Chapter 59: A Brief Respite

Nighttime, Winged District, the home of an intelligence dealer.

Kardecia cried out as she dashed toward the door to greet the attending doctor: “Senior sister, save me—”

If the doctor had moved any slower, she would have been embraced by her blonde junior. The doctor calmly placed a hand over Kardecia’s face and said, “You’re too dirty right now. Clean yourself up before coming back.”

“All right then.”

“No, no, that’s not the real issue!” The gray-haired young man looked up from the pile of high-calorie food and shouted, “You get a hug after cleaning up?! Why?! I’ve been a loyal customer for years and never got this treatment, haha!”

Gongsun Ce clutched his stomach and collapsed onto the table, while the young lady quietly withdrew her hand.

“I can give you a 1% discount.”

“Thanks for cutting 1% off the treatment fee, you stingy quack.”

The doctor grabbed the first aid kit and headed toward the restroom. Passing by the young man in a suit, she asked, “Do you need treatment?”

Shiyu Renyi shook his head. “I—”

“She wants to treat him.” The woman in the top hat gave her boyfriend no chance to resist. “Senior sister, could I borrow the first aid kit? I’ll treat him alone.”

“Then only the cost of materials will be charged.”

The two female university students entered the restroom. Except for the middle schooler who was silently eating fried fish, the others all looked at Shiyu Renyi with awkward expressions.

No mistake.

Qi Luo, straightforward as always, was the first to speak: “Shiyu Renyi, you—”

Shiyu looked embarrassed. “Everyone’s tired today. Can we finish the business first and then disperse?”

“Miss, about the Soul of Steel T-shirt photos last time…”

“Now is just the right time to use them.”

The two Imperial University students whispered loudly, forcing Shiyu to cast a pleading glance at the intelligence dealer.

“All right, let’s finish the business first. We can rest and deal with the rest later.”

Mo Yuan Kai put down his fried chicken leg and said seriously, “To begin with the conclusion: the music made by the Skull Head normally wouldn’t have such a strong effect. Kardecia and Mylas were affected immediately because of the arrangements by the mastermind behind it.”

“He manipulated the ‘failed prison break’ incident to implant a strong suggestion in the kids’ minds, then used his information manipulation ability to turn them into focal points of negative emotions. On top of that infection, you all were tricked again this morning.”

Gongsun Ce sighed, “Don’t tell me that disastrous date was—”

“I don’t even know how many mistakes were your own, but the mastermind definitely interfered. Bad mentality, strong suggestions, then triggering it with Skull Head’s song,” Mo Yuan Kai raised both hands, “Boom, meltdown.”

That said,

The root of the conflict was that there were still secrets and fractures among them.

The mastermind aimed to intensify the discord. If the small group had been completely honest with each other, then even if misunderstandings arose, it wouldn’t have been as brutal as this morning. Mo Yuan Kai was too lazy to lecture further. He believed that those who experienced it firsthand understood it far more than he, a mere otaku.

The intelligence dealer looked at Mylas, who was still eating fish silently. “So, you and Kardecia both need to go to the lab afterward.”

Mylas nearly choked.

“Me too?!”

“You were tricked once by the mastermind, then triggered into a severe meltdown, and Miss Qi Luo pulled you back. Think about how precious an experimental subject you are—there’s no one else like you in the city.”

Gongsun Ce chimed in to comfort, “Don’t worry, this assists official research. The white coats won’t hurt you. Did you see that white coat lady who just came in? She’s a professional researcher. She could pull your heart out in front of you, and you wouldn’t feel a thing.”

With a snap, the blonde woman who had fully recovered appeared from the restroom, and at that moment, the doctor’s voice floated out: “Who’s next?”

“Ah!” Mylas screamed and immediately hid under the table.

“Don’t scare the children.”

“The doctor’s fear is none of my business. Miss, you go first. I’ll go last.”

Qin Qianbai went for treatment. Mo Yuan Kai continued, “Next is Miss Qi Luo. This time the lab is at fault—or rather, every time they’re at fault—so you can rest assured, the people from Cecil won’t bother you again because of this.”

