Her Eyes Say She Likes You - Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Analysis of Ai’en

Xiao Wenluo’s blunt words instantly quieted the scene. Although Ai’en was surprised, his gaze was extremely calm and even carried a hint of understanding as he looked at Xiao Wenluo.

Up until now, Xiao Wenluo had been polite and considerate in his words and actions around Ai’en. But in Ai’en’s mind, he was still a privileged male who enjoyed all the perks of the Empire. Now, being challenged by another male, such an immediate counter-attack was simply a display of the inherent male arrogance, disdain, or a natural competitive instinct.

Many males unconsciously compare themselves in certain social situations; this is generally a male flaw, and Ai’en felt that Xiao Wenluo’s behavior was simply typical male nature, not entirely unreasonable.

In contrast to Ai’en’s view of Xiao Wenluo’s behavior as a male characteristic, Zhou Zirui, who was also a male, adjusted the glasses on his nose. His expression remained gentle and scholarly, but he was constantly observing and contemplating Xiao Wenluo.

In Zhou Zirui’s eyes, to so carelessly offend someone relatively powerful like Carlo, one must either possess a higher degree of authority or be physically powerful enough to ignore everyone else’s opinions.

Zhou Zirui wondered which category Ai’en’s new acquaintance belonged to. While it was inappropriate to use mental power to test him in this setting, he could sense that this person’s spiritual pressure was not obvious. From this perspective, his combat power didn’t seem high. Did he then hold significant authority?

Zhou Zirui immediately dismissed this idea. He knew everyone with even slight influence on Rosta Star, and this person was definitely not one of them. The possibility of an influential male from another star system coming to the impoverished Rosta Star was slim.

Despite his thoughts, Zhou Zirui decided to have someone thoroughly investigate Xiao Wenluo’s background to find out exactly what this person wanted.

Regardless of what others were thinking, Xiao Wenluo, the person involved, slowly walked up to Ai’en. He frowned and whispered, “My wound seems to have opened up.” His tone was calm, devoid of the contempt he had shown moments earlier.

Carlo, who still hadn’t recovered from Xiao Wenluo’s cold stare, looked at Xiao Wenluo’s rapidly changing expression and thought, Is this male Ai’en knows sick? Of course, this thought only circulated in his head; he dared not voice it.

Ai’en didn’t think Xiao Wenluo was sick. On the contrary, he believed that bizarre and fickle male personalities were the norm. He raised his eyelids, looked at Xiao Wenluo, and said slowly, “I’ll re-bandage it for you when we get back.”

With that, Ai’en nodded briefly to his superior, Zhou Zirui, as a gesture of respect, and walked towards the bachelor apartment with Xiao Wenluo.

Zhou Zirui, behind them, spread his hands to Carlo, who was being helped up, feigning a look of helplessness towards his insubordinate subordinate.

Carlo glared at the receding figures of Ai’en and Xiao Wenluo. He shuffled up to Zhou Zirui and whispered, “Didn’t you notice that male is very fierce? He gives off an indescribable sense of dread?”

Zhou Zirui touched the glasses on his nose again. He sincerely replied, “No.” He meant it; he truly did not find Ai’en’s friend to be particularly fierce, let alone dreadful.

Carlo lifted his head, compressed his lips, and glared fiercely at Zhou Zirui. He coldly snorted, turned, and sped away in his hovercraft.

After Carlo left, Zhou Zirui curved a gentle smile. He then addressed the group of female officers behind him softly: “Everyone disperse. This month’s bonus will be doubled.” The source of the bonus, of course, was related to Carlo, who had been released from jail so quickly.

The police officers behind him cheered.

The Quiet Night

Back at the apartment, Ai’en quietly re-bandaged Xiao Wenluo’s wound. His expression was calm, but Xiao Wenluo knew he might be feeling a bit disheartened.

Ai’en was probably an idealist, someone who wanted to change everything around him, even all of Rosta Star. But the Carlo incident made him suddenly realize how much was beyond his power.

Xiao Wenluo didn’t try to comfort Ai’en with words. The power of language is very weak in some situations, and besides, Ai’en was not the kind of person who needed comforting; he was very resilient.

