Wang Liu i had fallen asleep, sleeping so soundly that when she woke up, an hour and a half had already passed.
Upon waking, Wang Liu i found herself lying flat on the sofa with a cushion under her head and Reid's jacket draped over her.
anwhile, Reid was sitting by the window seat, happily drinking a can of cola with his left hand while eating fried chicken with his right.
Wang Liu i looked down to check her clothing - no signs of having been disturbed, no unusual sensations or strange odors on her body. It seed Reid Isaac truly hadn't done anything to her. Or perhaps, in his eyes, cola and fried chicken were more appealing than she was?
One could only say, don't try to guess a woman's thoughts. Wang Liu i certainly didn't want Reid taking advantage of her, but when he actually didn't, she began wondering if she lacked charm.
Wang Liu i briefly wondered how soone as clueless as Reid managed to attract so many wives. Could it really be that they were assigned by the organization?
However, Wang Liu i definitely wouldn't voice her minor dissatisfaction. Seeing Reid looking like a college student sneaking out at night to eat cheap food actually amused her.
For soone in a high position to have such an ordinary side created quite a contrast, making Wang Liu i not only curious but unconsciously moving to sit opposite Reid.
Though once seated, Wang Liu i imdiately switched to work mode. But still curious about what had just happened, she directly asked:
"What did you do just now? So kind of hypnosis? I actually fell asleep so deeply in front of soone unfamiliar."
Hearing this, Reid rolled his eyes at Wang Liu i and directly exchanged for another can of cola from the G Coin Store, handing it to her.
Yes, cola was sothing that could be exchanged in the G Coin Store. After all, the store could draw resources like water and rice, and feeding cola to the system for reverse scanning could also access the store. This was because cola was originally invented as dicine and had once been military supplies.
However, fried chicken wasn't available. The store could record so pre-made dishes, but what got exchanged out would be raw.
The fried chicken in front of Reid had been fried by Ange on the Gran Chaos and sent down.
As for Wang Liu i's question, Reid had indeed used so ability.
However, Reid's New Human Ability was clearly not the kind of charm toward won that Paptimus Scirocco possessed.
But after experiencing Lalah Sune's ntal waves that forcibly eliminated fighting spirit, Reid had learned how to use his own ntal waves to help others relax.
Of course, this technique couldn't be considered hypnosis. Used on an unprepared ordinary person, it would only make them yawn.
Wang Liu i had been tired to begin with, plus Reid's massage technique was quite skillful, which was why she fell asleep so easily.
However, Reid would never explicitly explain abilities to Wang Liu i. If she really thought he could perform hypnosis, she might beco overly cautious around him in the future.
So while handing the cola to Wang Liu i, Reid said exasperatedly:
"What do you an 'unfamiliar person'? We've t many tis and have major cooperation between us.
Although this cooperation brings you substantial benefits, exposure could cost you your life. Is 'unfamiliar' all you have to say about your business partner?"
"As for hypnosis, if I could hypnotize you, would I need to be talking with you like this? A hypnotized you would let do whatever I want. You're just too tired."
Upon hearing this, Wang Liu i found it reasonable. She took the cola, opened it, poured it into a cup on the table, and said,
"Calling you 'unfamiliar' is already a considerate evaluation for your sake. If you ask , you're a total weirdo, a pervert. Who in their right mind would silently wait in a young lady's room for her to finish bathing?"
Reid looked at Wang Liu i's sowhat fierce expression and thought to himself, didn't you say earlier that you didn't want to talk about this? Why bring it up again after waking up?
However, Reid also knew that reasoning with won was useless. Just because she said not to ntion it didn't an she couldn't bring it up herself.
So, Reid half-truthfully feigned embarrassnt and replied helplessly,
"I just thought this kind of entrance would leave a bigger impression on you."
Wang Liu i was speechless and imdiately looked at Reid with an expression that seed to say, "Are you so kind of chuunibyou teenager?"
Reid indicated that this was just his nature, so he directly t Wang Liu i's gaze with a look that said, "This is just how I am, what are you going to do about it?"
The two stared at each other for a long ti. Wang Liu i didn't see any trace of chuunibyou in Reid's eyes, only that this person seed to be teasing her—truly despicable.
So Wang Liu i directly took a big gulp of cola, then suddenly thought that this sugary, unhealthy drink actually tasted pretty good and really could help people relax.
