Soft ears were hidden beneath the girl's smooth, raven-black hair, and her pupils were as clear as rubies, flickering with a hint of confusion. The pure white military uniform accentuated her tall, upright figure, and she exuded an invisible aura of irony and a coldness that kept strangers at a distance.
In that frozen moment, seeing the girl with the familiar face branded deep within her memories, Xu Xiaoyou's mind flashed through a thousand possibilities and contingency plans. All that stillness and the complex tangle of emotions were shattered by the girl's inquiry, vanishing without a trace.
"Do you know me?"
"I..."
Whether it was relief from the intense tension or falling into an even deeper layer of emotion, her gaze became somewhat unfocused as she swallowed hard.
It wasn't until Bai Youyou reminded her again that Xu Xiaoyou regained her composure, adjusting every expression on her face to the most appropriate angle.
"I had heard that a four-winged investigator from the Association had come to Red Heaven. I suppose I should say it's quite a coincidence; I didn't expect my client to be you, Miss Bai Youyou."
"I'll go change clothes first."
Bai Youyou shook her head. "No need, this outfit is fine." As soon as she said it, she realized how strange it was. Why did she instinctively feel that it didn't matter if she was casual when with this person?
This was clearly her first contact with the famous Dark Gold Rose, yet it felt as if they had known each other for a long time. Had she seen her before?
The answer was obviously no. She had been trained and raised in the simulated Light-Chaser Tower in Oasis since she was a child. She had missed her coming-of-age ceremony and had only recently awakened from the incubation fluid she had been in for eighteen years. This was her first time truly interacting with the world. It was precisely because of this discrepancy between memory and instinct that she had been trapped in confusion and listlessness these past few days. She had even doubted if she was truly the owner of this body, yet her memories were so clear and profound.
The researchers at the Order Court had told her that all of this was a normal reaction. Because her body had been soaked in incubation fluid for eighteen years, a consciousness sea offset syndrome had caused these unconscious behaviors.
In the midst of these thoughts, Bai Youyou followed Xu Xiaoyou downstairs. She noticed the other girl was holding her hand. She had always been extremely averse to physical contact with others, which was why she wore gloves, yet she felt no such instinctive repulsion toward the contact from this blonde girl.
The mysteries were piling up, weighing down on Bai Youyou until she felt somewhat breathless. Like someone sinking into a swamp, the more she struggled, the deeper she sank. The more she wanted to push aside the mist and clarify everything, the more the unknown world of fog threatened to strip away all her senses.
A sharp pain seized her chest, and Xu Xiaoyou's concerned voice reached her ears. "You don't look very well. Did you think of something?"
It was as if a pair of hands had pulled Bai Youyou up from beneath the water. The ringing in her ears faded, and everything around her became clear. She found herself sitting at the bar. Beside her was a row of gambling machines, where a line of gambling-addicted ladies sat side-by-side, collectively showing their hostility toward this investigator from the Association whose origins were unknown.
Light connected in strings along the patterns as her thoughts returned. Xu Xiaoyou's concerned gaze met hers, and a glass of Red Pomegranate Ocean was pushed in front of Bai Youyou. The bartender behind the bar stood with his back straight, his eyes showing the weariness and resolve of age. His hair was graying at the temples as he polished a crystal glass in his hands.
It was Sebas. Xu Xiaoyou greeted the old bartender, and the latter nodded in acknowledgment before continuing his work.
"This drink is on me. I think it will suit your taste," Xu Xiaoyou said with a smile.
Bai Youyou originally intended to refuse due to being on duty, but her hand unconsciously lifted the glass. She gave an awkward smile and took a few light sips of the pale red liquid.
It had an unexpectedly smooth texture, and the stimulation from the alcohol wasn't strong. The silky taste of brandy neutralized the whiskey, leaning more toward a fruity aroma of pomegranate mixed with grapes. The scent of aged wooden barrels hinted at its craftsmanship. Bai Youyou almost thought she was drinking a fruit-flavored beverage.
"How did you know this drink would suit my taste?"
Xu Xiaoyou replaced words with a smile. She naturally remembered that night by the sea, and how they had later gone to a bar and gotten completely wasted.
The girl had personally introduced her to this cocktail called 'Red Pomegranate Ocean.' That was the first time Bai Youyou had truly opened her heart to her, pouring out a mountain of troubles, worries, and dreams. The girl had hugged her then, pressing her forehead against her chest, saying she would definitely pack her into a suitcase and take her away before she left.
"Before receiving a guest, I always find ways to investigate my clients—at least to get a sense of their personality and preferences."
"If that's the case, I'll have to arrest you," Bai Youyou said, resting her cheek in her hand. "I am an investigator for the Association, and my personal information is strictly confidential. If you have the means to know my business, then arresting you is certainly not a mistake."
"I didn't say I successfully investigated your information. As I said, I tried to investigate you but came up empty-handed.
I just felt that this Red Pomegranate Ocean matched your aura quite well," Xu Xiaoyou said, her expression unchanging.
"Smooth talker," Bai Youyou huffed.
Immediately after, she realized her attitude was a bit strange and silently straightened her back, her tone becoming a bit more distant and clear.
Before coming here, Bai Youyou had made a lot of mental preparations. She was internally extremely averse to these types of pleasure shops. When she saw that the person she instinctively wanted to contact was actually a blonde girl, she had wondered if she had misidentified her.
Perhaps it was the other's gentle aura or the appearance that made one inexplicably want to be close to her, or perhaps it was her humorous and witty way of speaking—she now felt a change in her perspective on this place.
At least she had a good impression of the Xu Xiaoyou in front of her.
After some simple small talk, Xu Xiaoyou casually moved toward the main topic.
"So, why would a lady investigator think of coming to a place like this and specifically request me to serve you by name?" Xu Xiaoyou took a sip of the Golden Tulip in her glass.
"Investigators have their own troubles. As for the name... is it possible I just happened to pick you? The people here gave me a ledger, and your name was right at the top. Anyone would notice it first."
"Besides, Dark Gold Rose is so famous. It's only human nature to want to pull back the veil of mystery... :::"
Bai Youyou didn't know that the 'Red Pomegranate Ocean' Xu Xiaoyou had ordered for her went down smoothly but actually had a very high alcohol content. Its rich aroma and magnificent dark red appearance hid a viper's gaze. Not much time had passed, yet a hint of intoxication had already appeared on the girl's face.
Xu Xiaoyou listened with a smile. The girl really was exactly the same as before—she would explain her actions when she felt guilty. After a short period of interaction, she deduced that the other's memory had likely been tampered with after returning to the Order Court. The reason was still unclear, but she sensed something suspicious in the small details.
"You're actually quite cute."
Bai Youyou didn't respond. Xu Xiaoyou lowered her head to sip the liquid in her glass, and when she looked up, she found Bai Youyou staring at her coldly. Her eyes seemed to imprison her entire body, as if trying to see right through her.
"Have you... said that to me somewhere before?"
Rate on N.U.
