–Once upon a time, on a certain planet, a traveler who had been missing for a long time suddenly returned, bringing back a fruit. He warned the king not to eat it.-
–And then?- Hong Haocheng asked curiously.
The straw rustled softly. Across the table, the woman with long hair draping over her shoulders gently swayed her toes.
–People are always curious, you know. You can fill in the rest of the story yourself.-
–Hey, at least finish telling the story. Have a little sense of responsibility, okay?-
The beauty across the table glanced at the furious young man with a grin. –A grown-up like you still loves listening to stories? Then guess what happened next.-
–So the king ate it?-
–Mm-hmm.-
Hong Haocheng rested his chin on the table and asked, –What are you trying to tell me?-
The woman’s gaze shifted from the nearby advertisement to Hong Haocheng.
–Lots and lots of similar stories keep happening. For instance, in 1785, Louis XVI ordered a count to lead their navy on a voyage around the world, and they were never heard from again. Though two centuries later, the wreckage of their ships was discovered near the Solomon Islands, there was no trace of human remains.-
–Oh, well… that’s different. There’s no fruit.-
–I mean, it’s like that traveler’s story. The fruit is just a symbol! In the real story, none of the travelers ever came back.-
The woman handed the milk tea to him and placed the straw near his lips.
Hong Haocheng turned his head away in disgust.
She took the tea back and continued biting the straw:
–In the early 17th century, a young man named Thomson obtained a plot of land from the New England Parliament, so the whole family began to relocate. Just three or four years later, he abruptly left that land and went to an island. No one has seen them since.-
–Maybe they moved somewhere else.-
–Maybe. Maybe the entire family moved to a place where even their aunts, cousins, family doctor, and tax collector couldn’t find them. Totally normal, right?-
Hong Haocheng propped his chin on his hand, displeased. –You’re throwing shade at me.-
–My husband’s so smart.-
–Movie’s over. Where to next?-
–I’ll leave it up to you.-
–Hey, I’m the one you guys kidnapped!- Hong Haocheng jumped up and shouted. –What do you mean ‘leave it up to me’? I don’t even know where this godforsaken place is or what the hell language they speak. Watching a crappy movie with no subtitle translation, and you say ‘leave it up to me’!-
Passersby in the mall turned their heads to stare, speaking a language he couldn’t understand—sounded like some dialect from around Indonesia.
The woman looked up at the young man with a grin:
–We’re married now. Grown-ups have to act like grown-ups. Don’t go yelling at your wife all the time.-
–Who’s your husband? I haven’t even held your hand, you stinking woman. I’m calling the police!-
–Go ahead.- She tossed her phone onto the table. It rolled across with a clatter. She pointed to a sign near a storefront—there was a tip-off number on it.
–The phone’s unlock password is your birthday.-
Hong Haocheng’s eyes flickered. He snatched the phone off the table and started dialing the number.
–Help, SOS!-
Once it connected, he ran over and handed the phone to the merchant.
–SOS, me! Will o will o~-
Soon, two patrol cars with flashing red and blue lights pulled up outside the mall. A few uniformed officers actually arrived—both administrative staff and police inspectors.
Hong Haocheng walked forward nervously, then was stunned to see Feng Juguan step out of the car behind, wearing a sheriff’s hat. His uniform was clearly more high-ranking.
–Xiao Cheng, did you call the police?- Feng Juguan said casually to Hong Haocheng, who was surrounded by several officers.
Phone in hand, Hong Haocheng turned his head blankly and looked at the small table outside the milk tea shop, where the woman was grinning at him.
He raised a trembling finger and pointed at her.
The lady stepped forward as well: –My little husband said he wanted to take a look around. It’s perfect—we’ll just ride along in your car.-
–I never said that!-
–Brother Feng, show us around and broaden our horizons. Also, for the next leg, we’re going to continue our world tour. Besides a submarine, please arrange a plane, a ship, a yacht—hmm~ no need to mention a car, and also give us two guns.-
–I’ll take care of everything.-
The young man stood there in shock as they packed up and left. The woman’s smooth palm gently brushed against his hand, and she smiled softly as she took the phone from him.
–In two days it’ll be the end of the month—let’s start our real honeymoon.-
–You devil!-
……
……
{Fragrant and soft.}
Yang Zicang lay on the soft bed, faintly hearing a light, sharp but sweet dialogue in his mind.
{Fragrant and soft big bed, so comfy.}
{There’s Liliya in it.}
{And Xiao Qingqing too.}
The young man felt something burrowing under the covers. He opened his eyes with a slight headache and saw a little elf tugging at the threads on top.
Seeing Yang Zicang staring, the elf looked up, blinked, then went back to pulling the threads.
–It’s you? Xiao Zhuai Zhuai.-
{You’re finally awake! Someone wanted to find you, so we came.}
On the back of the chair by the bedside mirror, Liliya suddenly appeared on the quilt over Yang Zicang’s chest.
{Delivering a letter.} Leng Leng added from under the covers.
