"Hehe, you are quite interesting," the woman across the table chuckled softly.
"Really? I also think I'm quite interesting," Han Zhan nodded in agreement.
"My name is Judith, and I live here. Interested in coming up for a bit?"
"Just for a bit?"
"Or maybe for a little more."
"..."
Judith, being an unreserved Old Priestess, could tell a dirty joke without a change in her expression.
Han Zhan wasn't interested in connecting with other strange men, and he was just about to turn and leave.
Suddenly, the little robot, October, who had been ignored for so long, started stepping towards the buildings along Dawn Street's alley.
"Buling, bulong, I am a robot..."
The mechanical voice echoed clearly through the whole corridor.
Han Zhan and Judith exchanged glances, and Han Zhan could only follow helplessly.
On Dawn Street, there were many native residents like this one, and because every inch of land was precious in Titan City, the buildings were built very tall.
Judith's place was on the 27th floor, a very simple and compact hotel-style apartment.
The room was kept very tidy, different from Han Zhan's preconceived notions.
The air was filled with a faint, intoxicating fragrance, the unique scent of a mature woman.
"Care for a drink?" Judith invited with a warm smile.
"I'll have whatever the host is having."
"Then let's have some 'Spiritual Young Man'."
"Spiritual Young Man" is a drink that began trending in Titan City decades ago, seemingly containing some specially developed ingredients that make one feel invigorated after drinking it, though too much could make one excessively nervous.
Judith only brought out two very small cups, indicating she didn't plan on getting overly energized.
She poured the light blue drink, and Han Zhan took a curious sip, finding it mildly sweet with a bit of sourness. After just one sip, it seemed to sweep away hours of fatigue.
Han Zhan's eyes lit up as he drank.
"You seem to be visiting Dawn Street for the first time; I haven't seen you before," Judith said, propping her head up and speaking to Han Zhan.
Her high heel tapped Han Zhan's pants leg, her gaze filled with a charming allure.
"I haven't seen you either, Miss Judith. That's perfectly normal," Han Zhan set down the cup, rubbing the rim, "My work is on Colored Cloth Street to the south, dealing with the disassembly and recycling of robots. I rarely come to places like Dawn Street."
Han Zhan spoke casually.
Colored Cloth Street is a remote street in Titan City, one that people who don't live there year-round might not even know about.
Judith took a small sip from her cup, her thin red lips barely moistening the rim. After hearing Han Zhan, she elegantly crossed her long left leg over her right and changed her sitting position.
"How about we play a game? Each of us asks the other a question; no lying, no evasive answers, and no trivialities. Otherwise, the one who breaks these rules takes a drink, or the other way around."
"Sure," Han Zhan promptly agreed.
Judith took the lead.
"What's your name?"
"Bob," Han Zhan answered, deadpan.
"Are you really a lady?"
"You're quite blunt," Judith gave him a playful look, though she wasn't angry, "What, do I not look like one?"
"You haven't answered my question."
"Yes, I am," Judith said, leaning closer with fragrant breath on Han Zhan's face.
"It's my turn now. What brings you to Dawn Street?"
"To replace old parts for October, oh, my robot."
Speaking of October, this little robot had wandered off into the inside of the room, busying itself with something unknown since arriving.
As if hearing Han Zhan calling its name, a small figure suddenly appeared from the room.
On its head was a lavender lace bra, half in front and half behind.
"Pfft!" Han Zhan, in the midst of drinking water, almost choked on it.
This little rascal of a robot, what on earth was it doing?
Before Han Zhan could voice his anger, October had already turned back into the bedroom, while Judith nonchalantly gave it a glance.
"It seems like replacing your robot's parts was a success."
"It's not usually like this..."
Han Zhan tried to defend himself uncertainly, met with Judith's "sure, I believe you" look, and could only give up.
For the first time, Han Zhan experienced an unjust blow to his reputation. He quickly changed the topic, asking, "I'm a bit short on money. Any tips on where I can earn more Titan coins?"
"Go to the Mechanical Research Institute as a test subject, become a street hustler, or rob somewhere but make sure the security team and Celestial Net don't catch you."
Judith's three suggestions were increasingly unreliable.
Seeing the look Han Zhan gave her, Judith shrugged helplessly, "Come on, I'm just a lady. If I knew how to make money, why wouldn't I go earn it?"
What you said makes sense. I have no retort.
"I had a nice chat with you; three thousand Titan coins, discounted price. Really not considering?" Judith downed her drink and asked.
"No, I'm a man of virtue," Han Zhan firmly declined.
Just as he spoke, little robot October emerged from Judith's bedroom again, this time with a small pair of panties on its head.
Han Zhan: "..."
Judith chuckled lightly, "It seems Mr. Bob is indeed a man of virtue. It's just that your little robot might have some other ideas."
"October!" Han Zhan called sharply, and the little robot quickly trotted over.
Just as Han Zhan was about to seize its head to control it, October suddenly raised its hand and proudly displayed something.
It was something that looked like a roll of film, very old, appearing to be ancient.
Was this why October insisted on coming here?
Han Zhan thought to himself, but before he could say anything, October had opened its mouth and swallowed the film roll.
"What was that film roll?" Han Zhan asked Judith, curious.
Judith shook her head. "I don't know. It's just a place I rent. This building is an old one in Titan City, probably at least a few hundred years old."
A few hundred years old? Shouldn't it be condemned?
Han Zhan mentally scoffed, just as October's body started emitting strange noises.
It was a sound akin to gears turning, and with their rotation, the little robot began to emit a different sound.
It was a moderately elderly male voice.
"I'm old. Aging has made me feel all my bodily functions are declining. Why can't humans defy the passage of time! Why!"
Following that, a heavy breathing sound came through the speaker.
A woman's breathing sound.
The breathing was interspersed with painful moans, and the voice's owner seemed to be enduring immense suffering.
Han Zhan and Judith exchanged glances once again.
Oh wow, I was all set to hear some secrets, and this is what I get, huh? Fine, fine.
The old guy might be old in body but young in spirit, as Han Zhan and Judith unflinchingly listened for almost half an hour.
The sound of gears stopped, and October humanely let out a satisfied belch, patting its belly.
And that's it?!
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