Seeing Sparkle remain silent, Bai Luan decided to put some pressure on her.
He pretended to keenly notice something unusual about "Stelle" and leaned in, asking with concern:
"What's wrong? Have you been mixing too many drinks lately? Are you tired?"
Sparkle saw Bai Luan offering her an out and immediately took it, planning to use this opportunity to gloss over the matter of proving the Gubo Algorithm.
After all, she was just a Masked Fool; asking her to prove such a profound problem was simply making things difficult for her.
So she nodded, following Bai Luan's lead:
"Yes, I haven't rested from earlier until now, so I'm a bit tired..."
"Perfect then."
Bai Luan smiled brightly at her words.
"Relax by proving the Gubo Algorithm."
"..."
No! How did it come back to this again!
And what kind of strange relaxation method is this anyway!
Do you usually talk about these kinds of topics? Casually proving the Gubo Algorithm as a pastime? Isn't that a super difficult problem!?
Sparkle felt immense pressure.
She looked at the smiling Bai Luan, wondering: Has he already recognized me and is just messing with me?
This thought was immediately dismissed.
First, her disguise was absolutely flawless.
Although she hadn't expected Bai Luan to be at the bar, she hadn't shown any flaws since they met, barely even speaking a few words. How could she be exposed?
There's no way Bai Luan could see through her the moment she opened her mouth, right?
That would be too embarrassing for her.
"I shouldn't have been exposed yet..."
Sparkle mused inwardly.
"This is a great opportunity to play a genius. As a Masked Fool, I absolutely cannot miss out on such fun.
What's more, I was played for a fool by him last time, and I haven't gotten my revenge yet."
She just needed to solve one problem—how to prove the Gubo Algorithm.
Sparkle, facing this difficult problem:
(ʘᴗʘ✿)
It's over, everyone, she really doesn't know how to do this.
Not only did she not know, but even if everyone in the entire bar was called over, or even Aha himself came, they probably wouldn't know.
But soon, Sparkle's little brain came up with an excuse:
"To prove the Gubo Algorithm, you need at least paper and a pen. Look, this is a bar counter, where would I find paper and..."
She stopped mid-sentence, watching wide-eyed as Bai Luan pulled out a draft notebook and a pen right in front of her.
Why? Baby? Why?
Carrying a pen with you is understandable, but what's with that thick stack of scratch paper?
Who comes to a bar with so much scratch paper?
You're not here to mix drinks at all, are you!?
Who sent you? What's your purpose?
And where did you pull that out from!
"As everyone knows, I'm a genius..."
Facing Sparkle's puzzled gaze, Bai Luan explained with a smile.
"So it's perfectly normal to carry paper and a pen with me."
Believe it or not, that's my explanation.
He thoughtfully opened the draft notebook for Sparkle, placed it in front of her, and handed her the pen at the same time:
"Alright, everything's ready, start proving the Gubo Algorithm~"
Sparkle looked at the pen in her hand, then at the smiling Bai Luan, and finally turned her gaze to the blank scratch paper.
God of Fun above, please tell me what to do to avoid exposure?
Aha: I don't know, I'm just here for the fun of it.
Sparkle's expression was too familiar—it was just like a student who had been daydreaming in class and was called to the blackboard to solve a problem, only to pick up the chalk and see the question—oh no, I don't know it!
And then the teacher would add, "Just solve it using the method I just taught"—oh no, I didn't listen!
Bai Luan looked at her distressed expression, trying hard to hold back his laughter.
No, he couldn't laugh yet. He had to wait until Sparkle herself couldn't hold it anymore before he could laugh.
Just then, footsteps approached, accompanied by a familiar voice:
"Bai Luan, are you... tutoring Stelle?"
Bai Luan looked at the source of the voice; it was Himeko, with Welt Yang behind her.
Sparkle's eyes immediately gleamed with unprecedented light—you two are truly my saviors!
"Let's entertain the guests first."
Sparkle quickly said.
Bai Luan couldn't help but inwardly mock: This is clearly a primary school student who is relieved about not having to do homework because guests have arrived!
But he had to admit, Sparkle's sparkling eyes when she saw Welt Yang and Himeko really did resemble Stelle's.
Sparkle swiftly pushed the draft notebook and ballpoint pen aside, meticulously arranging various bartending tools one by one on the bar counter.
She let out a long sigh of relief: I almost gave myself away, thankfully luck is on my side.
It would be too embarrassing to be seen through so quickly.
"Then, after you've finished mixing the drinks, I'll let you prove the Gubo Algorithm."
Bai Luan added leisurely.
After hearing this, Sparkle decided to make the most serious special cocktail of her life, to drag out the time—preferably until more guests arrived, allowing her to continue mixing drinks.
However, Himeko's next words made Sparkle's heart jump again:
"Actually, you could let Bai Luan mix our drinks. After all, it's quite rare to see you studying."
Don't!
I really don't know how to prove the Gubo Algorithm!
"As a professional bartender, I never keep customers waiting."
Sparkle stated righteously.
Welt Yang chuckled at her words:
"Hahaha, I didn't expect you to be so dedicated to this job."
Sparkle simply asked what the two wanted to drink, then began to mix seriously.
Bai Luan watched her mix step by step, quite skillfully. She must have often worked as a bartender in the tavern.
However, in the end, it lacked the soul lemon slice, and instead, a paper bird was placed on top.
Although the appearance was the same, it was different in every way.
Bai Luan looked at Welt Yang, preparing to relay some information while Sparkle was busy with the special mix.
Welt Yang noticed that Bai Luan seemed to be signaling him—Bai Luan pointed at "Stelle" who was diligently mixing drinks beside him, and subtly shook his head.
What... does this mean?
Welt Yang looked at Himeko, and saw that Himeko was also looking at him.
Clearly, both of them had caught Bai Luan's hint.
Despite their rich experience, they couldn't decipher much information from these two simple gestures.
They only interpreted that something was definitely amiss in this seemingly normal scene, and they should remain calm and not alert the enemy.
Soon, Welt Yang and Himeko returned to their normal states, clearly understanding Bai Luan's hint.
As expected of seniors, their reactions are quick. Bai Luan smiled at them, indicating that they hadn't misunderstood.
Welt Yang felt a hint of amusement.
Although he didn't know exactly what was happening, he now felt like a secret agent on a special mission, exchanging intelligence.
How fun.
But... what message was Bai Luan trying to convey?
Just then, a rush of footsteps sounded, and a figure burst into the bar, heading straight for them.
Everyone's gaze was drawn—the newcomer was none other than the real Stelle!
She ran, breathless, pointing at the "Stelle" behind the bar and exclaiming:
"That Stelle over there is fake!!!"
At this moment, a flash of realization crossed Welt Yang and Himeko's eyes:
So Bai Luan meant that the Stelle beside him was fake.
Now, there were five people in the bar. Everyone knew who Sparkle was, only Sparkle didn't know she had been exposed.
Aha: Bai Luan! You're right! This is how fools should be played!