Congratulations

Looking at the camera, what would you like to say to the birthday person today?

The elderly guest, dressed in a suit and tie, took off his hat, his smile warm. His face belonged to a well-known out-of-town jewelry merchant. "Old Bai, you were quite the adventurous fellow in your youth, and you were incredibly healthy. Who would have thought you'd retire so early? But retirement is good, it's more relaxed now, unlike me, who still has to travel around at this age. Now that you're retired, you have no reason to stay in Senhu forever, right? Remember to come visit our kids sometime, okay? Happy birthday, old man! I'll be back in ten years!"

The neatly dressed middle-aged woman smiled warmly at the camera. As the director of the municipal public security bureau, she had recently appeared on television programs quite often, but her voice was a little hoarse when she spoke, "Chairman Bai's birthday is a joyous occasion! I wish you all the best today! In the past, the entire city of Senhu has benefited greatly from your care, and in the days to come... You mean me? As a civil servant here, of course I have to think about this place. Of course I have to listen to the chairman's opinions. After all, it concerns the daily lives of the local citizens, so how can I not care? You say I don't look well? Hahaha, I had a few drinks with some friends last night, please forgive me!"

There was some commotion outside the banquet hall. A law enforcement officer, whose shirt was not neatly trimmed and who appeared to be unwell with a cast on his hand, gave a polite smile that suited the atmosphere when he saw the camera. "It is an honor to participate in Chairman Bai's birthday celebration. I wish you and your family a wonderful day. We will certainly live up to your invitation and do our best to provide guidance to your company's security team and protect the safety of all our guests."

Her companion seemed to have something to say, "Captain, where's your tie... Oh, hello, umm, happy birthday Chairman Bai! May you have many happy returns of the day, boundless happiness and longevity, and may you always be smiling and enjoying family bliss... umm..."

Another companion chimed in, "That's right, then I hope everything goes as you wish at the birthday banquet."

Opposite them were the employees of Bai Bai's security team. The one-eyed man, referred to as the captain, looked to be about the same age as Chairman Bai, but seemed a little confused. "The captain called me? Oh, so there's a captain here. Getting old, huh? His hearing isn't good, is it? Oh, so they're interviewing me, asking me this? Let me think… well, I wish the boss a speedy death—oh, that's unlucky. Well, I have nothing else to say. I hope you have a happy day and don't think about anything else. Can I go in? Why not? I'm a guest today…"

Inside the banquet hall, behind the welcoming table by the door, stood Mr. Bai Yunjian, seemingly busy shaking hands and talking with some businessmen. "Welcome, welcome! I will definitely convey your blessings to my mother. She has been preparing for today and this moment for a long time, and she is currently practicing her opening remarks backstage! Good, let's keep in touch in the future. Of course, it would be our honor to cooperate with you!"

The person next to her, confirming the invitation, is Ms. Bai Yunxian. She has an indifferent expression and seems unmoved by the atmosphere at the scene, but she is willing to say a few words to the camera, "...A birthday video? Well, I hope you are happy, Mom."

The guests in the banquet hall seemed to be having a lot to talk about, so we'll interview them after the banquet. Now let's go backstage and interview the performers who are about to take the stage.

In the dimly lit room, the glamorous star in front of the makeup mirror seemed a little nervous, not even noticing the camera approaching. Fortunately, she didn't refuse our interview. "Hello, boss in front of the screen! Please enjoy this special day, happy birthday! I will do my best to make you satisfied with my performance!"

In the corridor, the mayor of Mori Lake City seemed to be on the phone with someone. The taciturn bodyguard stepped forward and blocked the view. Of course, she had no intention of giving an interview.

In a corner of the backstage area, there was another person who was almost overlooked by the camera. Was she also a performer?

“…Hmm?” Cheng Xiangwu looked up when she heard the question. Her expression remained unchanged. She said in a low voice, “I have nothing to say to the birthday celebrant. Go find someone else.”

The guests were seated, and the time had come. The host stood in front of the red curtain and announced with a smile that the birthday banquet had officially begun.

Under the watchful eyes of the audience, the background music slowly stopped, the curtain opened to the side, and the protagonist, whom everyone, including the stone sculptures, had been eagerly anticipating, stepped out.

