"Will this really work?"
"It will. Trust me, this will definitely work!"
Huojin looked at the script in his hand, still a little hesitant, unsure whether to trust Belle's method.
Belle said, "Just try it. You can't go wrong. Even if it fails, you can still go with your original idea."
Seeing Huojin hesitate, Wise asked, "Or is Nicole unable to take your call right now?"
Huojin said, "...Fine, let's do this. For the sake of my daughter's great trust in you two. Butler."
"Yes, sir."
Butler answered and took out the projection device again, placing it on the table. It then projected a call interface, with Nicole as the contact.
Meanwhile, Nicole was walking down the street when she felt the little bag at her waist vibrate. She took out his vibrating phone and looked. It was her dad.
Nicole looked exasperated and didn't really want to answer his call, but she did in the end.
After a wait of several seconds, the call connected.
"Hello."
"Daughter, it's me."
Wise and Belle listened beside him, their faces full of curiosity.
Nicole said, "Yeah, I know it's you, Dad. What do you want to say this time? I've got things to do too."
Huojin said, "I..."
He glanced at the line on the script, "First ask if she's eaten," before saying:
"Daughter, have you had lunch?"
Nicole said, "I have. I just ate."
Huojin said, "Mm."
Nicole said, "..."
Silence suddenly fell because Huojin was looking at "You can start with a topic about her and her friends," unsure how to go about it.
The conversation had suddenly turned awkward, but luckily Belle was still beside him, silently directing him.
"Ah, also, well, I'd like to know what you and your employees like."
Nicole said, "...? Why are you suddenly asking that?"
He's actually not talking at me about those specialized science problems I can't understand, or all those messy developments among the factions this time?
Huojin said, "Mm... Well, I wanted to get you some gifts you'd like, and give them the first-meeting gifts I didn't give them last time."
What's gotten into him? Is he trying a different approach?
Nicole said, "There's nothing I want, so don't bother with me. But if you're getting them gifts... I don't know what would be good for them either. I'll message you on Knock Knock later."
Huojin sounded a little disappointed. "All right."
Then he looked at the script, "Show interest in her daily life with her friends," and glanced at the topic Belle was writing on it on the spot before saying:
"Then how have you and your employees been living?"
Nicole was caught off guard. He hadn't expected him to ask that too.
"Ah, h-how we've been living... We're all doing really well!
I'm telling you, under my leadership, they've got a great atmosphere, plenty of food, clear team goals, and, finally, fulfilling lives to enjoy!"
An atmosphere of "howling," food that left them "dead," a team goal of "surviving," and a fulfilling enjoyment of life's "sweetness and bitterness."
"But..."
Before Huojin could get it out, Belle stopped him, then continued directing him as he said:
"I see. It sounds like you're all doing quite well."
Nicole said, "Ahaha, yes, yes."
He continued reading the script: "Find a topic the other person is interested in."
Belle read it and instinctively thought of finding Huojin a topic about making money. After all, she had always been happy to discuss that when they chatted before.
But Belle couldn't think of how to start just then, because Nicole had always brought it up before. Wise spread his hands too, indicating that he didn't know either.
Nicole said, "Huh, why's it gone quiet? I remember still having phone credit?"
Huojin's mind was racing too. He didn't know what interested Nicole either. The things he'd discussed with her before were already what he thought Nicole was most likely to be interested in, because he had some interest in them himself.
"I'm here."
"That startled me. I thought I'd really run out of credit..."
Nicole muttered, then continued speaking into the phone. "Anything else? If not, I'm hanging up?"
Think, you stupid brain! Guess something, guess something...
Huojin was very anxious now. As he thought, his mind went to the bioengineering he'd discussed with her, and Nicole and her employees earlier...
"Wait, don't hang up yet. There's also... would you rather have a little brother or a little sister?"
Nicole said, "Huh? Have what?"
Even Belle and Wise beside him were dumbfounded.
Huojin said, "Nothing. I just suddenly wanted to ask whether you liked little brothers or little sisters better."
"Oh, that..." Although he didn't know what Huojin was trying to do, he still thought about it before saying:
"If I had to choose, I'd probably prefer a little brother... But Dad, what are you planning?"
Huojin said, "Nothing."
Nicole said, "Really?"
Huojin said, "Really."
Nicole said, "Oh, all right, then."
Belle and Wise breathed a sigh of relief for Huojin. But then the conversation took a turn...
Nicole said, "Dad, be honest. Is something weighing on your mind that you're keeping from me?"
Huojin said, "Weighing on my mind..."
Nicole said, "Or did I do something to upset you?"
Huojin said, "No."
Nicole said, "Oh, then is it because I won't come back right now, or because I insist on not using your things or your money, and won't listen to you? And that's made you feel like I'm distancing myself from you?"
Huojin: !!?
Huojin was shocked that Nicole actually knew what he was thinking. He looked at Wise and Belle again, wondering whether these two had been dishonest and tipped her off, or whether it was that Fairy...
Wise and Belle were a little surprised too. When they saw Huojin looking over with a somewhat unfriendly gaze, they hurriedly waved their hands in denial.
