Volume 4, Chapter 53 – Don’t Even Think About It (Part 2)

“The video is finished. Monster Mountain Hermit supervised the entire process, so you can rest assured.”

On the phone, Anran spoke to Lü Changming with a smile.

“I’ll send you the video in a moment. As for the price, we can discuss the details after your side has talked it over.”

“&%#@%&”

“A rough estimate? Machine Gun Warrior Generation One is fifty thousand Bilu per unit, and Butler No. 1 is sixty thousand Bilu per unit.”

“&%@#%&”

“Tch. Take it or leave it. By the way, you should already know what happened on South Island. Help me take care of it, or those police officers will keep chasing me around. It’s annoying as hell.”

“@#%&@#”

“Pleasure doing business with you.”

Anran hung up immediately.

She had entered the city by another road, taking a longer detour. Just as she was about to enter the urban district, she received a text message from Lü Changming. South Island had already been notified, and the warrant for her arrest was being revoked immediately.

That solved the problem.

She stepped hard on the accelerator. The strong wind pouring in through the window instantly silenced Li Zhuying, who had been muttering nonstop.

For now, she was still incapable of arguing against a headwind.

Besides, she was sitting in the back seat with Machine Gun Warrior on her left and Butler No. 1 on her right. Such high-level supervision was rarely seen anywhere on No. 1886.

She had wanted to spend some quality time with Anran and deepen their relationship, but she had really ended up as nothing more than an errand runner. It was enough to make her cry.

With nothing else to do, Li Zhuying could only open the forums and browse for a while.

She generally did not visit the Current Affairs board. She had been on the battlefield herself before and already understood the situation very well.

It was always the same. Morningstar would gain some minor advantage somewhere today, and tomorrow the Security Department’s army would tear open one of Morningstar’s defensive lines.

Even the Battle of Wutong City, which Morningstar had taken such pride in, had reached a turning point.

The garrison had failed to take Wutong City. After more than a month of back-and-forth fighting, Morningstar’s people had fled in disarray.

In the Off-Topic section, however, Li Zhuying discovered another discussion thread about Anran.

The main topic was actually the Mechanic profession.

At first, a player had revealed that Morningstar’s attempt to assassinate Anran had failed, then viciously mocked the players on Morningstar’s side on the forums.

The two sides soon began hurling insults at each other. As the argument continued, however, it gradually turned into a question.

They were all Mechanics, and no one could see anything unusual about Anran’s Mechanic profession. Yet she was so powerful that she had become a major threat to a story faction like Morningstar, while ordinary player Mechanics were as weak as doge.

Spending so much time making a gun was not even as worthwhile as buying one outside.

[The developers said players can reach any height an NPC can reach, but isn’t the Mechanic’s barrier to entry way too high right now?]

[Ordinary players can’t afford to grind this profession at all. Even whales probably wouldn’t play it.]

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[If you want to play Mechanic, choose Machina. They don’t look great, but the start will be much easier.]

[There’s something wrong with this profession’s balance.]

[Anyway, I’ve already switched to a new profession.]

[Mechanics become very strong in the late game once they develop.]

[It still feels like the profession’s power curve is way too uneven.]

[I strongly demand that they strengthen Mechanics in the early game, or at least make blueprints easier to obtain.]

[I’m going to submit feedback. Bye.]

Mechanics really did seem rather weak in the early game, Li Zhuying thought.

Someone like Anran was an exception. That was because Anran was simply too amazing, Li Zhuying continued thinking.

“We’re here.”

Anran parked the car near the station, and Li Zhuying reluctantly got out.

Although she wanted to run away, Anran’s strength meant she would be caught again almost immediately.

Logging out on the spot was also an option, since this was a safe zone. However, neither logging out nor running away would solve the fundamental problem. Anran did not want her to stay, so she had no way to approach Anran openly and honorably.

She might as well go back obediently.

Having accepted the situation, Li Zhuying was about to say goodbye to Anran.

“Go on, go on. Hurry up and leave.” Aila showed no intention of asking her to stay.

Li Zhuying opened her mouth, wanting to say something.

As they stood in the plaza, a mature male voice suddenly came from behind them.

“What an incredible coincidence, Miss Anla. I never imagined that we would meet again amid this vast sea of people.”

Huh?

At the mention of the name Anla, coupled with that somewhat familiar voice, Anran thought for a moment and recalled the newcomer’s name: Adrian.

He was a talent scout who had come to No. 1886 on vacation.

The company he worked for seemed to be called Muguang Entertainment Company.

Which planet in Sea Blue Forest had he come from again?

Anran still remembered the words printed on that card decorated with blue skies and white clouds: Dedicated to Heart-Pounding Entertainment for Five Hundred Years.

In reality, however, it was a “professional” company that produced R18 fan works based on anime, films, and television productions.

“What a coincidence!”

Adrian had already walked right up to her, so Anran could not pretend she did not recognize him.

She could only give him an awkward smile.

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“Anran, Anran, who is this?” Aila suddenly asked.

“Anran…”

Li Zhuying followed suit.

Uh…

Anran did not even have time to stop the two of them.

Aila in particular always repeated Anran’s name whenever she called out to her, so she said it especially quickly.

“Anran?” A “puzzled” expression appeared on Adrian’s face.

“Actually…” Anran was just about to explain when her expression suddenly changed. She remembered that she had altered her appearance the last time she met Zhou Jieyu.

It had only been light makeup, but she had worn glasses and dressed in a literary-girl style. How had a man who had met her only once recognized her? Unless he already knew her true identity.

“You lied to me? You actually know who I am, don’t you?”

A knife shot forward, stopping just in front of Adrian’s throat.