"Everyone here is a friend I haven't seen in a long time, a guest of mine, and a fellow traveler who will witness this day with me." Bai Guanhai, dressed in a sharp suit, slowly walked to the front of the stage. She looked around the room with satisfaction, her eyes full of smiles, and said, "This scene is like a dream."

As the opening remarks ended, some people in the audience laughed, but most applauded. The chaotic vibrations, accompanied by the undulating movements of hands like butterfly wings, created a dazzling scene that would surely satisfy those who enjoy a lively atmosphere.

"How about it?" Cheng Xiang pointed to the scenery outside the backstage door and asked Ariyenor, who was with her backstage, "Wouldn't it be better to go to the guests' side instead of staying here with me?"

“Don’t forget, I wasn’t invited as a guest,” Arienor said dismissively. She was dressed formally, of course, but that was her usual style, so it didn’t reflect her attitude. “Besides, it’s too noisy there right now.”

"...Whatever you want," Cheng Xiangwu said, pointing to a long table with food on it. "Eat it yourself if you're hungry."

The speech on stage continued. "Among you all, surely some of you have thought this in your hearts," Bai Guanhai smiled, then changed to a teasing tone and slowly said, "Why have I always been unwilling to leave Senhu? It was one thing before, but even when entertaining guests from all directions, I couldn't bear to choose a place with convenient transportation. Do I still not want to leave this place even after retirement?"

She composed herself and said solemnly, "Yes, everyone, I can't leave here."

“…She is a follower of the Fairy of the Lake.” Ariel frowned as she looked through the crack in the door. This was her first encounter with Bai Guanhai, and also the first time she had communicated with him in this way.

“After all, the Bai family used to be mountain people.” Cheng Xiangwu nodded.

“No, I mean,” Arienor paused, sighed, and then continued, “that the object of her faith is the stone statue that was sent back underground thirty years ago.”

“My family, my hometown, my faith,” Bai Guanhai said slowly. “Everything I have is here.”

“I made a mistake,” Arieñoer said. “Thirty years ago, the object she wanted to resurrect was not a person, but her faith.”

Upon hearing this, Cheng Xiangwu recalled what Bai Guanhai meant by seeking prosperity in Senhu City. What exactly did he mean by that?

Ariel paused for a moment, arms crossed, then laughed mockingly, "The unidentified flying objects hovering over Senhu City right now are what she brought upon herself."

"Of course, you've probably never heard of this before. Bai Langtao actually has a faith?" Bai Guanhai laughed. "Don't worry, friends, I'm not going to start preaching to you right here, into a microphone. Words can't convey what I want to say, and I doubt many of you would want to listen to this old man rambling on."

"Why would she—" Cheng Xiangwu began, then realized she didn't really want to know the answer. Why should she try to understand Bai Guanhai? To understand a madman?

“…Five Fragrances, you need to know that although the brainwaves of madmen are varied, there is only one thing that remains unchanged.” Ariyenor leaned against the door and frowned. “Madmen live for only one goal. Bai Guanhai has been mad for thirty years, so she will be obsessed with one goal for thirty years.”

“But today, I am the birthday boy, and I can make a wish.” Bai Guanhai held up one finger, lowered his eyes and smiled. “I have been seeking a miracle for half a year, and today, I hope that you will all witness the arrival of this miracle with me.”

“...No matter what, she will die today.” Cheng Xiangwu said slowly, looking at the departing figure.

"Six months ago, my child, the always responsible manager of Bai Bai Co., Ltd.," Bai Guanhai said solemnly, putting his hands down, "Bai Yuntian, my Tiantian, she passed away."

This statement caused an uproar in the audience. Gasps and disbelief filled the round table, with most questioning the veracity of the statement. However, this was hardly a topic suitable for jokes, and the person who made the statement on stage did not seem to be joking either. Under the spotlight, she lowered her eyes and waited silently for the chaos to subside, while also observing everyone's expressions.

“Unbelievable, yes. That’s what I thought too. I didn’t tell anyone about this terrible news—not anyone in the company, not anyone I trusted, not even my family.” Bai Guanhai raised his eyes and said in a sincere, almost pious voice, “I only confided this to my God, and then my God helped me. He kept this a secret for the past six months and gave me a chance.”

