Answer

The bodyguard, who called herself Xiao Yan, walked silently ahead, leading the way at the same pace as when she arrived, and she never looked back to check on the people following behind her.

Cheng Xiangwu followed silently, and everything was quiet along the way.

The mayor's office was not on the third floor marked on the fire safety diagram. Xiao Yan led Cheng Xiangwu down the stairs from the back door of the conference room, through the animal painting corridor on the first floor and down the stairs again at the end. They went down the stairs again in the emergency exit stairwell in the corridor and finally stopped at the bottom of the building. The beige fire door required two keys: a password and a fingerprint. The last door that was pushed open was as heavy as a coffin filled with water.

On the second basement level of the city hall, after exiting the fire escape, there were no doors, windows, or decorations on the walls on either side. Apart from an iron door at the end, there was only a pale light overhead. It was a long corridor that was eerily gloomy even without any shadows. It was barely wide enough for two people to walk side by side, and although it was lit with electricity, the corridor smelled of candles.

However, the surface beneath my feet was still that familiar reflective marble.

The iron door had no further security measures. Xiao Yan knocked twice and then pushed it open. The hinges were silent. She turned to the side and invited the guest inside. Cheng Xiangwu had never seen a mayor with so many security measures protecting her office before, and she couldn't help but be curious about what her office would look like.

But it was a fairly ordinary office.

The room was about the same size as her bedroom. The walls on the left and right were covered with medals and banners of various colors. Below, against the wall, were storage cabinets, a water dispenser, and a small refrigerator. Further inside were two tall mahogany bookshelves filled with documents and folders. In the middle, in the reception area, there were two brown leather armchairs and a mahogany coffee table with a glass ashtray on top. Further inside, there was a mahogany desk diagonally opposite the window. Behind the desk, a person was sitting on a wooden chair, their face facing the large window that reflected the surging fountain outside.

This is the second basement level. There's no outdoor plaza on the first floor outside the window, and everyone knows that the fountain hasn't been working for a long time; it's just a display screen.

The candle smell in the mayor's office was so strong it was almost pungent. If Cheng Xiangwu thought so, then the smell would be enough to stain her fur-trimmed coat and wouldn't dissipate until she washed it again. Luckily, she was wearing Xiao Fu's pajamas.

Xiao Yan closed the door behind her, shutting herself out as well. With the soft click of the latch, Gu Wanqiu turned around, exchanged a glance with Cheng Xiangwu, and then stood up.

"Please sit wherever you like, fellow reporter," she said, walking over to a single sofa in the reception area and sitting down, thus preemptively relinquishing her right to "sit wherever you like."

Cheng Xiangwu sat down silently, her face sinking with her weight. When she looked up again, she was met with a gaze from that perpetually serious face. She did have many questions she wanted to ask, but at this moment she didn't know where to begin or in what capacity to speak.

"Your bodyguard said you'd like to continue discussing the issue from earlier with me?" Cheng Xiangwu asked.

“Of course,” Gu Wanqiu said. “You know, the residents of Senhu City have been living in peace and contentment for so long and have gotten used to the peace here. The sudden arrival of so many outsiders, although it’s not to the point of complaining to the mayor’s office, has forced them to go out less, worry about crime rates, and be bothered by rumors, which has also affected their daily lives.”

Speaking of rumors, Cheng Xiangwu recalled the big question posed by the freelance journalist. At that time, the person being questioned had not completely denied the truthfulness of the statement, but Cheng Xiangwu was not sure whether this was a media response strategy.

"Who are the police officers from out of town?" Cheng Xiang asked five times.

“The mayor won’t interfere with law enforcement, but he sometimes worries about over-enforcement. I need to be responsible to my citizens.” Gu Wanqiu’s gaze fell on the press pass through his glasses; the signature there was, of course, a pseudonym. “Comrade reporter, what are your thoughts on that answer?”

This sudden test left Cheng Xiang at a loss for words; she had never heard of having to prepare such things.

Calm down, let's think about what her answer was again?

"I remember you mentioned a long-term, stable solution," Cheng Xiangwu repeated the key phrase. "What do you mean by that?"

