Chapter 14 (1/2)
Chapter 14
Watchmen Chapter 14: Displaying One’s Talent for the First Time
Gu s.h.i.+ Chen walked to the side of the table and put on a pair of gold-rimmed gla.s.ses. Her quiet and exquisite face lost a few points on charm, but she looked more knowledgeable.
She turned around and returned to Jiu Jie’s side, gesturing to the single sofa at their side, saying, “Please sit.”
Jiu Jie complied. The material of the sofa was very soft, and was adjusted perfectly for reclining. People who sit on it would feel very comfortable, and unwittingly relax.
Gu s.h.i.+ Chen sat on a chair beside the sofa. “Are you ready? I will now hypnotise you.”
“Those words have been repeated. During the talk, those were the words you said to the male student right before you hypnotised him.” Jiu Jie said.
“Then, before we begin, do you want to place a bet?”
“Okay, I had the same thought.”
“Bet what? We must agree first. I have no interest in streaking and the likes.”
Jiu Jie shook his head. “I’m not as bored as those students. We bet using a favour.”
“Bet with a favour? How do we bet?”
“If I win, you’ll promise me one thing. If I lose, I’ll promise you one thing.”
“Okay. Then, how do we determine the winner?”
“If you can prove that I have a psychological problem or you even find a cure for it, then you win. If I can prove that you have a problem and can cure you, I win.”
“Ok, no problem.” Gu s.h.i.+ Chen casually agreed. “Then, let’s talk about our stakes. If you win, what do you want me to do?”
“If I win, then you need to promise me that you’ll call Uncle Gu ‘Dad’ once.”
Gu s.h.i.+ Chen was stunned for a moment, and as she fell silent, her eyes bore straight at Jiu Jie for quite a while.
“Why? Is there a problem?” Jiu Jie asked.
Gu s.h.i.+ Chen averted her eyes shaking her head. “No.”
“Good, then let’s hear yours. If you win, what do you want me to do?”
Gu s.h.i.+ Chen rested her chin on one hand as she thought. “I haven’t really thought about it. Let’s just remember this first. If I win, then in the future, I can ask you for any favour at any time, and you cannot refuse.”
“No problem. What you’re asking me to do though cannot violate my principles.” Jiu Jie said.
“Oh? What principles? Not lying?”
“Not just that. The task you entrust to me cannot go against modesty, uprightness, mercy, bravery, fairness, sacrifice and honour. Other than that, i’ll do whatever you ask me to.”
“Okay. If I win, then the task I’ll ask you to do won’t violate any of the above.”
“Then, we’re agreed.” Saying so, Jiu Jie held his palm up, saying clearly, “Let’s shake on it…”
Gu s.h.i.+ Chen cottoned on, gripped his hand strongly, and clearly said, “It’s a deal!”
In October, in Nanjing, the temperature has been steadily dropping. The weather was also unpredictable. The morning was very sunny, but in a split second, it would get cloudy and the sky would darken, as if it were about to rain.
The expansive Yangtze River, the long-lasting Qin Huai river, it was like he’s restless night after night. Life flows like a river and he felt like he was in a dream. (TL Note: It’s a poem meaning that what he sees right now is not reality, he’s dreaming. Everything is surreal and dreamlike. Kinda hard to explain because it has a very deep meaning.)
In this heroic landscape, since time was immemorial, he ha
d never lacked any amazing and touching stories.
To the east of Black Tortoise lake, there was a little office. Following the clear sound of a clap, the trajectory of two people’s fates quietly and sorrowfully started to change.
At this moment, a knocking sound was heard from the door.
“Please, come in.” Gu s.h.i.+ Chen said.
The middle-aged lady in uniform entered, saying, “Miss, this the coffee and water you wanted.”
“Just put it there.” Gu s.h.i.+ Chen said. “Also, Aunt Liu, I want to take care of some matters. If there’s nothing important, please don’t let anyone interrupt during this period of time. If there’s a scheduled patient, please let them wait a while.”
“Understood. Miss. Is there anything else?”
“No, go busy yourself.”
The middle-aged lady gave a slight bow, then ambled out of the room.
Gu s.h.i.+ Chen gave the gla.s.s of water to Jiu Jie. Since he went out, Jiu Jie had not drank a drop of water, which made him very thirsty. He gave a ‘thanks’ and gulped down the gla.s.s of water, finis.h.i.+ng it.
Gu s.h.i.+ Chen held up the coffee cup, and gently took a sip. “Let’s begin.”
Jiu Jie got comfortable on the sofa. “I’ve seen your instant hypnosis before. It was very fascinating. I was thinking though. If I don’t cooperate, can you still hypnotise me?”
“In other places, I wouldn’t dare confirm, but in here, even if you don’t cooperate, I can hundred percent hypnotise you.”
“Really? Having too much confidence may not necessarily be a good thing.” Jiu Jie said.
“Talking is useless. I’ll use actions to prove it to you.”
Saying so, Gu s.h.i.+ Chen took out a pocket watch from her pocket, and started gently swaying it in front of Jiu Jie’s face. “Look here.”
Jiu Jie didn’t speak and nearly laughed, despite the situation. He looked at the watch in front of him. “You’re wasting your time. If you can hypnotise me with such simple techniques, Uncle Gu wouldn’t have needed to invite me over from so far away.”