Chapter 958: with translation of chapter title

NO. 81: Falling? Rain

The gloomy sky that had been overcast for a long time finally started to rain.

Qian Lai, who should have been out joyriding, also returned in response to the call for help here, but the current situation still differs somewhat from expectations, for example, the extra ten chariots and Sai Luo.

This isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Sai Luo can mobilize Neihai's work enthusiasm, and Ten Chariots is also a good-natured fellow with a pleasant temperament; we can simply ask what he's studied and skilled at to use him as labor.

But at present, Mr. Ten Chariots's condition is not ideal.

"Why, Aomo-san."

"What's the why."

"Why is it that I heard Shima-san welcomed the princess over there, yet no one came to tell me?"

"Why? Maybe they're just too busy."

"I'm clearly free!"

"Maybe they're just too busy."

"Hmm… could that be the case?"

"I'm not sure; wait until you meet them later and ask directly…… Neihai, how does doing this look?"

Amid the incredulous gazes of the two girls beside them, Aomo spun a card like a blade, easily slit the cardboard, and cut neat slots in it, then finally lifted his head to show Neihai the paper-box helmet in his hand.

It has a very upright and delicate robot-like face; the only problem is that it looks more like… than Ultraman.

"That's a hero police, right!"

Neihai, who turned his head back from Sai Luo, couldn't hold his composure.

Although the technique is high and the line work strong, that head doesn't look like Ultraman at all!

It would be better if the human uncle beside him turned into Ultraman and had that kind of head! Although he has two shuriken on his head.

"Moreover, aren't you going to pay him any attention at all?"

Just lower your gaze and shift left, and Neihai can see Ten Chariots half-crouched beside Aomo, his hem already dragging on the ground.

His face had just been full of excitement, but now it carries a hint of sadness; for some reason, this makes Neihai feel a subtle sense of kimo.

By contrast, Aomo, sitting cross-legged on the cardboard tinkering with props, is anything but unfocused.

"I've been attending to you all along, Ten Chariots—don't overthink it, no one's sidelining you." He replied without lifting his head, as usual, which hardly matches his everyday politeness; this shows he's even more focused on his own task, and even keeps an eye on others' progress.

"On the contrary, Yu Tai over there might need your help."

After hearing Neihai's impression, he already buried his head, focusing on reopening the cardboard helmet; then his motions steadied, and he began a new operation.

He looked as if he'd already figured out how to improve, embodying the very image of reliability.

It also gave Neihai a tangible sense of clinging to a big thigh.

Surely, with a big-shot senior like Aomo joining, preparing the cricket-themed campus activity would be a breeze!

But……

He really doesn't intend to go over and chat, does he?

He turned his head to look at Xin Tiao Qian, who had suddenly appeared, greeted everyone, and then been pulled aside by Liu Hua to say something.

Then he looked at Aomo, who had never once glanced over there, as if there was nothing worth communicating.

Neihai inevitably doubted whether his and others' guesses were wrong.

Having long since set aside his infatuation and thoughts about Xin Tiao Qian, and now dating Ye Cun Lian, Neihai actually felt a strong sense of déjà vu when observing Aomo's demeanor toward Xin Tiao Qian.

After all, he and Ye Cun Lian are secretly dating.

He hasn't yet mentioned it to Yu Tai, Liu Hua, or Na Mei Zi (although Na Mei Zi had figured it out from the start).

Precisely for this reason, during the group's occasional gossip sessions, he is a firm believer that Aomo and Qian must have something going on.

But looking at this scene right now…… this is just too indifferent, isn't it?

Can mere acting reach this point?

Could it be that Aomo really has no close relationship with Xin Tiao Qian?

It's hard not to suspect, and just as he was entertaining that doubt, even preparing to interject with a couple of remarks from the sidelines, he heard that lively female voice call from behind:

"Sorry to bother you, could you move aside? Thanks thanks thanks thanks~"

In an unconscious move to the side, he watched the purple figure sweep past the few people ahead, bouncing straight toward Aomo, and he froze.

He unconsciously turned his head back and saw Liu Hua, Meng Ya, and the two Ah Peng all looking this way.

