Chapter 208
"That's strange. That person seems to enjoy being in a group, not like they dislike teamwork, so why are they so stubborn?"
Tang Liuli was about to ask how she could tell the other person liked lively atmospheres, but she paused just before she could speak. Her pupils became unfocused, and she vaguely smelled the spicy aroma of a burning campfire, and then... she saw Charlotte's unfamiliar face.
The girl looked at me with a smile, her eyes as clear as gemstones, like blue ice that had been set for millennia, its facets reflecting the campfire, shimmering and sparkling, so lonely it made me want to cry.
Volume 1: Chapter 199. Charlotte's Friend's Place, Hide-and-Seek. (6K1)
The girl's emerald green eyes were tinged with light as she looked at her idols dancing in the distance. A void opened up deep within her chest, and a surge of inexplicable nostalgia, joy, envy, and loneliness welled up like a tsunami, filling the depths of her soul, accompanied by the roar of a strong wind rushing through the room.
Why does Charlotte's image appear in my eyes?
And why do you feel that person is so lonely?
These scenes were so real, and the overwhelming emotions were even more so, momentarily shaking all previous speculations, until reason returned and calm was restored.
Tang Liuli took a deep breath. She was greatly shocked and felt a lingering fear. If she really fell for him, wouldn't she end up treating a woman she had never met as a good friend?
This is terrifying, absolutely terrifying! What kind of favorability sharing device is this?!
As the Green Eyed Cat thought about this, it vaguely felt that something was wrong, as if something had gone wrong. But after carefully examining the logic, it couldn't find anything that could refute the conclusion.
Forget it, I'll ignore these minor details for now.
Tang Liuli abandoned her clever mind and began to feel jealous. Xiao Qing actually cared so much about that woman? She even cared so much that she, who shared this memory, almost fell into it and thought it was her own memory!
The Green Eyed Cat grew increasingly wary. The source of those memories all came from Qing Bao. Charlotte's presence in the story meant that the two had a close relationship, or even... that she was the mysterious White Moonlight!
So, Xiao Qing came to St. Stephen's Cathedral today hoping to get close to the Vienna Flash Dance competition area and see if she could bump into them?
Tang Liuli took a deep breath. She glanced at the bewildered Little Sakura beside her and the golden Stupid Dog with exceptionally clear eyes, as if untouched by knowledge. She felt extremely tired and had a sense of loneliness, like "I am the only one who is sober in a world of drunks."
Sigh, how can I possibly win over Qing Bao when I'm surrounded by these insects?
It doesn't matter, I'll take action!
The Green Eyed Cat perked up and meticulously unraveled the mystery, uncovering Qing Bao's White Moonlight and proving she wasn't just outsmarting thin air. With such astonishing talent, how could she possibly lose this battle for love?
Ridiculous, impossible, absolutely impossible!
Unaware that the cat beside her was mocking her intelligence, Kiriwake Yayoi was lost in a reverie of inexplicable nostalgia, murmuring to herself:
"It's strange, I don't know why, but I suddenly really want to join everyone on stage and sing and dance to the cheers of the audience. Is it because the atmosphere in Vienna is so great? Or is it that I actually really like street performances?"
And then another thought popped into her head: perhaps... who else would she want to share that joy that she could only experience on stage with?
Little Sakura shook her head, banishing those thoughts. She felt she was becoming increasingly strange lately, but it made sense. After being a bottom-tier idol for seven years, she gained dozens or even hundreds of times more popularity in just two months on Flash Dance, performing on grand stages time and time again.
In this situation, it's normal to be so excited that it's almost abnormal.
The girl became somewhat serious. She even began to consider whether she should learn meditation from a certain Stupid Dog to adjust her mindset in advance. At the same time, she began to wonder if yesterday's "great improvement in drawing skills" was a sign of a mental problem.
Oh no, could those paintings be just my imagination?
No, I need to show those paintings to Xiao Qing when I get back to the hotel!
Kiriwake Yayoi didn't even have time to mention it after waking up. She quietly prioritized it, while her little hands held the camera steady and continued recording footage. The task of shooting vlogs was to be done in shifts.
We're not professional bloggers, and the task is simple: don't fill in meaningless content. So, as long as everyone records something they find interesting, it's easy to spread out the three-hour vlog.
Since vlogs are likely to be edited into the show or even released separately, this task has value beyond just scoring. In other teams, there would probably be many players who want to take on too much and showcase their talents.
Kiriwake Yayoi wasn't thinking about that. She was quite curious about what kind of footage a certain Social Anxiety Cat would produce while recording with a camera. She found it quite interesting to witness the other person's daily life from a first-person perspective.
Of course, for people with social anxiety, doing anything that deliberately makes them alone or attracts attention will make them feel very uncomfortable, including taking a camera out to take pictures.
Hmm, so what kind of expression will Liuli have then? I feel like her reaction at that moment is more worthy of being recorded in a vlog, right?