“To be honest, a long-term, stable solution can’t solve any problems because the problem keeps getting bigger. This approach is just putting gauze on the wound, and it’s only a matter of time before it rots and stinks underneath.” Gu Wanqiu said, glancing back at the display screen. “The outside helpers will also leave sooner or later. They will do a good job of sterilization and cleaning, but the rotten blood that has already taken root will continue to seep out of the skin from the inside.”

The screen was playing what appeared to be a loop of a recorded video, with the fountain never stopping.

Cheng Xiangwu didn't go to see it. She felt that she should express something here, such as suggestions or attitudes, but after listening, she didn't want to say anything. This is not the behavior of a good reporter.

The silence didn't last long. Gu Wanqiu turned around and looked at Cheng Xiangwu. "Reporter, you're a local."

“…I really am,” Cheng Xiangwu said.

"Where do you live?" Gu Wanqiu asked, seemingly in a casual conversation, but her tone was so harsh that the question sounded like an interrogation.

“A residential area in the northern part of the city,” Cheng Xiangwu said.

"Do you have family or a partner?" Gu Wanqiu asked.

“No,” Cheng Xiangwu said.

"Alone? You must have some friends, right?" Gu Wanqiu asked.

“Yes,” Cheng Xiangwu replied.

“If that’s the case, then think about those people, and you should agree with what I’m saying,” Gu Wanqiu said.

"What do you mean?" Cheng Xiangwu felt that as a reporter, she should take notes.

“We should do our part for Senhu City, our hometown, in our own way,” said Gu Wanqiu.

That sounds really strange.

“Mayor Gu, you’re not a local, are you?” Cheng Xiangwu said.

“The residents here trust me and vote for me, so naturally I have to regard this place as my hometown and do my best for it,” Gu Wanqiu said, each word spoken with conviction.

These words were spoken with such seriousness, but when placed together with what the reporter said, coupled with Zhou Yan's recounting of the past, and supplemented by Xie Wuchang's experience of being turned down, Cheng Xiangwu thought that if Xiao Fu were here, she would definitely have something to say. But unfortunately, sitting here was Xiao Fu, who had nothing to say.

"I see," she simply replied.

Upon receiving this response, Gu Wanqiu tilted her head slightly, but her gaze did not leave Cheng Xiangwu's face.

"Speaking of residents, the last survivor from the first year of high school at Senhu No. 2 Middle School passed away. Do you know anything about this?" Cheng Xiangwu forced a connection to the topic.

“…That is a very, very regrettable thing.” Gu Wanqiu said slowly, “Gorson’s life is undoubtedly precious, and we tried every possible method to protect her.”

"Does that also include refusing to let her family meet with her?" Cheng Xiang asked five times.

"Comrade reporter, can you tell me who told you this information?" Gu Wanqiu asked.

“…some police officers from other places,” Cheng Xiangwu said.

Gu Wanqiu's expression remained unchanged.

"They also told me that you refused to provide an eyewitness report on the Senhu No. 2 Middle School case," Cheng Xiangwu continued. "You also refused to cooperate with the investigation process, and even refused to provide the camera that Gao Ersen left at the scene, which seriously hindered the police work and the progress of the investigation. Are these all true?"

Faced with many questions once again, Gu Wanqiu remained silent. She sighed almost imperceptibly, and the scent, enveloped in the candlelight, carried a stale quality.

In the silence, there was a knock on the entrance door, and it opened.

There were two people who came, only one of whom walked.

Xiao Yan grabbed Xiao Fu from behind with one hand, kicked open the door and walked into the office. The victim's feet were dangling in the air the whole time. The shirt that her master had carefully ironed before she left home in the morning was now forced into a crumpled mess. Perhaps because the fingertip of the hand placed in front of her throat was carrying a knife, her complexion was not good.

In contrast, Xiao Yan's current performance perfectly matched the expression under her hat brim. She held someone with one hand and moved without any difficulty, her steps still light and quick.

To be honest, Cheng Xiangwu wasn't that surprised.

"This foreign media person could slit her throat with a single word," Gu Wanqiu said without changing her expression, her gaze fixed on Cheng Xiangwu's face. "After all, it's convenient for someone without an identity to handle any situation, isn't it?"

Her tone and gaze remained unchanged, indicating that this person was not particularly surprised.

Cheng Xiangwu looked at Xiao Fu, who blinked and looked away.

