Reboot: Mechanic

A few minutes had gone by since Shi Tian began cleaning the wounds that were on her back. The basin that was originally filled with clear warm water was now colored in deep red. 

And it was during this time that Shi Tian finally paid close attention to her appearance. Her appearance can be described as ethereal with smooth and fair skin. Her charm and attraction heightened with the fact that she had long and fair legs alongside her silky golden hair.

Unfortunately, all of that beauty was ruined because of their first interaction and Shi Tian honestly didn't have high opinions of her. 

After finishing wrapping the elastic bandage around her chest, Shi Tian clasped his hands. 

"Although the first aid treatment is a bit mediocre, you wouldn't be dying anytime soon." He then said, standing up from the couch. All he did was merely treat the symptom of her injuries temporarily but not the actual cause. 

There were some wounds on her body that not even mere bandaging could help. It wasn't as if they were in a video game where you can simply drink a little water or do some fake bandaging that could give them a full recovery. 

As Shi Tian was walking to the bathroom to empty out the basin, Vanessa suddenly called out to him, "You haven't told me what your name is." 

"Just call me Nathan," Shi Tian swiftly replied, using almost the same tone and attitude that she had done previously.

Given that he was still wary of Vanessa, Shi Tian had no intention of revealing much about him, including his real name. 

Matter of fact, Shi Tian no longer had the plan or intention to reveal his actual name to anyone else, whether it was the present or the future. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the name Shi Tian had ceased to exist in this world. 

Sometime later, Shi Tian finished cleaning his hand and stored the basin back in its original cabinet. 

By the time he was back in the living room, Vanessa had already dressed up her clothes, though it was quite clear that she needed a new set of clothes soon. 

"Now that you're bandaged up and able to move properly, cough it up." Shi Tian said without much emotion, extending his hand. 

He was demanding payment for allowing her to stay in his house temporarily and for the medical fee. It might not be much but it was treatment nonetheless that helped sustain her pathetic life. 

"..."

If looks could kill, then the current expression of Vanessa was akin to her shooting a Minigun at Shi Tian's body. She had just barely recovered a bit, and now he was demanding payment right away.

How heartless could he be?

Alas, now that she was the one in need of help, she could only grit her teeth and retrieved 2 mid-tier Source Crystals. 

"Here, hope you rot with it." She threw the Source Crystals toward him. 

Shi Tian grabbed the Source Crystals before chuckling softly. 

"I'm afraid there's a little misunderstanding here, Vanessa." He said, storing the 2 mid-tier Source Crystals. 

"The original price was this, but that was for before. Now the price is different. Not only are you using my house as a temporary safe haven, but you also used my medical equipment to heal your injuries. In addition to that, you dragged me into this muddy water. Hence, the price has risen to 10 mid-tier Source Crystals, meaning you still owe me 8 more." 

"You motherfuc-"

"I know I am one, but I'm afraid I don't have a daughter like you. So please stop sullying my name." Shi Tian quickly cut her off. 

Shi Tian's words were so venomous that Vanessa felt her blood pressure rise by a large margin and that the wounds on her body had turned for the worst. 

"Do you believe I will suicide with you?" Vanessa clenched her fist and said. 

She might be at a complete disadvantage currently, but there was a saying to never push the boundary limit. Even a beaten dog would bite back ruthlessly when their very life is endangered. 

Vanessa thought Shi Tian was frightened by her threat given his silence, but for the next few minutes, she was left distraught.

"Stop the bluff already, Vanessa. You are probably a mage and have used some sort of spell to attack me previously, but it was definitely not some object that your enemy is chasing you for." Shi Tian smirked coldly.

"Hmph, if you think that's a bluff, then by all means, go outside right now and see if you'll get captured. Only I have the method to conceal the object's presence." 

"What you just said has basically confirmed my statement, Vanessa. If you could easily conceal the object's presence, then would you have been in such a pathetic state? Not to mention, I forgot to tell you who owned this apartment complex. It's the Crimson Mage herself." 

It was only now she had suddenly recounted the questions he asked previously. 

'No wonder why he enquired about the White Syndicate's strength and the Crimson Mage.' Vanessa cursed silently in her mind, failing to realize just how shrewd the man in front of her was. 

Given that the apartment complex was owned by the Crimson Mage, any sort of anomalies would have been detected sooner or later. Thus, she could deduce Shi Tian was stalling for time. 

She had merely thought he was just a money grubber since he cared only about money before deciding to rescue her or not.

Taking a deep breath, Vanessa released the strength of her fist and smiled bitterly. 

"I don't have that much money on me." She then said in a defeated manner.

Shi Tian was correct in his judgment. She was indeed bluffing from the start but didn't realize he was clever enough to piece the clues together. 

Ever since she had successfully tricked him, Shi Tian had been purposely distracting and taunting her while collecting clues occasionally to confirm his doubts.

"You are really an unbelievable man," Vanessa said in a ridiculing tone, staring directly at Shi Tian. She was ridiculing herself for severely underestimating Shi Tian.