"It's time to get up."
Lin Ye jolts awake when a big hand slaps his shoulder. He looks around in confusion. Then, he sees a well-chiseled man next to his bed.
Ansel? When did you...
Lin Ye almost reaches out to poke those abs and tease "Ansel", before, he realizes it wasn't Ansel. It was ACE.
He hauls himself out of bed and asks, "What time is it?"
"Just past eight.", ACE says, "I wanted to let you get some more sleep, but it's time for breakfast."
"Breakfast?" Lin Ye pauses to look around, wilting a bit when he finds no food.
ACE laughs, "Did you really think they would deliver food for us? This isn't a 5-star hotel."
"Right.", Lin Ye smiles bitterly, "I'm just not fully awake yet."
"I can see that.", Ace pats his shoulder again and says, "Come on, let's get ready. The others are already waiting for us."
Before Lin Ye can ask him for more details, Ace had already left the room.
{Rhodes Island's Psychologist}
After using the bathroom, Lin Ye leaves his room with ACE.
The building's cafeteria was on a lower floor, so by the time they finally arrived at the cafeteria, Lin Ye saw that the other people from Rhodes Island were already there, as Ace said.
Meaning they were the last ones to arrive.
Even Ifrit had arrived before him, he could see her having breakfast besides Silence.
Lin Ye grabs a plate and fills it with food. Then, he finds an empty table and sits down to have his breakfast, but the peace he hoped for is thrown out the window, when Ifrit runs over to him.
"Lin Ye!", Ifrit manages to whisper, despite her obvious excitement, "Let me call Saria again, okay?"
Lin Ye sighs softly and shakes his head, "Sorry, no can do."
"What?!", Ifrit recoils in surprise, "Why not?"
"Your mother wouldn't allow me."
"Silence is going out today.", Ifrit says, "We're the only ones staying behind. If you don't say anything, Silence won't find out."
Lin Ye rolls his eyes.
"Last night,", he takes a quick glance at Silence first. Silence was talking to Ace, but just in case, Lin Ye lowers his voice, "did your mother say anything to you?"
"No… and can't you just call Silence by her name?", Ifrit frowns, "It feels like you're always scolding me."
"Isn't she your mother?"
"She isn't related to me.", Ifrit huffs in annoyance, "We're not even from the same race."
"Oh, what's she to you then?"
Ifrit falls silent. After thinking for a while, she lowers her head and whispers, "She's like my mother."
Lin Ye suddenly finds himself patting her head, but to his surprise, Ifrit doesn't pull away from his touch. Perhaps she was starting to enjoy it now.
He shrugs, "That's what matters the most, right?"
"You're so annoying, you know that?", this time Ifrit does swat his hand away, her face slightly red, "Once Silence is gone, remember to lend me your phone."
Lin Ye shakes his head, "Nope."
Ifrit's brows begin to bunch up in frustration, "If you don't, I'll burn you!"
"Burn me then.", Lin Ye nonchalantly pops another dumpling into his mouth, "If I die, I'll just go and tell your mother."
"How can you tell her if you're dead?"
Lin Ye slowly explains, "After you burn me to death, I will turn into ashes, which will then be blown by the wind. When that happens, my soul will float to Silence's side and whisper in her ears what you did to my poor self."
Ifrit stares at Lin Ye incredulously.
Lin Ye bursts out laughing after seeing her dumbfounded expression.
"Hey, why are you laughing?" She tilts her head, which makes Lin Ye laugh more. "I have never seen anyone like you before."
"Hooo. So, what kind of person do you think I am?"
Before Ifrit can answer him, Silence cuts her off, "Ifrit, you're coming with me today."
Ifrit turns around and sees Silence standing behind her with ACE.
"Me? I-I have to go too?", Ifrit asks, "but didn't you say you'd let me stay here?"
"I changed my mind.", Silence glances at Lin Ye, who quickly lowers his head, "You're coming with me today."
Hearing those words, Ifrit seemed to be falling into despair, as her face collapses at a visible rate.
Lin Ye looks away from Ifrit and Silence. He had a clear idea about why Silence changed her mind. It's all thanks to him.
He sighs inwardly.
Silence really doesn't want Ifrit to contact Saria.
However...
"Dr. Lin, can you come with us?", Silence abruptly asks.
