Chapter 85: Whispers Beneath the Fireworks

A few minutes before eight o’clock, everyone was ready and, using their designated flying devices, they arrived at the lakeside on the outskirts of the city. Xie Liu and his companions were the first to step off the craft, finding themselves atop a lofty platform already bustling with people. Behind them came the lively chatter of girls, their laughter ringing out as they descended from the vehicle, each dressed in colorful yukatas.

Franny wore a white yukata, its hue reminiscent of the lilies that symbolized her. She walked gracefully at the front; upon seeing Xie Liu, she waved with a smile. Every girl was dressed beautifully, their delicate steps light as they descended, faces alight with joy.

“What are you looking at?” Franny, uncharacteristically girlish, giggled as she pressed close to Xie Liu. The scent of her perfume enveloped him, and his cheeks flushed as he quickly averted his gaze; the scene was almost overwhelmingly stimulating.

“Uh, nothing,” Xie Liu replied, awkward and tense. Franny could clearly sense his body stiffen beside her.

At that moment, Franny made a discovery as though she’d uncovered a new world. “So it’s true—you really are an innocent young man,” she teased. “Come on, tell me, how do I look in this outfit?”

“Um, ah, well…” Xie Liu stammered, glancing at her for a heartbeat before quickly looking away, a blush blooming across his face. “You look beautiful. Really.”

“You’re not honest at all,” Franny pouted, clearly dissatisfied with such a reserved answer. Nevertheless, she boldly linked her arm with his, drawing envious looks from passersby. “Tonight, I’m your girlfriend.” With that, she all but dragged Xie Liu toward the viewing terrace.

The staff at the entrance asked a cursory question but didn’t doubt their relationship. Even when Ye Ling and Angela entered together, there wasn’t a trace of surprise on the staff’s faces; it seemed that in this fantasy city, same-sex relationships were widely accepted.

“We came here once last year, but back then, partners were assigned internally.” Once inside the terrace, Franny released Xie Liu’s arm, letting him breathe a sigh of relief.

“What’s wrong? Not used to being held by me?” Franny noticed how Xie Liu’s body trembled, sweat beading on his brow, looking quite unwell. Hearing her question, Xie Liu forced a wry smile. “To be honest, I have a mild phobia of women.”

“Ah!” Franny exclaimed, instinctively taking a step back as she glanced around to see her friends had dispersed. She turned to Xie Liu, concern on her face. “I’m so sorry—I didn’t know. You never seemed like… like that sort of person.”

“How could I possibly talk about something like this?” Xie Liu exhaled deeply. “I can only use humor to mask my fear.”

“So how did you manage in the hot spring? That was a whole group of beautiful women.” Franny’s smile was teasing. Xie Liu shrugged helplessly. “Didn’t you notice I spent the entire time hiding in the corner without moving?”

Franny thought for a moment—it was true. She nodded. “Don’t worry about it. Our Silver Flash Team is packed with beauties. Maybe we’ll cure you of this phobia.”

“Don’t count on it,” Xie Liu muttered, looking down at his trembling hands. “Some memories never fade. As long as they remain in my mind, I’ll never be free.” Recalling the past, he saw his hands as they once were—covered in blood.

“Sorry. I lost my composure.” He wiped his sweaty palms on his clothes. “Don’t tell anyone. Even Lin Yang doesn’t know.” He glanced around. “Where did everyone go?”

“Don’t worry,” Franny reassured him with a soft smile. She didn’t press for details—if he ever wanted to talk, she believed he would. “Besides, this viewing terrace is huge. See that mountain?” She pointed to a peak behind them. “The entire mountainside is part of the viewing area. There’s a lively market at the foot of the hill. That’s probably where everyone went.”

“How will we get in touch with them? None of us brought our communicators.”

Franny tapped her head. “Relax. I’m here, aren’t I? Don’t you trust my abilities? I’ll just do a scan and know exactly where they are.” She stretched languidly, her perfect figure drawing Xie Liu’s gaze—though he quickly looked away, unable to bear it. “I’m not keen to see anything in particular—do whatever you want.”

“Funny, neither am I. Let’s go see what’s ahead. The fireworks show is about to start.” She pointed to a floating blue timer on the ground, its glow vying for attention. Only three minutes to eight.

“Let’s go!” Franny stood and reached out to Xie Liu but hesitated, pulling her hand back. “Sorry, I forgot.”

