Chapter 223: A Little Despicable Is Not Bad At All
"Ugh—my head hurts."
After an unknown amount of time, Hai Rouer slowly awoke from a deep coma.
She reached out and pressed her throbbing forehead, looking around the messy room with a blank expression.
"What happened? Oh, right, where's Teacher?"
She looked around but didn't find the grey-white mouse.
She sat dazed for a moment. Suddenly! As if realizing something, she abruptly lifted her head!
"Oh no! Time!"
She looked up at the mechanical clock in the room.
The hands had already mercilessly passed the twelve o'clock mark.
"You'd best be here on time tonight at midnight. If you don't show up, I can't guarantee what kind of news will appear in tomorrow's papers~"
The man's threatening words echoed in her ears once more.
Just thinking about the public outcry her family would face if this matter really made it into the newspapers made her tremble all over.
"Hai Rouer! I can't believe you would do such a thing!" Her father's furious and disappointed roar seemed to already be ringing in her ears. "Daughter, why, why would you do this—" Her Mother's heartbroken sobs also followed like a shadow.
'Look, that's the famous thief!'
'I told you their whole family were hypocrites!'
'Who knows what her father did on the battlefield? Maybe he was also a scoundrel who clung to life!'
'A family of thieves!'
Countless faces of ordinary people she once looked down upon, those utterly vulgar faces, were now surrounding her, pointing fingers and smirking mockingly.
"No! Don't! Absolutely not!" Hai Rouer suddenly awoke from the terrifying fantasy, cold sweat soaking her back.
She quickly put away the stolen gift, then picked up the crystal monocle from the floor. Without even having time to change her dust-covered clothes, she climbed over the balcony and rushed desperately towards the dark streets!
Meanwhile, at the other end of Backlund Street.
"Near Backlund Street, huh…" Meihua 5 strolled leisurely and alone down the quiet street, a faint smile on his lips. "Most of 'us' near Backlund have entered a dormant state, and 'them'—sigh, it seems I'm the only one left who can move freely and do odd jobs."
"I haven't even gone through a vote yet. Why do I have to do this kind of grunt work? It's so unfair—"
Although he complained verbally, the smile at the corner of his mouth did not diminish at all; instead, it grew a bit wider.
"What are you doing?!" Suddenly, a hand landed on his shoulder without warning.
"What?!"
The smile on Meihua 5's face instantly froze! He shivered and spun around abruptly.
It was a figure wearing a monocle over his left eye, looking somewhat similar to him.
"B-boss?" Meihua 5 quickly reined in his momentary lapse and put on a smile again. "Why are you here?"
"The Demoness Sect seems to have been acting a bit unusually lately. So, I came over to investigate," Club 2 explained with a smile.
"Alright, now, can you tell me why you're here? I remember you didn't have any missions these past two days."
"Uh, it's like this."
Meihua 5 reacted extremely quickly. He took out a faintly glowing playing card from his pocket.
"I just found traces of Amon's clone. That's why I specifically came to investigate."
"Boss, you know my job has always been this: eliminate clones and protect the organization."
"Hmm—not bad, a very 'reasonable' answer."
Club 2 seemed to believe his words and slowly withdrew the hand that was still resting on his arm.
"That bastard Amon just loves to play these disgusting tricks."
"This ungrateful fellow! One day, we will eliminate him."
"However," Club 2 cursed, then changed the subject, "I'm short on hands right now. You'll have to come with me."
"This—Boss, isn't that a bit inconvenient?" Meihua 5 showed a hint of difficulty. "I only came out on a whim this time. Besides, I'm on vacation these two days."
"Since you're already out, just work a bit of overtime."
Without waiting for the other party to refuse, Club 2 directly ordered:
"Be professional. I'm going to the East Borough first; you follow immediately. This is an order."
"Yes." Meihua 5 lowered his head and replied.
Watching the other party's figure gradually become transparent and finally disappear completely into the air, Meihua 5 rarely frowned.
"He's just a guy who imitated me to gain Joeas's favor, yet he dares to be so arrogant in front of me~"
He muttered softly, then that inscrutable smile returned to his face.
"It's alright—one day, I'll make you put that monocle on your right eye with your own hands—"
"It's already past midnight, and she still hasn't arrived."
In an inconspicuous shadow somewhere on Backlund Street, Luo En was waiting for Hai Rouer to arrive.
With the abilities of a Robot, he was very sensitive to the passage of time. It was clear that it was already well past the deadline.
"Hmph! I didn't expect this young lady to not even have the courage to come. I really overestimated her."
"She doesn't think that if she just doesn't show up, nothing will happen, does she?"
