Chapter 64

While thanking, San Yue Qi's gaze was drawn to a conspicuous object on the clinic counter—a doll wearing a Mo Nu Mao, with a unique style, a Heimu Doll.

Huh? Doctor, this doll……

San Yue Qi pointed at it in surprise, "We also saw one just like it in a hotel in Shangcheng District! Where did this come from? Is it some popular souvenir?"

Natasha followed her gaze, shook her head, and her face also showed a hint of doubt: "You mean that one? I'm not sure of its exact origin either; it just seemed to appear in the clinic one day, looked interesting, so I temporarily put it there."

(Again, suddenly appeared?)

San Yue Qi muttered to herself, feeling the doll was becoming ever more mysterious.

She shook her head, temporarily setting aside the doll matter, and asked instead: "Dan Heng teacher? Is he awake?"

A Xing nodded, speaking concisely: "Awake. Outside. Scouting."

"Oh," San Yue Qi let out a breath of relief, then puffed her cheeks a little dejectedly, "I didn't expect to be the last one to wake up, geez…"

A Xing silently pointed to another bed nearby, where Bronya was still peacefully asleep.

San Yue Qi followed her finger's direction, instantly sucking in a cold breath, her voice jumping an octave: "She, she's also here?!"

A Xing merely shrugged indifferently, indicating she didn't know either.

San Yue Qi looked at A Xing's overly calm reaction, and at the unconscious Bronya beside her, feeling the information load was a bit large, her mind a little scrambled.

She decided to first find the reliable Dan Heng teacher before saying anything.

"Um… Doctor Natasha, we'd like to go out and meet up with our companions, okay? Miss Bronya, could you please look after her for a moment?" San Yue Qi requested.

Natasha nodded: "Don't worry, this place is very safe. You may go, but stay careful."

Leaving the clinic, walking down the dim and rugged streets of Xiacheng District, San Yue Qi watched the silent A Xing beside her, who merely followed without a word, and the more she looked, the more she felt something was off.

Normally, Xing, although she often had a blank expression, her eyes always held some lively little emotions, or she would occasionally burst out with nonsensical thoughts and actions.

But this Xing beside her was too calm, calm as a deep pool.

"Xing," San Yue Qi couldn't help but move closer, her face showing concern, "... Are you feeling unwell somewhere? I've felt you've been weird since you woke up."

A Xing's heart gave a thud.

(Was I noticed? Where did I show a crack? Is this what they call 'companions' intuition'? Indeed, bonds are the greatest variable.)

She believed her imitation was flawless, even the troublesome SangBo didn't suspect her; could San Yue Qi really be that perceptive?

A Xing's face remained unchanged, she merely tilted her head slightly, looking at San Yue Qi with a questioning gaze.

Only saw San Yue Qi furrow her brows, seriously sizing her up from head to toe, then said in a very certain tone: "From the time you woke up until now, I've never seen you rummage through a trash can even once! That's totally abnormal!"

A Xing: "……"

She felt her thought process as if hit by an unknown virus attack, producing brief garbled code.

(Rummaging… through a trash can? What the hell, what are you doing?)

She completely couldn't understand the act of "rummaging through a trash can".

(Could it be… that this is a unique quirk of the individual 'Xing' for disguise or gathering information?)

However, facing San Yue Qi's gaze full of worry and inquiry, A Xing knew she had to do something to maintain her persona; she couldn't let the problem be discovered.

Thus, under San Yue Qi's concerned gaze, A Xing struggled to keep her expression calm, responding in a flat tone: "For now… I haven't seen anything… worth looking at."

San Yue Qi heard that, first stunned, then suddenly realized and nodded: "Oh oh, so that's it! Your standards have gone up!"

But she immediately shook her head vigorously, her pink hair swaying, "No no! It's not about your standards! Rummaging through a trash can is just wrong! It's so dirty! And there are germs!"

A Xing watched San Yue Qi's anxious attempt to "guide her back onto the right path," feeling more confused inside, but on the surface she could only imitate some kind of "stubbornness" from her memory of Xing, and expressionlessly uttered three words:

"You don't understand."

At that moment, her gaze "firmly" turned toward a not‑far‑off iron trash can covered in rust spots.