"...What do you want?" Cheng Xiangwu asked, turning her gaze away.

“I need your help, Cheng Xiangwu,” Gu Wanqiu said. “I know this method is not elegant, but the situation is urgent. If you agree with what I said earlier, then you should help me and help Senhu City, your hometown.”

Little Fryer seemed to want to say something, but for the sake of his neck, he said nothing.

There were two more people in the office, but it was quieter than before.

“I see,” Cheng Xiangwu said, “You recognized me a long time ago.”

“Yes, your growth is undeniable, but I should never forget you,” Gu Wanqiu said.

"How do you want me to help you?" Cheng Xiang asked.

"I want you to bring back the Wuxianglou signboard in front of me," Gu Wanqiu said.

“…Ha.” Cheng Xiangwu sighed with her head down. These people all came to ask her for things she didn’t have, and asked her to do things she couldn’t do, even though she had already developed new professional skills over the years.

“I will prepare anything you need, and I will not interfere with where you go afterward. I will also give you a reward,” Gu Wanqiu said.

"What do you want that thing for?" Cheng Xiangwu asked.

"The Bai family came looking for you?" Gu Wanqiu finally frowned. "Don't pay any attention to them, and don't worry about them. I'll handle things there."

"Just like how you handled the Senhu No. 2 Middle School matter?" Cheng Xiangwu looked up at the opposite side and sighed, "You've really changed a lot, Gu—."

It seems like we should add a form of address here that shows we understand the other person. There seems to be such a form of address that could be used here. What was it again?

"Just call me Aunt Gu, Xiangxiang." Gu Wanqiu gave her this choice thirteen years ago. At that time, she seemed to be wearing a pair of rectangular glasses, but her gaze was always straightforward and firm, which could bring strength to people.

The field of vision back then seems to be about the same as it is now.

"Let Xiangxiang call you aunt and then call me sister?" Zhou Yan had also questioned this point thirteen years ago. Back then, she smiled much less than she does now, but when she looked at Cheng Xiangwu, she always had a smile that concealed her worry. "Attorney Gu really dares to think this way."

Thirteen years ago, in a bright summer, they were all young.

"Sister Yanzi, what are you saying? There's no conflict." Gu Wanqiu, who was in her twenties, was more active, and she grinned as she said, "Xiangxiang can call me whatever she wants, right?"

How did I make that choice back then? Cheng Xiangwu thought for a moment, but couldn't remember, so she simply stopped there.

"Haha—" The one who laughed out loud was of course Little Fu.

As promised, the hostage-taker pressed down her finger, but before the blood splattered in the office, a glass ashtray came hurtling towards her with a chilling initial speed and stability. Threatened by the experience of a concussion, she had no choice but to quickly raise her non-hostage hand to meet the flying crystal ball with her elbow and turn to the side with the hostage.

The moment his vision was blocked, Xiao Yan felt a weight on his shoulder, which grew heavier and heavier. Then, a slippery, ribbon-like object brushed across his neck and tightened back for a moment at the middle of his throat.

"Ugh—" The intense feeling of suffocation combined with the itching caused by friction inside the throat made Xiao Yan reflexively make a sound, and the heaviness in his shoulders intensified, as if it were the weight of his entire body.

In an instant, only the host was left sitting in the reception area, but the guests did not leave.

"Alright, let her go." Cheng Xiangwu knelt on Xiao Yan's shoulder, tightening the neck strap of her press pass while hugging Xiao Yan's head from behind. "Otherwise, I'll break your neck."

Xiao Yan didn't move, but raised one hand to grab the rope hanging from his throat.

"Let her go," Gu Wanqiu said.

Xiao Yan then let go. After landing, Xiao Fu quickly took two steps forward and pinched her neck. The blood line on her neck disappeared in an instant. Then she began to tidy up her shirt, which needed to be ironed again.

"I really don't miss this kind of treatment at all." She straightened her bow tie and put the gemstone back in its place.

Behind her, Xiao Yan spun sideways and used her waist to throw the heavy object on her shoulder toward the entrance door. Cheng Xiangwu flipped over and landed on the door after stabilizing herself.

"I'm so sorry!" After putting on his hat, Xiao Yan quickly bowed his head to Gu Wanqiu.

