Chapter Fifty-Three

“Emmmm...”
The black dragon pondered for a moment, feeling that there was some truth to it. After all, love itself is a matter of the heart. If it were to carry the name of divine bestowal, perhaps it really could convince some innocent youngsters.

“The faith in the goddess of love... is it widespread in our country?”
Recalling the state of the nation, the black dragon suddenly asked.

“Yes, it is.”
Gao Ying replied with a hint of resignation. “After all, the pursuit and longing for sex and love has always been part of human nature and instinct. Our country has a large population of unmarried people, and many are anxious about their personal situations. When they learned that this world truly has a deity who governs love and marriage, of course they couldn’t help but pray to her, trying every possible way to become her chosen ones.
It’s a pity that Freya’s divine power has never been able to affect our country. Otherwise, she could’ve helped us solve quite a few social problems.”

“Indeed... Who doesn’t want a sweet romance?”
The black dragon sighed in deep agreement. “But love is far too complicated, too extravagant, and far too unreliable. Honest people simply can’t play this game. If a deity could take over and manage this business... it would be ideal.”

“Mr. Huang... you also think that the goddess of love, Freya, is a positive and beneficial deity for our country?”
Gao Ying looked at the two streams of smoke the black dragon snorted from his nose, unable to contain her curiosity.

“Of course. I think her divine authority would be helpful to our country.”
The black dragon nodded, then looked a bit puzzled. “But why did you say ‘also’?”

“Because many people online share this view.”
Gao Ying shook her head, amused. “Many followers of the love goddess believe our country should get along well with the benevolent Freya, forming a strategic partnership with her at all costs, even inviting her to be a special consultant for our Ministry of Civil Affairs. That way, we could seek her advice and technical support regarding marriage and relationships.”

“Huh... That’s actually a pretty good idea!”
The black dragon’s eyes lit up. With the times changing, marriage and relationships had become a persistent problem in society. The matchmaking, marriage agency, and dating markets had immense potential!
If they could hire a professional like Freya to run matchmaking websites and marriage agencies, business would be booming—surely a lucrative venture!

The black dragon grew more and more convinced of the idea, hastily making a mental note: if he ever had the chance to meet Freya, he must discuss this project with her!

“Gao Ying... are you also a follower of Freya?”

The black dragon studied the pretty girl, asking curiously.

“Me?”
Gao Ying was briefly taken aback, then shook her head with a laugh. “No, I’m not. I don’t believe in any deities—I only believe in myself.”

“Really? I don’t buy it.”
The black dragon sounded doubtful. Its discerning eyes could clearly see that Gao Ying wasn’t more than twenty, probably just over nineteen, likely a university student—a prime age for youthful beauty.
Girls at that stage are the most susceptible to daydreams and awakening feelings. Faith in the goddess of love, so intoxicating and mind-bending, would seem almost irresistible.

Who would’ve thought she’d be an exception?

“Of course it’s true!”
Gao Ying nodded decisively. “The deities in this world are, for the most part, unreliable—even the benevolent ones. I have no desire for my fate to be dictated and controlled by them.”

“...Alright.”
Her perspective was lofty and detached. The black dragon was momentarily at a loss for words, then said, “I quite admire your rationality, but there’s one thing I hope you’ll keep in mind.”

“That is... even though you’re not keen on Freya, I am rather interested in her. So if any of her followers try to add me as a friend, I hope you’ll check with me before accepting or declining.”

“But they’re obviously fake followers, using the goddess’s name to scam people!”
Gao Ying’s tone grew heated. “Mr. Huang, your identity is special—you absolutely mustn’t get involved with such dubious women. As your psychological counselor, it’s my duty to guard the gate for you!”

“...Why are you so worked up?”
The black dragon found her reaction amusing. “I’m not an idiot, nor am I some lovesick fool. I’m not that easy to trick, you know?
The reason I want to add them is because I’m genuinely interested in Freya, and want to learn more from her followers for possible future cooperation.
Besides... Freya is a deity, after all. Who can say for sure her divine power can’t reach our land?
Maybe that girl just now was truly guided by her to find me—maybe she’s my fated one...”

“There are no such things as fated maidens!”
Gao Ying protested. “I’ve never heard of Freya matching couples from our country. If it had really happened, her followers would have broadcast the news far and wide by now!”

“Let’s take a step back... If her power was truly that great, why did that person just add you on social media, and not call you directly?”

“My phone number has been suspended, hasn’t it?”
The black dragon blinked, finding Gao Ying’s flustered look rather entertaining. “This is your phone, and it uses your number.”

“...”
Gao Ying was momentarily speechless. After a pause, she raised her phone and said, “But Freya is a goddess. If her power could really reach our country, I don’t believe she wouldn’t be able to find my phone number!
If that girl really was guided by Freya... she’d be calling me right now!”

No sooner had she spoken than her phone began to vibrate in her hand.

The caller was an unknown number.

“Unknown number... must be a virtual number from the internet, just for scamming!”
Gao Ying felt a vague sense of unease, but quickly found herself an excuse and hurriedly hung up.

Could it really be such a coincidence?

The black dragon, too, was surprised, but thought it best not to embarrass Gao Ying further, so he remained quietly in place.

But only a few seconds later, another unknown number called.

Gao Ying reflexively hung up again.

A third, a fourth...

Just as Gao Ying, exasperated, was about to turn off the phone, the black dragon finally spoke. “Answer it. Running away won’t solve anything.”

“...”
She was, after all, a psychological counselor—even if she’d gotten the job through connections, her mental fortitude was at least decent. Being reminded by the black dragon, she quickly regained her composure, set her mind straight, and picked up the call. “Hello, may I ask who’s calling?”

There was silence on the other end for a moment, then a cautious female voice: “Hello... may I speak to Ze Huang, please?”