The train station in the City of Steam.
Outside the station, the upper and lower districts of the City of Steam were locked in a fiery battle.
Inside the station, Jing Liuli, wearing sparkling sneakers, was tiptoeing out like a stealthy kitten, wanting to sneak out and see what was happening.
However, before she could act, a pair of hands grabbed her by the back of her collar.
"Stay here. I'm going to arrange for the company car to pick us up."
Jing Liuli turned her head to see her guardian and manager—the Calamity-Grade Star Emissary, Mei Ling.
Looking at Mei Ling, who was holding a data terminal in one hand and restraining her with the other, Jing Liuli stuck out her tongue, then whined, "Aunt Mei, just one look. I'll just go out and look, I promise I won't cause trouble."
"No."
Mei Ling refused coolly, leaving no room for negotiation.
While she didn't think anyone in the City of Steam, aside from the Branch President Liam, could possibly harm Jing Liuli under her nose, it was best not to create unnecessary trouble.
After all, she still didn't understand why Jing Liuli suddenly decided to come to a remote place like the City of Steam.
Seeing that Mei Ling was completely unyielding, Jing Liuli pouted, then ran to a glass window next to the station, peering outside curiously.
Jing Liuli wasn't the only traveler currently trapped in the station hall. Many other passengers who had just disembarked were there as well.
Because of Jing Liuli's distinct celebrity aura—so out of place with the City of Steam—and her signature purple hair, many travelers were discreetly glancing her way, nudging their companions as if to hint at her identity.
However, Jing Liuli, long accustomed to this attention, paid them no mind.
A big star getting recognized is totally normal!
Bored, Jing Liuli pulled out her high-end data terminal and contacted Chen Xing.
She had told Chen Xing that she might visit the City of Steam, but she never specified the exact timing.
Click!
Jing Liuli rotated her data terminal and took two quick photos of the street behind her, which was ablaze.
In the selfie frame, she tilted her head, flashed a V-sign, with the backdrop of fighting crowds and smoking steam pipes. She instantly sent the photos to Chen Xing with a caption.
[The Big Star has arrived, come and greet me!]
Jing Liuli didn't have to wait long before her data terminal chimed.
[Chen Xing: ???]
Looking at the three consecutive question marks Chen Xing had sent, Jing Liuli couldn't help but let out a mischievous smile. She quickly tapped away on the data terminal.
[Jing Liuli: What does that mean? You don't welcome me? (Angry)]
[Chen Xing:]
[Chen Xing: What are you doing in the City of Steam?]
Seeing Chen Xing's reply, a cold glint reflected off Jing Liuli's oversized sunglasses.
Oho! Chen Xing definitely has a secret!
Because if this were the old Chen Xing, would she be talking to her so amicably?
After Jing Liuli sent that first message, "The Big Star has arrived," the old Chen Xing would have already threatened to come over and mercilessly beat her up!
Something's wrong. There's a nine-out-of-ten chance that the current Chen Xing is not right.
This girl definitely has something to hide!
Thinking this, Detective Jing Liuli immediately gave a response that was far from the truth.
[Jing Liuli: Well, it's because I miss you, of course~ (Heart emoji)]
[Chen Xing:]
"Miss, what's wrong?"
Fox, seeing Chen Xing frowning at the terminal, couldn't help but ask curiously.
Chen Xing rubbed her temples and sighed, her tone indicating a helpless headache.
"Nothing, just a certain troublemaking little purple-haired brat has arrived."
Hearing this, Fox turned and looked in the direction of the steam train station, seemingly sensing something.
He then smiled and said, "If it's that particular young lady, then this is indeed quite a bit of trouble..."
Chen Xing quickly typed on her data terminal while sighing, "Tell me about it. She comes neither too early nor too late, but precisely at this moment."
[Chen Xing: I have something I need to handle here. You go to the Gear Tower in the City of Steam first. I'll come find you later.]
Jing Liuli hummed at the terminal, muttering to herself, "You tell me to go to the Gear Tower, and I just go to the Gear Tower? Doesn't this big star have any dignity?"
Although she said that, when Jing Liuli converted her thoughts into a message for Chen Xing, the tone changed completely.
[Jing Liuli: okk～ (Obedient.jpg)]
[Chen Xing: Don't try to be cute.**]
[Jing Liuli: Mind your own business! (Poking tongue out)]
After sending those messages, Jing Liuli put away her data terminal, turned, and tugged on Mei Ling's sleeve, using her spoiled-girl offensive again.
"Sister Mei, can you find Xing's guardian right now?"
Mei Ling, in her business suit and with an ordinary appearance, adjusted her glasses and nodded reluctantly. "He's not hiding his aura. It won't be hard to find."
"OK! Let's go now!"
However, Mei Ling wasn't as impulsive as she was. She calmly inquired, "But based on your conversation, Miss Chen Xing seems to have something important to deal with. Wouldn't it be inappropriate for you to go over now?"
Jing Liuli lifted her head, and, mimicking the cool demeanor of the Tendo from her childhood, adjusted her large sunglasses.
"What's inappropriate? I have legs, and I, Jing Liuli, will go wherever I want. Is Chen Xing going to boss me around?"
Looking at Jing Liuli, who was acting smug—with an attitude of 'Tendo is first, I'm second, and Chen Xing is nothing'—Mei Ling couldn't help but recall the scenes from every meeting between Jing Liuli and Chen Xing over the years.
It was typically Jing Liuli talking tough, Chen Xing teaching her a lesson, and finally, Jing Liuli hugging Chen Xing's arm, begging for mercy.
It happened every time, without exception.
Even though, in terms of status, Jing Liuli, as the strongest prodigy of the Frost-Sound Family's 'Star-Sound Faction,' was comparable to Chen Xing, the future successor of the Sun-Blaze Family, their personalities and relationship meant that neither family cared much about these trivial matters.
Although she knew Jing Liuli's request was rash, Mei Ling finally indulged her, saying, "Alright, but please, don't cause any trouble."
"Hehe, relax, don't you trust me?"
Mei Ling rolled her eyes at Jing Liuli. It's precisely because of you that I don't trust you.
Just as the two finished speaking, a young man carrying mechanical parts walked up.
Looking at Jing Liuli's signature purple hair, he asked hesitantly and shyly, "Th-that, excuse me, are you Jing Liuli? The lead singer of the popular song, Star Rail Love Song?"
Seeing that someone had recognized her, Jing Liuli instantly switched modes. She took a quiet deep breath, then flashed a standard, practiced smile.
The "aura" of the New Federation's big star instantly surged!
"Yes."
Before her identity was confirmed, the crowds stranded in the steam train station were just curious. Once it was confirmed, the place immediately erupted.
"Wow! It really is her! I went to your concert last week!"
"Miss Liuli, could I please get your autograph? My sister is your biggest fan!"
"Miss Liuli, when are you planning to hold a concert in our City of Steam?"
Watching the steam train station suddenly turn into a small-scale fan meet-and-greet, Jing Liuli took the marker pen from the first young man, signing his mechanical arm with a wry smile.
While signing, she seized the opportunity to inquire about the situation in the City of Steam.
"Um, did something happen here?"
Hearing Jing Liuli's question, the young man began to tell her about the recent events in the City of Steam.
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