A new day dawned, and Cyan left her room still sleepy.
After the previous day's shopping spree, they both decided to just rest for the next day, even though a bit more mess of papers around the living room indicated that Lin Ling had worked some more before taking a break.
As a result of their shopping, Cyan was now wearing a white cardigan jacket, underneath which was a striped blouse alternating between cyan and white, and finally knee-length shorts in the same color as the jacket.
(Based on pop-up shop advertising)
She noticed that there were some specific items on the table near the sofa. Approaching and sitting on the sofa, she picked up what appeared to be a piece of paper with something written on it.
Good morning, Cyan.
If you're reading this, it's because I've gone to work, so I left this letter and a few things for you.
One is a copy of the door key. Since you'll be living here for a while, it's better for you to have one.
Cyan picked it up and ended up staring at the key in her hands for a few seconds.
I'll be out all day, but there's plenty of food in the kitchen, and I left an old phone and my number written down in case of emergency.
And remember, you're on vacation, so get some rest.
Cyan sighed as she finished reading the letter. Lin Ling worried too much. She knows he's doing this for her own good, and she's more grateful than ever, but even so, it's clear that she's not the only one who needs to rest.
Picking up the phone he mentioned, she realized it was really old, a basic phone only for calls. She certainly wouldn't be able to access something like the social network Fomo on it.
I think it's better for me to stay away from Fomo for a while too.
Putting the phone aside, she took her medicine and walked towards the kitchen, which she still found strange how close it was to the other rooms in the house.
It's strange... in the heroes tower, there were times when I lost track of where each room was on the floor.
Entering the kitchen, she stopped abruptly at the sight that met her eyes: the sink was still full of dirty dishes.
I shouldn't be surprised, he spent yesterday shopping with me.
Cyan already understood that Lin Ling didn't place much importance on these tasks in his life. Letting her gaze wander between the living room and the kitchen while taking her medicine, she began to get an idea.
What if I...
She went to the laundry room and looked for something she thought he might have kept.
If even Queen has one, why wouldn't he have one too... Here it is—
She found what she was looking for but was a little surprised by what she found. It was an apron, but specifically a Moon apron, with a large image of the heroine stretching across the apron while small stickers of what appeared to be a purple hair dryer were scattered across the image.
He really is a big fan of hers...
Cyan let out a nervous laugh as she put on the apron.
"Okay... this will be my way of helping him for helping me." She said to herself encouragingly.
Cyan didn't feel right about doing nothing for him; he also deserved help.
This won't be difficult... just follow what I've seen done at the orphanage, on TV, in movies, and so on... and it certainly won't be any harder than my routine as a hero.
Lin Ling had his forehead on his desk and his hands on his head. He was frustrated with his current situation. He had already managed to prepare a solid script for Moon and Nice's individual marketing requests, but he hadn't made any significant progress on the script for the couple of the month's marketing.
Damn, nothing seems really good... in the end, everything seems corny, or without any natural sign of a romantic encounter.
These were always the most difficult requests for him. It wasn't his fault that he didn't truly understand how a couple should act, especially the perfect couple.
These thoughts are only making me feel worse...
Lifting his head, a small yawn escaped him.
Even with time off, this tight deadline doesn't help, and now that I've had time off, Mr. Cheng will surely charge me more for this material...
Now letting out a groan of frustration, he let his gaze wander to his laptop...
3:20 p.m., I still have a long time here... maybe a little break will help...
Opening Fomo on his laptop, he began to search for anything interesting, especially about Moon, until a certain type of post began to appear frequently: posts about Lucky Cyan.
It was expected that they would talk about her... but it seems that it won't die down anytime soon...
Sing loud!!! @songlovexxx
I still can't believe it! How could they do that to Lucky Cyan?! She's an angel and we should show her gratitude.
#luckycyan #top10 #restluckycyan #whatisyourcolor
Replying to @songlovexxx
E-soul for X @esoul_thestrongest0111
It's about time. Lucky Cyan has been put on too high a pedestal. It's time for other heroes to shine in the music world.
#whatisyourcolor #luckycyan #esoultop1 #top10
Responding to @esoul_thestrongest0111
Live today as if there were no tomorrow!!! @bj_for_president
That's nonsense, Lucky Cyan reached the top because of her talent and dedication, she sings with passion and that's what made her different from everyone else.