Xie Qingxuan didn't say anything. As the instigator of the psychological changes in the Little Idol, she also silently clung to some remnants of the past.
The Doomsday Diva...
These four words seem to hold a special meaning in my subconscious.
Chu Yuanqing's thoughts wandered as she looked up at the scenery around her.
This is the heart of the old town, the very heart of Vienna.
From its vantage point overlooking the world, St. Stephen's Cathedral offers a panoramic view of the diverse tour groups, horse-drawn carriages, and crowds mingling in various shops. The clear sunlight shines through the spires and drifts on the street corners, while the sculptures in the fountains gleam as if they are singing.
The whispers that echoed by the campfire that day, lingering in the Vienna wind, brush against my ears, rustling softly:
"If I really create such a method, ■■ will come dance with me on stage, right? You can't refuse. Look, even the timid ■■■ agreed. I didn't force her. And ■■ has to come too. We'll form a girl group!"
"You mean Xiaoqing? Of course Xiaoqing's just an audience member. Don't you want to dance for Xiaoqing? Humph, if not, I'll just dance for Xiaoqing all by myself..."
Charlotte's voice is like a magnificent opera; even after many years, when it touches the heart, it still feels as if the notes are dancing lively.
Chu Yuanqing closed her eyes, listening quietly. A complex mix of emotions surged within her, and she murmured to herself:
"So, is that why you don't want to team up with others?"
That person was clearly sincere and enthusiastic, radiating light at all times.
However, in order to keep that unofficial agreement, she refused to team up with the others and went to unknown places alone to travel, take photos, complete tasks, and participate in commercial performances, which was heartbreaking to see her all alone.
Chu Yuanqing's feelings were complicated. Of course, she knew that the other party had not regained her memory. Otherwise, given Charlotte's personality, even if she were in <Flash Dance>, she would skip work without any guilt and start looking for her all over the world, causing chaos in the Holy United States long ago.
However, since Charlotte deliberately avoided forming a team, it means she did remember something.
Chu Yuanqing guessed that Charlotte was probably in the same situation as Xie Qingxuan, with only some fragmented images and emotions in her consciousness. However, this inference was not necessarily true for her.
After all, Charlotte's personality was very free-spirited and unconventional; she could be described as doing things her own way and had an unwavering belief in her own feelings, which she confidently called the intuition of a beautiful young girl.
Well, if it were this person, even the slightest instinctive resistance would be enough to prompt her to propose to the organizers that she wanted to continue performing alone on stage.
Therefore, it's not surprising that Charlotte has no memory at all; she's the kind of person who can completely trust her intuition.
Subconsciously, this decision was simply to wait for those who could not return to come back.
Will they come back?
When she returns, will Charlotte really recognize her?
Chu Yuanqing was somewhat bewildered. She knew that the person Charlotte was waiting for was just as important to her.
However, during the 17 years of wear and tear on the Sea of Truth, those names that were flesh and blood, carrying too many memories, emotions, meanings, bonds, and promises, all turned into cold, black cubes, allowing the shadows and emptiness of chaos to replace everything.
Even if we meet again, it will be a case of seeing each other but not truly meeting.
Chu Yuanqing is now an empty shell riddled with holes. The winds that have blown in from the past will only pass through her. Not to mention other old friends who have been forced to forget her, even if she were to meet Charlotte again, she would not be able to recognize her.
The girl's eyes dimmed, and a bitter feeling spread through her heart. She looked at Xie Qingxuan beside her.
If Qingxuan is indeed a former comrade-in-arms, one of the forgotten shadows by the campfire, then Charlotte, who adheres to the promise made back then, might still recognize her, or at least show her a different attitude than the others.
Therefore, she had an obligation to let Charlotte meet Xie Qingxuan.
This reason, like the final weight, completely tilted the undecided scales to one side.
Chu Yuanqing remained silent for a long time. She took a deep breath and finally, at this moment, made a decision that she hadn't been able to make in 17 years, whispering in her heart:
Charlotte, I will come to find you.
"Even if I don't see you for 45 days before the Third Performance, I will still confront Dream Weaver Rabbit and have it help me find you."
In the distance, four contestants have finished a dance.
Farida straightened her skirt, raised her brown eyes, and gave a bright and confident smile in response to the friendly gazes of the audience.
The sun was shining brightly today, and the fountain's mist created beautiful Rainbow Light. The bells of St. Stephen's Cathedral rang out just as the performance ended, startling birds in the distance. Nearby tourists and locals exchanged friendly glances, and animal balloons could be seen floating in the distance.
All of this is pleasant.
Of course, as the captain of this four-person team, she was even happier to have successfully completed a task and taken another step closer to qualifying for Third Performance.
Farida hummed a song in her mind as she turned to put away her portable speaker.
Just then, Pure White Witch approached from afar and came into view. Her sacred and gentle aura blended with the church bells in an instant, like a vast ocean that encompasses the world. As soon as she got close, the tourists and crowds nearby unconsciously spread out to both sides.
