Chapter 709: and translation of chapter title

「Huh~」

She turned her head and greeted her sister sitting at the computer from a distance.

「Sister Ling, what are you doing with this? 」 The younger sister turned her head; her eyes, half-covered by her bangs, held a hint of gloom and impatience.

But the results were obviously negligible.

Let's break down:

She can only offer a few sharp critiques when watching palace intrigue dramas; when actually put on the spot, she usually can't get a word out.

「It could even let you come specially to me to add a few threads of purity and turbidity to that little realm. 」

Hearing her sister bring this up, the younger sister Xi felt her mood worsen a bit: "I thought he would remember, but he cut it off completely."

「Isn't the elder sister the same? That's why those sung poems remain. 」

Combine: "An employee dormitory somewhere at Rhodes Island Company, a blue-haired woman who seemed to be meditating suddenly opened her eyes; her clear blue eyes held a hint of surprise, yet the corner of her mouth held a faint smile."

We need to keep as one sentence? The original uses commas. We'll keep similar punctuation.

Thus line 【3】 translation: "【3】 An employee dormitory somewhere at Rhodes Island Company, a blue-haired woman who seemed to be meditating suddenly opened her eyes; her clear blue eyes held a hint of surprise, yet the corner of her mouth held a faint smile."

Check for any added words: we added "An" etc. That's necessary for English. Not adding extra info.

「No, I'm fine just living like this. 」

Translation: "She turned her head and waved from afar at her sister sitting before the computer." Or "She turned her head and called out to her sister sitting at the computer from a distance." Let's do: "She turned her head and waved at her sister sitting at the computer from a distance."

「It's a shame that Xingxiong got reassigned to overtime; even the chance to meet again in dreams has vanished. 」

We'll output: "【4】 She turned her head and greeted her sister sitting at the computer from a distance."

「You don't really have to go that far, 」 Ling laughed helplessly while shaking her head, "I just thought you'd care more about feedback on your work."

Translation: "\"Xi, have you been paying attention to the project operations over at Heaven Gate City? \""

We need to keep the quotation marks. So: "【5】 「Xi, have you been paying attention to the project operations over at Heaven Gate City? \"】"

But note the original uses Chinese quotation marks 「」. We'll keep them.

「The odds are too low, unless Ubika and Ling Qingyan themselves pretended to be shills just to make the data look good. 」

Translation: "\"Ling Sis, what are you doing with this? \" The younger sister turned her head, her eyes half-covered by her bangs showing a hint of gloom and impatience."

We need to keep quotes. So: "【6】 「Ling Sis, what are you doing with this? 」 The younger sister turned her head, her eyes half-covered by her bangs showing a hint of gloom and impatience."

「That monster tamer?" Xi reacted quickly.

Translation: "As the older sister, she constantly hoped her sister would change to a more spirited hairstyle, at least not so messy as to cover her eyes."

We'll output: "【7】 As the older sister, she constantly hoped her sister would change to a more spirited hairstyle, at least not so messy as to cover her eyes."

「Should we go check it out? 」

Translation: "But the result was obviously ineffective."

We'll output: "【8】 But the result was obviously ineffective."

Now line 【9】: Some people maintain their look on purpose, while others stay the same out of sheer laziness, stubbornly claiming it's their most satisfying state.

Translation: "Some people keep their appearance unchanged deliberately; others do so out of pure laziness, even stubbornly insisting this is their most satisfying look."

We'll output: "【9】 Some people keep their appearance unchanged deliberately; others do so out of pure laziness, even stubbornly insisting this is their most satisfying look."

Now line 【10】: Saying anything is useless.

Translation: "It's no use saying anything."

We'll output: "【10】 It's no use saying anything."

Now line 【11】: Perhaps, as the older brother said, if she found a boyfriend, she would probably start truly caring about her own image.

Translation: "Perhaps, as the older brother said, giving her a boyfriend would truly make her care about her image."

We'll output: "【11】 Perhaps, as the older brother said, giving her a boyfriend would truly make her care about her image."

Now line 【12】: But it's hard for this melon sister to imagine such a thing; upon reflection, maybe the doctor has the best chance, yet the doctor is liked by too many people. As for this sister, she could say her drawing skills are unmatched, but if she were to scheme with others…

Translation: "But it's hard for this melon sister to think of such things; upon reflection, perhaps only the doctor would have such an opportunity, yet the doctor attracts too many people's affection. Although this sister's drawing skills are truly unmatched, if she were to scheme with others..."

