Looking at the food before them, the mouths of the two shadows twitched uncontrollably.
There were tentacles of ambiguous origin, a purple liquid emitting billows of steam, a sprinkling of powdered sugar, floating objects that looked like eyeballs, and a fish head right in the center.
That fish eye was still moving...
Can this thing really be eaten?
This Lovecraftian-style dish even had a literary name—Stargazy Pie.
"I haven't eaten in so long, I'm starving."
Xu Xiaoyou snapped a pair of chopsticks apart.
The expressions of the two shadows grew increasingly grim as they watched the young girl bring a still-wriggling tentacle to her lips, then suck it into her mouth with a slurping sound.
Crunch—
Xu Xiaoyou bit through the tentacle.
It was crisp, tender, and chewy; it actually tasted quite similar to blanched octopus tentacles.
'It would be even better if I had some soy sauce to dip it in,' Xu Xiaoyou thought.
The taste of this dish wasn't as bad as its appearance suggested.
This small shop, with its luxurious decor, was located right next to the station. At this moment, the shop was filled with figures—tourists from other places.
The rich retro atmosphere reminded Xu Xiaoyou of a noble's tavern. Exquisite oil paintings hung on the walls, the floors were made of aged wooden planks, and a faint fruity scent drifted through the air. The display cases at the counter showcased fine ornaments and artworks, which reflected a charming luster under the light of the crystal chandeliers.
The lively atmosphere and the aroma of food converged in the air above the shop, blending into a flowing poem.
The lingering sound of a violin melody echoed through the shop, the tune beautiful and brisk, creating a warm ambiance.
As the first stop for the Star of Art to establish a good impression on outside tourists, the shop's control over its dishes was naturally strict.
The shop's name was also quite literary—The Fifth Line of Verse.
"The famous oil painting master Mr. Vantel is set to hold a press conference tomorrow to unveil his work 'Impression: Sunset.' Whether it can become another milestone on the path of art, let us wait and see."
"Renowned singer Britney has been exposed for plagiarism in her single 'Planetary Wanderer' from her new album 'Three-Dimensional Space.' The melody is similar to multiple songs and the lyrics are stitched together, sparking controversy. Currently, Britney herself has posted on social media claiming she is gathering evidence and will sue the slanderers one by one."
"The auditions for the new Starry Art Competition are about to begin. During the pre-competition period, various talent agencies have increased their promotional efforts for their artists. Fans are showing their support on social platforms, and one can see the people's enthusiasm for this competition..."
In the footage, before the reporter could finish, a person suddenly rushed out from a fan support group passing through the park behind them, grabbed the microphone, and shouted at the camera:
"Please support my big brother, Little Cauliflower Meow!"
"My big brother's new album 'Addiction' has reached sales of two hundred thousand across the network! The single 'Withered Rose' alone has topped the Nebula Music Chart for half a month! He was even selected as one of the ten outstanding song creators of the New Era Year 531..."
"Calm down, miss, we are still live."
Watching the content on the television, Xu Xiaoyou thought to herself that the Star of Art was quite prosperous in the entertainment sector.
It made sense; with advanced network technology and stable public security, people didn't have to worry about their daily meals. They turned instead to the pursuit of spiritual fulfillment. Coupled with the overall atmosphere of the Star of Art, this type of industry would naturally grow wildly.
"Recently, the number of the depleted in the Keyboard District is still increasing. Citizens are requested to reduce unnecessary outings after nine o'clock in the evening. If you encounter danger, you can seek help from the nearest tuner through your personal curtain."
The two shadows were also looking up at the television. It was only when they looked down that they realized the girl was quietly resting her chin on her hands, blinking as she watched them.
The two felt their skin crawl from being stared at, and they scratched their heads in confusion.
"Which one of you is Lin Xing, and which one is Lin Sheng?"
One couldn't blame Xu Xiaoyou; these two shadows really looked too much alike, a pair of twin brothers.
It was already hard to tell them apart by their face shapes and eyes, and they were both wearing black masks that covered half of their faces.
"I am Lin Sheng, he is Lin Xing."
The man with a scar at the corner of his brow said. He appeared much more composed, whereas the youth beside him would occasionally show a bit of fluster and look away when meeting her gaze.
"Did you guys bring any money?" Xu Xiaoyou asked.
Lin Sheng and Lin Xing: "..."
"I'll go exchange some money. You watch her. Absolutely, under no circumstances, let her out of your sight. Do you hear me?"
Before leaving, Lin Sheng instructed Lin Xing with an incredibly solemn expression.
"Remember, she is very dangerous, and her movements are unpredictable. No one knows what a person like her is thinking. Do not be deceived by her appearance. Moreover, she is a strategic talent for the company. If anything goes wrong with her, both of us will suffer!"
"I know, Brother."
Lin Xing said, but looking at his expression, he seemed rather distracted.
As a shadow, he had been trained by Universal Heavy Industries as a killing machine since childhood, growing up in a closed environment.
He was expert in everything from disguise, assassination, reconnaissance, and close-quarters combat to various technical methods. In the past, his mission targets were either political and business big shots or high-level company employees, but this was the first time he had contact with a female like this.
Was the person really as dangerous as the intel suggested? An S-rank employee who cleared a disaster-level urban legend alone and killed without blinking?
But she clearly looked like a most ordinary, even somewhat cute, girl.
Noticing his fidgety, boyish expression, Lin Sheng was speechless, but he couldn't say much more. He simply emphasized his point seriously once again before turning to leave.
Lin Xing cleared his throat twice; he couldn't forget his mission.
As a shadow, he still possessed professional discipline.
He kept a close eye on Xu Xiaoyou. Once she did anything out of line, he would...:
"Ouch, my stomach hurts so much." Xu Xiaoyou suddenly clutched her stomach, her brows knitting together.
Her expression was very vivid, every detail on her face was just right—a consummate actress.
Lin Xing was truly thrown into a panic by this sudden scene: "You... are you okay?"
"I must have eaten something bad. It must be that Stargazy Pie from just now. I need to go to the bathroom!"
Xu Xiaoyou stood up holding her stomach and ran toward the restroom.
"Wait!"
Lin Xing reached out and shouted at the girl's receding back.
Xu Xiaoyou turned around, her large eyes looking pitiful: "What is it?"
Lin Xing's expression faltered slightly. After coughing twice, he looked away again.
"You cannot leave our sight. This is a requirement from the company high-ups."
"Are you going to enter the ladies' room?"
"Of course not!"
Lin Xing closed his eyes and shouted.
"What kind of person do you take me for?"
"Then that's that. Surely you don't have the heart to watch a beautiful girl faint from stomach pain?"
"But..." Lin Xing looked troubled.
"This shop is only this big. It's not like I can vanish into thin air, right?" Xu Xiaoyou said.
Lin Xing thought about it and felt that what she said made sense.
He was staying right here. No matter how dangerous she was or how eerie her abilities were, she couldn't possibly evaporate in front of him, could she?
And so, he completely forgot the instructions Lin Sheng had repeatedly emphasized earlier.
Time passed minute by minute. Lin Xing recalled the girl's pure and moving appearance just now, his head leaning against the wall of the hallway. His thoughts were like a floating balloon, drifting further away bit by bit.
Finally, he let out a silly smile.
'She really is cute.'
Soon, the sound of hands being washed came from the restroom, and a moment later, a blonde girl walked out.
She looked no different than before. She wiped the water off with a dry towel, her face expressionless:
"Let's go."
Rate on N.U.
