Rhodes Island's Psychologist

Ch 99: Ptilopsis

Lin Yie forgot he has a job.

It's already bad that he's late for work every day. If he straight-up skips it, that's too much. When Nightingale is finally asleep, Lin Yie goes back to his office in a hurry.

4:40 PM, one hour before his work ends...

Rhodes Island's psychologist finally goes to work.

Lin Yie glances at the notice board before going inside his office. His recruitment notice is taken by someone again. Does that mean he's going to interview two people today?

When he walks inside his office, Lin Yie sees a woman in a silver-white uniform.

"I'm really sorry," Lin Yie apologizes, "Something happened. Did I make you wait for too long?"

She shakes her head. She has amber eyes and silver-white hair. Her ears have dark edges like some birds'.

She gets up from her chair and bows slightly with her hands folded in front of her, "Nice to meet you, doctor. My name is Ptilopsis, a former database maintainer of Rhine Lab. Please issue your command."

Lin Yie pauses, at a loss for words.

He asks, "Did Dr. Silence recommend you to come here?"

Ptilopsis nods, "Yes."

Lin Yie looks back on his memories. He thinks Ptilopsis is an owl, the kind that has white feathers like snow spirits', but her amber eyes are too bright.

A beauty like her is applying to be my assistant?

Yes, please!

Lin Yie looks around. He can't even make tea for her. That's how plain his office is.

Fortunately, Ptilopsis doesn't seem to mind, "Operator Ptilopsis requesting the installation of 'Rhodes Island Psychologist's Assistant' program."

"Uhm."

Lin Yie is not used to how she speaks. She sounds like a robot.

He asks, "Is this how you like to talk? It's quite... interesting."

Ptilopsis shakes her head, "No, oripathy reprogrammed the way I speak."

She points at her head, "My brain is infected with the virus, and the virus changed me."

"..."

She says, "My body is functioning properly, and my speech pattern makes communication more efficient. I am also equipped with state-of-the-art data analytics and risk assessment skills."

If it's just her speech that is quirky, Lin Yie is fine with her. After all, he doesn't need his assistants to speak too much. And if she does have the skills she claimed to have, they would be much needed for his work.

"So, did you take my recruitment notices?" Lin Yie asks, "Who's the other candidate?"

"Recruitment notices?" Lin Yie tilts her head, "My database does not contain the relevant information."

She continues, "I was instructed by Ms. Silence, not a recruitment notice."

Lin Yie pauses, "Are you sure you didn't take it?"

"Searching 'recruitment notice' in the database..." Ptilopsis says in a monotonous voice, "Zero results found."

Lin Yie doesn't think Ptilopsis has a reason to lie, so he will ask Orchid later.

*Cough* Lin Yie asks, "Do you want to work for me?"

Ptilopsis nods, "Operator Ptilopsis can run two programs in parallel."

So, you can do two jobs at once?

"Alright," Lin Yie smiles, "I welcome you to join the psychology department. Actually, our work here is quite relaxing, so if you are busy with your other job, you don't have to come. Do you understand what I said?"

Ptilopsis nods, "Doctor, there is another matter I must inform you."

"Um. What is it?"

She points at her head again, "The virus not only changed my speech pattern but also strengthened my racial traits. As a result..."

Lin Yie pauses.

She fell asleep...

What the hell is this?!

Ptilopsis opens her eyes slowly, "... I will randomly enter a suspended state. Please don't be alarmed."

After that, she lies down on the couch and falls asleep.

Lin Yie's mouth twitches.

Did he hire the wrong person again?!

...

Translator's Note

I'm not sure about what Lin Yie was implying: "他是不是又收错人了?" Did he make the same mistake before?