Dad, Please Let Me Solo-Fan You! Chapter 420

On the other side, Charlotte and Chu Wangshu bid each other a hasty farewell and went to participate in Third Performance in Vienna.

Astrid gave the advancing teams a two-day break, during which they were required to fill out forms that included requirements for girl group, song, music video, dance, music style, image setting, debut song, and so on. They were also asked to negotiate and communicate with the producers hired by Flashdance.

Xie Qingxuan, Kiriwake Yayoi, and Tang Liuli temporarily gathered at a coffee shop in Zhelong Town (Liuli's property).

As for Chu Wangshu...

She chose to go home first.

Volume 1: 394. The obsession of fans, the so-called forgetting.

Sea Capital, on the outer ring road, is an old residential area.

Wearing a mask and a baseball cap, Chu Wangshu was bathed in dim starlight. She passed by the flickering streetlights and the banyan trees filled with the chirping of insects, and walked along this path she had been to countless times before, entering the building and unlocking her door with her key.

Change your shoes, turn on the lights, and dispel the veil of darkness.

What comes into view is a small house that is clean yet old, overly desolate, and lacks any sense of life.

The girl took off her mask, looked down at her surroundings, and suddenly felt a sense of unfamiliarity. She clearly remembered that she had rarely returned here since she started boarding school in high school, so it was only natural that there was no sense of life here, but her heart was still unsettled.

Chu Wangshu looked around carefully, as if it were her first time there. Next to the yellowed calendar on the shoe cabinet was an unopened box of matcha cream puffs. She squatted down, picked up the dusty little watering can, filled it with water, and watered the mostly withered green plants in the corner.

I opened the window, and the faint chirping of cicadas suddenly became clear.

Stepping into the kitchen, the neatly arranged seasonings showed no signs of age, and the refrigerator was crammed with fruits and premium ingredients that I used to be reluctant to buy. Most of the plastic seals were still intact, creating a dazzling array of items that evoked childhood fantasies, but now they no longer stirred any joy or interest.

"Why did you buy it in the first place?"

Chu Wangshu still remembers the excitement, joy, and anticipation she felt when shopping at the supermarket, but she has forgotten where those emotions came from. Just like she doesn't know why she returned to this rented room that can't even be called a home on the day she achieved her dream.

The girl silently walked through the small 60-square-meter apartment: the Living room, kitchen, bathroom, a room covered with cartoon posters, an empty wardrobe, an empty bed piled with clutter, and a bedroom with a wheelchair.

"This... is this the storage room?"

Chu Wangshu's memory was somewhat hazy, and she couldn't recall anything. After thinking for a while, she walked to the wheelchair as if possessed, and squatted down. There was no dust on it, only a few strands of hair that looked silvery in the moonlight.

But when the gaze fell upon these things, the strands of hair belonging to that person melted away like spring snow, disappearing into the darkness that swallowed the moonlight, leaving no trace.

The process was too fast, so fast that even the Magical Girl's Supernatural Senses couldn't capture the correct image. She lowered her eyes, dazed, staring blankly at the wheelchair, but could only assume that she had seen it wrong.

"No one should have ever lived here, so why is there a wheelchair?"

Chu Wangshu muttered to herself. She stood up, paced around the room for a moment, and then went out with mixed emotions. She began to wander around the house, searching every corner, bedside table, drawer, and box.

The girl didn't know what she was looking for. She was stubborn, confused, and lonely, like a fool playing hide-and-seek with thin air. In just two hours, she searched through every corner of her house, even her old yearbooks, photo albums, and photos on her computer's hard drive.

But there's nothing there, nothing at all, nothing can be found.

Even after turning her home into a complete mess, she still couldn't fill the emptiness in her heart. That deep sense of loss and melancholy lingered in the depths of her chest, bringing a chilling sensation like a blade piercing through.

Chu Wangshu put the photo frame back in its place, pursing her lips and remaining silent.