"Eh?", Lin Ye pauses, "You want me to go with you?"
"Yes, this kid doesn't like going to crowded places." Silence nods and strokes Ifrit's head, "So I hope you can take care of her."
Lin Ye looks at Ifrit, who is enjoying Silence's touch like a proper kid.
Shocking.
"Are you going to the meeting today?", Lin Ye asks.
"Yes, Ace will tell you the specifics.", Silence looks at Ifrit, "Come with me. We're leaving soon."
Ifrit makes a sour face, but she still obediently follows Silence back to the room.
When Ifrit and Silence are gone, ACE sits down across from Lin Ye.
"Parents these days.", Ace chuckles, "Silence is really worried about Ifrit. She's not that old yet, but she almost feels like an old woman
"What do you mean?"
"Why do you think she changed her mind and asked you and Ifrit to go with her?"
Lin Ye thinks for a moment and says, "I think she doesn't want me to give Ifrit the chance to talk to Saria."
"That's it?"
"What else can it be?"
ACE shakes his head, "You need to be a parent to understand her motivation."
"I'm still too young for that."
"Too young? Who knows?" ACE shrugs, "But there's a more important reason behind her decision."
"What do you think then?"
"She wants Ifrit to grow up. Just look at Liz. Liz has been able to work outside with Shining and Nearl." ACE says, "Silence wants Ifrit to do the same and be able to live without depending on her, like a normal person."
"Really?" Lin Ye tilts his head and wonders.
"Think about it. The main operators from Rhine Lab are Ptilopsis, Ifrit, and herself. You should already know Ptilopsis. You can't rely on someone like that." ACE looks at the corridor where they left and sighs softly, "Silence must have lived a difficult life. She doesn't even know how long she can hold on. At the same time, she hopes that Ifrit can survive on her own."
Lin Ye falls into a thoughtful silence. A moment later, he asks, "Did Silence tell you those things?"
"No." ACE smiles, "That was just my guess."
"How can you guess so much?"
"It's not really that difficult. She asked you to take care of Ifrit a few days after you completely cured Liz. She must have wanted Ifrit to be the next Liz."
Lin Ye pauses.
"That's probably it." ACE pats Lin Ye on the shoulder, "In the past, Silence would always leave Ifrit at home. Now, because of you, she wants Ifrit to discover the world."
"Alright." Lin Ye puts the last bun in his mouth and mumbles, "What are we doing today?"
"We're checking out a batch of lab equipment," ACE says, "from the former employees of Rhine Lab."
{Rhodes Island's Psychologist}
In the arranged meeting place, an abandoned factory of Lungmen, the former Rhine Lab researchers are observing their surroundings on the second floor with binoculars.
"They're here," someone whispers.
Cardo turns to the female researcher behind him, "Hannah, you know Silence the most. I'll let you talk to them."
He then raises his binoculars again and watches the people getting out of the armored vehicle in front of the factory."
"Silence, long time no see.", he mumbles, old emotions flaring up when he sees a familiar Liberi.
The researcher next to him asks, "Is that Rhodes Island? Look at those guards. We definitely can't deal with them on our own."
"That's why we hired those lunatics." Cardo says, "Jot down whatever you see on a piece of paper. We'll need the information later."
The researcher nods and takes a notebook out of his bag.
Suddenly, someone nearby shouts out, "Ifrit's here.
"Ifrit?", the researcher next to Cardo pauses, "I thought Silence never brings her out."
"Who knows?" Cardo inspects the Rhodes Island group more carefully, "You said there are eight guards from Rhodes Island... Wait."
"Huh?"
"Hiss, there's more than eight. Look at that guy.", he points at Lin Ye.
Another person looks over and says, "Why doesn't he have armor?"
"Heh, you don't understand." Cardo snickers, "That's just a disguise."
"You mean-"
"He must be the strongest one, so strong that he doesn't even need armor.", Cardo says, "Make a note about him and tell those lunatics to watch out for that guy. If they want Ifrit, they'll need to take him out first."
The researcher nods solemnly.
{Rhodes Island's Psychologist}
"Achoo!!"
Lin Ye rubs his nose.
Did someone badmouth me behind my back?
{Rhodes Island's Psychologist}
Draft by Mihjaqtio
Proofread by Demosama PanzerComrade56
Edit by MIhjaqtio