#restluckycyan #luckycyan #top10 #whatisyourcolor
Responding to @bj_for_president
E-soul for X @esoul_thestrongest0111
Pfffttt... for someone who has the power of literal LUCK, dedication seems useless. She reached the top and couldn't handle the pressure. It's time for others to shine. It's just another cycle, and if she ends up being replaced, what's the problem?
#luckycyan #esoultop1 #top10 #whatisyourcolor
Responding to @esoul_thestrongest0111
Aura = X @x_new_type_the_hero
I think we're missing the point here. Lucky Cyan is taking a break from overwork. We all feel tired sometimes; she just needs some time off.
#luckycyan #restluckycyan #xaurafarming #top10 #whatisyourcolor
Responding to @x_new_type_the_hero
The world needs order! @queenthegoat0206
Do they think they can just take a hero's place like that? That's not how it works! Only those who are truly willing to get there will succeed.
#luckycyan #restluckycyan #top10 #whatisyourcolor
Responding to @queenthegoat0206
Luck will prevail in music @Idollucky0704
I really hope Lucky Cyan gets well soon. These people should calm down and wait for her return, not try to take her place!!!
#restluckycyan #luckycyan #cyanisthebestcolor #top10 #whatisyourcolor
Responding to @Idollucky0704
Dragon's Roar @dragonclaw0311
That's how the world works! The strong remain at the top and the weak fall under pressure.
Lucky Cyan is just another hero who faltered under the pressure of being a hero. Will someone better take her place? It will be best for her and everyone else.
#luckycyan #thestrongestwin #top10 #whatisyourcolor
What!? Replace her...
Lin Ling noticed that the hashtag #whatisyourcolor was trending on Fomo. Clicking on it, he found the type of post he had seen being discussed earlier.
Listen to the new big sound of the moment!!! @beefftasty2309
[Video]
#whatisyourcolor
It was a video of a guy who looked about the same age as him, singing and dancing in what looked like a homemade superhero costume. The costume was strange, with a mix of colors and stripes all over it.
On top of that, he wasn't a very good singer. Lin Ling would rather not listen to it a second time.
Browsing further through this hashtag, he found several similar videos, people singing and dancing in their own style. He found some that were really good and some that were not so good.
But what really surprised him was the fact that even small hero agencies were participating in this, posting videos of their heroes singing or even music videos about them.
SHINE TO THE WORLD!!! @starlightofficial
Here it is!!! The big moment everyone has been waiting for, the music video for the theme song of our great hero DoublePunch, currently ranked 337 and rising thanks to you.
[Video]
#whatisyourcolor
They really want to replace her!?
"Looks like even you're interested in this new trend."
Lin Ling was startled by this comment. Turning around, he found who he had expected to see: his department supervisor, Wang Ming. Wang Ming is one of the oldest employees at ToadMan. He looks noticeably older with dark circles under his eyes, he has gray hair in a small quiff, and he always wears more formal clothes, a simple suit without a tie.
"Well... I was interested in all the commotion at Fomo." Lin Ling replied, a little nervous about being caught like that.
"Don't worry... I was just surprised. You're usually only interested in Moon stuff, so it's a surprise to see this from you." Wang Ming finished with a sincere laugh to Lin Ling.
Lin Ling laughed a little at that too. Wang Ming is one of the people he respects most. Thanks to his help, he has come so far in this company. Wang Ming is a serious person, but he truly supports those in need. He is also one of the only people at work with whom Lin Ling can talk normally.
"Where have you been all day? I didn't see you in the morning and assumed you were off." Lin Ling commented, curious about his friend's absence.
Sighing, Wang Ming sat down at the table next to Lin Ling before beginning any explanation.
"You should feel lucky, you were the only one who got any time off. As for my disappearance, I was in a meeting with the Strategic Planning and Media team the whole time. Something big is coming..."
"What? But you already had the meeting for March last week, why another one now?"
"Well... you just saw the reason with your own eyes."
Lin Ling frowned at that.
"What do you mean, I just saw—" Lin Ling's eyes widened as he realized what he was referring to.
"Don't tell me..."
Wang Ming nodded, confirming Lin Ling's suspicions.
