By the time Xu Xiaoyou opened her eyes again, the surroundings had become noisy.
Unknowingly, the carriage she was in had become full of people.
The train traveled from high altitude toward the ground. As the altitude decreased, the pitch-black starry night outside the window was gradually replaced by bright, glowing clouds.
Through the window, she saw a world covered in vast white snow. A line of pale gold light was spreading across the horizon, waking up this world of snow.
The steel bulwarks stretching into the sky were covered in etched marks. Roaring, dancing snowflakes condensed into frost on the surface of the car window. Prism-like buildings rose from the ground. The city was like a brilliant gem on a crown, reflecting colorful light.
Xu Xiaoyou knew about this European-style architecture; it had been meticulously categorized during the initial design phase. Those arches and pillars were arranged according to the golden ratio because such proportions brought a natural visual beauty to people. 0.618, the approximate value of the golden ratio, could often be seen in various works of art, including but not limited to paintings, architecture, and sculpture.
Examples included the "Mona Lisa", the Parthenon, and the Venus de Milo.
It seemed she had arrived at the Star of Art, Xu Xiaoyou thought. It really only took five seconds from the train's departure to reach her destination, and nothing unexpected happened.
As the hive city with the most developed economy, the most stable public security, the most spiritually enriched people, and the most romantic atmosphere within Universal Heavy Industries' sphere of influence...
The Star of Art had too many famous aspects. All sorts of oil paintings, sculptures, songs, and many big stars whose fame echoed throughout the universe basically came from this place.
Just like its name, it was the most dazzling star under the universe.
The works of art born here were not just aesthetically pleasing. Take oil paintings, for example. An oil painting titled "The Starry Night" once fetched a staggering price of three million inspiration at an auction in Chichutian, shocking the entire universe and blowing up every social forum at the time.
This was because staying near this painting could help magic-based classes focus their minds, strengthening their perception and understanding of the elements, and even allowing their consciousness to extend into mysterious realms to establish contact with ancient beings.
Though this wasn't necessarily a good thing, as for most people with weak wills, the outcome of contact with those beings was either madness or insanity.
That piece of work was ultimately not sold but was instead kept in the Star of Art's local museum for future generations to visit.
The train slowly pulled into the platform.
Xu Xiaoyou observed the other figures in the carriage. They were all wealthy or noble, wearing various well-known luxury brands. At a glance, they were senior talents from various companies, dispatched to this hive city for business.
In contrast, she wore a most ordinary white hoodie and loose cargo pants, looking almost like a stowaway by comparison.
To be able to gather people departing for the Star of Art from all over the world at the same time into this single train...
The spatial technology mastered by Skywing Spacetime was even more miraculous than she had imagined.
"The train has arrived at the hive city, Star of Art. All passengers, please remain calm after organizing your luggage. Train crew members will arrive soon to guide you to the platform."
Aside from those elite professionals, there were also young masters and ladies from various major families holding hands like couples. The Star of Art was also a famous dating destination with many popular tourist spots. Combined with its overall artistic and romantic atmosphere, it attracted couples from all over the world.
Xu Xiaoyou stood up and patted herself down.
The two tall figures next to her seat also stood up at the same time. They were both wearing Universal Heavy Industries uniforms, their auras restrained. Only then did Xu Xiaoyou notice their presence.
She raised an eyebrow.
"Miss Xu."
One of the figures walked to her side and bowed his head.
"We were sent by Universal Heavy Industries to protect your personal safety during your trip. My name is Lin Sheng, and this is my younger brother, Lin Xing."
Xu Xiaoyou knew it. Universal Heavy Industries wouldn't just let an S-rank employee run around outside.
While they called it protection, these two brothers were actually sent by the company specifically to monitor her.
She had long heard of the shadows cultivated by Universal Heavy Industries, who were specifically responsible for missions like assassination and surveillance.
This was her first time meeting a shadow. In her impression, they were like the taciturn killers in movies, lurking in the shadows and slitting targets' throats before they even sensed danger.
She hadn't been able to feel their presence at all just now, which meant only one thing.
Their strength was far greater than hers, and they were able to hide their presence perfectly. They might be at the level of grade 2 or even grade 3 fixers.
