Chapter 476, Can I ask a question off topic?

Eating the luxurious takeout dinner in small bites, the freshness of the ingredients is the characteristic of this restaurant. In the past, Zhuo was once unable to extricate himself from it. The reason why I say it was in the past is, of course, that Zhuo has become a captive of Zero's cooking. It is natural that the cooking he has learned by concentrating on cooking for one person can surpass the chef who popularizes it to the public.

Jiude Mai went to the kitchen without any hesitation and brought back a cup of hot tea. After testing the temperature lightly, she put it down and used her fingers to push the edge of the glass to Zhuo's right hand side.

The completely unexpected development forced Zhuo to stop chewing.

It was true that he was helped, and Zhuo really liked to drink water while eating, so it was true that Jiude Mai's action was a great help to him. However, if the person looked at him with a half-smiley expression and saw that he had drunk the water beforehand, and the two of them were not that familiar with each other, and Zhuo accepted the help, it would only make him feel troubled for Zhuo who was determined to keep a distance from the opposite sex.

"I have completed the mission as instructed by Sanwu."

"……Thanks."

No matter how you think about it, there's no way Ling would have told you to have a taste first - Zhuo wanted to add this, but he realized that the other party didn't care at all and wouldn't listen, so he simply thanked him.

"I thought that Zero's personality would make you unwilling to take action."

When he said he was unwilling to take action, he actually meant "he was a piece of trash who wanted nothing more than water." Although this was almost true, Zhuo didn't seem to be like that in the other person's eyes.

Even if he expressed his gratitude, Zhuo would definitely not drink the glass of water. Even so, even if he knew that this was just Jiude Mai's trick, Zhuo didn't know how to refuse, which made Zhuo feel quite embarrassed. He could only pretend that he didn't feel thirsty at all and continued to eat, without any intention of getting another glass of water.

Jude Mai seemed to have guessed the result and sat on the sofa observing him with a smile.

The way she crossed her legs was a bit similar to Su Enxi when we first met, but her temperament was very different.

When she first met Su Enxi, she was also sitting on the Ferrari with her legs crossed; the reason why she added the seemingly completely redundant word "first meeting" was because after they became familiar with each other, when Su Enxi came to her house and sat on the sofa, she looked like a decadent middle-aged uncle. Whether it was the tone of her voice or her subconscious movements, she exuded a lazy aura of "don't care, love it however you want".

Jiude Mai is a woman who is both sharp and charming. She can control her personality freely. It is hard for anyone to resist her charm. She is like a sword stuck in a forest of thorns and roses. No one can refuse her temptation.

"Would you like some?"

While Zhuo was thinking and eating, Jiude Mai had already walked into the kitchen again and returned, and accurately found the last half bottle of red wine left by him and Ling on their last birthday, and asked this.

There was already dark brown ice cola in the cup. Even Zhuo, who was a complete layman, understood that it was a complete waste to mix such expensive old wine with carbonated drinks.

Even so, Jude Mai didn't seem to want to get a new cup. Instead, she picked up the Coke, tilted her head back and drank it in one gulp, then poured the reddish-brown liquid into it.

"No drinking allowed under the age of 20."

"Haha, he's a good, law-abiding kid."

Even though he received the praise from Jiude Mai, Zhuo didn't feel proud at all. Not to mention that abiding by the law is something everyone should do, in terms of this matter itself, Zhuo lied.

On his birthday last year, he and Ling drank half a bottle of wine and the other bottle together. Although the rule that people can get married at the age of 18 and can only drink at the age of 20 in Japan is very confusing, Zhuo did violate this rule. So after hearing what Jiude Mai said, he might feel more guilty than happy.

Zhuo was not sure whether Jiude Mai's intention in saying this was to point out this point, but no matter what, it would be more or less inappropriate for a boy and a girl to drink together in the boy's house.

"So what do you want, Miss Jiude Mai, who disobeys the law and breaks into someone else's home without permission?"