In this photo, a young girl stands in front of a field of sunflowers, bathed in the glow of the setting sun. Her watery eyes are full of happiness, and her innocent face is beaming with a radiant smile, showing no trace of loneliness.

Why am I so happy? Even though I'm alone...

The girl took a deep breath and gathered her thoughts.

Although I had already informed Yayoi and the others, I still couldn't keep them waiting for too long.

Chu Wangshu changed her shoes and turned off the light. She glanced back at the dimly lit room and, before leaving, suddenly remembered a passage from "Death and the Compass".

[The house wasn't actually that big; what made it seem large were the shadows, the symmetry, the mirrors, the passage of time, my unfamiliarity with it, and my loneliness.]

The girl composed herself and whispered to herself:

"I will come back again."

After speaking, she closed the door and left the building. Golden magical energy wove wings, and like a bird soaring in the sky, she crossed the speed of sound in the blink of an eye, pierced through the clouds, and streaked towards Zhelong Town like a shooting star.

On the other side, along Sea Capital Second Ring Road, Canggu Road, is a commercial street.

Fortunately, this place was not affected by the residual power of the Supreme Calamity Beast and apostles, and there was no sign of any calamity vortex forming. The buildings were also undamaged, so it was even more prosperous and bustling than usual.

Although a single thought could level the entire Sea Capital, and even the Great Xia, revealing the deep-seated veins of the earth's crust, for most people it would be an event that appeared suddenly like an earthquake, then vanished just as quickly, without causing much damage.

Many people never actually faced the horror; they only heard the piercing alarm, set off for the shelter, and learned that the crisis was over. Only later did they vaguely learn part of the truth online.

Are you apprehensive? Afraid? Worried?

Everyone has some to some degree, but life goes on as usual.

People are unaware of the many hard-won miracles hidden within this seemingly ordinary peace, and of the countless sacrifices and tears buried beneath, but they still understand the importance of seizing the day.

Many office workers and shut-ins who feel they've just escaped death are choosing to travel, either to compensate themselves or because they think "if I don't spend this money now, I might never have the chance to spend it again." This has turned Sea Capital into a true city that never sleeps.

At this moment, in a Chaoshan hot pot restaurant on the street, decorated in the style of Sichuan and Chongqing, with old Chinese decor and red lanterns hanging high, all the benches on the first floor were full, and even the smallest two-person table was number 79.

Although it's late summer, the fact that the steaming hot pot restaurant is attracting so many diners is all thanks to the fact that there are really not many restaurants still open right now.

Xu Ling helped her little cousin tie her apron. She dipped her chopsticks in the oil sauce, tasted it, and squinted her eyes in satisfaction.

The aroma of garlic, sesame oil, chopped green onions, chili sauce, sesame seeds, and a host of other seasonings fills the air, making one even more eager for the bubbling hot pot.

Pei Xiaotong poured a glass full of soda into a glass filled with ice, and then quickly added two small dishes of brisket, along with fresh beef, lamb, shrimp paste, and crispy fried tofu rolls.

Subsequently,

The girl blinked, watching the fish tumbling, softening, and floating in the bright red, buttery broth, infused with a savory aroma and a spicy kick. She couldn't resist taking a picture with her phone, happily exclaiming:

"It smells so good!"

Xu Ling said confidently:

"This is a long-established business. The employees and the owner are all relatives who came from Sichuan and Chongqing, so they can still be open today. They're very resilient."

Pei Xiaotong stirred the oil in her dish with chopsticks, scrolling through her phone with her left hand. Watching the news broadcast featuring various mythical creatures and terrifying beings—the Mortal Giant Serpent, Seraphim, Takemikazuchi ...—from a satellite perspective, along with street photos, she felt as if she were in another world. She whispered:

"It's unbelievable that so much happened outside while we were watching the Public Performance. If something had gone wrong, would we all have been killed?"

