Chapter 28: "Shadow" and "Qingxian"

After finishing lunch and taking a short break, the next destination for sightseeing is...

Well, there was no predetermined place to visit. Alister slung a canvas bag containing five hardcover books over his shoulder, and Yumikou casually strolled through the neighborhood.

Passing eight lush green trees, they walked southwest for a few hundred meters, and in the distance was a busy commercial street with a large crowd.

When they reached a corner near a convenience store, Alister noticed something different and approached leisurely, silently marveling at the glory of the past.

What appeared before his eyes was a photo booth machine with complex wiring, its curtains bearing the marks of time, simple yet clean.

It was probably set up by an old shopkeeper to reminisce about their youth. Most likely.

"It's so retro... this thing... the cutest in the world, what do you think?" Alister turned his face and asked.

Of course, "the cutest in the world" referred to Yumikou.

Yumikou, brimming with innocence, approached Alister and together they examined this relic of the past, her long eyelashes fluttering.

Then, like a child who had never seen the world before, she asked, "What is this?"

"Hmm?" Alister was somewhat surprised. "You don't know what this is?"

"Counting the time I've spent with you..." Yumikou sighed in frustration. "I've only seen the world for three years, actually..."

Alister's gaze fell on her, and he asked, "Could it be... you lived in the deep mountains when you were young?"

"Don't look down on me..." Yumikou pleaded softly.

"How could I look down on you, the cutest in the world?" Alister opened the curtain and walked inside. "Enough talking, come in and take a few pictures."

"Hmph~" Yumikou was a little happy and obediently followed him inside.

Once inside, Alister casually selected the shooting effects of peach-pink hearts and playful stickers. "How about this effect?"

Seeing herself and Alister shoulder to shoulder in the viewfinder, Yumikou's face blushed briefly, then she turned her head away and said softly, "Anything is fine..."

And in the next moment...

"Continuous shooting initiated... Yumikou, Yumikou?"

"Hmm? Huh? What's hap—"

The first picture: Yumikou's expression showed slight confusion and surprise, and Alister swiftly embraced her slender waist.

The second picture: Yumikou froze, and Alister struck a handsome pose.

The third picture: Yumikou's lips slightly parted, as if she had something to say, and Alister showed an expression of "How do I look, am I handsome?"

The fourth picture: Yumikou hugged Alister's neck and kissed him, causing him to lose his balance slightly.

The fifth picture: The camera no longer captured the figures of the two, only a wisp of cloud-white hair floating at the corner.

Two minutes later, the simple curtains were lifted, revealing...

A hand covering his face, Alister sighed helplessly and said, "I miscalculated."

And...

As she turned her face away, her eyes moved subtly, and Yumikou softly murmured, "You should have hugged me first."

...

...

The majority of the afternoon was spent by Alister and Yumikou on a public bench, the cool breeze taking away the hustle and bustle, and the warm afternoon sun shining on their faces, creating a comfortable atmosphere.

"This place is nice. The city of A owes the urban planner of this public bench some praise," Alister relaxed, leaning back on the chair.

"Making a big deal out of nothing," Yumikou laughed, offering such an evaluation.

But Alister shook his head slightly, calmly retorting, "Being chosen and seated by the cutest in the world, the city of A must give the urban planner the highest honor and present it every year."

"If that's the case... hmm..." Alister wore an expression of self-evidence. "Then give the highest honor to all the benches."

Yumikou's eyes drooped slightly, adding a touch of charm to her demeanor. "Fool..."

At this moment, the two sat shoulder to shoulder. Yumikou leaned her cheek against Alister's shoulder, her face showing a hint of fatigue.

After a while, a cool and ethereal voice lingered in their ears.

"I will have surprises for you in the future." Yumikou was not asleep. She seemed to see the near future not far away. "Perhaps, that time will come soon."

Alister placed the canvas bag at the end of the bench, embraced Yumikou's delicate shoulder, and in a calm tone mixed with curiosity, asked, "What kind of surprises?"

Yumikou responded with an educational gaze and muttered, "Surprises are no longer surprises once they are spoken."

"Agreed." Alister's voice was steady, bringing comfort. "I will also have surprises for you in the future."

Yumikou fell silent, simply tilting her body and lying on Alister's thigh, her cloud-white ponytail falling between his fingers.

Yumikou adjusted her position to find the most comfortable posture.

Alister cooperated by remaining silent, closing his eyes, and enjoying the afternoon ambiance of the city of A.

The two shared this moment of tranquility and warm radiance. Their breaths gradually calmed...

"Do you really not want me to sponsor you?"

Suddenly, Yumikou turned her beautiful profile and asked, seemingly considering actually paying a sponsorship fee of one billion yuan.

"I've said it before, I'm an ambitious and self-reliant young man." Alister's tone was serious.

Then, Alister opened his eyes, gazed at Yumikou, and added, "If you really insist, I guess I could sponsor you."

"I don't believe you." Yumikou turned her face away again, looking ahead.

"Whether you believe it or not, you have to believe it." Alister reached out and playfully scratched her chin like petting an animal.

"Mmm~" Yumikou hummed contentedly.

...

...

When the date was over, the sunset was brilliant, and the evening world of A City was about to unfold as the evening glow dyed the flowing clouds roseate.

Although Alister's attempt to test whether Yumikou was a player was interrupted by a white bird, he never mentioned it again afterward.

Coincidentally, Yumikou seemed to have forgotten about it too, not probing further.

—Because the objective had already been achieved.

In this world, everyone has their own secrets, secrets they don't want others to know.

Sometimes, with true friends, simple words and phrases are enough, maintaining an appropriate distance from each other.

Those who understand themselves won't ask, and explaining to those who don't understand is a waste of time.

Alister and Yumikou understood each other very well, understanding each other's identities as fellow players in the sequential game.

At the subway station in A City, two stations far apart, they both got off the subway and headed in opposite directions, the surrounding crowd paying no attention.

"Who sponsors whom, the outcome is uncertain," Alister sighed with contentment.

An advanced subway train passing by his side, heading toward the other side of the bustling world, stirred up a gentle breeze that made his hair sway.

Alister decided to become stronger, and Yumikou received a temporary overtime notice from the Seventeenth Bureau.

"Shadow" and "Qingxian."

Alister put his hands in his pockets, and Yumikou gathered her side hair. They both stopped simultaneously, separated from the ordinary world of people coming and going.

A caring gaze, fashion advertisement billboards, countless oblivious passersby...

Shadow descended amidst the radiance, and Qingxian was born amidst the night.

"Let the game begin."

The two said these words, their hearts in perfect harmony.