The mask was still there.
Sure enough, it felt as though it had not been affected at all—still bustling, yet steeped in misery.
Just like over at the Academy, as long as he did not use the main gate, he would not return to the city and could move around freely without hindrance.
And after making his way outside, Fu Qian easily found many familiar sights from the old days.
It was more than merely unaffected; it felt as though time itself had barely passed.
For example, those white masks with abstract facial features still hung inside the little shops along the street.
And after casually buying one and putting it on, Fu Qian drew absolutely no attention as he walked through the streets.
On a whim, he even draped himself in a whole pile of miscellaneous junk before continuing toward Chie Kisaragi's fortune-teller hut.
The only pity was that this time, he could not use Su Gao's name as an excuse to ask Chie Kisaragi for a discount.
"Welcome."
The facts proved that she had indeed learned her lesson from last time, when slacking off had brought misfortune. Not only was the fortune-teller hut still in business, it had opened bright and early.
Fu Qian, meanwhile, showed no restraint at all as he pushed open the door and entered the tiny workspace, his gaze settling on the wooden rack at the back holding cards and copper coins.
Only after he had held that pose for five seconds did the second-rate fortune-teller, Chie Kisaragi, emerge from the inner room and offer a less-than-warm greeting.
After not seeing her for many days, she too seemed no different from the streets outside.
She was still plainly dressed, still wore that standard professional expression, and still immediately began reading his face and