[HAHAHAHA, Yanqing, you've gone bad.]
[Look at Yanqing's mouth corner—I've only ever seen that in Crooked-Mouth Dragon King.]
[Sigma Yanqing, never falling into a woman's trap.]
[That "it's in the bag" smile.]
[Look at Yanqing's expression—I'm literally dying of laughter.]
[That "it's in the bag" smile.]
[Dragon King evil grin.]
[I'm dead, this is too funny—little bro and little sis.]
[I knew it.]
[So what was I even expecting?]
[That Nike mouth really inherited the true teachings of the Stellaron Hunter.]
[Ehe!]
[Bet Jing Yuan gave him the idea, hahaha.]
[I can only say Yanqing is truly a role model for our generation.]
[Aside from Emperor He Qiang, who else could shake Yanqing's position?]
— —
Stelle also cast an admiring look. "Talking is truly an art."
At this moment, March 7th, afraid Yunli wouldn't get it, delivered the finishing blow in explanation. "Let me translate for you, Master Yunli—hehe, this is my sword, and I'm not giving it!"
"…" The situation changed in an instant. Even the battle-hardened Huaiyan fell silent for a good while before finally speaking leisurely. "Tsk… this kid really has my style from back in the day."
Yunli's eyes were half-open, with "speechless" practically engraved on her forehead. "Little brother Yanqing, aren't you just rubbing salt in the wound?! Ah!"
[She's mad. She's actually mad.]
[I approve of that speechless expression.]
[Little cat speechless.]
Not willing to lose face, Yunli continued, "Listen up—once you've recovered, remember to bring that sword to Zhuming and find me. I'll forge you a fine blade as compensation… but you know the rules: you'll have to face my sword head-on and win it fair and square. How about it? You better not refuse!"
Yanqing kept the corners of his mouth raised all the way to his ears. "After this experience, Yanqing has also developed the intention to travel far and broaden his horizons. Since Miss Yunli has extended the invitation, then it's a deal!"
Just as the Zhuming guests were about to depart, Lingsha happened to arrive at the port.
Her face was full of gossip-eating delight. "Hehe, better late than never—right as I arrive, I catch a good show."
Lingsha had come because she had once received care from the Zhuming Dragon Sovereign, so she was here to see Huaiyan and his granddaughter off.
Before leaving, the group took a photo together. March 7th somehow produced another bag of soda bean juice and handed it to Huaiyan.
Huaiyan politely accepted it with thanks. "Very thoughtful, Miss March."
After the group photo, the Zhuming guests boarded the starskiff and left the port. Lady Lingsha also returned to the Alchemy Commission.
A starskiff quietly docked. Emerging from the hatch was none other than Fu Xuan of the Divination Commission.
The camera started from her feet and panned upward, giving Fu Xuan a very deliberate and meaningful close-up.
Fu Xuan crossed her arms over her chest, feeling quite pleased. "This seat devotes herself to divining the causes and effects of myriad affairs, yet failed to foresee that upon returning to the Xianzhou, so many people would line the way to welcome me. Indeed, the Luofu still cannot do without this seat."
Yanqing, Stelle, March 7th, and Dan Heng exchanged glances.
Yanqing thought it best to just roll with the misunderstanding and treat it as a beautiful mistake.
Stelle only felt this person looked extremely familiar. "Who's this pink-haired shorty?"
"Hah?" Fu Xuan glared up at Stelle, sparks practically flying from her eyes. "This seat certainly heard that."
"Um…" Yanqing cleared his throat twice. Seeing that if he didn't explain now, it would truly become a misunderstanding, he said, "Allow me to explain."
He then recounted the process of seeing off the Xianzhou's honored guests and the complete surprise that Lady Fu Xuan would return at this exact moment.
"I have grasped the general situation. Though this is a coincidence, it is an undeniable fact that you are all here. Why don't we each take a step back." Fu Xuan paused to collect her words.
"Taking a step back isn't suitable—let's just say you are all here to welcome this seat's triumphant return."
[Laugh point analysis: Fu Xuan is standing at the edge of the dock—one step back and she falls in.]
[Fu Xuan is still very good at finding her own way down.]
[Pink-haired shorty—I'm actually dying.]
[Fu Xuan main says she's used to it by now.]
— —
Fu Xuan still felt a tiny bit of emotion inside. "By the way, Yanqing aside—you've all been on the Luofu for so long and didn't even notice this seat was absent?"
Stelle spread her hands and shrugged. "Completely didn't notice. Thought you were still around."