Xu Ling was still shaken. She said:

"It's really scary. My aunt was complaining bitterly in the group chat, saying that if Charlotte hadn't intervened, she would have been eaten by Guanyin. The world is so dangerous, and we're still chasing after celebrities. It's so surreal."

Pei Xiaotong, however, was quite self-righteous:

"Everyone's saying that if it weren't for Magical Girl, the entire Sea Capital might be gone. I've seen many YouTubers analyze that while underground shelters can withstand nuclear weapons, they might not be able to withstand Supreme Calamity Beast Jörmungandr."

"And Ling Bao, think about it, not long after Xuan Bao, Little Sakura, Yue Bao, Liuli finished their performance, there were so many light pollution incidents, and then Charlotte suddenly walked onto the stage."

"Based on the online timeline, Charlotte was still singing for the entire city and protecting the citizens of Sea Capital at that time, and then the crisis was resolved."

"Looking at it now, what we initially mistook for an Easter egg was actually a different kind of rally and victory declaration. Those Magical Girl were all bruised and battered; it was heartbreaking."

Xu Ling fully utilized her willpower, found a unique angle, and almost without thinking, naturally exclaimed:

"After this accident, will Charlotte's popularity in Sea Capital surpass Qing Bao's? As..."

Before the girl could finish speaking, she fell silent, clutching her head in a daze.

Pei Xiaotong blinked, then looked at Xu Ling, who seemed a little off, and asked in confusion:

"Qing Bao? Who's that? Which Little Idol have you been secretly idolizing behind my back this time?"

Xu Ling's head was throbbing with pain. Her brain seemed to be fighting against something. Her hazy memories and blankness were like shattered mirrors reflecting each other, churning the past back and forth. Her vision was overlapping and then suddenly clear. A huge sense of falling into emptiness filled her lungs, bringing a hollow sadness.

"Qing Bao... who is that?"

"I forgot too, it was probably a slip of the tongue. I meant to say Yayoi?"

The girl forced a slightly sad smile. She lowered her eyes and explained while subconsciously rummaging through her bag, which was filled with materials and support items. Inside were three light sticks: one cherry blossom pink, one gilded gold, and one a mix of the two colors.

But as the gaze fell, all the colors merged into a pure cherry blossom pink in an instant, leaving no trace.

Xu Ling stared blankly at the steaming hot pot, holding three light sticks. Her appetite inexplicably vanished. Ignoring Pei Xiaotong's worried gaze, she picked up her phone and searched for Qing Bao, as well as clips and supertopic records of the most popular contestants from "Flash Dance" a few months ago.

[The Ri Yi Yue Shu has ended badly!]

[The Great Demon King is on a superb stage.]

[A child prodigy's comeback: rise or fall?]

[Screenshot of Chu Wangshu's Weibo post before she participated in "Flash Dance".]

Anyone interested in shipping Little Sakura and the Great Demon King? I'll suggest a couple name.

For some reason, when she saw the last one, she felt a subtle sense of unease, as if a voice deep in her soul was calling out, saying that this pairing was wrong, and that this wasn't the one she was really shipping.

Xu Ling pursed her lips, enduring the awkwardness, and continued flipping through the pages, but no matter how she searched, all that popped up was irrelevant information.

Ten minutes later, the beef in the pot was cooked through.

The girl scrolled through her Weibo account again, looking at the videos she had posted before. After pondering for a long time, she sighed and finally gave up struggling, absentmindedly starting to eat her hot pot.

Xu Ling felt like she was going crazy, it was completely inexplicable. Hadn't she always been a staunch supporter of Little Sakura?

From an underground idol on East Flow Island to Magical Girl about to step onto the world stage, she grows alongside her, sharing both difficult and wonderful years. No matter how cute and alluring other Little Idol may be, they can never capture her devout and loyal soul!

Yes, that's right, that's why she can't tolerate other Little Idol!

So... it's all a hallucination! It must all be a hallucination!

