Daziel crouched and murmured to Bailu, "Dragon Girl, wait here for just a moment."
"Okay, Brother Daziel, but please be careful..." Bailu nodded obediently.
...
Daziel's voice cut through the crowd, drawing every eye to him. Sushang turned, a flicker of doubt in her gaze as she saw Daziel approaching.
"Mr. Daziel? Is that you? What brings you here?"
"I happened to overhear your discussion and came to see what was happening," Daziel replied, stepping quickly to Sushang's side. He lowered his voice, adding, "This bet... it's unfair, you really don't need to agree to it."
"Unfair?" Sushang blinked, a hint of confusion clouding her features. "I thought it seemed quite fair. Loser accepts the punishment."
Daziel sighed inwardly. Sushang, bless her heart, was so straightforward, trusting to a fault, and prone to acting on impulse. "No, listen – why are you being so reckless? You and March Seven would get along perfectly… Just listen to me, Scott, he's…"
But before Daziel could explain, Scott's voice boomed out, interrupting him.
"Well, well, if it isn't Mr. Daziel!"
Scott feigned surprise, his smile stretched and exaggerated, as if he'd stumbled upon a priceless artifact.
Daziel frowned slightly. Scott shouldn't know who he was yet, should he? Why was he using his name? This felt… off. Hesitantly, Daziel asked, "Do… Do you know me?"
"Know you? Of course, of course!" Scott nodded emphatically, his tone suddenly dripping with syrupy flattery. "Director Topaz mentioned you! Said if I ever encountered you, I should pay attention!" He paused, then deliberately raised his voice, projecting to everyone within earshot. "The fact that you helped Yarilo-VI repay that astronomical debt? It's all over the company grapevine! You're practically a celebrity within the IPC now! Your picture's plastered all over the employee groups!"
Helplessness washed over Daziel. Becoming a company celebrity was the last thing he wanted, especially not like this. He just wanted to resolve the Aurum Alley situation as it was originally intended and be done with this tiresome mess. But it seemed the butterfly effect was in full swing. The original plan? Likely useless now. What new complications awaited him this time?
"If I had a choice, I'd rather remain unknown," Daziel said, his voice cool, a hint of impatience lacing his tone.
Scott, seemingly oblivious to Daziel's clear annoyance, only grew more enthusiastic. He spun around to face Sushang, a cunning smirk spreading across his face. "Don't tell me – you were going to intervene on her behalf? I knew it!" Scott's voice rose sharply, laced with provocation.
He jabbed a finger at Sushang, addressing her loudly, "Hey, you! Wild girl! Listen up, this is a VIP client of our company! I think even if you lose your little wager, you wouldn't actually have to bark like a dog in front of everyone..." Scott paused dramatically, letting his eyes slide over to Daziel before continuing, each word carefully enunciated: "You could just… privately… go to Mr. Daziel here and practice your barking lessons! Learn how to be a proper little puppy. Maybe even get a collar, take it off, and rub against Mr. Daziel's legs, begging for mercy! Perhaps he would take pity and help Aurum Alley pay off their debt!"
Daziel's face tightened. He hadn't anticipated Scott dragging him into this, and certainly not in such a ludicrous way. "Hold on!" Daziel interjected, a hint of a snarl in his voice. "I never said I was taking the company's side in this!" He shot Scott a warning glare, his eyes sharp.
Sushang, however, remained unfazed, almost nonchalant. "Humph!" she snorted, pursing her lips. "Just lying down in front of Mr. Daziel and barking like a puppy? What's so difficult about that?" She actually turned to look at Daziel then, her eyes flitting with a strange mix of shyness and… something else he couldn't quite decipher.
Daziel was momentarily speechless, a bemused smile tugging at his lips. He truly couldn't fathom the workings of this girl's mind.
Seeing Sushang's reaction, Scott's smugness amplified. He let out a booming laugh. "Then it's settled! Hahahaha, Mr. Daziel, until next time, just wait and see the spectacle! I trust you'll be… satisfied. Come on, everyone, let's leave them to it!" With a flourish, Scott gestured to his entourage and they swaggered away, leaving Daziel, Sushang, and a crowd of bewildered onlookers in their wake.
"Miss Sushang," Daziel began, rubbing his temples, a headache already brewing. "Even if Aurum Alley can't manage the rent, you really don't need to bark at me…" He honestly couldn't grasp Sushang's… peculiar thought process.
Sushang, however, straightened her posture, her expression serious. "Absolutely not! This girl keeps her word. A promise is a promise, and I will not bring shame to the Cloud Knights." Her resolute stance only deepened Daziel's sense of helplessness.
Wasn't taking off your clothes and lying down and barking like a dog already bringing shame to the Cloud Knights? He couldn't physically prevent her from going through with this ludicrous bet, could he? With Sushang's… unique brand of logic, she certainly wouldn't agree. But the image of Sushang actually putting on a collar, lying down, and barking at him… Just the thought of it was unsettlingly… bizarre.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please, if I could have your attention!" A clear voice suddenly rang out from the crowd.
Daziel turned towards the sound and saw the woman in the Aurum Alley Chamber of Commerce uniform from earlier stepping forward. She approached Daziel and Sushang, offering a slight nod as a greeting. Then, she addressed them politely, "Hello, my name is Mingxi, and I am the secretary for the Aurum Alley Chamber of Commerce. Most people just call me 'Little Secretary'. This matter regarding the Aurum Alley Pier is really a dispute between the Chamber of Commerce and the company. Miss Sushang shouldn't have been involved at all."
Sushang waved her hands dismissively. "No, no, I came here on my own accord. I just couldn't stand seeing him acting so arrogant. I had to do something! Standing by and doing nothing just isn't in my nature."
"Little Secretary…?" Daziel's eyebrows rose in recognition. Now, he remembered. This woman was also a significant NPC in the "Aurum Old Alley's Market is Noisy" storyline. It was just that she had a rather generic appearance, and used a common character model, so he hadn't immediately placed her. Hearing her introduction, it clicked.
Mingxi then turned her gaze to Daziel, a hint of inquiry in her eyes. "This is… Mr. Daziel, is it not?"
"Yes," Daziel confirmed, nodding. He turned back to Mingxi, "Can you repay this rent? Because if not, Miss Sushang here is genuinely going to try and bark like a dog at me."
Mingxi frowned, placing a hand thoughtfully on her chin, appearing to consider something. She paused before continuing, "I… I thought you and those company people were quite close. And… were you perhaps… looking forward to Miss Sushang taking off her clothes, lying down, and barking at you?"
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Hey there! I'm Wallnut-chan! 🌸 I'm translating this fanfic and restoring some +18 scenes that were cut from the original work—since explicit content isn't allowed in China. I went through everything carefully and reinserted the scenes while staying true to the story! Hope you enjoy it!
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