At the same time Mobius and Klein were meeting, on the other side of the city, the members of the magic troupe, having thoroughly celebrated the end of their performance, all turned their gazes toward the two who were about to depart.
"Are you leaving tonight? Isn't that a bit too rushed? With your performance today, you'd surely have a bright future if you continued with the troupe."
Looking at the already packed luggage, Cocolia spoke to Fu Li and Vill-V, trying to persuade them to stay, even though she knew their decision was final.
However, just as she expected, her words were met with a refusal.
"I'm very sorry, Aunt Cocolia, but this was decided long ago," Vill-V said with a light laugh, her youthful face filled with determination.
And since Vill-V had spoken, there was no need to ask for Fu Li's opinion.
"I see. In that case, do you have enough money?"
Like any mother watching her children leave the nest, Cocolia asked the question for the third time that night.
"Of course. Don't worry, Ms. Cocolia. This isn't a final farewell. Technology is so advanced these days; if you want to get in touch, you can call us anytime."
"Yes... a phone call."
Though reluctant to see them go, Cocolia still nodded. Standing with the other children by the door, she waved at the two of them.
"Then... may we meet again by fate."
"Yes, may we meet again."
As the words of farewell were spoken, the atmosphere fell into a temporary silence.
Vill-V tried to move her legs, but they felt as if they were glued to the ground, utterly immobile.
She knew there was one more thing she had yet to say.
"Um... Mama Cocolia... goodbye."
For years, she had always addressed Cocolia as 'Aunt'. Today, for the first time ever, she uttered that word.
After speaking, she immediately turned her head and walked off into the distance.
"Heh... what a stubborn child."
Looking at the slightly stunned Cocolia, Fu Li reached up, tipped the brim of his hat, and made a parting gesture.
Then, his gaze fell upon Anna's reluctant expression, and he sighed inwardly.
"Well then, farewell, Ms. Cocolia. And little sister Anna, if you miss us, just give us a call or send an email. As long as we see it, we will definitely reply."
With that, Fu Li turned around. Seeing Vill-V walking ahead without looking back, he unhesitatingly quickened his pace to catch up.
From this moment on, the fledgling named 'Vill-V' had left the nest. She was beginning to fly on her own wings into the vast, boundless sky, ready to write her own legend.
But no matter how far she flew, there would always be a place she could call home.
As they slowly walked away, the children gathered at the door began to disperse, until finally, only Cocolia was left, gazing at the two figures who had shrunk into small dots in the distance.
A cigarette appeared in her hand at some point. Cocolia sat alone at the entrance, looking up at the countless stars in the sky, as if seeing Vill-V's parents from the past.
"Your child has grown up..."
Cocolia murmured, the cigarette in her hand burning slowly. Her expression was a mixture of worry and a faint smile.
This was the first time she had ever watched one of her children grow up and leave the magic troupe, becoming a truly independent individual with their own future.
She hoped that one day, they would be reunited.
---o---
On the slightly cool streets of London, two not-so-tall figures walked slowly, side by side.
As a man with a plan, Fu Li had already arranged for his subordinates to prepare a place for them to live the very day Vill-V proposed leaving the troupe.
After all, considering their foreign status and their age, it was impossible for them to stay in a proper hotel or rent an apartment with their own IDs.
However, Fu Li was also aware that doing so came at a cost—it could very well expose certain things about him.
Thus, they simply walked together, feeling the breeze, until they arrived in front of a small apartment building.
It was a four-story building with a distinct medieval style. Although it looked old, the fresh coat of paint and the external air conditioning units clearly indicated it was a fully modernized apartment.
And to be able to live in such a building in a modern city center like London, the residents were clearly not ordinary people.
"This apartment must be very expensive."
"Mhm, it is. So, do you like it?"
"Yeah, as a place to live, it's quite nice."
Good grief, this idiot isn't even trying to hide it anymore.
Vill-V sighed helplessly. She followed Fu Li into the building, climbed the stairs to the second floor, and looked at the door number, silently committing their new address to memory.
221 Baker Street?
The apartment was a spacious 130 square meters. It was fully furnished with two separate bedrooms, a bathroom with a bathtub, and a bright, open balcony and kitchen.
It could be said that this clean and tidy residence had almost no flaws, except for the lack of a lived-in atmosphere.
"So, what do you think? The place I prepared isn't too bad, right?"
"Mhm, it's really nice here, but it feels like something is missing."
Seeing Vill-V's somewhat downcast mood, Fu Li offered a thoughtful smile. He gently pushed her by the shoulders towards the bathroom.
"You must be tired after today's performance. How about a hot bath and a good night's sleep?"
"Hm? Is there hot water here?"
"Of course. Who do you think I am?"
"Guh... Alright then, I'll go wash up first."
With that, Vill-V forced herself to perk up. She picked out a fresh set of clothes from her suitcase and sank into the bathtub.
The moment she submerged herself in the hot water, Vill-V's expression instantly softened. The thoughts in her mind gradually drifted away until, finally, only Fu Li remained in the blank space.
This idiot... should I ask him just how big of a secret identity he's been hiding from me?
Mmm... better not. After all, Fu Li has practically made it obvious that he has a mysterious identity.
But even so, he's unwilling to tell me himself. What does that mean? It means this is a challenge he has issued to me!
It was as if he was explicitly telling her: I have a secret identity, and you'll just have to rely on your own abilities to uncover it, piece by piece, from the clues I leave behind.
"Hmph, just you wait, stinky Li. I'll let you know what the genius Vill-V is truly capable of!"
In the small bathtub, Vill-V grabbed a handful of bubbles from in front of her. Her earlier dejection was swept away, replaced by a fierce fighting spirit.
She would definitely dig out all of Fu Li's secrets and make him hers, from the bottom of his heart!