Vol·3 [Love Theme]

The station's final safety net for newcomers was to be personally delivered by the BOSS.

The lobby manager led Xue Ming to the main hall of the Council of Five Kings. From beneath the five oil paintings in the main hall, they found a path leading to the inner sanctum next to the quiet yet busy council counter.

At the end of the arched stone corridor, they knocked on the door to the BOSS's office.

Immediately after, the manager stood by the door, bowed deeply to Jiang Xueming, and gestured for him to meet the BOSS alone.

The focused and devout expression made Jiang Xueming uneasy.

He stepped through the doorway, his feet sinking into the soft fur carpet, and found himself in a spacious, quiet room.

Whiskey warmed by the fireplace, cheap but good, called [Iron Knight].

Magazines and newspapers on the sofa were scattered on the floor, as if the maid hadn't had time to tidy up.

Bookshelves lined both sides of the large desk, like knights guarding the room's owner, upright, neat, and orderly.

To the right of the desk sat the cold and stern woman, the "cat tree" the BOSS had mentioned.

Her hands rested casually on the armrests, her expression like a serious bulldog, her cheeks unnaturally drooping, looking down at the visitor.

The cat in her arms lay nestled in a soft lap pillow and a delicate velvet blanket.

The large Black Cat opened one eye, as if disturbed from a nap, and blinked with an air of calm annoyance.

Through the blinds behind them, bright moonlight streamed in. The firewood in the fireplace crackled with a damp hiss.

The woman snapped her fingers.

The record player sprang to life, playing the theme music of [Love Theme].

The scene made Jiang Xueming's scalp tingle.

It was like a scene from an old video parlor, with a snowy screen, where the Godfather from Sicily sat in his mansion, about to meet a guest.

--Whether it was the cat tree or the BOSS, they were both consummate actors, fully immersed in the role, waiting for the passenger's ritualistic response to the melodious flute and strings.

Jiang Xueming took a deep breath.

He strode forward--

--and unplugged the record player.

The lady raised her hand: "NO!"

The BOSS waved its paws: "NO!"

Jiang Xueming plugged the record player back in.

The cat tree nodded: "YES!"

The BOSS followed suit: "YES!"

Although Xue Ming didn't understand why the BOSS was going through all this trouble, they were the owner of the station, and this was their territory.

With the music playing, everything returned to that eerie, sepia-toned filter.

Jiang Xueming hesitated, then opened his phone, like deciphering a role-playing game--he flipped open the old script written by Mario Puzo fifty years ago.

He recited the lines, patiently, as if chanting a spell.

"I trust the station."

As he spoke the words--

--the BOSS and the cat tree were extremely, extremely pleased.

Xue Ming patiently continued the incantation.

"Half a month ago, I found a job at the station."

"I entrusted my sister to the hospital, teaching her never to give up the will to survive. She has a doctor who can't cure her Vita Imprint, and she needs desensitization shots every day, only able to sleep very late."

"Until I was at my wit's end and came to the station for medicine, you arranged a companion for me, his name is Bu Liuxing."

"We set off for Fang Feng to meet a widow. The rest is in the log. Regardless, A Xing and you--saved my sister's life."

"I told Bu Liuxing, this journey was so dangerous, yet a week later he was already thinking of returning to the station to continue risking his life."

"My God. I stood dumbfounded in his shooting range. That little punk just grinned at me."

"The lobby manager told me that if I wanted to protect myself and this reckless fool, my only recourse was to beg you, my BOSS."

In the first half, Jiang Xueming was still reading blankly from his phone.

In the second half, he had memorized all his lines, his expression becoming more lively, as if afraid of displeasing this living King Yama.

The BOSS sat up, shifting its position on the cat tree's lap, looking impatient, but its tail betrayed its excitement, standing straight up as if overjoyed.

"Mr. Jiang Xueming, although we've only met twice, this is the first time you've sought my help so respectfully and humbly."

The BOSS tapped its claws, deep in thought, searching for its lines.

"When was the last time you had coffee with me? I can't quite recall. Our waiter is an old acquaintance."

Jiang Xueming immediately replied: "July 5th. Carriage 9, Seat B12. You didn't have coffee; you were served tea."

The cat tree showed a displeased expression.

The BOSS's tail began to sway restlessly.

Jiang Xueming shrugged, looking innocent and indifferent.

"Alright, you guys continue."

"What are your terms?" The BOSS continued its story.

Jiang Xueming added, "I hope you can hand over the station's final safety insurance to me, and I will agree to your conditions."

He then added another condition.

"If possible, I'd like an armed employee ID to evade the pursuit of the Armadillo Hunters."

The BOSS shook its head, "This is too much."

Jiang Xueming nodded, "I only seek peace of mind."

