---o---
Himeko, who had been elegantly sipping coffee and chatting with Robin, choked on her drink after seeing the photo Xing sent and hearing what she said. She replied to Xing, a mix of amusement and exasperation in her voice.
"Alright, you tell your big brother that as long as he brings a girlfriend home, I'll add a zero to both of your allowances."
Hearing this, Xing immediately stood at attention. Even knowing Himeko couldn't see her through the phone, she still gave a salute. "Mission accepted!"
After hanging up, Xing looked at Fu Zhu, who was still caught between the two offered wingburgers, and tapped her finger lightly on the table, drawing the attention of both Firefly and March 7th.
With the dilemma of the two choices thankfully averted, Fu Zhu shot his dear sister a grateful look. But in the next second, Xing opened her mouth.
"Question: Can you accept marrying into my Fu family and not inheriting a single bit of the family property? The old Fu family's property is all mine!"
"Huh?" x2
March 7th and Firefly were completely flustered by Xing's sudden question. The former took a long moment to react, realizing this was the same question Xing had asked the others back on Jarilo-VI. How was it her turn now?!
Fu Zhu stared at Xing with an expression of utter shock. He never would have thought his dear sister wasn't here to rescue him from the fire, but to pour gasoline on it!
After Firefly recovered, she blushed beet red. The little hands under the table fidgeted with the hem of her skirt as she explained with a crimson face, "I just want to repay my debt of gratitude, that's not what I meant..."
"Isn't that even better? If you're just repaying a debt, you definitely won't be eyeing my old Fu family's property!" Xing said, as if it were the most logical thing in the world. She then turned to March 7th, winking at her. "March, what about you? You can't beat the drum of retreat now, can you? Otherwise, you'll lose your chance to enter the running!"
March 7th's face flushed red, but it wasn't entirely from shyness. It was mostly from being infuriated by Xing's big mouth!
She could have taken her time, testing Fu Zhu's feelings for her. But now, with Xing putting it like that, it was as if not agreeing meant she was completely rejecting Fu Zhu!
"I... I..."
March 7th stammered out two "I's," but the rest of the words just wouldn't come. If it were just Fu Zhu alone, she might have found the courage to say it. But not only was that troublemaker Xing here, but an outsider, Firefly, was also present.
Fu Zhu, meanwhile, took advantage of the two girls being distracted by Xing. He swiftly took both burgers and, before they could react, had eaten them both. As long as they didn't see it, they wouldn't know which one he ate first.
By the time March 7th and Firefly came back to their senses, Fu Zhu had already raised his hand to call the server over. "Excuse me, a few more Empyrean Wingburgers, please."
"Right away, sir."
March 7th and Firefly glanced at the empty wrappers on the table. Although Fu Zhu had eaten the wingburgers they had offered, just as they wished, why did they now feel a little empty inside? Was it because they didn't get to see who he chose?
Before long, the server brought over more wingburgers. March 7th and Firefly each took one and began eating quietly in their seats, taking small bites.
Xing, however, was still unwilling to give up. "Let's continue our previous topic! What's your answer?"
But the two girls just shot her a glare and ignored her.
Fu Zhu wiped a bead of sweat from his brow. Thank goodness for Xing's troublemaking, otherwise, he really wouldn't have known how to get out of that "Shuraba."
Xing waited for a while, and seeing that neither girl was paying her any attention, she finally started eating her own wingburger. But in her mind, she was already plotting to find an opportunity to continue the topic later. It was for the sake of her allowance being able to gain another zero! And for her big brother's happiness!
After a while, seeing that everyone was about done eating, Fu Zhu got up to pay the bill. He then waited at the door for the three to come out. During that time, he made a call to Chadwick to ask about the progress on the optimal construction of the World Devourer.
"Sir, I was just about to call you!"
The moment the call connected, before Fu Zhu could even speak, Chadwick's excited voice came through from the other end.
"From your excited tone, I take it you have some good news?"
"Yes! I have already worked out the optimal solution for the World Devourer's construction. But that's not why I'm excited. I'm excited because of the wisdom of this 'Redstone Technology' you've shown me! It's simply astonishing! This Redstone Technology has completely surpassed all existing theoretical knowledge!"
Hearing Chadwick praise Redstone Technology so enthusiastically, a smile couldn't help but spread across Fu Zhu's lips. Hearing someone praise the Redstone Technology he had brought to this world, his voice naturally took on a hint of pride.
"But of course. After all, it's technology from another world. It's only natural that its theories don't align with this world's."
After his moment of awe, Chadwick asked about Fu Zhu's upcoming plans. "Sir, is there anything else you need me to do next?"
"Hmm... you can rest for now. I'll come find you tomorrow."
"Understood, sir."
---o---
Inside a magnificent grand theater, Sunday slowly walked onto the empty stage. He looked at the heavy curtain before him and, with a light raise of his hand, the curtain was pulled aside, revealing the Stellaron behind it, which was emitting a dazzling light.
Sunday looked at the Stellaron and hesitated for a moment before calling out softly to his surroundings, "Mr. Gopelmu?"
But after waiting a long time, there was no reply from Gopelmu. This made him sigh.
"As I thought, Mr. Gopelmu has already been dealt with. Are the two Emanators really that troublesome...?"
At this point, without Gopelmu's assistance, he could only rely on the power of the Stellaron to strike first. Although doing so was somewhat dishonorable, he had no confidence in facing an Emanator of [Finality] and an Emanator of [Nihility] at the same time.
Only by completing the Dream of the Great One before Fu Zhu and Acheron could react would he have a sliver of a chance to build his ideal paradise.
"Well then, let us begin."
Sunday stood before the Stellaron, spread his arms wide, and began to chant, summoning the Chorus of Harmony. Countless musical note-like figures appeared, surrounding the Stellaron and dancing hand-in-hand.
Sunday's figure was also enveloped by countless points of light, gradually transforming into a giant "fetus." With the birth of the fetus, a formless power rapidly swept across the entirety of Penacony, and even the Asdana star system where Penacony was located.
---o---