What kind of girl is Firefly?
She was the type who could lose twenty thousand credits to one of Bai Heng's little schemes, then agree without a second thought to act as his guide. During their usual interactions, her keen eye for small details often led her to worry about him.
To put it simply, she possessed a personality that was innocent, considerate, and gentle.
Coupled with a lovely, spirited appearance.
Yes, this was the Firefly that Bai Heng knew.
But the girl walking towards him now, holding a transformation device with a warm, sunny smile on her face...
Bai Heng could only think to himself.
'As expected...'
'Loss'—that word represents the greatest growth a person can experience!
But!
You should never, ever underestimate the lethality of the 'White Moonlight'! Especially a resurrected one!
"Hah..." Bai Heng suddenly let out a heavy sigh, the light in his eyes dimming slightly.
Seeing him like this, Firefly's steps faltered. Her elegantly arched brows furrowed slightly, and a look of concern washed over her face.
"If I had to give a reason, I'm not really clear on it myself," he said. "But it was the moment I saw you, Firefly, that my memories related to you came back."
Here, his tone shifted, carrying a note of apology, his gaze resting on the girl with immense softness.
"Sorry... You must have had a very hard time during this period, haven't you..."
Sincere words, a gentle gaze. Looking at the Bai Heng before her, the girl's heart trembled faintly.
Firefly didn't doubt his explanation.
She recalled that it was through that screen that she herself had awakened the memories of those two months in Penacony, and of everything concerning the person in front of her.
Burying her head against Bai Heng's chest, her muffled voice emerged.
"Mmm... It was very, very hard..."
"So, you have to take me to eat lots of delicious things..."
"And make it up to me properly."
The words sounded like a minor complaint, but Bai Heng could sense the weight hidden within them.
His brow twitched slightly as he slowly drew the girl into an embrace.
Bai Heng suddenly felt that, no matter what explanation he had given just now, the girl would have accepted it.
Because for her, the answer wasn't important.
What was important was the person giving the answer.
"Mmm... I'll definitely make it up to you~."
Holding the girl, Bai Heng murmured softly.
Although the Exalting Sanctum was known as a night street, its plethora of shops and proximity to Starskiff Haven meant it grew increasingly crowded from noon onwards.
This brought a steady stream of customers to Bai Heng's small tea shop as well.
He was kept moderately busy behind the counter, but he still stole occasional glances over his shoulder.
There, the petite girl sat demurely at a table, gently swinging her slender legs, looking utterly pleased.
Arrayed before her were various kinds of tea drinks.
Like a little bird, she dipped her head from one drink to another. With each taste, she would close her eyes, savoring the delightful sensations on her tongue, her face blooming with a blissful expression.
Though an ordinary scene, it was undoubtedly a warm afternoon.
Outside, the flow of people on the Exalting Sanctum ebbed and flowed. The copper coins used for divination at the stall next door clinked crisply. The handsome man busied himself at the counter, stealing looks at the girl behind him now and then. The girl, in turn, would occasionally skip over to the man's side with light steps, carefully wiping the sweat from his brow.
They didn't discuss any particularly deep topics, nor did they do anything especially meaningful, yet smiles never left their faces.
At that moment, both the atmosphere and their expressions seemed to radiate a single word.
—Happiness.
--+--
"Your Excellency the Master Diviner, your prediction of a blessed union is truly something else."
"Those two are as intimate as an old married couple. How can this be their first meeting?"
Outside on the Exalting Sanctum, at a small stall.
Sheltered by a nearby shop, the Divination Commission's Master Diviner Fu Xuan and her subordinate, Qingque, were observing the happenings inside the little tea shop.
"This Master merely cast the hexagram; I did not tie the red thread of fate. Moreover..."
"Why is this Master skulking about with you, spying on those two being affectionate?"
"This Master merely wished to buy a cup of tea to relieve her fatigue!"
The pink-haired loli's face scrunched up, and she immediately started towards Bai Heng's shop, ignoring Qingque's attempts to dissuade her.
"To think this blessed union of yours also has the effect of bringing prosperity and wealth. Now that the fated one has arrived, even the business has picked up."
"Judging by how things look, shall this Master prepare a wedding gift for you next month?"
A familiar voice caused Bai Heng to look up. The imposing Master Diviner, standing less than five feet tall, came into his view.
"If Your Excellency is in a hurry, you could give it now," Bai Heng retorted with thick-skinned cheek to Fu Xuan's teasing.
"Enough of your glib tongue. The same as usual, two teas to go."
As she spoke, Fu Xuan's golden eyes swept over Firefly, immediately revealing a flicker of surprise.
From outside and at a distance, and with some angle issues, she hadn't been able to see Firefly's features clearly.
But now, up close and getting a proper look at this girl, she couldn't help but feel astonished.
This fated one of Bai Heng's...
Why did she look exactly like the female lead from that heartbreaking story she'd watched on the small screen some time ago?
Could it be that heaven truly took pity on that ill-fated couple, allowing them to be reborn and reunite?
Just as Fu Xuan was pondering this, Bai Heng had already deftly prepared the two teas and placed them in front of her, blocking her view of Firefly.
Although the Interastral Peace Corporation's wanted list named the Stellaron Hunter Sam, he was genuinely afraid this Master Diviner's keen eyes might see something.
Dealing with that would likely be quite troublesome.
Fortunately, Fu Xuan didn't dwell on it. Picking up the teas, she turned to leave. But just before going, she half-turned and left Bai Heng with a few words.
"There will be a Spring Lantern Festival over at Aurum Alley tonight. If you have nothing better to do, take your fated one there for a stroll. Here are two tickets I confiscated from Qingque; this Master leaves them to you."
Having said that, the Divination Master turned and left, leaving Bai Heng standing there utterly bewildered.
This...
What is this all about?
This remarkably unusual scene made Bai Heng mentally review the situation.
First, this Divination Master tells him about some fated union arriving in three days. Then, after seeing Firefly, not only does she fail to discern her identity as the Stellaron Hunter Sam, she even gives him two tickets and advises him to take her out for a good time???
What's with this strong vibe of a mother setting up her son on a date?
Ahem!
There actually is a reason, you know.
Although Master Diviner Fu Xuan usually appears aloof and detached, her inner emotional world is quite rich. After being thoroughly emotionally breached by Bai Heng's first simulation, she spent several days in an emotional state.
Now, seeing Bai Heng and Firefly reunited, she couldn't help but want to offer them a little support, perhaps to make up for the regret in her own heart.
What this esteemed Divination Master didn't know, however, was this:
The umbrella she held for Firefly today would, before long, turn into rain falling squarely upon her own head~.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.