Coming Clean

After arriving at his suite, Jingxing picked up his Personal Terminal. Looking at the countless messages the Robin had sent him, he hesitated for a long time, typing and deleting the words in the chat box repeatedly before finally sending them.

[Let's meet at the Inverted Restaurant in Thousand Stars City.]

Perhaps because he was a little nervous, Jingxing put his phone face down on the table, turned around and poured himself a glass of warm water, not daring to see how Robin would reply.

After downing half a glass of water, the Communicator on the table vibrated, its urgent sound like someone was banging on the table through the screen.

[Jingxing?]

[It really is you! I thought I was imagining things!]

[I've sent you so many messages over the past year, why haven't you replied to a single one? Oh well, you can tell me when we meet. Anyway, it's so good to know you're still alive...]

[But how did you manage to book a table at the Inverted Restaurant? My brother came to visit before, and I asked a staff member to inquire about the availability, but they politely declined. How did you manage that?]

Looking at the last person asking the question, he couldn't help but smile.

[Jingxing: Anyway, you'll know when you get here. I'm sorry to have worried you by disappearing for a year, but I'll tell you about my experiences during that time.]

He finished the rest of the water in his glass, the bottom of which made a crisp sound as it hit the table.

"I don't know whether to call it unease or nervousness." Jingxing looked out the window. Although he had made up his mind to tell Robin about all his experiences over the past year, there were still some things that involved the Silent Lord or other high-ranking beings that he couldn't let her know.

Jingxing didn't want to give Polka Kakamond a reason to Robin.

The Inverted Restaurant is located in the heart of Thousand Stars City, offering a panoramic view of the Thousand Stars City's bustling traffic.

The entire restaurant resembles an inverted lamp, suspended from Ring Platform by four sets of cables.

When guests sit down, the entire Thousand Stars City is below them, while the starlight from outside fills their heads, making them feel as if they are sandwiched between two layers of light.

Jingxing led Tao Zhu to the restaurant entrance. Before he could speak, Tao Zhu immediately introduced herself, and the waiter at Jingxing door bowed deeply before leading him inside. Reaching the most secluded private room, the waiter pulled out a chair for him, saying, "Inverted Restaurant is honored to serve our Amber-tier VIP." He then promptly withdrew. As for Tao Zhu, she obediently waited at the restaurant entrance for the guests invited by her client.

Less than fifteen minutes later, the door to the private room was gently pushed open.

The newcomer wore a hat pulled low and a scarf covering half her face. After entering, she glanced back at Tao Zhu, who had his head down, and only pulled her scarf down after the waiter closed the door.

The Robin thinner than it had a year ago.

"Let me make this clear first," she whispered, "I slipped out of the rehearsal room without telling my manager, so I have to be back in about forty minutes. Otherwise, my manager will be furious."

Then, the Robin took off its hat and put it on the clothes rack by the wall. After hesitating for a moment, it chose to sit down next to Jingxing.

"Now it's your turn." She held out her hand. "Where have you been for the past year? What have you been doing? Why haven't you replied to my messages? Explain it all."

"Well, there's quite a lot to talk about over the past year," Jingxing smiled.

He began by recounting how he met Yaoguang in the Saline-Alkali Land of Priva II, how they joined forces to eliminate the Borisin, how they made a promise of rescue, how he and the Diviner of Luofu fell into the era of Swarm Disaster, how he spoke of the Amber Lord by Pier Point and the newly established company, how he Mournful Actors the Water Curtain erected by the tears of the mourning musician, how he delivered his final sword strike, and his experiences after returning to the "present".

Although some things have been omitted, Jingxing has told the story as truthfully as possible.

After hearing Robin didn't speak immediately. Instead, it replaced the cold tea for him and pushed the cup back.

"What a wonderful year... but you left without even saying a word to me." She pouted. "If only I could have gone with you..."

"Sorry." That was all Jingxing could reply. As for dragging the Robin along on an adventure? Sunday would probably tear him apart.

"I sent you hundreds of messages, but you didn't reply to a single one." The Robin continued to stare at Jingxing.

"I'm sorry." Jingxing lowered his head. He had seen the message from Robin after returning, but on the one hand, he didn't know how to reply at the time, and on the other hand, he was thinking of giving Robin a surprise, so... But no matter what, he still had to apologize.

She lowered her head and smiled. "I didn't mean to blame you."

But Jingxing knew that once he said what he was about to say, the Robin might...

But we can't keep it a secret forever, can we?

"There's one more important thing," he said. "Over the past year, someone has come into my heart."

The Robin suddenly raised its head.

"It's Diviner, the Fu Xuan Diviner of Luofu." Jingxing Xing pursed his lips. "She went there with me and came back with me. We've been living together in Luofu ever since."

The private room fell silent. Light slowly passed through the glass, illuminating half of her face before dimming it again.

The Robin placed his hand on the table and curled his fingertips. "What kind of person is she?"

"He's short, but very capable," Jingxing said. "Although he's a bit arrogant, he's very kind. I think you two will definitely become good friends."

The Robin closed its eyes. "That's good. It's really good that someone can accompany you on last year's adventure, so you won't feel lonely."

Soon, she shifted her gaze to the window, as if trying to hide that spot in the sea of stars.

She reached for the teacup, but in her haste, her elbow bumped against the table, Robin to wince in pain.

Jingxing took her hand.

"I'm not saying goodbye," he said.

The Robin neither pulled its hand back nor looked at him.

"I won't lie and say I'll only be with you." Jingxing paused. "I can't say those words, and they're not believable. But what I'm certain of is that I won't let go of either her or you."

The Robin finally turned to look at him. After a long while, it said softly, "My brother won't agree."

"It's okay, I can persuade him."

"He's very firm in his convictions," the Robin shook his head. "Once he disagrees, it's hard for anyone to persuade him."

Jingxing thought for a moment and put down his teacup.

"There's something I haven't told you yet," he said. "I'm currently P47 with Interastral Peace Corporation."

The Robin was stunned.