It was a bizarre and phantasmagoric dream.
A daydream, a dream of wandering cloud whales, a dream so real one didn't want to wake up.
Gazing at the golden city structures on the distant shore, Bai Youyou didn't know when this dream would end for her.
What exactly was she?
What kind of personality should she present to others?
Which personality was supposed to be the real her?
When she woke up from the dream, had she already fallen into a deeper dream?
The boundary between reality and virtuality was too blurry for her, so much so that her concept of self had always been vague. Sometimes she would wonder if she was a living person or just a bundle of pre-programmed sequences. Did the emotions she showed originate from herself or from the established code of a program?
She could feel her own fragmentation, yet she was unable to piece the fragments together.
She had been lost in this daydream for a long time.
So long that she couldn't even tell if her smiles were out of her own will.
Bai Youyou shook her head. The blue-haired girl beside her walked up. Tang Xin was wearing a khaki trench coat, her short boots clicking against the stone slabs along the riverbank. Her waist-length low ponytail made her look like a capable private detective.
This was the first time the two of them were alone together. Bai Youyou originally thought she would have many topics to discuss with her, but now that they were alone, she realized that even who should speak first was a problem.
If it was going to be an awkward conversation, it was better not to talk at all. Silence was golden. In this place where gold was everywhere, this piece of gold was actually not that conspicuous. Perhaps letting this silence continue was a good choice.
Bai Youyou thought to herself.
She had been alone these past few days, her routine fixed. She would wake up in the morning, take a hot shower, brew a cup of coffee, and then sit on the sofa to handle the things she hadn't finished the day before. Occasionally, she would receive tasks from the Fixer Association or the Order Court and complete them in passing; she was currently writing a resignation letter to be sent to the association.
First, she truly couldn't spare the time. Second, she believed that nothing could be changed. This world was like a tree root corroded by woodworms; if the root of the disease wasn't removed, trying to wipe out the woodworms was absolutely impossible.
Overall, she was a little bit pessimistic. Angelina must have infected her with it.
"Aren't you going to try and say something?" Bai Youyou finally couldn't help but speak. "You were the one who invited me to come out for a walk." She was confident this wouldn't be awkward conversation.
Tang Xin blinked.
Bai Youyou sighed.
Fine, she was going to mess it up.
Meijiu must have infected her with this too.
"We don't necessarily have to talk about something," Tang Xin said suddenly. "Just clearing our minds and taking a walk like this is actually quite nice."
"Your schedule must be very tight, right?"
"Why do you ask?" Tang Xin turned her head and asked.
"Didn't that guy deliberately arrange for you—"
"I turned them all down," Tang Xin replied. "Who wants to indulge that guy's twisted sense of humor?"
Bai Youyou wasn't surprised.
"Do you ever feel lost?" Tang Xin asked suddenly.
"I feel lost right now because I don't know how to answer that question."
"Is it too abrupt?" Tang Xin nodded. "Fine, maybe a little, but I still hope you can answer."
Bai Youyou knew well that given the girl's stubborn personality, if she didn't answer, the other wouldn't let it go easily.
"I wouldn't say I'm very lost, because I know the goal and what I can still do now."
"Do you feel lost about your 'self'?"
Those deep blue eyes looked over earnestly. As a mind inquisitor, Bai Youyou had the feeling of being seen through. She knew her confusion couldn't escape the other's eyes.
Perhaps with the other's delicate mind, she had noticed her confusion long ago and was only bringing it up today.
"I know what you want to ask, but I'm really not lost."
"A lonely boat swaying in the middle of the sea might feel lost because of the heavy wind and waves, but it won't give up on reaching its destination. That's pretty much my state."
"There's no need to try and talk me out of anything. I'm very clear about my own situation. I evaluate my mental state every day, and this morning's assessment result was upper-middle."
"But isn't it already dangerous once the assessment falls below 'good'?" Tang Xin asked.
"Finding the truth before reaching the destination would certainly be better, but not finding the truth doesn't mean I'll give up on the goal of reaching the destination. Don't worry, I won't suddenly disappear," Bai Youyou said, voicing the concern in the other's heart.
"If you're worried about anyone disappearing, whether it's Angelina, Xu Xiaoyou, or Meijiu, you can tell me. I'll keep an eye on them."
Tang Xin stopped in her tracks upon hearing this.
"Section 6... do you know about them?"
Bai Youyou lifted her eyelids slightly. "That bunch of problem children? What about them?"
Tang Xin let out a light chuckle and shook her head.
"No, nothing."
The two of them arrived beneath the square's large screen. Many team analysts were stationed there, and a stir went through the crowd as tomorrow's match schedule had just come out. The two of them, still in pajamas, were very conspicuous in the crowd. Xu Xiaoyou yawned as Angelina rested her chin on her head.
Seeing the two arrive, the exhaustion on Xu Xiaoyou's face vanished instantly. She was very enthusiastic and, regardless of whether the two resisted, gave them each a big hug.
The group walked into the coffee shop. The clock on the wall ticked away. They crossed the living room and arrived in a relatively quiet space.
The clamor from the square gradually faded away.
Xu Xiaoyou snapped her fingers, and a tactical blackboard slid out quickly. Looking at the circle of girls watching her, she didn't rush into today's topic but instead gave a mysterious smile.
"Light-Chaser Garden is about to have an internal tactical meeting. I'll have to ask everyone from Assassin's Creed to leave first."
Several people materialized and left without a word.
"Three more. Do I need to ask you to leave?"
The remaining three scratched their heads and materialized one by one, walking away with large strides under the girls' scrutinizing gazes.
"Those guys really are..."
"You probably saw it just now. Our opponent for the next qualifier is Assassin's Creed."
"And our guerrilla, Meijiu, likely won't be able to participate in this qualifier," Xu Xiaoyou said in a regretful tone. "Su Sui will play as a substitute and join us for this qualifier."
"The purpose of bringing you here today is to analyze the members of Assassin's Creed."
The chalk under the tactical blackboard flew up automatically and began to write with a scratchy sound.
Xu Xiaoyou put on her glasses and tapped the blackboard with an air of importance, signaling everyone to look over.
"As everyone knows, Assassin's Creed is a team composed entirely of guerrillas. But if we break it down internally, we can still distinguish a buffer and a commander."
"As the core of the team, the guild leader of Assassin's Creed, Lu Shuhang, serves as the commander. Having dealt with him for so long, aside from Nanjiamu, I dare say no one in Oasis knows him better than I do. Don't look at how he usually seems quiet and reserved; this guy is a total scheming boy."
"And his girlfriend, Xiao Xinzhu, serves as the buffer. Her class is a Fate-Playing Musician, a stalker who possesses a few buffing abilities."
Rate on N.U.
