Just like the relationship between Master and Servant in "Fate" as companions summoned by Shi Xiaolei, whether it's Bayonetta, 2B, or Kanna, they all have a subordinate relationship with him.
Their original personalities aren't affected, and their ways of doing things remain the same as always.
On the surface, because Shi Xiaolei can't use this subordinate relationship to control his companions behavior, its presence does seem rather faint, as if it doesn't have much significance.
Actually, that's not the case.
It only appears to be indifferent and inactive.
When it really comes to critical moments, this bond originating from the depths of the soul will display its true effect.
The bond between family members can make both parties forget their fear of death and unhesitatingly leave the chance to survive to the other; the bond between good friends can make two people who seemingly rarely interact jump out without hesitation to lend a helping hand when the other encounters difficulties; the bond between teacher and student can make two people with a large age gap and no blood relation become as intimate as family and maintain this relationship for decades; the bond between comrades-in-arms can make two complete strangers entrust their lives to each other.
What we call bonds are the connections between hearts and minds.
As a product of spiritual consciousness, though it may be invisible and intangible it undeniably possesses incredibly powerful energy.
Being somewhat thick-nerved and having no hobby for giving orders, Shi Xiaolei has never treated his summoned companions as his subordinates, nor does he know that a spiritual bond has already formed between him and them.
Simply because his personality is naturally honest and straightforward, and he trusts these companions of his completely, he has always been very candid in their daily interactions.
"Another script?"
Looking at Shi Xiaolei with her beautiful eyes, Bayonetta pursed her lips speechlessly.
"Mm."
Nodding with a bitter smile, Shi Xiaolei honestly admitted: "If nothing unexpected happens, in the next few years there will be several 'major incidents' occurring here in New York."
Born as a Chinese person, there's more or less an obsession of 'not wanting to be far from one's homeland' in his bones.
Shi Xiaolei was no exception.
If it weren't for the fact that when he came to this world, his 'spawn point' was in New York, making him consider this place his home; if it weren't for becoming familiar with the environment of Chinatown and forming friendships with the compatriots living here.
Given Shi Xiaolei personality of not wanting to get involved in troublesome matters, he would definitely move away from New York without a second word and continue his life in a place that wouldn't be affected.
"Tsk."
No matter how he put it, he just wouldn't agree to her proposal to "buy the floors below too" and Bayonetta couldn't help feeling a bit annoyed.
When feeling uncomfortable inside, one wants to find a way to vent.
As a thought flashed through her mind, remembering that Shi Xiaolei was also currently troubled and equally needed to vent.
Her eyes lighting up, Bayonetta put down her glass and stood up with an alluring posture, placing one hand on Shi Xiaolei shoulder and extending an invitation with her breath like orchids: "I'm planning to kill some demons to vent. Want to come along?"
"Now?"
Looking at the pitch-black night sky, Shi Xiaolei scratched his head.
"That's right, right now."
The fingertip of her right hand slid lightly across Shi Xiaolei chest like a slippery little snake, while her left hand secretly pointed behind Shi Xiaolei, her fingertip drawing a circle to summon a portal.
Then, before Shi Xiaolei could snap out of the charm she was deliberately emanating, Bayonetta gave a gentle push with her right hand.
Accompanied by her light laughter, Shi Xiaolei had already been pushed into the portal.
"Hm?"
First, the surroundings suddenly became much brighter, then the pink circle of light shrank and disappeared before his eyes.
Shi Xiaolei finally realized he'd been tricked: "Uh~."
He looked left and right.
There were no buildings mixing Chinese and Nepalese styles, nor were there undulating mountains and eternal snow around.
Obviously, this wasn't Kamar-Taj which he had visited once.
Looking around, there was a vast grassland wilderness.
Except for a few gentle slopes no more than two or three meters high, there were only a few scattered trees dotting the landscape.
The air was very fresh, and the scenery was quite nice.
Recalling what Bayonetta had just said, Shi Xiaolei couldn't help but show a surprised expression: "There are demons here? It doesn't look like it."
"Of course there are, and quite a lot of them too."
While answering, she winked at Shi Xiaolei, Bayonetta eyes carrying a hint of mischief.
The next second, as Shi Xiaolei became puzzled, Bayonetta made a motion.
She placed her hand on her chest, grabbed her collar and suddenly flung her hand upward.
A expanse of white skin came into view, seemingly glowing but his vision was swept by the fluttering hem of her clothes, forcing him to close his eyes and preventing him from seeing clearly.
When he opened his eyes again, Sister Bayo had already changed into her signature black bodysuit, with ice-blue large-caliber pistols equipped on both her hands and the heels of her feet.
"Pretty, right?"
Turning her wrist and raising her right hand to hold the gun sideways, using the gun barrel to lift Shi Xiaolei chin, Bayonetta deliberately thrust out her chest and struck an alluring pose worthy of a magazine cover.
"..."
Unable to bring himself to admit it, yet unable to go against his male instincts, Shi Xiaolei was teased until his face was red and his neck thick, his eyes also full of embarrassment.
Fortunately, this ambiguous atmosphere didn't last too long.
About five or six seconds later, before Shi Xiaolei could extricate himself, Bayonetta naturally moved the gun that had been lifting his chin to his shoulder, then with a 'bang' Sister Bayo suddenly pulled the trigger, firing a bullet condensed from magical power.
One second he was still immersed in the charming atmosphere Sister Bayo had deliberately created, the next second he was shocked into tinnitus by the sudden gunshot.
It had nothing to do with being brave or not—anyone encountering this situation would be startled, and Shi Xiaolei was naturally no exception.
Very speechless, and with a bit of panic too.
Covering his still-ringing ears and turning around, Shi Xiaolei finally discovered that about thirty meters behind him, a hideous monster was slowly falling down.
"This is the demon you mentioned?"
"That's right."
While answering she fired another shot, killing a monster that was crawling out of the ground.
Sister Bayo smiled sideways, her eyes carrying excited restlessness: "Get ready, they're coming."
As if cooperating with Sister Bayo words, countless small mounds rose from the ground and monsters emerged one after another.
Some were quite far away, but others were close at hand.
Although these creatures couldn't withstand a single shot from Sister Bayo and seemed quite fragile, due to their numbers Shi Xiaolei still didn't dare to be careless.
Putting on his armor and grabbing two weapons, he tilted his neck back and let out a battle cry.
Feeling the enhancement brought by his equipment and the increased strength under the buff blessing, Shi Xiaolei slightly bent his knees made a great leap and following closely behind Sister Bayo, crashed into the pile of monsters.