After No. 21 had spilled her guts like beans from a bamboo tube, laying bare her entire background and the reasons for her time travel, Whitley stroked his chin, pondering the valuable information she had provided.
He did not, as No. 21 had secretly feared, immediately pack her up and stuff her back into that future timeline, which was severely lacking in resources and population. Instead, he gave her the choice to stay or leave.
"So, that's about the gist of it."
Whitley nodded after listening. Seeing that No. 21 seemed a little worried about her future, he comforted her in as gentle a tone as possible. "Don't worry, I won't kick you out for no reason. But your sanity has been restored now, and the genetic defect in your body seems to have been resolved. So, let me just ask... do you want to go back to your original timeline and continue to help that Magenta build that Cell MAX? Or... are you planning to stay here?"
Huh? Is that even a question?!
No. 21 didn't hesitate for a second. She shook her head like a rattle-drum and blurted out, "I want to stay!"
Go back? Back to where?
Back to that desolate future world where humanity was almost wiped out by Androids 17 and 18?
Or go back and help that ambitious Magenta build some ultimate android that sounds like a total villain?
Just the thought of it bored her to tears!
And there was an even more important point!
The past timeline didn't have Whitley!
For her to go back to a world with nothing, she'd have to be crazy!
No. 21 secretly glanced at Whitley beside her.
This man before her was as if he had popped out of a rock. He had suddenly, in some inexplicable way, burst into her chaotic and desperate world and become the anchor for her sanity.
She had a strong intuition that if she couldn't see Whitley for a long time, couldn't feel his unique and reassuring presence... her hard-won sanity would likely melt away like snow under the sun, and she would revert to that crazy, gluttonous lunatic!
She didn't want that! Absolutely not!
Her mind made up, as if afraid that Whitley would go back on his word, No. 21 inched closer and closer to him.
Under Whitley's strange gaze, No. 21, like a cautious little puppy, quietly took a deep breath beside him.
"Mmm..."
This! This is Whitley's scent!
So special... so... I really want to take a little taste...
The moment this dangerous thought appeared, No. 21 was shocked and frantically shook her head in her mind. 'No, no! No. 21! you are no longer an insane lunatic! You have to maintain your sanity! Be reserved! You can't show that gluttonous look again! That will scare Whitley away!'
While she was frantically admonishing herself, she couldn't control her greedy breathing of the air around Whitley, and the expression on her face changed with her inner thoughts!
Sometimes intoxicated, sometimes struggling, her expressions were as colorful as a Sichuan opera face-change.
Whitley snapped out of his shock. His mouth twitched, and he subconsciously scooted over on the sofa, trying to create a little safe distance between himself and this woman.
But the moment he moved, No. 21, like a piece of sticky candy, also quietly scooted over, her large, watery eyes looking at him eagerly.
Whitley: "..."
He simply stood up and, with some helplessness, put a stop to No. 21's strange "man-eating" behavior.
"Alright, alright, No. 21, be normal."
Whitley tried to make his tone sound serious. "Don't always be sticking to me like this. A girl should be a little more reserved, you know? In the future, when you live here, you should also be mindful, don't just come up to me whenever you feel like it."
"Oh..."
Hearing his slightly admonishing words, No. 21 immediately wilted like a frost-bitten eggplant and silently lowered her head.
Her fingers were nervously intertwined, a look of great grievance on her face.
Whitley looked at her like this and sighed in his heart.
Isn't the contrast in her personality after regaining her sanity a bit too huge? From a crazy yandere girl to a clingy and easily bullied girl?
He thought that it was not a solution to always let her wander around him with nothing to do. He had to find something for No. 21 to do to distract her.
So he cleared his throat and said in a negotiating tone, "That... No. 21, do you have any plans for the future? Are you planning to go back to your old profession and continue your scientific research? Or do you want to find something else to do, to change your mood?"
As he spoke, he casually picked up the teapot on the coffee table, preparing to pour himself a glass of water to wet his throat.
"If you ask me..." Whitley continued to suggest, "Why don't you be Bulma's assistant? Her lab is also short-staffed. You are both top scientists, you'll definitely have some common ground. Or if you want to find a job, Capsule Corp has many subsidiaries. With your wisdom and ability, you can definitely excel in any position, your talents won't be wasted..."
