On January 19, 2016, the sky was dark and overcast, heavy clouds pressing down overhead.
After breaking free from the illusion of the "Ghost City," Shanming City had returned to its usual prosperity and bustle. To the people, the oppressive weather of the past two days had instead tempered the chill of winter.
In another half month, it would be Lunar New Year.
Shanming City had long since plunged headfirst into dreams of reunion and happiness. Every sizable commercial street was covered, inside and out, with festive lights and New Year banners.
On every street and alley, natural smiles hung on everyone's faces. Even the sanitation workers by the roadside seemed to walk much more lightly as this year of hard work drew to a close.
Ji Li, who had not properly walked the streets in who knew how long, moved through the crowd in his usual classic attire.
A black wool overcoat, his hair tied behind him with a red cord, a lit cigarette held between his fingers, and an utterly expressionless face as he passed one pedestrian after another.
His face was cold and indifferent. Walking through the lively, festive streets, he stood entirely apart from everyone else.
Reflected in those gray-black eyes was a woman in a blue-and-white qipao, a shawl draped over one arm.
This seemed to be Female Voice's first time out on the streets. It no longer bore any mental burdens, nor was it subject to the Hotel's Will's forced restrictions.
Most employees had no way to directly perceive the changes in Heavenly Sea. They could only make private guesses based on certain details and clues.
But Female Voice, as a Hotel's Will, was the most direct proof.
Ever since Ji Li had used the hotel's authority two days earlier to completely lift its