The BOSS said, "This is all the passengers can get. An armed employee's identification cannot be given to you for free."

Jiang Xueming stated, "I need to protect my friends and my family."

The BOSS countered, "But your sister is alive, and your friends are all well and kicking."

Jiang Xueming declared, "If I have to live in fear every day, then these hunters should suffer the same! What do you want me to pay you?"

Suddenly, the little Black Cat paused.

It conferred with the cat tree.

"Was this kid serious just now? He wants an armed employee ID? That's too outrageous a condition for a newcomer."

The cat tree's expression was indifferent, "Maybe he's joking? Don't take it seriously, you need to play along."

"Ahem," The BOSS cleared its throat, deliberately reverting to its hoarse tone, "Then—as I told you, sincerity and trust are the most precious things in the station. You've hurt me once already. You stole the armed employee's gun and ridiculously tried to infiltrate their ranks. You hurt your own body and wasted my concern for you—and now you want to unite with me for righteousness."

Jiang Xueming was already stealing the scene, "You clearly gave me the panacea in front of everyone in the Council of Five Kings, under everyone's watchful eyes, and in the hunters' sight—be honest."

He walked up to the little Black Cat and hunched over.

"You never wanted my friendship, BOSS."

The BOSS pouted and snatched the scene back, "You're afraid of owing me a favor. I had to do something to make you change your mind and return to this station."

"I don't fear trouble," Jiang Xueming got to the point, "I fear unnecessary trouble, especially from you. The attendant you arranged for me also has a past that's hard to look back on."

The BOSS's expression was frivolous and debauched, with a hint of mockery, nodding in agreement, "I understand you think the station is a terrifying abyss—but you've made a fortune here, and your sister has recovered. You don't need friends like me anymore? Can you protect yourself?"

"Alright, enough, that's enough," Jiang Xueming reminded, "The first act is almost over, let's get down to business."

"You truly have no respect for me," The BOSS said with a face full of disgust, "Give me your jewelry."

"What do you want it for?" Jiang Xueming was confused, a new layer of concern forming in his mind.

"To witness our friendship. You give me the jewelry, the most important protective charm, into my hands," The BOSS patiently explained, "I'll write a simple manual for it. Trust me, kiss me, we should have a [Theme of Love]. As long as we trust each other, you are my new family."

Xue Ming, half-believing, took out the matching rings from his pocket and handed them to Ms. Cat Tree.

The BOSS extended a front paw, contorting its face into a deliberately exaggerated expression.

Jiang Xueming bent down, cradled the little Black Cat's paw, and kissed a mouthful of fur.

"Heeheehee! Heeheeheeheehee!" The BOSS's laughter reminded Jiang Xueming of the old witch from fairy tales.

He impatiently asked, "Quickly write the manual for my rings."

"Don't rush. Jewelry obtained from the Spirit Elder will be personally inspected by me," The BOSS patted its paws, and the background ambient lights and music also stopped.

Having had its fun, it began to get down to business.

"The protective charm is a lucky charm to help you avert disaster. Its radiance can drive away spirits. The spirit suit is armor procured by our station from other entities to deal with spiritual disasters, protect mental power, and protect the brain. These are all gifts from the station."

It then leaped onto the large bookshelf, pulled out a book, and put it back.

The bookshelf immediately flipped over, and where there were once thick books, there were now weapon cabinets. However, there were no weapons in the cabinets—only various kinds of staffs.

The BOSS leaped back onto the desk and explained to Xue Ming.

"As the BOSS of the station, what I give you is naturally the most practical and useful."

"These staffs of varying lengths and functions are an indispensable part of human civilization. The earliest primitive humans used sticks and ropes to record things, made slingshots to hunt, used them to build houses, make fishing rods, to herd sheep, to whip wild beasts."

It became more and more excited as it spoke, its expression growing more ferocious.

"Used for fighting and killing each other, made into pens to draw territories on maps, used to start the first wars. Just like the sticks themselves, utterly clueless."

Ms. Cat Tree coughed lightly.

The BOSS restrained itself a bit, retracting its less-than-"majestic" demeanor.

"Choose your staff."

Jiang Xueming walked and looked—

The weapon cabinets, which originally had grooves and clasps for rifles, were now filled with various staffs.

There were walking sticks, canes, monk staffs, ceremonial staffs, batons, and teaching pointers.

The clubs were of different categories and styles, varied in material and appearance. Xue Ming even spotted a blunt, broad-headed greatsword displayed like a club in a massive weapon cabinet, with a line of text written on it.

[I'm really a magic staff—believe me, I really am a magic staff]

Jiang Xueming lingered before the cabinet doors, wanting to see everything clearly, but there were too many items, too complex, and he knew he wouldn't be able to get a full picture anytime soon.