Before he could finish, he saw that No. 21, who had been looking down, suddenly raised her head, and her sky-blue eyes suddenly lit up!
Her gaze was fixed on the teapot in Whitley's hand.
The next second, with the speed of lightning, No. 21 stood up and, almost as if snatching it, took the teapot from Whitley's hand.
With a fluid motion, she poured black tea into the teacup in front of Whitley.
Then she quickly put down the teapot, walked around the table, and stood straight before Whitley, her hands clasped in front of her, a complex expression of shyness and excitement on her face.
Whitley was stunned by this series of actions.
But seeing her expectant gaze, he still picked up the freshly poured cup of tea and took a light sip.
Just as he had taken a sip of the tea, No. 21 took a deep breath, as if she had used all her courage, and announced in an exceptionally clear voice, "Let me be your maid! What do you think, Lord Whitley!"
"PFFFT—!!!"
The mouthful of black tea Whitley hadn't swallowed yet sprayed out!
These sudden words almost made him choke to tears!
"Cough, cough, cough...!!!"
No. 21 was startled and quickly and clumsily pulled out a few tissues and came up, carefully wiping the corners of Whitley's mouth and the water stains that had splashed on his clothes.
Her other hand rhythmically patted his back, her face full of worry and self-blame. "Lord Whitley, are you okay? I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, it's all my fault for suddenly speaking while you were drinking and startling you..."
Whitley finally stopped coughing. He raised his hand to stop No. 21's continued patting and, with a look as if he were seeing an alien, he sized up this "I'm serious" woman before him.
"Cough, cough... you..."
Whitley felt his throat was still a little itchy. "You... how did you think of becoming... a maid?!"
He simply couldn't believe his ears.
"Aren't you a scientist?! Dr. Gero's top disciple! The top technical talent of the Red Ribbon Army! This... this is not even the right profession! Isn't the leap a bit too big?!"
No. 21's cheeks flushed, and she smiled shyly, explaining in a low voice, "Actually... actually, my brain has a lot of miscellaneous knowledge stored in it. When I was modifying myself into an android, for the sake of laziness... hmm, convenience, I uploaded a lot of knowledge from various fields into my brain as a backup. Among them... was the complete theoretical and practical data on how to become an excellent maid..."
Her voice got smaller and smaller, but her eyes grew brighter and brighter. "And... and this way, I can justifiably stay by Lord Whitley's side at all times! I can take care of your daily life, serve you tea and water, prepare snacks... isn't that a very happy thing?"
Whitley listened to her grand ambition and opened his mouth, but for a moment, he was at a loss for words.
At this moment, only one thought was crazily circling in his mind: What on earth has been happening to me lately? Could it be that I've been hit by some so-called... peach blossom calamity?!
First, he had been randomly paired off by Zeno and the Grand Priest and had an angel wife, Vados, shoved on him.
Then that kid Trunks had a burst of filial piety and desperately wanted to push his own mother, Future Bulma, on him!
And now? Even this scientist, No. 21, was clamoring to be his personal maid?!
Th-this... could this be the legendary... fated to be entangled with women?!
Whitley looked at No. 21, who had started to ramble on, her eyes shining, about the "professional qualities of a maid" and "how to provide the most attentive service to the master." He wanted to interrupt her absurd career plan several times.
But the words caught in his throat, and he swallowed them back down.
Forget it, forget it... if she wants to be a maid, then let her be a maid.
Whitley thought with some resignation.
It's better than letting her be idle and one day, on a whim, accidentally creating some new world-destroying android, right?
After all, it had taken so much effort to pull her back from the brink of madness.
Maybe... she was just new and curious about the identity of a maid?
Maybe after a few days, she would find it boring or too tiring and give up on her own?
Yes! That must be it! Whitley tried hard to convince himself.
And so, in a complex mood of helplessness and a strange anticipation... our Mr. Whitley had "happily acquired" a beautiful and hot, formerly a crazy scientist, but now a clingy... exclusive little maid.
Although there was no matching maid outfit for the time being, No. 21 had entered her role at an astonishing speed.
From the moment Whitley agreed, wherever Whitley went, No. 21 would follow!
Serving tea, passing water, massaging his waist, kneading his legs... the service was so attentive and diligent.
