Hiccuping Little Fire Dragon...
No, it was Fang Xiaoxia—
Fang Xiaoxia had been depressed lately.
As a high school student, her grades were less than ideal... and as a teenage JK girl in the prime of her youth, she was even more of a loser.
Objectively speaking, her looks and figure were really quite good. Aside from being a little gluttonous and a little lazy... she could perfectly be described as youthful and cute.
Someone like her should have been immensely popular in class, becoming a beautiful girl with top grades and a huge following...
Yet reality was precisely the opposite.
Because nobody liked a seventeen-year-old who had no idea how to put on makeup, always wore her school uniform buttoned up to the neck,
and, after school, slouched along with her shoulders drooping, her schoolbag strap slipping down to her arm as she kicked pebbles on the way home...
A socially anxious otaku girl.
Lazy and listless.
And an idiot, too.
In the classroom, which was always relaxed and full of sunshine, the students would gather in groups of three or five to chat, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.
Everyone looked so happy, like sunflowers that could refresh fifty points of sunlight at any time.
—This was youth!
But in that very environment, in the second-to-last row by the window in the corner...
It was as though an invisible barrier surrounded a trembling mushroom curled up there.
—This was how Fang Xiaoxia saw herself.
She felt she was practically a gloomy mushroom growing in a dungeon.
Yes, exactly like Puchi, and a deep-gray one at that...
She was completely out of place among these noble, sunny humans.
It wasn't that she wanted to be.
On her way to school at the start of term, she'd gone headfirst into a storm drain while trying to save a stray cat. She'd spent three days in the hospital and missed the division of the social circles at the beginning of the school year...
Who could have expected something like that?!
—Which unvirtuous bastard stole the manhole cover?!
By the time she returned to school, all the little groups had already formed.
And Fang Xiaoxia, who was always alone and wore a cold expression, became the odd one out in everyone's eyes...
It wasn't as though people invited her to join their little circles...
But she'd accidentally overheard people badmouthing her behind her back plenty of times.
"What is she putting on airs for?"
"Isn't it just because she's good-looking? Who knows what she's like behind everyone's backs..."
And so on and so forth.
—Heavens! I'm innocent!
She really wasn't putting on an act! She just didn't know how to start a conversation with people.
She genuinely couldn't understand how those "superhumans" who cheerfully took the initiative to talk to others had trained themselves!
As for always having a cold expression...
Nobody joked around with her. She couldn't just sit there grinning stupidly by herself, could she?
She might possibly, just a tiny bit, not be very bright... but she wasn't mentally ill!
Still, people saying she was pretty was nice enough.
That was all she could do to comfort herself...
"Hey, hey, is nobody really going to talk to me?"
"Something as simple as 'Have you done your homework?' would be fine. Even asking me, 'Are you kind of weird?' would work!"
...There was no one.
—Where had this template of the shunned cold and aloof female lead come from?
Where had the male lead she'd lost for eighteen years gone?
...Come to think of it, was there such a thing as a cold and aloof female lead who ranked near the bottom of the class?
A cold and aloof female lead who had been singled out and criticized by the teacher in front of the entire class, told that her essay had not the slightest trace of youthful student spirit, that she was drenched from top to bottom in a lazy air, and that she was as unambitious as she herself was?
Never heard of it!
In response to all these problems,
Fang Xiaoxia resolved to make a change.
There was no other way, Xiaoxia! You had to take the initiative!
You could do it!
...In recent years, anime, games, and the like had changed from games for loners into tools for socializing.
Wasn't that a coincidence? Fang Xiaoxia was practically a seasoned expert in this area!
She could argue with someone until both their faces turned red over factional strife surrounding the female lead, even going so far as to swing the Pure Love Fist at a Minotaur faction member standing in front of her.
...Then her family had to pay that man a hefty medical bill.
But it was fine. She still had a chance to display her "specialty."
For a while, the people in her class had discussed games, forming a food chain of Console vs. PC gaming snobbery, followed by PC gaming vs. mobile gaming snobbery.
