Chapter 223: A Delicate Task
by xennovel“Qinggang’s Nuclear Weapon?”
The four words made Lu Xin’s scalp tingle inexplicably.
He vaguely recalled that this seemed to be humanity’s most powerful weapon before the Red Moon incident.
But after the Red Moon incident this type of weapon was suddenly rarely mentioned.
Weapons were meant to deal with or deter enemies, but obviously people couldn’t use nuclear weapons to change the color of the moon now.
…
…
“So, my mission is to… take care of a bomb?”
Having collected himself Lu Xin silently scrolled through the materials sent along with the electronic contract.
Despite the document bearing the heading ‘Top Secret’ opening it revealed it mostly recorded minor details.
For example under the ‘Diet’ section:
The food the Doll eats must have appealing shapes and colors and taste sweet yet mild.
There should be no liquids like soup or anything that would dirty her hands upon touching.
For drinks the Doll only drinks plain water. She dislikes beverages and coffee even hot water.
Food must be placed where she can see it otherwise she won’t remember to eat.
Note: When the Doll was younger she didn’t even know to actively seek food. She would only eat food given to her by others. If no one actively gave her food she would starve to death without ever asking anyone for it.
…
…
Lu Xin scratched his head as he noted down every problem related to being with this girl.
“I can pay attention to these things, but I have a question…”
“What about my conference?”
…
Chen Jing on the channel sounded slightly taken aback by Lu Xin’s words: “Conference?”
“Yeah…”
Lu Xin said: “The advanced talent training conference isn’t registration tomorrow at nine in the morning?”
“You’re still thinking about the conference…”
Even someone with Chen Jing’s personality couldn’t help but repeat his words with a chuckle. After a brief hushed discussion with the person beside her Lu Xin heard the background noise quiet down likely because others had left. Only then did he hear her say: “Don’t worry about that. I’ll have Han Bing organize the conference minutes for you. It’ll count as if you attended. As for the rest…”
She didn’t beat around the bush directly asking: “Are you concerned about your Second Stage?”
Lu Xin didn’t deny it replying: “Yes.”
Lu Xin didn’t know what would be discussed at this advanced talent training conference nor did he care.
He had indeed come specifically for matters related to the Second Stage.
“I know you’ve submitted your Second Stage application report.”
Chen Jing stated frankly: “What I know currently is that the report has been approved and preparations have begun. I believe a specialist will contact you soon. This matter has an extremely high confidentiality level; even I don’t know exactly what preparations are being made. Moreover personally I’m responsible for conference security and now I have the Doll matter on my hands as well.”
“Of course I will try my best to coordinate so that accompanying the Doll doesn’t delay your Second Stage process.”
…
“Oh okay…”
Lu Xin listened and subconsciously agreed but felt a bit curious: “I thought you would be in charge of the Second Stage…”
Chen Jing chuckled saying: “That kind of work is beyond my authority now.”
Lu Xin quickly asked: “Then who is responsible?”
Chen Jing paused slightly seemingly considering if she could say it before replying: “Professor Bai.”
Lu Xin asked: “The one who likes quoting famous sayings?”
Chen Jing paused again a hint of amusement in her voice: “Yes.”
“Is it that important?”
Lu Xin didn’t ask further questions. He understood the significance of Professor Bai’s identity.
He should be Chen Jing’s superior meaning his leader’s leader.
Using the leadership conversion formula his status was roughly equivalent to Vice President Xiao’s level back at his company…
With the conversation reaching this point Lu Xin had no other excuses.
He just seriously considered what he wanted to do in the main city and then asked:
“There’s one more important thing. Are the interrogation results for our company’s Vice President Xiao’s stepmother available yet?”
“You’re still concerned about this?”
Chen Jing was clearly surprised.
“Yes I always feel like this matter isn’t over…”
Lu Xin pondered for a moment then slowly replied: “Besides this was my mission right? Shouldn’t I be the one to complete it?”
He didn’t tell Chen Jing about wanting to find that helpful Dream Weaver-type for assistance; that was somewhat selfish. So he felt a bit guilty saying this worried that the astute leader Chen Jing might figure something out.
However upon hearing Lu Xin’s words Chen Jing merely recalled his previous insistence on leaving the city to pursue that Knight Order.
In the eyes of many researchers at the Special Cleaning Department this could be seen as a manifestation of the Mr. Lone Soldier’s ‘obsessive-compulsive disorder’?