We need to keep the trailing ellipsis. We'll output: "【12】 But it's hard for this melon sister to think of such things; upon reflection, perhaps only the doctor would have such an opportunity, yet the doctor attracts too many people's affection. Although this sister's drawing skills are truly unmatched, if she were to scheme with others..."

Now line 【13】: Better not, then.

Translation: "Then let's just forget it."

We'll output: "【13】 Then let's just forget it."

Now line 【14】: She can only offer a few sharp comments when watching palace intrigue dramas; when actually involved, she usually can't say much.

Translation: "She could only offer a few sharp comments when watching palace intrigue dramas; when actually involved, she could hardly utter a few words."

We'll output: "【14】 She could only offer a few sharp comments when watching palace intrigue dramas; when actually involved, she could hardly utter a few words."

Now line 【15】: Thinking about this, Ling could only shake her head inwardly, keeping a calm expression, still looking quite interested and in a good mood as she said, "Isn't this a work that took a lot of effort?"

Translation: "Upon thinking of this, Ling could only shake her head inwardly, her face remaining composed, still wearing an interested, pleasant expression as she said: \"Isn't this a work that took a lot of effort? \""

We need to keep quotes. So: "【15】 Upon thinking of this, Ling could only shake her head inwardly, her face remaining composed, still wearing an interested, pleasant expression as she said: 「Isn't this a work that took a lot of effort? 」"

Now line 【16】: "It could even make you come specially to me to add a few threads of clarity and turbidity to that little world."

Translation: "\"It could even let you come specially to me to add a few threads of clarity and turbidity to that little world. \""

We'll output: "【16】 「It could even let you come specially to me to add a few threads of clarity and turbidity to that little world. \"】"

Now line 【17】: "I heard the older brother mention that you also asked him about the backgrounds of those few people."

Translation: "\"I heard the older brother also mention that you asked him about the backgrounds of those few people. \""

We'll output: "【17】 「I heard the older brother also mention that you asked him about the backgrounds of those few people. \"】"

Now line 【18】: Hearing her sister say this, the younger sister Xi felt even worse: "I thought he would remember, but he cut it off completely."

Translation: "Upon hearing the older sister say this, the younger sister Xi felt even worse: \"I thought he would remember, but he cut it off completely. \""

We'll output: "【18】 Upon hearing the older sister say this, the younger sister Xi felt even worse: 「I thought he would remember, but he cut it off completely. \"】"

Now line 【19】: "The residual memories of Sui when she wandered the world in incarnation," hearing the younger sister's dissatisfaction with the older brother, the older sister finally showed a hint of helplessness: "It would have been more secure to just cut it off, little Xi, you and little Nian are just too attached to the past."

Translation: "\"The residual memories of Sui when she incarnated and walked the world, \" hearing the younger sister's dissatisfaction with the older brother, the older sister's face finally showed a hint of helplessness: \"It would have been more stable to cut it off, little Xi, little Nian, you two are too attached to the past. \""

We need to keep quotes. So: "【19】 「The residual memories of Sui when she incarnated and walked the world, 」 Upon hearing the younger sister's dissatisfaction with the older brother, the older sister's face finally showed a hint of helplessness: 「It would have been more stable to cut it off, little Xi, little Nian, you two are too attached to the past. \"】"

Now line 【20】: "Isn't the older sister the same? That's why those sung poems were left behind."

Translation: "\"Isn't the older sister the same? That's why those sung poems were left behind. \""

We'll output: "【20】 「Isn't the older sister the same? That's why those sung poems were left behind. \"】"

Now line 【21】: "At least it has to be personal experience," Ling sighed, got up, walked to the table, picked up her own wine gourd, took a sip, "If we were to treat Sui's memories as our own, it would be more like the second brother."

Translation: "\"At least one needs personal experience, \" Ling sighed, got up, walked to the table, picked up her own wine gourd, took a sip, and said: \"If you were to treat Sui's memories as your own, you'd be like the second brother. \""

We'll output: "【21】 「At least one needs personal experience, 」 Ling sighed, got up, walked to the table, picked up her own wine gourd, took a sip, and said: 「If you were to treat Sui's memories as your own, you'd be like the second brother. \"】"

Now line 【22】: That remark was actually quite strong; it instantly made the younger sister's expression turn ugly, as if comparing her to the second brother was an overly harsh insult.