The atmosphere below the stage was still chaotic. The originally peaceful and festive atmosphere had been ruined by the person in charge. Some guests who brought their children were even discussing whether to leave first.

“A chance for my loved ones to come back to me.” Bai Guanhai shed a tear; her voice was so heavy that it weighed on the audience, silencing them.

"Can Bai Yuntian really be resurrected?" Cheng Xiangwu asked, leaning against the wall.

“That’s impossible,” Arienor replied, her decision almost cold. “You’ve killed the one in the shrine too. Putting aside the fact that humans can’t display that kind of ugliness, do you really think that was Miss Bai Yuntian herself?”

“…I’m not familiar with her.” Cheng Xiangwu said, touching her neck.

“Indeed.” Arienne nodded and smiled. “But Miss Baiyunxian should be familiar with it. Has she ever acknowledged that being as her family?”

Below the stage, at the table where the birthday celebrant sat, Bai Yunxian's face was as pale as paper.

"...What is Mom saying?" Bai Yunjian asked, looking at her incredulously. "Xianxian, do you know what she's saying—"

"Don't ask me," Bai Yunxian said coldly, her hands still clasped tightly in front of her chest, her expression indifferent. "Believe it if you want."

"...Which part should I believe?" Bai Yunjian was still confused. "The part about my eldest sister's death, or the part about her resurrection?"

“…Trust her,” Bai Yunxian said.

"I hope you will all witness this miracle with me, witness her resurrection," Bai Guanhai said loudly, raising a hand as if inviting her, "and witness her taking Bai Bai from my hands, stepping forward, and becoming the new manager here."

“…I think when she said ‘here,’ she wasn’t just referring to their company,” Cheng Xiangwu said after a moment of silence.

“But then the word ‘new’ shouldn’t be used,” Ariel said thoughtfully. “If things really go as she wishes, Senhu City may regain its theocracy for a period of time. I just don’t know what Miss Gu Wanqiu thinks of this decision.”

Below the stage, at the round table occupied by local politicians, Gu Wanqiu looked at the old man on the stage without speaking. Her glasses concealed her expression, preventing the observers from catching her gaze.

Seeing the guests gradually calm down, Bai Guanhai smiled again, "And today, I have also invited a special guest to help me. She is a junior who is not good with words, so I hope you will not put too much pressure on her."

"Putting everything else aside, if anyone in the union knew what she was planning, they would definitely cause a scene." Cheng Xiangwu frowned. "Now that Lin Che'an has just died, I wouldn't be surprised if those people launched another suicide bombing attack."

“Miss Gu Wanqiu was just talking about this on the phone,” Ariel said casually, making no attempt to hide her eavesdropping. “But the police cars surrounding the area were all brought in by the Municipal Public Security Bureau, so they were obviously prepared. After some persuasion, the local law enforcement officers probably aren’t going to try to change my mind anymore.”

"Are they planning to just become Bai Bai's dogs?" Cheng Xiangwu said, not really surprised.

“Isn’t this what it means to give up thinking when you have limited options?” Ariel said dismissively, then added, “Now that you know so much, you can’t be like those people.”

"Of course not," Cheng Xiangwu said, waving her hand dismissively.

Bai Guanhai on stage said a few more polite words, and the curtain fell again. The staff rushed forward to move the performance supplies. Whether a person would be resurrected or not was not important; the work at hand was the most important thing.

Next was Fang Chan's performance. The lights slowly dimmed, the curtain rose, and the spotlight shone on the star who had been the center of attention. Bai Guanhai took advantage of the darkness and the music to leave the stage and went straight to the round table to sit down. Unlike those who looked nervous or doubtful, she was very at ease.

“That person is my colleague.” Cheng Xiang pointed to the person who was pretending to be the performer and introduced, “He’s here to kill the birthday celebrant.”

"...You didn't know before?" Arienor looked at the person on the stage with suspicion.

“I’m not very popular among my peers,” Cheng Xiangwu said frankly. “I only met her last night when I came here.”

