Chapter 24: Date

The doll never expected Li Yunyan to say such a thing. She shyly covered her face while simultaneously raising her signboard.

[No, no, we are just colleagues (ω)]

"That looks suspicious as hell!" Li Yunyan muttered under her breath.

Hearing Li Yunyan's words, Li Yela first quipped, "Can't you think of anything other than 'keeping' someone in that head of yours?"

Then, realizing the implication, he said in surprise, "Aren't you afraid?"

The doll was completely bewildered and hurriedly checked herself to see if any strands of hair were showing.

Li Yunyan, however, shook her head. Her curse prevented her from looking directly at any creature other than Li Yela; she couldn't look at humans, animals, or even living plants.

Consequently, every time Li Yela went to the market, he had to buy fish that were already slaughtered. As for vegetables, there was no way around it—Li Yunyan could only avoid them.

It had reached the point where Li Yunyan had seen Li Yela carry bags of grotesque, terrifying things into the kitchen, only to turn them all into normal food.

"Perhaps it's because I haven't seen her true self?" Li Yunyan analyzed to the doll. "I can only see a very cute snowman doll. Why is she dressed like that?"

The doll responded by raising her sign: [People feel fear when they see me (_)]

She didn't hide her curse; instead, she had openly informed Li Yunyan.

"That is quite the opposite of me," Li Yunyan remarked. "I feel fear looking at everyone."

The doll seemed surprised and immediately looked toward Li Yela.

Li Yela nodded slightly and whispered to the doll, "The Captain knows, but please keep it a secret."

[Mhm, my lips are sealed (｀＾)ノ]

Li Yunyan's and the doll's curses were exact opposites.

In Li Yunyan's eyes, everyone was a demon or a monster. She was afraid of everyone she looked at.

To outsiders, the doll looked like a demon or a monster. Everyone was afraid of her.

To avoid her curse, the doll wore a mascot suit to obscure her appearance.

This prevented the curse from taking effect because people could not see her true form.

As a result, Li Yunyan's curse also failed to work; she only saw a snowman doll.

"So, if I could dress every living thing in your field of vision in a mascot suit, you wouldn't have to be afraid anymore?" Li Yela mused.

"I feel like that's a stupid solution," Li Yunyan remarked.

Having understood the situation, the doll reminded him: [Your sister's condition isn't suitable for staying out on the streets for long. Let's go quickly; I've called the logistics team (ωυ)]

The logistics team was a specialized unit within the branch responsible for cleanup and support; they belonged to the logistics department but were not psychics.

For example, the driver who came to help Li Yela move his luggage was an ordinary person.

Usually, while psychics were executing missions, they were responsible for transporting psychic weaponry or transport personnel.

Thus, he didn't ask many questions. After nodding to Li Yela and the doll, he silently loaded the luggage into the back of a van.

As the three of them drove onto the highway, Li Yela and Li Yunyan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Li Yunyan didn't look at the "monsters" outside the window, instead focusing her attention on chatting with the doll.

Perhaps it was because it was the first time in years that she had spoken face-to-face with an outsider.

Or perhaps it was because she shared a similar sense of loneliness with the doll.

The two of them chatted very happily.

They talked about everything from what seasonings to put in the specialty mochi of Border City No. 3, to the extravagant lifestyle of the Lava Mine City, which used plasma cannons and thermobaric bombs to level everything.

They talked about almost everything.

Soon, the three arrived at the family apartments.

After presenting their credentials from the Calamity Management Bureau, the three were allowed into the residential area.

Yang Chen had been very thorough in his preparations, specifically selecting several well-located houses for Li Yela to choose from.

Once Li Yunyan made her selection, the payment and stamping could be processed immediately.

They could move in that very night.

Around midnight, Li Yela and Li Yunyan moved into their official apartment.

It was a three-bedroom, one-living-room unit on the seventh floor of Building 3 of the family apartments.

It was said to cost 25 Merit Points, but the remainder was covered by Captain Yang Chen, who called it a prior reward.

Having settled everything, Li Yela said to the doll standing at the door, "Thank you."

If not for the help of Yang Chen and the doll, Li Yela would likely have spent much more time on this. He was very grateful.

The doll raised her sign in response: [It's fine, it's fine, I had a great time chatting too (..)]

