Cutting off a topic and then steering it toward a direction favorable to yourself is a conversational technique. It lets you control the tempo of an exchange and advance things from a position of advantage.
Breaking the rhythm like that—and having others accompany you while you "execute your task"—can also create the impression that you are the subordinate party.
It was one of Li Lin's frequently used tactics: a common way of controlling the flow of conversation and showcasing his "capability."
Of course.
He stole it.
Back when he read random books for fun, Li Lin had absorbed all sorts of dubious "knowledge." In his old world, he never had a chance to use it. But the situation now was entirely different—if he didn't lean on tricks like these, the brutal world of Terra would genuinely chew him up and spit him out.
So he had become adept at leveraging small advantages and little techniques to take control of a conversation's rhythm. Even though he hadn't finished that book—How to Manipulate the Mind—it still helped him stay at least somewhat composed in this environment.
At minimum, it could fool plenty of uninformed people into thinking he was someone with real ability, rather than a useless tagalong who could do nothing without his teammates.
"You see? In reality, the vast majority of our assignments are just like this—nothing particularly troublesome."
Everything was proceeding according to plan.
Driving Penguin Logistics' sedan to a remote warehouse, Li Lin got out and carried the strapped-down supplies from the trunk into the building. When he returned from the warehouse, he looked at Sora in the passenger seat and gave her an apologetic smile.
"I'm very sorry—my driving isn't very good. If I talk while driving, it might cause an accident. Now that the goods have been delivered, I can listen to how you ended up coming to Penguin Logistics."
"I…"
"Oh, right—and this, too."
With a casual motion, Li Lin switched on the positioning function of the communications device in his hand. He sat back in the car and smiled at the visibly tense Sora.
Maintain a certain social distance—so the other person can relax in a closed space.
And at the same time, once that spatial distance has been established, it can be "broken" by something as simple as opening a car door—subtly constructing an image of trustworthiness in the other person's subconscious.
He was using dirty tricks on Terra's people, yes. But what else could he do?
He couldn't be infected by Originium, had no special abilities at all. Beyond talking nonsense and providing a bit of psychological value, he had nothing else to offer.
"All right. Tell me. Relax—this isn't an interrogation or a cross-examination. It's just a conversation between friends. Though I can't exactly claim we're friends… I am genuinely curious why you chose the bitter side of life."
"Actually, I…"
Sora took a deep breath, then looked at Li Lin with firm determination.
"I like Miss Texas. That's why I came here. I came to pursue Miss Texas."
"Oh. That's perfectly normal."
"I know you'll think I'm strange, but actually I—huh?"
"I said it's perfectly normal."
Seeing Sora sitting in the passenger seat with an astonished expression, Li Lin shrugged and spoke as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"You're kind of similar to me, you know. Because—actually—I was also attracted by Texas' bearing. At the beginning, I chased halfway across the city because of Texas, and that's how I became a member of Penguin Logistics."
"Th-then… is Senior pursuing Miss Texas?!"
"Hahahaha. Why don't you guess?"
Sora was visibly excited. Li Lin laughed, walked around from the hood, opened the driver's side door, and sat down behind the wheel.
And, as expected, compared to her earlier, restrained posture, Sora's gaze had brightened considerably.
She even leaned in a little, closing the distance on her own. Nervously, she watched Li Lin, thought for a moment, and then lowered her head with a hesitant, regretful expression as she offered her guess:
"Senior and Miss Texas… you're dating, right? You look… pretty intimate…"
"You guessed wrong. Texas and I are only coworkers."
"Huh?!"
"Ah—Texas is just too difficult."
Watching Sora's disbelieving face, Li Lin leaned in slightly as well, lifting a finger to trace shapes in the air.
"She looks cold and distant, but she's beautiful; her presence is poised and elegant; she's capable; and she has many secrets. I'm not worthy of her. I'm just an ordinary person—no special ability, no special judgment."
"Texas, Exusiai, Croissant, you… all of you are top-tier, shining people. If this were a gacha game, you'd all be five-stars at minimum. And each of you has some kind of secret or capability, right? I don't want to pry. I'm just a normal deliveryman. So I gave up."
"People need self-awareness. When you know something is nearly impossible—so hard it's practically unrealizable—then as long as it doesn't involve your faith, your psychological pillar, or your personal safety, it's better to give up. And for me, Texas is none of those. Being able to chat with her, to talk like this, to trade a few playful lines—I'm already satisfied."
"But, Miss Sora, you're different. I actually support your idea."
Staring straight into Sora's eyes, Li Lin said with absolute seriousness:
"I support your choice."
"Huh? R-really?!"
"Yes. If you truly did this for Texas—perhaps 'gave up' is too harsh, but if you're willing to fracture your performing career because you want this that badly—then I'll help you. Later, we can discuss battle plans, strategies, and so on. I'll assist you."
"That's really—thank you so much! But I…"
"I do ask for something in return. Miracles and magic aren't free, you know?"
Li Lin looked at the excited Sora and gave her a smile—one that was just a shade too ambiguous.
"After all, I also hope that someday I can have a home with someone. So we'll help each other. In short, I want this to be mutually beneficial. Is that okay?"
"No problem! No matter what girl Senior wants to pursue, I, Sora, will help!"
"Good. Then let's head back now. I'll shut the door again—this door never closes properly…"
Reaching out, Li Lin tugged the car door, then looked out toward the distant view of the warehouse district. His body lowered instinctively as he glanced back at the girl behind him.
"…Sora. Next I'm going to do something rude. If you don't like it, then I'm truly sorry."
"S-senior?"
"Don't move, Sora."
In one swift motion, Li Lin pulled the top idol of Lungmen into his arms and covered her mouth. Hiding inside the car, he stared at the figures approaching from the distance and spoke in a low voice:
"Don't speak. Danger's coming."
-------
My : pat*eon*com/RuneA
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