"It's not your fault." Gu Wanqiu remained seated on the sofa, her glasses not even moving. She then turned to Cheng Xiangwu, "Could you tell me what kind of work you did in that other place?"

“He worked as a war correspondent,” Cheng Xiangwu said.

“…Let’s leave it at that,” Gu Wanqiu said. “I need your help no matter what. You can think of me however you want, but I hope you will seriously consider my proposal, even if it’s just for the sake of your friends’ lives.”

“As the intermediary, I’m going to speak now.” Xiao Fu sat down smugly opposite Gu Wanqiu. “The way you ask for help is like telling a passerby to press down on a button before they go to a certain spot. Maybe you need to explain whether it’s a trigger or a bus stop rope?”

There were no more sofas available in the reception area, so Cheng Xiangwu didn't say anything and sat down next to Gu Wanqiu's desk.

“The Bai family came to me saying they wanted me to be their head chef. I hope you won’t use the same excuse again,” Cheng Xiangwu said.

"What do you want to know?" Gu Wanqiu asked.

“All of them,” Cheng Xiangwu said.

“If what this term represents is too broad for you, then let’s start by talking about your approach and motives in handling the Senhu No. 2 Middle School case.” Little F took out his notebook. “We’ve witnessed those ever-changing, bloated things, so please think before you speak.”

“…I see.” Gu Wanqiu raised her hand and pinched her brow beyond her glasses. “You were the ones who took that classmate away.”

The emphasis in this sentence is on "take away".

“It seems your regular visitation plan is indeed intentional.” Little F nodded. “Then let’s talk about that part too.”

"Where is she now?" Gu Wanqiu asked, looking at Xiao Fu.

"You're not going to answer our questions?" Little Fran asked, frowning.

“I will take care of her life and survival. Bring her to me. If you don’t want to, I will go to her anyway and make sure she is prepared.” Gu Wanqiu looked at Cheng Xiangwu. “Then you can leave. Get away from here.”

"...Then at least explain the problem at hand." Xiao Fu raised her chin, her tone becoming a little louder. "For example, the details implied in the artificial incense and candlelight atmosphere in this office—won't you explain the source of the materials beforehand, Miss Gu Wanqiu?"

Gu Wanqiu clearly didn't think there was anything to explain. She stood up from the armchair and walked to her desk. "Xiao Yan, clean up the office."

"Yes." Xiao Yan nodded.

"You actually think you can keep a secret from me?" Little F clicked his tongue in annoyance. "You—"

As Gu Wanqiu brushed past her, Cheng Xiangwu spoke up, "I stopped that thing when it appeared, it chopped off my head, and then I saw my dad's face."

Upon hearing this, Gu Wanqiu paused, then strolled over to the electronic fountain and sat down, looking out the virtual window.

Cheng Xiangwu turned her head to look at the silent back of his head, "I think I should know—"

"You shouldn't have." Gu Wanqiu's words were still heavy, and she didn't turn around. "Was it that foreigner who dragged you to see it?"

"So you're bringing me up now?" Little F said, displeased but also somewhat smug. "Presenting reasonable content to reasonable people—isn't that what they call the light of day?"

"What is your relationship?" Gu Wanqiu asked.

"We met when I was working," Cheng Xiangwu said.

"Anyway, he's someone I know," Little Franz nodded.

"So I believe you already know that existence only manifests within the group that is 'aware of its existence,' right?" Gu Wanqiu turned around, her gaze shifting between the two of them.

Cheng Xiangwu had no idea about this.

"It seems you two aren't that close." Gu Wanqiu's gaze finally settled on her desk, where there were some white paper with black writing, some pens, and some red stamps.

"Minimizing the spread of information about it to reduce harm—is that your reason for refusing to explain your own behavior?" Little F raised an eyebrow and asked dismissively. "If that really worked, then what about Senhu No. 2 Middle School—"

"That was indeed my oversight," Gu Wanqiu accepted, her voice deep and resonant.

"One hundred and thirty lives lost in one incident. Miss Gu Wanqiu, are you going to explain your ability to repay your debts?" Xiao Fu asked, turning his head to the side.