After finishing the cola, Wang Liu i decided to steer the conversation to serious matters. It was almost midnight now, and staying up late wasn't good for a young lady's skin.
Thus, Wang Liu i asked very seriously,
"Alright, Mr. Reid, your joking around has indeed helped relax. Let's talk business now. What is your purpose in coming to see this ti? To collect the first dividend from your investnt four years ago? Or is there sothing else?"
Hearing this, Reid's expression turned serious too, and he asked with a strange smile,
"Oh? If I wanted dividends, what kind of dividends are you prepared to give ?"
Wang Liu i had long been prepared for this and directly replied,
"That depends on what kind of dividends Mr. Reid wants, then we can discuss how much to give. I presu Mr. Reid definitely doesn't want money, right?"
Reid nodded. Money in the AD Universe ant nothing to him, so of course he didn't want it. He then deliberately asked,
"What if I wanted you, Miss Wang Liu i?"
Wang Liu i knew this was part of Reid's bargaining strategy, so she didn't overthink it and instead responded matter-of-factly,
"If you want my body, then the benefits you've given are indeed sufficient. If you had negotiated with the Wang family back then, those old fellows would have definitely sent to your bed. But if you want my heart, I can only say that re benefits alone are impossible. If you can't obtain both body and heart, I can only say there would be considerable risks afterward."
Wang Liu i's aning was actually quite simple, which could be summarized in one sentence: "It would be easy for you, Reid, to get my body, but don't think about getting my heart. If you force yourself on , I'll definitely cause trouble for you later."
Reid nodded. This girl was telling the truth, though making her give her heart... was far less simple than strengthening their mutual interests.
So Reid also replied seriously,
"It's fine, there's no rush about the dividends, just keep developing. Your current strength isn't enough to help , but I'll remind you that the pace of true global transformation is accelerating. If you can't accumulate sufficient power before the real changes begin, the freedom you desire may not materialize in the future.
Also, allow to toot my own horn—when you feel you can't keep going and I happen to reappear, you can co to . Given your ability to develop influence right under Ribbons' nose over these four years, I can offer you shelter.
Moreover, my situation is actually much freer than you imagine. Although the work certainly won't be easy, it's not too burdenso either."
Reid's offer to take in Wang Liu i stemd from his observation while she was asleep earlier—he thought she seed like a managerial talent, particularly well-versed in intelligence and espionage.
Plus, recruiting Wang Liu i ca with Hong Long as a bonus—truly not a loss.
Wang Liu i felt Reid's recruitnt attempt was much more sincere than before, but since she hadn't struggled enough yet, she certainly wouldn't give up now. Smiling, she replied:
"Alright, I'll rember your kindness. But, Mr. Reid, since you're not here for the dividends, what matter requires your personal visit? Surely you didn't really co to peek at bathing?"
Seeing Wang Liu i bring up the earlier incident again, Reid knew she was actually quite bothered by it, but he addressed the main business first:
"Nothing much, just give the A-Laws high-level banquet invitation that Regene Regetta gave you. I plan to forge a few copies to sneak into the banquet and freeload off the big shots."
At this, Wang Liu i's eyes imdiately lit up. Reid attending that A-Laws high-level banquet ant there would be quite a spectacle to watch.
She naturally ignored the obvious excuse about "freeloading"—if Reid was going, he must know Ribbons would be there and was targeting him.
Wang Liu i was well aware of the battle above the Earth Federation's anti-governnt forces detention prison. Ribbons had mobilized Federation forces intending to besiege SDP, but instead had thousands of Mobile Suits shot down by a single machine with one sword.
The Earth Federation was deeply shaken—the very next day they initiated over a dozen previously rejected or shelved new MS developnt projects. They were truly frightened.
And Reid definitely wasn't the type to let an enemy show hostility without retaliation, so his attendance at this banquet must an he was going to cause trouble for Ribbons.
Reid Isaac and Ribbons Almark occupied the top two spots on Wang Liu i's ntal list of people she couldn't afford to provoke for now. If these two were to have a real confrontation, Wang Liu i felt she could accept either outco.
Well, there was a difference—if Ribbons Almark died, Wang Liu i thought she'd imdiately open champagne.
But if Reid died... no, Reid Isaac couldn't die before Ribbons Almark was dealt with.