Fu Xuan felt a surge of old blood about to spray out. She clutched her chest. "Did you hear that? Just now, something shattered… That was this seat's heart, worn out from laboring for the Xianzhou Luofu. If it weren't for this seat handling all those inquiries on the Yuque Xianzhou, Jing Yuan would have—never mind, no need to bring him up!"
The quick-witted March 7th hurriedly produced a cup of soda bean juice and offered it to Fu Xuan. "Lady Fu Xuan, you must be tired. I still have soda bean juice here—consider it a welcome-back drink!"
Fu Xuan immediately declined. "Thank you, I appreciate the sentiment, but this seat is somewhat particular about taste. Normal Luofu people shouldn't drink soda bean juice. When this seat returns, I'll treat you to some Star Taro Boba—you'll understand."
"Eh?!" March 7th only reacted belatedly, but thinking of how many she'd already given away, she couldn't help feeling a chill.
[Honestly, how has this stuff not gone bankrupt when no one drinks it?]
[There are people in the world who love exactly this flavor—taste is personal, don't pry.]
[Sometimes soda bean juice counts as a cultural symbol.]
— —
Although Fu Xuan doesn't like grand welcomes, she had still arranged for Qingque to come receive her—but Qingque was nowhere to be seen.
Stelle silently thought to herself, "Qingque, good luck to you."
After the three little Express members chatted idly with Fu Xuan and Yanqing for a bit, they dispersed on the spot.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the dock.
Himeko and Welt Yang—who had been offline for an entire season—were finally standing at the port.
Himeko looked around. "Even though the Luminary Wardance is over, the Xianzhou Luofu is still this lively. But where are little March and the others?"
Welt Yang propped his chin with one hand. "Dan Heng said they were already waiting at the port. They should be nearby."
[HAHAHAHA, dying—turns out they got the wrong platform.]
[Wrong door.]
[Holy crap, they got off at the wrong stop.]
[Let me tell you North Station and you went to South Station?]
Right then.
Qingque jumped out and unfurled a banner that read: "Welcome Back, Lady Diviner—King's Return."
"Congratulations to Lady Fu Xuan for her outstanding performance and courageous efforts during her business trip to the Yuque Xianzhou. We hereby warmly celebrate the sole light of the Luofu Divination Commission—Lady Diviner, and candidate for Luofu Xianzhou Seat of Divine Foresight General—Lady Fu Xuan's triumphant return!"
[Qingque really wants that promotion.]
[You can tell she put real effort in… but Lady Fu Xuan got off at the wrong stop, hahaha.]
[Forgive my unkind laughter.]
[HAHAHA, so Qingque was waiting here all along.]
[Loy!! Al!! Ty!!]
Welt Yang reminded her, "Little girl, take a good look—we're not Fu Xuan… Lady?"
"Eh? Mr. Yang!" Qingque glanced at the red-haired woman beside him and immediately guessed her identity. "Could it be Miss Himeko?"
"That's right!"
"Then where is Lady Diviner?"
"We don't know either. Is your Lady Diviner supposed to arrive here at this time?"
"Could it be… I missed her?"
Amid Qingque's confusion, the story of the fifth season finally drew to a close.
[Sigh, it's over again. Drama drought, drama drought—recommendations please!]
[Nothing again. Every time I watch it's super fun, but when it's done I feel this weird emptiness.]
[Go watch Honkai Impact 3rd—one episode a day, pure enjoyment.]
[No can do. That one updates daily, you just get into it and it's gone. Plus some parts are buildup with no big moments—you need to stockpile episodes.]
[Where are they at now?]
[Up to Sky Ranger.]
[What even is that?]
[I'm out. It's really gone now.]
— —
Bang—
"Ow, my head!" Su Chen slowly crawled out from under the desk. "Damn, where did that thing go?"
"What exactly are you looking for?" Dan Heng leaned against the edge of the desk. He'd been watching Su Chen crawl around on the floor for half an hour—the floor was practically polished clean.
"It's completely blue, with a pair of little wings on its back, huge eyes, super cute! It has a swim ring around its neck, wears sunglasses—the seller who sold it to me said it's some kind of magical creature."
"Wings? Magical creature? Swim ring? Sunglasses?" Dan Heng shook his head. "Would you like to try organizing your words again?"
But Su Chen clearly ignored Dan Heng's sarcasm. "Bubble~ Oh, my Bubble~ Where did you go?"
"Sigh…" Dan Heng let out a long breath. "You could send a photo to the group chat. Everyone looking together might find it."