“You’re right, so I’m trying my best to avoid the next oversight.” Gu Wanqiu nodded. “The Southern Community has at least two residential buildings, each with eight floors and five households per floor. On average, that’s nearly two hundred potential victims.”

After saying that, she looked up at Cheng Xiangwu and said, "My abilities are indeed insufficient, which is why I wanted to rely on your abilities before."

"...How come I didn't know I had this ability?" Cheng Xiangwu asked in confusion.

“That’s even better.” Gu Wanqiu shook her head. “Since Gorson is still alive, it won’t come to that. I will make sure she lives as long as possible as she can outlive me. Don’t worry.”

Faced with this person, Cheng Xiangwu felt a rare sense of powerlessness, just like when she tasted soy sauce for the first time through the tip of her chopsticks. No matter how she tasted it, all she could say was that it was cold.

"Do you think that entity will continue to operate according to its current pattern?" Little F asked incredulously.

"It's been going on for a month now, and the future looks promising," Gu Wanqiu said.

"...This idea is so pathetic I can't even laugh," Little F said disdainfully. "In my impression, your country is full of pessimists, so why do we have such a stubborn exception like you?"

"Do you have any other insights?" Gu Wanqiu asked.

“I haven’t seen many cases, but at least I know that the summer storms in the Gulf region have nothing to do with the owners of ethnic minority spice shops who hang sachets in their doors,” said Xiao Fu.

“I haven’t seen many examples, but I know that the current approach is feasible.” Gu Wanqiu looked at Xiao Fu, “because this is a result that is being controlled by human intervention.”

“…Oh?” Little F frowned, her toes barely touching the ground, seemingly a little anxious.

“This part really has nothing to do with you.” Gu Wanqiu withdrew her gaze. “To be honest, I don’t know much about that being, nor am I a being with decisive power. What I’ve done is simply to dilute the debt, but I know that this is what I can do and what I should do.”

Her expression remained normal.

“Our goal is to solve the debt problem. Don’t you want to consider it?” Little Fran asked, frowning.

“There are many people who say and do this, including two named Cheng Song and Du Ke,” Gu Wanqiu said.

Cheng Xiang opened her mouth, but in the end, she couldn't say anything.

“…Just like you said, the decisive factors in the occurrence of natural disasters often do not depend on individuals.” Gu Wanqiu looked at Xiao Fu. “A disaster has already happened. All that humans can do is reduce the damage and record data to prepare for the next one. I have to do more.”

“You’re much more tolerant than those environmental advocates,” said Little F.

Gu Wanqiu didn't say anything and turned back to continue looking at the fountain.

"This natural phenomenon can indeed be compared to a typhoon, but in my eyes, this unusual situation is more like an air disaster, with human factors playing a negligible role." Xiao Fu said, flipping through his notebook. "Miss Gu Wanqiu, do you know the cause of Qin Zixi's death?"

"Shooting." Gu Wanqiu didn't turn around.

“No,” Little Franz laughed, “it was a plane crash.”

“…I know a little about those people you’re talking about, but that’s enough,” Gu Wanqiu said. “They’re a bunch of lunatics who take pride in what they do. At this point, their behavior can no longer be considered as a human factor.”

She spoke in a more somber tone.

“I can’t agree with that. I’ve seen plenty of madmen. There are six levels just for those who still have some semblance of reason. Based on the current outcome, he’s at most in the third or fourth place,” said Xiao Fu.

“I don’t intend to argue with you about these things, I—” Gu Wanqiu turned her body slightly to the side.

“I’m not going to argue with you about this,” Little F sighed. “It’s a waste of time. Staying here is just a waste of my time. There’s no reason for me to stay in this space where there’s nothing to hear.”

After saying that, she stood up and straightened her trench coat. "Miss Gu Wanqiu, you can just sit here in this candle factory and die with your secrets and code of conduct. The Bai family members will be happy to explain the details to us."

“What they’re going to do—” Gu Wanqiu paused, looking at Cheng Xiangwu, “Listen to me, if you’re not willing to help me, then don’t go see them. They won’t let you off so easily. This matter has nothing to do with you, and it’s irrelevant to you, isn’t it?”

"Oh, I see. You knew that?" Cheng Xiangwu said. It turned out that this lawyer had known what kind of person his client was for a long time.

