Chapter 575: NO. 157: Iron Hans

NO. 157: Iron Hans

Although located in the eastern district where companies are densely packed, Penguin Logistics' office building is not particularly tall, and its overall space is not as extravagant as other companies'.

The tour wouldn't take long—Aomo thought so, but then he heard Miss Zhenjiling suddenly say she had to step away for a moment to use the restroom.

After he pointed out the nearest restroom, Qianming then followed closely, saying she also needed to go.

This inevitably made him glance unconsciously at Wanshan Siji.

She wore an innocent expression, indicating she had no part in it.

I still remember that in school days, it was common to form cliques when going to the restroom; this phenomenon didn't distinguish gender, only insiders versus outsiders.

Wanshan was mostly on the outside.

"I always feel that little Aomo is thinking of something rude."

"A warm breath came from beside his ear, prompting the boy to unconsciously step forward two paces to widen the distance: 'Illusions are commonplace, Miss Wanshan.'"

"Being human means judging right from wrong with reason."

"Eh? I said you could just call me Wanshan~ It's rare to have this chance to return to youth; little Aomo, why can't you seize the moment and relax a bit? ~"

Like an older sister unable to fix her brother's awkward personality, the brown-haired woman complained with a helpless expression, even trying to reach out to ruffle the boy's hair.

Such actions were clearly too intimate, and the boy avoided them as always.

"Relax? I think you misunderstand; I was like this in my youth, and I've come all the way being this way."

From our first meeting to now, this attempt-and-avoidance back-and-forth has happened six times.

At first glance it looks like a quarreling sibling pair, but the actual truth is far different.

She probably truly sees herself as a youth, just as the angelic being used to always see herself as a child… Aomo doesn't mind that slight offense; rather, no matter how you look at it, such a young, beautiful sister is hard to refuse.

Especially since she is so enthusiastic, even wanting to embrace you in her broad bosom.

But Aomo often stands at the boundary of a person; even when facing those deep, gem-like blue-green eyes, he remains unmoved.

After all, he is not an obtuse fool incapable of empathizing; he can somewhat sense the strange atmosphere of these three horse girls arriving together yet with different purposes.

Even if his initial mindset was extremely unstable, he can, upon sensing some danger, correct his mindset.

And then he further realizes—the risk of being alone with Wanshan Siji.

That is no less than the legendary represented by Qianming, nine wins in nine battles, infinitely approaching the red sports car of that phantom horse girl.

Even if broadcast as a recording, the 54-horse-length race remains dazzling, like a lone eclipse, standing at the peak of the 1800-meter track.

Even Aomo, a horse racing fan of the Dazhenhan era, cannot help but be dazzled, unable to forget that red light and shadow speeding across the Saichang.

And that very silhouette is now beside him.

Exuding a mature aura while also possessing the vitality and charm of a young girl, and this is the result of her wearing simple, elegant attire.

It's hard to imagine that an enthusiastic girl who loves speeding would have such a plain, understated casual style; this freshness also gives her a hint of the neighborly older sister vibe, making Aomo more alert.

The attributes are somewhat targeted, whether intentional or not; the thought horse girl must continue to beat the heart-monkey.

Suddenly, a celebrity idol adopting the neighborly older sister style comes at you, even often lacking a sense of personal space with frequent hands-on gestures… When Aomo's heart-monkey is about to be overwhelmed three pages by the thought horse girl Yima Oula, the other finally utters a sentence that ends the lighthearted comedy atmosphere:

"If you've always been like this, it's no wonder little Qianming and little Ka Lian care so much; don't you mind? Little Aomo, they've been in there for quite a while."

"Don't speak of impropriety; that's not something I should worry about," Aomo observed his nose, his nose observed his heart, the ripples in his heart gradually subsiding, "If you truly care, I'd hope you ask Wanshan yourself."

"Well, sister, I also don't want to get dragged into their back-and-forth; I don't like overcomplicating things," Wanshan walked two steps with hands behind her back, a faint wry smile appearing on her face, "So I also don't want to care why little Aomo knows my preferences, nor what they're chatting about; little Aomo is the same, right?"

"Avoidance always has its reasons; I respect their wishes, and…"

"And?"

"Rather than blindly interfere, it's better to let them sort it out themselves; chaotic changes are no different from standing still."

