“Jiang Jialie, we met today. She’s pretty.”
With a smile on her lips, Gadelia greeted Jiang Jialie, her tone carrying a hint of sweetness and gentleness.
Jiang Jialie was wearing a dress that combined a court-style ruffled blouse with a high-waisted long skirt, white on top and black below—a classic color scheme that added a touch of elegance to her youthful demeanor.
“Very pretty, Xiaolie. Is this the only one? Aren’t you going to pick a few more?”
Zhou Ming knew that letting Gadelia and Jiang Jialie spend time together right now would not end well, so he used the opportunity to compliment Jiang Jialie’s outfit and persuade her to go back and continue choosing clothes.
“I…”
Jiang Jialie wanted to drive Gadelia away immediately, but she wasn’t willing to give up on picking clothes. She hesitated for a moment, then shot Zhou Ming a threatening glare.
“Zhou Ming, stay calm. I’ll be right back.”
She called out to the sales assistant, who was standing there at a loss, then dragged the assistant off to continue selecting clothes.
“Gadelia, what do you think would happen if I were a Tsunami-level?”
“I don’t know, but I definitely wouldn’t be by your side.”
“Why?”
“…I don’t know.”
“I don’t know either.”
Zhou Ming got up, poured two glasses of water, downed one in one gulp, then handed the other to Gadelia before sitting back down.
“At least, I don’t think a Tsunami-level esper would be like you, Gadelia—idle every day, either stalking me or sleeping.”
Gently tucking a strand of hair that had fallen by her cheek behind her ear, Gadelia pursed her lips.
She couldn’t help but let out a light laugh:
“Not necessarily, right? After all, neither of us knows what a Tsunami-level esper actually does.”
“Whether they eat, sleep, or spend their days and nights consuming energy beasts in the territories they occupy—who knows?”
“Fine, Gadelia. You’ve convinced me.”
Zhou Ming clasped his hands toward Gadelia and lowered his head.
“I don’t know how you think. Personally, I believe Tsunami-level is nothing special. In decades, how many Tsunami-levels has the world produced? Nearly a hundred? But the crisis has never disappeared. The energy beasts are eyeing us hungrily, plotting every moment to devour humans and strengthen themselves.”
“And us? Infighting, betrayal, conflict—every nation, every organization has its own agenda. Sometimes I really think that if we could control everyone globally, unite them all, and sacrifice just a tiny bit of individual consciousness, we could bring light to the continuation of human civilization.”
Zhou Ming was alarmed by Gadelia’s words; cold sweat broke out on his palms.
“Gadelia, don’t get any wild ideas!!”
“I heard from Li Yaoming before that there’s a terrifying existence in the Order Society whose ability is to control people’s consciousness. If she overhears you and comes after you, it’s over!”
“Is that so?”
Gadelia covered her mouth, but her eyes were full of amusement.
“How terrifying! Then I’d better be careful and never do anything bad.”
“Gadelia, you’re laughing, aren’t you!”
Zhou Ming clenched his fists.
He was genuinely terrified by Gadelia’s thoughts, yet she could still smile.
Didn’t she respect him at all?
But—
Gadelia was pleased.
Zhou Ming knew nothing—nothing about the horror of the monster tide, nothing about civilization’s plight, and nothing about her identity.
Yet he still cared about the world and worried about her.
Then let me see.
Zhou Ming, what choice will you make?
“Zhou Ming!”
Jiang Jialie had changed into an off-shoulder lace dress, and she was holding several more garments—campus-style, summer-style, Japanese, French, and even a Lolita dress.
“What do you think? Pretty good, right? I searched for ages to find these satisfying ones.”
Jiang Jialie was brimming with excitement, her eyes shining as she looked at Zhou Ming.
The sales assistant chimed in to support her:
“Miss has excellent taste. All are boutique pieces from our store—each one will make a stunning statement when worn.”
Zhou Ming nodded, then turned around and paid with the card Gadelia had just given him.
This was Gadelia’s compensation to Zhou Ming.
“I’ll contact you when I find something suitable. Well then, goodbye.”
Waving at Zhou Ming and Jiang Jialie, Gadelia left the store.
Jiang Jialie, I’ll talk to you next time.
Walking out of the shopping plaza alone, Gadelia looked up at the lone waning moon in the sky and massaged her temples.
She felt that just communicating with Zhou Ming every day like it was a task wasn’t achieving very good results.
It would be best to intersect with Zhou Ming in other areas.
But her current identity was actually becoming an obstacle, preventing her from making breakthrough progress with Zhou Ming.
However, if she didn’t show off abilities that could help Zhou Ming, even if she could participate in some of his actions once or twice, he would eventually kick her out.
No, maybe there was a way.
Money, resources—anything that could create a connection with Zhou Ming—could be given reasonably.
Then, she could approach Zhou Ming as someone helpless and dependent.
Yes, that’s it.
Good, good.
But would this really work?
Gadelia laughed softly.
She never expected that this weak female body of hers would now have to learn to manage interpersonal relationships.
She hailed a taxi and returned to her residence.
But for her own selfish desires, for the Order Society, and for the future—
Everything was necessary.
As soon as she got back, the Supervisor sent her a message.
It was about the Wang family joining forces with the authorities to launch an attack on the Order Society’s activities in Yucheng.
Tapping her fingers lightly on the desk, Gadelia glanced at the Supervisor’s projection and replied unhurriedly:
“If they want to attack, let them. As long as they don’t endanger the Order Society’s core experimental projects, what does it matter if they catch a few mages or executives?”
“Besides, it saves me the trouble of cleaning house. As for those who eat from our bowl while biting the hand, who refuse to change despite repeated warnings, and who tarnish the Order Society’s reputation—pack them all up and hand them over.”
She paused, then continued:
“After this, I’ll be leaving Yucheng for a while. I’ll give you a list—keep an eye on the people on it and make sure nothing happens to them.”
“As you command, my lady.”
The Supervisor bowed slightly, then ended the call.
Undressing and washing herself, Gadelia soaked in the bathtub, her eyes vacant.
Every meeting with Zhou Ming meant a headache afterward, and a fear of pain would rise in her heart.
But now, she was gradually getting used to it.
She had thought she was fully prepared, but it turned out to be completely useless.
Although every conversation with Zhou Ming seemed effortless, Gadelia was actually very uncertain.
She was far too lacking in experience with normal human interaction, and she couldn’t determine Zhou Ming’s specific view of her or his emotions.
Gadelia didn’t understand.
In the decades of her life, she had always been utterly alone.
Now, she felt genuine joy—and fear—in her daily interactions with Zhou Ming.
If she couldn’t win Zhou Ming over, Gadelia would inevitably betray him.
Gadelia had her pride.
She might not understand interpersonal relationships or emotions, but when it came to her feelings for the Order Society, she was clear.
She hoped the Order Society could become a wall protecting humanity. She was willing to sacrifice when necessary, and she would do her best to protect those within the Order Society who had not betrayed it.
Therefore, no matter what, the Order Society must not be destroyed by Zhou Ming.
Gadelia had to get close to Zhou Ming.
After reaffirming her conviction, she smiled faintly.
Gazing at Yucheng’s bustling nightscape, Gadelia spent another sleepless night.