The Devil's Contract Lover - Chapter 44

Silence, a long silence, so long that Yao Yuan was unsure if the other person had left the phone. But she still spoke, “I have no reason, no evidence yet…”

“If I were you, I would quickly put down everything else, use every opportunity to get close, and kill her directly.”

When she opened her eyes the next morning, White Crystal’s sudden, indifferent voice was still echoing in her mind. Her heart was in chaos, so much so that she didn’t even want to draw a Tarot card.

“Good morning.” Starry Sky’s voice conveyed a positive emotion: “Have you made up your mind?”

The Devil seemed extremely certain how a coward would face a choice with herself on the other side of the scales.

“I’ve decided. I can’t leave Chu Yan alone.” She lowered her arm from her eyes: “I don’t want to attend the follow-up events held by that rich young lady last time, but at least I can confirm Chu Yan’s real name with her.”

That’s right, the real name wasn’t that important initially, but the person holding the name [Chu Yan] was like a drop of foam, traceless in her world, not announcing any information.

“Hmm, then what do you need me to do?” The Devil’s fingers gently ran through her long hair: “I really like you looking like this.”

[You like to see me struggle, don’t you? Just like that rich young lady.]

Yao Yuan pushed the Devil’s hand away in annoyance: “Stop it. Since you don’t want to give me a hint, then just follow along.”

“Just follow?”

“Don’t play dumb.” Her eyes looked at Starry Sky: “Remember to protect me.”

“Of course.”

Too busy to mind the Devil’s hand on her waist, Yao Yuan called the contact number the young lady had left, while she still had the courage. She figured a butler or someone similar would answer first.

“Oh~ Calling me so early? Run out of money? Ready to dump that poor bassist, huh?”

What kind of deadly three questions was this? And what was this “poor bassist” setting?

Yao Yuan looked at Starry Sky in disbelief. The Devil didn’t even bother to feign innocence, leaning casually against the headboard: she must have heard the voice on the phone. In other words, the false identity Starry Sky had created was somehow investigated by the young lady, who clearly thought she was right.

“Yes, no, that’s not right!” She stuttered, trying to organize her words: “I’m not short on money, I want to ask you—a question.”

“Go ahead~” “The first female to pass the game yesterday, do you know her name or her background?”

“The first female to pass…” The other side hesitated: “Oh! You mean Jin Yu, she was very strong.”

A strange feeling flashed through her heart. Yao Yuan suppressed her almost certain suspicion: “No, Jin Yu was the second to pass. The first person to pass was indeed scarce in presence, but the way she passed was quite noticeable.”

“Uh-huh~ Well, hang up first. I’ll email you later.” The other party actually waited until Yao Yuan couldn’t resist hanging up first.

The timing was precise. Exactly fifteen minutes later, an email arrived in Yao Yuan’s inbox. She was already past caring that this was her unpublicized private email address.

Upon opening it, a custom animated stationery was displayed: a pink Totoro biting a strawberry was eye-catching, but the main text was equally bold.

[I’ve checked, she really is an interesting~ person, but nowhere near as interesting as you are, oh. If you want to know about her interesting points, please be sure to head to the city east airport at 10 AM next Friday morning. Don’t worry, it’s just a private invitation; there won’t be anything~ tiring. P.S. There will be your favorite steak!]

No, my favorite is not steak. Yao Yuan closed the email with a complicated feeling.

“You can practice magic until next Friday.” Starry Sky patted her waist reassuringly.

It did sound just right: practice magic for a while, then get news about Chu Yan, and finally defeat the enemy… but she felt that something was wrong.

She picked up the card box and drew a single card.

[Five of Swords]. It’s a Minor Arcana… She shook her head and put it back, always feeling a reluctance to overthink the too-detailed Minor Arcana.

The room fell silent. She didn’t want to continue divining and raised her head to look directly at Starry Sky: “You don’t seem worried about Chu Yan at all.”

“Of course.” The Devil answered as if it were a matter of course: “A slightly stronger ant is not worth attention.”

Hearing such an arrogant explanation, Yao Yuan felt slightly relieved. Although Starry Sky was arrogant, her strength was beyond doubt. Besides, they had already reached a consensus to defeat Chu Yan beforehand, so there really was nothing to worry about.

Time flew by, and “next Friday” quickly became today.

Yao Yuan held an opened bag of chips, and Starry Sky carried her cup of beverage. The two walked brazenly towards the airport. Eating at an airport restaurant probably didn’t require going through security? Speaking of which, did rich young ladies really like the airport environment so much?

Just in case, she finished the chips at the airport entrance and threw the bag into the trash can.

“Please follow me, Miss is waiting for you.” A young man in a uniform walked towards them from the front, stopping to greet them.

She really is a young lady, Yao Yuan nodded: “Alright, where are we eating?”

“On the plane.”

She vaguely followed the young man through another deserted passage, went through a security check where only the two of them were inspected, and only realized something was wrong when they reached the bottom of a plane.

“Why do we have to eat on a plane? Can’t your Miss just meet me at any restaurant? She gave me a whole week’s notice.”

The young man’s response was very polite: “Because you are also one of the guests for this trip.”

“Trip? I didn’t buy a ticket?”

