Vodka sensibly shifted the car into neutral.
“To be honest, Gin.” Vermouth observed the expression of the youth in the back seat through the rearview mirror, his fair, jade-like fingers pressing against his cheek, a few stray strands of hair caught beneath them, giving his an air of satisfaction as if she had just woken from a spring nap. “Even if Rye is truly an undercover, he has been your partner so many times. Do you really think he will slip up this time?”
As she spoke, the Blonde-haired woman deliberately raised his hand to tap his cheek, revealing an intrigued smile.
His blue eyes sparkled: "I think this plan.. doesn't quite seem like your usual style."
..
His blue eyes revealed a hint of amusement. "To be honest, I don't really like that guy."
Sheila lay on her back on the large white bed, tilting her head to look at her Brother lying on the other side of the bed, a hint of playful cunning appearing in the smile at the corners of her mouth: "Brother, is there something wrong with the person you chose?"
Heine covered his face in pain: "Stop talking about it."
He truly regretted it now. Originally, it was just to provide an extra layer of security for his sister's trip to Africa—especially after learning that Gin was also going to Africa—as a brother, he was terrified that his soft and cute (?) sister would be devoured without a trace by some silver-haired snow leopard.
However, he never expected that the one who would lead the wolves into his home would be himself.
Why did everything turn out this way? Was it a corruption of morality, or a loss of human nature? It's because all those wolves and leopards are coveting his Sister!
This question was far too difficult; even the Magic Conch could not answer it, let alone Heine.
So, a handsome man with reddish-brown hair—yes, he had dyed his hair yet again—buried his face in the pillow, looking as if he were saying, ".."
Sheila did not care at all about his brother's existential crisis; she gave a soft laugh, the mirth in his sea-like eyes deepening. He reached out to grab his Brother's arm, swaying it playfully as if acting spoiled.
Considering Heine's injuries, Sheila did not use much force with his arm, but Heine clearly had no intention of struggling.
At this moment, it was hard to tell whether it was the realization that his "secretive protection had been discovered by his Sister" that caused him more panic, or if the blow of "his clumsy attempt to play it safe had actually invited the wolf into the house" was more devastating.
Sheila naturally did not want his Brother to remain silent, his Target this time was not to play 'Red Light, Green Light' with Heine. His blue eyes darted around, the Black-haired girl rarely felt such childish whimsy; she raised his arms and clapped them twice in the air to catch his brother's attention: "Wake up! Wake up!"
The Girl's clear, sweet voice was laced with an innocence that seemed untouched by the world, the Dove wing tattoo on his arm looked so lifelike it seemed ready to take flight. Heine turned his head, meeting his Sister's azure blue eyes, which were almost identical to his own.
At this moment, it felt as if everything had returned to several years ago, back when they were still by Heloise's side.
Back then, she was still a cute little girl, like a newborn fledgling, fluffy and damp, chirping at you with clear eyes, every note carrying innocence and childishness.
And he was only at an age where he could barely be called a youth, walking along while holding his sister's hand, contemplating when he would be able to save enough money to buy an entire set of models.
Now, he can buy dozens or even hundreds of those model sets he once dreamed of without even blinking—
But the time that has flown by can never be returned.
Heine let out a soft sigh.
..
Gin heard his own sigh.
In that moment, he himself felt a sense of surprise and a touch of confusion.
Because even he himself did not know why he let out that sigh.
Perhaps it was because he was about to see off an outstanding laborer? Perhaps it was because, after all the twists and turns, everything seemed to align with the tracks of the Plot? Or perhaps it was because—
Why was it?
Gin didn't think much of it.
He lowered his gaze slightly, using his usual expression and his usual tone: "You care about this?"
“Not exactly.” Vermouth's rebuttal came in less than a second. He tucked his flowing blonde hair behind his ear, his gaze no longer fixed on his reflection in the mirror. "Just a bit curious. Besides—"
The Woman prolonged his words, his tone carrying a hint of grievance that sounded almost like true feelings. "Rye is so smart; it won't be hard for him to discover the truth afterward, right? It's not you who is coming to interview, so won't it be incredibly awkward when I meet him?"
When the time comes, you might not even need to feel awkward meeting him; it might end up being a life-or-death struggle—or at the very least, a tense standoff.
Gin thought nonchalantly.
Without knowing what his mindset was, Gin raised an eyebrow and let out a light chuckle; his low, husky hum seemed to send a small current through the air, a tingling sensation of dizziness traveling up his spine.
"Let's make a bet." The silver-haired youth tilted his head slightly, a touch of cold detachment in his green eyes, as a faint curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.
I bet—this time, there will be a 'Result'.
Whether it be trust or suspicion, a "Result" will surely emerge this time.
But would Gin really set aside his suspicions?
Vermouth did not think so—because she himself wouldn't. Or rather, among the high-level members of the Black Organization, few would.
Similarly, Vermouth did not think Gin was just speaking casually—this man accepted his losses, but he hated losing just as much.
So, the so-called 'Result'..
What could it be?
