chsdbacks Page 7
Page 7
She scrutinized Zhou Ye across from her, trying to discern deeper emotions beneath his calm expression.
Is it anger? Disdain? Or simply... indifference?
"Zhou Yejun, what do you mean by that?"
Rias's voice carried a barely perceptible tension.
Is seeking help in the hope of escaping an unwanted fate also a form of selfishness?
Zhou Ye picked up his Laoshan Cola, but didn't drink it; he just casually played with it in his hand.
There is nothing wrong with seeking help.
“But your approach is to see me as a ‘tool’ or a ‘potential tool’ for solving your problems.”
"Minister Rias, you want me to become your servant, to help you win the [Ranking Game], and to break off the engagement."
"President Sona, although you have broken off your engagement, your presence here is probably because you have your eye on the so-called 'potential' Rias mentioned. You want to see if I am worth winning over, or at least, not becoming a future enemy."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the two slightly stiff faces.
"What you're thinking about is how to use me to achieve your goals."
"But they never really asked me what I wanted, or whether I needed the 'opportunities' they offered."
"Isn't this just thinking about one's own affairs?"
Rias opened her mouth, wanting to refute, but found that Zhou Ye's words, though direct, were also incisive.
They did indeed approach Zhou Ye with a clear purpose.
Whether it's the regret of missing out ten years ago or the feeling of Zhou Ye's extraordinary energy now, they all regard Zhou Ye as a highly valuable goal.
Cang Na remained silent, but his heart was in turmoil.
She had to admit that Zhou Ye was right.
They are used to “selecting” and “evaluating” potential relatives or allies from the perspective of those in positions of power, but they ignore the other party’s wishes as an independent individual.
Especially when this individual may possess power far beyond what they imagined.
"Feel sorry,"
Rias took a deep breath, readjusted her expression, and tried to salvage the situation.
"Perhaps our approach was somewhat flawed."
"But we did come with sincerity."
"To become a demon, to gain a long life and great power, isn't that what many people dream of?"
Zhou Ye chuckled and shook his head.
"An ancient lifespan? Immense power?"
"That sounds very tempting."
"But for me, perhaps it's not like that."
He stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the night view of Kooh Academy.
"Minister Gimonli, Chairman Sidi."
"I appreciate your kindness."
"As for becoming a demon..."
Zhou Ye turned around, his gaze calmly landing on Rias and Sona.
"I reject."
"And in my view, humans are just demons in human skin!"
The reply was brief, clear, and firm, without the slightest hesitation.
Rias's smile vanished completely, replaced by disbelief.
She had considered that Zhou Ye might hesitate, might bargain, or might even propose harsh conditions.
But she never expected him to refuse so decisively.
This was practically a slap in the face to her, the eldest daughter of the Gremory family.
Cangna Xidi's brows furrowed slightly.
reject?
Is it just an act, or is it that... he really looks down on it?
"why?"
Rias couldn't help but press for an answer.
"Aren't you interested in power and immortality?"
"Or are you worried about the risk of becoming a demon?"
Zhou Ye smiled faintly.
"I have the power myself."
"Immortality may not be what I'm pursuing."
"As for the risks..."
He gave the two of them a meaningful look.
"For me, becoming your dependent is perhaps the greatest risk."
These words struck like a thunderbolt, leaving Rias and Sona stunned once again.
Does he have power himself?
Moreover, is becoming their relative a risk?
Who exactly is Zhou Ye?
Rias's unease grew stronger, and the instinctive warning from her bloodline was almost boiling over.
She realized that she might have really misjudged the situation, and very wrongly at that.
The Zhou Ye in front of her was by no means a "potential stock" that she could easily control.
Cang Na analyzed Zhou Ye's words with even greater composure.
He made no attempt to hide his confidence, even showing a hint of disdain for the "opportunities" they offered.
This is either extreme arrogance, or... he really has a trump card to back up this attitude.
Considering the previous unusual energy fluctuations, the latter seems more likely.
The atmosphere in the room became somewhat heavy and awkward.
The invitation was flatly rejected, the conditions that I was so proud of were taken for granted, and I was even questioned by the other party.
Rias and Sona, two noble ladies who are highly regarded among the younger generation in the demon world, felt defeated for the first time in front of one person.
Zhou Ye broke the silence.
"If there's nothing else, I think you two can leave now."
"It's getting late. You and I should all rest. If outsiders see us, it will affect your reputations."
This is an eviction order.
Zhou Ye's words, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, stirred ripples in the hearts of the two devilish girls.
Rias's sorrow froze instantly, replaced by a complex and incomprehensible emotion.
She gave Zhou Ye a deep look, as if trying to see through this boy who she had overlooked ten years ago but who now posed a challenge to her.
After a moment of silence, Rias regained her aristocratic composure and stood up.
"Then I'll take my leave, Zhou Yejun. My conditions remain valid."
After saying that, Rias Gremory gestured for Sona Shide to leave with her.
Cang Na stood up and paused slightly as she passed Zhou Ye.
Her calm eyes, however, held a hint of scrutiny as she looked at Zhou Ye.
Himejima Akeno's childhood friend was indeed far more interesting than she had initially imagined.
His perspective on the issue seemed completely different from that of these demon nobles who were caught up in the situation.
The two left Zhou Ye's house.
We walked to a secluded corner that was away from all the surveillance cameras.
Without hesitation, Lia unfurled a crimson magic circle on the ground.
A dazzling light and surging magic enveloped the two of them.
The next instant, their figures disappeared from the spot and reappeared in the old school building of Kuoh Academy.
Inside the old school building, under the soft light, Akeno Himejima waited quietly, a hint of worry in her eyes.
After resolving the disturbance caused by the ghost stories, she and her retinue returned to the place ahead of her.
Upon seeing Rias and Sona appear, Akeno quickly went to greet them.
"Rias?"
Rias shook her head gently, a hint of helplessness and regret on her face.
"I'm sorry, Zhu Nai."
"Zhou Yejun refuses to become a demon."
"And... I even got lectured by them."
Rias spoke calmly, revealing no emotion.
Akeno looked completely bewildered, and Rias then recounted the whole story in detail.
This includes Zhou Ye's words and the attitude he displayed.