Even Qian Lai, who was instructing Na Mei Zi on drawing lines, though not looking this way, had his evil smirk curled up, clearly showing the same level of attention.

Focus on your work, you guys!!

Neihai felt indignant, turned his head back again, thought a bit…… and decided to turn his head to pretend to continue his task.

Then he began to sneak glances!

He wished his ears could prick up as well.

Of course, at the moment he still couldn't see anything.

He merely caught a glimpse, out of the corner of his eye, of the bouncing Xin Tiao Qian, who actually went past the head-down Aomo who was tearing up the cardboard.

But then she paused slightly, sat directly behind Aomo, back-to-back, just having straightened her posture—then she stretched out in a lazy yawn!

Even more, in that arched backward lean, she simply pressed herself against the slightly hunchbacked Aomo's back as he worked with his head down.

From that instant, Neihai believed this wasn't his illusion.

The surrounding gazes all turned sharp.

Yet the parties involved remained utterly calm, even still picking up the nearby cardboard scraps, as if already accustomed to such contact.

"Done with work?" he asked.

"Um, I can't really say I'm done," Qian tilted her head and chuckled lightly, "she's not really willing to show herself directly."

Like this…… you can't forgive yourself?

"Hmm," she lowered her head, hugging her knees and sighing, "Although I've regained some of the Six Flowers' appearance, in this regard I'm still just like my past self."

Do you need my help? The remaining time isn't much.

"... No need," she said softly, "This is not only my atonement, but also something I must accomplish."

Understood… thank you for your hard work.

"Hehehe~ Even the little snake is working hard," she said with a light laugh, then she leaned over, peeking at Aomo's right shoulder, "And I saw the outfit you picked for An Qi~"

Meanwhile, Aomo, who was reassembling the paper pieces in his hand and paying no attention to the head beside him, asked: "So do we need to call An Qi over?"

"... Well, no need, just let things happen naturally for a meeting," said Xi, poking her chin with her hand, as she gazed at the wall covered by the railing and thought, "Besides, An Qi should also be busy right now."

Because of the other An Qi?

"You're too perceptive." The girl pouted, reaching out to poke his face, which was focused on assembling the helmet.

Among the enemy's forces, there's been an elite individual who hasn't appeared for a while; such an anomaly certainly deserves our constant attention.

Aomo said, picking up the newly assembled cardboard helmet in his hand and bringing it to the side of the head:

Want to try wearing it?

——

The gradually diverging parallel lines, a rainy day where the weather forecast became completely inaccurate.

Before the various information anomaly points on Azalea Terrace where the Second Generation proceeded together, Nate set up the little detectors, as always striking a cold and cool pose, still under the rain.

Placing these inconspicuously disguised detectors at the 46 points on Azalea Terrace, to achieve a real-time perfected surveillance network at the data level, this was the result of the remote conference discussion between the Second Generation, Aomo, and Jiafeiqi Guang.

Moreover, those detectors were hastily fabricated by Jiafeiqi Guang on the spot; each one's design possessed a 'beauty' akin to the Special Forces' Sky‑soaring Monkey.

This also made Nate, carrying those things, look like a suit‑and‑leather‑clad scavenger.

And when his target occasionally appeared in places like the wilderness, under bridges, or narrow alleys, he seemed even more like a suspicious scavenger.

And now, the suspicious scavenger, amidst the dripping raindrops, also saw an unexpected person in that cramped, narrow alley.

"... Why aren't you using an umbrella?"

After a two‑second silence, he asked in his usual cold tone.

His rain‑soaked silver hair resembled a traditional stand‑collar button‑up uniform, yet his attire bore extravagant flame‑patterned designs, and in his hand he held an unopened long‑handle umbrella.

That appearance was all too familiar to him.

For it was exactly his former self.

Appearing as if abandoned by Xintiao Xi, he stood before himself, letting the rain run down his hair and cheeks, falling like tears, likewise seeming like some sort of satire and provocation.

It made him unconsciously wonder whether to draw the sword at his back.

But in fact, the other party raised a hand and offered him the umbrella they were holding.

Xi asked me to bring you an umbrella.

"..."

Xi? Which Xi?

Hei Xi and Xintiao Xi—both are Xi.