Chapter 3: The Bitter Truth
The smile on Huo's face stiffened. He thought the contractor was behaving so well and didn't consider the possibility of her being slow-minded. Somehow he got worried about the accomplishment of the tasks. He sighed inwardly, he needs to seal this contract by all means. With that thought, his normally thread-like patience magically became endless.
The open palm changed to his index finger pointing at the black card she was holding.
" That is the contract." With a serious face, he continued the business.
" The moment you desired to agree, it automatically sent you here. This means that you, dear contractor, agree to the deal. "
" You only need to sign your name to finalize everything and you can start conquering the different planes. Simple isn't it?" He smiled as gently as he could, as to not frightened the one and only possible contractor he has.
After digesting what the other told her, she bent her head and looked at the contact in her hand.
The card was still the black card as before but the contents have changed. It contains clauses that pertain to the agreement that Mr. Huo has mentioned. Overall, it only stated that she will do her duty as a tasker and that the points she earned will be hers but the "Good Trait" she managed to corrupt will be given to the System. Then at the bottom contained a signature line.
She has to say that this is the simplest and most dubious contract she has ever read.
Her sight returned to the man showing a business-like smile.
" What if I don't agree?" She asked.
" What?" Mr. Huo's gentle facade finally shattered.
Knowing that no matter how powerful he is, he couldn't really force someone who is hell-bent on not agreeing. He can only ask her.
" Why?"
Seeing the loss in that originally indifferent eyes of his. She felt a pang of guilt but she knows that she was not in the wrong. She has her own opinions and can exercise her right to choose. She was stupid when she was alive, she can't be stupid even in death. So she decided to be honest in answering him.
" Why not?" She asked.
" As you know, I have already passed away. I'm on my way to be reincarnated. I can only pray that my next life will be good." She smiled.
[Yes that's right. It's better to let go of everything and so I can start over again.]
Staring at the lady in front of him who suddenly oozes with an aura of enlightenment, he can't help but wonder.
" But weren't you betrayed? Didn't you hate them? Especially that sinister white lotus sister of yours who calculated you to death?"
She was shocked when she heard him.
"How did you know that? " her voice rang a decibel higher.
" Oh, I know a lot of things." Huo stated as a matter of fact then leaned back on his chair. His mood is more languid.
" I even know what happened in your world after your death and know that many other women share the same fate as you. " The eyes looking at her were meaningful.
Suddenly an excited female voice filled the room.
" Are, are you God?!" Her almond eyes stared at the handsome man in front of her. She can't believe God actually looks like a 20+-year-old model, like a hunk!
Huo can't contain himself when he heard her deduction. He laughed without an image. His business-like stern and indifferent face suddenly resembled that of a boy-next-door who laughs his ass off from a silly joke. When he calmed down he said,
" I may have god-like facial features but I dare not call myself a God." He smiled. His former aura returned and the tension from earlier clearly loosened.
The awe in her eyes instantly evaporated like drizzle on a hot pan. No way, even she knew God couldn't be this narcissistic.
" Are you secretly mocking me, dear contractor?" His voice was extra gentle yet sent shivers down her spine.
" No Sir. I wouldn't dare. " she hurriedly cleared her name. Even as a ghost she is afraid of a second death. She still needs her soul intact to reincarnate.
" Let's continue then."
She unknowingly straightened her back and listened attentively.
" You said you don't agree because you hope for a new life when you reincarnate?" His piercing eyes watched her in a scorching manner.
" Yes. " She was intimidated by his aura but this is something she'll fight for. This is her only chance. Her chance to be happy.
Looking at her perseverance and hope-filled eyes, he almost doesn't want to break it to her. But no, he needs this contract badly and he has a hunch that this person is the only one who can pull it through.
Seeing that look on his face, she can feel that something bad will be revealed to her. She was anxious but felt disappointed even more.
" Then what if I told you that even if you reincarnate, you will still have the same fate?"
His words were obviously soft but why did it feel like breaking her entire being?
Looking at the distraught girl in front of him, he continued.
" Not only that. So is true for your past lives and your future lives. You will continue to live like this over and over. Clearly not remembering, yet still sharing the same fate."
She looked at him almost pleading.
" No. You must be lying. "
The distance between them, she have crossed a while ago. She was clenching her fists so tightly as she rests it on his table. Her face, close enough to see her devasted state.
Close enough to hear her say,
" Please."
He continued to watch her not uttering a word. In his mind, he sighed and thought that fate really was cruel. This young lady, he felt pity. Her endless cycle of rebirth was her endless cycle of hell.
He gently poked her forehead with his index finger and said.
" See for yourself."
In that instant, time seemed to stop.
The moment he touched her skin, she saw her past and future. Her countless past selves and her continuous future selves. They were all deceived, betrayed, and calculated. They all died in vain and with countless grievances. They all died hoping for a new chance. Hoping for redemption. Hoping to be happy.
Finally, her tears fell like a broken string of pearls.
" They were all me. "
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone