123: Considering the future

"Kong Jiamu agreed just like that?"

Lance clicked her tongue in wonder. "He's never taken an endorsement before. That's a huge favor; he's really willing to give it."

After tidying up this morning, Tu Nan ran to Lance's room to report on the situation.

"What endorsement?" She raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise, and corrected Lance. "Don't talk nonsense; he didn't give any authorization."

Tu Nan comfortably finished a cup of tea, feeling her whole body relax. "It's just a story."

"Here's the plan: I'm responsible for getting the scent of lve yan on him. As for you... find someone to ask him what perfume he's wearing."

"There must be a real person, um... a regular in social circles would be best, to spread the word that the perfume he's switched to has a unique scent."

"And then..."

Tu Nan gave a mysterious smile.

"We can arrange for people to tell the story from the ship. We'll say it's a perfume from a lady—mysterious and distant. In the moment they brushed past each other, our Young Master Peacock was attracted and looked back."

"That lady later gave him a unique bottle. Then, naturally, he named this perfume lve yan."

Lance tilted her head and thought for a moment, realizing that after the story was rearranged like this, it was distinctly different from the original.

It sounded like Kong Jiamu had formed a bond with a mysterious lady because of a perfume.

She didn't have much concern; her eyes were filled more with an eagerness to try.

"Will this work? Will Kong Jiamu really not Life Qi?"

"Didn't I just give him a heads-up?" Tu Nan was surprised, looking innocent and sincere. "I didn't say a single false word. I even specifically mentioned lve yan."

Lance stuffed food into her mouth in large gulps, making her speech a bit muffled.

"They underestimated you; they deserve to suffer a bit."

"What do you mean 'suffer'..." Tu Nan disagreed. "I'm helping him make his persona a bit more affectionate. I'm being kind by not charging him money."

"Whatever makes you happy..." Lance was speechless.

"Alright, let's not talk about that." Tu Nan motioned to end the topic and asked about the part she cared about.

"Are the arrangements for after we disembark all settled?"

Lance gave her a look that said 'Who do you think I am?'.

"You only have three steps to take. That day, I'll make sure you put on that Biological Soft Armor and then stand to Kong Jiamu's right. When your arm is grazed by a bullet, remember to fall toward him. Simple, right?"

"It'll hurt a bit, but I'm sure you can endure it."

Lance tapped her own chest, meaning Tu Nan was like her and could tolerate pain.

"Anyway, once you grab him, it'll be easier for the Fox to run."

Tu Nan nodded. No problem, she could definitely grab the Peacock in a state of panic. But the thought of getting injured again made her somewhat unhappy.

"Sigh. If it weren't for my trash Physique, I'd really want you guys to just snipe the Peacock directly, and then I could play the hero saving the beauty..."

Lance deeply agreed.

"Exactly. If I were in good health, I would have gone to the Weapon Research Institute. In the end, they rejected me because of my poor Physique."

That's probably not the reason at all... Tu Nan believed it was purely for everyone's safety that they had imposed such a ban on Lance.

"What about the Children?" Lance asked.

Tu Nan thought for a moment.

"I'll talk to them."

Even though the two little ones were young, they were already very sensible. If she didn't explain things clearly to them, it would be too dangerous if they rushed out.

Moreover, Tu Nan didn't want them to be frightened.

"They will understand me..."

With that bit of worry, Tu Nan bid farewell to Lance and returned to her room.

On the way, a figure turned into a side corridor.

It looked familiar... that was Amy.

Tu Nan lightened her steps and slowly approached.

Amy was on a call.

"I'll be at the port in six days. Jimmy, is Mom okay?"

"I still have to go... I'll stay home for five days. Don't cry, be good. You're almost a big kid now, right?"

"Big sister needs to earn money... I'll try my best to take leave, okay? Wait for me to come back."

Amy ended the call and turned around to see Tu Nan watching her.

"Ah!" She was a bit panicked.

Taking a private call during work hours could lead to a pay cut if a guest complained; she quickly apologized.

"Did I disturb you? I... my younger brother is still small; he keeps calling if I don't answer." She wanted Tu Nan to let her off out of sympathy.

Tu Nan naturally wouldn't make things difficult for a poor worker; she was just curious.

"What's wrong? Trouble at home?"

Seeing that Tu Nan's attitude was gentle and she didn't seem like she would complain, Amy hesitated for a moment and whispered, "My mother fell ill, but I'm away working all day. My brother is only in the Childhood Stage; he's scared."

Tu Nan was slightly dazed.

Mother and younger brother... these words made her thoughts drift.

Tu Nan suddenly realized that she hadn't thought about those past events for a long time.

Although on the surface, she was thinking more and her mind was more tired than when she first arrived in this world, she was also clearly much calmer than when she first came.

She was gradually restoring her trust in people.

Thinking of Ji Yu, Lance, Gaia, Lisa, Little Bear, and even Owen.

And of course, the most important Children.

She had formed connections with so many people.

This world was no longer illusory to her; it was pulling at her heart and mind bit by bit.

This made her unable to resist asking Amy.

"Lance said she wanted to help you, why were you unwilling?" She saw the girl shudder, and the look she gave was tinged with suspicion.

"You..." Probably remembering that in the chaos that day, Tu Nan had followed Lance back to her room, Amy began to regret saying so much to Tu Nan.

"Don't misunderstand." Tu Nan smiled to reassure her. "Both Lance and I wanted to help you simply because we couldn't bear to see a fellow Female suffering."

Tu Nan somewhat understood why Lance liked to tease this girl. Everything was written on her face, and her jumpy attitude was like a rabbit's.

Hmm... she probably really was a rabbit; the features of her ears were too obvious.

"A fellow... Female?" Amy's eyes gradually widened.

Tu Nan nodded innocently.

"It should be written in the guest information. She's just exceptionally handsome." Tu Nan asked, "Could I ask you to help me clean my room?"

She added, "Right now."

Amy guessed something, nodded imperceptibly, and said with a flush, "Okay, I'll go right now."

The two of them sat on the sofa in Tu Nan's room, listening to Amy explain the predicament she faced.

It was very common, yet very difficult for her to solve.

Without working, she couldn't earn money to support the Family and pay for her mother's medical expenses. By working, she couldn't take care of her sick mother.

"Then... what if I offer you a job?" Tu Nan asked.

"Would you like to try being my Personal Assistant? You see, I have Two Children to take care of. I'll be starting a company soon, so there will be a lot to do."

Tu Nan thought a bit further ahead.

If she made a wrong move and was forced to separate from the Children, who would she entrust them to?

They could certainly return to Li's side, but actually, the Peacock and Hain weren't necessarily bad choices either.

These were Two Children who would be S-rank in the future; no Family would refuse their joining. But Tu Nan still wanted to leave someone familiar with them.

Lance was too boisterous, while Amy... she was so soft, maybe she would be a suitable candidate?

"So, what do you think? The pay won't be an issue."

Tu Nan asked.