—Then Fang Xiaoxia was practically nobility. In this area, she was a true Superior of superiors.
She was a seasoned fan of all kinds of hardcore old games. The higher the difficulty, the more she liked them.
For that reason, she had specifically collected all sorts of game discs and collectible figurines,
and had even become a somewhat famous Craptastic Hunter on a website that reviewed hardcore games.
"As long as I bring out those limited-edition collectibles, someone will definitely exclaim, 'Wow, that's so cool! I didn't know Xiaoxia knew about this stuff. You're amazing!'"
"Then they'll gather around... Hehe... Maybe I can even make some friends to play games with..."
With this thought in mind,
Fang Xiaoxia pulled a copy of the Miyazaki Soul Game official artbook, thicker than a dictionary, from her desk compartment. Its cover featured a hideous demon, and she slammed it onto the desk with a bang.
It startled the boy beside her, who was secretly eating pineapple bread.
Next came a 1:1 replica model of the Bloodborne Rusted Saw.
The thing had an intensely metallic texture, and its edges had even been treated with imitation aged bloodstains. Fang Xiaoxia clumsily tried to prop it against the side of the desk.
But she failed to set it securely.
With a clang, it crashed to the floor.
The hideous design and things that looked suspiciously like blood made several girls in the front row suck in a sharp breath.
And that wasn't all.
Fang Xiaoxia continued showing off her prized collection.
She took out a Bio-Tyrant and a tiny Pyramid Head figurine...
Then carefully placed them on either side of the Miyazaki Soul Game artbook, like guardian deities flanking a gate.
Next, she proudly raised her head like a victorious old general and swept her gaze across the classroom.
She forced her face into what she considered a friendly smile. In reality, because of her nervousness, it was so stiff that it looked almost bizarre.
Her eyes darted around, yet she secretly observed everyone with eager anticipation.
"Look, look! These are all my treasures."
"Is anyone going to ask what games these are? Maybe praise me a little... Complaints are fine, too!"
"..."
That day, Fang Xiaoxia succeeded in attracting everyone's attention.
After that, nobody ever envied her beauty or spread rumors about her behind her back again...
Because they generally said it to her face:
"She doesn't usually talk. So she likes this kind of stuff?"
"How scary..."
"I feel like... there's a violent bloodthirsty maniac hiding in her heart."
"W-We aren't from the same world at all... I feel like I'll be cursed if I get close."
"I always feel like if I look at her for too long, she'll drag me off to play those games that look incredibly painful..."
"..."
She became famous in a single battle.
Word spread that Class 3 of the second year had produced a true oddity.
Miss Puchi became a gloomy, dried-out mushroom, shattered into several pieces.
—From then on, she gave up on fitting in with everyone.
She finally understood that her interests were completely incompatible with everyone else's.
And this made her social anxiety even worse.
The moment class ended, she buried herself in the crook of her arms and slept, though in fact she often wasn't asleep at all.
But it was as if, so long as she did this, everyone would stop noticing her and would no longer cast strange looks her way.
Everyone's happiness, the noise during breaks, and the teacher's scolding...
As long as she lowered her head, it all seemed like something happening in another world.
Anyway, all she had to do was endure until she got home. At home, she had anime and games. They wouldn't look down on her.
Although her mother would roar at her until her head buzzed, at least she knew that her parents loved her.
There was a funny person in her textbook named Ah Q.
There was a King Lazy Goat in the cartoons she watched as a child.
Sometimes, when Fang Xiaoxia stared blankly at the ceiling, she felt that she was Ah Q and King Lazy Goat.
She knew how to cheer herself up, was optimistic, ordinary, neither particularly good nor particularly bad.
A socially anxious otaku girl who wanted to be popular but had no idea how, and could only be forced to remain aloof and alone.
Her specialties were skipping stones and accurately kicking cans by the roadside into trash bins...
As well as self-taught guitar.
Every year, when teachers evaluated the graduating students, they would rack their brains and, when they truly had nothing else to write, give her the following praise:
"This student has a kind heart and loves the Federation very much."