"Or is she really so timid that she doesn't even have the courage to face reality?"
"What will you do if she doesn't come?"
Bodyguard Miss's ethereal voice came from behind him, as direct as ever.
"Then I'll just have to personally visit her parents," Luo En replied. "No matter what, at least I need to get my things back first."
"Doing that might cause quite a bit of trouble," Sharon reminded him.
"It doesn't matter."
What are avatars for, if not to take the blame?
"Compared to the potential gains, this small risk is nothing at all."
Luo En tilted his head slightly, looked behind him, and continued:
"Moreover, you and Maric might also find this gain useful."
"What do you mean?" A rare hint of confusion appeared in Bodyguard Miss's voice.
After waiting a few seconds, Luo En slowly explained:
"I've personally experienced how bad the situation for wild Beyonders truly is. And for Beyonders like Bodyguard Miss, who are associated with secret organizations that are highly hostile to the Orthodox Churches, the situation is even more difficult."
"When facing Official forces, we are often at an absolute disadvantage, lacking room to maneuver."
"However, if—we can somehow gain implicit 'cover' or 'channels' from a politician with a certain status and influence in the kingdom, then our situation in many cases would become relatively more lenient."
"Politicians with status often have connections with the Church. At crucial moments, helping us with some cover shouldn't be a problem."
"As long as we hold leverage, the other party will most likely not dare to easily refuse our small requests that don't touch upon their core interests.
Even if the other party ultimately doesn't agree to cooperate, they will most likely not burn all bridges, to avoid a lose-lose situation."
Before Bodyguard Miss could speak, he added:
"You helped me with this matter. So, this gain is also shared between us."
"If it really succeeds, you can use it later too. I'll share some of those photos with you when I get back."
"…" Sharon in the shadows fell into a long silence.
As a member of the Temperance Faction, constantly facing dual pressure from the Indulgence Faction and Official Beyonders, a channel that could provide some cover at critical moments was invaluable.
Seeing that Bodyguard Miss remained silent for a long time, Luo En chuckled self-deprecatingly, "What? Do you think I'm too despicable?"
"No."
"I'm just considering its feasibility." Bodyguard Miss's reply was very practical.
"Sigh, it's fine even if you really think I'm despicable." Luo En sighed, "I've thought a lot these past two days. Sometimes, to survive better, being a little flexible or even despicable with one's methods might be unavoidable.
However—please rest assured, I've always been very good to the friends I recognize."
"Thank you."
After a brief silence, the ethereal voice sounded again. This time, it seemed a little closer to Luo En's ear.
"You're welcome~"
After a while longer.
"Tap, tap, tap."
A series of hurried footsteps, suddenly came from not far away, getting closer and closer.
In the silent night, the footsteps sounded exceptionally clear.
"She—she really came?"
Luo En raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at the figure rushing from the direction of the Mahet family's villa.
Originally, he had already planned to leave directly.
"Madam," Luo En softly asked the air behind him, "Did you see anything from her?"
He was a little worried if there was a trick involved.
After a brief silence, Bodyguard Miss responded:
"No, she's very normal."
"Hey! I'm here!"
"James Scott, you fellow! Where are you?!"
Hai Rouer shouted loudly as she ran, seeing no one appear for a long time.
Hai Rouer's heart completely sank. That scoundrel wouldn't have really left and sent those photos to the newspaper, would he? It's hard to say, that guy doesn't look like a good person!
"Coming, coming."
Just then, Luo En's figure slowly walked out from the shadow of the street corner.
"Young Miss, with such a loud voice, aren't you afraid of waking up the neighbors?" He pretended to be helpless and dug his ears.
"I..." Hai Rouer was speechless for a moment, instinctively covering her mouth with her hand, and looked around at the dark windows in a panic.
"And," Luo En's face showed a cold smile, "You're late!"
"..." Hai Rouer was stunned and instinctively took a few steps back.
"Miss, you're meeting someone in the middle of the night, and you don't even change into a decent outfit?"
He glanced at Hai Rouer's dusty homewear, and said in a teasing tone:
"It seems the Mahet family's upbringing isn't that great."
"You, scoundrel." Hai Rouer looked down at her disheveled appearance, a strong sense of shame surged in her heart, and her cheeks burned.
She gritted her teeth, forcibly suppressed the feeling of humiliation, "You're not allowed to insult my father! I've brought the things from your friend! Quickly give me that camera!"
"The camera, of course."
Luo En took out the small camera from his pocket.
"However, I spent two hundred pounds to buy this camera. Let me state first, I'm not lying, this is the real market price."
"Two hundred pounds—" Hai Rouer secretly gritted her silver teeth.
