Back in his room, Jiang Lin took out a drop of red liquid from a test tube, then carefully sealed the rest.
With everything ready, he began his immersive research.
Meanwhile, Sunday, after Aventurine left, fell into deep thought alone.
The Family members already knew he had woken up, and it wouldn't be long before the Family's judgment descended upon him.
He didn't care what his own fate would be, but he truly didn't want to implicate Robin... At this moment, he recalled his conversation with Aventurine, the IPC envoy:
"The Company can help you escape the Family's watchful eyes and assist you in leaving Penacony."
"The cost?"
"The cost? Well, someone has already paid it for you. All you need to do is not disappoint her."
"Robin..."
"Heh heh, rather than a cost, think of it as an investment..."
"What did you do?"
"You'll know later."
"...Don't sit on my bed."
"..."
Just as Sunday was lost in thought, a phone by his bed suddenly vibrated.
All his original belongings, including his phone, had been confiscated by the Family, and this one was left by Aventurine when he left.
But the first thing Sunday did when he got this new phone was re-add Robin as a friend... And at this moment, it was Robin who sent the message.
"Robin: Brother, I just received an urgent notification. The Symphony of Harmony will be re-staged on The Opaline. I won't be returning for now."
"Robin: Oh, I've prepared healthy and delicious nutritional meals for you. A nurse will deliver them to you later. Remember to eat well, okay?"
"Sunday: Hmm, I wish you all the best."
------
On The Opaline
After making inquiries, Firefly finally found the House of the Golden Touch room where Jade was located.
"Welcome to the House of the Golden Touch, The Opaline branch. Miss, what should I call you?"
Jade smiled slightly, looking at Firefly before her.
"Just call me Samuel."
Firefly introduced herself politely, though the name was fake, her smile was sincere.
"A very nice name. So, what do you desire? And what are you willing to pay for it?"
Firefly was silent for a moment, then spoke with a serious yet somewhat heavy tone.
"I want to live. For this wish, I am willing to mortgage everything I have."
"Everything you have?"
"Yes, everything."
At this moment, although Firefly still had a smile on her face, the determination in her eyes moved even Jade.
After looking at her for a few seconds, Jade turned away.
"Miss Samuel, please leave. I believe you don't fully understand the definition of 'mortgage'."
Firefly also put away her smile at this point, her brows slightly furrowed, as if trying to show a serious expression, but what truly emerged made one feel a little wronged?
"What do you mean?"
Jade tilted her head slightly and explained:
"It's literal. I can feel your strong will to live; it burns like a fierce flame. But in contrast, you have nothing of equal value to offer as collateral."
"Heh... I see."
Firefly lowered her head slightly, coming up with a brilliant idea for herself.
"Sure enough, this 'pawn shop where wishes can be fulfilled through collateral'... is just a facade."
Yes, it was a provocation, old-fashioned, but effective.
Hearing Firefly's words, Jade turned around directly and looked again at the somewhat disappointed Firefly.
"That's a very harsh accusation. It's normal for you not to understand. But it's okay, I'll help you see clearly.
Go find these people; they have all frequented my pawnshop. Witness with your own eyes whether their wishes have come true.
Then come back to me, and I will make you understand what 'mortgage' means, and I will also make you realize what you are still lacking."
After hearing these words, Firefly took the list from Jade's hand and left the room.
But at this moment, Firefly was muttering to herself... "I feel like she... why does she seem so much like a loan shark?"
Firefly had nothing to do at the moment and decided to go see these people first... And coincidentally, Stelle also arrived here at this time, but just missed her.
Well, under Stelle's continuous abstraction, March 7th finally couldn't bear the burden and quietly left, imitating Dan Heng.
Stelle immediately felt a bit bored.
But picking up her phone and seeing the messages in the group, she found that Jiang Lin had also come to The Opaline, so she thought of finding him, and then the two of them could do something abstract together.
But Stelle couldn't find him, and Jiang Lin didn't reply to her messages. Helpless, she could only wander around here, seeing if she could run into him.
Not long after, she found this place.
Seeing Stelle enter, Jade also smiled and greeted her.
"Hello, lively lady, welcome to the House of the Golden Touch. What should I call you?"
Stelle smiled slightly and replied, pretending to be profound:
"I am Jiang Lin."
Jade nodded slightly, looking at Stelle calmly.
"Hmm... a good name, just lacking some merit. So, Miss Jiang Lin, what do you desire? And what are you willing to pay for it?"
Stelle was slightly stunned, then seemed to think of something... Immediately, she put her hands on her hips, puffed out her chest, and said proudly:
"Can I have anything I want? Then I want nanook to bow before me."
"Oh... Is that your wish?"
Jade's face was calm, unsure if she was playing along or seriously working.
But Stelle immediately lost interest, guessing that she probably had no sense of humor.
But Jade continued:
"Sounds simple, very easy to achieve. So, let's talk about the cost?"
Stelle couldn't help but widen her eyes.
"No way, is this the grand finale already?"
Jade's lips curled into a smile, and she looked at the adorable child before her and continued:
"Don't be too nervous. To achieve this wish, what I need is very simple: the tail of an animal."
"What kind of animal is so powerful?"
"It's a two-legged creature, with black fur, a round head, and long ears.
Omnivorous, emotionally unstable. Most importantly, it has mastered human language and can communicate verbally.
Bring me its tail as collateral, and then your wish will come true."
At this moment, Stelle had to admit that the elegant lady before her was not without a sense of humor; her skill in black humor was far superior to her own.
However... there should be scissors on the Astral Express... But Jade seemed to know what Stelle was thinking and directly dismissed her.
"Farewell, Miss Nameless."
Astral Express
At this moment, Pam suddenly shivered. It always felt like someone was thinking something bad about it.
But then... "Boom!"
A violent explosion sounded on the Astral Express, and Jiang Lin, in his room, stared blankly at the mess he had caused on the Astral Express... Suddenly, Jiang Lin gasped... "Hiss~ Pam will kill me, won't he?!"