ICTEUWMN Chapter 53.2

—Thank you so much for this! But you didn’t need to buy so much. I can’t use it all, and it feels wasteful. Besides, I don’t have enough cash on hand right now. I’ll settle the bill with you later. I’m really sorry for the inconvenience!

When Huo Ting read this, he paused, a rare hint of emotion flickering in his eyes.

The tone of the note carried an inexplicable sense of happiness and excitement, mingled with a bit of embarrassment.

However, Huo Ting didn’t bother to explain that he only purchased the rest of these special skincare products to avoid drawing attention to his actions. Instead, he left a reply:

—As long as it’s useful, there’s no need to settle the bill. I overbought anyway, and the food you gave me before was very valuable. – Huo

In fact, after their intermittent paper note exchanges over this period, Huo Ting had almost concluded that this mysterious presence forced to reside in his study was likely still young.

And, for some reason, seemed to have very little wariness toward him…or perhaps toward anyone?

This kind of casual request for help with shopping nearly revealed to the buyer that the individual in question was likely a member of a special race, with unique features such as scales or armor plates.

Not only were they separated from their kin, but their body seemed to be experiencing some kind of issue.

Looking at the note in his hand, Huo Ting hesitated for a long time before furrowing his brows and adding another paragraph.

When Yu Mian next came out to type an update, he was just about to apply more of the essence to his tail when he noticed Huo Ting’s new note…this time pinned beneath what appeared to be a document.

“Why is he writing more and more? And what’s this document? Did Huo Ting accidentally misplace some work materials?”

Curious, Yu Mian opened it and froze.

[On Subsidy Policies for Rare and Endangered Special Races]

Yu Mian: Huh?

“Did he print this specifically for me to see?”

He flipped through the document and found that it outlined a policy from the Federation. Special races residents experiencing difficulties could register with the government to apply for subsidies.

Upon opening the attached forms, he discovered that the rarer and more endangered the race, the greater the support available, ranging from relief supplies to guaranteed housing.

This was a universal policy aimed at helping races on the brink of extinction in the interstellar era.

“So, the Federation’s welfare is this good? And what does that have to do with me?”

Yu Mian felt a peculiar suspicion arise within him.

Could it be that Huo Ting had misunderstood something?

[What does it say on the note?]

The system chimed in, equally astonished.

Yu Mian finally looked at the note beneath the document. The first page stated that there was no need to settle the bill since Huo Ting had overbought anyway.

That was definitely unacceptable.

It was precisely because the price of this package was so expensive that Yu Mian felt inexplicably pained even though he had royalties in hand. It was as if the scales falling out from working late were somehow directly funding his fight against more scales from falling out.

But he firmly believed that he had to repay the amount, no matter what.

As for the second note, it was indeed related to the document.

—If you’re experiencing difficulties, apply as soon as possible after leaving. Also, be cautious and maintain vigilance against strangers. – Huo

Yu Mian read the note and his tail froze mid flick.

He was advising to be wary of him?

This felt oddly novel.

Though Yu Mian knew perfectly well that Huo Ting was not a stranger to him.

“So, he’s encouraging me to go register as a mermaid with the Federation?”

Yu Mian stared at the document, finding the suggestion bizarre.

[…That might make interstellar social news. However, I think you’d qualify for the highest tier of subsidies.]

After all, mermaids were incredibly rare.

The system offered this insight tentatively but just imagining the scene made Yu Mian shudder.

“No way, I’ll pass. I’d rather focus on writing. Once I can move out, I’ll buy a huge swimming pool!”

Shaking his head, Yu Mian dismissed the idea.

After spending some time researching the essence online, he realized how vibrant and diverse the lives of other special races were.

Some bird-like races capable of flight lived in luxurious custom-made tree houses designed to accommodate their aerial needs.

Aquatic races often lived near water, enjoying various water-based recreational activities.

By comparison, Yu Mian’s lifestyle felt downright primitive.

He still didn’t know why his tail had been acting up, but the essence seemed to be helping.

Previously, he’d lose one scale a day, but now, with the essence’s hydration, he could go several days without shedding a single one.

He carefully collected each fallen scale, burying them in the fine white sand at the bottom of the aquarium just in case.