This price still made her feel a little pained.
Compared to those truly ancient noble families that had been passed down for hundreds of years, her family's economic situation was only considered well-off. Two hundred pounds was not a small sum for her.
"I—I forgot to bring money."
"You're not trying to trick me, are you?" Luo En's face showed a suspicious expression.
"You—how could I trick you!" Hai Rouer said indignantly, "Didn't I—didn't I even have time to change my clothes?!"
"Alright." Luo En accepted the explanation, "Then first return the things you stole from my friend."
Hai Rouer didn't move.
"What? Unwilling?" Luo En said, "Then how about I personally visit Mr. Mahet?"
"Or, we can also ask the police to solve this problem."
"According to the police's behavior, if the police know about this matter, then all the reporters in Backlund will know about it."
"You—"
Hai Rouer clenched her hands, trembling with anger. But in the end, she still gave in, reluctantly handing over the gift box in her hand.
Luo En briefly checked it. Nothing was missing from the item. He nodded slightly, then made a gesture as if to leave.
"Hey! Don't go! Give me the camera!" Hai Rouer panicked and quickly stopped him.
"Don't you have money?" Luo En spread his hands innocently, "I thought about it, it's more reliable to personally ask your father for this money."
"No! Absolutely not! You can't tell my father about this!" If her father knew that she not only stole things but was also caught with such a fatal handle, he would definitely be utterly disappointed in her!
Hearing this, Luo En's mouth curved slightly: "What if I insist?"
"I—"
Hai Rouer fell into complete despair.
Her handle was firmly grasped by the other party. And her teacher was now nowhere to be found. Now no one could help her.
"How about this." Luo En's tone became light, "This matter, let's consider it a shared secret between the two of us. But, if you want me to keep this secret—you'll definitely have to pay something, right?"
"Pay—pay?" Hai Rouer was stunned at first, then seemed to think of something extremely terrifying, her face instantly turned pale, she hugged her chest with both hands, and quickly retreated.
"You—you don't mean to—no! So disgusting! Even if I die, I would never stoop to your level!"
"Hm? Are you—too confident in yourself?" Looking at Hai Rouer's wary appearance, Luo En was a little speechless, Do I seem that desperate?
What...? What? Look down on me?!
Hai Rouer looked up and saw Luo En's scornful gaze, and a sudden surge of intense anger inexplicably rose in her heart!
From childhood to adulthood, she had always been the one to look down on others! Never had anyone looked down on her! What's more, the person in front of her was a complete, despicable, and shameless hypocrite!
"Then, then what do you want me to pay?!" She asked, almost gritting her teeth, her voice filled with the anger of being humiliated.
"I want you to help me do a few things. I'll tell you the specifics when the time comes."
"Don't worry, I'm not interested in your body."
"Damn it! I'll never help you!"
"Not helping?" Luo En shrugged indifferently, "Then this secret, I guess—I don't need to keep it anymore."
"Such explosive news should be worth at least a few hundred pounds, right?"
"You're despicable!" Hai Rouer cursed.
"Yes." Luo En nodded, "I'm also very shameless. But what can you do to me, Young Miss?"
Hai Rouer stared at him, falling into a long silence.
Finally, all her pride, anger, and struggle turned into helpless compromise. She lowered her head:
"It can't be anything illegal. Also, my parents must never know!"
"Alright." Luo En showed a satisfied smile, "Then, may our—cooperation be pleasant."
"Finally, everything is resolved."
Luo En walked back to the hotel, carrying the recovered gift.
If Hai Rouer really hadn't come tonight, he would indeed have gone to see Councilman Mahet personally and asked him for his (blackmail) help.
However, that would have been much more troublesome. After all, an experienced politician is much harder to deal with than a pampered Young Miss.
"How was my performance?"
"It didn't look like acting." Bodyguard Miss's evaluation was still short and direct.
"Uh—" Luo En rubbed his nose, a little embarrassed, "I'll take that as a compliment."
"Don't indulge yourself too much. Otherwise, it will lead to unimaginable calamities." The ethereal voice sounded again, with a hint of warning.
'Is she warning me not to take the act too seriously and end up going astray?'
"But—in this world, being a little 'bad' isn't entirely a bad thing."
He pondered for a moment, then suddenly changed the subject and asked softly:
"By the way—"
"Madam, what is your name?"
"...You don't need to know."
"But you already know many of my secrets." Luo En argued.
"But I don't even know your name."
"I think there should be a little more basic trust between us."
Bodyguard Miss was silent for a long time, then slowly spoke:
"Sharon."
"Sharon, huh—" Luo En savored the name softly.
"A good name."