Adrian retreated several steps and hurriedly waved both hands. “Don’t be impulsive. Don’t be impulsive. I was only joking. I do indeed know your true identity now, Miss Anran.”

It was exactly as she had guessed.

But Anran did not put away the knife.

She even began to doubt Adrian’s identity. Could he have been sent by Morningstar, or was he perhaps a member of Night Owl?

“Don’t look at me like that. I really am only a talent scout.”

Adrian lightly tapped the ring around his wrist, and something resembling an identity certificate immediately appeared in midair.

It showed that Adrian’s current place of residence was Kelodo Star.

A ticket then appeared beside the identity certificate.

It was for a journey from Kelodo Star to No. 1886, dated more than a month earlier.

“Both of these were issued and authenticated by the Empire. They are extremely difficult to forge. If you want to verify them, you only need to visit the state government office or that organization called Nine Songs,” Adrian explained.

“…”

Anran silently put away her knife.

For fuck’s sake.

In truth, whether Adrian was a member of Night Owl or not, Anran had no desire to see him again.

“Anran, Anran, what’s going on?” Aila asked, completely unable to understand what had happened.

Anran cast aside the chaotic thoughts in her mind and explained, “This uncle is called Adrian. We met once before in Yaxi City.”

“Then what did he mean by Anla?” Aila continued asking.

“That’s just an insignificant matter. I’ll tell you about it later when I have time.”

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Anran gave Li Zhuying and Aila a meaningful look.

Li Zhuying immediately understood. She realized that Anran did not seem to want to deal with this man, so she asked no more questions.

Aila also “understood.” She raised her small hand and walked toward Adrian.

“Wait.”

Anran hurriedly stopped Aila. It seemed the girl had interpreted the look as an order to beat Adrian up.

That was still a habit left over from the biochemical laboratory.

Mm…

Fortunately, Aila did not cause any trouble.

“Miss Anran looks even more charming than before,” Adrian remarked. “Is this adorable little girl your younger sister?”

“Mm.” Anran nodded, showing little interest.

But Adrian seemed not to notice. “Then who is this young lady? When I met Miss Anran last time, there was a different girl with you.”

Hm?

Li Zhuying’s heart stirred.

“You could call her my business partner,” Anran said. Seeing that Adrian still wanted to continue, she immediately cut him off. “To be honest, there is no possibility that I’ll accept your invitation. Since you’ve investigated my background, you should understand that we have nothing to discuss.”

“Miss Anran, there’s no need to reject me so decisively. I’ve come with absolute sincerity. After investigating your identity and background, I’m even more convinced that you possess enormous potential.”

“Spare me. I’m not qualified for such high-end work. Go find someone else.” Anran curled her lips.

No. She had to get away quickly.

“Our productions don’t focus on acting skill, but on the right feeling. As a Level Two talent scout, I have great faith in my judgment. Miss Anran, you would definitely be perfect for the role of the Pirate Princess in her youth!” Adrian said.

Li Zhuying suddenly asked, “An actress? Are you a talent scout?”

“That’s right. I’m a Level Two talent scout from Muguang Entertainment Company.” Adrian nodded politely.

Wow!

Li Zhuying looked at Anran with stars shining in her eyes. Anran was incredible. Even a talent scout from another planet kept trying to persuade her to become an actress.

As expected of Anran.

“Actually, Anran, I think you could consider it. With your looks, you’d definitely become famous,” Li Zhuying whispered.

“Miss Anran, you see? Even your companion agrees.”

Anran’s expression changed. “Consider it, my ass! Do you even know what kind of productions they make? R18 works, damn it!”

She really wanted to beat up the talkative Li Zhuying.

“What? R18?” Li Zhuying asked in shock.

“What did you think?”

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“…”

Li Zhuying remained silent for a long time. Adrian was about to take out some of the company’s productions and analyze them for Anran when Li Zhuying suddenly spoke again.

“No! Absolutely not.” Li Zhuying repeatedly shook her head.

Huh?

Li Zhuying continued, “You want Anran to film an R18 production for you? Don’t even think about it! Even if Anran and I were paired together, it would still be absolutely out of the question!”

That last sentence could have been omitted.

Anran glared at Li Zhuying.

“R18 productions aren’t as shallow as everyone imagines. They can also be works of art. If you don’t believe me, I can show you some of our company’s productions,” Adrian said.

Aila tugged at the corner of Anran’s clothes. “Anran, Anran, what does R18 mean?”

“In any case, no means no! Don’t even think about it!”

Before Anran could speak, Li Zhuying had already transformed into a devoted crusader.

“Exactly. There is no chance I’ll agree. Go find someone else. I think Heloise from Morningstar would be a good choice. Why don’t you kidnap her and take her back with you?”

“Heloise?”

“That’s right. I think she’d be suitable.”

“I’ve taken the time to learn about recent events on No. 1886. Heloise would never work.”

“That’s because you haven’t seen her in person.”

“Speaking of seeing her in person, I saw her two days ago when I went to Trade Station No. 1 to collect something. Several people from other planets were with her at the time. Heloise is certainly beautiful, but she looks far too mature. No, no. I think…”

“Wait!” Anran suddenly interrupted Adrian. “Did you just say you saw Heloise with people from other planets at Trade Station No. 1?”

“That’s right.”

A bolt of lightning seemed to flash through Anran’s mind.

“What were they doing?”

“Why are you asking?”

“Cut the nonsense and tell me!”

“All right, all right. I’ll tell you. I saw them outside the trade station. They seemed to be measuring something.”

“!!!”

The trade stations!

Could Morningstar’s next targets be the trade stations established by the Empire?

Well, well. Now this was getting interesting.