Thinking of this, Xu Ling suddenly remembered something. She hurriedly took a picture of a hot pot, paired it with a picture of the Public Performance, and posted a celebratory Weibo post of Little Sakura and her teammates bathed in golden ribbons and beaming with joy. Then she fell into a daze again.

It's strange. Normally, she would have already edited the text and pictures and sent them out as soon as she arrived at the Public Performance venue.

But it wasn't until now that I remembered this, as if I subconsciously felt something was missing, and I kept wavering until I lost all interest before finally deigning to send this highly memorable celebration.

Xu Ling suddenly asked:

"Tong Bao, do you remember who I just mentioned?"

Pei Xiaotong blinked her big, blank eyes, innocently took another bite of shrimp paste, and asked in return:

"Huh? I only remember you said the wrong name. Didn't you mean to say Little Sakura just now?"

The little girl offered words of comfort with great conviction:

"If you ask me, it doesn't matter if Little Sakura's popularity is surpassed by Charlotte's. The Doomsday Diva is the Magical Girl who suppressed all four forbidden zones recently, and she's been officially designated as the General Captain."

"It's not shameful at all for Little Sakura to lose to her."

"Furthermore, she's not from the Great Xia region; she's a final boss that doesn't require a challenge for now. By the time their teams encounter her, who knows when it will be? She's not a threat at all."

Xu Ling listened to her little cousin's chatter, agreeing with her as she ate her hot pot. The beef, even when overcooked, was still delicious. The spicy and savory flavor of the oil and beef tallow, hot and stimulating on her lips and tongue, made her forehead sweat with pleasure.

For some reason, Pei Xiaotong's words made me feel a pang of bitterness in my heart, making me feel even more uncomfortable.

The girl pursed her lips and poured more chili peppers into the oil dish. She suddenly abandoned her ladylike eating manners and ate very quickly, coating the meat with chili peppers and stuffing it into her mouth, not stopping even when the spiciness burned her throat and nasal cavity.

Then, tears streamed down my face uncontrollably, following the spicy sensation.

Pei Xiaotong hurriedly poured a can of cola, handed it over, and then wiped away the other person's tears with a tissue. She muttered to herself:

"Idiot, where would a person from Sichuan or Chongqing cry from the spiciness of hot pot!"

Xu Ling swallowed the beef along with her inexplicable emotions. She sniffled, curled her greasy, glossy lips into a bright smile, and said:

"He probably choked."

Meanwhile, as the "nihilism" spread, even the most devoted fans among those who had forgotten about their Little Yuan Xiao felt a sense of unease.

These emotions, gradually accumulating like grains of sand forming a tower, are like rare diamonds in the desert, or like petals scattered on a funeral floor, experiencing withering, decay, dissipation, and... oblivion.

Volume 1: 395. The Gem of Calamity, Lord of the Disaster Swarm.

Zhelong Town, coffee shop.

The light shimmered as it fell, transforming into a slender figure. The golden tail behind her melted away, shattering into fine down in the moonlight.

The procedure was terminated.

Chu Wangshu walked into the now-closed coffee shop.

The interior is quite large, with the first floor alone covering approximately 300 square meters. The record player on the bar plays jazz music from before the rise of popular music in the last era.

An elderly man with silver hair stood behind the bar. He was robust and tall, wearing a vest and suit, and looked more like a butler than a coffee shop owner.

Celon Layton.

According to Liuli, this was the housekeeper her mother hired before her death, who used many connections and paid a high annual salary to manage her assets, oversee the trust, and assist her in inheriting the estate.

However, due to Ai Huasi's interference and Tang Liuli's own personality, the butler has been staying in this film and television base, responsible for managing the coffee shop.

This shop is not usually open for business, so it has no regular customers and is always quite deserted.

At that moment, the old man lowered his eyes and wiped the glass. Behind him, the oven was roasting a turkey. When he saw Chu Wangshu enter, he smiled politely, presented the beverage menu specially prepared for minors, and said softly: