If One Could Die in the Bud

"What was going on with the disputes among the great families of Shenzhou?"

Elder Alpha asked expressionlessly.

"Th-this... according to rumors circulating in Shenzhou recently, the Chen Family and the Zhou Family seemed to have erupted into a conflict of unknown nature. The Zhou Family's attitude toward the Chen Family had clearly turned cold, and they had begun frequently contacting other great families instead... The Chen Family should have developed a sense of crisis over this situation."

Elder Alpha slowly set down the document. He seemed utterly unconcerned about the impending conflict between great families in the distant East. "Arrange Chen Motong's online interview."

Seeing that Frost still appeared confused and stunned, Elder Alpha explained:

"Bloodline inheritance is the family's foremost priority. If Chen Motong proves satisfactory, it would not be impossible to send additional protection personnel—on the condition that they protect only Chen Motong, not the Chen Family, and avoid conflicts with other great families. Make sure you explain this clearly to the people below."

"Yes! We'll arrange it immediately!"

Chen Family Manor.

In the standard bedroom of a young lady, pink dominated the decor. The natural silk bed, solid wood desk, vanity, and other furnishings all sat obediently in their proper places.

The rose-colored curtains were drawn tightly shut, as though standing vigilant guard against the light outside. What should have been a bright, warmly colored bedroom now seemed trapped in bone-chilling darkness.

"..."

Nono quietly wiped away her noiseless tears, then hurried to the vanity mirror. She applied foundation, concealer, and setting powder, then lightly traced a faint line along her lashes with eyeliner, completely concealing the sorrowful look left behind by her earlier bout of crying.

It had to be said that the Chen Family's memory cleansing of their test subjects had been highly successful. They had indeed made Nono forget once more that she had been repeatedly interrogated...

However, Jiu De Mayi had immediately sent the girl the first-person video she had secretly recorded throughout the entire previous incident.

Thus, much like before, the video of "Frigga Three" nearly sent the Little Witch into a profiling frenzy.

Nono once again fell into a prison of abyssal despair. She was sorrowful, furious, heartbroken, and then began to madly hate the fate woven for her and the colossal shadow cast by the enormous Chen Family...

Yet to avoid alerting the surveillance and security forces arranged by the Chen Family, Nono could only hide beneath her blankets and pretend to be unwell, then pull herself together as quickly as possible.

Today, Nono barely maintained her composure. Once again, she slipped out of the house with practiced ease and found a communicator to contact Jiu De Mayi.

The other side opened with, "...Have you accepted the truth? You understand, right? At your core, you're a clone... You aren't your mother's or father's child. Those family ties and that hatred belonged to the original Miss Chen Motong."

Nono's voice, still hoarse from crying, sounded somewhat muffled. "I know."

"Then what are you thinking now?"

"I still hate this family!... Although the original prototype and the later Freyas have all lost their lives, but! But 'Chen Motong' isn't dead yet... If I give up this hatred now, then she'll truly die!"

Nono pressed her lips tightly together, her nose stinging. She held back her reddened eyes to keep herself from crying. In truth, without Jiu De Mayi's interference, she could have remained ignorant of the truth and continued being an irresponsible, rebellious, wild Little Witch...

But now that she knew all of this, how could she possibly be willing to become a cowardly ostrich burying her head in the sand? Having read the suffering of the previous generation of Freya test subjects through profiling, she insisted on personally taking part in the Chen Family's downfall!

Jiu De Mayi could tell that Nono was no longer merely venting like a little girl. She now carried real, unwavering hatred, and helplessness seeped into Jiu De Mayi's tone. "Actually, this should be the last time we contact each other."

"What do you mean?" Nono suddenly jolted. "Are you starting your operation?"

"Whether we act or not, it won't be convenient for us to stay in touch from here on."

In response to Nono's probing, Jiu De Mayi's verbal defenses were airtight.

"I'm saying this because the Gattuso people will be arriving soon. The surveillance around you will at least double."

"Your 'father' has been dragging a group of foreigners out for tea and meals every day lately. It seems he's urging their people back home to send someone over soon. Looks like your 'father' thinks interrogating you was useless. Maybe he's already sold you for a good price."

"..."

"Well, let me put it another way. Your current situation is a bit like escaping the wolf's den only to enter the tiger's lair."

"If I'm not the Chen Family's puppet test subject, then I'll become the Gattuso Family's puppet bride?"

Nono murmured in a low voice. It was as if she saw a bottomless abyss of darkness stretching before her, waiting for her to leap in.

"It depends on your mindset. If the Gattuso Family really takes a liking to you, then a wealthy, peaceful life is still an option... Ah, forget I said anything. A purely rebellious girl like you definitely wouldn't choose to bind your own hands and flee to become a weak, cowardly coward, right?"

Nono wore a bleak expression and sighed softly:

"Yeah... Do you know Journey to the West? It tells of a foolish monkey waiting in the Water Curtain Cave, while Tang Sanzang is a handsome, dashing young man."

"If I truly knew none of this, and was stupid and innocent like that pitiful fool of a monkey waiting in the Water Curtain Cave in Journey to the West, then got quietly lured away by the Tang Sanzang sent by the Gattuso Family, forgetting that I had once been as clever as the Great Sage Equal to Heaven... What a regrettable, unwilling, and tragic scene that would be!"

The other end fell silent. During that silence, there seemed to be a faint sigh.

"...Then let me ask you one last time. Are you sure you want to personally take part in this battle? You could die."

Listening to the calm question from the receiver, Nono recalled the countless times "Freya" had been subjected to punishment in her profiling. The distant tide of fury surging into her eyes swallowed the last trace of hesitation.

"I'm sure."

"Very well. Come here again tonight and pick up something. Consider it a farewell gift to help you act... Mm, that's all. Call over. We'll never meet again."

"Thank you... We'll never meet again."

Nono tossed away the communicator and crushed it beneath her foot. As though she had finally cast off a heavy burden, brilliant sunlight bloomed across her gloomy face. She left with light, skipping steps, her dark red hair drifting in the cold wind.

Like an imagined little sprite, knowing that life was fragile and could end at any moment yet still singing and dancing softly, she quietly recited a poem:

"If one could die in the bud, one would not have to endure the withering after full bloom."

Jiu De Mayi hung up and looked at the vial of Ancient Dragon Serum held in her other hand.

"Tsk, I really admire that girl's resolve, but Boss is actually willing to give away a gift like this?"

She could not quite understand whether Boss disliked Nono or thought highly of her.

Thanks to @ThornDragon @BookFriend20220120172825912 @BookFriend20170304010614144 @Youzhi Qianxia @LaoziIsOtiNotFeiti @NameInTheQianHexagram @BookFriend20170618202630567 @EveryTreeIsWhite @BookFriend130729124825614 for the monthly tickets!

Thanks to @NameInTheQianHexagram for the reward!