"Dear passengers, this route will make a brief stopover of one day in Deep Blue City. Passengers needing to transfer or sightsee, please note the boarding time to avoid any unnecessary inconvenience."
Amidst the broadcast of the ship's female attendant, Caroline picked up her light blue suitcase and stepped onto the familiar glass passenger walkway.
The uniquely salty, humid sea breeze of Deep Blue City slipped through the gaps in the walkway, gently lifting the hair that fell on Caroline's shoulders.
In the six years that had passed, Caroline's figure had become much more graceful, and her hair had grown long, reaching her waist.
She stood by the walkway, her right hand instinctively tucking the scattered silver strands behind her ear as she looked out at the landmark of Deep Blue City: the Deep Blue Pearl.
Gazing at the pale gold color of the structure, which symbolized 'clear skies,' on the Deep Blue Pearl, Caroline spoke softly: "The liner will stop for a day. I might as well look around."
With that, Caroline picked up her suitcase and walked out of the passenger walkway.
Meanwhile, at the entrance of the Sunken Ship Grand Restaurant.
Jing Liuli stared at the grand glass doors, her small mouth once again pouting in dissatisfaction.
"Tendo, why aren't we going to eat in the old district from yesterday? I feel like there were a lot of good things we didn't get to try there."
Before Tendo could answer, she tugged on his sleeve, swaying back and forth like a cat that hadn't gotten its dried fish, complaining incessantly.
As a New Federation superstar known across the country, the places Jing Liuli frequented most were never concert venues.
They were the large hotels and fancy restaurants all over the New Federation.
After all, whenever she arrived in a city, the local organizers and powerful figures always hosted banquets in the most luxurious hotels.
Consequently, a place with a strong commercial atmosphere like the Sunken Ship Grand Restaurant held no attraction for her compared to the small stalls in the old district yesterday.
But there's a saying for a reason...
"Let's go. We're already here."
"..."
He pushed Jing Liuli by the shoulder to walk inside, a flicker of slyness in his eyes, as if he were plotting something.
"Good afternoon, do you have a reservation?"
Seeing the two enter the restaurant, a waiter in a tailcoat immediately stepped forward with a smile.
"We do."
Hearing this, the waiter immediately began to check their information.
Moments later, he made an inviting gesture toward Tendo and Jing Liuli.
"Alright, this way please, for the two of you."
The movie's camera followed Tendo and Jing Liuli to the 'Dolphin-themed' dining area that was very familiar to the dimensional viewers.
Jing Liuli curiously observed her surroundings. Simulated sunken ship skeletons hung from the ceiling.
Luminous jellyfish lamps were embedded in the sea-colored walls.
The best part was the dining area itself: through the transparent, waterproof dome, they could eat while watching schools of fish swim outside, making it feel like they were dining underwater.
No sooner had the two sat down than a plump white dolphin swam over to the dome.
Its round eyes fixated on the menu in Jing Liuli's hand, and it gently tapped the dome with its tail, as if begging for food.
"So cute!"
Just as Jing Liuli was about to reach out to touch the dome, Tendo suddenly pulled his sunglasses down to the tip of his nose and made a face at the dolphin.
"Ha!"
"Shooo!"
The white dolphin was startled, twisting its body sharply and flicking its tail rapidly, darting back into the depths of the school of fish in a panic, forgetting to even blow bubbles.
It remembered. It completely remembered!
Six years ago, a malevolent, silver-haired, blue-eyed biped had played the exact same trick on it!!!
"Tendo, why did you scare it!"
Jing Liuli, who had been about to reach out and pet the white dolphin, immediately swatted his arm in annoyance.
In response, Tendo pushed his sunglasses back up and said indifferently, "Because it was fun."
"..."
Okay, confirmed. This guy, Tendo, is naturally mischievous!
Jing Liuli rolled her eyes at him, then picked up the menu to look through it.
After a long time of not finding anything she wanted, Jing Liuli turned to the waiter and asked, "Do you have takoyaki here? If not, grilled squid will do!"
The waiter was momentarily stunned, clearly never having encountered a guest ordering roadside snacks at the Sunken Ship Restaurant.
But he maintained excellent customer service, smiling as he said, "I apologize, Miss. Our specialty dishes are the 'Deep Sea Caviar with Truffles' and the 'Star Shell Cream Soup.' We do not have the dishes you mentioned."
He paused, then thoughtfully added:
"Of course, if you truly want those items, I can have someone purchase them for you. Please accept my apologies."
"That's alright, no need to go to all that trouble."
With that, Jing Liuli, who never suffered from decision paralysis, extravagantly ordered all the specialty dishes on the menu.
She could afford it!
She was now a famous New Federation star who earned big money from concerts. She no longer needed to secretly eat a piece of candy like she did six years ago!
Today's bill is on Miss Jing!
Meanwhile, the dimensional viewers looked at the location Tendo had chosen.
It felt strangely familiar.
A portion of the dimensional viewers who had realized what was going on immediately checked back to Prequel of the Stars Season 1.
They quickly discovered that the spot where Tendo and Jing Liuli were sitting was the exact location Tendo had specially chosen when celebrating Caroline's birthday six years ago.
Coupled with the scene of Caroline having just disembarked the ship a short while ago, they instantly realized: Something is up. This location Tendo chose is definitely not random!
'Something's not right! This spot is so familiar! Isn't this where Tendo celebrated Meow-Meow's birthday in Season 1?'
'There must be a reason for it. Is Tendo planning a 'chance encounter' with Meow-Meow here?'
'The classic 'accidental' meeting that's actually all part of a meticulous design? You're so conniving, Tendo (complimentary)!'
Just as the dimensional viewers were wondering what Tendo was plotting, the movie's camera switched to the entrance of the Sunken Ship Grand Restaurant.
Ding-a-ling-ling. Accompanied by the chime of the restaurant's wind chime, a silver-haired figure dragging a light blue suitcase walked into the restaurant.
Due to the camera angle, the incoming person was blocked by the coral potted plant on the counter.
"Do you have a reservation?"
"No, do you have any available tables?"
Though they couldn't see the guest's face, the moment that cool female voice sounded, the dimensional viewers instantly became excited: It's Caroline!
"Please follow me."
"Thank you."
The waiter led her toward the Dolphin-themed area.
But as she reached the entrance of the themed area, her steps abruptly stopped.
Through the glass of the restaurant corridor, she happened to see the table by the window.
Tendo was smilingly handing a napkin to Jing Liuli, while Jing Liuli, cheeks puffed out, held up half a Star Shell bread and was leaning in to talk about something.
In an instant, Caroline's fingers tightened on the handle of her suitcase, her silver-gray eyelashes fluttered slightly, and even her breathing slowed by half a beat.
Her perpetually icy expression had changed.
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