So he asked, "What should I do?"

"You can choose for yourself," BOSS said, perking up and reminding him with mock seriousness, "But you're not allowed to touch. Point to the one you choose and take it. No second thoughts, no exchanges. Even if you break this club, I won't give you another one—it will stay with you, accompanying you for life."

To be safe, Jiang Xueming pressed for details, wanting to understand things clearly.

"BOSS, what are these clubs for?"

BOSS looked confused. "Didn't I explain it clearly enough?"

Jiang Xueming: "Do you only speak in riddles?"

The atmosphere grew awkward.

But BOSS couldn't remain awkward forever.

It stretched its body, arching its back on the table like a cat, as if encountering someone extremely boring, unromantic, and intent on killing all mystery.

"Alright, they can all deal with spirits, or drive away dangerous monsters from the underworld. As for other functions, if you choose a hiking stick, you can obviously use it for hiking. If you choose a pointer, you can teach your little attendant the correct multiplication tables—that's all."

"Thank you for your explanation, you're so thoughtful," Jiang Xueming added, "Is there one with a rate of fire of three thousand six hundred per minute?"

"Enough! Is that a club?!" Before Jiang Xueming could finish, BOSS, like a startled cat, arched its back and roared.

"Is there a possibility," Jiang Xueming persisted, "that there's a possibility. First of all, I'm definitely not talking about a gun, just something that can fire thirty-six hundred times per minute..."

BOSS was icily dismissive. "No. Please leave. If you don't want to choose, you don't have to."

"Alright," Jiang Xueming sighed in disappointment. He walked around for a while, finally pointing to the broad-headed greatsword in the massive weapon cabinet. "I want that one, that one right there."

BOSS curled its claws, its eyes glinting ambiguously. "Think carefully. Each club has its special properties. Like the example I gave you earlier, someone once received a fishing rod—from then on, that person's fishing skills became excellent. These items have strong functionalities; they are very special."

"If you don't want to give it, you don't have to," Jiang Xueming mused. Why would he need all those fancy things for something to smash enemies' heads with?

A weapon is a weapon—

—Sturdy, durable, simple, and effective is all that matters.

Besides, BOSS had said this thing would follow him for life.

Steel products were the best choice, after all. If it broke, he could send it back to the furnace to be reforged.

And he was about to depart. Other less suitable clubs would require modification and adaptation. This broad-headed greatsword, however, looked so reliable—it was strange it hadn't been chosen by anyone else until now.

When Jiang Xueming returned to the greatsword.

The text on the sword had changed again.

[Were you looking at other clubs just now?]

Although he found it very strange—

—Jiang Xueming remained persistent and firm, pointing at the greatsword.

"This is the one."

BOSS turned and instructed the Cat Tree Lady to retrieve the heavy greatsword from the weapon cabinet. Immediately, it stared at Jiang Xueming with the eyes of a curious child.

"Quick, quick, quick! Touch it! Come on! Let me see what it can do!"

"Uh..." Jiang Xueming nervously gripped the hilt.

It was practically a piece of raw iron.

The rough hilt had many pinholes, bubbles left from insufficient temperature during processing.

The blade was like a solid bar, with no balance whatsoever.

There was no fuller or ridge, no leather or wooden grip wrapping the tang.

The edge and tip were like a lump of rounded iron. It could only be described as a sword because its relatively straight shape showed slopes and ridges. The round pommel or counterweight at the end of the tang was visible.

There were even a few anti-slip grooves, indicating that this iron bar had once been a sword.

It was about three and a half feet long and extremely heavy. Jiang Xueming could barely lift it with one hand, his whole torso trembling. When held with both hands, he could swing it naturally, weighing around twenty kilograms.

As Xue Ming grasped it, the text on the sword disappeared—

—followed by silence.

BOSS broke the silence. "Why isn't it reacting? Didn't it display text just now?"

Jiang Xueming wasn't too concerned; it was sufficient as a weapon.

He asked, "This is your item, you don't know what it's for?"

BOSS explained with a look of helplessness. "Of course! You're a tripe seller, do you remember the pattern on every piece of tripe you sell each day? Even though I made this thing, my memory has its limits!"

Jiang Xueming thought for a moment. "It said on the sword just now—it's a magic staff."

"Oh! Then it should have magic, right?!" BOSS prompted. "Concentrate your mind and pour all your attention into this piece of scrap metal."

The moment "scrap metal" was uttered.

Before Jiang Xueming could do anything—

—the greatsword in his hand suddenly lit up.

A blinding light, almost eight hundred lumens, instantly illuminated the entire office.

Jiang Xueming covered his eyes, feeling a sharp pain, unable to see anything for a moment.

BOSS was the same, clutching his eyes and rolling on the desk: "Damn it! My eyes!"

