CH 31.1

Fourth Floor (9)

Translated by boilpoil

Edited by boilpoil

“Doctor Truly, Deserves His Reputation”

Lin Yi has reached Black Glove’s cell in record time.

Black Glove is still just pale in appearance but with a sharpness to his eyes yet. One cannot imagine how he is the centre of a storm threatening to blow at any moment.

The sounds at the door stops Old Coyote speaking immediately, but that last word he said still manages to make it to Lin Yi’s ears.

“… Can’t be trusted.”

“Talking about me?” Lin Yi raises his brow while sitting next to Old Coyote without asking. He wonders with a smile, “Coyote, I thought an old man like you wouldn’t be a fan of talking behind others.”

Old Coyote still looks a little terrible after the brutal kick from Black Glove yesterday. His bruise still hurts, but his dour look actually has to do with the person sitting next to him, rather than his wound.

“You came quite on time.” Old Coyote coughs, then pointedly jabs, “I thought you’d be gone with that Doctor?”

Lin Yi thinks he has an idea of the conversation that took place before he arrived.

“The Doctor, huh…” Lin Yi would rather not mention the name. Fact is, merely mentioning the intimidating name is enough to make him feel like he is attracting an unwanted gaze from the man on himself.

Black Glove asks, looking at Lin Yi, “he’s your prisoner under the Special Protocol?”

Lin Yi nods. He does not even need to pretend to put up a face of resignation, “time was of the essence, but Stargaol’s rules are rules. There were no other good choices on the first floor, which was why…” he made the decision he came to regret the most in his entire life.

Black Glove has not interacted with Jiang Yiyi. He has not even seen him. All he knows of Jiang Yiyi is hearsay from his men about what he’s done on this floor.

To be honest, outside of Ye Wang’s specific warning, everything that happened so far only proves Jiang Yiyi is suitable for the fourth floor. Anything else feels overblown.

Objectively, he has done about exactly nothing.

“He doesn’t sound like someone Ye Wang would be so wary against.” Black Glove is curious, “rather than being dangerous, it seems more like he is just borrowing Ye Wang’s clout to make himself comfortable…”

Lin Yi does his best to control his facial expression. He doesn’t want to show an inappropriate look of ‘so you have chosen death’ here.

Black Glove asks Lin Yi, “you’ve been with him for long. What say you?”

Do not make contact with him, if he doesn’t want to die.

That’s what Lin Yi’s real thoughts are, which are quite different from what he says, “he’s skilful and dexterous, and a professional with his scalpel. He has a practical grasp of psychology… All in all, he does deserve to be called dangerous.”

Black Glove nods; this evaluation seems grounded, “then, do you think…” His gaze is a dagger pointed right at Lin Yi’s body, “he is here for me?”

Lin Yi also thought about the question before——Considering the timing of his appearance, suspicion is inevitable.

Lin Yi had a conclusion in the end, though.

“I am doubtful.”

Black Glove makes a noncommittal ‘I see,’ before looking back at Old Coyote.

“We are in disagreement, then.” Old Coyote’s tone is accusatory, “quite the opposite. I am sure he is here for Vice-Cap.” He is glaring at Lin Yi with distrusting eyes, “I suspect he’s from FedCom.”

Doctor is working for FedCom…?

If this isn’t the time and place, Lin Yi could have had a laughing fit for the sheer absurdity of that guess. He keeps it to himself, and simply says, “I’ve checked FedCom’s records. He’s not there.”

“Is he really not there, or are you simply claiming he is not there? Only you know the answer.”

“Old Coyote, you are suspecting me again?” Lin Yi furrows his brow at Black Glove, “Vice-Cap, are you of the same sentiment?”

Black Glove sighs, “I do want to believe you, but for one, your double agent nature means you can either work for us genuinely, or them; for two, the first thing you told me upon seeing me is telling me to die…”

“I thought that would prove my innocence beyond any doubt?” Lin Yi raises his voice, “I am not interested in the info Vice-Cap has, after all.”

“A temporary show of deference for later gains. Good move.” Old Coyote interjects, “you know exactly that Vice-Cap is loyal to Captain. With everything you said, would Vice-Cap have stayed put?”

Lin Yi shoots up straight, “Vice-Cap, what is the meaning of this?”

“I need you to prove your loyalty.” Black Glove says slowly, then his eyes look around the room once, until they land on Old Coyote, “Coyote, any suggestions?”

