Chapter 36: The Awakening and a Peculiar Gaze

An hour later, within the observation room of the training center, the synchronization test was drawing to a close.

Lin Wan stood by the control console, issuing commands to Lily of the Valley and Lu Chen in the arena, guiding them through the final stages of the test.

Meanwhile, Ling Wei leaned against the reinforced glass, her gaze fixed on the young man below, while idly stroking the crow perched comfortably on her wrist. The creature had originally been patrolling near the branch office building, but upon receiving Ling Wei’s signal, it had flown over under the convenient guise of visiting its master, Lu Chen.

The young woman channeled her magic, sending a telepathic message to her familiar.

‘Zero,’ she thought, ‘when you use the Eye of Peeping in the future, first use a reality rendering to obscure your true gaze. Pretend you’re doing something else entirely.’

‘I understand. But even such a transparent attempt to deceive oneself won’t change the fact that you’re peeking at an innocent young man with rather questionable intentions.’

A sorrowful sigh escaped the young woman’s lips.

‘That truly is regrettable, a pang to my conscience, indeed. However, it’s not the pangs of conscience I’m trying to circumvent.

‘Just earlier, Lu Chen asked me in the office if I ‘had been staring at his personal files’.

‘While phrased as a question, his tone was remarkably certain, as if he had truly observed my every action.’

The crow, fanning its tail feathers contentedly, replied,

‘It truly grieves this demon that you’ve unfortunately succumbed to paranoid delusions. What means could Lu Chen possibly possess to monitor you?’

The young woman watched the youth in the arena, tilting her head with a hint of intrigued amusement.

‘Who can say? A few days ago, didn’t I intend to ply him with drink and thoroughly examine him? Yet, despite downing the potent sleeping draught I’d so carefully brewed, he still didn’t fully succumb to unconsciousness.

‘As the Heart of the Moon gradually awakens, he’s begun to slowly diverge from humanity. I wouldn’t be surprised if he suddenly manifested some superpower, much like that round-headed, multi-eyed fellow who transforms anew each morning.

‘Heh, for merely a damaged fragment of the Heart of the Moon to possess such formidable power… given enough time, Lu Chen might genuinely have the chance to expose me.’

‘You sound rather pleased, if I may say so. So, how do we prevent him from, in turn, peeking at *you*? Are we to impersonate Xia Shi twenty-four-seven?’

The young woman let out a soft sigh.

‘That would be far too troublesome. Who would compensate me for all the horror movie time I’d miss?

‘Given that Lu Chen hasn’t yet submitted a complaint or held a ceremony for Morning Star, my dearest Heart of the Moon likely hasn’t fully taken on this fellow’s ‘shape’.

‘The abilities she’s granted Lu Chen must come with certain conditions for their use.’

‘Conditions?’

‘Indeed. I just conducted a small observation and probe. In the office, he seemed quite content that I had peered at his photos, and equally pleased that I had remotely sensed him using my bracelet.’

‘What could that possibly indicate? Perhaps he simply enjoys being constantly watched by his girlfriend, which is why he seemed so pleased?’

‘Zero, your thought processes are becoming increasingly peculiar. I sincerely hope Mr. Lu doesn’t harbor such eccentricities. He’s likely searching for a plausible reason for his abilities to be triggered.

‘From the current observations, he might be able to detect anyone attempting to track him, somewhat akin to your own miraculous abilities… However, the information gathered so far is simply too sparse to draw any definitive conclusions.

‘We’ll need to find an opportune moment to thoroughly test and confirm this.’

The young woman gazed down at the youth and Lily of the Valley in the arena, a playful, knowing smile flickering in her beautiful black eyes.

‘Since the synchronization test has concluded, I believe a suitable opportunity will present itself very soon.’

As master and familiar conversed in secret, Lu Chen swiftly cleared the final hurdle in the arena. Wiping the sweat from his brow, he looked up at the observation room and offered the young woman a triumphant thumbs-up.