"What did you find last night?" Arienor quickly changed the subject.

"The body in the coffin was wrapped up like a mummy," Cheng Xiangwu recalled. "I guess I'll have to cremate her on the spot later, I hope the smell won't be too strong."

“…After the body is dehydrated, the smell won’t be too strong during cremation, plus there’s wax and herbs to mask it.” Ariyenor stroked her chin thoughtfully and said, “The experience for the guests present won’t be too bad, but it’ll be different for you.”

As the music played, the wall behind Cheng Xiangwu seemed to vibrate. She straightened up a bit and asked, "What's different?"

“You are about to confront that being.” Arienor looked at her and asked in a deep voice, “This is different from what Miss Golson brought before. Are you sure you want to do this?”

“…Xiao Bai gave me the medicine,” Cheng Xiangwu nodded and said, “so I’m sure.”

“I don’t accept this logic.” Arienne narrowed her eyes and wagged her finger.

"Okay." Cheng Xiang nodded.

Receiving no further response, Ariel was clearly very dissatisfied; her expression and crossed arms spoke volumes.

"Try to think positively." Cheng Xiangwu pointed to the table and advised, "If I don't do that, you won't get the materials you want. Are you hungry now? You still have things to do later, go and get something to eat."

“…Tsk.” Arienne turned around and left the backstage area for the front hall.

After Fang Chan's performance ended and the curtain closed, she returned backstage. While getting a drink of water, she bumped into Cheng Xiangwu, who was standing silently in the corner.

"Wow." She was startled, paused, then leaned closer and asked in a low voice, "Did you hear what our boss just said?"

The scent of perfume made Cheng Xiangwu involuntarily take two steps back before she spoke, "So, when are you going to make your move?"

“…I’m not going to tell you.” Fang Chan smiled and then asked, “Is that quiet little girl she was talking about you?”

"It's me, what's up?" Cheng Xiangwu raised an eyebrow. "You're here to help?"

"I'm very busy," Fang Chan emphasized, stroking her chin and leaning closer. "But this is a truly rare sight. I want to see it. As the one in charge, do you know what will happen? Can you give me a spoiler?"

“…See for yourself.” Cheng Xiangwu took two steps back and couldn’t help but say, “Can you please stop coming over here? If you’re free, go out to eat.”

"Your aesthetic sense is terrible!" Fang Chan took a step back, touching her chin as she angrily said, "Do you know how difficult it is to draw this face? Even if you found a stand-in, you couldn't find one that looks this good. You'll never see her again!"

"What did you look like before?" Cheng Xiangwu asked, squinting at her face.

"...I hope you never find out." Fang Chan said, grinning, touching his arm, and left through the back door of the backstage area.

After the band members and dance troupe members left, the backstage area gradually became deserted. Halfway through the dance troupe's performance, the sound of footsteps and arguing could be heard coming from the corridor leading to the backstage area.

"You knew perfectly well what those people were capable of, yet you still acquiesced to this event, and now you're coming to us with these kinds of words?" Xie Wuchang spoke with his usual polite and friendly smile. "It's quite laughable, don't you yourselves think so?"

"...We had no idea Chairman Bai was going to do something so absurd." Cheng Xiangwu was hearing this voice for the first time. Her tone was dull and irritable, and her dry, hoarse voice seemed ready to cough at any moment. "And what did you know before you came here?"

"Didn't you deliver the invitation?" Jiang Ling questioned, her voice much more confident this time.

"...We don't have the right to make that decision," Pan Jiangliu said in a deep voice. "Do you know if what she said is true? Bai Yuntian really..."

"How would we know what's on Chairman Bai's mind?" Xie Wuchang laughed. "Or are you just asking a question you already know the answer to?"

"We really didn't know anything about this." The hoarse voice coughed twice, his tone tense. "In any case, we can't just ignore those people standing outside the hotel looking at us. I'll talk to the security team. Will you help us?"

"What are you planning to do?" Han Lingfeng asked, her voice flat.

"...Arrest as many as possible, and deal with dangerous elements on the spot," Pan Jiangliu said.

"And then take the opportunity to sever ties with the people in this organization?" Xie Wuchang asked.