After all, this really couldn’t be seen by Huo Ting.

And for some reason, even without understanding much about mermaid habits, Yu Mian subconsciously felt that scales shouldn’t be casually handed over to others.

Better to keep them well hidden.

When Huo Ting returned to the study later, he immediately noticed that, this time, there was no new reply.

He checked every corner of the desk and even around the cup, but there was no trace of a fresh note.

“…”

For a moment, Huo Ting wasn’t sure how to feel about this “stranger’s” current mood.

Should he be glad that the other party was clearly following his advice?

Or should he feel a bit disappointed?

But the cautionary words on the note had been written by his own hand, after all

—-

The good news was that the wildly popular TV adaptation of “Contract Marriage”, which had been airing across Central Star, had finally reached its grand finale during this period!

In fact, due to the real-time filming and broadcasting model, the production even included a few post-marriage extras from Yu Mian’s updates into the finale. The heartwarming and sweet conclusion set a new annual viewership record on its last day.

No one had anticipated that the show topping the ratings this year wouldn’t be a serious, grand-themed drama but rather a lighthearted romantic comedy like “Contract Marriage”. It truly achieved universal acclaim and became a show for all ages.

Even while eating out, it was easy to spot many shop screens playing clips from “Contract Marriage”.

Particularly the iconic scene where Caesar chased after his wife. No matter how many times it is played over and over again, it could instantly attract a large number of interstellar audiences to sit below and look up at the scene, feeling so refreshed that they could even drink a few more tubes of nutrient solution!

Meanwhile, on the star network, fans were flooding the forums with teary farewells and comments about the sweetness of the ending. Their overwhelming momentum seemed enough to drown the entire headquarters of Huanyu.

[You must live happily ever after! The extras are done, the show has officially ended, and it feels like I’m saying goodbye to Gu Bai and Caesar for real. Why does this make me want to cry so much?!]

[Exactly! It’s like Gu Bai and Caesar are still living on in some other world we can’t see, and I just won’t be able to watch them anymore. It feels so empty.]

[But the ending was so sweet! I feel like the post-marriage extras filled all the gaps left in the main story. It’s so satisfying, TWT. This was the romance novel that introduced me to the genre! Fish Soup Noodles, you’re my god! Keep updating “Eternal Night Rose”!]

There were even rumors that the drama adaptation rights for “Contract Marriage” were being sought after by several alien galaxies, with negotiations underway for off-planet distribution.

As for Yu Mian, who had officially received his system reward for completing his first book, he realized he had fully unlocked his “golden finger” for mental power.

Perhaps it was because he hadn’t chosen the singing career path, so the system had instead shifted the rewards toward the things he created. Whether it was his novels, which existed only as words, or the food he personally made, each carried its own unique effects in varying degrees.

This realization sparked a new idea in Yu Mian’s mind.

“You’re not leaving work on time today? Are you working overtime?”

So today, Secretary Hals was surprised to discover that Huo Ting, who had been leaving the office promptly every day and preferring to work late from home, had unexpectedly decided to stay in the military office today.

“Mm.”

Huo Ting nodded in acknowledgment. Only after Secretary Hals left with a puzzled expression did Huo Ting silently unfold a long-awaited note.

—Since you wouldn’t let me settle the bill before, how about I make you dinner tonight as temporary compensation? Please don’t return to the second floor too early tonight. Thank you!

“…”

Huo Ting couldn’t quite describe the feeling.

But he followed the note’s instructions, even going so far as to order everyone to stay away from the second floor that evening.

This was the first new note he had received in weeks, ever since he had last advised the other party to be cautious.

After carefully smoothing out the note and placing it into a box, it became clear that the box in his office drawer contained nearly every single note Yu Mian had ever written…without a single one missing.

“Heh, temporary compensation, completing a task, and earning system rewards all at once, this is too good to be true.”

Meanwhile, in the study, after confirming that Huo Ting indeed hadn’t returned from work and had left the second floor for him to use freely, Yu Mian was bursting with excitement over the “reward bag” he would receive after feeding him three times.

[I feel like you’re kind of cheating.]

The system voiced its reservations.

There was something subtly strange about this situation. It was as if the two of them were deliberately exploiting a bug in the system to farm rewards together. It felt so off!