"Lucky Cyan's absence is something bigger than expected. She monopolized the music market in recent years, overshadowing old and even new artists, and now this crack that is her absence is growing rapidly. Soon it will become a crater, and people will give in to someone new, that is, if she doesn't make a comeback. People and hero agencies across the city X have already realized this, and now they want to fill the void that currently exists. It's only a matter of time before big hero companies like Treeman enter this race and take advantage of the people's desire. Our work will consequently be affected, so get ready, let's immerse ourselves in the music like never before.." Wang Ming calmly explained the whole situation to Lin Ling.
"I didn't imagine she would be missed so much..." Lin Ling said, surprised by this new information.
"Of course not." He rolled his eyes amusedly at Lin Ling. "Someone who only has eyes for the heroine Moon would never notice the absence of another."
"Come on, it's not that exaggerated!" Lin Ling replied defensively.
"Really? What about all those purchases of exclusive products? For example, that limited edition apron you once proudly mentioned, I'm sure you stayed up all night to buy it during the pre-sale." Wang Ming had a smug little smile on his face.
Lin Ling let out another groan of frustration as he put his hands over his face in embarrassment.
"Why do I even tell you these things!?"
This reaction drew a laugh from Wang Ming.
"PACK YOUR THINGS AND GET OUT OF HERE!"
The scene between the two friends was interrupted by the loud voice of a well-known person at work.
"Looks like the boss fired another one," Wang Ming commented as he and Lin Ling got up to look toward the boss's office.
A woman came out of the boss's office wiping away tears.
"That's four in two months. At this rate, the boss will only increase the fear of employees at work," Wang Ming commented with a sigh. Mr. Cheng had been more ruthless lately.
Asking for a bonus is really out of the question.
Lin Ling thought anxiously after seeing this scene.
"Don't worry, you're off the boss's radar for now," Wang Ming said calmly as he sat back down.
"Really?" Lin Ling asked curiously.
"Have you forgotten? Treeman is our biggest client, and you are primarily responsible for marketing their greatest heroes. Resigning at this point is not a good option, but don't take advantage of that." Wang Ming looked seriously at Lin Ling as a warning.
"Even so, the difficult thing is that I'm still stuck on certain requests," Lin Ling commented dejectedly.
"Your creativity is your most notable quality, and you got where you are thanks to it, so don't put yourself down just because of a small obstacle. You'll overcome it," Wang Ming tried to cheer up his friend in yet another of these situations.
Lin Ling nodded in response.
"But you know... do you know of any way I can earn more money at work?" Lin Ling asked a little hesitantly.
"Don't tell me it's for more Moon merchandise?" Wang Ming asked, exasperated by his friend's new initiative.
"No—actually, yes, I hope to buy more this month." Lin Ling let out a nervous laugh after that reply.
Wang Ming sighed as he searched for something on his desk.
"You and your Goddess... here." Wang Ming showed Lin Ling a folder.
"Is this...?"
"Requests for autonomous heroes, heroes who are willing to invest their own money in advertisements. These types of heroes are becoming increasingly rare, and for our company, the profit is small, after all, they are usually novice heroes and heroes with very low rankings who have little money to invest in their own careers, but for us, each completed request generates a small bonus directly to the account of the person responsible for the job. It's not much, but it's the best option you have, since asking the boss for anything is out of the question." Wang Ming finished explaining with boredom in his voice.
"Thank you, that will help me a lot—" Before Lin Ling could grab the folder, Wang Ming pulled it back.
"First of all, I have to approve the transfer of responsibility for these orders to you, and I'll only do that if you promise me you'll set a limit on it. You already have a lot of work, and adding more isn't a good choice. We both know that." Wang Ming was serious once again.
"Don't worry, I'll definitely set a limit. It's not like I want more work for fun." Lin Ling replied with the same seriousness.
"Okay." Wang Ming handed the folder to Lin Ling.
Wang Ming knows how Lin Ling ends up overworking himself, and he certainly knows that he doesn't set limits for himself, but Wang Ming can't decide everything for him. Lin Ling is already an adult, and as a friend, he trusts his friend's word.
I just wish he had someone else to knock some sense into him.
Wang Ming thought hopefully that Lin Ling would someday find someone for that.
Now, late at night, Lin Ling was finally arriving at his apartment.
Some of these requests border on the ridiculous.
Lin Ling was reading some of the autonomous requests, and with each one, he understood why they were increasingly being ignored.
What do you mean, he wants to be riding a tyrannosaurus while holding a shining sword and the heavens roar his name?!