She didn’t object to this simply saying: “The interrogation results for that woman should have been submitted already but I haven’t had time to look at them. If you want to be responsible for this matter I’ll mention it. If the higher-ups agree you can handle both tasks concurrently.”
…
“Okay.”
Only then did Lu Xin truly feel relieved.
The channel remained connected but the call mode was adjusted to avoid disturbing the person on the other end.
Confirming the channel was quiet Lu Xin stretched slightly and turned to look at the girl.
She had her back to Lu Xin kneeling on the carpet engrossed in assembling the plastic blocks in her hands. Calculating the time Lu Xin realized she must have been playing for at least five or six hours since he took her remote control. How had she not gotten tired of it?
“Qinggang’s Nuclear Weapon…”
Lu Xin thought of her designation again shaking his head slightly.
How could such a beautiful girl who looked harmless even somewhat cute have such a title?
Although Chen Jing’s description had already informed Lu Xin of her terrifying nature he still couldn’t connect the two.
But truth be told just keeping her company here and occasionally speaking to her on Chen Jing’s behalf counted as a B-rank mission earning him several hundred thousand in payment. It really was a good mission extremely cost-effective…
He just didn’t know how long he needed to accompany her before the mission was considered complete.
Just as Lu Xin was thinking the lights in the room suddenly began to dim slowly.
From bright they became soft but didn’t disappear entirely settling at a brightness that seemed carefully calculated.
Unsure what was happening Lu Xin saw the girl crouching on the floor playing gently lift her head. Noticing the change in lighting she hesitated then put down her toy and floated lightly into the bathroom.
After a while the sound of the showerhead spraying water came from inside.
“Ah this…”
Lu Xin’s scalp tingled again. He walked over stiffly and closed the bathroom door for her.
In the instant before the door closed Lu Xin saw the Doll under the showerhead looking at him with curious and confused eyes.
He awkwardly gestured “You need to close the door” and averted his gaze.
Seven minutes and fifteen seconds later the girl emerged having swapped her thermal underwear for a set of pajamas.
Then she walked straight to the bed and quietly slipped under the covers.
“Time for bed?”
Lu Xin was somewhat surprised looking at her lying quietly on the bed.
For a moment he felt lost wondering where he was supposed to sleep.
“A room has been arranged for you one floor below. You can go rest now.”
Chen Jing’s voice sounded through the channel: “The Doll has always had a strict schedule. She subconsciously adheres to it.”
Lu Xin nodded picked up his backpack and prepared to leave quietly.
However just as he took a step he saw the girl who seemed to be asleep suddenly sit up. Seeing him already by the door she froze momentarity, hesitated and although reluctant slowly lifted the covers preparing to get out of bed.
“Don’t move…”
Lu Xin quickly stopped her saying: “I’m going to rest too.”
A confused expression appeared on the Doll’s face.
“Sleep…”
Lu Xin explained carefully to her placing his hands together beside his left cheek mimicking a sleeping posture.
The Doll seemed to understand. She gently shifted to the side leaving most of the bed space empty.
“Huh?”
Lu Xin was completely baffled.
Chen Jing on the channel was also confused quickly asking: “What’s wrong?”
Lu Xin looked at the empty half of the bed remained silent for a moment then explained: “She left a space for me on the bed.”
“What?”
Chen Jing seemed suddenly flustered saying: “That’s not good…”
“Yeah…”
Lu Xin agreed: “I’m not used to sleeping with others.”
…
Chen Jing felt Lu Xin might have misunderstood something but didn’t intend to argue saying: “Try asking her to stay here.”
Lu Xin nodded looked seriously at the Doll and said: “You stay here and sleep. Don’t follow me.”
Under the soft light the Doll’s expression was somewhat dazed. After a moment the corners of her mouth seemed to turn down her eyes becoming misty.
She seemed a little sad.
“Looks like I can’t leave…”
Lu Xin sighed helplessly and walked back.
Chen Jing sounded tense: “What happened?”
“Because she looks like she’s about to cry.”
Lu Xin felt resigned but explained responsibly: “You said the most important thing about this mission is not to let her have emotional fluctuations or if she does they must be positive emotions. So if I leave now her emotions will be negative right?”
“Yes…”
Chen Jing was clearly conflicted: “But you…”
Lu Xin sighed with a sense of sacrifice: “I’ll just sleep here tonight…”
…
Just as Chen Jing was hesitating whether to say she needed to check with the higher-ups first she heard Lu Xin’s voice through the channel.
“This sofa is too small. I can’t even lie down.”
…
For a moment Chen Jing was completely speechless.