This feeling made Whitley feel as if he had traveled back to the old days and had become the kind of master who had everything done for him. He felt a little uncomfortable.
After his righteous and repeated admonitions—including but not limited to: maintaining a normal distance, no casual touching, I have my own hands, and so on—this overly enthusiastic maid小姐 had finally calmed down a little bit.
At the very least...
She would no longer try to find every possible opportunity to feed him water and food.
This... was probably a kind of progress?
Whitley could only comfort himself in this way.
However, he had clearly underestimated No. 21's initiative and... obsession.
By dinner time, when everyone had gathered in the dining room, No. 21 had already appeared by Whitley's side, completely transformed.
She was wearing a classic black and white maid outfit, the length of the skirt just right.
It made No. 21's figure look both dignified and faintly outlined her beautiful curves.
The white headdress and apron made her look a little less cold than before, and a little more gentle and submissive.
The speed of this online shopping delivery and change of clothes was simply breathtaking!
Bulma held her fork, her eyes fixed on the virtuous-looking No. 21 beside Whitley, who was busy serving him food.
Her chest heaved violently, and her eyes were almost spitting real flames!
"WHIT! LEY!"
Bulma squeezed these few words from between her teeth. "That woman! What is the meaning of this?! Do you have to move so fast?! She just regained her sanity yesterday, and today she's already in a maid outfit?! Can you be a little more reliable, you bastard!"
Whitley looked at Bulma's almost-exploding appearance, could only let out a heavy sigh, and slapped his own forehead.
He knew Bulma would be angry!
When No. 21 had insisted on being this maid, he had had a premonition that tonight's dinner table would not be so peaceful.
What was to come had come...
Just as he was about to brace himself and explain a few sentences, such as "this was her own decision, I was just respecting her choice"...
Future Bulma, who was sitting next to Bulma, suddenly smiled and took Bulma's hand, whispering a few sentences in her ear.
And then something magical happened!
The surging anger on Bulma's face actually began to subside at a visible rate!
Although the corners of her mouth were still pursed tightly, at least she no longer looked like she was about to flip the table.
This made Whitley curious, and he couldn't help but concentrate and prick up his ears, trying to eavesdrop on the private conversation between the two Bulmas.
He only heard Future Bulma say in a teasing and soothing voice, "Are you a fool? Since she wants to be a maid, then let her. You are the proper Mrs. Whitley, why are you getting jealous of a little maid?"
Bulma pursed her lips and complained in a low voice, "But... that guy Whitley... you know him! He... he definitely won't be able to resist! At that time..."
"Hehe..."
Future Bulma let out a few knowing chuckles, put her arm around Bulma's shoulder, her tone filled with the wisdom of experience. "Hasn't he been unable to resist for a long time now? Vados, No. 18... are you just finding out about this little flaw of his today? Listen to me, your opponent, or rather, the ones you need to pay attention to, should be that angel and the other android. As for this No. 21..."
She glanced meaningfully at No. 21, who was seriously serving Whitley food. "The moment she chose to become a maid and actively put herself in such a position, in a sense, she was no longer a competitor on the same level as you. Think about it, isn't that right?"
Bulma pouted, constantly poking the meat on her plate with her fork, and did not speak immediately.
The logic... seemed to be right.
But... the sour and angry feeling in her heart still lingered.
Future Bulma looked at Bulma's awkward appearance and gently stroked her hair as if comforting a daughter, her voice becoming even softer. "Don't worry, I'm here. I'll help you. We two... are on the same side."
"Hmm?"
Bulma turned her head and looked at Future Bulma with some confusion.
She felt that her last sentence was a little strange, and her tone gave her a... strange and indescribable feeling, not just the affection between sisters.
She was just about to ask more, but Future Bulma gently pulled her hand and gestured with her eyes at Whitley, who was pretending to eat but was actually eavesdropping.
Bulma immediately understood and glared at Whitley fiercely, her eyes clearly saying, "I'll deal with you later!"
Then she turned her head away with a huff and began to channel her anger into her appetite, forcefully cutting the food on her plate.
Whitley chuckled sheepishly and quickly buried his head in his food, while also not forgetting to cast a grateful look at Future Bulma.
Future Bulma propped her cheek with one hand and smiled and nodded lightly at Whitley. Her gaze then lingered thoughtfully on the busy No. 21 for a moment, her eyes deep, her thoughts unknown.