"For the next month, we ask for your kind cooperation, Miss Xu."
Seeing that the two were fairly polite to her, Xu Xiaoyou blinked.
"And if I don't cooperate, what then?"
Upon hearing this, fine beads of sweat broke out on the two shadows' foreheads.
They had also only come after receiving a temporary dispatch mission from the company. It was a red commission of the highest level, which meant this seemingly pure and harmless girl was at least an S-rank employee.
Every employee classified as S-rank by the company was extremely dangerous. They either possessed the combat power of a high-grade fixer or had the means to change the layout of a hive city. Not to mention, this girl came from the security department.
They knew very well what the situation was like in the security department of Universal Heavy Industries' headquarters where they served.
There wasn't a single kind soul there...
Moreover, they had heard that a newly promoted S-rank employee in the Corrupt Hive City had single-handedly resolved a disaster-level urban legend.
It was hard not to associate this girl with that incident.
What was even more terrifying was that they actually couldn't sense the girl's true strength.
How could someone capable of resolving a disaster-level urban legend be just a grade 1 fixer!?
There was only one possibility...
The two shadows swallowed hard.
This seemingly harmless girl possessed the strength of a grade 4 fixer, or perhaps even higher!
She was hiding her true power.
At the thought of this, they were drenched in cold sweat.
Is the company fucking kidding us?
Asking two grade 3 fixers to monitor a monster like this? If she suddenly went on a rampage, could they really control the situation?
Xu Xiaoyou's ahoge twitched.
This feeling was strange. Why did these two guys suddenly act so afraid of her just because of one joke? What was with this look of facing a great enemy?
But she didn't think too much about it. After yawning, she followed the surging crowd out of the train.
She had to find a way to shake off these two shadows.
After getting off the train, the platform was brightly lit. Bustling figures passed in front of the train's long, silver-gray body. This steel beast lay in the snow, falling into a deep slumber.
The station's dome cast a large shadow, and thick snow had accumulated in the nearby plaza.
It was still early, so there weren't many people in the plaza. It was quiet and cold, with the occasional person walking by holding a morning paper and drinking coffee.
The people here were dressed like gentlemen, in British-style coats and hats, looking meticulous from head to toe, with even their neckties tied into beautiful bowties.
Xu Xiaoyou even had a strange premonition that at any moment, a person with a high bridge of the nose and a smile would walk up to her and ask in a genuine Star of Art accent, "Oh, how are you today, beautiful lady?"
The station exit was fairly lively. People coming to the Star of Art from all over the world would let out exclamations of "Wow—" upon seeing the grand and aesthetic buildings, then pull out their devices and start snapping photos.
Under the streetlights, fluorescent yellow points of light filtered through, like fireflies fluttering in the air.
The cold wind crawled into her sleeves, and a chilly sensation came from her skin. Xu Xiaoyou dared a sneeze.
"Achoo!"
The two shadows shuddered.
Her red nose tip twitched slightly. After pulling out a tissue to wipe her nose, she rubbed her arms and glanced at the two men beside her as if nothing were wrong.
"It's freezing. No one ever mentioned the weather in the Star of Art was this cold. It must be ten degrees below zero..."
One of the shadows took the hint. He produced a brand-new military coat from nowhere, shook it out, and draped it over the blonde girl's head.
It's probably a spatial ring or something similar, Xu Xiaoyou thought.
Her already short body looked even smaller enveloped in the military coat. Xu Xiaoyou had to exert quite a bit of effort to poke her head out of the garment.
After putting on the fleece-lined coat, Xu Xiaoyou felt much warmer. She stood on her tiptoes slightly and blew into her hands near her mouth.
Steaming mist rose into the air, warming her cold hands.
At this moment, the sky wasn't fully bright yet. Half the sky was stained with the red of dawn, while the other half looked gray under the wind and snow.
Under the glow of the streetlights, the girl's face was flushed red by the snow. The two shadows suddenly felt that she was quite cute.
"Are you guys hungry?" Xu Xiaoyou suddenly asked.
The two shadows looked at each other.
Rate on N.U.