“...It’s more like self-preservation,” the hoarse voice said. “And, we can share these people’s past criminal records with you, making them your partners.”

"Wow, you're talking about this now? Why didn't you do this earlier?" Jiang Ling questioned.

"Who could have imagined this would happen today?" Pan Jiangliu's tone also became a little more serious. "Whether what Chairman Bai said is true or not is irrelevant, but the guests present are all truly important people. They absolutely cannot be harmed. Do you understand?"

"...I can get the entire investigation team to cooperate with your operation," Han Lingfeng said in a deep voice. "But as the invitation says, what we're doing today is providing guidance, not handling the case. Director Yu, I hope you remember that, as well as what you said earlier."

“…Thank you, Captain Han,” Director Yu replied. “Let’s get going. First, we need to secure the emergency exits. You guys go to the east side.”

Those people went across the corridor to the other side, but some remained outside, having something to say to each other privately.

"Xiao Xie, I know what you want to do, and there will be opportunities." Han Lingfeng's voice softened a bit. "I have seen how hard everyone has worked these past few days, but the guests here are all ordinary people, and we need to prioritize public safety."

“…Captain, I understand.” Xie Wuchang sighed and said, “I just… never mind, it’s nothing.”

“…Let’s go,” Han Lingfeng said. “Let’s talk when we get back.”

"Captain, what you're saying sounds very ominous," Jiang Ling gently reminded him.

"Then when we get back, I'll treat everyone to donuts?" Han Lingfeng said as his voice faded into the distance.

"...You really need to control your sugar intake, Captain." Xie Wuchang's voice gradually faded away at the other end of the corridor.

After listening to everyone around, Cheng Xiangwu straightened her clothes; it was time to go on stage.

After the host announced the program and performers, the audience applauded. Cheng Xiangwu, the young master of Wuxianglou and head chef, walked out from backstage, ready to present a special bonfire performance. However, when she got on stage, she found that the curtain had not yet been drawn, although the lights were on. Nobody wanted to see her as a chef, Cheng Xiangwu knew perfectly well.

Within the crimson space illuminated by a red cloth, a black coffin rested, its chains gone, the lid standing beside it like a pile of firewood. Inside, black wax oil nearly overflowed. The aroma and atmosphere that should have wafted out were masked by the noise and smells of food from the banquet hall, which even the curtains couldn't block.

There was already someone standing next to the spot where she was supposed to stand. Dong Yilin had his back to her, dressed in a solemn robe. Even Cheng Xiangwu, who already knew too much, felt that this master could indeed deceive a lot of people.

Hearing footsteps, the master turned around, carrying a covered silver tray as if she were serving a dish. Her eyes were covered with a red cloth, making it seem at first glance that the horizontal line of her eyes was blended into the curtain behind her. As she heard someone approaching, she slowly handed the tray to Cheng Xiangwu, remaining silent and aloof.

"You're actually a frontline worker." Cheng Xiangwu said, taking the plate and lifting the lid. Inside the silver plate was a withered hand severed at the wrist, its five fingers pointing to the sky as if trying to catch stars, glistening with an oily sheen in the light.

“…Of course not.” Dong Yilin said, taking out a long-handled lighter from his sleeve and handing it to her, asking, “Do you know what to do?”

“I’ve lit one before,” Cheng Xiangwu said, taking the high-end lighter, which was the first time she had ever seen one.

Dong Yilin looked at Cheng Xiangwu's position through the red cloth, and after a moment of silence, he said, "...This is the last chance. If you turn around and leave now, I will light the fire."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Xiangwu glanced at her, then looked at the oil in the coffin and laughed, "If you don't even dare to look at this, you should run now, or you'll have nightmares again tonight."

"...Are you so sure you can survive?" Dong Yilin sighed and pulled off the red cloth covering his face.

“Someone gave me medicine.” Cheng Xiangwu waved his hand. “I don’t have any mental illness to treat. If you want to leave, then hurry up.”

“I will be watching.” Dong Yilin said as he walked towards Cheng Xiangwu, stopping three steps behind her. “I will watch with my own eyes, and when the time is right, I will reveal everything to the people outside the veil.”