—That was Fang Xiaoxia.
Beautiful, sweet-voiced, and kindhearted, yet forever alone.
—Could she really be a Vampire Queen?
Whenever she thought of this, she would briefly puff out her still-developing chest with pride, then laugh delightedly as she coaxed herself into a good mood.
In the blink of an eye, it was summer vacation once again...
Fang Xiaoxia was lazily sprawled on her bed, secretly peeking at the class group chat,
when she discovered a new turning point.
Many girls who had secretly gotten boyfriends would post all sorts of lovey-dovey Moments, drawing envious and jealous likes from students everywhere.
Exquisite dishes, beautiful surroundings, an ambiguous atmosphere...
According to Fang Xiaoxia's observations, girls who were good at managing their Moments remained immensely popular in class even if they only had a boyfriend for the time being.
People would naturally gather around them.
Oh...
Fang Xiaoxia understood.
A pretty Moments feed, a popular persona... together, they meant people would want to be friends with her.
She completely got it!
As it happened,
a month earlier, she had gotten incredibly lucky on the Mass Review app and drawn a dining spot at Tinghai City's most famous Michelin three-star restaurant.
—Simply put, she had won the right to reserve a table for a month later.
It couldn't be exchanged for cash.
To Fang Xiaoxia, this was even more useless than winning a hundred-yuan discount coupon for a Ferrari.
But now, she dug it out from some obscure corner of her phone.
With a pained expression, she spent half a day calculating her recent income from game videos on the website...
Gritting her teeth, Fang Xiaoxia decided to go eat there!
She was going to take a whole bunch of photos!
With some time still remaining before the start of her third year of high school,
—the second season of Miss Fang's Female Lead Makeover Plan,
officially began!
She had stolen and put on her mother's evening gown from when she was young. The clothes were almost faded, and they felt even more awkward on her.
One had to understand that Fang Xiaoxia was used to wearing sportswear. It couldn't be said that she was overly conservative—
it was more accurate to say that she was "a man in a case."
"May I ask if you're dining alone?"
The restaurant attendant asked her that question as soon as she arrived.
—Did you really have to bring up the sore spot?
Fang Xiaoxia felt it was absolutely necessary to question the service at this restaurant.
As she was thinking this, the attendant handed him the menu.
Fang Xiaoxia pretended to open the menu with practiced ease, only to feel dizzy at the French dishes written on it.
She couldn't understand a single word, but the prices listed afterward were truly frightening.
"Um... this one, this one, and this one."
After clearing her throat twice, Fang Xiaoxia pointed at the two cheapest items.
To avoid ordering nothing but the cheapest desserts and appetizers, she added one that was slightly more expensive.
"All right." The waiter smiled.
"I've put away the music order for you."
"--You ordered two piano pieces and one violin piece."
Xiao Fang: "?"
What order?
"Do you have any preferences regarding drinks?"
As he spoke, the waiter handed her another list.
"Don't you have a menu...?" Fang Xiaoxia asked timidly.
The waiter's reply was polite and courteous:
"Our head chef will arrange the menu for you. You only need to tell us what foods you avoid and what your preferences are."
That was awfully overbearing.
But she didn't dare complain.
She casually ordered two of the cheapest-looking drinks from the beverage list. After doing a quick calculation, Fang Xiaoxia felt a pang of anguish.
...As for why there were two drinks?
Xiao Fang merely smiled without saying a word.
"Click, click..."
Fang Xiaoxia took out her phone and began taking pictures.
All right, although everything else was irritating, at least the atmosphere here was satisfying.
In the quiet atmosphere, the clinking of silver knives and forks made Fang Xiaoxia feel as if she had also joined high society.
Just like the child laborers during the Industrial Revolution who were on the verge of starving to death—whenever they mentioned the great Industrial Revolution and wealthy capitalists...
They would proudly crane their necks, as if they, too, had something to be proud of.
Before long, the waiter brought over two brightly colored cocktails wreathed in faint blue flames and elegantly placed them in front of her.