–Who’s looking for me?-
Yang Zicang looked around, confused and unsure of the situation. There were two other little creatures in the room, staring at themselves in the mirror.
He remembered what had happened the night before, then nervously touched his chest—the invisibility ability ball was gone! Yang Zicang nearly jumped up.
As if knowing what he was worried about, Liliya waved her fly-leg-like pen tip and said:
{Your captain said he took the fruit that teaches invisibility away for safekeeping.}
–Fruit?- Yang Zicang glanced at the little elf. Since Morri had taken it for safekeeping, there should be no problem.
He lifted his head and snorted, –Which one of you was it last night?-
{Little Suansuan is catching up on sleep—she said the role-playing game was way too fun.}
A few black lines streaked across Yang Zicang’s forehead. Then it dawned on him: these little creatures had come looking for him, so it must be about the –Lost Illusion Company-!
It was finally happening!
Yang Zicang’s nose suddenly wrinkled. He took a proper look at the stone room—a faint fragrance lingered, and there was even a dressing table by the bed. Clearly a lady’s bedroom.
–This… where is this?-
Before he could dwell on it, a glimmer of light flickered in the flower-scented bedroom. Energy surged in the air and coalesced into a blurry mass of mist, inside which lines of light seemed to converge and flash.
A deep, solemn voice sounded.
–Hello, Mr. Yang Zicang. We are the Lost Illusion Company—Starlight Illusion.-
Inside the mist, fine electric currents vibrated, rubbing against each other to produce a sound like a crackling radio.
–In recognition of candidate Yang Zicang’s meritorious assistance in quelling the disaster at the Lost-Frequency Land, [Starlight Illusion] hereby extends an invitation for you to join our company as an employee.-
–Starlight Illusion? Are there other illusion companies?-
–Exactly. Different Lost Illusion Companies are responsible for different matters. Our company mainly handles the production and deployment of the monthly interleaving scenes, which you’re interested in.-
The young man lying on the bed began to ponder.
Yang Zicang had no idea which Lost Illusion Company housed the –Old World Document Repository,- and he suspected that the so-called –Free Advance Corps- had little more intel on the matter.
Or, perhaps each Lost Illusion Company had its own repository?
–Our company provides board and lodging, with competitive benefits,- the rustling voice continued from within the mist. –If you join, you’ll receive an ‘Up-Freq’ device.-
Yang Zicang was startled, instantly sitting up from his bedding.
Skrriick.
As the quilt lifted, a thread tore out a long strand, ripping open a gap along the sewn inner seam.
The little elf boy pulling the thread suddenly turned pale, showing none of the calm he had when struck by lightning last time.
{It’s late, Shuai Shuai Qiang needs to head back.}
The little thing muttered to himself and shot out the window with a whoosh.
Yang Zicang glanced at him, then was drawn to the swirling mist.
–If I join your company, can I resign anytime?- he confirmed.
Yang Zicang no longer dared to fully trust the manual’s contents—it was outdated intel from who knows how long ago. He’d almost been pinned down and killed by that Cadre Xiao with a single finger, all because he’d naively believed what was written there.
–Yes. The officer has authorized it. Once you join our company and achieve meritorious deeds, you will receive a special reward: a [Moxel Ascension Device].-
So it wasn’t available immediately. Yang Zicang was slightly disappointed.
Several small light orbs departed, and the mist also dissipated. An invitation ticket fell in front of him from within.
[Lost Illusion Company, Starlight Illusion Special Invitation Letter.]
[Invitee: Candidate Yang Zicang.]
Yang Zicang picked up the invitation letter, which displayed a countdown until it could be used: 4.0359R.
[I know. To enter, I need to go to the company’s location with the big star within 100 hours.]
Knock knock knock.
There were a few knocks at the door, followed by a gentle voice from outside: –Mr. Zicang, are you awake? I heard you talking. I’m coming in now.-
–Just woke up, please come in.-
Yang Zicang turned to look. The bedroom door was pushed open, and Xu Aiyuan’s graceful figure appeared. Behind her stood a girl poking her head in—the same one who had contacted him earlier.
–Still feeling unwell?-
–I’ve let the Rose Queen—um, Miss Aiyuan—witness my embarrassment.-
Yang Zicang glanced at the handmade quilt. It had been a long time since he had rested in such a homey setting.
This moment brought him a sense of warmth.
Seeing his expression, the girl outside pouted: –What are you staring at? Our Sister Rose didn’t get a wink of sleep in the hall last night.-
Still fully clothed, Yang Zicang sighed with a complex swirl of emotions. He lifted the edge of the quilt to get out of bed, and the torn seam burst open with a loud pop, sending air billowing between the cotton padding and the fabric.
All three of them froze.
The girl at the doorway scolded angrily, –Why do you have to tear the quilt when you sleep? This one was sewn by Sister Rose herself!-
–Huh?-
Yang Zicang looked around—the small glowing orbs were already gone.
–This… what if I said the little reporter did it? Would you believe me?-
–……–
–You must be joking, Mr. Zicang.-
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