Old Coyote answers without hesitation, “kill the Doctor.”

Lin Yi looks at Black Glove in reflex.

Black Glove is unfazed as he nods, “you said you have nothing else to do with him. Then prove your loyalty to me.”

Lin Yi shakes his head, “Old Coyote, you can’t be expecting me not to suspect you for that suggestion you just gave?”

Old Coyote appears to want to say something, but Lin Yi offers him no such opportunity, “Doctor and I are in the exact same boat here. Sure, he’d die, but then the Outstanding Supervision clause would be annulled instantly, and I’d be back on the first floor in no time.”

He looks at Old Coyote, “Coyote, did you suggest that, only wanting to prove my loyalty? Or… chase me away, leaving only you who Vice-Captain can use by his side?”

Old Coyote retorts with an even louder voice, “I’m only saying that for Vice-Cap’s sake! You are already an undercover agent. Who knows where your loyalty truly lies? We have no proof but your words that Captain wanted Vice-Cap dead as soon as possible. Do you think we would trust you a single bit?”

“More trustworthy than you, at least.”

Lin Yi then raises his voice as well, “what are you actually trying to achieve, repeatedly pushing for Vice-Cap to unleash that info? We all know that’s exactly what those people want. The moment it emerges, the calm on this floor will immediately break down. I bet Vice-Captain would be dead before the day’s out!”

“You…”

“Stop it.” Black Glove finally interrupts them, “I know what is going to happen. As for who exactly you work for…”

“I am loyal only to Vice-Captain…” Old Coyote loudly declares.

“I’ve put my life on the line for Nianluo…” Lin Yi, not going to concede without a fight, follows suit.

“Alright, alright, I know.” Black Glove leans on his bed, continuing, “we are all brothers who trust each other here. Why all the suspicions flying around?”

After some seconds of silence, the three of them all ‘smile,’ and the mood is reconciliatory.

“Nianluo is in danger right now. Rather than doubting our friends and family, we should think about how we can overcome this hurdle.” Black Glove is not talking about Lin Yi proving his innocence anymore, acting like he has already heard enough to confirm their loyalty, moving on to more serious matters.

The moment the question lands, Old Coyote says, glancing at Lin Yi, “with the source of the file destroyed and the only backup in your mind, I think you need not do a thing.”

Black Glove nods, clearly in concordance.

Lin Yi knits his brows hesitantly, however, “Captain does agree as well, however…” he tells Black Glove, “since there is still technically a copy in your mind, it is best if you are dead. The dead tell no secrets.”

Lin Yi has Jiang Yiyi’s almost godlike display of psychological manipulation powers in mind when he pleads, “information is far safer left in the brains of the dead than the living.”

Old Coyote begs to differ, “obviously you’d want Vice-Cap dead, but if he can live, why should we choose death?” He’s adamant, “especially when the only reason you can come up with is as ridiculous as it being ‘safer.’”

Black Glove remains stoic, like what is being discussed is not related to his life or death.

“Coyote, that is not right. Vice-Captain has always been destined only for death; ‘safer’ is enough sway to push the time to now. Isn’t that right, Vice-Captain?” Lin Yi is looking at Black Glove.

Black Glove nods in agreement.

Old Coyote looks a little desperate, “but what? We do it your way, then what about the info?”

The moment he blurted that out, the cell goes quiet for a few seconds.

“No, wait, you suspect me?” Old Coyote explains himself, “I mean, everyone is here for this file. This means the info we have is far more important than we can imagine…”

“Why can’t we put it to use to help Nianluo out of this pitch, and perhaps even land a big blow against FedCom?” Old Coyote continues unabated, “Vice-Cap is more useful alive than dead. Why die now?”

Black Glove stares at him for a few seconds before nodding.

Lin Yi lifts his brow a little; there is what vaguely appears to be a smile on his face, as he indicates for Old Coyote to talk about his plans in detail.

“The info was in code. Even if we created a fake one, no one could tell…”

The talk goes on for a long time, until all the details have been hammered out, when Old Coyote leaves Black Glove’s cell to put the plan into action.

Lin Yi closes the door with no hurry.

“I believe we have seen enough now.” Lin Yi sits back on the chair, wiping his hand; the haste, the passion, the enthusiasm he faked all fades to nothing, “he’s the traitor.”