“Yes, you shouldn’t be responsible for Gorson’s life either,” Gu Wanqiu said.

“No.” Cheng Xiangwu shook her head. “I just took that job.”

"Work?" Gu Wanqiu frowned.

"Let's go," Xiao Fu urged. Cheng Xiangwu turned around without explaining anything.

"Cheng Xiangwu!" Gu Wanqiu called out, then called again when the other person didn't turn around, "Xiangxiang, I—"

“No need to explain,” Cheng Xiangwu said, turning her head to the side. “It’s okay, you know I don’t really want to hear it.”

The iron gate closed, cutting off the airflow and completely separating the air on both sides. The almost familiar smell of candles suddenly disappeared, and the air became extra light.

"This incense contains adipocere and verbena, it's truly the work of a master craftswoman, but even if I asked her, she probably wouldn't tell me where the ingredients came from," Little F said, taking a faster step forward than usual.

"Oh, I see." Cheng Xiangwu was relieved once again. "So, are you going to throw your coat in the washing machine later too?"

“…If you dare to throw my coat in the washing machine, I’ll dye your fur collar green,” Xiao Fu said. “Hopefully, I’ll run into one or two decent dry cleaners on the way back.”

"And what about your pajamas?" Cheng Xiang asked.

“The washing machine,” said Xiao Fu.

The two of them went up the same way they came up the fire escape stairs, their steps gradually slowing down as they climbed the rising steps. After reaching the first floor, they walked through the long corridor with animal paintings again, and this time they finally had time to look at the paintings.

Elephants, gray lumps smiling on green grass, are said to be animals that can be easily stuffed into a refrigerator.

“I didn’t expect Miss Gu Wanqiu to dislike outsiders even more than I imagined, and to be even more stubborn. But thanks to this mayor, most of the residents of your city can live their lives as if nothing is wrong, the so-called innocent masses.” Xiao Fu said in a light tone, “But this peace won’t last long.”

“She said that the same thing that happened at Senhu No. 2 Middle School would happen in that residential building,” Cheng Xiangwu said.

“Maybe.” Little F didn’t seem too concerned. “As mayor, I need to consider the disaster victims and affected areas in advance, but we only need to look at the disaster itself.”

Sharks are animals with huge mouths that swim forward continuously, living in seas with blue crayon-like wave patterns.

"She said the Bai family and she were looking for me for the same reason," Cheng Xiangwu said, almost laughing. "She really expected me to cook in that office?"

“Miss Gu Wanqiu, I don’t know.” Xiao Fu was still a little dissatisfied when he said this, “But the Bai family knocked on the door not to ask someone like you who can overheat popcorn to cook, but to make your recipes more reasonable.”

"...This is too troublesome." Cheng Xiangwu felt that she couldn't give any answer, no matter which one.

"Can you feel the weight of fate?" Little F smirked.

A butterfly is an animal with large, beautiful wings and a body composed of only a few black lines.

"It will only appear among those who know of its existence," Cheng Xiangwu muttered. "Is she trying to minimize the number of people who know about it, or is it just that the Bai family wants her to keep it a secret?"

“That’s just what we observe, like how humans observe natural disasters,” said Little F.

"Do you have a different opinion?" Cheng Xiang asked five times.

“…Unfortunately, I don’t know much more about this.” Little F said, his voice lower. “There are too few cases, too little evidence. Now I can’t even do weather forecasts; I can only follow the death cases.”

Her voice echoed in the corridor, sounding somewhat hollow.

"So you and she are also... rivals, I guess." Cheng Xiangwu thought for a moment.

“You could say that,” Little Franz sneered. “What an annoying competitor.”

Dogs, animals that are everywhere.

“Sen Sen,” Cheng Xiangwu paused, “what should we do about the cats? Mystic expert.”

“It’s too late to start learning animal language now,” Little F thought for a moment. “However, if you prefer to solve the former, I recommend that you take Miss Gu Wanqiu’s advice. Miss Golson has already made preparations.”

“…Isn’t that terrible?” Cheng Xiangwu said.

“It’s better than something worse happening. She’s been brave enough. It’s okay if she just survives,” Xiao Fu said. “But natural disasters are not something that can be avoided by human intervention. Be prepared, Wu Xiang. Being a reporter on the front lines of a disaster is a good job too.”

