When the sun's last rays vanished into the clouds, everyone atop the mountain almost instinctively rose to their feet. Not to leave after watching the sunset, but because an even more magnificent sight unfolded before their eyes.
From the place where the sun had just set, what had been dim suddenly burst forth with countless crimson rays. Like the most brilliant radiance, they dyed the clouds red, painting the horizon a vivid scarlet in an instant.
Chu Lian gazed quietly at the glow, the corners of her delicate lips lifting in a faint smile, lost in thought. Since awakening from that dream of falling, she had often been in this state—not quite dazed, yet as if some part of her was suddenly blurred.
It was like a glitch in a game character's data: during repair, errors caused the figure to be unobservable, blurred, or to vanish suddenly.
The thought startled Inori. Having been watching her closely, she stepped forward at once, wrapping her arms around Chu Lian from behind and drawing her into her embrace. Softly she murmured: "Lian, don't leave me… Lian, don't leave me… Lian, don't leave me…"
Perhaps it was the warmth of her arms, for the blurriness around Chu Lian finally faded. Breathing in Inori's faint fragrance, she closed her eyes, savoring that gentle moment.
"System Notification: Connection with past-life memories has begun. During information convergence, unusual effects may occur. Host, please be advised."
"When the connection with past-life memories is complete, all related memories will no longer be forgotten. They will be organized into recollections, stored in a section of the host's mind, awaiting the host's choice to access."
"Notice: Past-life memories come with corresponding emotional recollections. If the host wishes to delete unbearable memories or emotions, please do so promptly."
"Selection countdown: 10… 9… 8… 7… 6… 5… 4… 3… 2… 1."
"Host has chosen not to delete these memories. Therefore, they will be retained. Next time, please decide faster—this system has many tasks to manage. Do not waste time."
"Past-life memory connection time remaining: 3600 seconds… 3599… 3598…"
Watching the system interface automatically appear in her mind, Chu Lian sighed lightly. If only I could truly forget my past life's memories… But no matter how unbearable that world's life, memories, and emotions were, there were still beautiful parts worth remembering. I don't want to forget. Let them stay.
Interlacing her fingers with Inori's, Chu Lian lifted their joined hands and placed a gentle kiss on the back of hers, soothing her: "Inori, don't worry. I won't leave. Just now, it was only due to something special—it will pass with time. Until I'm sure you can live well in this world, I'll shamelessly cling to your side."
"In that case, Lian, you never need to leave. Because I've already grown used to life with you. In this world, what I could never get used to… would be life without you. So, don't ever say such things again, alright?" Inori shook her head behind her, gently biting her ear as she spoke.
A faint blush rose on her cheeks. Caught off guard by Inori's sudden intimacy, Chu Lian was flustered but still nodded in reply: "I will—as long as you still need me."
"As long as you are here, I will always need you. If you're gone, then I won't need anything at all." Inori's soft, gentle words were like the sharpest blade, piercing into her heart and soul, making her remember this feeling of being relied on, of being loved.
Just as they were immersed in that tender atmosphere, each grasping a deeper understanding of the other, Chu Chu's sour voice suddenly cut in: "Hey, hey, hey, don't act like we're invisible! Sure, the sun has set, but the red glow is still bright enough for us to see. Hugging openly and showing off your affection in public—this is way too much!"
Her tone was so sour that anyone could tell she wasn't really complaining—she was jealous. Jealous that the one showing affection with Chu Lian wasn't her, jealous that they could act so unrestrained, while she still had to mind her identity as Chu Lian's younger sister, unable to cross certain lines in public.
"Chu Lian, if someone were to discover your true identity like this, it would be too soon." Li Xiu'er's words carried a trace of sourness as well. She pointed toward the people around them who had begun to take notice.
Though they had chosen a secluded spot with few people, four uniquely graceful lolis walking together, even with half their faces hidden, still drew eyes.
The fact that no die-hard fan of Chu Lian's had recognized them yet was already quite lucky. Still, caution was necessary. Affection between girls was one thing, but for a public figure to be seen displaying intimacy—even with someone of the same sex—would inevitably cause a stir. Especially for someone like Chu Lian, whose fame as a rising star was surging, gossip would spread quickly.
Realizing that what they were doing was indeed improper, Chu Lian and Inori wordlessly let go at the same time, taking a step apart. Their distance wasn't so far as to appear unfamiliar, but no longer so close as to raise suspicion.
"It's really sad that I can't be affectionate with Big Sis in public. Why did I have to be born as her sister?" Chu Chu twisted her index fingers together before her stomach, grumbling with dissatisfaction.
"If you could stop talking so much, maybe I'd consider that suggestion." Chu Lian, utterly exasperated by her sister's endless chatter, turned and glared at her.
