Next to Belle, Wise was rummaging through a large cardboard box, searching for videotapes as he spoke up.
"Belle, we don't have many options left. None of these tapes are suitable?"
Belle didn't respond. She looked uneasy, but after a few seconds, Qingyi's confident voice came through the phone, and Belle immediately let out a sigh of relief.
She turned to Wise and said softly, "Okay, brother, this is the one!"
Hearing this, Wise packed up the remaining tapes, picked up the one Belle had pointed to, and walked over to the TV. Seeing the label on the tape, he raised an eyebrow.
"This film... actually seems pretty fitting."
"Then get the tape set up, brother. I'll go open the door for Zane."
Belle spoke softly to Wise, then said a few more words to Qingyi on the phone before hanging up.
She turned toward the entrance, silently praying.
She hoped everything would go smoothly this time and that she could help Qingyi. The aftereffects from Zane's awakening were truly terrifying.
Still, she was a little curious—why had Qingyi asked her to stir up Zane's emotions?
Could emotional fluctuation somehow help prevent the aftereffects?
Lost in thought, Belle opened the video store door and saw Zane standing there, looking completely normal. That only deepened her confusion.
He didn't look like someone suffering from any aftereffects. Maybe Qingyi was exaggerating...
Even though her mind was racing, Belle kept a calm expression. She smiled at Zane and said,
"Oh, I felt really bad about last time... I couldn't be there for you because of the Inter-Knot commission."
Zane stepped into the store, spreading his hands in mild exasperation.
"It's no big deal. I'm honored you even made the effort to check in on me."
"As for spending time with me—I'm not some lonely old man. Don't worry about that... We've got plenty of time ahead of us, right?"
Belle frowned slightly at that.
Something about his words felt off, but she couldn't quite place it. Looking up at Zane, she said,
"Zane, you can't think that way. We have to cherish the present—like in that movie, you know? Live each day as if it were your last…"
Zane looked at Belle's furrowed brow and her serious tone. Something about it felt oddly familiar.
"Tsk, Belle... don't tell me Qingyi's been teaching you bad habits? You're sounding like you're giving a lecture…"
He chuckled softly, eyes glinting.
"And anyway, Qingyi's my master. If she lectures me, I just have to listen. But you're different…"
Belle's heart skipped a beat.
"Wait—hold on! I'm just doing this for your own good, Zane!"
She took two quick steps back, eyeing him warily—afraid he might suddenly pull out one of those chirping electric orbs.
Zane found her reaction amusing and waved a hand casually.
"Relax, relax. I'm not some weirdo with twisted hobbies. Sure, a little zap is good for your health—but I'm not reckless about it…"
Belle felt an eye-roll coming. If she believed that, she'd definitely pay a "painful" price.
Zane stepped into the room next to the store. Seeing the table piled with half-eaten snacks and empty drink bottles, he raised an eyebrow.
"Belle, you said live each day like it's your last… So your 'last day' is just you, munching snacks, chugging soda, and scrolling on your phone?"
He nailed it in one guess—and could probably picture the whole scene too.
Near the TV, Wise, who had just finished setting up the tape, heard Zane's words and sighed.
It was scarily accurate. As long as there wasn't a commission, that really was a perfect description of how his sister spent her day…
"Hehe... It was just a little accident. I actually got all this for you! We're watching a movie, right? Can't do that on an empty stomach!"
"And all this...?"
Seeing Zane's expression, Belle scratched her head awkwardly. She couldn't help it—she'd gotten hungry.
Once she started snacking, she couldn't stop.
She ate while on her phone, and before she knew it, the snacks were mostly gone.
"Hey, Zane, are you being stingy?"
Belle leaned closer, blinking her big sparkling eyes, trying her best to act cute.
"Alright, alright. I'm more interested in the videotape anyway. You said it's something new and unusual—what is it?"
Zane nudged her face to the side and sat down on the couch, curious.
"It's a film about the fall of the Old Capital."
Wise chimed in from the side. Since Zane had arrived, he'd been quietly observing him—but he hadn't seen any signs of the supposedly dangerous aftereffects Qingyi had mentioned.
Zane suddenly going cold and going on a killing spree? That sounded completely ridiculous…
"Mhm! We only managed to dig up this movie recently. We were really intrigued, but my brother and I held off on watching it just so we could see it with you!"
Belle added from her seat nearby.
"Hmm… let's get the movie started first. Loading might take a bit. I'll go grab us some drinks?"
Wise spread his hands, making the suggestion. Belle looked at him, curious.
"Huh? Two drinks? Aren't you having one, brother?"
Wise gave her a look, smiled slightly, and said gently,
"No, Belle. Not for you."
"Eh? Why not!"
"You've already had plenty. If you drink more, you'll get a stomachache…"
Waving her off, Wise walked away decisively. Belle puffed up her cheeks in frustration and glared at his back.
"Your brother's not wrong, Belle. Too much soda—and snacks—can mess up your stomach..."
Zane said with a smile. Belle wanted to protest, but he quietly added,
"Belle, it's all for your own good."
Whatever she was about to say got stuck in her throat. Arms crossed, she slumped into her seat, sulking.
Fine, fine. They were both her elders...
Even though she was already this old, why did she still feel like a little kid?
No—little kids get stopped right after they start eating... Yeah, she was a big kid!
The TV screen flickered. After a moment, the image and sound came in clearly, and Wise had returned.
Under Belle's "death glare," he handed a drink to Zane and took the other one for himself.
Sensing her stare, Wise shot her a lazy glance.
That look said:
"Don't bother. You're not getting any."
As Belle silently cursed him with her eyes, the movie began to play, and the three gradually became immersed.
The video store fell quiet.
...