"Right, right? Only speed can make people feel light and happy, right? ~"

Her smile revealed a few threads of pure innocence—along with naivety: "Can little Aomo drive in this guise?"

"Are you joking?"

"Looking forward~ Little Aomo gets heated with other girls every day yet never comes to see the sister; the sister would also feel a bit lonely, wondering if little Aomo dislikes her for being old."

"I'm old; I can't handle that stimulation," the boy said in an aged, mature tone.

"Pfft… annoying! Is driving more stimulating than turning into a monster?"

"I think these two aren't on the same track, and you came just to say these things?"

"How about hugging cute little Aomo?"

Wanshan blinked, her eyes seeming as if they could speak themselves.

"I think once one reaches youth, they become largely devoid of cuteness."

"No, I think little Aomo's unintentional youthful vibe is just right; even this small-adult appearance carries a youthful feel!"

"That truly is an honor…" Aomo hadn't finished speaking when his gaze unconsciously lifted and then fell back.

"You're quite restrained; aren't you curious?"

Once again, a breath by the ear, carrying a fresh fragrance, only made Aomo more awake.

But he didn't step back again; he merely pondered that fleeting moment of being gazed at, feeling somewhat puzzled.

"If I said there wasn't, you probably wouldn't believe me."

"Sure, but sister, I kinda get why Qianming helps you; she's always keen on meeting interesting people."

"I've always thought my personality is especially dull, but perhaps everyone's judgment criteria differ."

"That's true, but I'm a bit curious about your attitude toward little Ka Lian; have you two had any history?"

"We've had a roughly unpleasant meeting."

"That doesn't make sense," Wanshan lightly raised a hand to poke her chin, "Could there not be some earlier history?"

"Maybe there is," recalling the question 'Do you still remember the Fuzhong racetrack from four years ago?', Aomo did not deny this possibility, "but since I can't recall it, there's no need to dwell on it."

"Eh? If you can't remember, shouldn't you dig deeper? Normal people wouldn't just give up like that."

I have undergone basic level-4 cybernetic augmentation, and I have a crystal core managing my memory.

Isn't that problem even more serious? Wanshan instantly understood and exclaimed in surprise, "It sounds like you've been hit by a hacker Trojan; do you have missing memories? You should be able to check, right? What's missing?"

A lot is missing; combined they amount to nearly three and a half years," Aomo said calmly, "but these have nothing to do with a hacker Trojan; I told myself these are the price I must pay."

"You tell yourself that?" Wanshan froze, then reassessed the boy.

When he brought up this topic, he seemed to recount a story unrelated to himself.

She was obviously seeing Aomo Lindun like this for the first time; a creepy feeling arose silently, making her ears and tail stand straight up.

Ruthless, cold, empty—is this his attitude toward himself?

What kind of person would have such a personality?

"Those memories were largely deleted by myself. Each time I delete them, I receive a note from my self a few seconds prior, saying either 'the price to be paid,' 'the contract to be fulfilled,' 'a successful sacrifice,' or even 'forgetting makes things easier,' and so on."

"Although I don't understand the specific reasons, I trust 'my' judgment and also accept the loss of those memories..." Before he finished speaking, Aomo felt a slight sense of restraint, "Miss Wanshan?"

Truly deserving of being the lone-walking eclipse...

Aomo, held tightly, couldn't help thinking how badass the eclipse form's power is.

He felt a bit uncomfortable; the worst part was being unable to break free.

Ever since he drank that vial of medicine, he has felt constantly suppressed by power, and it's always women doing it.

"I told you to call me Wanshan," the maregirl hugging him muttered lowly, "Older sister, I don't like you being so disobedient and so hard on yourself, you little brat!"

And the disobedient child still gave the reminder: "You shouldn't think so much; you previously said you didn't like thinking about overly complicated things."

"A child being held by the older sister should shut up."

"..."

Aomo stood silent, motionless like a wilted sculpture; clearly it was Wanshan trying to soothe him, yet it seemed as if he was soothing Wanshan, until...

"Huh? What are the trainer and senior Wanshan doing?"

"How to put it, has Wanshan succeeded yet?"

"..." The two sudden remarks came from the direction of the washroom, making Aomo seem even more like a wilted sculpture,

Thinking that perhaps this kind of memory could also be deleted.