Chapter 80 - "Crying Properly"

[Eh, what's wrong here?] Tianjin tilted her head. She looked around her to see any potential danger.

[Just keep an eye on Lai Jiayi. If she showed any weird symptoms…]

Zhao Yang's jaw tensed.

[Then that barmaid did something to my drink.]

!

Tianjin froze on the spot. The swan looked at Lai Jiayi with horror and pity in her eyes.

[Is this why she snatched your drink, master? Does she know the drink is spiked?]

[Maybe. I don't know how she knows that. Just watch her closely. Prepare to make an antidote anytime.]

Zhao Yang turned his body around so he could watch Lai Jiayi without missing her movement. At the same time, Lai Jiayi just finished arguing with Yaya.

The girl noticed Zhao Yang was looking at her. She tilted her head and smiled.

"B-boss, sorry I grabbed your drink…"

'Let's apologize first. I don't know since when Tan Xinya left, but this is a good opportunity.'

"I-I saw that my glass is bigger than yours...s-so I think I should take the smaller one." Lai Jiayi spoke in a shaky voice. Her face flushed red, and her eyes turned slightly hazy.

The girl already looked like she's drunk.

Zhao Yang could only shake his head and spoke in a gentle voice, "It's alright. I'm just surprised you drink all of it in one go." The man glanced at the empty glass in front of Lai Jiayi.

"If you drink a lot in one go, it's easier to get drunk." Zhao Yang tapped his fingers on the table. He then looked at Lai Jiayi with concern in his eyes.

"Next time, just ask me to switch the glass." The man stretched his left hand to get his half-empty glass.

"Get it?"

"Mm!" Lai Jiayi nodded obediently. The girl seemed a bit defenseless at this moment, worrying the little duck.

[Jia, you know that the drink is spiked with a sad pill or something, right, quack? Will you be okay– ]

[The worst-case scenario will be me crying and bawling. No problem. I'm sure Zhao Yang will understand me. And maybe, he might raise his guard toward Tan Xinya.]

Lai Jiayi tugged the corner of her lips. She silently took a deep breath.

'My goal is to cry and show that Zhao Yang's drink is problematic. If I can just control myself and cry moderately, there won't be any problem.'

Lai Jiayi couldn't help but nod. Her body temperature rose a bit, thanks to the alcohol effect. Yet she knew she's still sober.

[I don't know what drug Tan Xinya gave, but I'm sure it will make me cry, right?] Lai Jiayi reconfirmed the facts with Yaya. The girl didn't look at Zhao Yang and just pretended she's a bit tipsy.

[Maybe, quack. But the drug might be mixed with truth serum or something, quack. Aside from making the victim feel extremely sad, the drug might also reveal the victim's true feelings, quack.]

'I think there's that kind of drug in the game's store as well.'

[Mmm...if I start talking about the game or anything taboo, make sure you shut my mouth.] Lai Jiayi clutched her chest as she turned around.

She could already sense the change in her mood. Everything seemed dark and gloomy, and there's this little thing triggering her emotion.

'The drug effect is quite fast. I'll cry in no time.'

Lai Jiayi prepared herself. She closed her eyes and let the drug take effect.

The drug worked fast. It dampened the girl's mood, emerging all the bad memories for the past weeks. All Lai Jiayi's grievance and hardship merged to the surface–

And the girl could sense it.

[If I start crying, don't panic. Observe Zhao Yang's reaction. If he shows a good response, let me be. If not, stop me, okay?] Lai Jiayi gave the last warning before she felt her chest tighten.

It was so stuffy and painful. Not to mention that her mind turned cloudy, and all the negative things poured into her body. The girl subconsciously lowered her head, and her hair was scattered in front of her face.

! Jia is going to cry.

[I'll make sure you cry properly, quack.] Yaya noticed Lai Jiayi's change in expression and immediately hid behind the girl.

[Thanks.] Lai Jiayi thanked Yaya as the negative emotions washed over her quickly. The memories of her hardship before she met Zhao Yang and her grievance toward the man just flooded into her heart.

Lai Jiayi's face turned dark. The girl slumped her shoulders as her eyes reddened. Her body trembled a bit.

! She showed symptoms!

Zhao Yang clenched his fists. He was about to lean closer to the girl when Lai Jiayi abruptly lifted her face. Tears slid down her amber eyes, wetting her rosy cheeks.

"B-boss…" The girl called out Zhao Yang in a hoarse voice. It sounded so heart-wrenching that Zhao Yang couldn't help but frown.

This...what happened? Why is she crying again??

"What's wrong?" Zhao Yang stretched his hand and pushed the girl's hair blocking her face. He tucked Lai Jiayi's hair behind the girl's ear.

"What's wrong? Why are you crying?" Zhao Yang asked again in a soft voice. He bent his back so he could match Lai Jiayi's height.

'Is this the weird thing I predicted? Is the drink drugged for real?'

"I-I…" Lai Jiayi paused. The girl could feel Zhao Yang's fingers grazing her right ear.

That spot felt oddly hot.

"B-boss, you…" Lai Jiayi's voice got stuck in her throat. Tears just kept dripping from her eyes.

Zhao Yang's gentle voice just unlocked a bunch of emotions in her heart.

"B-boss– YOU MEANIE!!" The girl abruptly shouted while wailing hard.

….eh??

WANT MORE CHAPTERS?! Unlock using power stones! Every Sunday, I'll count the power stone accumulation from this novel & give bonus chapters depending on the votes.

X votes (The amount will be announced through author notes)= 1 bonus chapter. The bonus chapter will be posted every Sunday at 9 pm, and the vote will be counted at 8 pm (GMT+7)

Also, this novel is posted to Webnovel.com with a lot of free chapters. Please read there to support the author. I have to do this since the huge decrease in my income.. Thank you in advance. -Zehell2218