Overturned Tower

Hearing Hua Chu's words, Russell raised his water glass and took a sip.

He tilted his head slightly and asked, "Who am I? Will it affect our conversation?"

"I think it will."

Hua Chu supported her chin with her left hand and replied softly: "It is better to say that this is already part of the treatment."

"Is the bad guy coming?"

"Did you say keep silent? He has been here, but the treatment will have to be done another day... I have to deal with you first."

Huachu said with a smile: "His problems cannot be cured in one or two times, but you are different... I am used to dealing with simple things first."

"So, I'm Russell."

Russell replied seriously: "Whether it's ultramarine or barber, it's still Russell."

"...So that's the answer."

The corners of Huazhu's mouth raised slightly: "It's quite expected.

"In that case, you can treat me as your elder."

"elder?"

"Yes."

Huachu said with a smile: "Your mother recognized me as her sister back then."

"……elder sister?"

Russell paused and stopped talking.

In terms of the lifespan of an elf, Huachu is about, at least... over a hundred years old, right?

After thinking about it, he still didn't dare to say it.

After all, he and the bad guy still have to go to the trouble of Huachu to treat him...

But in front of "similar people" like Hua Chu, communication does not require words at all.

She just glanced at Russell's expression and understood what Russell was thinking.

"Don't be so scrupulous. Immortal species have completely different views on life span from humans.

"The reason why some human beings who have become at least young-looking through cosmetic surgery, etc. feel angry and annoyed when they are told that they are older... that is actually because they have hidden feelings about their age deep in their hearts. The fear of death.

"The so-called beauty and maintenance are just a race against time. Its essence is to escape from death and away from the ravages of time... But we elves wouldn't be taboo about this kind of thing, right?

“When you say we are older, we will not be annoyed by being ‘looked old’, but will be proud of ‘we have a long life and time’.

"The more something is missing, the more angry you will be because you pretended to 'have that thing' but were questioned. This is actually a psychology of irritation... For those who really have these things, those doubts will only make them They find it ridiculous and pitiful.”

Hua Chu put her hand on her chin and casually spoke words that could touch people's hearts.

"To put it simply, it's just a matter of urgency."

Russell summed it up succinctly.

Hua Chu burst out laughing immediately, clapped his hands together and made a crisp sound: "You are right!

"But you don't have to talk to me in such a formal way...

"If I guess correctly, you should be able to control your expression perfectly, right?

"You and I have similar talents. If Russell you have any thoughts that you don't want me to know, I won't be able to see them easily... What you reveal are thoughts and ideas that you don't want to hide.

"You just didn't say those words directly out of politeness. You wanted to use this topic to test 'what kind of elf' I am."

"Or...are you just testing my abilities?"

Huachu not only read the thoughts that appeared on Russell's face, but also easily read Russell's deeper hidden thoughts.

As she spoke, the pink-haired elf girl put a delicate and perfect smile on her face.

That is a very complete "smile". Just by looking at it, you will feel happy and like a spring breeze, as if you can perfectly absorb joy and happiness from it.

- But this is for ordinary people.

But Russell could not read or recognize any real feelings in it.

Empty and pale, like a thin mask.

...Does this kind of technology actually exist?

Russell stared at the "smile" on Huachu's face, thoughtfully.

A business smile gradually appeared on his face.

After trying about three or four times, a smile exactly like Huachu's appeared on his face.

Russell, who was already delicate, now looked like a carefree and pure girl.

But he was not satisfied with this, but continued to adjust his face.

After four or five more times, the expression on his face gradually melted into another, sunnier smile.

It is a smile that reminds people of a "hero", enables people to believe from the bottom of their hearts, and gives strength and hope to desperate people.

——But apart from that, even Huachu couldn't read Russell's thoughts and ideas at the moment.

"...Your talent is more terrifying than I imagined."

The innocent and carefree fake smile on Huachu's face gradually faded away.

She couldn't help but admire: "Your learning ability is even better than your mother's... If I understand correctly, your ability to imitate other people's talents should be one of the essence of your personality.

"You may be more dangerous than you think, Russell."

Huazhuo said, leaving his chair.

She walked around behind Russell and hugged him.

The pink-haired elf girl hugged Russell and took a deep breath, as if smelling Russell's scent.

"...Are you sucking a cat, Miss Huatouch?"

"Not."

Hua Chu said lightly: "You don't think... you are very similar to a cat, do you, little Russell?

"Furthermore, humans like cats because cats match the aesthetics of humans, just like humans match the aesthetics of killer whales. But we elves are all transformed from humans... Oh, by the way. Just in case I ask. Wait, did your mother tell you this?"

"...My mother didn't say it, but I found out about it from other people."

"Bad day?"

"almost."

Russell nodded slightly.

He knew it from Grandma Lan, and it could probably be said that Bad Day told him.

"You're very popular with elves, Russell. But it's not because you're cute or because your spirit relative is a small cat.

“It’s because of your ever-fluid, malleable personality.

"Once you become an elf, your personality will solidify. Because of this, many elves like what they liked a thousand years ago and what they liked a hundred years ago; the same mistakes they made a hundred years ago are the same today.

"A personality that can constantly change, a personality that can learn and grow by absorbing the strengths of others... This 'changeability' alone is full of freshness.

"Elves all like children and hate old people because they can smell this 'possibility of growth' in children. That is something that we can no longer get back after we become elves..."

Huachu stretched out her hand and gradually moved it from Russell's back to the back of his shoulder, and then to the back of his neck.

Like holding water, her slender hands held Russell's neck. Russell could faint with just a little force of his fingers.

"The elves with names may still be full of love and affection for you. Because they can gain 'growth' in another way... As you said before, they are not so 'urgent'.

"But for us ordinary elves, it's more jealous than 'love'."

She whispered, touching the back of Russell's head with her forehead.

Hua Chu said softly: "Don't talk, Russell.

"Close your eyes and listen with your heart."

Russell obeyed Hua Chu's words and closed his eyes.

But in that dark field of vision, he seemed to vaguely hear something.

It was like someone was whispering in my ear. It's like lying in bed half asleep, and someone is mumbling something outside the window...

The sound seemed to be getting louder and clearer. But Russell still couldn't hear or understand what those words were saying at all.

The next moment, Russell suddenly woke up.

But when he shuddered and opened his eyes - Russell suddenly realized that he was not in Miss Huachu's office.

He appeared alone in the "temple" where he awakened his spiritual power.

I don't know why I suddenly felt sleepy today. I couldn't help but fall asleep again after waking up in the morning.

Now I have just finished lunch and continue writing, and then I feel a little sleepy...

Woo hoo, let’s finish the second chapter first and then take a nap...