Chapter 107: Streetwise Wisdom

(Where… is this? That Miss Heimu… really… 'ate' me?)

(So… I bet wrong? She really can wield the Authority of 'Corrosion'?)

Thinking that her earlier confident probing and actively approaching might have been entirely part of the opponent's scheme, even a foolish act of walking into a trap, Ailixiya's usually smiling face instantly collapsed.

"Wuh..."

She couldn't help letting out a small whimper, raising both hands to cover her burning cheeks, feeling waves of embarrassed heat surge up.

(So—embarrassing—ah—!!!)

(I thought I could turn the tables on her! Instead I was casually packaged and thrown into this bizarre place!)

(Now this is really… trying to steal a chicken and ending up losing the rice? No, no, the pink fairy lady wouldn't steal a chicken! It's… it's a misjudgment! Yes, it must be like that? ~!)

She crouched down, curling into a ball, like a pink flower that has wilted temporarily from misreading the direction of sunlight, in the empty white space, savoring this rare sense of defeat alone.

Perspective shift.

Bai Hang rode her modified little cart, squeak—squeak, drifting to a bustling street corner.

She parked the cart, rearranged the exquisite ornaments and Dolls on the shelf once more, and then… quietly stood behind the cart.

(Shout? How should I shout?)

"Pass by, don't miss it"?

It feels so tacky.

"Come and see, come and see"? That seems too ordinary…

Forget it, I'll first observe how others sell.

Thus, this former legendary aviator, now like a freshman, arms crossed, leaning against the cart, silently watched the neighboring Qiongshi Bird Skewer stall owner attract customers with a booming voice and exaggerated expressions.

Just as she was immersed in 'market research', a well-dressed woman was drawn to the exquisite Dolls on the shelf.

She picked up a Doll, examined it closely, and surprise flashed in her eyes.

"Miss, are you… selling Black Tower Lady's Dolls?"

The woman looked up, curiously asking Bai Hang.

Bai Hang was startled.

(Black Tower Lady? Which Black Tower Lady? Oh! That's right! That genius! I saw a video before!)

She suddenly recalled that the Dolls' appearances were indeed about seventy‑or‑eighty percent similar to the Space Station owner in her memory!

"Sss..."

Bai Hang subconsciously inhaled, her mind racing, (I can't just say I don't know, that would raise more suspicion!)

She immediately nodded, replying as naturally as possible: "Yes! That's right—it's… the Black Tower Lady's same‑model Doll!"

"The workmanship is really good, the details are exquisite," the woman stroked the Doll's fabric, quite satisfied, "How much per piece?"

Bai Hang quickly calculated in her mind.

(The current exchange rate between Xun Bi and Credit Points… seems like 100 Xun Bi can get a decent amount of Credit Points? I recall a cup of milk tea costs two thousand Credit Points! This Doll's material and craftsmanship are pretty good, pricing it at 100 Xun Bi should… be about right? After all it's the Black Tower Lady's same‑model!)

She tentatively quoted a number: "100 Xun Bi."

Unexpectedly, the woman, upon hearing that, not only didn't think it pricey but showed surprise, raising her voice slightly: "100? You're not trying to swindle me, are you?!"

Bai Hang felt a sudden thud in her heart.

(Oh no! Did I quote too high? Scared the customer away?)

She quickly remedied, her tone uncertain: "Then… what price do you think is appropriate?"

The woman gave Bai Hang a look that said "You really don't know the trade," and held up two fingers: "This is a Black Tower Lady Doll! And it's a limited edition, right? The workmanship is that fine! 100? You should at least add a zero!"

"1000??" Bai Hang's mouth twitched uncontrollably.

Seeing Bai Hang's incredulous expression, the woman spoke earnestly: "Miss, you look unfamiliar, you're new, right? To put it another way, if I hadn't warned you, you'd be 'holding a golden rice bowl and begging for food', and would lose big time! How about this: I'll take a loss, you sell me one for 500 Xun Bi, and I'll help promote you in our department, okay?"

Bai Hang: "..."

(What a good fellow… truly a good fellow!)

She literally wanted to applaud this big sister in her heart.

(And I still have to thank you for haggling, then return the favor by helping you promote? The streetwise wisdom of Luofu Xianzhou really opened my eyes!)

She could tell that this person wasn't sincerely buying anything, just looking to take advantage.

Although Bai Hang didn't want trouble, she wasn't a pushover, especially in the bargaining arena she considered herself 'familiar' with.

She frowned, ready to reason with this 'shrewd' customer, discussing the Doll's 'development cost' and 'labor cost'.

Just as their argument began to rise, drawing glances from nearby people, the woman, who had been imposing moments before, suddenly seemed to sense something, shivered involuntarily, and lowered her voice.

She looked anxiously left and right, as if enveloped by an unseen chill, finally reluctantly gave up the entanglement, quickly produced 500 Xun Bi, grabbed a Black Tower Doll, and almost jogged away.

Bai Hang was somewhat bewildered, but also pleased to have peace.

She picked up a Black Tower Doll and examined it again carefully.

(Hmm… looking at it like this, it really does look more and more like that Black Tower Lady. Why didn't I think of it right away before?)

She recalled the segment where the Black Tower Lady threw a tantrum on the train, leaving a deep impression of that Genius Club #83 member.

(Why does Heimu Lady make so many of her Dolls? Forget it, never mind, as long as the Task is complete.)

She shook her head, tossed the little episode aside, and continued to guard her little cart, waiting for the next 'fated' person.

She didn't notice that, not far at the street corner, under the shadow of a teahouse, a cool solitary figure stood quietly.

White hair fluttered in the breeze; the black Eye Mask, though covering her eyes, still resembled the sharpest blade, locked tightly onto Bai Hang.

(That Fox People… her silhouette, her aura…)

Jing Liu's heart swirled with waves of distant memories.

(Bai Hang...?)

(Impossible… she already… )

(But, are there really two people in the world this alike?)

At the same time, in the Observation Carriage, Walther pushed his glasses, his brows tightly Lock, watching San Yue Qi, who had just floated past with a blank stare, return to her room, and recalling the previously seen hollow‑eyed Star.

Walther sighed, walked over to Dan Heng, who was quietly consulting the interstellar chart nearby.

"Dan Heng, do you feel... that lately San Yue and Star are a bit off?"

Walther's voice carried a hint of worry.

Dan Heng lifted his head from the star chart, and a flash of Consent flickered in his cool eyes.

"Hmm. San Yue has indeed been often absent‑minded lately; sometimes calling her several times gets no response, and occasionally she laughs foolishly at the air alone. When asked what's wrong, she stammers and can't explain."