Time ticked by, and the movie gradually drew to a close. On the sofa, Belle sat cross-legged, crying her heart out.
"Boohoo… That was so touching. Why did it have to end like that…? Boohoo…"
Next to the tearful Belle, Zane and Wise each held a small transparent cup by her cheeks. A thin layer of liquid had already formed inside, crystal clear, and continued to rise with every sob.
"They say girls are made of water, and it's actually true. I don't think I cry this much in a whole year…"
This is getting ridiculous...
Zane glanced at the liquid in the cup and sighed in disbelief. Belle had practically cried back all the drinks she'd just had.
And to think, he originally thought she'd picked a mockumentary about the fall of the old capital. Who knew it was a melodramatic disaster film.
"Belle, are you still not done crying…"
Zane raised the cup helplessly. Beside him, Wise let out a soft sigh.
"Sis, crying too much isn't good for your health…"
"Boohoo… You two… You didn't shed a single tear…"
Belle sobbed as she accused them. Zane and Wise exchanged a look, both at a loss for words.
Maybe… guys just have a higher tolerance for tearjerkers?
"Boohoo… But Qingyi said this movie is top-tier for making people cry…"
"Huh? Qingyi knew about—"
Zane raised an eyebrow, but before he could finish, Belle cut in again. Her crying had softened a bit by now.
"Boohoo… Two people in love finally confess to each other… right before the world ends…"
In love… Was she talking about Qingyi?
Zane frowned slightly. Something felt off—like Belle was hiding something—but he had no proof.
For now, calming this little crybaby took priority.
"Belle, come on, stop crying, okay? Take a breather."
"Boohoo…"
"If you keep crying, your eyes are gonna give out…"
"Boohoo…"
"…Mm."
Suddenly, a sharp bird-like chirp rang out, and a flash of white light lit up Belle's face.
The sobbing stopped instantly.
"Tsk, guess that still does the trick…"
...
In the corner of the video store, Belle was curled up with her phone, quietly making a call.
On the sofa, Zane glanced over, sighing helplessly.
"Belle, can't you just step out of the room? Do you have to make the call right here, under my nose? You're even sneaking glances at me like I might pull something... I mean, really…"
"I was not sneaking glances! I wasn't!"
"Alright, alright…"
Zane waved her off, rubbing his forehead. He gave up trying to reason with her and just ignored it.
In the corner, Belle continued whispering.
"Qingyi, did it work?"
"Mhm, thanks again."
"Oh come on, don't thank me. I'm just helping out that troublesome guy. Seriously, he even tried to come at me earlier…"
After thoroughly complaining to Qingyi, Belle hung up, quite satisfied. She could already picture Zane getting a good scolding from Qingyi.
Even if she wouldn't get to see it herself.
Just then, the door opened and Eous came running back, his short legs flailing in panic.
"Mm-hmm! Mm-mm-mm mm-hmm! (Oh no! Panta got lost in Hollow Zero!)"
The moment he spoke, Belle's puzzled look turned serious. She quickly moved in to ask for details.
Eous looked at Belle, then glanced at Zane—who had turned around on the sofa—before explaining.
"Mm-mm-mm mm-hmm, mm-hmm-mm-mm mm-mm mm-hmm... (No. 6 and I hadn't seen Panta for several days, so when One-Dennyboo came by just now, I asked if Panta could come play. But he said he hadn't seen Panta at the cat's place these past few days...)"
"Mm-hmm-mm mm-mm, mm-mm mm-hmm, mm-mm-mm-mm... (Then I asked the Boo partners. One of them had seen Panta and said he mentioned heading to Hollow Zero. But there's been no word since.)"
Belle quickly pieced the situation together and turned to call Zane—only to realize he was already beside her.
"Hollow Zero… What's Panta doing there?"
Zane frowned. If Panta had gone to any other Hollow, it wouldn't be a big deal. But Hollow Zero…
Even he hadn't been inside that place yet.
"Eous, anything else you can tell us?"
Zane asked softly. Eous shook his head, then said he could gather some friends who might know more.
Zane left the video store, entrusting the rest to Belle. He planned to search personally—and maybe ask the Staff Corps for help.
Once he left, Belle told Wise about the situation. Just as they were about to start their own investigation, a message popped up.
Inside the store, Belle checked her phone. Her previously tense expression began to ease. She looked at Wise, who was preparing to have Fairy "take action," and spoke up.
"Brother, no need."
"This… was Qingyi's doing."
Hearing that, Wise stopped mid-action and raised an eyebrow.
What's that supposed to mean?
After everything earlier, he really didn't see anything wrong with Zane.
Was he hiding it that well?
Or were that master and disciple into some bizarre role-play?
So confusing...
Wise shook his head and exchanged a look with Belle.
"Let's leave it to Qingyi, then…"
...
Meanwhile, as Zane was out searching for Panta...
"Tsk tsk, looks like this little guy really does hold a special place in his heart…"
Qingyi looked at the glowing orb in her hand and glanced at Panta with a mix of awe and amusement.
Having spent plenty of time around Zane, she knew just how much Panta meant to him. She also had a good relationship with Panta, which was why she'd set her sights on him from the beginning.
"But really, Panta… why do you trust me so much? Whatever I say or do, you just go along with it. If I ever used you to betray your boss, you probably wouldn't even know…"
Qingyi squatted down, about to give Panta a crash course in personal safety. But before she could start, Panta looked at her and said,
"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm-mm. Mm-hmm mm-mm, mm-hmm mm-hmm. (Boss likes you, so you're a good person. He said if he's not around, I should listen to you.)"
"Tsk…"
Qingyi chuckled at that and gave up the lecture. This little guy wasn't clueless—he was just relaxed because she ranked high on his trust list.
"Panta, go practice your acting. I've got to send you back soon."
"Can't keep you out too long—might stir up unnecessary trouble..."