"Don't be so wary of me. You and I are on the same side."

Jiude Mai rested her chin on the armrest of the sofa with one hand and looked at him with a smile.

She was talking about the fact that Zhuo was about to act with her. Whether it was the Tokyo incident or the invasion of Kassel Academy, it was something that Zhuo had promised Zero. Zhuo had no intention of breaking the contract, and had no intention of not abiding by the agreement, so what she said was not wrong.

Having said that, Zhuo still straightened his back, put some distance between them and maintained a serious attitude.

"Because I just found out recently that the boss had considered bringing us together," Jude Mai gently tapped her charming cheek with the fingertips of the hand that was supporting her chin, and said with a smile, "But I don't know why the boss changed his mind later."

"I believe you."

Zhuo nodded expressionlessly to express his approval.

Jiude Mai didn't respond immediately, but her smile was still warm.

There was silence.

Jiude Mai then continued to speak with a smile:

"You're so difficult to deal with."

"I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

"If we didn't have a lot of things to do together, I really wouldn't want to come," Jiude Mai rubbed her temple with her index finger in distress, "It's really frustrating. When Sanwu was here, your attitude was completely different from what it is now."

"..."

"I admit that Sanwu is indeed very pretty, but you don't like her just because of her looks... I'm not bragging, but no matter how you look at it, I'm more attractive than her."

"If you look at it from a passerby's perspective, it is true."

"From a passerby's perspective, hehe, I really want to beat you up."

"...You probably can't do that."

"That shouldn't be the case. Potato Chips has analyzed your ability and the condition for using it is that you have to have contact with it."

"No, I mean Zero would probably be angrier."

"Ha ha……"

Seeing that Jiude Mai looked indifferent, Zhuo should have understood that she didn't care much about this. Whether it was the previous prank or the deliberate mention of "the boss had considered bringing him and Jiude Mai together", it could be seen. Or maybe her original idea was to make Ling angry more suitable.

Although Zhuo didn't know how to beat himself, he never liked to overestimate himself. After thinking for a while in silence, Zhuo sighed and said submissively.

"You can fight secretly, I won't tell on you."

"Utsunomiya-san is quite humorous," Jude Mai laughed upon hearing this, "He has a great personality."

"You too."

The raindrops outside hit the floor-to-ceiling windows, blurring the view outside.

Tick-tick-tick. It keeps ticking.

It's already past eight o'clock in the evening.

Jiude Mai still looked relaxed and at ease, and her attitude seemed to be saying that it was okay to stay here tonight.

She hasn't said what the other thing she wants to convey today is. As for why she wants to use such a primitive method of conveying it verbally.

Maybe it was to hide it from Ling. Ever since Ling moved in, Zhuo's family started planning for the trivial expenses of life. Although Ling himself has a mobile phone, it is a special phone with only phone functions. Zhuo and his wife are now sharing a mobile phone. However, Ling, who basically does not communicate with the outside world, does not need it very much.

However, Zhuo felt that he would still tell Ling everything that happened today. He wondered if the other party had thought of this.

On the sofa, the two were silent.

"What would you like for breakfast tomorrow?"

Zhuo said suddenly.

Jiude Mai lifted her hair and smiled slowly: "Okay, I'll finish what I've said as soon as possible."

"Okay, thank you."

Zhuo nodded.

Tomorrow I have to apply for business licenses. I have never done this before and I don't know how to do it. I may need to do some research in advance, which will probably take a lot of time. I don't plan to put things off until later. I have to finish what I have decided to do even if it is difficult. Otherwise, I will definitely think in the future, "It doesn't matter if I do it later." I will stop thinking about it and won't want to do it anymore.

Jiude Mai observed Zhuo's expression, thought for a moment, and then said slowly:
"But before that I would like to ask a question."

"Can I not answer?"

"Then I have two things to say."

"it is good."

"You really are——"

"Feel sorry."