Yet, Ai’en’s effort to maintain a fair stance within his capability was an interesting persistence in Xiao Wenluo’s view. Maintaining justice and fairness on this chaotic planet, even towards his own family member.

When people realize they can’t change the status quo, they either drift with the current or continue to adhere to their own obstinacy. The first option is easily attained; the second might lead to utter destruction, gaining nothing, and even getting framed with various charges.

Xiao Wenluo instinctively felt that Ai’en was the second type of person, but to what extent he could sustain it was unknown.

After treating Xiao Wenluo’s wounds, Ai’en disposed of the medical waste.

Xiao Wenluo was also somewhat tired, having only recently woken up, so he lay down on the bed to sleep. His injury hadn’t fully healed and required rest.

Xiao Wenluo slept until the lights of Flo City were fully ablaze. Midway, Ai’en handled some of his official duties within his jurisdiction.

After clocking out on time, he bought five ordinary nutrient pastes and took them home. The paste didn’t taste good, but it was highly nutritious.

Returning to the apartment, Ai’en saw Xiao Wenluo was still asleep and didn’t disturb him. He drank one nutrient paste, gently retrieved a small folding sofa from the cabinet, curled up on it, and closed his eyes to sleep.

Ai’en never fell into a deep sleep; he was always vaguely dreaming. In the blur, he seemed to recall the scene of joining the Police Headquarters, putting on his uniform, and accepting the Police Oath Manual from Zhou Zirui. He dreamed of swearing loyalty to his job, to the citizens of the Empire, and that his gun would always point at the Empire’s enemies, not its citizens. For some reason, his gun eventually pointed at the numb crowd. His hand trembled, barely able to aim, but he ultimately pulled the trigger, and a red laser beam pierced through someone’s chest…

The Night in Flo City

The suffocating dream was interrupted by a sharp police whistle. Ai’en jumped up. He was clearly not fully awake from the dream, but he was accustomed to the night-time chaos of Flo City. His spirit was highly tense, and he quickly adapted to reality.

Xiao Wenluo, having been in deep sleep due to his injury, was unaware of how lively Flo City’s nights were.

Waking up to the noise, he saw Ai’en already quickly putting on his uniform. He sat up, rubbed his slightly aching forehead, and asked in a tone that was both suppressed and restrained, “What’s going on?”

He had a severe morning temper. Being woken up from a deep sleep made him very irritable. However, he also had his own standards and wouldn’t lose his temper at a stranger.

“On duty,” Ai’en said, oblivious to the displeasure in Xiao Wenluo’s voice. He rapidly buckled his metal belt and said quickly, “I bought nutrient paste. Take one yourself if you’re hungry.”

Xiao Wenluo heard the noise from afar and responded with an “Oh,” then watched Ai’en rush out of the apartment.

Xiao Wenluo sat on the bed for a long time. He didn’t drink the nutrient paste. Police sirens faintly wailed in the distance, and the wild laughter of people nearby carried through the window.

Xiao Wenluo frowned. He slowly put on his clothes and walked into the elevator.

He suddenly wanted to see the night on Rosta Star, which he had heard was very violent.

What he heard quickly became reality. The chaos on Rosta Star was a scene never witnessed on the Main Star. In public areas, merchant-hired security teams and military robots stood in front. In government areas, police officers stood ready with weapons.

Just around the corner from the Police Headquarters, fighting, public robbery, malicious cutting-off by hovercrafts in the air, and shouting over gambling stakes were all in clear view.

At night, Flo City seemed to shed the thin veil of daytime stability. People had turned it into a lawless city, with sirens sounding everywhere.

Xiao Wenluo adjusted his collar. He slowly walked along the city streets, a stark contrast to the criminal activity not far away.

A precious male walking so leisurely through the chaotic night streets, combined with his extremely handsome appearance, naturally drew attention.

Many people paused their violent actions, staring at the unfamiliar male.

A bold female emerged from a dark corner, whistled at Xiao Wenluo, and then playfully licked his lips, saying, “Want to join the fun?”

The city still obeyed the Empire’s highest law, granting males various privileges, but with so much crime at night, a female whistling and teasing a male was not considered a serious offense, and the police here wouldn’t appear instantly like on other planets.

