NOVEL NEXT Chapter 21
“Sorry, Sister, I made you wait too long.”
Xia’er sat opposite Li Qi and took a sip from the coffee cup in front of her.
Only when she was in front of Li Qi did her agitated heart truly calm down. The violent emotions that usually arose upon seeing others slowly dissipated.
The persistent throbbing in her head and the burning flames in her heart were definitely not her usual state.
Xia’er had always been someone who avoided conflicts and tried to keep a low profile, all to maintain a peaceful life.
Now, the various violent thoughts and impulses, along with the faint sounds in her mind, must be caused by the potion’s influence.
A potion… Could it really change a person’s personality so drastically?
Luckily, this is all happening in the simulation. Whatever outlandish actions she takes won’t affect reality.
From Yulis’ account, potions seemed not to be limited to just one bottle. “Avengers” and “Reformed Monks” might have even more potions above them.
If drinking more potions leads to greater influence, Xia’er wasn’t sure if she could control the violent thoughts triggered by the potion later on.
“N-no… I just waited for a while.”
Li Qi subtly wiped her eyes with her sleeve and lowered her head, holding the coffee cup.
She hadn’t been to the city center often, and such high-end places were rarer still. If Xia’er hadn’t told her to wait here, she might never have entered such a beautiful café in her lifetime.
“What’s wrong?” Xia’er noticed Li Qi’s unusual mood. She tilted her head slightly, trying to look at Li Qi’s face, but Li Qi buried her head even lower. “Are you angry?”
“No…” Li Qi took a deep breath and lifted her head. But when she saw Xia’er, she froze.
“Xia’er?” Li Qi didn’t notice, but her voice was slightly louder than before, “Your hair?”
No wonder Li Qi was surprised. Her younger sister had always had long red hair reaching her waist, but now it was suddenly cut short to shoulder length, and curly. Although it was still pretty, it felt odd to Li Qi.
And, whether it was her imagination or not, she felt that her sister’s gaze had become sharper.
“I spent some time getting a haircut,” Xia’er smiled and took out the prepared excuse, “Do you like it?”
“It’s nice.” Li Qi nodded and lightly laughed, “It looks like those noble ladies.”
She didn’t ask where Xia’er got the money, knowing that Xia’er often helped some noble ladies with their homework and earned some pocket money.
Suddenly, Li Qi remembered something. She pulled out a small gift box from her pocket and handed it to Xia’er, “Little Xia’er, happy birthday! Congratulations on your successful graduation.”
Graduation?
Xia’er was stunned.
She only then remembered that today was her graduation ceremony.
But looking at her current situation, Xia’er seemed to have stayed home to prepare instead of attending the ceremony.
Xia’er reached out to take the gift, carefully opening the box to reveal a delicate rose brooch inside.
“It’s so beautiful, I love it. Thank you, Sister~” Xia’er didn’t hold back her praise and directly pinned the brooch onto her robe.
“Good to hear.” Seeing her sister’s happiness, Li Qi’s mood gradually lifted from its earlier gloom. However, the more she looked, the more she felt that her sister was different now.
But she couldn’t pinpoint exactly what had changed.
New robe? That might be the one for the graduation ceremony. And what about the bandages on her hands? And just now, she clearly heard Xia’er directly insult someone at the door. Her usually timid sister wouldn’t act like that, right?
“Good evening, Misses.”
A gentle greeting from beside startled Li Qi and interrupted her thoughts. She quickly lowered her head, while Xia’er looked towards the newcomer.
Ten minutes passed.
After staying in the café for about ten minutes, Xia’er had already received seven or eight exquisitely handwritten business cards.
They seemed eager to introduce themselves, as if they rarely saw someone dressed in this kind of robe. They hoped Xia’er would recognize them.
Among them were minor nobles and mostly merchants, as if knowing her could bring them some benefit.
Xia’er accepted the cards but soon left the café with Li Qi.
She always felt that wearing this robe in the café was too conspicuous, so it would be better to go home and change clothes early.
Anyway, the matter had been resolved, and she only needed to wait for further developments.
The two of them held an umbrella and strolled in the light rain towards their homes, chatting about many things along the way, including Xia’er’s decision not to attend university.
Liqi seemed to have changed her attitude toward Xia’er not attending university. She also believed that Xia’er going to the police station to earn money and save up for tuition would be better.
Liqi experienced the gap between people very thoroughly in the café. She discarded some naive thoughts and realized something:
— Even if one manages to do what is beyond their social class, it will not lead to good results.
She could also somewhat understand Xia’er’s feelings. Her classmates were either wealthy or from prominent families, while her own family was poor. Whether it was school or making friends, Xia’er faced unimaginable pressure.
Liqi jokingly recounted what happened in the café, but Xia’er remained silent.
She only thought that the downtown café was a safe place, but she did lack consideration for Liqi’s feelings.
Fortunately, when she returned to reality, she could make everything not happen.
Back in the Clock Tower Lane District, the streets began to get muddy, and one had to watch out for small puddles while walking.
As they walked on South Stone Street, nearing their homes, they heard some noisy voices and occasional barking dogs ahead.
A large crowd was gathered there, commenting noisily. With a loud whistle and a few curses, the crowd gradually dispersed, revealing the police cordon inside.
“What’s happening?” Liqi asked.
“I don’t know.” Xia’er said without changing her expression.
As they approached the cordon, a man in a police cloak and a high hat quickly stepped in front of them, blocking their path.
“Didn’t you hear? Everyone, disperse, don’t come any closer,” the man’s voice was somewhat impatient, as if he had done this many times.
“Officer, our house is at 44, we have to pass through here,” Xia’er explained, “We just came back from downtown.”
“Oh, sorry, there were too many people watching earlier. Come, I’ll take you through. Don’t touch anything at the scene,” the man apologized, taking off his hat to reveal a balding head. Then he gestured for them to follow.
“Officer, can you tell us what happened?” Liqi asked curiously.
“Goddess bless us, it’s the Blackwater Gang fighting among themselves. The leader of the Blackwater Gang is dead, but fortunately, all the dead are gang members,” the officer explained as he continued walking.
On the way, Xia’er could still hear several policemen discussing something around the body.
“Hey, it feels like we can easily conclude this case. They shot each other.
“Boss… how come these two pistols look exactly the same?
“Mine looks exactly like yours too, idiot.
“Oh… but I feel like the number of bullets doesn’t match. Can I dissect the body to check?
“You want to cut him open? Goddess, are you a savage?
“Report! There are two bodies in the alley, both from the Blackwater Gang!
“Report! A black-robed man’s clothes contained two notebooks, one resembling the Salvation Goddess Religion’s, with nothing written in it, and the other seems to be the black-robed man’s diary.
“Salvation Goddess Religion? Let me see… everyone, stop immediately. You, quickly ride your horse back to the investigation department at the police station, and bring those damned notebooks!
“Yes…
After passing through the scene, the officer stopped in front of 44, gesturing them to enter. “Please, ladies, it’s best not to go out at night recently.”
“Thank you, Officer,” Liqi thanked him and pulled Xia’er into the house, closing the door behind them.
The officer, looking at the petite figure in the long robe, frowned slightly. He thought he recognized the pattern on the robe but couldn’t remember where he had seen it before.
Soon, he was called away to regroup, and he shook off the thought, hurrying after the others.
What was there to think about? It was just a pretty girl coming back from shopping.