Translation: "That statement was actually convincing; instantly it made the younger sister's expression turn ugly, as if comparing her to the second brother was an overly harsh insult."

We'll output: "【22】 That statement was actually convincing; instantly it made the younger sister's expression turn ugly, as if comparing her to the second brother was an overly harsh insult."

Now line 【23】: "If we're going to do a restoration, we just need to aim for the best; it's still better than Nian's messy script."

Translation: "\"If we're just doing a restoration, we only need to strive for the best; it's still better than Nian's chaotic mess of a script. \""

We'll output: "【23】 「If we're just doing a restoration, we only need to strive for the best; it's still better than Nian's chaotic mess of a script. \"】"

Now line 【24】: "You…"

Translation: "\"You... \""

We'll output: "【24】 「You... 」"

Now line 【25】: "Isn't Elder Sister Ling just resting in the dorm because they're playing that awful Nian video outside?"

Translation: "\"Isn't Ling Sis only resting in the dorm because they're playing that terrible film of Nian outside? \""

We'll output: "【25】 「Isn't Ling Sis only resting in the dorm because they're playing that terrible film of Nian outside? \"】"

Now line 【26】: "... Seeing through but not speaking of it, my older brother and I were both approached by two melon sisters on the same day for help; I thought we could really show our skills, but in the end we only did small side tasks, which is also regrettable."

Translation: "\"…Seeing through but not speaking of it, the older brother and I were both sought out for help by the two melon sisters on the same day; I thought we could really show our skills, but actually participating we only did small side bits, which is also regrettable. \""

We'll output: "【26】 「…Seeing through but not speaking of it, the older brother and I were both sought out for help by the two melon sisters on the same day; I thought we could really show our skills, but actually participating we only did small side bits, which is also regrettable. \"】"

Now line 【27】: "But at least you now know how terrible Nian's latest program is," Xi said bluntly.

Translation: "\"But at least you now know how terrible Nian's program this time is. \" Xi said bluntly."

We'll output: "【27】 「But at least you now know how terrible Nian's program this time is. 」 Xi said bluntly."

Now line 【28】: "It's really surprising that those people are willing to believe her again; just a PV can get them to vote enthusiastically, even land on the headquarters' show."

Translation: "\"It's really a shame those people are willing to believe her again; just a PV can get them to vote heavily, even get on the headquarters' program. \""

We'll output: "【28】 「It's really a shame those people are willing to believe her again; just a PV can get them to vote heavily, even get on the headquarters' program. \"】"

Now line 【29】: "Ah, the relationship between little Nian and everyone has always been good," Ling said, pulling out her phone to check the status in the work group; it seemed there was no decisive shift yet, so she switched to another work group and immediately saw the lively discussion: "Little Xi, you should get to know everyone better."

Translation: "\"Ah, Nian's relationship with everyone has always been good, \" Ling said, pulling out her phone to check the status in the work group; it looked like there was no decisive shift yet, so she switched to another work group and immediately saw the lively discussion inside: "\"Hey, Xi, you should mingle more with everyone. \""

We need to keep quotes. So: "【29】 「Ah, Nian's relationship with everyone has always been good, 」 Ling pulled out her phone to check the status in the work group; it looked like there was no decisive shift yet, so she switched to another work group and immediately saw the lively discussion inside: 「Hey, Xi, you should mingle more with everyone. \"】"

Now line 【30】: "No, I'm fine just living like this."

Translation: "\"No, I'm fine just living like this. \""

We'll output: "【30】 「No, I'm fine just living like this. \"】"

Now line 【31】: "After eliminating the hidden danger of merging with Sui, little Xi, you've become even more lifeless."

Translation: "\"After eliminating the hidden danger of merging Sui, little Xi, you've become even more lifeless. \""

We'll output: "【31】 「After eliminating the hidden danger of merging Sui, little Xi, you've become even more lifeless. \"】"

Now line 【32】: "Older sister, you're becoming more and more like the older brother; are you trying to become human too?"

Translation: "\"Older sister, you're becoming more and more like the older brother; are you also going to turn into a human? \""

We'll output: "【32】 「Older sister, you're becoming more and more like the older brother; are you also going to turn into a human? \"】"

Now line 【33】: "Forget that; humans' tolerance for alcohol is too low~" Ling said, then took two sips, "Now being able to find friends to drink with every day is what counts as carefree."