Xiao Wenluo glanced at the female who spoke. He casually lowered his eyes, and his mental power silently blanketed most of Flo City. He had already located Ai’en’s destination.

Now, he needed an “insider” to provide him with convenience and, incidentally, to conceal his own power. After all, a male with low combat ability could witness different scenes in this city without arousing suspicion, unlike one with high combat ability.

So, Xiao Wenluo looked up, smiled slightly at the female, and said very gently, “Yes, I would be honored.”

The ordinary female, who had only intended to verbally tease him, was completely surprised by this answer. His expression was full of astonishment, and then he let out a loud whistle.

Others looked at the female with envy and barely concealed jealousy.

As for the fact that Xiao Wenluo had just used his mental power, no one present detected it. This suggested that Xiao Wenluo’s control over his mental power was at an absolutely terrifying level. His mental power rating was definitely not just the S-grade published on the Imperial Royal Family’s official website.

The Aftermath of the Attack

The place Ai’en drove the police car to was Flo City’s most decadent area, the kind found in every city and on every planet. It was filled with laughter, merriment, and deliberate flattery. Here, you could be a king and do whatever you wanted—provided your personal optical computer had enough credit points.

A bloody incident—a group brawl, reportedly—had just occurred here, involving a female attacking a male.

When Ai’en arrived, a crowd was gathered in the center of the hall, pointing at a person lying on the ground. Ai’en pushed through the crowd and saw the person lying on the ground: his brother, the short, stout Bill.

A knife was embedded in Bill’s abdomen, and bl00d constantly flowed from the blade.

Bill’s breathing was shallow; the rise and fall of his chest were barely visible. The crowd simply stood around watching the spectacle; no one went forward, and no one even called an ambulance for him.

Not far away, an ordinary-looking male, holding a delicate and slender female, was sitting there yawning boredly.

Seeing Ai’en, the male pushed the female out of his arms. He spread his hands, looked at Bill on the ground with some regret, and said, “I was the one who called the police. This female tried to attack me, and I acted in self-defense… But considering he’s my fiancée’s relative, I won’t press charges this time. Officer, please take him away.”

A ripple of sneering laughter went through the crowd. Bill on the ground squinted his eyes, looking towards Ai’en. There were visible tear stains at the corners of his eyes, and the light in his gaze was faint; he looked utterly miserable.

Ai’en narrowed his eyes. He called for an ambulance, then casually grabbed a forgotten coat from a nearby sofa and placed it over Bill’s abdomen, as if that could conceal the wound.

The ambulance arrived quickly and carried Bill away. The venue instantly returned to its lively, pleasure-seeking night-life.

Ai’en stepped out of the magnificent door and saw Xiao Wenluo leaning against the wall.

Ai’en walked up to Xiao Wenluo and leaned against the wall as well. He pulled a cigarette from his pocket and lit it. Through the swirling smoke, he said, “He’s not actually like that.”

Ai’en meant Bill. Xiao Wenluo understood and simply hummed in acknowledgement.

Ai’en looked at Xiao Wenluo’s calm face and suddenly felt an urge to confide in him. But he ultimately remained silent. He couldn’t tell a stranger that Bill’s arrogance was all for survival, to hide his own powerlessness. There was no need to say this to a stranger he didn’t even know well.

It was better to deal with things his own way.

Xiao Wenluo did not press him with questions.

Xiao Wenluo quietly stood with Ai’en against the wall until midnight, watching Ai’en wait for an ordinary-looking male to walk out the main door.

He watched Ai’en move like the bravest hunter. He ran over quickly, leaving only a blur, pulled the male to a spot out of range of the holographic surveillance cameras, and brutally beat him up.

Ai’en only stopped when the male was bruised and swollen beyond recognition. He then naturally eliminated all genetic material he might have left behind.

Xiao Wenluo watched Ai’en’s actions and thought, This is only possible on the chaotic Rosta Star. On the Main Star, Ai’en would have been taken away by patrolling police the moment he made a move.

Having vented his anger, Ai’en threw the male on the ground and slowly walked up to Xiao Wenluo, exhaling a puff of smoke. He revealed his white teeth and smiled faintly, “Special circumstances require special treatment.”