She was a person as beautiful as a poem.
Farida in a daze, lost in the beauty that transcended race. When she came to her senses, she couldn't help but excitedly pat her teammate's thigh and say:
"Danni, I actually saw the real Venus in Vienna!"
Danni covered her reddened thigh, feeling wronged, and said angrily:
"Nonsense! The Venus of the Holy United States can only be Charlotte!"
Well, she clearly cared more about who would win the title of Vienna than about the pain in her thigh.
Farida noncommittal; Charlotte certainly possessed a terrifying allure that transcended gender, but so did the unfamiliar girl before her.
The key point is that, unlike the former's strong girlishness, this one has a youthful face but a mature temperament, and even more of a motherly feel.
Moreover, she's not just a typical mother; she's the kind of mother who exudes a cool, aloof, and somewhat bland charm, yet evokes pity! Not only is she more immoral, more erotic, and more stimulating, but coupled with the sacred yet solemn atmosphere, she also possesses a natural allure through contrast.
How could a young girl compare to her? Not to mention that she herself is still a young girl in age and appearance, fulfilling every requirement!
If this isn't Vienna, then what could Vienna be?
An Austria psychologist named Freud coined a term from Greek mythology—the Oedipus complex—which, simply put, is the Oedipus complex.
Yes, in Austria, neodymium copper accounts for as much as 9%.
As one of the 9%, Farida was even more drawn to the Pure White Witch. She unconsciously adjusted her posture and tried hard to control her expression, completely forgetting the arrangements after the performance. She decided to make a bold move, but before she could take a few steps forward, the other party was already in front of her.
Chu Yuanqing politely asked in German:
"Excuse me, I'd like to ask, are you a contestant on <FlashDance>?"
Farida's head was spinning. She couldn't resist the charm radiated by the Pure White Witch's lantern. All she could think about was how beautiful the other's voice was, and whether she should record it on her phone.
Even Danni, Charlotte's staunch supporter, couldn't help but steal a glance at that face that seemed sculpted by God, her eyes sparkling with admiration and a subtle blush creeping onto her face.
The other two teammates answered even more enthusiastically:
"Yes, yes, we are!"
"Sister, you're so beautiful! Are you a foreign idol or a model?"
"What does the older sister need us for? Oh, and could we take a picture together?"
While not all Little Idol are "female bronze" (a derogatory term for male idols), it's undeniable that most girls also like pretty girls, and being approached by someone of Chu Yuanqing's caliber would almost certainly make 90% of them feel pleasantly surprised and happy.
The Green Eyed Cat behind Chu Yuanqing looked so tempted to bite his handkerchief.
Upon seeing this, Xie Qingxuan's adorable demeanor vanished, replaced by a possessive look in her eyes.
Little Sakura quietly served as a tool for shooting vlog footage, and it's hard to imagine what netizens in Great Xia would think if this video were edited in.
Because of Charlotte, Chu Yuanqing felt a fondness for everything around her, finding the local people to be simple and honest, even the strangers were exceptionally warm. She smiled gently and said softly:
"I'm also a contestant on <Flash Dance>, but I'm in the Donghuang Federation region. I wanted to ask if you're currently in the stage of preparing for commercial performances?"
Farida's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and her fondness for him grew even stronger.
With Chu Yuanqing's looks, even if she doesn't know anything, she could easily become a beautiful but useless person in a talent show and debut effortlessly.
But Flash Dance is different. Here, the competition is fierce and the stage rules are strictly enforced. Without real talent, how can you even make it into the top 50%?
In other words, this younger sister is not only beautiful, but also quite talented in dance and vocal music, perhaps even very skilled!
Moreover, as fellow contestants on "Flashdance," and despite being so far away, they both managed to secure a commercial performance in Austria and coincidentally met at Stjepanplatz—wasn't that a destined fate?
Danni, unaware that her captain had already fallen in love, replied:
"Yes, we just came from the base yesterday; we're also going to participate in a commercial performance."
Chu Yuanqing then asked:
"Oh, is that so? I just arrived in Vienna with my teammates yesterday. I saw an advertisement for one of your contestants on a building in the square; he was singing <βιο?>."
Before she could even utter Charlotte's name...
Danni excitedly said:
"You must be talking about Charlotte! She's amazing, her singing is always incredible, it's a shame she's not in a team, otherwise I really want to be on the same team as her."
Chu Yuanqing was somewhat dazed. She and Charlotte were childhood sweethearts, having grown up together in the orphanage of the City of Doomsday. Charlotte's social circle was never wary of her.
Therefore, when she suddenly heard this name from a stranger, she felt a sense of emptiness and alienation.
This was the first time she realized that Charlotte in the New Era had connections and threads that had broken away from the past, and the shell they wove would eventually grow thicker and thicker until... all the old traces were buried.
Chu Yuanqing suppressed his emotions and asked:
"Is she doing commercial performances in Vienna like you?"