Although he knew that he had merely changed the phrase "off topic" into "one of the main matters", Zhuo felt that if he continued to oppose it, things would just go on and on, so he chose to back down.

After Zhuo finished speaking, he sat up straight in front of Jiude Mai's helpless gaze, and put on an attitude of 'I'm ready to listen', making it impossible for the other party to delay any further.

"Okay, let's get to the point... First of all, regarding this matter, the specific time is set for one week later, and the meeting place is in the suburbs west of Chicago, Illinois."

This was something that was expected.

In other words, this is just an accurate notification and explanation of this matter.

Knowing the specific time, Zhuo must start preparing. If he goes to Illinois, he must take a plane. Fortunately, because he has been there to grow flowers, Zhuo's visa has not expired yet, so he doesn't need to spend time and energy to apply for a visa. He just needs to prepare his luggage and investigate the local road conditions.

To be honest, Zhuo had thought about taking advantage of this opportunity to take Ling there to play, after all, there were not many opportunities to travel across the globe. However, judging from the deadline so far, this plan might not come true.

"Oh, by the way, there are more than just the two of us this time. Potato Chips has gathered some cannon fodder to attract attention, but I hope you don't really expect these bastards who will do anything for money to be reliable."

"I understand, thank you."

Zhuo said calmly.

Jiude Mai narrowed her eyes slightly, trying to read something from Zhuo's face. This was her habit.

As a ninja who has received strict training since childhood, Mai Shude not only needs to maintain a stable weight all year round and wait for orders, she also needs to be able to easily read other people's micro-expressions to judge their emotions or lies.

but.

If she had to tell what the face in front of her showed, it was probably just some regret that Jiude Mai couldn't understand. As for why she felt regretful, she naturally couldn't figure it out.

"Well, do you plan to go with Sanwu?"

"Is this another serious matter?"

"No."

"……Have."

"OK, let's move on to the next step." As if she had really finished talking about the main business, Jiude Mai changed to a more comfortable posture. "Before I came here, I heard Potato Chips say something. Do you have any clues?"

"One thing? Something to do with Zero?"

"Well, about a year ago, she went out alone to find some potato chips. Did you know about that?"

"No."

"Do you feel there's something wrong with her?"

“It feels pretty much the same as usual.”

Zhuo answered very quickly and efficiently, almost the moment Jiude Mai asked, Zhuo answered. This answer was not a casual one, but an answer after thinking. The reason why he answered so quickly was because he heard that this was something he didn't know, and judging from Jiude Mai's tone, this didn't seem to be a trivial matter.

Does Ling have something wrong or is he worried about? While thinking about this question, he also felt quite guilty and anxious for his carelessness and failure to notice this.

"This is what happened, and this is the second thing I want to talk about today," Jiude Mai adjusted the collar of her windbreaker, and it seemed that she was about to leave. "Last year, Sanwu asked Potato Chips to find a drug that could help her suppress the activity of her bloodline. We have been researching this, and Sanwu also knows about it. However, due to the serious side effects and the current immature technology, it has not been put into use yet... Now it's almost ready, do you think it's necessary?"

"Suppress the activity of bloodline drugs?"

Zhuo was stunned.

"what happened?"

“I never thought there would be such a part.”

Zhuo said something that made Jiude Maiyi confused.

The nurse group has always had a drug that can temporarily increase bloodline to the limit, even infinitely close to the Dragon King. Zhuo remembered this. Even so, Zhuo has never heard of a drug that suppresses bloodline activity, nor does he understand why Ling wants to obtain this drug.

Normally speaking, even if you want to live an ordinary life, there is no need to take medicine at the expense of your body and force yourself to become an ordinary person.

Furthermore, Zhuo himself possesses the conditions that allow him to fall into the 'abyss of desire' at any time. Although Zhuo does not intend to rely on them, he has never thought of abandoning them completely.

Just like Zhuo said a long time ago - not having a sword in hand is not the same as having a sword but not using it. There is no way Ling doesn't understand this.

So, why?

(End of this chapter)