"Are you free tomorrow then?" Li Yela took the opportunity to invite her. He remembered his promise to treat the doll to a meal.

To this end, he had specifically asked for leave from the antique shop owner, hanging up the phone amidst the owner's surprised question, "Have you finally come to your senses?"

[Mhm (**)] The joy was evident between the lines of the sign.

"Then let's go have lunch tomorrow at noon?"

[Okayヾ(ゞ)]

Only after the doll had cheerfully departed did Li Yela close the door.

He then heard Li Yunyan say with a strange expression, "She's a yandere, brother!"

"What yandere?" Li Yela was bewildered, having no idea what his sister meant.

"That colleague of yours, the doll," Li Yunyan said, counting on her fingers with a mysterious look. "She followed you home without you even knowing. And she's so enthusiastic toward you; she watched you several times in the car. She even helped you move just to have lunch with you as soon as possible. Isn't that a yandere?"

"And that beautiful senior who takes such good care of you—she sounds very mature and steady," Li Yunyan added jokingly. "A battleground is coming... how exciting!"

"What are you even talking about?" Li Yela frowned and tapped Li Yunyan on the forehead. "She just happened to meet someone with high enough curse resistance to not be affected by her curse. Don't overthink it."

As for the "three great illusions of life," Li Yela knew them all too well; he never indulged in such fantasies.

Li Yunyan, clutching her forehead, couldn't help but huff.

She also understood that Li Yela didn't yet realize how much one craves and treasures meeting someone they can communicate with normally in a lonely world.

Thinking of this, Li Yunyan spoke up, "Brother, you need to dress up tomorrow. Where is that suit from last time?"

Li Yela thought for a moment; it seemed his last suit was still with Cheese.

"Then let's go buy a new one. We just bought a house in full, let's be extravagant!" Li Yunyan declared with a grand gesture.

Meanwhile, back at the branch, the doll immediately opened her communicator and contacted a female operative she was close with.

She asked what she should wear and how she should do her makeup tomorrow.

"Is the doll... going on a date???" The female operatives who received the message were shocked, and the fires of gossip were instantly ignited.

Thus, aside from Cheese, who was busy preparing for her promotion and couldn't attend to communications, several other female operatives immediately joined the gossip.

The doll was powerful yet heartbreaking, and she maintained good relationships with many operatives in the branch.

After quickly grasping the situation, those operatives made up their minds.

'Tomorrow, we must give the doll an unforgettable date!'

'Arrange it! We must arrange it!' Even the gossip-loving Medic Captain chimed in, 'All non-duty logistics members, move!'

Consequently, at noon the next day, Li Yela, wearing a newly purchased trench coat, saw the doll at the intersection outside the family apartments.

Today, she had changed into a khaki bear mascot suit. Compared to yesterday's snowman suit, it looked more slender and delicate.

She was currently standing at the intersection, playing with several passing children.

Upon seeing Li Yela, she waved from a distance.

As Li Yela approached, words flashed on the signboard in the doll's hands.

[This outfit is very handsome (..)]

"Thank you," Li Yela said with a smile after the heavy compliment. "Do you have a favorite restaurant?"

Seeing the doll shake her head, Li Yela thought for a moment and pointed to a prominent restaurant in the distance. "Is this place okay?"

The doll looked at it for a moment and nodded, seemingly indifferent to where they ate.

Thus, the two walked side-by-side along the bustling street.

Unbeknownst to them, two different groups were watching them.

One group consisted of operatives hiding by the roadside.

"Is that the Night General? He's quite handsome!"

"Are they going to the Longde Restaurant?"

"Contact the manager there and arrange the best private room!"

"We're going too; we can't let anything interfere with the doll's date!"

"Tell the band there to play love songs!"

The operatives communicated secretly and immediately took action.

The other group was hiding inside a car by the roadside, watching Li Yela in the distance with dark gazes.

"It is indeed him. We can confirm from the Wang family's testimony that he was the one who destroyed the altar!" the driver said. "He moved last night, leaving the place empty. He's quite clever!"

"Don't be careless. Lord Black Umbrella suffered a setback at his hands!" the person in the passenger seat said.

"Lord Black Umbrella stumbled in a gutter. When facing official operatives, one should disable their limbs immediately rather than trying to make friends," said a muscular man in the backseat. "Follow them! Before he can call for backup, take him down to wash away Lord Black Umbrella's disgrace!"