Fang Xiaoxia: "?"
How was she supposed to drink these?
You high-society people really were different.
They looked so refined and dignified, yet secretly came here to "eat fire."
"..."
So, was she supposed to eat it?
Xiao Fang stared at the two flames before her and sank into thought.
--Things had come to this. She might as well take a picture first!
She placed one blue-flaming cocktail across from her and the other on her side of the table.
After finding the right angle, she clicked the shutter--
The picture was done.
She added a caption:
[An ordinary drink with someone]
The Moments post was ready.
Send!
This was the meaning of "two drinks."
Based on her experience spying on other people's Moments...
Someone would soon ask, "Which restaurant is this? That's amazing!"
Or say, "Ooh la la, who are you on a date with?"
It was so satisfying.
Then she could casually reply...
After a few exchanges, wouldn't they start chatting?
Wouldn't she have a friend then?
--In any case, she absolutely couldn't let anyone find out that she had come to a restaurant like this alone.
The lone gourmet Xiao Fang looked around and discovered that she was the only person without a companion.
Oh, there was one other person--
That Mysterious Man who had just been surrounded by admirers!
At first glance, he had looked ordinary, so she had thought he was just like her...
But in the blink of an eye, she had no idea what had happened.
The waiters, whose tails had nearly been sticking up to the sky in front of her, had changed faces with astonishing speed. The manager and head chef had all come running over, practically eager to serve him hand and foot.
The sight left Fang Xiaoxia dumbfounded.
Still, someone like that would certainly never have any dealings with her, so there was nothing to say...
"Plop"...
She slowly lowered her phone.
Xiao Fang widened her eyes and began carefully examining the two flames in front of her.
She couldn't waste them. They had cost several hundred yuan each!
Things had come to this...
She took a deep breath and gritted her teeth.
--If other people could drink this fire,
why couldn't she?
The other diners were guessing at the identity of that youth or entertaining business partners.
Suddenly, the smell of scorched hair spread through the room.
Then, from the corners of their eyes, they saw flames sweep through the air.
It had to be admitted that
these self-proclaimed celebrities and big shots were indeed frightened out of their wits by Xiao Fang.
--And that was how Hiccuping Little Fire Dragon was born.
After that came the crying from accidentally entering the men's restroom.
A light rain was falling outside the restaurant,
and Fang Xiaoxia practically fled through the door.
The overwhelming embarrassment completely shattered the Maiden's already fragile self-esteem.
"I'm so useless, boo-hoo..."
She looked back at the gorgeous sign overhead, then couldn't help crouching on the ground as tears burst from her eyes once more.
"Plop,"
The key to the Maiden's room fell to the ground. Its keychain was a cute Pink-haired puppy.
The drizzling rain fell on it.
It got dirty.
"Doro..."
The Maiden scooped up the Pink-haired puppy and held it to her chest, her eyes blurred with tears.
Let's go home.
I'll never fantasize about anything again.
Being alone is pretty good too, isn't it...
Suddenly--
The rain above her head seemed to vanish.
Fang Xiaoxia looked up in surprise,
and the Trench coat youth appeared at the restaurant entrance with a black umbrella.
Raindrops slid down the edge of the large black umbrella.
--That Mysterious Man who had been served hand and foot by the manager!
--Had he even chased her out of the men's restroom?
"I-I-I-I-I'm sorry!"
The awkward, miserable Maiden crouching in the rain immediately buried her head in the crook of her arms in fright.
Like an ostrich hiding its head.
Unfortunately, there was no trash can nearby,
or she would have crawled inside without hesitation!
But then Bai Zhou's voice reached her ears:
"--You looked really cool breathing fire."
"Huh?"
Fang Xiaoxia raised her head and froze for a moment, instinctively wanting to ask, Big brother, are you here to humiliate me?
But she soon realized that Bai Zhou was serious, because his expression was extremely solemn.
So solemn that Fang Xiaoxia became serious as well.