“……” Vermouth lowered his eyes slightly.
The blonde-haired woman let out a light, warm chuckle, then turned to her side to unbuckle her seatbelt and turned her head to look at Gin—the real Gin, not the reflection in the rearview mirror—as her blue eyes met his green eyes.
Vermouth's eyes held undisguised probing and suspicion; she had always been a brilliant and sharp peerless beauty, a Poppy blooming amidst blood and lies.
After a long silence, a smile curled at the corners of the Woman's mouth, a smile blooming like a red lotus, "Fine."
..
A bright smile hung on the girl's face, like the warm sun of spring and blooming peach blossoms: "Seriously, you should believe me, Brother."
Heine felt quite wronged about this: "I've always believed in you—who else could I possibly believe in besides you?"
Anyway, for Heine, the ranking of that Father far away in Sicily was clearly lower than that of his Sister.
Of course I know—!" Sheila lowered his eyes slightly, a hint of obscurity clouding his blue eyes, but his voice remained full of energy. "What I mean is, you should have more faith in my strength.
"But you—" Heine choked for a moment, swallowing hard as he attempted to argue.
“No buts,” Sheila said solemnly. “We have been separated for so many years—”
The Girl looked at her Brother, her eyes filled with a rare, solemn seriousness: "All those years, without you, I have walked this path well on my own."
As soon as these words were spoken, both siblings felt an indescribable pang of bitterness.
Furry and wet, it chirped at you with clear eyes, every note carrying a sense of childhood and innocence; that Fledgling—
It has grown up, grown up in a place you couldn't see.
It is an Owl.
The truth was clearly written in the girl's eyes.
Heine didn't want to bring up the topic: "I heard he recently found out your mobile phone number? What do you plan to do? Is he still pestering you?"
Sheila stared fixedly at his brother for three seconds before finally letting out a soft sigh.
"Yes." He then obediently cooperated with his brother, though this answer clearly did not make Heine happy.
The Red-haired man frowned deeply. "You don't need to worry, I will handle it."
“No thanks.” Sheila gave a light cough, propping himself up with his hands and looking down at his brother, who was still lying in bed. “I don't plan on cutting ties with him yet.”
"!!" Heine's eyes widened in shock. After a long moment, he made a contorted expression as if he had swallowed a whole egg—clearly, this contortion was not directed at his sister.
It was crystal clear who it was aimed at.
Heine forced down his anger. Naturally, he had no leisure to continue lying there like a corpse; like Sheila, he propped himself up and leaned closer to his Sister, suppressing his displeasure. "If you are planning to fall in love.."
What are you talking about?" Seeing that his Brother's thoughts had wandered off again, Sheila felt both exasperated and amused. He gave a light cough. "I have no intention of dating—
Then you—?
"I also have no intention of cutting ties with him," Sheila corrected.
Heine's gaze suddenly turned strange, under his gaze, Sheila felt uneasy for the first time.
The Red-haired man remained silent for a long time, his gaze scanning his Sister over and over again before he seemed to finally make up his mind, speaking haltingly, "You are already grown up. If you truly want to find a one-night stand partner.."
Wait!" Sheila interrupted his brother in horror, "What on earth are you talking about?!
Heine hesitated for a long while: "If you want to play both sides.. I don't mind, as long as the boat doesn't capsize—so what if you're a scumbag? After all, you are my sister.."
His voice grew smaller under Sheila's gaze.
Seeing that Heine's imagination was running wild, Sheila finally could no longer hold back: "You are really overthinking it, Brother."
He cleared his throat lightly and explained the reason, "My adoptive father is also named Anthony."
..
The hunched-over old man coughed lightly, the originally clear and charming female voice instantly turned into a hoarse, dry, turbid tone.
He winked at Gin, a look in his eyes that did not belong to an old man.
—But one that belonged to Vermouth.
I hope that when I'm trapped, you'll come to save me.
Before leaving, Vermouth left behind a sentence as if he were joking.
"Once." The silver-haired youth gave an unexpected reply.
I will save you once.
The sun was bright, yet it cast an obscure shadow over him.
-----------------------
Author's Note: I was so surprised to see so many landmines and Nutrient solution, also a bit guilty—after all, I haven't updated in several days..
I'll post two chapters tomorrow. Mwah~
..
Thank you to the Little Angels who voted for me with Overlord Tickets or provided Nutrient solution~
Thank you to the Little Angels who sent [Landmines]: Tiannan Dibei Little Angel, 22538773, Anjing Nishi 1;
Thanks to the Little Angels who provided Nutrient solution:
Xiaoxiaoxiao 65 bottles; Liquor Group Model 44 bottles; Bi'an Hua 35 bottles; Chūzenji Fuyuhiko 30 bottles; Guimu 10 bottles; Mutong 8 bottles; Ningwang, 22538773 5 bottles; Kongshan Jue 4 bottles; Huyan Jueruo Xing 2 bottles; Yedi Diya, Snare, Suo Bu Zhu Si, Xingluo 1 bottle;
Thank you all so much for your support, I will continue to work hard!