"Close call, a real freaking close call..."Inside Fish Pond Izakaya, Heath collapsed onto the wooden sofa, exhausted. Communicating with a sub-personality was mentally draining, leaving him feeling hollowed out. He took a gulp of goji berry water to steady his nerves, slowly regaining his composure.

Looking back into his mind, the electronic panel was still there, but the hazy light had changed somewhat. The 【Share】 option was lit up, and upon focusing, a prompt appeared:

"The number of new share contacts that can be created now is: 0""Number of available contacts: 1""Contact 1, nickname: None"

Damn it! Heath almost cursed out loud. This thing was like a bad penny—still around and still wanting a name. What was wrong with his brain? Could it really be some kind of cheat code?

Be careful, be very careful!

A mental patient knows they're a patient, right? That's a classic question. Some do, some don't.

But there was an ironclad rule: if you're utterly confident that you're fine, it usually means you've got a serious problem.

Mumbling to himself, Heath decided he needed to figure out what was going on. If it was a mental illness, he needed to understand the symptoms and pathology.

The 【Database】 was still inaccessible. What the hell was this "program data" mentioned by the sub-personality?

As he pondered, the sound of a door opening snapped him back to reality. Walking through the metal door connecting Fish Pond to The Lustrous Club were a short, stocky cook and a tall, fashionable woman—Devin and Ayane Kumiko.

"Good morning, Heath."

"Morning to you both." Heath stood up from the sofa. Miss Ayane was still radiant, dressed in a beautiful large-print kimono. Devin was in a red tracksuit with "Dongtu" emblazoned across the chest.

Devin looked haggard, with dark circles under his eyes and bloodshot eyes. Most alarming were the veins on his forehead, throbbing as if they might burst at any moment.

His gaze towards Heath was unfriendly, as if blaming him for his state.

Heath scratched his head, wondering what Devin had been up to last night. Returning from The Lustrous Club, had he been dancing with bulls, partying all night long?

"How are you feeling?" Miss Ayane inquired.

"Okay, I guess. The aftereffects of that drink are pretty strong. Felt like I was hallucinating..."

"It's normal to have hallucinations. They'll pass in a couple of days." Devin's expression was odd. "You had hallucinations?"

"No, just a figure of speech," Heath quickly clarified.

He had to keep his cards close to his chest. If they—especially Devin—knew he might have a mental issue, that would be trouble.

He quickly changed the subject: "About last night's talent test, do we have the results?"

"Your talent is between third and fourth gear. We'll barely count it as fourth gear."

Devin seemed reluctant, clearly unimpressed by Heath's potential. But Ayane's smile brightened, clapping her hands, "That talent is enough. It has potential! Heath, Devin and I have talked it over and decided to keep you working here at Fish Pond."

Though a hyper-speed gear was indeed a delusion, Heath breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed his life was safe for now.

"I have a few questions." Yet Devin pressed on, "You used to be called Ming, right? Why do you call yourself Heath now?"

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"I don't want to use my old nickname anymore. Heath is a new one."

Heath's response was natural. Compared to dealing with the sub-personality, handling Devin was a piece of cake.

"What did you do in the Voodoo Ruins? How do you know so much?" Devin continued grilling.

"That much?" Heath countered, "Grew up on the streets, did all sorts of things—picked up a little bit of everything."

His answer was plausible. Street folks were not synonymous with lack of talent or insight. Quite the opposite—the streets were full of remarkable people.

Especially in Liuguang City, the street had its own rules. Otherwise, how could street rats survive in such times?

"Heath, you indeed have a special quality that ordinary stray dogs don't have."

Unlike Devin, Ayane Kumiko was more and more pleased with Heath, "That's one of the reasons I chose you."

"Alright, Devin." She continued, pacifying him, "We've made sure there's no problem. Let's settle on Heath, okay?"

"From now on, be more attentive. The thermos you used will be deducted from your wages." Devin's tone was gruff as he gave his reluctant approval.

"Thank you, Boss Devin, thank you, Boss Ayane... So what's my job content? Male escort?"

Having a place to stay was a relief, but Heath felt a twinge of self-pity.

He had resolved not to be a worker bee long ago, successfully running his own psychology clinic.

Never did he expect to be collecting welfare after a transmigration.

"You'll only escort at The Lustrous Club. Here at Fish Pond, you'll do everything."

Devin's eyes were menacing, "To put it precisely, you'll do whatever I tell you to do."

Heath frowned, biting his tongue. This old fellow was already thinking about how to exploit him...

He could almost see Devin waving a whip, shouting for him to go create surplus value!

"It's not that serious." Ayane noticed Heath's tension and spoke gently, "Your main job is as an ordinary male escort stationed here. When needed, you'll accompany customers, and you'll learn the ropes from Devin in all other aspects."

"Oh." Heath nodded, then thought, how was that any different from what Devin had said?

"You'll have to work hard." Ayane encouraged, "Graduate from Devin's tutelage soon and become a transcendent male escort!"

Meanwhile, Devin strode to the door, opening the glass portal.

The bustling scene and cacophony of Shouei Street immediately filled the izakaya.

Fish Pond Izakaya was open for business.

"Wipe down the entire bar."

Devin issued the first work order, heading behind the bar; Ayane was off to The Lustrous Club.

Wages! Heath almost choked. They hadn't discussed his salary!

Had he signed his life away the moment Ayane took him away yesterday?

Unsatisfied but civilized, he didn't want to argue with a fatigued and irritable Devin—who had handled a chef's knife. He took the cloth and got busy, leaving it to fate.

After wiping down the bar and moving to the tables, he managed to take a sip of goji berry water and glance at the TV amidst the hustle.

Before long, he was exhausted. He was better suited to sitting on a sofa chatting...

Then a group of customers entered the izakaya, and Devin directed him, "Go greet the guests."

Heath saw they were four or five brawny black men with green-blue or red-purple twin ponytails, wearing women's sleeveless T-shirts and shorts, their tattooed arms and thighs betraying their strength like members of the Arcade Gang.

Despite their sultry smoky makeup, their appearance was clearly male, each with an Adam's apple.

Indeed, one of them spoke up in a robust male voice, "Devin, no one to welcome us motherfucking blacks?"

"What are you waiting for?" Devin's cold voice propelled Heath, "You didn't think male escorts only serve female customers, did you?"

"..." Heath thought, okay, his perspective was too narrow.

Psychological differences give rise to various preferences and quirks, and Liuguang City was a place of extreme diversity.

Just be yourself, and even if you and your neighbor Wang somehow end up happily together, it wouldn't be strange here.

"Welcome to Fish Pond." Heath approached the guests with a professional smile, "What can I do for you?"

"He's Fish Pond's resident male escort," Devin reminded from behind the bar. "It's his first day, so no service fee for the male escort."

The muscular, cross-dressing men looked at Heath with interest, laughing and teasing as they took their seats at the bar:

"Yo, my brother!"

"My dad was a male escort; you kinda look like my dad."

"Buddy, he's not. Your mom might not be sure who your dad is, but I'm pretty sure, your dad was black."

Their gazes held a hint of suggestion as they looked at Heath.

Heath just smiled and served them drinks and food, providing his service without a word.

Don't look at me, buddy, no chance. Male escorts perform but don't sell, and if they sell, it's only to female customers, no way, no way, truly tempting...