Parallel world, Blue Star
Livestream:
Xia Linxi sat in front of her computer, looking somewhat satisfied. "The story's finally been updated again!"
[Did my husband show up in the last update? I heard people say he'll step forward and save the day at a critical moment in the new story.]
[No spoilers! Anyone who spoils it has to cosplay Sasuke's entire family!]
Xia Linxi couldn't be bothered with all that:
"All right, all right, let's hurry up and watch the new story!
My husband wasn't in the last update, and I was already really unhappy about that! This time, I'm definitely going to get a good look at him in action!"
That evening, Belle held a bag of chips as she stared intently at the television, her little feet bobbing up and down. She looked quite lively.
A program debating Hollow operations was playing on the television.
"Welcome to today's show! Bangboo Knows!"
A distinctly McDonald's-style Bangboo stood at the podium and began announcing the day's guest:
"Big Brother Anton from Belobog Heavy Industries!"
"Now, let's get started with today's topic! Comparing the strengths and weaknesses of the subway reconstruction plans from Belobog Heavy Industries and Vision Corporation!"
"What? Wait a second. Isn't this a mistake?" Anton looked a little surprised. "How could kids understand something this technical?"
A little boy stood up. "If we're comparing reconstruction plans, I think Belobog Heavy Industries' is better!"
"Their biggest advantage is their technology. The machinery they developed independently can resist Ether corruption and operate safely in Hollows."
"So they can make use of Hollow measures without needing to blast anything with bombs."
Anton: Σ(ŎдŎ|||)ﾉﾉ
"Uh, oh, wow, that really is technical!"
The other three children also raised their arms and shouted, "That does sound amazing!"
Suddenly, a man wearing a lion headpiece stood up. "Is their plan necessarily better? Heh, that's not so certain."
"Using the old subway is indeed more economical and environmentally friendly, but it also takes more time. After all, nobody knows whether their machinery can really work inside a Hollow."
"Besides, everyone saw those scandals of theirs back then. No one would trust a president who ran off with the money, would they?"
"Hey! What did you just say?"
Anton's face darkened. He teleported over and grabbed the man in the lion headpiece.
"Calm down. You'll scare the children acting like that."
"Cut the phony act! Let me see what's under that headpiece!"
The next second, Anton froze on the spot. ???
A child exclaimed from the side, "How come there's another lion underneath?"
"Anton, I've always been the same inside and out..."
"Unlike certain people, who look like honorable presidents on the surface but are involved in running off with the money behind the scenes..."
Belle was so stunned by the show that she had stopped eating her chips. "A show like this can actually be broadcast?"
Lu Yingheng walked behind the sofa, bent down slightly and plucked a chip from Belle's hand with his mouth. "Heh heh!"
Xia Linxi had already started squirming. "Aah! He's so handsome! Don't you think that move was really adorable? It looks like he and Belle really have become friends!"
"And when I put myself in her place, that kind of thing really feels so intimate!"
[I want a husband who's this handsome, strong and looks like he has plenty of money.]
[Person above, go to bed. You can have anything in your dreams.]
[Hey, young cutie up there, want to sleep with big brother?]
[???]
Belle: ‼(•'╻'• )꒳ᵒ꒳ᵎᵎᵎ
Belle's face grew redder and redder in an instant. She shoved the whole bag of chips into Lu Yingheng's hands. "Here, take them. If you want some, you can just tell me."
Belle wiped her fingers with her other hand. They still seemed to carry the soft touch of Lu Yingheng's lips...
Wise was lost in thought nearby and didn't notice what was happening. "I didn't expect something like this to happen. Just how much more bloodshed is this subway renovation project going to bring?"
Suddenly, Fairy spoke up. "Master, I've detected a private message sent to you by your previous client."
"Phaethon, we'd like to draw on your strength. We're at a critical moment of life and death, and we hope to get your help."
"Tomorrow morning at five, I'll wait for you at the intersection on Sixth Street. Please."
Belle paused. "We've never mentioned being Phaethon on this account. How does this guy know?"
Wise frowned. "Should we go, then...?"
Lu Yingheng smiled beside them. "I think you'd better go."
Wise looked up. "Why? Yingheng, did you notice something?"
Lu Yingheng shook his head. "A hunch."
Sixth Street, five in the morning
A heavily built man stood by the roadside.
[Whoa! Isn't that Anton from Belle's TV show yesterday?]
[Are you silly? There's nothing extraneous in a gacha game's story. That was foreshadowing.]
Belle looked at the figure at the meeting point. "Isn't that Anton from TV last night? Why did he come looking for us?"
Anton looked over at that moment too. "Excuse me, are you Phaethon?"
Belle: ...
Don't just blurt out someone's secret that loudly!
Belle nodded with difficulty.
"Phaethon, can I work with you? Our company is at a critical moment of life and death, and we need your help."
"But because I couldn't reveal my identity easily, I could only contact you this way. Please forgive me."
Belle quickly said she didn't mind.
Wise was controlling things remotely from the video store. He had Belle use a verbal trick to figure out who had revealed their identity as Phaethon.
Wise sighed. "So it was you after all, Nicole."
Belle looked at Anton. "By the way, why did you set the meeting so early?"
"Ah... This isn't early anymore, is it? Work at the construction site would've started long ago by now..."
Belle smiled slyly. "Are you heading to the construction site now? Then I'll hitch a ride!"
At the construction site, Belle walked along behind Anton.
"The president is young, but she's actually one hell of a person. Go ahead and be scared, it's fine!"
Suddenly, the gate in front of Belle was smashed open. "Get out of the way!"
A huge yellow four-legged machine charged out. Anton immediately shoved Belle aside. "Watch out!"
Just as he was about to rush forward, someone suddenly appeared in front of him, standing there blankly.
"Hey!" Anton was startled. He hadn't expected a black-haired young man to suddenly appear there.
The next second, the huge machine had already charged toward him. It was too late for Anton to rush over now...