Chapter 332

One Hundred and Forty-First Page – Gift Giving (Part One)

The effects of the “emulsifier” wore off, forcibly merging a cluster of souls, which then separated and settled again…

Since this was the second time, I gradually adapted mentally, and even switching seamlessly did not make me feel uncomfortable.

The me after the fusion was also the same. With the experience from the first time, before changing back, I did not act irrationally. This kind of默契 might be proof that we are becoming closer to each other.

Lying on the table, I conducted a self-inspection of my personality and found no obvious side effects.

Is the impact so minimal?

Or am I just not noticing it subtly?

—”Your hypothesis is correct. Our inner selves are changing in the same direction.”—

At the same time as the self-inspection ended, a thought message came from Cherry Sauce.

—”Continue the fusion. When we become completely identical, we won’t need this adhesive anymore.”—

If our personalities unify, would I still be me and Cherry Sauce?

—”At least there’s a gradual process. It’s much better than waking up one day and suddenly feeling like you’re not yourself, right?”—

Cherry Sauce doesn’t care about becoming different.

—”Being able to stay in the world without disappearing is already my Happy End.”—

Even if I transform into another version of myself, can that be considered a good ending?

—”It’s no use regretting now! I won’t stop until I ensure my own safety!”—

I didn’t say I was unwilling.

I’ve always said that as long as I can keep your existence, I can accept any price. If possible, I would even switch positions with you…

—”Don’t say that. I don’t need you to make such a big sacrifice! I want to live, but I want to live with you! Without either of us, it won’t work! The soul adhesive has shown us the possibility. This isn’t impossible, Xiao Kai. Let’s walk together from now on, okay?”—

I’m an emotional person, and sensing Cherry Sauce’s feelings, my nose feels a bit sore, wanting to cry for the “misfortune” of “myself.”

Just her lines are so subtle that they make one suspect they are intentional.

—”Don’t you think I’m closer to you than Rei, Lin Hua, or Zi Jiang? No matter how caring a girlfriend is, there’s always a barrier… But I’m the other half living in your heart. In a sense, I’m your anima, aren’t I?”—

Hey hey, we don’t need to discuss Jungian psychology at a time like this?

—”What psychology? I’m saying ‘I like you’! Idiot!”—

Of course! I like Cherry Sauce too!

—”This casual way of saying you like someone definitely isn’t what I mean… Forget it.”—

After communicating telepathically with Cherry Sauce, I savored the essence of it. Smiling bitterly, I got up from the table, only to unexpectedly meet the dark gaze of the idiot.

“Chairman!”

She supported herself with both hands on the table, blocking the light from above with her head, and a small animal was perched on top, staring at me, casting a shadow that covered my face.

It was somewhat frightening.

Knock knock—

She knocked on the table.

“Have you forgotten something important?”

Backlit and looking down, she seemed even more imposing.

I sat up straight, composed.

“…I haven’t forgotten. After this farce ends, I’ll visit the hospital.”

I guessed Lin Hua sent her to urge me back to the research institute.

“You see, I really can’t leave now.”

“It’s not about that! There’s something else! Something equally important!”

The idiot stood in front of me with her hands on her hips, knocking on the table again, and little Yuzu nodded along, but they still didn’t want to get straight to the point…

Hey, what’s going on here?

I whispered, “So what’s the matter?”

“You’ve completely forgotten!”

The idiot grabbed my face and loudly accused, “Where’s my preserved cabbage pancake? And Yuzu’s perfume!!”

So she was thinking about this. I hadn’t expected her to put the preserved cabbage pancake before the perfume.

Of course, I hadn’t bought them.

“That’s not really important, and I haven’t seen any stores selling preserved cabbage pancakes…”

Before I could finish, Yuzu spread her short arms like a sugar glider, diving down from Xia Lei’s head in a long shape, landing face-first on mine, with her warm, soft fur against my nose and some unavoidable animal scent.

Oh, that’s a bit overwhelming.

Though I couldn’t tell Yuzu directly, I needed to find a chance to dunk her in water.

“Hey! Where did you come from, alien larva?”

Muttering, I lifted the small animal onto my shoulder.

“Xiao Kai, about—”

I knew she wanted to ask about the perfume, but with so many people around in the circular plaza, talking to a pet mink would make me look crazy. So, I pressed my finger against her chin and made a shushing gesture as soon as she started speaking.

“Hush, let’s move somewhere else.”

Yuzu nodded.

Before Senior Changpu and Ling Xiaoye returned, I decided to take her to a secluded place to try out the perfume.

Of course, Xia Lei followed eagerly.

For her preserved cabbage pancake.