So before that, the only witnesses to all of this were the two people present and the corpse in the coffin. Outside the curtain, it had become much quieter. They were probably all looking at the red curtain that covered everything, as was Bai Guanhai, Cheng Xiangwu thought, as she lit the highest point of the withered hand in the dish, the tip of the index finger, through the barrier in her vision.

The faint flames barely illuminated the already lit space. As the light stabilized, Cheng Xiangwu stood at the marked spot and poured the contents of the plate into the oil coffin. In this action, she felt that she might, perhaps, possibly did indeed possess a bit of the demeanor of a head chef.

The withered hand plunged into the black oil without stirring up any splatter, but the fire suddenly surged, quickly spreading from a small spot in the middle to the entire surface of the coffin, almost scorching Cheng Xiangwu and the crimson curtain. She squinted, and those outside the curtain gasped in amazement at the sudden burst of flames. Even excluding the resurrection process, the flames always drew attention.

As the flames rose to a certain height, a shadow was cast in the shadows above, floating downwards. Just like last time, it made its appearance on the stage it had prepared for itself, reaching towards the coffin with its back to Cheng Xiangwu. The black limbs that emerged from the shadows above plunged straight into the fire, shrinking and burning away in an instant, but still showing no sign of stopping.

"This thing must not feel pain," Cheng Xiangwu thought to himself as he looked at it.

Perhaps the flames disturbed the wind, or perhaps something disturbed the space, because the curtain began to flutter frequently, almost sticking to the fire several times, and this movement attracted the attention of those outside the curtain.

Cheng Xiangwu heard someone say, "Could it be true?" She looked at the increasingly solidifying cloak and felt strange. The people outside clearly only saw the movement of the cloth, so why would they believe Bai Guanhai's nonsense about the corpse coming back to life? It would be better to understand that someone inside the curtain was using a blower.

As the oil in the coffin burned less and less, it finally revealed the withered hand that had been thrown in as a kindling earlier. The body was not far behind. The corpse's last days were about to be burned away, to offer up for an unknown new life. Watching the scene unfold before him, Cheng Xiangwu recalled the analyses and predictions made by different people, but felt that none of them were quite right.

It always seems to be like this: they try their best to catch up, to understand, and to impose reasons and meanings on it, but it only needs to turn over to shake off all these burdens.

How many more years, how many more victims, how many more generations of humanity will have to sacrifice themselves before you are finally captured by humankind?

At this moment, the upper half of the cloak was almost inside the coffin. As if light was rising from the coffin, those unnamed colors surged as if boiling, twisting, throbbing, and shaking someone's nightmare along with its body.

Just like that time by the river, Cheng Xiangwu thought to herself, and realized what was about to happen.

The cloak suddenly straightened up, revealing a pale mask facing Cheng Xiangwu, with its back to the black coffin and flames, and a pair of legs standing on the ground.

The curtain was slowly drawn back, and the flames were finally revealed to everyone. Their attention was drawn to the heat and brightness, and they saw a cloaked figure standing with his back to them behind the flames. The burning coffin was largely ignored; all eyes were fixed on the figure before Cheng Xiangwu.

Having heard the earlier warning, they all guessed that it was a person, and that it would be Bai Yuntian. They were merely casting their gazes, unaware of the consequences of their actions, and naturally, not responsible for them. Cheng Xiangwu bypassed the figure in front of her to look at the audience below. The fire was too bright for her to see clearly; she only felt a burning pain in her eyes from the heat. Even the rising and falling murmurs were drowned out by the cracking of the wooden planks. The smell of burning oil, wax, and herbs was unpleasant, but mixed with the surrounding odors, it wasn't exactly pungent.

She felt a sticky gaze, undoubtedly coming from the person in front of her, but how could it see through the mask?

The coffin was burned away bit by bit, and the person in front of them was confirmed to exist bit by bit. Finally, the coffin simply vanished from the spot, leaving only a pile of black ash. The person in front of them raised their hand, removed their mask, and took off their cloak. As the first eyewitness, Cheng Xiangwu recognized this face, and when she turned around to face the visitors, they naturally recognized her as well.

Bai Yuntian stood there.