It was as if they were discussing something sacred and important.
"In my hometown, fire is an extremely sacred thing. Only a small number of people can use it."
Bai Zhou said:
"So I think not fearing fire is an incredible thing."
"--Let alone swallowing fire and becoming a Fire Eater."
Fang Xiaoxia: "?"
What was this guy talking about?
"What I mean is..."
Bai Zhou scratched his head and carefully considered his words.
"Actually, no matter what you do, there aren't that many spectators in life."
"Even a Wanted criminal wanted by the entire city doesn't need to constantly worry about maintaining an idol's image or think everyone is watching them... let alone you."
Fang Xiaoxia: "??"
What on earth was he talking about?!
Motivated by gratitude for the way the other party had helped her out of her predicament, Bai Zhou patiently offered her a few words of advice. He even used examples from his own life to explain his point.
Although after he finished, Fang Xiaoxia seemed to be completely bewildered.
--But at least she had stopped crying.
"Keep it up!"
After tossing out that final sentence, Bai Zhou shook his umbrella.
"Huh? No, no, you don't have to..."
Fang Xiaoxia thought Bai Zhou was about to give her the umbrella and hurriedly waved her hands.
How could she possibly accept that?
"Splish, splash..."
However, he was only shaking the accumulated water off the umbrella.
Bai Zhou turned sideways while holding the black umbrella.
"I suggest you go back inside the restaurant and shelter from the rain first."
"I have something to do, so I'll be going!"
With that, in a manner Fang Xiaoxia had never expected,
the man in the black trench coat, holding a black umbrella, left with carefree elegance and no hesitation.
Leaving her standing dazed in the rain.
Once the umbrella left her head, the rain fell again.
In the end, all she remembered was the hem of that man's trench coat swaying in the rain before gradually disappearing into the heavy night.
Until they parted, she never learned that man's name.
It was as if it had all been a dream.
"Splish, splash..."
Fang Xiaoxia tightened her grip on the Pink-haired puppy keychain, wrapped her coat around her head, and returned to shelter beneath the sign at the restaurant entrance.
Although that guy had said something quite incomprehensible...
Perhaps one thing he had said was right.
There weren't that many spectators in life.
The rain seemed to have lightened.
She felt much better.
"Thud, thud, thud..."
Rapid footsteps passed by the entrance.
Several people in black suits, carrying Briefcases, splashed through the puddles...
They hurried past Fang Xiaoxia and ran in the direction Bai Zhou had disappeared.
"They..."
Fang Xiaoxia watched them hurry past and could not help feeling curious.
Did none of them carry umbrellas?
What were they rushing off to do?
"Damn it, looks like we lost him?"
"Where did he go!"
"Are you sure you didn't see wrong? You hurriedly called us over."
At the entrance to an alley in the rain, the arrival of several men in black suits shattered the silence that should have left this place deserted.
"Let's look again. I'm sure I didn't see wrong..."
They were talking among themselves,
while warily looking left and right with Briefcases in their hands.
"Tap..."
A footstep splashing through water came from the alley nearby.
"Who's there—"
With a sharp shout, the men in black suits immediately spread out and took up defensive stances.
The rain-soaked ground reflected the flickering streetlamps along the long street.
Neon lights crossed and mingled as white mist and vapor spread through the air.
A large black umbrella cast a shadow on the ground.
The footsteps drew closer.
A boy holding a black umbrella slowly emerged from the depths of the shadows.
With one hand tucked into the pocket of his black trench coat, that familiar face appeared before them.
"Good evening, old colleagues."
Seeing the vaguely familiar Field team veterans he had encountered at the funeral,
Bai Zhou admired their professional competence, yet felt strangely unsettled by this sudden reunion.
"Still, this works out perfectly. I happen to have a situation I'd like to ask you about."
From the corner of his eye, he had already noticed someone quietly reaching into his coat, preparing to draw a gun.
Bai Zhou sighed, shook his head, and said in a distant voice:
"I heard..."
"You—or rather, all of you—"
"—are looking for me?"
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