Ling Wei severed the telepathic link, returning Lu Chen’s gesture with a small, smiling wave. At the control console, Lin Wan tapped a few keys before wearily lifting the microphone.

“Well, that’s finally truly over.

“Lu, congratulations on reclaiming your position as a cameraman. And Miss Lily of the Valley, thank you for your hard work this morning.”

“Congratulations!”

The young woman clapped through the glass, and Lu Chen, standing in the arena, beamed in response.

Lin Wan clicked her tongue in annoyance, then spoke into the microphone:

“Alright, congratulations time is over. Now, get back to your workstations and finish those drafts!

“Also, remember to find some time to discuss the promotional photoshoot with Miss Lily of the Valley.”

In the observation room, Ling Wei’s lips curved into a faint smile—this was precisely the opportunity she had spoken of moments ago.

Lily of the Valley in the arena, however, seemed somewhat bewildered. Her life had always revolved around hunting monsters and honing her skills; she had little concept of such mundane affairs.

Donning her jacket, she turned to the young man beside her.

“We need to take photos? Shall we just get it done now, then?”

Lu Chen offered a wry smile, shaking his head.

“I’m afraid that won’t do. Promotional photos are quite specific; we can’t simply snap them here in the training grounds. You frequent the branch office building, so you must be familiar with the nearby landmarks, correct?”

“Such as Central Peace Plaza, the Clock Tower, or the shopping district?”

“Precisely. Corporate regulations stipulate that you must pose beside these landmarks, dressed in specially designed attire, for the photos to be considered official promotional material and featured on the website.

“I’ll first contact the logistics department to have several candidate outfits designed for you, and you’ll make the final selection. Additionally, we’ll need to set aside time to visit each landmark together and decide exactly where we’ll take the pictures.

“My apologies, it sounds quite troublesome, doesn’t it?”

Lily of the Valley furrowed her brow, letting out a deep sigh.

“…It is quite troublesome. But a mission is a mission, and I will cooperate to the best of my ability.

“Once preparations are complete, please contact me at once.”

As she spoke, she straightened her posture and extended a hand towards Lu Chen.

“My apologies for what occurred earlier. I look forward to your guidance during this period.”

Lily of the Valley’s expression was unyielding, her tone grave, reminiscent of a hitman in a mafia film. Yet, the last vestiges of childishness still clung to her face, making her, aside from being perhaps a touch cuter, indistinguishable from any ordinary university student.

Lu Chen couldn’t help but smile, stepping forward to meet her hand in a firm shake.

“I look forward to it as well.”

Lily of the Valley nodded, then released his hand. Summoning her vines, she retrieved her firearms and, without hesitation, leaped into the nearby steel jungle, immediately commencing her self-training.

Lu Chen turned off his camera, preparing to exit the training arena. Yet, just as his finger depressed the power button, a fleeting shimmer of silver light abruptly materialized, flashing before his eyes.

‘No, not again?!’

A jolt went through Lu Chen’s heart as he glanced at the camera screen. The now-darkened display remained mirror-smooth, reflecting Xia Shi’s figure.

He quickly turned his head, discovering that his lover had, at some point, left the observation room and entered the training arena, now standing quietly in a distant corner of the room.

She remained silent, yet her gaze was fixed squarely upon him.

Only when the young man registered her presence did she begin to move, taking small, deliberate steps until she stood before him, her bright, clear eyes lifting to meet his.

“Congratulations on passing the test.”

“Th-thank you. When did you arrive?”

“Just now, when you smiled at Lily of the Valley.

“More importantly, come. I look forward to your guidance in the future as well.”

The young woman leaned in slightly, extending an open hand towards Lu Chen.

The young man paused, his gaze lingering for a moment on the delicate curve of her fair palm before he understood. He smiled, extending his own hand to gently grasp hers.

“Indeed, I look forward to it.”

The young woman’s smile brightened, her tone light and cheerful.

“Good luck! Make sure to capture some truly excellent promotional photos.”