"What are those people going to do?" Cheng Xiangwu asked.

“Yes,” said Little Franz. “Isn’t madness also a phenomenon that humans cannot intervene in?”

Flamingos, pink creatures in flight, when you see them, your eyes also see the sky.

“Flamingo.” Cheng Xiangwu stopped in front of the painting. “Later I looked it up, and the Chinese meaning of Flamingo is flamingo.”

The two stood before the painting in the quiet corridor, admiring together the beautiful creatures depicted by the clumsy yet forceful brushstrokes, flying across the sea or sky, or simply against a blue background.

"So that's it?" Little F sighed with a smile. "When did you come up with this idea?"

"When you fill in the name of your phone contact," Cheng Xiangwu said, looking at the painting. She had never seen a flamingo in person, but even if one day the bird flew past her, its wings would probably look like the blurry blocks of color in the painting.

"There was no epiphany," Little Fu said, somewhat dissatisfied.

“That’s not your name,” Cheng Xiangwu said.

Just like the five-spice powder, flamenco is the code name that this foreigner forces others to pronounce as a transliteration.

"...Did I tell you my name?" Little F asked, somewhat doubtful.

"Let me think about it some more." Cheng Xiangwu didn't seem to care much. "I'll change it when I have a better idea."

“…People who just follow the crowd.” Xiao Fu glanced at Cheng Xiangwu, then looked at the painting. “This shoddy painting isn’t worth my time. I’m leaving.”

“You say the same thing about the things hanging in the art museum,” Cheng Xiangwu said, lifting her foot to walk towards the door.

“There aren’t many paintings with soul,” Little Franz said matter-of-factly.

On her way back, Xiao Fu took her trench coat to a laundry shop with a brightly lit sign advertising high-end fabric care services and requested expedited processing. The owner picked up the hanger and examined the cuffs and collar several times before finally saying he would do his best.

After arriving home, all the non-high-end fabric clothes that smelled of candles went into the washing machine, and I went into the bathroom.

Today's lunch was quite light, but the tea served was a fragrant dried rose smoked Earl Grey.

“If I could meet her, I’d yell at her to her face,” Goulson said, munching on a roasted corn cob stuck in his chopsticks. “I’m a law-abiding citizen, don’t worry. She’s better than that cloaked monster who suddenly appeared out of nowhere.”

"Even if what that person wants is lifelong custody of you?" Little Fran asked.

"...So there's really no room for negotiation when it comes to personal freedom?" Gorson swallowed the coarse grains with difficulty.

"There's nothing to discuss on any front." Little Fu swirled his tea.

After the meal, Cheng Xiangwu prepared to go downstairs, and Gao Ersen also put on his shoes and followed.

"Huh?" Gorson looked at Cheng Xiangwu turning to look at her. "Weren't you going for a walk?"

"Pretty much." Cheng Xiangwu didn't say anything. "Sen Sen, you should come too."

"Oh, okay." Golson followed, somewhat puzzled.

"Then could you please pick up my coat for me on your way?" Little F peeked out from the study.

“It’s not on my way, you go by yourself.” Cheng Xiangwu poked his head back from outside the door.

“…You two are really wasting my time.” Little Fer followed and changed his shoes, annoyed. “Give me the keys.”

"Please." Golson quickly took out a bunch of keys from his pocket with both hands.

It wasn't on the way, so Xiao Fu went downstairs and headed towards the parking lot. Cheng Xiangwu led Gao Ersen towards the entrance of the residential area and into Zhou Mi's convenience store. Behind the counter, the store owner was struggling with the knee joint of the model kit, trying to threaten it with his eyes to stop making trouble.

On the glass counter, a tablet stood with its back to the customers, playing an unknown cartoon. Cheng Xiangwu reached out and put the milk tea cup next to her, which had one foot in the air, back on its proper place.

"Hello, Sister Xiangxiang!" Zhou Mi looked up and noticed Gao Ersen, who was clearly a student, standing to the side.

"Hello, Xiao Mi." Cheng Xiang nodded. "This is Zhou Mi, Sister Yanzi's child, and the manager of this convenience store."

"Hello, Sister Xiaomi. My name is Gao Ersen, you can call me Sen Sen. I'm staying at Sister Xiang Xiang's house recently." Gao Ersen introduced himself in a very generous manner.