"I was about to take its picture and it ran away!" Su Chen pouted and continued rummaging.
"Fine. I have things to do. Remember to tidy up the room—especially that display cabinet behind you. I accidentally bumped it a few times earlier; feels like stuff's about to fall off."
"OK! You go ahead…" Su Chen's voice suddenly spiked. "Why is there a dog door here? Could Bubble have escaped through this?"
Dan Heng stopped questioning why a dog door would appear in an office—nothing in this interactive city was surprising anymore.
He simply opened the door to Su Chen's office. At that exact moment, Guinaifen, Sushang, and Belle were standing right outside.
Guinaifen had just raised her hand, about to knock.
"What are you doing here?" Sushang asked first.
"Me?" Dan Heng pointed at himself. "I'm here to report on the recent filming progress and web drama data."
"Ohhh… so how are the numbers?"
"Pretty good—no drastic drops at least. Season 5 is definitely trending down compared to Penacony, but it's still far exceeded pre-broadcast predictions.
Yanqing, Yunli, Feixiao, Jiaoqiu, Scott, Luka all pulled in solid traffic—especially Scott. Calling it traffic explosion wouldn't be an exaggeration."
"Exactly!" Guinaifen quickly gave a thumbs-up. "Last time I streamed, I called Scott on as a guest—good grief, the chat was lit that day. Nearly broke Firefly's guest appearance record."
"Mm, as expected. Can't deny Scott has insane talent for absurdity." The next moment, Dan Heng changed the subject. "That said, why are the three of you here?"
"Sigh, this is like a kid without a mom—long story." Belle couldn't help shaking her head. "Right now Honkai Impact 3rd's progress is kinda stalled. You know filming is done by scene—like all of St. Freya's parts get shot at St. Freya in one go. But for Sushang…"
"It's all my fault. I know even though Honkai Impact 3rd and Honkai: Star Rail basically use the same character—both Li Sushang—I still can't get into character." At this point, Sushang shamefully lowered her head. "I'm holding up the whole crew."
"Sushang!" Guinaifen patted her head. "My Sushang is the best! You can definitely do it! Look how naturally you act in Star Rail—everyone's calling you Big Smart now!"
Sushang shot Guinaifen a look. "Do you compliment people like that? But honestly, on the Star Rail set I feel like I can just do my thing, but on the Honkai Impact 3rd set I really can't do anything right!"
Belle spread her hands. "So we came here. You know my brother is supervising Star Rail now, and I'm supervising the Honkai Impact 3rd project. We brought Sushang to talk to Su Chen—he's full of wild ideas… cough, as the boss, he definitely has solutions. We're here to learn from him."
Dan Heng roughly understood the situation and satisfied his curiosity. "But why is Miss Guinaifen here?"
"I'm Sushang's bestie. This is her toughest time—of course I should stay by her side."
"Great friendship. Su Chen is somewhere under a desk in there." With that, Dan Heng stepped out and headed down the corridor. Right as he turned the corner, he poked his head back to remind them, "The room's a bit messy—watch your step."
After seeing Dan Heng off, Guinaifen continued comforting her. "Sushang, this time asking Boss Su Chen will definitely work!"
With that, the three of them entered Su Chen's office together.
One glance and it nearly shook Sushang's very DNA—it looked no different from a burglary.
Belle scanned the room. "Did we get robbed?"
"Looks like it." Guinaifen raised her voice. "Boss Su Chen! Sushang needs your help—where are you?!"
"Boss Su Chen?"
"Su Chen?"
"Firefly's here!"
"…"
"Hiss…" Belle rubbed her chin. "Where is he? We've been yelling forever and no response?"
"You think maybe there's a dog door in his office, he crawled in, and got stuck?" Sushang offered her perfectly reasonable theory.
"Hahaha." Guinaifen clutched her stomach and laughed twice. "Even novels wouldn't dare write that. How ridiculous would that be?"
"Uh… setting aside the getting-stuck-in-a-dog-door part—if I told you there's a sky-blue cat with a pair of wings on its back, a swim ring around its neck, huge eyes, super cute, wearing a hat and sunglasses… would you believe me?"
Hearing this, Sushang and Guinaifen looked at Belle with puzzled eyes. "You okay in the head?"
But when the two of them followed Belle's gaze, right in their line of sight was indeed such a magical creature.
It tilted its head. "Meow~"
Thump, thump, thump—
That was the sound of three girls' hearts pounding wildly.
From the moment they saw Bubble, they had only one thought.
Hug it and never let go!
"This this this—what is this ultimate super cutie~!!!"