“No ticket is necessary. This is Miss’s private jet; only identity verification is needed.”

This, this is the magic of money!

Awestruck by the fantastic reality, Yao Yuan curiously walked up the stairs and stepped into the spacious cabin. She had actually never been on a plane before.

Although the interior was relatively narrow, the furnishings were completely different from what she had seen on TV. The modern metallic colors were subtle. Beige and white in a European style were the main theme. There were a lot of leather-wrapped surfaces, but the floor beneath the young lady’s feet was a blue woven carpet.

Yao Yuan looked up. The young lady waved at her kindly: “You really brought your girlfriend along~” “Am I not welcome?” She looked cautiously at the opposite seat and sat down directly after the other person waved her hand.

“Of course, you are welcome. Don’t worry, you are not the one playing the clown this time.” The girl, dressed in a simple black and white plaid dress today, smiled sweetly: “The Chu Yan you mentioned is also on the plane, oh.”

“…So what is your request?” Yao Yuan suppressed her impatience.

“It’s simple, travel with me.” Before she could get angry, the young lady held up three fingers: “It will only waste three days of your time. How about it?”

“I’m fine with it, but you’re also wasting Starry Sky’s time.” The words slipped out before she thought, and Yao Yuan froze. She hadn’t even considered this question herself before.

“That’s true~ Then let her go home first? After all, your girlfriend has an ultra~ impatient expression the moment she sees me.”

Starry Sky could have an impatient expression?

Yao Yuan quickly turned back to look at Starry Sky. The Devil had her usual expression; no sign of impatience could be seen.

“Does she?”

“Of course, she does, her aura changed.” The young lady tapped the table with her fingernail: “Let’s eat and talk.”

Three plates of steak were placed on the table. The table was adequately sized, as the third steak could even fit on the edge of the round table. However, there were only two chairs.

Starry Sky wasn’t awkward for even a second. She casually picked up Yao Yuan and had her sit on her lap.

“Wow, don’t do this when we’re out…”

Her protest was futile. The Devil elegantly cut a small piece of steak and fed it to her mouth.

It practically melted in her mouth… Yao Yuan frowned: “Wow, it’s even fattier than the one on the cruise ship.” She really wasn’t used to such a tender, smooth texture and even felt like ordering coke and fried chicken.

“I don’t care. Isn’t all steak like this?” The young lady cut a slice and put it in her mouth as a matter of course: “You don’t like it? Then let’s try something else next time.”

“There usually won’t be a next time.” “Aren’t you going to eat during this trip?”

“Shoot, I didn’t bring any luggage!” Yao Yuan was startled and looked at her small bag: it contained tissues, her wallet, and her phone. What about a change of clothes?!

“It’s fine, I can help you solve that.” The young lady suddenly leaned forward: “I have a premonition that you will be a very interesting friend.”

“Even if you find watching me struggle interesting, you don’t necessarily have to be friends with me.” Yao Yuan resisted, holding her wrists tightly against Starry Sky. This kind of aggressive show of friendship was too strange, and getting involved with her might be the greatest misfortune this girl will ever experience.

“You’re amazing. Originally, I really only wanted to watch you struggle.” The young lady blinked: “But since you walked in, you haven’t looked around much.”

Look at what? She didn’t understand. Since the young lady opposite had mentioned it, Yao Yuan raised her head and scanned her surroundings a second time, still not seeing anything special.

Simple and elegant design, decorations that might be antiques, and many floral elements hidden in the textiles and furniture.

“Still don’t get it?”

“No, the things are quite beautiful. So?”

The young lady dramatically spread her hands: “My dear, the paper posted at the entrance says: [Feel free to take whatever you like].”

“Why would I want to carry away your vase?” Yao Yuan was utterly confused. Looking closely, the carpet, the vases, the tableware… while there were many scattered items, none were easy to carry. Was she supposed to carry away a sofa?

“That’s what’s special about you! I don’t see any pursuit of them in you!” A hand reached straight out towards Yao Yuan, like a child wanting to touch a new gift.

[Clink.]

A silver dinner fork plunged deeply into the round table. The Devil expressionlessly blocked the hand reaching out to Yao Yuan.

“You, what are you… ahem, never mind, I was too excited~” The young lady sat back down with a hint of fear: “Turns out this one is quite interesting too.”

It seemed she finally realized she shouldn’t be dancing around a dangerous person after realizing the danger. Yao Yuan nodded mentally, feeling a bit relieved.

“Anyway, I don’t think this is anything special. Look, Starry Sky isn’t interested in these either,” Yao Yuan pointed to Starry Sky.

The young lady’s expression was subtle, with a third… of disgust? Her small mouth was slightly open: “Ah, right. Maybe you won’t believe it, but I have very good intuition. I hate her.”

“Uh… why?”

“I think she hates me too. Maybe she’s some anti-human, disgusting fellow!” The young lady folded her arms arrogantly: “Not cute at all.”

[I believe your intuition, but why didn’t your intuition warn you not to seek death!] Yao Yuan tightly held Starry Sky’s wrist, maintaining a smile.

“Excuse me, I’m here to apologize.” A voice suddenly sounded, and Chu Yan stood at the door, holding a glass of juice.