"Have you run into some trouble?"
Firefly asked softly, her gaze falling gently on Liu Xiyue. She had noticed the other's soul-shaken expression, and her concern was palpable.
Hearing this, Liu Xiyue dazed for a moment as if waking from a dream, only then realizing her current state of distraction.
She turned around abruptly, her fingertips hurriedly brushing past the corners of her eyes to wipe away the unshed tears.
When Liu Xiyue turned back again, she had barely managed to suppress her dejection and regained her usual composed appearance, though a trace of lingering fatigue remained deep in her eyes.
She blinked and forced a smile.
Liu Xiyue blinked, a smile barely tugging at the corners of her mouth: "Sorry, I was just a bit lost in thought..."
"It's fine, as long as you're okay."
Firefly shook her head gently, not calling out the facade.
Though she didn't know what Liu Xiyue had gone through, since the other was unwilling to mention it, she wouldn't ask more at this moment—some worries are meant to be processed by the person involved.
Thus, Firefly chuckled and changed the subject.
"Now... where should we go?"
Firefly had come to meet up with Liu Xiyue shortly after parting ways with Cipher.
So she currently indeed had no clear goal.
Liu Xiyue pulled out her phone, glanced at the time, and realized that dusk had approached without her noticing.
She closed her phone, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly.
"It's getting dark, shall we go eat first?"
Firefly nodded slightly, indicating no objection.
Just as Liu Xiyue was looking down, pondering where to eat, her phone rang abruptly.
Glimpsing the word "Aunt" on the screen, she immediately pressed the answer button.
"Hello, is something the matter, Aunt?"
On the other end of the line, her aunt's voice carried a hint of a smile.
"Oh, Little Meng just happened to arrive in Canglan City recently. She asked me about you two days ago, saying she wanted to see you. If you're free, could you send her a message?"
"Ah? Meng, I see."
"Alright then, I won't disturb your dinner. Remember to reply to her message."
With that, the call ended.
Liu Xiyue was slightly stunned, only then recalling that she indeed hadn't seen the other person for a long time.
Immediately, Liu Xiyue looked toward Firefly with a slightly embarrassed expression.
Liu Xiyue hesitated for a moment and asked tentatively, "Um... a friend of mine is coming to find me. Firefly, would you mind if we bring her along?"
Firefly shook her head with a smile.
"You arrange it; I don't mind at all."
"That's great! She'll definitely be super happy to see you!"
Liu Xiyue breathed a sigh of relief.
Seeing that the other had no objection, a weight was lifted from her heart—after all, she had been worried that Firefly would be unhappy about suddenly inviting an outsider.
As for Firefly, she didn't care that much.
"Heehee, then let me make a phone call."
Liu Xiyue made the call with a chuckle.
And what she said was true; after all, her best friend was a hardcore otaku.
Firefly had a unique style of dress; although she didn't recognize the character, she figured Meng would probably like spending time with Firefly.
"What's wrong? Did something unexpected happen?"
Firefly looked puzzledly at Liu Xiyue, who had just finished the call.
The latter now had a look of obvious confusion on her face.
Seeing this, Firefly subconsciously tilted her head, feeling curious.
Liu Xiyue gave an explanation, "She agreed, but I just feel like something was off on her end, though I can't put my finger on it."
Just now, when the call went through, after she made the suggestion, her best friend was clearly nervous when speaking, her voice as thin as a mosquito's buzz, not at all like her cheerful self from the past.
It was as if someone were pressing a cold gun barrel against the back of her head, forcing her to spit out every word.
Liu Xiyue (๑•. •๑)?: Logically, after not seeing each other for so long, shouldn't we have a passionate reunion?
But why did she seem unexpectedly nervous just now?
Firefly, knowing nothing, chose to remain silent.
She stood there elegantly, quietly waiting for Liu Xiyue to lead the way.
A short while later, Liu Xiyue brought Firefly to an ordinary restaurant.
It wasn't that she lacked money; it was simply that Liu Xiyue liked it.
As for Firefly's opinion, she had asked as well.
However, Liu Xiyue felt that if Firefly could even eat those oak cake rolls, how could she possibly be a picky eater?
So, they arrived here smoothly.
Liu Xiyue first ordered a few random dishes, intending to wait for her best friend to arrive before deciding further.
Firefly followed the arrangements throughout.
While the two were waiting quietly, a graceful figure walked slowly into the restaurant, instantly attracting most people's attention.
This naturally included Firefly and her companion, who were sitting closer.
Only when Firefly saw clearly that it was the familiar tail did she subconsciously speak up.
"Cipher?"
"Eh, Firefly, you're here too?"
Cipher was also extremely surprised that Firefly was actually here.
"Ah? Firefly, you... know this beautiful Cat Girl?"
Liu Xiyue, who was nearby, naturally noticed the expressions of the two.
As for Cipher's disguise, the moment she saw Firefly, her Power naturally failed.
That was why Liu Xiyue could directly see Cipher's full appearance.
It was also lucky that she saw the other person almost at the same time as Firefly.
Otherwise, the sudden appearance of a pair of ears and a tail on a beautiful woman might have really been noticed as something strange.
As for the other passersby, they probably already began to suspect their own eyes had played tricks on them.
"Not too well acquainted. I met Cipher at the cat cafe today, and since we hit it off, we became friends."
At this time, Firefly clearly realized this point as well.
She took the initiative to provide cover for the other.
Upon hearing about the cat cafe, Liu Xiyue quietly glanced at the other's tail and ears again.
Everything became clear in her mind instantly.
Liu Xiyue (✪ω✪): A Cat Girl going to a cat cafe? When in Rome, do as the Romans do? She's a dedicated cosplayer, and this white-haired, big-chested Cat Girl...
Slurp...
Cipher naturally noticed this as well.
She couldn't help but reveal a charming smile, her tail swaying in coordination with her waist, looking exceptionally alluring.
Liu Xiyue's pupils shrank suddenly.
But then she forced herself back to composure, constantly recalling Silver Wolf's cute and tsundere appearance in her mind.
Only then did she barely suppress some strange thoughts.
To avoid embarrassment, Liu Xiyue looked away and took the initiative to speak.
"Since you two happen to know each other, how about joining us? My friend will be coming over in a bit as well."
The two were both stunned upon hearing this.
Firefly didn't mind and simply looked at Cipher.
Cipher chuckled and shrugged, sitting down beside Firefly with ease.
The meaning was self-evident.
Cipher (๑＞＜๑）: This little sister is quite cute; I feel like this will be pretty interesting.
Just as Liu Xiyue was falling into embarrassment, a familiar voice came, successfully rescuing her from the predicament.
The newcomer was her best friend whom she hadn't seen for a long time.
"Sorry, Sister Yue, I'm a bit late, you..."
Meng Xingyao rushed over in a hurry.
But when she saw the certain cat at the dining table clearly, she was instantly dumbfounded.
Before Liu Xiyue could even say hello, another casual and familiar voice came.
"Yo, am I just in time for dinner? I'm a bit hungry after playing games all afternoon."
(Fumina: What is this? Avengers assemble?)