Lin Ling sighed as he closed the folder and took the apartment key out of his pocket.
"Maybe I should have risked talking to Mr. Cheng." Lin Ling said to himself as he opened the door.
"What?"
Upon entering the apartment, he found a somewhat chaotic scene: clothes were scattered haphazardly on the sofa, papers and other items that had been lying on the living room floor were now piled in a corner, threatening to fall at any moment, and he could hear a strange noise coming from the kitchen.
He was about to walk toward the kitchen when Cyan came out with an alarmed look on her face.
"H-hi, how was work?" Cyan said in a nervous tone of voice and hid her hands from his view, putting them behind her back.
"Cyan!? What's going on!?"
"Nothing!" Cyan had a forced smile on her face.
But then what appeared to be smoke began to come out of the kitchen.
Lin Ling then decided to enter the kitchen.
"W-wait." Cyan tried to stop him, but his request was ignored.
Upon entering the kitchen, the situation was worse. Bubbling water overflowed from the entrance to the laundry room, dishes were broken on the floor, and a pot on the stove shook violently with smoke coming out of it.
Lin Ling quickly turned off the stove and ran to the laundry room where he found the washing machine also shaking violently. Turning it off, he realized that there was an excess of soap and clothes in it.
"I'm sorry..."
Turning around, he found Cyan with her head bowed toward him in apology.
"I just wanted help... It's not fair that I just stay here while you do everything, but in the end, I just made everything worse..." Cyan's voice had a tearful tone to it.
Lin Ling sighed at this sight.
"Cyan... please lift your head..."
As Cyan lifted her head, the small tears on her face were noticeable.
"Your hands. Let me see them."
Cyan hesitantly showed him her hands.
Cyan's hands were bruised and cut over a large area.
"Wait, sit down on one of the chairs in the living room, I'll get the first aid kit."
Cyan waved weakly as she walked back into the living room.
With Cyan gone, Lin Ling quickly grabbed the first aid kit from one of the kitchen cabinets. It was difficult to ignore the whole atmosphere around him, but above all, he didn't know how to feel about it.
Returning to the living room, he knelt down front to Cyan as she rested her hands on her lap, her hair covering part of her face, so Lin Ling couldn't tell what expression she was making.
"It'll probably sting a little," Lin Ling said gently but firmly.
Lin Ling began to clean the cuts with a small cloth and antiseptic, and he could feel Cyan shudder slightly at the touch.
"You know... maybe washing dishes is harder than fighting a supervillain." Lin Ling tried to lighten the mood.
"I never had to do any of that... at the heroes' tower, DOS hired employees for basic tasks, and at the orphanage I never had the opportunity to do anything like that. I think I let myself get too optimistic about my luck..." Cyan spoke in a low tone.
Lin Ling stopped and looked up at Cyan.
"Cyan... you shouldn't put yourself down just because you failed at something like this. Mistakes are common, and learning from them is the best we can do."
Lin Ling went back to treating her wounds.
"I know... but I just wanted to help. You're tired too... and I couldn't resist doing something to repay you for everything..." Cyan's voice faltered.
After cleaning the cuts, Lin Ling began to cover the more serious ones with bandages.
Looking back into Cyan's eyes, he took on a serious tone.
"I am grateful to you, but you don't need to repay me in any way. You have already done enough to deserve your rest. All I need is the certainty that the person in front of me can rest for everything she has done, for having been an incredible person to so many people. That is my thanks to you."
Cyan nodded in response, feeling a little better.
Getting up after finishing with Cyan's injuries, Lin Ling finally realized she was wearing Moon's special apron
Well... at least now it was more worth buying it...
"Even so, I still want to help you." Cyan was finishing wiping small tears from her eyes as she looked at Lin Ling and tried to sound as firm as possible at the moment.
Lin Ling sighed in response, but an exhausted and sincere smile appeared on his face.
"Okay, I'll show you how to do this kind of thing, but first I'm going to order us a pizza, I'm sure we need something like that."
Cyan nodded in agreement.
Lin Ling took another quick look around the apartment. His day had been exhausting once again, but even amid this new mess, he couldn't feel sad or angry... it was strange.
Lin Ling took his cell phone out of his pocket to call the pizza place, but a notification of a new email caught his attention on the screen.
DON'T FORGET THE HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI REUNION...