Translation: "\"Then forget it; humans' tolerance for alcohol is too low~\" Ling said, taking two sips; \"Now being able to find friends to drink with every day is what counts as carefree. \""

We'll output: "【33】 「Then forget it; humans' tolerance for alcohol is too low~」 Ling said, taking two sips; 「Now being able to find friends to drink with every day is what counts as carefree. \"】"

Now line 【34】: "It's a shame that Xiong was reassigned to overtime; even the chance to meet again in dreams has vanished."

Translation: "\"Too bad Star Bear was transferred to overtime; even the chance to meet again in dreams has vanished. \""

We'll output: "【34】 「Too bad Star Bear was transferred to overtime; even the chance to meet again in dreams has vanished. \"】"

Now line 【35】: "Sounds like you're just as busy as I am," Xi said, turning her head back to focus on the fluctuations in the drawing software on the screen, "If there's nothing else, I'll put on my headphones; I still need to finish the draft for the next exhibition, I have no time to waste on meaningless Valentine's Day."

Translation: "\"Sounds like you're just as busy as me, \" Xi turned her head back, refocusing on the disturbance on the drawing software screen; \"If there's nothing else, I'll just put on my headphones; I still need to finish the draft for the next exhibition, no time to waste on that meaningless Qixi. \""

We'll output: "【35】 「Sounds like you're just as busy as me, 」 Xi turned her head back, refocusing on the disturbance on the drawing software screen; 「If there's nothing else, I'll just put on my headphones; I still need to finish the draft for the next exhibition, no time to waste on that meaningless Qixi. \"】"

Now line 【36】: "Otherwise I'll tell the neighboring group that you're hiding in your room drinking." She pulled out her trump card.

Translation: "\"Otherwise I'll say in the neighboring group that you're hiding in your room drinking. \" She pulled out her trump card."

We'll output: "【36】 「Otherwise I'll say in the neighboring group that you're hiding in your room drinking. \" She pulled out her trump card."

Now line 【37】: A so-called loving family, composed largely of the same members, can also form several groups.

Translation: "So-called loving families, mostly composed of the same members, can also form several groups."

We'll output: "【37】 So-called loving families, mostly composed of the same members, can also form several groups."

Now line 【38】: "You don't have to go that far," Ling said with a helpless smile and a shake of her head, "I just thought you'd care more about feedback on your work."

Translation: "\"No need to go that far, \" Ling smiled helplessly and shook her head; \"I just thought you'd care more about feedback on your work. \""

We'll output: "【38】 「No need to go that far, 」 Ling smiled helplessly and shook her head; 「I just thought you'd care more about feedback on your work. \"】"

Now line 【39】: "No need; just those inks and the clarity-turbidity shifts you display, Elder Sister Ling, are enough to intoxicate those people."

Translation: "\"No need; just those inks and the clarity-turbidity changes you display, Ling Sis, are enough to intoxicate those humans. \""

We'll output: "【39】 「No need; just those inks and the clarity-turbidity changes you display, Ling Sis, are enough to intoxicate those humans. \"】"

Now line 【40】: "You put in all that effort just so they can look at a scenery?"

Translation: "\"You put in all that effort just to let them see a scenery? \""

We'll output: "【40】 「You put in all that effort just to let them see a scenery? \"】"

Now line 【41】: "Those people can't see anything else; the people of this world lack that knowledge, so even if you gave hints they wouldn't understand the script."

Translation: "\"Those people can't see anything else; the people of this world lack that knowledge, so even if given hints they wouldn't understand the script. \""

We'll output: "【41】 「Those people can't see anything else; the people of this world lack that knowledge, so even if given hints they wouldn't understand the script. \"】"

Now line 【42】: "But you can't underestimate the people of this world, you know."

Translation: "\"But you can't underestimate the people of this world. \""

We'll output: "【42】 「But you can't underestimate the people of this world. \"】"

Now line 【43】: "This isn't a matter of underestimating or not, Elder Sister Ling." Xi felt a bit weary, sensing that this older sister had a hint of drunken hysteria, although she knew the other couldn't possibly be drunk.

Translation: "\"This isn't a matter of underestimating or not, Ling Sis. \" Xi felt somewhat weary, sensing that this older sister had a hint of being drunk on wine, though she knew the other couldn't possibly be intoxicated."

We'll output: "【43】 「This isn't a matter of underestimating or not, Ling Sis. \" Xi felt somewhat weary, sensing that this older sister had a hint of being drunk on wine, though she knew the other couldn't possibly be intoxicated."

