Chapter 232: Of Course, I Must Touch It Enough
Chapter 232: Of Course, I Must Touch It Enough
Fang Cheng had long suspected Nangong Saye’s ties to Mechanical City.
But only tonight did he confirm she’d lived there.
While searching for Central Street’s Number 26, Nangong Saye had asked for directions multiple times—yet her unconscious familiarity with the city’s layout betrayed her.
She’d also identified Shiya Hikari’s identity without hesitation.
How could someone raised entirely in Tokyo recognize Shiya Hikari instantly?
Mechanical City’s existence had been erased from public records by Tokyo’s government. Even Countermeasures Department members like Nangong Saye couldn’t access such information. The Department’s files only mentioned Kutsuki Wataru briefly, never the Shiya family.
Earlier, when Fang Cheng claimed no one could leave Mechanical City, she’d insisted she knew a way.
Every clue pointed to her deep involvement.
Nangong Saye stayed silent, fists clenched and heart pounding. She’d answered Fang Cheng’s question about Shiya Hikari reflexively during the chaos, only now realizing her mistake.
“If you’re keeping secrets,” Fang Cheng said darkly, “we’re not friends anymore.”
“Wait!” She grabbed his sleeve before she could stop herself.
Fang Cheng hid a smile. Normally he respected privacy, but after shielding her from artillery fire tonight? She owed him truth.
Noticing his smirk, Nangong Saye flushed and released him. After a tense pause, she whispered, “I’m Mechanical City’s Tokyo operative. Everything I told you was lies. Sorry.”
Fang Cheng nodded. Only monsters and active spies could exit Mechanical City—this made sense.
The confession unleashed a floodgate. Nangong Saye explained everything: her Hokkaido-native parents fleeing monsters for Tokyo, their lifelong deception. They’d encouraged her Countermeasures Department internship because they themselves were Mechanical City spies posing as refugees.
Forced into espionage as a teen, she’d relayed messages until a mission killed her parents and cost her an arm. Mechanical City then enrolled her in the government’s failed mechanical modifications program. After its collapse, she’d opened an auto repair shop as cover for continued intelligence work.
Her occasional returns to Mechanical City explained her knowledge of the Shiya family. The “friend” who’d died was another modified humans faction spy. His death left her responsible for transporting the key and password—unaware Mechanical City’s infighting had grown so vicious that even welcoming her back became impossible for their faction.
If it weren’t for Fang Cheng’s help this time, she would’ve died on the coast, let alone escaped safely.
After confessing everything, Nangong Saye felt a weight lift from her heart. Since her parents’ deaths, she’d been unable to share these secrets with anyone, and keeping them bottled up had nearly driven her mad.
“You’re from the Countermeasures Department. Will you arrest me?”
Nangong Saye turned to study Fang Cheng’s profile.
They’d only been casual drinking buddies before. She knew he worked for the Countermeasures Department but nothing more.
Fang Cheng stayed silent. Nangong Saye’s heart sank as bitter tightness filled her chest.
Maybe being arrested would bring relief – at least she’d escape this life she hated.
She didn’t want Fang Cheng to see her as a liar, but that hope seemed lost now.
Screech!
Tires screamed against asphalt as Fang Cheng halted the car, pushing open the door to step out.
Nangong Saye blinked, then scrambled after him.
They’d long left Mechanical City, now parked on a deserted outskirts road. Pale moonlight revealed endless dark fields stretching into the distance.
Fang Cheng gestured down the road. “You know the way. Drive yourself to the beach. The boss lady’s people will take you back.”
With the key and password secured in Mechanical City, nobody would waste effort chasing a minor character like her.
Nangong Saye kept silent, eyes locked on Fang Cheng, demanding an answer through sheer stubbornness.
This woman mixed melodrama with pure bullheadedness.
Being tricked stung, but not enough for real anger. As for her spy identity? Meaningless to Fang Cheng – he wasn’t actually a Countermeasures Department member.
“What? Want me to escort you personally?”
His words made the message clear: no arrest.
Nangong Saye exhaled, bowing deeply. “I’m sorry.”
Fang Cheng grinned. “Let me touch you once, and we’re even.”
“T-Touch?!”
“Once is figurative. Obviously I’ll take my time.”
For a heartbeat, she thought she’d misheard.
But this matched Fang Cheng’s lecherous nature perfectly. The man who’d said “I helped because of your large chest” would naturally push for more.
She expected fury, imagined shouting down his perverted demands. Instead, heat flooded her cheeks as her pulse raced without permission.
Nangong Saye, you disgraceful woman!
Her mental self-flagellation emerged as a mouse-like whisper: “N-Not here…”
Though no one watched, Tsukikage Hoshi’s vehicle waited ahead in the moonlit wilderness.
Fang Cheng closed the distance, smirking. “Later? No. Now’s better.”
Nangong Saye stumbled back, eyes squeezed shut, trembling… yet unconsciously thrusting her chest forward, accentuating its curves.
Do it. It’s just flesh. Consider it repayment.
As she steeled herself, Fang Cheng grabbed her mechanical arm, fingers tracing every joint and plate.
Nangong Saye: …
Her eyes opened, showing layered emotions – confusion, relief, faint disappointment.
You’re making me look like an idiot, you know?
Fang Cheng memorized the arm’s structure, noting technological differences from his Blood Combat Suit.
He flicked her forehead. “Daydreaming? Move out.”
Nangong Saye shook herself, climbing into the car with indescribable feelings.
“Hey!”
Fang Cheng slapped her shoulder. She turned instinctively – and found herself pinned against the hood, his lips crushing hers.