And on the other side of the dining table, from the moment he entered the dining room, Trunks's gaze would drift to Whitley from time to time.
He clearly still wanted to continue the topic they hadn't finished that day.
But every time his gaze was about to meet Whitley's, Whitley would as if suddenly become very interested in the pattern on his plate, or would be choked by his tea and need to cough, very deliberately avoiding his gaze.
This made Trunks open his mouth several times, the words on the tip of his tongue, but he still couldn't find a chance to be alone with Whitley and could only frustratedly swallow his words back down with his food.
And so, the entire dinner atmosphere fell into an extremely strange and subtle state.
Bulma was eating with a fierce momentum, her whole body exuding a low pressure of "I'm not happy."
Future Bulma's eyes would flash with a thoughtful light from time to time.
Trunks had a "I have something to say" but couldn't say it expression on his face.
No. 21 was completely in her maid role, so busy that it seemed only Whitley existed in her eyes.
And there was Vados. This angel maintained a transcendent and worldly demeanor throughout, elegantly tasting the food before her.
As if all the undercurrents around her had nothing to do with her, there was even a faint, leisurely smile on her lips, as if she were watching a show.
Oh, right, No. 18 was not present.
This thieving cat, who was so good at setting Bulma off, had already left the Briefs' estate in the afternoon and had gone back to the company to continue her work as a secretary.
In this dinner, where all the parties had different thoughts and the atmosphere was extremely subtle, every minute felt like torture to Whitley.
He almost wolfed down the food in front of him.
"I'm done!"
Whitley put down his chopsticks and announced with some impatience, "I'm taking Buu out for a walk."
He pointed at Fat Buu, who was still gorging himself. "I'll also go and see how that kid Broly is doing, so he doesn't lose control of his power and demolish some mountain again."
Buu, who had been treated as a transparent background, heard that he was going out and immediately lifted his fat face from a pile of food, his mouth stuffed full, and he let out a dissatisfied grumble. "Mmph mmph... Buu no want go out! Buu want stay here forever!"
Whitley looked at Buu's pathetic foodie appearance, walked up to him, and while this guy was still immersed in his food, he rapped him hard on his round head! "Cut the crap! Come with me, I'll take you out to digest your food!"
Whitley said irritably, "Look at you, you're already fat. If you keep eating without any restraint, you'll be too fat to walk sooner or later! How are you going to help me guard the house then?"
As he spoke, he unceremoniously grabbed the still-muttering Buu, who was trying to stay, and turned to walk out the door.
Seeing this, No. 21 immediately looked at Whitley with a mixture of resentment and reluctance, as if Whitley were abandoning her.
Whitley was so uncomfortable under this gaze that his figure paused slightly, and he simply used Instant Transmission directly.
"Swoosh!"
The next second, he and the reluctant Buu he was holding vanished from the living room of the Briefs' estate.
No. 21 looked at the spot where Whitley had disappeared and stood there in a daze.
After a long while, she finally came to her senses.
No. 21 raised her hand and gently touched the maid outfit on her body. The corner of her mouth slowly curved up into an extremely brilliant, even somewhat demonic smile, a complete contrast to her usual timid appearance.
But she quickly seemed to realize something, quickly covered her mouth, and carefully looked around. After confirming that no one else had noticed her momentary change in expression, she let out a clear sigh of relief.
She composed her expression, returning to her gentle and obedient maid appearance, and then quickened her pace and also left the dining room.
And the direction she left in was very clear, it was... the direction of Future Bulma's guest room.
...
Meanwhile, Whitley, with Buu, whose cheeks were still puffed with food, instantly appeared at the entrance of a large shopping mall in West City.
Although he and Goku were very good friends, and visiting was a very normal thing.
But... Chi-Chi's personality, Whitley had experienced it deeply in the past few years.
If he dared to show up empty-handed, with a clearly very gluttonous Fat Buu in tow, he probably wouldn't even get a cup of tea on his next visit!
Whitley patted Buu, who was still savoring the delicacies from the dining room, and led him into the gift section of the supermarket. "Let's go, let's go buy some decent gifts first. Otherwise, that tigress at Goku's house will dare to chase us out with a broom."
...
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