Now line 【44】: "Without the knowledge and insight of Daguan, no one could uncover those past events."

Translation: "\"Without the knowledge and insight of Great Blaze, no one could dig up those past events. \""

We'll output: "【44】 「Without the knowledge and insight of Great Blaze, no one could dig up those past events. \"】"

Now line 【45】: "But what if among the tourists there is someone who knows about this?"

Translation: "\"But what if there were tourists who knew about this? \""

We'll output: "【45】 「But what if there were tourists who knew about this? \"】"

Now line 【46】: "The chances are too low, unless Ubika and Ling Qingyan deliberately posed as shills to make the data look better."

Translation: "\"The possibility is too low, unless Ubika and Lin Qingyan themselves posed as shills just to make the data look good. \""

We'll output: "【46】 「The possibility is too low, unless Ubika and Lin Qingyan themselves posed as shills just to make the data look good. \"】"

Now line 【47】: "... That kind of speculation is a bit too much for colleagues."

Translation: "\"……Such speculation would be going too far with colleagues. \""

We'll output: "【47】 「……Such speculation would be going too far with colleagues. \"】"

Now line 【48】: "So Elder Sister Ling, don't joke like that; I really need to put on my headphones!"

Translation: "\"So Ling Sis, stop joking like that; I really need to put on my headphones! \""

We'll output: "【48】 「So Ling Sis, stop joking like that; I really need to put on my headphones! \"】"

Now line 【49】: "Then let me tell you, someone has already achieved three exploration accomplishments and two battle accomplishments in a row, even drawing out a thread of clarity and turbidity—what would you think?"

Translation: "\"Then let me tell you, someone has already achieved three exploration accomplishments in a row, two battle accomplishments, and even drawn a thread of clarity and turbidity; what do you think? \""

We'll output: "【49】 「Then let me tell you, someone has already achieved three exploration accomplishments in a row, two battle accomplishments, and even drawn a thread of clarity and turbidity; what do you think? \"】"

Now line 【50】: "? Who?"

Translation: "\"? Who? \""

We'll output: "【50】 「? Who? \"】"

Now line 【51】: "Just from the name, they're not exactly strangers; you and little Nian had received help from others a few months ago."

Translation: "\"Just looking at the name doesn't make them a stranger; you and little Nian have received others' care a few months ago. \""

We'll output: "【51】 「Just looking at the name doesn't make them a stranger; you and little Nian have received others' care a few months ago. \"】"

Now line 【52】: "The monster tamer?" Xi reacted quickly.

Translation: "\"That monster tamer? \" Xi reacted quickly."

We'll output: "【52】 「That monster tamer? 」 Xi reacted quickly."

Now line 【53】: "After all, she's gone out only a handful of times these past months, her work log has fewer than ten entries, and the only time someone assisted could also be seen as her assisting someone else."

Translation: "After all, she's gone out only a handful of times these past months, her work records total less than ten, and the only time someone assisted, it could also be said she assisted someone else."

We'll output: "【53】 After all, she's gone out only a handful of times these past months, her work records total less than ten, and the only time someone assisted, it could also be said she assisted someone else."

Now line 【54】: "Aomolindun," Ling read out the name on the screen syllable by syllable, recalling that brief glimpse in her dream; it indeed matched the news photos, her hairstyle unchanged, "This registered name probably isn't common, right?"

Translation: "\"O. M. L. Dun, \" Ling read out the name on the screen character by character, recalling that brief glimpse in her dream; it indeed matched the news photos, her hairstyle unchanged; \"Is this registered name uncommon? \""

Aomolindun,

Now line 【55】: "I'm not sure; there are too many people in this world, and even more with the same name, but if you could pull off those achievements…" Xi moved the mouse, opened the work group that Ling had been browsing on her phone, and saw the messages from Star Ji, Hol Haiya, and others already discussing.

Translation: "\"Not sure; there are too many people in this world, more with the same name, but if one could pull off those achievements…\" Xi moved the mouse, clicked open the work group Ling had been browsing on her phone, and saw the messages from Xingji, Huoerhaiya, and others already speaking."

We'll output: "【55】 「Not sure; there are too many people in this world, more with the same name, but if one could pull off those achievements…」 Xi moved the mouse, clicked open the work group Ling had been browsing on her phone, and saw the messages from Xingji, Huoerhaiya, and others already speaking."