That gaze was like a swordsman spotting his destined opponent, or a gourmet discovering a hidden delicacy.

(To avoid suspicion… I'll go all out!)

Then, under San Yue Qi's stunned stare, A Xing strode forward with determined steps (though her heart was full of question marks), heading straight for that trash can, beginning to carry out what she understood as the "Identity Verification Procedure"—rummaging through the trash can.

(So… why exactly do I have to rummage through a trash can?! How should I do it? Just reach in?)

San Yue Qi stood where she was, her mouth forming an O, watching A Xing's slightly clumsy movements (after all, it was her first time), yet her attitude was incredibly "devout" as she rummaged through that dirty trash can, and a deep sense of helplessness welled up in her chest.

(…So it wasn't that she changed her personality, she just hadn't met her "true love" yet?)

She rested her hand on her forehead and let out a helpless sigh.

"Ah… there's no hope, really no hope…"

Meanwhile, A Xing, who was currently struggling against the rusted iron and unknown stench, had only one thought constantly turning in her mind:

(…So, rummaging this… what exactly am I looking for? Logic… cannot be parsed…)

【System Space Lower Platform】

Soft light spilled over the remodeled Lower Platform, now cozy and warm.

Xi Lian was sitting on a soft blanket.

Just then, accompanied by a light footstep, Bai Hang rushed in like a white whirlwind.

"Xi Lian! I'm back! Look, I've bought everything you needed!"

Bai Hang placed several paper bags printed with Luofu specialty shop marks beside Xi Lian, then, as if presenting a treasure, pulled out items one by one.

"This is the latest edition of the Star Chariot Navigation Safety Guide, and the Thus Item: Thus Item: Thus Item: Diyuanqiongyupai from Beginner to Master… oh, and this Xianzhou Specialty Guide: Snacks Chapter, full of pictures that make you hungry just looking! Plus the Mingou Cake you wanted—I bought from three shops, try them and see which is best! And the Mo Mo Roll—I ran far to find that place said to have over a dozen fillings…"

Xi Lian looked at the little mountain that had instantly piled up before her, and at Bai Hang's sparkling eyes, a warm current rose in her heart.

She set the book down, gently picked up an exquisitely packaged box of Mingou Cake, and whispered, "Thank you, Baiheng Miss… for going to the trouble."

"Geez, don't be so formal with me!"

Bai Hang waved her hand, unbothered, then mysteriously produced from behind her a bottle wrapped in special oil paper with a straw stuck in it: "And this! The Soda Bean Juice on your list! I specially went to an old‑time brand for it, I heard… uh, the flavor is quite unique, give it a try!"

Xi Lian looked at the bottle's subtly hued liquid, her eyes full of curiosity.

She had never seen such a drink on Weng Fa Luo Si before.

"Soda… Bean Juice?"

She took the bottle, carefully brought the straw close, imitating the way Bai Hang usually drinks juice, and gently took a sip.

The next second—

"Um…!"

Xi Lian's delicate little face instantly crumpled, her azure eyes widened sharply, filled with an expression of disbelief.

It was a sour‑astringent taste with a subtle fermented note, a stimulating flavor that shot straight to the Heavenly Spirit Dome!

She forced herself not to spit it out, quickly pulled the bottle away, her tiny nose crinkling, looking both pitiful and funny.

"Pfft…"

Bai Hang looked at Xi Lian's expression, couldn't help laughing, and hurriedly explained, "I told you the taste is really 'unique'! Not every Luofu local can handle this. Quick, quickly eat a piece of Mingou Cake to calm your nerves!"

Xi Lian quickly grabbed a fragrant, sweet, soft‑chewy Mingou Cake and shoved it into her mouth; the familiar sweet flavor finally dispelled the odd sensation in her mouth. She let out a long sigh, still a little shaken, and looked at the bottle of Soda Bean Juice, whispering, "…Indeed, very unique."

The two exchanged smiles, and the atmosphere was light and pleasant.

As they chatted, Bai Hang's tone gradually became a bit hesitant and serious.

She set the snack down, looked at Xi Lian, and her Fox Ears drooped slightly, revealing her solemnity.