Someone started clapping, and the exceptionally clear clapping created a continuous boom. Cheng Xiangwu, standing behind Bai Yuntian, realized that the world had become clear to her again.

Bai Guanhai walked onto the stage, smiled happily, and hugged Bai Yuntian for a long time. Then he walked towards Cheng Xiangwu, looked at her, and said, "Thank you."

Cheng Xiangwu stared at the joy on her face for a long time without answering. She turned and brushed past Dong Yilin, returning to the back of the stage. Her phone rang; the caller was F.

"You watched the whole thing?" Cheng Xiangwu asked, only then realizing that her throat was almost parched. She grabbed some water and drank it as she walked out.

“Go and see if your sense of taste has returned to normal,” Arienne said. “That presence still can’t be recorded, but I guess that part will become part of the rumors.”

Cheng Xiangwu paused, holding the water bottle, and turned to look at the pastries on the side table. The palm-sized pineapple cakes were piled on a bone china plate. They were something she used to think tasted like cotton wool and never took the initiative to eat. But now, looking at the object she had once disliked, she picked up a piece and felt a little nervous for some reason.

Ariel remained silent, while the other guests around her chattered incessantly. The lively atmosphere was shared with Cheng Xiangwu through the small broadcast system, and she, along with her anxious heart, joined in the celebration of the birthday banquet.

It was sweet; the taster would be certain of it the first time they tasted it. The original version of the adjectives used in the book to describe various wonderful feelings was now on their tongue. Cheng Xiangwu's heart suddenly became heavy, and she realized that she had just stopped breathing.

"How is it?" Arienor asked.

“…Pineapple cakes are sweet.” Cheng Xiangwu mumbled, ignoring his toothache and doctor’s advice, and stuffed another piece into his mouth.

“…Of course.” Ariel listened, but for some reason, she didn’t say anything as usual. She remained silent, letting the cheerleaders speak. Soon the next round of the program was about to begin, the guest speaker’s time. Cheng Xiangwu remembered that she still had to watch over things, so she hesitated and stopped what she was doing.

The nerve pain emanating from the gums became particularly pronounced, accusing its owner of abusing their power of movement, yet the owner was powerless to stop it.

"I'm coming to your place now," Cheng Xiangwu said, walking out of the backstage door, intending to retrace her steps. "How's it going on your end?"

“…If you want to come over, just go through the backstage door,” Arienne said. “The main entrance to the banquet hall is guarded by security personnel; you can only exit, not enter.”

Upon hearing this, Cheng Xiangwu grabbed the backstage door, preparing to turn back, but saw a somewhat familiar figure walking towards the other end of the corridor.

It's Bai Yuntian's stand-in version.

"...Just pretend you didn't see me." She seemed a little embarrassed, her face, which was exactly the same as the one she had seen up close before, showing an expression she should never have made. She said, "It's a bit dangerous outside now, it seems like there's a fight going on, so I came here to take shelter."

"...Aren't you going back to your own room?" Cheng Xiang asked five times.

"How embarrassing would it be if someone saw us!" Bai Yuntian's stunt double waved his hands repeatedly and hid in the backstage dressing room. "I'll stay here and leave once the commotion outside is over—"

As she spoke, Bai Yuntian herself walked out from backstage. She was still wearing a cloak. Ignoring the substitute's pale face, she glanced at Cheng Xiangwu and continued walking deeper into the corridor.

"Where are you going?" Cheng Xiangwu asked, thinking that this person should be the main character of the banquet.

"Work." Bai Yuntian said dismissively, turning away without looking back.

Back in the banquet hall, the guests were all talking about the special performance they had just witnessed. Cheng Xiangwu overheard a bit of it, but actually, very few people believed that it was a resurrection. They simply believed that it was Bai Yuntian himself, who had never died and there was no question of resurrection.

The lights in the hall came on, and people walked around toasting each other, marking the official start of the banquet. The police chief, who was supposed to be the first speaker, was absent, so the next speaker, Bai Bai's long-term partner, took over.

Ariel didn't sit down at the table either; she stood in the corner against the wall, and no one spoke to her.

"Have you seen Xiao Liang?" Cheng Xiangwu asked as she approached her. She looked around at the guests, relying on her much clearer eyesight, but she couldn't find Du Liang.