Only the Cat Scratcher Lady was completely unfazed—

—she had prepared a pair of sunglasses for herself in advance.

When the light died down, Jiang Xueming looked at the weapon in his hand, his eyes filled with fervor.

BOSS, on the other hand, looked at the waiter who was acting as if nothing happened, with a face full of blame.

"Why didn't you prepare a pair for me?"

The Cat Scratcher Lady pouted and took out another pair of cat-shaped sunglasses from her pocket, meant for acting: "I didn't have time."

"Uh, forget it, I don't blame you." BOSS didn't dwell on it. Seeing the waiter's wronged expression, its heart softened immediately.

It then shouted at Jiang Xueming: "It seems your magic wand only knows one spell, and it just glows. Don't be discouraged. I've made a lot of useless things before, and this is just one more. There was one guy who was even unluckier. He closed his eyes and picked, and he got a toilet plunger. After that guy reported to customer service, no toilet in the entire station was clogged for more than an hour."

"Amazing!" Jiang Xueming roared in a low voice, as if he had obtained a rare treasure: "Simply amazing! Invincible!"

BOSS wanted to say something else: "Uh, that..."

Jiang Xueming wiped the divine weapon in his hand, caressing the blunt iron blade of the greatsword with a posture that was almost lewd.

"This combination of blinding and blunt-force headshots is truly powerful. I'm very satisfied. It's heavy and difficult to wield, but that's not its problem, it's mine."

"Alright. If you like it, then that's good." BOSS was speechless and continued to make conversation: "Take your protective amulet first. I've already checked it. You'll receive the manual for the Corundum Couple Rings before you depart."

With that, the Cat Scratcher Lady prepared two gift boxes for the rings, placed the rings inside, and handed them back to Jiang Xueming.

She also included a brocade box for storing the greatsword.

"Regarding your request for the 'Armed Employee' identification," BOSS twisted its white eyebrows, finding it difficult to handle: "I advise you to reconsider. You and I are already family. I can't let a new family member immediately become a guard, can I? I don't know what your capabilities are, after all, before becoming an armed employee, you only needed to hide from the Armadillo Hunters under the protection of the waiters—but after becoming an armed employee, you'll probably have more trouble, won't you?"

"I understand." Jiang Xueming bowed in thanks, picked up the heavy brocade box, and put away the rings. "I'll be going now, BOSS. I still need to prepare for my journey."

BOSS waved its little handkerchief, its demeanor like TOM, looking like it was about to cry.

"Come visit often!~"

These three words made Jiang Xueming laugh. He suddenly felt that this little Black Cat was actually quite cute.

The last time he said "Come visit often!" to this Black Cat, it was equivalent to saying "Got it, now get lost."

It remembered that grievance and had been waiting to get back at him.

As Xue Ming walked out the door, he didn't see the manager.

He went out to look for him but couldn't find him at the Council of Five Kings.

—He thought to himself that the manager was probably going to pick up A Xing.

So he walked towards the customer service department again, planning to wait for Xiao Qi to come out on the fourth floor.

He reached the door of the customer service restroom. A long corridor led to the employee lounge. Beside a small table in the lounge, Xiao Qi and Ms. Zhao Yangchun were talking.

Ms. Zhao Yangchun was Xiao Qi's superior, and she was lecturing Xiao Qi non-stop.

"Do you know that you took more than half a month off for this trip to pick up a man? Are you his personal attendant?"

"Sorry."

"What is a waiter's job? Do you have any idea? Work is work, and life is life. If the emergency call bell rings, and your post is short-staffed, and other passengers are in danger, what should you do?"

"Sorry."

"Sigh, you're incorrigible, Xiao Qi. I'm not trying to be mean, but if you could be more professional, you could definitely become much better."

"Sorry, Sister Yangchun, I know I'm always thinking about finding a partner. I can't help it. Xue Ming is more handsome than Louis Koo or Nicholas Tse. If I have to resist, I can't."

"Can you stop speaking Cantonese? I don't understand!"

"Okay."

"You! You just know how to act cute! What's the use of acting cute with me?"

"I know, good sister! I'll pay attention, I'll be reserved! I'll be ladylike! I will, I will."

Jiang Xueming walked up to Xiao Qi.

—And handed him the ring gift box.

Xiao Qi fainted.

The process was so fast that I didn't even have time to add any adjectives in between.

It was like a sudden death.

Yangchun didn't even have time to help.

With a "plop," it was very sudden.

Before BOSS prepared for its nap, it was tidying up props from the drama set with Ms. Cat Scratcher, the stage manager. Holding a vinyl record, it asked one more question.

"I almost forgot, what's the full name of the music?"

Ms. Cat Scratcher patiently explained.

"This is the theme of love. The Godfather Love Theme."