Xiao Chuxia's expression changed in an instant. "Three years? You expect me to work for you for three years just for a name?"
"Yes." Fang Xiu nodded, his expression calm and collected.
He had thought it through carefully. Xiao Chuxia's unique ability intrigued him. From the moment he realized she could detect lies, a plan began to form in his mind.
If everything went as he envisioned, Fang Xiu would benefit the most.
"No way, I'm not agreeing to that. Who knows what kind of work you want me to do? What if it's something—"
"Your last name is Xiao."
The words hit Xiao Chuxia like a bolt of lightning, and she froze. The surname Xiao held a certain power, stirring a strange sense of familiarity within her.
She instinctively felt her last name might really be Xiao. It resonated deeply like it was a part of her identity.
"What's the rest of my name?" she asked urgently.
Fang Xiu remained silent.
Xiao Chuxia's face grew dark with uncertainty. After a moment, she bit her lip and asked, "What kind of work are we talking about? Let me be clear: no selling my body, nothing immoral, and nothing dangerous."
Her tone made it obvious she was skeptical.
"Don't worry, I just need your ability. You don't have to worry about your body; I'm not interested. I'm only interested in what you can do."
Hearing this, Xiao Chuxia felt a wave of relief mixed with a tinge of disappointment.
She couldn't quite understand why she felt disappointed.
Maybe it was Fang Xiu's earlier demeanor that had sparked her curiosity. She longed to be trusted unconditionally, as Fang Xiu seemed to be trusted. This led her to pay more attention to Fang Xiu than she intended.
In the end, however, the person she focused on didn't care about her at all, seeing her merely as a tool. This realization left her feeling disappointed.
Despite her mixed feelings, she kept her composure. "Hmph! It better stay that way. I'm not interested in you, only in your ability. We're just using each other; you use my ability, I use yours."
"Then, we have a deal."
"Aren't you afraid I'll deceive you? That after you tell me my name, I'll go back on my word?"
"You won't dare," Fang Xiu replied, his voice steady.
Xiao Chuxia's breath caught, a flash of Chu Feng's screams echoing in her mind. She swallowed hard, trying to steady herself.
"Hmph! I'm not one to break promises. I said I'd work for you for three years, so I will. Not a day more, not one less. Now, the deal is done. Tell me my name."
Seeing her agreement, Fang Xiu didn't hesitate. He spoke plainly.
"Chuxia, your name is Xiao Chuxia."
The room fell silent.
Xiao Chuxia stood stunned, the name hitting her like a spell. It felt like a piece of her soul was restored. It truly felt like her name.
She kept murmuring, "Chuxia… Xiao Chuxia… So, my name is Xiao Chuxia!"
Her eyes sparkled with a new light, as if she had been reborn. Silent tears streamed down her cheeks, and before she knew it, her face was wet with them.
"Xiao Chuxia, so my name is Xiao Chuxia. **It's such a beautiful name***!"
"Step back, your tears are getting my bed wet."
Fang Xiu's calm voice cut through her emotions like a blade, silencing her.
Xiao Chuxia cried out, "You—Fang Xiu! You're such a jerk! Ah, you're making me so mad!"
She cursed and cried simultaneously, anger mixing with the joy of rediscovering her name. She even shook her head, trying to spread her tears all over Fang Xiu's bed and on him.
"I'll wet your bed! I'll wet it all over to make you mad!"
In that moment, she dropped all her defenses, showing a side of her no one had ever seen.
Then, there was a knock at the door.
KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK.
Fang Xiu frowned, surprised by how busy the night was turning out to be.
"Mr. Fang, I apologize for the late visit."
"Leave."
Silence followed.
Xiao Chuxia quickly wiped her tears and hid her emotions again, reverting to her usual guarded self. But Fang Xiu's abrupt dismissal made her a bit happy. Maybe it was because he treated everyone the same way, not just her.
CLICK!
The door opened again.
A man with slanted eyes, an upturned nose, and a gap-toothed smile walked in slowly. He glanced at Fang Xiu on the bed and Xiao Chuxia beside it, noting the wet spot on the bed. A sleazy grin spread across his face.
"Mr. Fang, you're quite enjoying yourself."
Xiao Chuxia was stunned at first. Then, she looked at the wet spot on the bed, her face turning red.
"What nonsense are you talking about! That's not what you think, it's just tears!"
The ugly man, hearing this, showed a look of admiration and gave Fang Xiu a thumbs up.
"Mr. Fang, good job. You have my respect."
Xiao Chuxia understood immediately, her face turning even redder. She was so angry she could barely speak.
"You, you, you—"
"I told you to leave, didn't I?" Fang Xiu ignored the commotion and stared coldly at the ugly man.
The ugly man acted as if he hadn't heard, smiling slightly. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Sun Dehua. I've long heard of the name 'the Foreseer,' and I've come to visit."
Fang Xiu slowly got up and took out a scalpel. He said, "It seems Chu Feng's torment wasn't enough to deter people. They keep coming to my door."
"Mr. Fang, I am not like Chu Feng. I have important matters to discuss. You recently resolved a Grade-S Specter event, and I heard the headquarters is offering a Spiritual Gadget as a reward. I am here for that Spiritual Gadget. I hope that after you receive it, you won't be stingy and will grant it to me. I would be deeply grateful."
Spiritual Gadget?
Hearing this unfamiliar term, Fang Xiu was deep in thought. Could this be a new weapon developed by headquarters?
At this moment, Xiao Chuxia mocked him.
"Grant it to you? You have a lot of nerve."
Sun Dehua glanced at the graceful Xiao Chuxia, seemingly recalling something. Then, he added, "Oh, and this lady as well. I hope Mr. Fang will grant her to me too."
With the conversation reaching this point, Fang Xiu would be a fool not to realize there was a problem. It was clear that Sun Dehua was deliberately causing trouble.
_'So, what's his purpose?' _
Fang Xiu knew this was his first time at headquarters, so it was impossible for him to have any grudges with others. The only person from headquarters he had offended was Yan Changshou.
"Did Yan Changshou send you?" he asked."