Jiang Lijin was just about to chat with Xiao Yi when unexpectedly the doorbell rang again. She thought Su Han had left something behind, so she casually opened the door.
But the person standing outside wasn't Su Han! It was a very tall man, at least 195 centimeters or taller. He was extremely handsome, possessing a very aggressive kind of attractiveness, yet Jiang Lijin found him exceptionally familiar, as if she had seen him somewhere before. He had broad shoulders and stood perfectly straight. The uniform he wore looked quite extraordinary, somewhat like... a military uniform? Pinned to his left chest was a medal she couldn't recognize but figured was probably a big deal.
He looked down at her without any particular expression, but his face just seemed inherently fierce. However, his tone of voice was, to Jiang Lijin's surprise, exceptionally polite.
"Ms. Jiang Lijin," a deep voice sounded, though she could tell he was trying his best to soften his tone, "I am Baal Volensius."
Jiang Lijin let out an "Ah." She finally remembered that she had seen a profile picture of Baal on the forum; he was also her number one match.
He came so fast... But then again, Baal also lived on the capital planet. Being a 3S-grade just like Chiron, they probably even lived in the same neighborhood.
[Oh my god!! Baal!! He's here!!] Xiao Yi was jumping up and down in her mind.
Jiang Lijin suppressed the little bit of surprise in her heart and quickly adjusted her expression.
"Lord Baal, hello." She took a step to the side. "Would you like to come in and sit for a bit?"
Baal nodded and stepped over the threshold, his military boots making a deep, powerful sound against the floor. He walked into the living room but didn't sit down immediately, instead standing there and sweeping his gaze around the place.
His brow twitched slightly. "You live here."
It wasn't a question.
"Just staying temporarily." Jiang Lijin sat down on the sofa. "The Empire just arranged housing for me, so I'll be moving in a couple of days."
Only then did Baal sit down on the single sofa opposite her.
"This is Chiron's residence."
"Yes."
"You and he knew each other before?"
Jiang Lijin couldn't help but feel like his tone sounded like he was interrogating a prisoner. However, considering his formidable status, she offered a simple explanation. "Not exactly. We bumped into each other when I was getting my psychological evaluation after my divorce. I didn't have a place to stay at the time, and Lord Chiron kindly let me stay here temporarily."
Baal didn't say anything, just tapped two fingers lightly against the armrest twice.
The atmosphere suddenly became a bit awkward.
"Logically speaking, I haven't replied with my address to my matches yet. Is there a reason Lord Baal came today?" She decided to cut straight to the chase.
Baal didn't beat around the bush either. "To see you, of course."
Simple and crude, without any build-up or pleasantries.
Although Jiang Lijin still felt a tiny bit nervous inside, on the surface she just nodded calmly. The reason made sense; if she were in his shoes and received a list that could affect the rest of her life, she would also want to see what the other person looked like.
But deep down, she still suspected that Baal might be here to call off the engagement, or perhaps to negotiate a marriage of convenience. After all, as high-ranking 3S-grade individuals, suddenly being inexplicably matched with a divorced, former C-grade female would undoubtedly cause them to feel some resistance.
Jiang Lijin had prepared herself for this long ago. She had already decided that as long as these 3S-grade beast husbands gave her a little living allowance every month and showed her basic respect in public, she didn't care about the rest. A marriage of convenience, being a couple in name only—anything was fine!
"Well, now you've seen me." She leaned back against the sofa.
Baal's gaze lingered on her face for a few seconds. "Yes. You're... smaller than I expected."
Jiang Lijin: "..."
She wasn't sure if he meant small in stature or young in age, but either way, she really didn't want to reply. She was afraid she wouldn't be able to stop herself from cursing him out and ending up in big trouble later.
"There's one more thing." Baal leaned forward slightly. His voice dropped half a pitch and his speaking speed slowed down, carrying a very serious undertone.
"I don't really approve of the fact that you are currently living in Chiron's house."
Jiang Lijin raised an eyebrow. The words "none of your damn business" were right on the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed them back. Forget it, the guy across from her was being polite enough.
Baal continued speaking. His phrasing was blunt, but fortunately, his tone maintained the basic courtesy owed to a female.
"There are five people on the list, and I am ranked first. Yet you moved into the home of the number two match first." He paused. "That's not fair."
[Host! He's jealous!] Xiao Yi sounded like it was enjoying some juicy gossip.
Jiang Lijin ignored it, though she didn't agree with Xiao Yi's assessment. This wasn't some Mary Sue novel; at most, it was just Baal's competitive drive as a 3S-grade male acting up. But she couldn't be bothered to explain too much to him either.
"I'm moving right away. I was just allocated a house."
Baal's expression relaxed slightly, but not completely. "When?"
"Very soon."
"When is 'very soon'?"
[Xiao Yi, if I get into a fight with him, will the Female Protection Center take my side?] Jiang Lijin was having a hard time holding back her urge to retort, the corner of her mouth twitching.
Before Xiao Yi could answer, the sound of footsteps came from the stairs.
Jiang Lijin and Baal turned their heads at the same time.
They saw Chiron walking down from the second floor. He had changed into a jacket, clearly preparing to head out. As he reached the landing of the stairs, his footsteps paused.
He saw Baal, too.
Their gazes collided in the air, and the temperature in the living room seemed to instantly drop two degrees.
"Director Chiron." Baal spoke first, using his official title—polite but distant.
"Commander Baal." Chiron stepped down the last two stairs. His tone was no different from usual—steady and polite.
He glanced at Baal, then at Jiang Lijin, before pulling his gaze back and walking toward the entryway to grab his coat.
His movements were natural and his expression placid, as if the person sitting in the living room was just a regular deliveryman.
But Baal's fingers started tapping on the armrest again.
"Is Director Chiron not busy today?" Baal's voice was flat.
"I am." Chiron draped his jacket over his shoulders and slowly straightened his collar. "That's why I'm heading out."
"What a coincidence." Baal sat up a little straighter. "When I came, I assumed you wouldn't be here."
"Now you know."
Chiron buttoned the last button of his coat and turned around. He didn't look at Baal again; instead, he looked at Jiang Lijin.
"Let Xiao Bai prepare lunch for you. There are fresh fruits and vegetables in the fridge, don't forget to eat them." The tone of these words was very gentle, actually sounding somewhat like a husband's instructions to his wife before leaving for work. After finishing his sentence, he simply opened the door and walked out.
Jiang Lijin: "???"
Was Chiron usually this gentle with her? He was definitely doing it on purpose... But why?
The sound of the door closing wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally clear in the quiet living room.
Baal's fingers stopped on the armrest. He turned his head to look at Jiang Lijin. "He even manages what you eat?"
Jiang Lijin took a deep breath and stood up. "Lord Baal, would you like something to drink? I'll have Xiao Bai pour you a glass of water."
She decided not to answer that question, but before she could walk away, Baal stood straight up.
He stepped up to her and stopped. The sheer presence of his nearly two-meter frame made Jiang Lijin a little nervous. He gazed down at her, a myriad of complex emotions churning in his golden eyes.
"When you move into your new place," his voice was low, "I will be the first to visit."
Before Jiang Lijin could even reply, Bael had already turned toward the door. He pulled it open and strode out, his movements sharp and decisive without a single moment of hesitation.
Jiang Lijin stood in the middle of the living room, staring blankly at the closed door for several seconds. She closed her eyes, struck by a strong premonition that her first day in the new house would be anything but peaceful.