—

Under the guidance of Cherry Sauce, we entered a safe passage near the square.

The Balance Night Market was away from the commercial area center, less bustling during the day. This place was the starting point of the commercial district’s development, having undergone numerous expansions, including this underground street. So where this exit leads is uncertain, likely leading to another underground street.

“Let’s talk here. The door above is sealed, so no one should come in.”

Inside the passage were old tungsten filament lights, giving a nostalgic yellow glow.

Using the breast prosthesis as a support, Yuzu used her little paws to prop up my chin and stood upright in front of me, saying, “My perfume! Show it to me quickly! I can already smell it!!”

Animals’ noses are truly remarkable. The perfume was sealed in a bottle, wrapped in a beautifully packaged gift box, yet she could still smell it?

Xia Lei, the vinegar jar, grumbled beside, “Although you didn’t buy me a preserved cabbage pancake, you bought perfume for Yuzu?”

“In fact, I also bought a cheap decorative pendant…”

Xia Lei twitched her ears, looking at me with hopeful eyes.

“…But it was for Yuzu, because the perfume wasn’t over a thousand yuan.”

Her eyebrows pressed down angrily, her cheeks puffing out. This idiot looked very unhappy, like a dog ready to pounce.

“Chairman, we’ve been dating for so long! You’ve never given me any gifts! Yet you bought so much for Yuzu!”

She took Yuzu from my hand, grumbling, “I’m not even worth a small animal! Ugh!”

“Xiao Kai, give the pendant to Xia Lei! I don’t need it!”

Yuzu said this and signaled with her eyes for me to comfort Xia Lei.

“I’m kidding. I bought several pendants. After all, I received a full ten thousand yuan this time. I should spend some on my girlfriend! You know, I’ve never had this much money since birth!”

Though I wanted to say it proudly, it felt rather sad, making me feel especially poor.

Xia Lei’s savings must be more than mine. As a maid at Kamehameha, she earns a high hourly wage, and as the current ace, she probably gets extra bonuses.

When buying a pendant for Yuzu, I impulsively picked out something for the girlfriends, but the hundred-yuan pendants from the accessory shop weren’t anything fancy. They were colorful mineral pendants, quite pretty and within budget.

Isn’t it true that the value of a gift isn’t important, as long as the sentiment is there?

—”That shouldn’t be you saying that. You’re just stingy!”—

Enough! Don’t hurt me with the truth anymore!

Hearing that she also had a gift, Xia Lei’s expression changed momentarily, caught between anger and surprise.

“Me, do I have one too?”

“Of course.”

I took out a pack of cheaply packaged pendant gift boxes from my bag and handed her the one belonging to her.

“Of course, this is for you.”

The pendant I chose for Xia Lei was a smooth, polished cinnabar hexagonal prism.

A pencil-thick, tiny piece, unadorned (thus cheap), strung with a metal ring hanging from a chain. But simplicity has its charm.

“Thank you!”

Even though it was a cheap gift, it made this easily satisfied idiot dance with joy. The vivid red of the cinnabar matched her dyed hair tips, lively and passionate, perfectly suited for her neck.

“Chairman~”

Her anger earlier was gone, and the girl in front of me shyly hugged my waist.

She said, “Help me put it on!”

Yuzu chimed in, “Giving a pendant to a lover is a key ritual!”

What knowledge did the part of the soul I shared with her imbue her with?

Putting on a necklace isn’t anything that requires courage.

“Got it, turn around.”

Xia Lei turned around reluctantly…

“It’s on.”

“Ah?! That was quick! I didn’t even feel it! Can’t you be a bit more romantic? Let’s do it again!”

She wasn’t satisfied, but I didn’t intend to indulge her. I rhythmically tapped her forehead until she closed her eyes.

“Senior Changpu is coming soon. We need to test the perfume on Yuzu. We don’t have much time to waste here.”

Even though the final decision was by vote, whether the judges were present or not didn’t seem to matter.

“Oh! It’s my turn!”

The small animal jumped down from Xia Lei’s head and circled me twice.

“First, turn me into human form!”

“No problem.”

Divine power flowed into Yuzu’s tiny body, and with a pop, she transformed into a teenage girl.

“Yay! I’m back!”

Goodness, she even changed her hairstyle.

The black, white, and gray colors became more distinct, forming layered bangs on one side.

“Your aura is more mature now?”

“Hehe, I naturally go for the sisterly vibe! Okay, okay, quickly give me the perfume!”

“Wait!”

A surprised exclamation.

Not from Xia Lei or Yuzu, but a deep, old man’s voice.

“The little mouse just turned into a girl?”

The man standing at the exit of the safety passage was…

“Old Man Tuohai!?”