Now line 【56】: "It really is him… he actually went out with five women." She found in the records content that, as a woman, is hard to ignore.

Translation: "\"Indeed it's him…… he actually went out with five women. \" She found in the records content that as a woman is hard to ignore."

We'll output: "【56】 「Indeed it's him…… he actually went out with five women. \" She found in the records content that as a woman is hard to ignore."

Now line 【57】: "Especially, that content also mentioned two coworkers she had seen a few times before."

Translation: "Especially, that content also mentioned two coworkers she had seen a few times before."

We'll output: "【57】 Especially, that content also mentioned two coworkers she had seen a few times before."

Now line 【58】: "Want to check it out?"

Translation: "\"Want to check it out? \""

We'll output: "【58】 「Want to check it out? \"】"

Now line 【59】: "Elder Sister Ling, for some reason, is unusually enthusiastic, which actually makes her a bit resistant."

Translation: "Ling Sis for some reason was quite enthusiastic, which instead made her a bit resistant."

We'll output: "【59】 Ling Sis for some reason was quite enthusiastic, which instead made her a bit resistant."

Now line 【60】: "No, I need to finish my draft; I'll look through the records later."

Translation: "\"No, I need to finish the draft, I'll look back at the records later. \""

We'll output: "【60】 「No, I need to finish the draft, I'll look back at the records later. \"】"

===TITLE=== Between Creation

===TITLE===

Between Creation

NO. 78: Between Creation

Now

Wow~

At an employee dormitory of Rhodes Island Company, a blue-haired woman who seemed to be meditating with closed eyes suddenly opened her eyes; her clear blue eyes showed a hint of surprise, while the corner of her mouth curled into a faint smile.

She turned her head and waved from afar at her sister sitting before the computer.

"Xi, have you been keeping an eye on the project operations over at Heaven Gate City?"

"Ling Sis, why are you bothering with this?" the younger sister turned her head, her eyes half-covered by her bangs showing a hint of gloom and impatience.

As the older sister, she often wished her sister would change to a more spirited hairstyle, at least not so casual as to cover her eyes.

But the result was obviously of little effect.

Some people keep their appearance unchanged deliberately; others do so out of pure laziness, yet stubbornly claim this is their most satisfying look.

Saying anything is useless.

Perhaps, as the elder brother said, finding her a boyfriend would likely make her truly care about her appearance.

But it's hard for this melon sister to think of such things; upon reflection, the one most likely to have that chance might be the Doctor, yet the Doctor attracts too many people's affection, and while my sister's drawing skills are truly unmatched, if she were to engage in scheming with others…

Better to forget it.

She can only offer a few sharp comments when watching palace intrigue dramas; when actually involved, she usually can't get a word out.

Thinking of this, Ling could only shake her head inwardly, her face remaining composed, still wearing an interested, pleasant expression as she said, "Isn't this a work that took a lot of effort?"

"Even able to make you come specially to me to add a few threads of clarity and turbidity to that little world."

"I heard the elder brother also mention that you went to him to inquire about the origins of those few."

Hearing her sister say this, Xi felt her mood worsen a bit: "I thought he would remember, but he cut it off completely."

"The lingering memories of Sui when she incarnated to walk the world," hearing the younger sister's dissatisfaction with the elder brother, the elder sister's face finally showed a hint of helplessness: "It would have been steadier to just cut it off, little Xi, little Nian—you two are too clinging to the past."

"Elder sister, aren't you the same? That's why those sung poems were left behind."

"At least one must experience it personally," Ling sighed, rose, walked to the table, picked up her own wine gourd, opened it and took a sip: "If you were to treat Sui's memories as your own, you'd be more like the second brother."

That remark was indeed forceful; instantly it made the younger sister's expression turn ugly, as if comparing her to the second brother was an excessively harsh insult.

"If we're just doing a restoration, we only need to strive for the best; it's certainly better than Nian's messy script."

"You…"

"Ling Sis, you only came to the dorm to rest because they're playing that awful Nian video outside, right?"

"…Seeing through but not speaking of it, me and the elder brother were both approached for help by two melon sisters on the same day; I thought we could really show our stuff, but in fact we only ended up doing little side bits, which is also regrettable."

"But at least you now know how terrible Nian's latest program is," Xi said bluntly.

"It's really something that those people are willing to believe her again—just a PV can get them to vote enthusiastically, even land on the headquarters program."

