Aozaki Touko and Lynch sat down at the coffee table, and Aozaki Touko even proactively poured tea for Lynch.
This was the proper way for Aozaki Touko to receive guests at her office.
Evidently, after their previous exchange, Aozaki Touko had confirmed that Lynch was unrelated to the Mages Association and wasn’t there to capture her.
At least on the surface, so Aozaki Touko was willing to improve her attitude on the surface, even putting her glasses back on.
It must be mentioned here that Aozaki Touko is characterized by a dual personality, distinguished by wearing or not wearing glasses, which she uses to switch personalities.
When wearing glasses, her personality is subjective and humane, her tone gentle; when she takes off her glasses, she becomes objective and sharp-tongued, adopting a cold tone.
Of course, this is just a setting; in reality, it’s more like using the glasses to switch into ‘business mode’.
For example, now, with her glasses on, Aozaki Touko smiled, her attitude vastly different from before, completely adopting the professional demeanor of a warm and hospitable female boss facing a client.
The reason for such a significant shift, besides the previous conversation dispelling most of her hostility, was primarily because Lynch was now beginning to narrate his ‘background story,’ and Aozaki Touko was thoroughly engrossed in the gossip.
Don’t assume that someone like Aozaki Touko wouldn’t enjoy gossip or a good show; she’s simply not interested in ordinary people or mundane affairs.
But once something piques her interest, she’s more enthusiastic than anyone.
Evidently, Lynch’s’story as a scion of an ancient extraordinary family from the East’ was of great interest to Aozaki Touko, prompting her not only to enter business mode but also to proactively pour tea for Lynch.
What she displayed was an undeniable immersion in the gossip.
She couldn’t help it; who could blame her when the version Lynch was recounting was too ahead of its time?
He directly applied the ‘broken engagement’ and ‘underdog’ plotlines that would emerge in the future internet era, telling the story of a young man from a declining family who becomes an orphan after his parents’ death, falls into a life’s low point, only to be rejected and humiliated by his fiancée.
The young man, filled with resentment and anger, then begins to strive diligently, constantly improving himself, vowing to reclaim everything he lost.
Throughout the process, Lynch, with his superb acting skills, fully immersed himself in the role, narrating his experiences from a first-person perspective, and deliberately glossing over details in certain areas, giving the impression of someone with a rich and untold story.
Such dramatic and convincing content captivated Aozaki Touko, who listened with great relish and marvel.
Her gaze towards Lynch gradually changed, tinged with admiration and a sense of shared experience.
Upon reflection, her own experiences were quite similar to those of the young man before her.
Although many details differed, the story of a young genius suffering a setback and then falling into a slump was the same.
However, Aozaki Touko’s downfall came from losing the family inheritance struggle against her sister Aozaki Aoko, followed by a crushing defeat in a real-life duel against her sister, ultimately losing both face and battle, being exiled from her homeland, and even subjected to a Sealing Designation by the Mages Association.
Her situation was truly miserable and sorrowful, plunging her into a super low point in life.
In this respect, she was very much like Lynch.
Even their ambitions were identical.
Although Aozaki Touko was in a slump, she hadn’t given up, vowing to reclaim everything she had lost and return to the pinnacle.
Lynch also stated that he would eventually reclaim everything he lost and achieve feats that others could only look up to.
Especially when Lynch uttered the classic line, “Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river, do not bully a young man in poverty,” Aozaki Touko was deeply captivated by it, savoring its meaning, and for the first time in a long while, she felt a surge of passion.
It was also for this reason that Aozaki Touko, through her own imagination, understood why Lynch wanted to marry her—their experiences were so similar, like two exiled and abandoned lone wolves, they indeed held a strong attraction for each other.
Aozaki Touko felt that if this had happened when she had just suffered defeat and exile from her sister, she might not have minded getting together with Lynch.
In fact, Aozaki Touko suddenly realized why Lynch would do something as abstract as proposing marriage right away.
According to her understanding, in ancient Eastern cultures, it was common for engagements and marriages to be arranged immediately, as long as the families were well-matched.
