"Hello, I want this one. How much is it?"
After a period of careful selection, from a pile of seemingly exquisite pocket watches, Vill-V chose one that looked somewhat gaudy.
Beneath the watch's cover, the hands had stopped turning at some unknown time, like a dead thing sleeping in the long river of time.
"Oh, you want this one?"
The old man raised his head, slightly adjusting the monocle before his eye. He looked at the pocket watch thoughtfully, an imperceptible glint flashing in his eyes.
"This watch is very severely damaged. It's almost impossible for it to run again. Are you sure you want this, little girl?"
"Yes, I'm sure."
Vill-V nodded. Although she was speaking to the old man, her gaze couldn't help but drift back to the pocket watch.
That look was like a child who had just seen something new and fascinating.
Moreover, that kind of love for machinery could not be faked.
"Oh, is that so." The old man smiled and took the watch, a reminiscent look appearing in his eyes.
"Can you tell me why you like this pocket watch? You see, its style is so old-fashioned, and it's broken. Aside from being a collector's item, it doesn't have much meaning, does it?"
"Hm? Perhaps because it's special," Vill-V nodded, saying casually, "While I was looking just now, I found that there were actually many fine pieces hidden among the ordinary pocket watches."
"And among that pile of fine pieces, this was the only one that was broken. That's why it caught my eye."
"Oh, I see. You certainly have a good eye," the old man praised. Just as he was about to say more, Vill-V continued.
"Besides, ever since I started learning about mechanics, I've been making little inventions, but I've never actually repaired something."
Vill-V looked at the pocket watch as if she were looking at a world.
The old man sensed the strong confidence emanating from Vill-V. She firmly believed that anything she wanted to understand, she eventually could. She even believed that the entire world was like this pocket watch—no matter where it was broken, it could always be repaired.
For some reason, the old man felt a thrill he hadn't experienced in a long time. He put down the item he was repairing and revealed a sly smile.
"Is that so? However, this item has a rather special meaning to me. It was a gift from an old friend and holds extraordinary sentimental value."
"So?" Vill-V looked disappointed, thinking she might not be able to get it after all.
"So... you'll have to pay more."
???
Vill-V's face was a picture of bewilderment. Looking at the old man's cunning smile, she was at a loss for words for a moment.
However, as for money...
Vill-V turned her head and looked at Fu Li with pitiful eyes.
Fu Li just chuckled softly, pulling a black gold card from his coat. Under the envious gazes of the detective duo, he casually handed it to the old man.
"Charge it."
"Straight to the point!"
As the saying goes, the most charming moment for a man is when he pulls out his wallet. This applied just as well to a young boy.
Thus, the old man took the gold card and directly charged twenty thousand Euros, which was one hundred forty thousand Shenzhou currency.
"Yay! Li, you're the best!"
Seeing her beloved item in her possession, Vill-V happily threw her arms around Fu Li, rubbing her small head against his chin with a look of great affection.
"Yes, yes, I know. Happy birthday, Vill-V."
Fu Li smiled and patted Vill-V's head, gently pushing her away. He placed the pocket watch back in her hands and then said to the old man:
"Well then, since the transaction is complete, we'll be leaving."
"Mm, go on, go on."
The old man waved his hand, a warm smile on his face. His demeanor was a complete departure from when they had first entered.
Fu Li's group didn't say anything more and simply headed out of the shop.
---o---
Seven o'clock in the evening, as night began to fall.
Because she needed to prepare, Vill-V separated from the group as soon as they arrived at the theater, leaving the others to wander around the venue.
As this magic troupe already had considerable popularity, the seats were all filled.
However, since Fu Li had bought VIP tickets, the group wasn't worried about seating. While others were busy looking for their seats, they still had the leisure to play some small games to pass the time.
For instance, Charlotte's little game of guessing people's professions based on their appearance.
Watching the others having a lively chat over there, Fu Li was also feeling a bit bored. He walked along the theater's red carpet, silently observing a young man sitting in one of the upper seats.
Moriarty.
He was currently talking to a lavishly dressed young man. But compared to Moriarty's calmness, the expression on the other young man's face was clearly one of panic.
Is this person planning to ruin the birthday I prepared for Vill-V?
A flash of annoyance crossed Fu Li's mind. Just as he was about to have someone warn Moriarty, he was suddenly bumped from behind.
The next second, his clothes were soaked with milk tea.
Fu Li froze, then subconsciously turned around and steadied the girl who had bumped into him. Then, his expression froze completely.
This is... Klein?
Author's PS:
My condition has been really bad these past few days, sorry meow.