He finished his cheesy fried chicken, put down the large serving of char siu rice, and took a sip from his low-sugar milk tea.

“But after today’s events, everyone understands how troublesome information manipulation is. Honestly, it’s hard to guarantee no similar incidents will happen in the future. For safety reasons, the authorities want your cooperation in some related experiments. They promise no harm will come to you.”

“This is not mandatory, so I must ask your intention…” The intelligence dealer carefully chose his words, “or your collective intention.”

“…”

Qi Luo removed her hairpin, letting her pink hair, which was tied in a ponytail, fall naturally down her back.

Her facial features remained unchanged, but that single gesture gave her an entirely different aura.

Qi Luo clasped her hands together and smiled gently.

“I understand the official concerns and the seriousness of the situation. We promise to fully cooperate with the official plan. However, I believe this exceeds the basic duties of an entertainer. May I consider this an official commission—work for which I will receive compensation based on my labor?”

Her demeanor had shifted drastically. Her smile was still beautiful but no longer carefree; instead, it was restrained like a seasoned professional. Her manner of speaking was different from before, making it hard to imagine these words came from the same person. No longer naïve like a child, but markedly more mature.

“Of course. I’m only here to ask your opinion. Someone will discuss the details with you later. Thank you for your understanding.”

“Thank you as well for your assistance, Mr. Mo Yuan Kai.”

After the conversation between the intelligence dealer and Qi Luo ended, the hall fell into a deathly silence.

The restroom door opened again. Qin Qianbai returned to the table and stared at Qi Luo, who froze for two seconds.

Kardecia slammed the table and stood up, voicing everyone’s thoughts: “Who the hell are you?!”

Qi Luo covered her lips and chuckled softly. “I am Qi Luo. Another Qi Luo—me before I lost my memory.”

“Lies! Qi Luo-chan could never turn into a woman like you!! Little Qian, restrain her!”

“I’m working on it.”

“Please don’t! My hand isn’t healed yet! I’m going into hiding!”

The three female university students tangled together while the four gentlemen politely averted their gaze.

“I seriously say, if Miss Qi Luo had acted like this from the start, I’d be 100% suspicious she was behind all this.”

“I agree.”

The doctor leaned out halfway, ignoring the chaotic scene: “Who’s next?”

Qi Luo’s expression changed again, reverting to her old self. She lamented, “I’ve changed back, my hand hurts, please help me treat it!”

The eldest brother decided to ignore the women’s scuffles and proceeded with the routine. Raising his milk tea, he said, “That’s enough business for now. Everyone worked hard today. To celebrate our saving the Sky City once again, cheers!”

“Why isn’t there any alcohol?” “There are kids here; no drinking!” “Ah, I need treatment, let me out—” “No.” “Change back!” “May I leave now?” “If no one needs treatment, please settle the bill.”

This time, the atmosphere around the table was different from before—like a casual class reunion, everyone talking over each other.

Shiyu poured himself a cup of tea amidst the laughter and chatter, raising his glass.

“Cheers.”

·

After Gongsun Ce finished treating his wounds, he noticed someone missing from the table.

The others were engrossed in lively conversation, seemingly immersed in the cheerful atmosphere and inadvertently ignoring the absent person.

“I’m going out to buy an ice cream. Be right back.”

He greeted them and stepped outside, strolling along the red-brick path.

The neighborhood was well landscaped, with spring’s tender leaves adorning the branches of ornamental trees, and neatly trimmed flowerbeds lining the walkways. At exactly nine o’clock, many residents were still out for walks; the sounds of runners’ breaths, pleasant conversations, and children’s laughter filled the air—

Along with the singing of a certain girl.

The gray-haired youth pricked up his ears, carefully distinguishing the melody.

“…?~”

Information manipulation can cause turmoil affecting millions in some hands, yet in others, it’s used simply to sneak out and hum a tune.

He followed the sound to a pavilion hidden within a small grove. The pink-haired girl sat at the edge, swinging her legs, gazing at the night sky as she hummed.

She faced away from him, without turning her head, and said,

“Good evening, Gongsun Ce.”