【Interstellar Contract Magician】Ruyuanke

Chapter 344 [Empire] It’s better to make your choice worthwhile

Looking back on my past meetings with Ye Lin, his attitude had never been as cold and distant as it was today. Although he'd always been somewhat silent, before now, he'd often interacted with me in an observant manner, even with a touch of vague concern. His attitude toward me was always nuanced, somewhere between tentative and intimate, but never outright hostile.

However, this time, his indifference and warning tone clearly revealed something unusual. There was a sense of pressure hidden in every word he said, as if he was warning me not to cross the line, as if he was implicitly conveying some deeper message.

I looked down at the ground, his every word racing through my mind. The situation on this mission might be far more complicated than I imagined. Nightingale glanced past me, a look of scrutiny in her eyes. "This young master seems... 'very familiar' with you?"

"Familiar?" I repeated in a low voice, unable to resist a self-deprecating laugh. "Maybe it's because of my status, I'm inseparable from his family."

Nightingale raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting my answer. He didn't ask further questions, but crossed his arms and said with a hint of amusement, "But the atmosphere just now was a bit tricky. I've seen many people play it cool in emergencies. But that guy, he really cares about something."

My heart trembled slightly. Nightingale's words were like a needle, piercing my vague guess.

The impact of this mission may have far exceeded the surface level, and may even affect Ye Qing and the entire Ye family. Ye Lin would not appear here for no reason. His unfamiliar attitude is probably due to the seriousness of the situation, forcing him to distance himself from me, or trying to warn me not to involve the Ye family.

Ye Qing, the backbone of the imperial military, held a position that meant every move could trigger a massive chain reaction. And Ye Lin, as his son, clearly had to shoulder this burden. My presence, even the slightest disturbance, could make the Ye family's situation delicate, even dangerous.

"He doesn't want to involve the Ye family." I murmured in a low voice, almost saying this conclusion to myself.

Nightingale raised an eyebrow and looked at me: "So, you are still in contact with that general?"

I didn't answer, but just raised my head slightly, looking through the ruins in the distance, looking in the direction where Ye Lin left.

If this mission really affects Ye Qing or the Ye family, the consequences will be more than just a warning.

Ye Lin's indifference might be to protect me, or it might be to protect the Ye family. But no matter which one, this mission has made me feel like I'm walking on thin ice.

I murmured softly, as if talking to myself, or as if trying to convince myself: "Maybe... I should stop. But I haven't accumulated enough merit to become an adult yet..."

The moment I uttered these words, I felt a tightness in my chest. My once clear goals of accumulating merit, completing the mission, reaching adulthood, and leaving the empire suddenly became blurred. Ye Lin's attitude, the risks of the mission, and the complexities behind the events all made me wonder—whether continuing would only make things worse.

But at the same time, the urgent desire to leave still drives me forward.

Nightingale watched me silently from the side, as if he had heard my whisper. He raised his eyebrows, his tone carrying a hint of meaningful teasing: "You, you have something important on your mind, right? Why are you so anxious to accumulate merits and become an adult? Honestly, let me guess—are you trying to get out of some unpleasant relationship?"

I didn't respond to his teasing, but just clenched the laptop in my hand, exerting a little force on my fingertips, and a complex emotion appeared in my eyes.

"Nightingale, what do you think?" I looked up at him, my tone rarely showing a hint of seriousness. "Stop, or continue? If it were you, what would you do in this situation?"

Nightingale was silent for a moment, a faint smile on her lips, but her eyes were surprisingly serious. "If it were me, I would first need to figure out one thing - who is actually strangling your lifeline? Or, in other words, are these choices you are making for yourself or for others?"

His answer left me stunned for a moment, like a gentle nudge in the heart. I used to believe that everything I did was for my own goals. But now, looking back, it seems there's always been something behind me, driving me forward—the memories of the original owner, the presence of my old friends, their complex attitudes, and the goal I never dared to articulate.

"Maybe you're right." I sighed, smiled bitterly and shook my head. "But no matter who it's for, I'm already on this path, right?"

Nightingale narrowed her eyes, a sharp glint flashing across them. "If that's the case, then don't stop. Remember, stopping isn't a luxury you can choose, especially in this situation. Keep going, and hone yourself into someone no one can control. Only then will you be qualified to talk about stopping."

His voice was deep and powerful, like a cold judgment. But his words undeniably touched my heart. I knew he wasn't mocking me, but rather reminding me that I wasn't strong enough, not independent enough. If I wanted freedom, if I wanted to control my own destiny, I had to be more determined than anyone else.

I looked down at the cold merit numbers on the computer screen. They quietly reminded me that I was only halfway along the way.

"It seems that I'm destined to give my all in my coming-of-age ceremony." I laughed at myself, straightened my back again, and there was a hint of determination in my eyes.

"Try your best?" Nightingale chuckled and patted my shoulder. "Boy, I like what you said. Live well and don't let your goals drag you down. That's the winner."

I nodded, my gaze fixed firmly on the horizon. Perhaps I should really stop, but now wasn't the time. Only after accumulating enough merit and becoming a true adult could I control my own destiny and face the truths hidden behind it.

"But I don't want to implicate others." My voice was low, as if I were explaining it to myself, or perhaps even speaking to the nightingale. The suppressed emotion made each word seem incredibly heavy.

Nightingale stopped and turned to look at me, a faint smile on his lips, but with his usual teasing: "Involving others? You have a conscience. However, since you don't want to implicate others, then you must be strong enough to not need others to pay for you. Do you understand?"

I gritted my teeth and looked up at him: "Some things...can't be solved by being 'strong'."

Nightingale raised an eyebrow at this, the smile gradually fading, replaced by a serious, even cold, expression. His eyes were as sharp as a knife, piercing my heart. "Listen, kid, you can never avoid causing trouble for others. As long as you live, make choices, and walk, you will inevitably affect others. The question is, can you acknowledge this and take responsibility for your choices?"

His tone was so serious that it caught me off guard. It was like it penetrated my disguise and struck at the weaknesses deep within me that I dared not face.

"Sometimes, choosing not to implicate others is also a form of escape." He continued, his tone adding a hint of meaningful calmness. "You feel that you are not strong enough, that you don't have the right to implicate others, so you would rather retreat than take those responsibilities, right?"

I didn't answer, but just lowered my head, not daring to look into his eyes.

"But you know what?" He suddenly chuckled, his tone becoming slightly softer. "True strength isn't about completely avoiding implicating others, but about making them understand that your choices are worth their involvement."

I was stunned for a moment, then looked up at him with a little confusion in my eyes.

"You can't do everything alone." He shrugged slightly, his hands in his pockets, a hint of helpless mockery in his tone. "Even someone as 'cold-hearted' as me has to admit that sometimes, the trust and support of others are unavoidable. If you really don't want to implicate others, then you must work harder to become strong, strong enough to make them support you willingly. That way, you won't have to 'avoid' them."

I listened quietly, feeling the complex emotions within me gradually unravel as he spoke. I understood his point, and I knew it wasn't entirely without truth. No matter how hard I tried, someone would be implicated by my choices. It was an inescapable reality.

Taking a deep breath, I whispered, "I understand. But—I still don't want to see anyone else get hurt because of me."

Nightingale chuckled upon hearing this, with a complex look in her eyes: "Then try to make your choices worth their price. Remember, kid, this is what you should learn."

His eyes turned to the distance again, as if he was thinking about something. I stood beside him silently.

Perhaps he was right—instead of trying not to implicate others, it’s better to make your own choices worthwhile.