghe froze instantly, unable to maintain its expression.
It hurriedly said, “No, not at all. Because that investigator named Cheng Li was pursuing me too relentlessly, I fled to B City to lay low for a while. I never expected to run into you here.”
Logically speaking, Cheng Li would have no chance against it.
It must have considered his relationship with Jian Xie, which was why he chose to hide instead. It was a smart move.
“You’d better behave.” Jian Xie remained expressionless, then glanced at the book title again. “Because I know how to manipulate people, and I’m a real tattletale.”
“……”
It has a feeling that some monster is going to be in big trouble.
However, it seemed to have stumbled upon a blind spot.
He criticized almost every element of it, but he never joked about the phrase “in love with an evil god”.
“Wen Heshu is right outside the shop.” Jian Xie ignored its sudden change of expression as he glanced at it. “Leave in ten minutes.”
Upon hearing this, Wu Qinghe was taken aback.
It understood that waiting until they complete their mission and leave was the safest and most secure way to go, but—
“Why ten minutes?”
Wasn’t that a bit short?
“It’s long enough,” Jian Xie said.
Then, with a single cold look, he silenced the Special A-level monster.
Wu Qinghe hesitated for a moment, but then obediently shrank back and hid itself behind the shelves again.
Jian Xie put the book back in its place and turned on his earpiece.
“What happened?”
“Nothing,” he said, “The target has arrived.”
