After chatting with the Express crew in the group, Pei Guang looked up at Firefly, who wore a worried expression. "Bad news—Stelle got launched really far away. It'll take her a few hours to come back. In the meantime, let's just keep playing on our own."
Firefly: "Is that okay?"
Pei Guang shook his head. "Totally fine. You know her, right? On her way back she'll probably bump into something fun anyway. Who knows how long we'd be waiting? Better we just keep going. If she's still interested later, I'll take her again."
Hearing this, Firefly felt a twinge of emotion. "You two are really close…"
Pei Guang: "Of course! We're the infamous Trailblazers!"
Firefly: "Um… is 'infamous' really the right word there?"
Pei Guang: "Don't sweat the details~ Anyway, what was next? Oh right, the Clockie statue. Don't just stand there—let's go~"
Firefly: "Mm~ After we see the Clockie statue, I'll treat you to ice cream~"
Pei Guang: "Really? Then I won't hold back~"
Firefly glanced at her remaining pocket money and nodded firmly. "No problem. One for you, one for me—it'll be just enough."
After treating earlier, she still had some budget left. Enough for the two of them to share ice cream. And since she'd also gotten a stash of Clover Coins from the trash cans, she could more than afford it.
Not just ice cream: she could even treat Pei Guang to days of fun in the amusement park if she wanted.
The thought of eating ice cream together, of playing games side by side… it filled Firefly with joy. Maybe ordinary for others, but for her, it was something beautiful to look forward to.
As one of Penacony's most famous mascots, the statue drew plenty of visitors. But when Pei Guang looked at it, he felt an odd sense of déjà vu.
Firefly noticed his strange expression and asked with concern, "Is there something wrong with the statue?"
Pei Guang: "The Clockie… I was just wondering if this Mickey-lookalike might get sued across worlds by the most powerful legal department out there."
Firefly blinked, confused by the remark. "Huh? No way, right? The Clockie's image is unique in the whole universe. Who would sue the Family over that…?"
Pei Guang only smiled without explaining.
It wasn't the kind of joke he could easily unpack, so better to just let Firefly stick to her understanding.
Pei Guang was chatting and laughing with Firefly, while in front of the Clockie statue, a black-haired girl with glasses, looking somewhat similar to Pela, was taking photos with her phone.
Holding up her phone, she stepped back while adjusting the focus. Since all her attention was on the statue, she didn't notice there were two people behind her.
Just like that, the girl stepped back and bumped straight into Pei Guang.
"Ah—ah—ah!"
The sudden collision startled her, and in her panic, her phone slipped from her hand, and she instinctively stumbled backward toward the ground.
Seeing the ground getting closer, she shut her eyes tight. Even though this was a dream, she could already imagine how painful that fall would be.
But just before she hit the ground, Pei Guang reacted quickly, grabbing her wrist and pulling her up.
"You okay?"
Pei Guang looked at the girl seriously.
She wore a school uniform with white socks, little leather shoes, and glasses—very pretty. Her timid expression could stir pity in anyone who saw her, and the pure, youthful look only made her more eye-catching.
But no matter how cute she looked, Pei Guang really wanted to ask one thing: "Sparkle, what are you doing?"
From appearances alone, she did look a bit like Pela, but her eyes were red, unlike Pela's. Also, Pela's aura was much more serious, while this girl gave off the charm of a literary type, or the sweet air of the girl next door.
Under normal circumstances, Pei Guang would have definitely appreciated such a cute girl, but right now, his head was full of question marks.
Because on his minimap, this person was clearly marked as "Sparkle."
What was Sparkle playing at? Was the Masked Fool trying to test him by turning into a cute girl?
The disguised Sparkle let out a sigh of relief, her heart still racing.
She looked at Pei Guang with gratitude. "Um… hello, my name is… well, you can just call me Meizi, sir. Thank you so much for helping me. If not for you, I don't even dare imagine what might have happened…"
As she said this, her fists clenched slightly, and a blush spread across her face.
She glanced at Pei Guang's face secretly, as if struck by love at first sight. Each peek made her blush deeper, until she pressed her lips together and didn't dare look anymore.
All her curiosity, anticipation, longing, and just a trace of infatuation and surrender were laid bare.
Firefly, not knowing anything about the situation, widened her eyes at the sight.
Pei Guang noticed her reaction and introduced himself properly: "Hello, I'm Pei Guang. Really, it was nothing—you don't need to thank me."
Head lowered, Sparkle fidgeted with her fingers. "I still have to thank you!"
She bowed formally to Pei Guang.
Seeing her being so polite, Pei Guang thought for a moment, then decided to play along.
Ridiculous—Sparkle, disguised as some literary schoolgirl, bumping into him "by chance"? No way this Masked Fool didn't have something in mind.
After Aha had already tricked him several times in this dream world, and now Sparkle herself had delivered such a setup, Pei Guang figured he might as well toy with her a little.
Pei Guang said, "Oh? In that case, I won't refuse. How do you want to thank me?"
Sparkle unconsciously looked down at her toes, nervously tracing circles on the ground. "Um… how about… I buy you an ice cream?"
The moment those words left her mouth, the usually quiet Firefly clenched her fists. She had no idea this was Sparkle in disguise: she thought it was just some random girl who happened to bump into them.
And now this "ordinary girl" was already inviting Pei Guang out for ice cream?!
If it had been Stelle, Firefly wouldn't have minded. If March 7th suddenly appeared, she would have silently stepped aside.
But some stranger? Why was she speaking to him so warmly, like that?
Firefly felt a knot of discomfort in her chest, her eyes turning on Pei Guang with grievance.
Sensing her gaze, Pei Guang suddenly didn't know how to explain.
He couldn't communicate with Firefly in private, or else he would have told her right away that this wasn't some red-eyed Pela or literary girl: it was Sparkle, the Masked Fool!
But regardless of who the girl was, Pei Guang remembered Firefly had said she would treat him to ice cream. Whether by order of promise or simply respect for their bond, he couldn't let her down.
So he refused directly: "Sorry, but I already promised her we'd get ice cream together. I can't accept your offer. But I've already received your gratitude."
Hearing that, Sparkle lowered her head with some regret. "I see…"
She glanced at Firefly, her expression full of unwillingness and envy. But quickly she turned back to Pei Guang. "But if I don't thank you, I'll never feel at ease. How about this? She can buy you ice cream, and I'll buy you a soda instead. Soda's really good!"
Her tone was filled with curiosity, nervousness, and an odd anticipation.
Paired with her slightly husky accent, it carried an almost dangerous allure for anyone who heard it.