"...Animales are not allowed in the banquet hall, so Miss Du Liang and Alice naturally dined outside." Ariel said, her eyes fixed on Cheng Xiangwu's head.

The businesswoman on stage was quite humorous, probably because she had toasted Bai Guanhai before going on stage, and was now behaving very freely.

“That’s true.” Cheng Xiangwu wasn’t too surprised. She turned around and glanced at Bai Yunxian, who was sitting at the table looking at Bai Guanhai. She wondered if this person had made up her mind to say a few words to her mother. Everything at the scene was unconsciously preventing her from doing so. Her expression was indifferent, while Bai Guanhai, who was toasting everyone who wished her a long life, had a happy look on his face.

“I plan to make my move during Miss Gu Wanqiu’s speech.” Ariel looked at the stage. “Her actions will shake the people’s perception of that being, and thus shake Miss Bai Yuntian’s existence. The scene will be very chaotic. If you intend to protect her, you’d better explain the situation to her in advance.”

“…She knows what she's doing.” Cheng Xiangwu said, picking up a plate and taking some pastries from the dessert table. “We’re all that guy’s guests, she can’t just kill us here, can she?”

“…Five Fragrances.” Ariyenor frowned as she looked at Cheng Xiangwu’s head. “Your thinking has become a little strange.”

Cheng Xiangwu paused, then asked, "What's strange?"

“You have to think for yourself.” Arienne shook her head and said solemnly, “That being changed your perception by instilling information in you. The head chef couldn’t be without taste, which is why you were able to regain your sense of taste, but it instilled more than that in you.”

“…Like this.” Cheng Xiangwu looked at the variety of pastries on the plate in her hand, picked up her chopsticks, but suddenly felt a sense of boredom.

After the businessman on stage finished his speech, it was Gu Wanqiu's turn. She was never one to be witty or humorous, so everyone knew that her speech would be anything but funny. Without preparing a notepad or speech, she walked with Yan Xizhao, hands behind her back, to the stairs leading to the stage, only to be stopped by Bai Guanhai.

"Xiao Gu," she said with a smile under their gazes, "It's been a long time since we've spoken. What are you planning to say to everyone at my birthday party?"

“Naturally, these are the things a mayor of Senhu City should say,” Gu Wanqiu said, her face as expressionless as ever.

Bai Guanhai didn't seem to care much about the other woman's lack of humor. She raised her hand, picked up two glasses of wine, placed them in front of Gu Wanqiu, and said, "Come on, toast me too."

The surroundings quieted down, as if waiting for Gu Wanqiu to react and make a choice.

"...What does she want to do?" It was Ariel who became wary first. She straightened up and stared intently at the contents of the glass.

"What's wrong?" Cheng Xiang asked.

“She said,” Ariyenor’s voice trailed off, as if there was a bad internet connection, “that day has finally come.”

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Gu Wanqiu took the glass cup from Bai Guanhai's right hand. The glass contained crystal-clear white wine, less than a sip. Bai Guanhai himself had already drunk at least three cups of the same wine before.

"...Only now?" Cheng Xiangwu asked in confusion, her gaze never leaving the two people. "Didn't she say anything when her daughter was resurrected?"

Arienoel fell silent.

"Thank you for your hard work all this time," the old man said with a kind smile, raising his cup with his left hand.

"Of course I should toast you." Gu Wanqiu also raised her glass, looked at the other person and said, "Without you, there would be no Senhu City today, nor would there be me today. Happy birthday."

The two faced each other, raised their cups, drank, and then put their cups down. The old man's gaze was fixed on the cup; she was still smiling, but her expression fell along with the wine.

"Smack—"

The glass shattered on the ground, and Gu Wanqiu took a step back, causing the onlookers to gasp in surprise.

Blood still trickled from the corners of the old woman's mouth, then from her nostrils, ears, and finally from her drooping eyes. When all seven orifices were soaked with blood, she finally fell slowly backward and raised her head to look at Gu Wanqiu.

She was still smiling, her mouth open, still breathing, but only blood was gushing out.

The birthday celebrant looks like he's about to die.