CH 28.1

Fourth Floor (6)

Translated by boilpoil

Edited by boilpoil

“Godspeed”

“That took a while.” Jiang Yiyi says to Lin Yi when he notices him hurrying back.

Lin Yi sees the cell for the first time from the window.

It is slightly less luxurious than the VIP treatment of the third floor, but not that much worse.

It is a well-furnished room for two, with comfortable beds, a table, sofa and bookshelves. Outside of the lack of a gaming console, and ignoring the fence and surveillance camera, this will pass for a hotel room instead of Stargaol.

Jiang Yiyi is sitting on the sofa, reading a book, with the posture and appearance Lin Yi has already come to know so well, that he almost thought they were actually still on the third floor. Lunatic, though, is a swift reminder of the difference.

He is sitting on the carpet next to the sofa——Who knows why he sits by Jiang Yiyi’s leg when there are sofa and chairs——Staring straight at Jiang Yiyi. He glanced at Lin Yi when he came, but then went straight back to staring.

“Had a chat with Black Glove.” Lin Yi stops observing and answers.

Jiang Yiyi nods, disinterested.

“You aren’t going to ask anything?” Lin Yi glances at the surveillance camera outside in the corridor.

The red light is blinking. It is operational.

“You have something you want to tell me?” Jiang Yiyi closes his book, then guides Lin Yi’s gaze to the door.

Lin Yi is doubtful, but does extend his hand at the shut door…

It opens.

Lin Yi, his hand still on the door handle, has quite the look on his face indeed.

“Come in. The surveillance is off inside.” Jiang Yiyi takes the time to enjoy the look, then invites him in with the courtesy afforded to any regular visitor of a typical house.

Lin Yi looks at the lock on the door——An electronic lock that needs a card scanned. This means it was not possible to lockpick.

“The door…”

“Not coming?”

Lin Yi shuts his mouth and pulls the door open to step inside——A prison officer invited by a prisoner into his cell; the absurdity of the situation is intensifying.

Jiang Yiyi continues watching as the man walks in with a snail pace. He is behaving like one would if they were walking to their death.

Lin Yi finally sits down opposite Jiang Yiyi on the sofa.

“You were saying?” Jiang Yiyi pours a cup of black tea for Lin Yi with the teapot on the coffee table.

“The door wasn’t locked?”

“It was not.”

“Isn’t that against the rules?” Akin to bringing a wild beast to a crowd of people, unchained——Very dangerous for the crowd.

“And did he look like he was one to follow rules?”

Lin Yi has quite the conflicted look on his face, “but even so…” He looks back at Jiang Yiyi, “this is still Stargaol.”

“We had a deal.” Jiang Yiyi reminds him, “if he did not even show such a courtesy, I’m unlikely to find his promise of being on my side no matter what, genuine.”

Lin Yi is not sure what to say. Even if what Jiang Yiyi said makes sense, he still thinks there is a difference between keeping a beast locked up and not.

Even if the difference is only placebic sense of security.

Jiang Yiyi glances at him. While the Emotions Chart does not emerge, he has already gleaned enough information.

“Never mind such trivialities. Instead, tell me what you really want to say.”

“Is Black Glove…” Lin Yi then changes the term, “Is Nianluo part of the reason Doctor is visiting Stargaol?”

Jiang Yiyi sips his tea, “no.”

Lin Yi smacks his lips, “then you are staying out of this?”

“Do you want to make a deal with me as well?” Jiang Yiyi’s question causes Lin Yi’s expression to change quite rapidly, enough that Jiang Yiyi chuckles, “I don’t think you have enough at stake to make a trade with me, though?”

Lin Yi gulps, “I am not hoping to make a deal with you.” He lifts the teacup in front of him, while quickly confirming Jiang Yiyi’s look, “just making sure.”

“As Doctor’s involvement or non-involvement changes the nature of the event fundamentally.”

“Strictly speaking, I will stay out of everything.” Jiang Yiyi is looking intently at Lin Yi, “I am not interested in Nianluo, and I am not interested in what you people want, either.”

“What we want?” Sometimes Lin Yi thinks Jiang Yiyi knows everything, all their hidden secrets, everything that should have remained hidden from the world at large.

However, being a complete outsider, there should be no possible way for him to know.

Still, he being the Doctor——A being beyond common sense and reason, perhaps he does know everything.

In fact, Lin Yi thinks he might be getting used to the prying, piercing gazes at this point.

“It seems you had a fruitful conversation earlier.” Jiang Yiyi concludes.

Lin Yi changes the topic a few seconds later, “I am quite surprised Doctor has chosen not to intervene.”

“Do not forget, if it were not for your invoking the Special Protocol to take me to the second floor, I would never have been here.”

“Thank you for reminding me of the worst decision I have ever made in my life.”

Lin Yi makes a heartfelt comment, then suddenly returns to an earlier topic, “it is impossible to say how many people have eyes on Black Glove at this point. It might not be an exaggeration to say the entire Stargaol has sprung to life for him.”

“And even so, Doctor does not see involvement as meaningful?”

“Mmhm.” Jiang Yiyi then glances at Lunatic to say, “he does not see meaningful involvement in this either.”

Lunatic’s gaze shifts slightly.

Lin Yi looks at them, before offering a dramatic welcome, “then Doctor, you will be free to enjoy the grand opera to come.”

Jiang Yiyi stares at him for a few seconds, and retracts his gaze before Lin Yi could start mumbling.

“Godspeed.”