"Wow!" Zhou Mi straightened her back quickly, put the knee joint back in place with a strong effort, and without even looking, she put down what she was holding and stood up. She reached into the glass jar next to the counter, took out a few chocolate balls, and handed them out. "It's rare for someone to call me 'sister,' come on, come on."

"Thank you!" Gorsen accepted it with both hands, and unsurprisingly found that it was the same flavor as the one Zhou Yan had given her, but in a different taste.

"Xiao Mi, do you know that black cat that occasionally appears in the neighborhood?" Cheng Xiangwu gestured and said, "It's about this big, and its paws are white."

That's right, Cheng Xiangwu came to gather information.

“That should be a cow cat!” Zhou Mi corrected. “But I do recognize it. Sister Xiangxiang must be looking for a great immortal.”

"That's its name." Cheng Xiangwu thought it was quite fitting.

"No, it doesn't have a name. It just responds when I call it like this." Zhou Mi smiled smugly, then gestured with her hands to form an oval about the size of her upper body. "And don't you think Xiangxiang is amazing? She was this big when I was little, and she's still this big now."

“Yes, that’s right.” Cheng Xiang nodded. “They are indeed very impressive.”

“…Hmm.” Golson responded, “That’s impressive.”

"Why do you all seem to have a problem with the Great Immortal?" Zhou Mi leaned on the counter, looking at Cheng Xiangwu suspiciously. "Sister Xiangxiang, did it hit you again? Tell me and I'll help you scold it back next time."

"Sister Mi actually managed to scold it, that's amazing!" Gorsen said admiringly.

"Oh dear!" Zhou Mi chuckled, "It'll let you pet it and say a few words while it's eating."

"It's okay, it didn't hit me," Cheng Xiangwu said. "Does Xiaomi know where it lives?"

"...Sister Xiangxiang, there needs to be a sense of distance between people and cats," Zhou Mi reminded her, withdrawing her hands and hugging them, the half-anime character face on her clothes wrinkling up as well.

"Actually, I..." Cheng Xiangwu opened and closed her mouth several times, but she didn't know how to explain her motives.

"Besides, Da Xian used to rub against you and you never touched it, so now you're asking me where she is. That's not very nice." Zhou Mi gave a teasing smile, as if he wanted to say something but didn't.

Cheng Xiangwu fell silent. It turned out that the dark shadow that had been circling around her feet and tripping her was actually rubbing against her.

“It’s like this, Sister Mi.” Gorson stepped forward and stood in front of the counter, speaking firmly, “Actually, I want to know, because the Great Immortal stole my heart.”

Zhou Mi gasped instantly.

“Moreover, I am not the only victim,” Golson said solemnly.

Zhou Mi took a step back in disbelief.

“If I can’t get it back, then,” Golson gritted his teeth, “I won’t be able to go home!”

Zhou Mi clenched his fists.

"...How could this be?" Her throat tightened. "Great Immortal, how could you..."

"So, is there any way we can find it?" Cheng Xiang asked five times.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Mi took a deep breath, his expression becoming serious.

“Finding it wouldn’t be difficult; you could easily run into a fortune teller nearby.” She sat down, clasped her hands under her chin, and spoke in a detective’s tone that she’d picked up from somewhere. “But I guess what you want is a precise and stable address, right?”

"Sister Mi is very perceptive!" Gorsen nodded repeatedly.

“Once upon a time, the immortal told me its address. I never expected that before I could even make up my mind to visit it in person, I would have to sell it to you first.” Zhou Mi sighed. “I hope you won’t blame me.”

"...It can talk?" Cheng Xiangwu asked in surprise.

"It can talk!" Golson was greatly shocked.

"Actually, no," Zhou Mi chuckled. "I just dreamt about it."

"Honestly, I don't know which side is more terrifying right now," Golson said.

“That wasn’t a nightmare,” Zhou Mi waved his hand. “Besides, the immortal didn’t speak Chinese in the dream, which I thought made sense, so I made a note of it and planned to go and see it sometime, but I haven’t had time to go yet.”

The reason can be found in the half-model on that table.

“Please speak!” Golson nodded. “We will definitely pay you a visit!”