The girl's soft ears were hidden beneath her smooth, jet-black hair, and her eyes were as clear as rubies, revealing a hint of confusion. Her pure white military uniform accentuated her tall, straight figure, exuding an invisible charisma and a cold aura that kept strangers at bay.
In the frozen ti, upon seeing the familiar face branded deep within her mory, countless possibilities and response plans flashed through Xu Xiaoyou's mind. All the frozen and complex emotions shattered into pieces under the girl's inquiry, vanishing without a trace.
"Do you know ?"
"I..."
Whether from relief after intense nervousness or from falling into deeper emotions, her eyes sowhat unfocused, Xu Xiaoyou swallowed before her senses returned when Bai Youyou reminded her again. She adjusted all her facial expressions to the most appropriate state.
"The Four-winged Investigator from the Association has arrived at Chichu Heaven, I've heard. Is it too much of a coincidence that my client is actually you, Miss Bai Youyou?"
"I'll go change clothes first."
Bai Youyou shook her head, "There's no need; this is fine." She realized the oddity as soon as she finished speaking. Why did she instinctively think that it didn't matter if the other party was informal when they were together?
Though she was only encountering the famous Dark Gold Rose for the first ti, it felt as if they had known each other well long before. Had she t her before?
The outright answer was no. She had grown up training in the simulated Light Chasing Tower in Oasis since childhood, missing her coming-of-age ceremony, and only recently woke up from the container she had stayed in for eighteen years to truly experience this world for the first ti...
Because of this confusion and perplexity, the stark conflict between mory and instinct had plunged her into confusion and bewildernt over the past few days. She even doubted if she was truly the owner of this body. However, her mories were so clear and profound that Order Court's researchers assured her it was a normal reaction, attributing her unconscious actions to Sea of Consciousness deviation syndro from being imrsed in a container for eighteen years.
Amidst her thoughts, Bai Youyou followed Xu Xiaoyou downstairs; she noticed the other was holding her hand. She was always resistant to physical contact with others, which was why she wore gloves. Yet, she didn't feel that instinctive resistance towards this blonde girl's touch.
The mysteries kept piling up, layers of enigmas descended upon her, suffocating Bai Youyou like soone stuck in a quagmire, the more she struggled, the deeper she sank. The more she wanted to dispel the fog and clarify everything, the more this unknown misty world sought to strip away her every sense.
A sharp pain seized her heart and chest, and she heard Xu Xiaoyou's concerned voice beside her, "You don't look well; have you rembered sothing?"
It was as if a pair of hands pulled Bai Youyou up from beneath the water, the ringing in her ears faded, everything around beca clear. She found herself sitting at the bar, beside rows of slot machines, where won addicted to gambling sat shoulder to shoulder, jointly resisting this mysterious Association investigator.
Light connected in a line along the patterns, thoughts returned, and Xu Xiaoyou's concerned gaze t hers, passing a Red Pogranate Ocean to Bai Youyou. The bartender behind the counter stood with perfect posture, his gaze seasoned and resolute, temples graying as he polished the crystal glass in his hand.
It was indeed Sebastian. Xu Xiaoyou greeted the old bartender, who nodded in acknowledgnt and continued with his work.
"I'm treating you to this drink; I thought it might suit your taste," Xu Xiaoyou said with a smile.
Bai Youyou intended to refuse on business grounds, but her hand raised the glass in front of her unconsciously. She smiled awkwardly, her pale red lips taking gentle sips at the rim of the glass.
The unexpectedly smooth taste, the alcohol's kick wasn't strong. The brandy's llow texture balanced the whiskey, with more of a pogranate-grape fruitiness, and the aging wooden barrel's aroma signaling 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 certainly rembered that night by the seaside, followed by their bar venture where they drank till drunk, and the girl personally introduced her to this cocktail nad 'Red Pogranate Ocean'. That was the first ti Bai Youyou bared her heart to Xu Xiaoyou, pouring out all her troubles, concerns, and aspirations. At that ti, the girl embraced her, rested her forehead against her chest, claiming she'd pack Bai Youyou into her suitcase to take her away before leaving.
"Before receiving guests, I always try to investigate my clients, at least to discern their personality and preferences."
"If that's the case, then I should arrest you," Bai Youyou held her face, "I am an Association investigator. My personal information is absolutely confidential. If you found a way to discover my affairs, there's no mistake in arresting you."
"I never said I found your information. As I ntioned, I tried to investigate you, but found nothing. I rely thought this Red Pogranate Ocean matched your aura well," Xu Xiaoyou replied with an unchanged expression.
"Sly tongue," Bai Youyou muttered with a snort.
Soon after, she realized her attitude was sowhat odd and silently straightened her posture, her tone gaining an elent of distance and clarity.
Before coming here, Bai Youyou had ntally prepared herself. She was extrely averse to this kind of customary store, and when her instinctual contact turned out to be a blonde girl, she thought she might have been mistaken.
Perhaps it was the other's gentle deanor, an appearance inexplicably inviting closer proximity, or perhaps her humorous and witty conversation, for now her perception of everything here had altered.
At least she held a favorable impression of Xu Xiaoyou before her.
After a bit of casual chatting, Xu Xiaoyou nonchalantly broached the main topic.
"So, why did the investigator decide to co to such a place and specifically request to serve you?" Xu Xiaoyou asked, sipping the golden tulip in her cup.
"Investigators have their own troubles. As for the na-calling, is it possible I just happened to pick you? The people here handed a list and your na was at the top, catching anyone's first glance."
"Besides, the renowned Dark Gold Rose arouses natural curiosity to unveil the mystery..."
Bai Youyou didn't know the Red Pogranate Ocean that Xu Xiaoyou chose for her was smooth on entry, yet the alcohol content was actually very high, its aroma rich and the glorious dark red exterior hiding the gaze of a snake. Shortly after, slight tipsiness already appeared on the girl's face.
Xu Xiaoyou smiled and listened attentively, realizing that her counterpart was just like before, explaining her actions when feeling guilty. Through their brief interaction, Xu Xiaoyou speculated that Bai Youyou's mory was tampered with upon returning to Order Court, though the reason remained unclear; she sensed sothing amiss in the tiny details.
"You are quite adorable."
Bai Youyou didn't respond. Xu Xiaoyou lowered her head to stir the drink in her glass, then looked up to find Bai Youyou staring at her with a cold expression, her eyes imprisoning Xu Xiaoyou's entire body within them, as if threatening to see through her soul.
"Did you tell that sowhere before?"
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