"Big Sis, you said it! Until we reach Japan, Chu Chu won't complain even once. If I do, then I'll let myself eat mapo tofu without the tofu from now on." Instead of being chastened, Chu Chu treated her warning like an agreement. As long as she kept it, her sister would have to keep her word too.
At this, Chu Lian's lips twitched. Your least favorite dish is mapo tofu! Damn it, what kind of punishment is that supposed to be? Though she grumbled inwardly, she didn't bother to argue further. As long as Chu Chu had fallen into the trap, the rest didn't matter.
It was obvious that when it came to matters like this, Chu Chu's intelligence always fell short. She hadn't noticed the trap in Chu Lian's words—the vague terms like "if," "maybe," and "consider." In other words, even if Chu Chu kept her promise, whether or not Chu Lian fulfilled her side was entirely up to her.
Li Xiu'er, on the other hand, had heard it clearly. Yet seeing Chu Chu leap headlong into the snare so eagerly, she could only rub her forehead in exasperation. The image of Chu Chu she had once held was collapsing. Was this really the aloof, goddess-like painter from before? Why did she now seem more like an infatuated fool—worse, an extreme sis-con obsessed only with Chu Lian!
"Alright, alright. Since you promised, can you stop talking now? Repeating the same thing over and over like some chanting monk—it's really unbearable." Chu Lian wasn't someone who couldn't tolerate others, but Chu Chu had gone too far this time. Repeating the same words a dozen times without caring how others felt—anyone would break down listening to it.
"Mm, mm, mm, Chu Chu won't waste words again. Big Sis, it's already past seven. Isn't it time we head back? We still need to record music tonight." Once serious, Chu Chu became earnest about everything, immediately recalling what Chu Lian had said earlier when she sang Bird's Poem.
"I know. We'll head back soon. But first, I want to capture this scene." Chu Lian nodded, showing she understood. Then she took out the "high-tech" camera Inori had returned to her and carefully snapped over a dozen photos of the red glow painting the night sky.
Afterward, she took out her phone, opened Weibo, and without even glancing at her feed, she went straight to the text editor and typed: "Watching the sunset atop Mount Tai is something many people have done. But the scene below isn't so common. As a public figure who still has integrity and who is deeply loved by you all, I think it's time to give you a little benefit. Look at these photos—the blood-red glow lighting up the horizon, dyeing the entire night sky crimson. So beautiful."
She attached nine photos transferred from the camera, checked them carefully, and after confirming nothing was wrong, she hit send.
Barely thirty seconds later, while she was still browsing other things, a reply popped up. Curious, she tapped it open—and couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time.
"Not even a single selfie—what kind of benefit is that? (Doge)"
Alright then, their hand speed was really something. They must have only glanced briefly at the pictures, realized there wasn't a selfie, and instantly rushed to comment.
Pressing a hand to her forehead, Chu Lian decided to ignore them. But the fact that they only complained about the lack of selfies—and not about her line calling herself "a public figure who still has integrity and is deeply loved"—did that mean her fans truly saw her as both lovable and full of integrity?
She didn't keep reading. Otherwise, she would have soon discovered that what they mocked most was precisely that sentence. Though it was all lighthearted banter between idol and fans, by now they were well aware of how little "integrity" their little goddess actually had.
For example, the ridiculously cute photos that had spread everywhere, or today's outfit-change performance at "Fair Lady" on Tai'an's women's shopping street. For an ordinary girl, overcoming the shame of that would be nearly impossible—but she had done it. Should they say her integrity had long since shattered?
Of course, Chu Lian would never see those words. If she did, she would definitely roar: "Where am I lacking integrity? Where did I overcome my shame? I've always had integrity, alright! Tell me where I didn't! And as for shame—precisely because I haven't overcome it, I force myself to try! Otherwise, who would willingly change into over a dozen outfits in just over an hour?"
For now, the online chatter didn't need her attention. What mattered was that her Weibo post had already revealed their location. So the four girls didn't hesitate further and immediately set out for the cable car to head back down.
There was still the matter of recording music that night. Of the four, only Chu Lian and Inori understood music. Chu Chu could help with recording but not composition, so they would need assistance from Seven Rain's girls later.
But since they had turned down traveling together earlier that afternoon, those girls were probably still sulking. That was going to be troublesome—truly, a girl's heart was far too complicated. Even now that she herself was a girl, she still didn't understand it.
At last, Chu Lian understood how complex girls really were. Well, maybe that explained why she herself was so changeable. After all, she was a girl too~
After she left, the sky's crimson glow finally faded, and darkness suddenly enveloped the world, leaving only a sense of unease.