Because the shadow Ribbons Almark cast over Wang Liu i was persistent and constantly life-threatening, while Reid Isaac had only taken advantage of her this once due to his mischievous streak, without any particular malice toward her.
Having clarified their relative importance to herself, Wang Liu i decisively spoke up to dissuade him:
"Mr. Reid, this is a high-level A-Laws banquet, filled entirely with A-Laws sympathizers. Moreover, attendees aren't allowed to bring Mobile Suits. Even if you're highly skilled in combat, your physical body still can't withstand firearms."
Through his Newtype Sense, Reid could tell that Wang Liu i was genuinely trying to persuade him this ti. Though he didn't understand why the girl had started caring about his survival, Reid indicated that soone as cautious as him would never rashly enter the banquet.
Most people at this banquet wouldn't recognize Reid, and he would certainly conduct advance reconnaissance of the venue. The Gran Chaos would remain on standby at high altitude.
If anything went wrong, the Joyeuse Gundam under Nein's control could storm the banquet hall within seconds.
Furthermore, Reid wouldn't be operating alone. With the Xia sisters as guards and his Newtype ability to sense malice, it would be nearly impossible to ambush him.
Thus Reid maintained his position, saying:
"Miss Wang Liu i, rest assured. I wouldn't joke with my own life. To put it bluntly, I've already scouted that manor and made preparations."
After speaking, Reid took out previously taken photos of the manor from his pocket and handed them to Wang Liu i as proof of his prior reconnaissance.
Seeing that Reid had already visited the banquet venue, Wang Liu i understood he must have made all necessary arrangents. Relieved, she handed over the invitation while saying:
"After you forge the invitation, just give this to Hong Long directly. And don't break into my room without permission again."
Having obtained what he wanted, Reid prepared to take his leave. But before going, he deliberately leaned close to Wang Liu i's ear and whispered:
"Miss Wang Liu i, you have a great figure and you're quite beautiful. So why not occasionally remove the mask you wear? Keeping it on too long might make you forget what you're really like."
After saying this, Reid quickly stepped back to dodge the furious groin kick Wang Liu i aid at him, then teased:
"You see? This expression looks much more genuine. We'll et again at the banquet."
This ti Reid imdiately ran out the door after speaking, leaving Wang Liu i alone in the room fuming.
Though angry, Wang Liu i soon found Reid rather interesting. Since their first eting four years ago, he always seed able to get under her skin - he really understood her well.
Not long after Reid left, Hong Long knocked and entered. Seeing his sister's flushed face and unevenly aligned trousers (from that full-force groin kick), he imdiately grew concerned. Their conversation had lasted over two hours without him being called to retrieve docunts - far longer than normal.
Plus there were indentations on the sofa where soone had been pressed down, and one of Wang Liu i's small accessories remained on the couch. His precious little sister might have been taken advantage of.
The usually taciturn Hong Long struggled for words before cautiously asking:
"Liu i... are you alright...."
Hearing her brother use her personal na instead of "Miss," Wang Liu i was montarily stunned - it had been so long since she'd received such familial concern.
But being clever, she imdiately guessed what Hong Long had misunderstood, especially when he suddenly clenched his fists and declared:
"I'm going to find Reid Isaac and make him take responsibility!"
With that, Hong Long turned to chase after Reid.
Upon hearing this, Wang Liu i imdiately exploded. With a completely unladylike flying kick that sent Hong Long stumbling, she planted her hands on her hips and furiously lashed out:
"What nonsense are you thinking?! Do you really want to be bullied that badly?! And what kind of brother sends his own sister out like that? Taking responsibility? What responsibility? Making beco Reid Isaac's who-knows-how-many-th concubine?"
Hong Long imdiately realized his misunderstanding and quickly straightened up to endure her scolding.
Of course, Wang Liu i cald down after venting for a while. She suddenly felt Reid was right - constantly wearing a mask was exhausting, and occasionally letting loose like this felt rather good.
As for her useless brother whose incompetence forced her to beco the family head at just fifteen, bearing all these responsibilities - Wang Liu i genuinely held resentnt toward him.
But he was still her closest family after all. Without Hong Long's support, Wang Liu i wouldn't have made it through.
So after finishing her outburst, as she left the room, Wang Liu i still said:
"Hong Long, no matter where my future leads, you have to follow . That's your responsibility."
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