On the other side, as Li Yela approached the restaurant, he realized it was indeed the Longde Restaurant.

It was a famous restaurant located at the junction of the Old Town and the Ring District, with a high price point. A single meal would cost at least several hundred Great City Credits.

'I've really become quite bold, daring to go to Longde Restaurant,' Li Yela thought to himself, but he did not hesitate, leading the doll into the restaurant.

Though he was usually frugal, he wouldn't be stingy at a time like this.

However, as soon as they entered, a tall, well-dressed waiter approached them.

Li Yela thought the man was going to tell them that mascot suits were not allowed inside.

Instead, the familiar-looking waiter smiled and said, "Welcome, both of you! Congratulations, you are the ninth couple of the day! Since nine is our restaurant's lucky number, your entire bill will be half-off! And we will provide you with a top-tier private booth!"

"Uh, we aren't a couple," Li Yela explained, while looking at the waiter. He felt the man looked familiar, and not just that—he seemed to recognize several faces in the lobby.

"No matter, no matter," the waiter said enthusiastically. "I see you are a handsome couple, and entering the restaurant at this hour must be some kind of destiny. Please, follow me..."

Li Yela wanted to retort that while the doll was indeed beautiful, she was currently wearing a cartoon bear suit—how could he be called a "handsome couple"?

Furthermore, it was only 11:32 AM. What was so special about that time?

"What do you think?" Li Yela turned to the doll, only to find her shyly covering her face, though she showed no sign of refusing.

'Fine, if there's a discount, why not take it?' Li Yela thought, and followed the waiter into the lobby.

Some guests in the lobby didn't seem to care about a mascot entering; instead, they gave Li Yela and the doll friendly smiles.

'Today... is going exceptionally well. It seems I have lucky streaks too,' Li Yela thought. He then entered the private booth on the second floor.

This was his plan all along; since the doll couldn't be seen by outsiders, they had to go to a private booth.

Not long after they sat down and placed their order, the dishes were served immediately.

"Our luck really is great," Li Yela remarked.

The doll, however, raised her signboard: [Could you turn around? I need to change clothes (ω)]

Li Yela understood and turned his back.

Since he was unaffected by the doll's curse, she naturally didn't want to continue eating in a mascot suit. She likely hadn't eaten in a normal state with anyone before.

Listening to the rustling sounds behind him, Li Yela tried his best not to think about anything else.

Until he heard a soft voice: "I'm ready."

Li Yela turned around and saw a beautiful young woman standing where the mascot suit had been.

She wore a white floral blouse, her fingers clutching the edge of a black pleated skirt, revealing long, ivory-white legs beneath the hem.

Beneath her flowing hair was a flushed, shy face.

Her naturally beautiful features were enhanced by light makeup, making her look even more stunning.

Seeing Li Yela's gaze, her face turned even redder, and she stepped out from the discarded mascot suit in white round-toed leather shoes.

She looked as if she had stepped out of a painting.

"Let's eat," the doll said, looking into Li Yela's eyes tenderly.

Meanwhile, outside the Longde Restaurant.

"It's confirmed that the target entered this restaurant. There's no sign of him in the lobby; he's likely in an upstairs booth! This is better; it won't attract attention from others."

"But be careful, his strength is not weak. His ability is unknown!"

"What is there to worry about?" the muscular man sneered. "I am a second-awakened psychic, plus the two of you are first-awakened. Can the three of us not take down one man in a sneak attack? He isn't even carrying a weapon! Don't forget, if we can satisfy Lord Black Umbrella, our hope for magic potion materials will increase."

Then, the man led his two companions forward and pushed open the restaurant doors.

He grabbed a waiter and demanded, "Where is the guy who just came in with the mascot? Which booth?"

Strangely, in an instant, the lobby became exceptionally quiet. A dozen pairs of eyes turned toward the man simultaneously.

"..." The man frowned, about to snap in anger.

But his face suddenly turned deathly pale.

"So the curse of the Night General encountering enemies upon leaving is real?" The operatives, disguised as guests and waiters, smiled.

As for the waiter who had been grabbed, he reached out and patted the man's face. "You kid, you certainly arrived at the perfect time!"