Hearing silence on Huojin's end, Nicole said with greater certainty:
"Looks like I guessed right. Sure enough, that brain of yours still tends to assume the worst.
Oh dear, honestly, I'm pretty hurt..."
Huojin said, "I'm sorry."
Nicole said, "Come on, what are you apologizing for? I'm to blame too. I've been busy with other things and haven't paid much attention to your feelings. I was really happy when I found out you'd woken up, but afterward, I didn't think to spend time with you..."
"No, if anyone's to blame, it's me. Blame me..." Unable to think of what to blame himself for just then, Huojin could only change tack:
"I've gotten muddleheaded in my old age too, and haven't considered what you want now. Nicole, do whatever you want to do. Even if it means standing against all of New Eridu, as long as I'm here, it'll be fine."
Nicole said, "It's nowhere near as dramatic as you're making it sound. I'm just running a little business. Why are you making it sound like I'm going against the heavens?!"
Huojin said, "Going against the heavens is fine too."
Nicole said, "...Forget it, let's leave it there. I've got things to do later, so I'll hang up now."
Huojin said, "All right. I won't keep you, then."
Nicole said, "Mm, but let me make this clear: don't turn yourself into some tight-lipped clam!"
Huojin said, "I promise."
"Mm, and..." Nicole looked around, wanting to save some face, then composed himself and said, "Love you~, Daddy~!"
Huojin said, "...I love you too, daughter."
The call ended.
Nicole wiped nonexistent sweat from his forehead and murmured:
"Good thing Dad's still the same Dad. He hasn't changed. And I finally managed to take this chance to soothe him, or things would've been tricky later."
"Nicole! I've developed all the photos, meow!"
Nicole: !!!
Nekomata suddenly sprang out from beside him, giving Nicole a fright.
Nekomata said, "But what were you saying about loving something just now? Were you talking to someone?"
"Ahem, nothing. I was just on the phone with a relative..."
Nekomata said, "A relative? Is it that relative of Nicole's..."
Nicole said, "Nekomata, where do you want to get something to eat later? My treat."
Nekomata said, "Really! Then I want to go to that place I told you about..."
Nicole said, "Okay, then let's pay General Chop a visit!"
Nekomata said, "Huh, that's not where I wanted to..."
Nicole said, "I remember General Chop's new menu has mackerel on it."
Nekomata said, "Let's go, let's go! Hurry up, Nicole!"
Huojin sat down in relief on the chair he had newly materialized. His posture was relaxed, and he even seemed a little blissful?
Butler and Wise, who had been standing there the whole time, applauded beside him too.
Wise said, "Looks like everything's been resolved nicely."
Belle confidently puffed out her chest and said happily, "Well, Mr. Huojin? I told you this call would work, didn't I?"
"Mm... It seems I underestimated you."
Huojin stood up again and faced Wise and Belle, still serious.
"Tell me, what do you want?"
That left them bewildered again.
Butler explained from beside him, "The master means to ask what reward you two would like as compensation for your help this time."
Wise said, "Oh, so that's what you mean... There's no need for a reward. We only helped a little, after all. We barely did anything."
Belle said, "Exactly. Besides, we haven't even accepted your commission yet."
Huojin said, "You don't get to refuse what I want to give you."
Wise said, "But we really..."
Huojin said, "Since you have no ideas, I'll just have to decide myself... How about this? On my way here, I also had Butler run some calculations on your situation. Your equipment and artificial intelligence must consume a lot of power, right?"
Belle said, "Well, they do use quite a bit..."
Huojin said, "All right, then. Your electricity bills for the rest of your lives..."
Then, under Wise and Belle's shocked gazes, Huojin declared:
"They're all on me!"
Look, just look at the expressions on the faces of the legendary Proxy Phaethon. They were quite a sight.
Belle could barely believe it. "R-really?"
Huojin said, "I'm a man of my word. And I'll also pay the full commission fee I prepared for you earlier."
Wise said, "B-but we didn't accept it?"
Huojin said, "I told you, I don't care."
Belle could barely stay on her feet and had to brace herself against the counter. Wise seemed a little calmer, though he was still very excited.
But just then, Huojin seemed to sense something. He suddenly turned toward the entrance, then turned back and said:
"Remember, I wasn't here today, and I didn't make any calls here either. If this gets out, you can pay your own electricity bills."
As he spoke, Butler stuffed the deposit he had brought underneath the counter.
Then, before Wise and Belle's disbelieving eyes, Huojin grabbed Butler's shoulder and vanished on the spot?
And in the very next second, the video store's door was suddenly pushed open...
Nicole said, "Hi~, Proxy, I'm here~!"
Wise and Belle jumped. Remembering Huojin's instructions, they hurriedly pulled themselves together.
Wise said, "Oh, Nicole. What brings you here all of a sudden?"
Belle said, "Yeah, yeah. Why didn't you let us know before coming?"
Nicole said, "Huh? Is it just me, or are you being especially nice this time?"
Belle said, "Not at all, Nicole. This is how we treat all our partners!"
Wise said, "Exactly. Let's head inside to talk. Wait, I think I forgot the instant noodles..."
Belle said, "You can eat those noodles yourself, bro. I'll go eat at General Chop's later."