"Ah, Nian's relationship with everyone has always been good," Ling pulled out her phone to check the status in the work group; seeing no decisive shift, she switched to another work group and immediately saw the lively discussion inside: "But Xi, you should get more familiar with everyone."

"No, I'm fine just living like this."

"After eliminating the hidden danger of merging with Sui, little Xi, you've become even more lifeless."

"Elder sister, you're becoming more and more like the elder brother—are you also going to turn into a human?"

"Then forget it—humans' tolerance for alcohol is too weak~" Ling said, then took two gulps: "Now being able to find friends to drink with every day is truly carefree."

"Too bad Xiong was reassigned to overtime, leaving no room even in dreams to reminisce."

"Sounds like you're just as busy as me," Xi turned her head back, refocusing on the disturbance on the drawing software screen: "If there's nothing else, I'll put on my headphones; I still need to finish the draft for the next exhibition, no time to waste on that meaningless Qixi."

"Otherwise I'll say in the neighboring group that you're hiding in your room drinking." She pulled out her trump card.

The so-called loving family, composed largely of the same members, can also form several groups.

"There's no need to go that far," Ling smiled helplessly and shook her head: "I just thought you'd care more about feedback on your work."

"No need; just those inks and the clarity-turbidity changes you, Ling Sis, display are enough to intoxicate those humans."

"After putting in so much effort, is it enough just to let them see a scenery?"

"Those people can't see anything else; the folks of this world lack that knowledge, so even if hints were given they'd probably not understand the script."

"But you can't underestimate the people of this world."

"This isn't a matter of underestimating or not, Ling Sis." Xi felt a bit weary, sensing that her elder sister had a hint of drunk‑talk suspicion, though she knew the other couldn't possibly be drunk.

"Without the knowledge and insight of Great Yan, no one could dig up those past events."

"But what if among the tourists there's someone who knows about this?"

"The chances are too low, unless Ubiqa and Ling Qingyan deliberately posed as shills to make the data look good."

"…Such speculation is a bit excessive toward coworkers."

"So Ling Sis, don't joke like that—I really am going to put on my headphones!"

"Then let me tell you: someone has consecutively achieved three exploration accomplishments, two combat accomplishments, and even drawn a thread of clarity and turbidity—what would you think?"

"? Who?"

"Just from the name they're not strangers—you and little Nian even received others' care a few months ago."

"That monster tamer?" Xi reacted quickly.

After all, she's gone out only a handful of times these past months, her work logs totaling fewer than ten, and the sole instance where someone assisted could also be seen as her assisting someone else.

"O. M. L. D.," Ling read the name on the screen syllable by syllable, then recalled that brief glimpse in her dream—it indeed matched the appearance in the news, even the hairstyle unchanged—"This registered name probably isn't common, right?"

"I'm not sure; there are too many people in this world, with many sharing names, but if one could pull off those achievements…" Xi moved the mouse, opened the work group that Ling had been browsing on her phone, and saw the messages already being posted by Star Ji, Hol Haiya, and a few others.

"Indeed it's him… surprisingly touring with five women." She flipped through the record and found content that, as a woman, is hard to ignore.

Especially, that content also mentioned two coworkers she had seen a few times before.

"Want to check it out?"

"Ling Sis, for some reason you're unusually enthusiastic, which actually makes me a bit resistant."

"No, I need to finish my draft; I'll look back at the records later."

Then I'll go check it out? My older brother was just chatting with me earlier about wanting to find a chance to meet the other side.

"Do as you like." Xi said, closing the group chat, also putting on headphones, focusing on the drawing of the narrow double‑ear shape on the screen.

Since staying here, she who claims not to take commissions, whose brush is like a sword, Madam Xi, has instead often drawn on her own, increasingly living the life of a shut‑in artist; recently she even actively joined a fan project where she could freely express herself, which she cares about a lot.

She naturally cares about it, after all, even though her circumstances have changed greatly, she can still only watch from afar as those dazzling girls go ahead and make the choices she once could not.

Dreams, ideals and such are, for her now, just as unfamiliar words.

But she has the ability to draw.

Seeing her become even more focused, Lingbian could only dismiss his own thoughts and instead sit back down on the edge of his bed.

Although still in the Boundary Gate District, remotely operating the equipment of Heaven Gate City is just too far away.

But as long as the dream‑like concept attached to that scroll Xiao Xi painted remains unchanged, even if she goes there in person, it's only a momentary process.