Although Lynch was a modern person, as the heir of an ancient family, he would naturally adhere to ancient customs.
Undoubtedly, two fallen individuals with family inheritances, both highly talented extraordinary people, were indeed considered well-matched.
Unfortunately, several years had passed since that incident, and Aozaki Touko had recovered and had clear plans for the future.
Although she was in a low point, she believed she would endure it and fully transform into a free and solitary witch.
However, even though she didn’t intend to marry Lynch, through this exchange and understanding, Aozaki Touko’s favorable impression of Lynch increased significantly, and she also provided Lynch with what he wanted.
Yes, all the fun points she could generate had been exhausted during the gossip session.
158 fun points, and additionally, an achievement was unlocked at this time, granting a reward of 120 fun points.
The achievement’s visual depicted Lynch’s scene of tricking Aozaki Touko, combined with his initial proposal.
The system named this achievement ‘Giving the Grand Magus of Puppetry a taste of the abstract shock of the internet era.’
Indeed, it was quite an eye-opener for Aozaki Touko.
Although given her personality, she certainly wouldn’t fully believe Lynch’s words and would maintain a good deal of skepticism, the intended shock had already been delivered.
For Lynch, this was enough.
Next, it was time to get down to business.
At that moment, Lynch first expressed regret at not being able to marry Aozaki Touko, and then, amidst Aozaki Touko’s complex emotions of wanting to speak but ultimately saying nothing, he produced a pile of documents.
“Although I cannot marry Miss Touko, I believe our cooperation can still continue.
Please take a look at these documents first, and after you’ve finished, we can discuss what’s next.”
As he spoke, he presented the documents with both hands.
Aozaki Touko raised an eyebrow, then curiously took the documents and began to read.
Her eyes immediately fell on the title of the document on the first page, and her pupils contracted.
“Regarding puppet clone Technology”
Quickly, she flipped through the documents, reading the subsequent content.
After reading three pages, Aozaki Touko looked at Lynch with a mix of astonishment and confusion: “These documents are…”
Lynch immediately presented his pre-prepared explanation, incorporating the unique settings of the Fate World: “One of the techniques my family possesses, rumored to originate from a very ancient era, even related to the legendary Third Prince Nezha.
However, this is merely a legend, and the truth is, while I have compiled all these documents, it is not easy to realize this technique.”
“Therefore, I specifically came to you, hoping you can help me realize this technology, Miss Touko—according to my understanding, your research into puppetry is far ahead of many others, and you have a unique specialization in it.
Furthermore, you are not entangled with the established powers of the Magus world; you are a ‘lone wolf,’ which, to me, makes you the best partner for cooperation.”
Although she had somewhat anticipated it, Aozaki Touko was still incredibly surprised when she actually heard it.
After silently putting down the documents, Aozaki Touko’s right index finger tapped rhythmically on the coffee table, as if in thought.
After a long moment, she spoke again.
“So, why do you still choose me?
With such detailed documents, you shouldn’t need a woman who rejected you to fulfill your needs, should you?”
Lynch nodded, then said very seriously and confidently: “That is true.
However, I am not one of those Western Magi.
Therefore, I uphold the Eastern tradition: business is not just about profit, but also about goodwill.
An extra friend means an extra path.”
“Furthermore, with these documents, I believe you can also accelerate the completion of your research into puppetry, and I am very eager to see what kind of brilliance you will unleash once you complete your research, Miss Touko.”
“And when I am ready to return and reclaim everything, you can also become an important asset to me, can’t you?”
After hearing these words, Aozaki Touko gazed deeply at Lynch, then suddenly smiled: “What you said truly leaves me speechless…
Tsk, honestly, if it weren’t for a few years having passed, I really wouldn’t mind marrying you.”
Saying this, she extended her right hand to Lynch, “For now, being friendly cooperative partners and friends, I think that’s quite good.
What do you think, Mr.
Lin?”
Seeing this, Lynch smiled and shook Aozaki Touko’s hand: “Of course, the honor is mine as well.”
With this, the contract of cooperation was sealed.