“It’s fine,” Xie Liu replied as he got up. “It’s not that bad—just mild.” They walked side by side to the edge of the terrace, where there weren’t many people; most had chosen the bustling night market.

“But I remember—with Angela, you never seemed afraid,” Franny suddenly recalled.

Xie Liu seemed to realize this himself and thought for a moment before answering. “First, the situation was urgent—I was too distracted. Secondly, I’ve never really thought of Angela as a girl.” He smiled, embarrassed.

Franny laughed softly. “Angela was a mischievous child, but after an accident, she changed.” Franny hesitated, then fell silent.

Xie Liu sensed she didn’t want to continue, so the two of them leaned on the railing, gazing out over the iridescent city lights. The lake at the mountain’s foot shimmered in the distance. Franny tapped the railing and the blue time display reappeared, spinning before her as if to assert its presence.

“Ten, nine, eight, seven…” Franny counted down, eyes on the numbers. Xie Liu turned to look at her profile—serene, elegant, and so beautiful that words failed; she seemed to gather all the world’s beauty in herself, radiating brilliance.

At that moment, Xie Liu felt his heart skip a beat.

“One. It’s starting.” Franny lifted her head, and in that instant, hundreds of beams shot into the night sky. The next second, they burst into countless radiant blossoms, spinning and shifting colors in a riotous celebration of light and sound—a wild, dazzling festival that felt as if the mundane world had been left far behind for a realm of dreams.

“It’s strange, isn’t it?” Xie Liu watched the fireworks. “It’s winter, yet here we are wearing yukatas, watching fireworks.”

“That’s what makes this the City of Dreams, doesn’t it?” Franny rested her hands behind her, swinging her legs like a schoolgirl. After a while, she looked down at her feet and spoke, “I’ve thought about it. If you all really do get expelled from the Special Unit, then join our Silver Flash Team.”

“Are you serious?” Xie Liu looked at her in surprise, her face illuminated by the kaleidoscopic glow.

“I’ve considered it for a long time. When Silver Flash was founded, I said we’d never admit boys, and that only the original members would ever belong. But if it comes to it, I’d welcome you. I don’t think Wendy or the others would mind, because…”

Franny turned, meeting Xie Liu’s gaze. The fireworks reflected in her silvery eyes, turning them into swirling kaleidoscopes.

“Because you’re our companions. From the moment we met Angel, you always have been.”

Xie Liu shuddered imperceptibly. “Angel…?”

“I’ll talk to everyone. If it does come to that, then let’s work well together.” Xie Liu bowed slightly, and Franny accepted it with composure.

“Honestly, I’m looking forward to it. We’ve had more laughter since you arrived.” Franny stifled a giggle behind her hand, her mood visibly brightening. Then her smile froze. She pressed the blue gem at her ear as a message flashed before her eyes, her expression dimming.

“What’s wrong?” Xie Liu asked, concerned. Franny switched off her earpiece. “It’s from my fiancé. He wants to know where I am.”

“Fiancé?” Xie Liu felt lost for a moment. Wait, Franny had a fiancé? That was big news! But hang on—a fiancé, and here she was pretending to be a couple with him at the fireworks. What did that make him? The proverbial third wheel!

The thought made sweat bead on Xie Liu’s brow, a strong urge to flee rising within him. Franny seemed to sense his discomfort and sighed softly. “It’s an arranged marriage—my father set it up. The other party is the chairman’s grandson; our families have always been close.”

“You know, I’m my father’s only child. Without a son, all the other relatives are eyeing his position. Even in the City of Dreams, the old prejudices haven’t vanished.”

“My father hopes I’ll marry the chairman’s grandson, so with another chairman’s support, he can keep his place as head of the family. In the future, our child would even have to be adopted into the Black family line to continue the bloodline.”

“But I, Rose, don’t like that man.”

“He’s always polite, always smiling, always the perfect gentleman. I heard he earned the highest degree from the city’s top university, his research in dark matter alloys is highly praised, and he created value unmatched even by the Hokkaido branch. He’s a genius, a dazzling new star in everyone’s eyes!”

“But I don’t like him,” Franny murmured, sighing after the words tumbled out in a rush.

Hearing this, Xie Liu scratched his head, embarrassed. “You know, that’s a bit of a blow to me. The guy standing in front of you has no manners, is quick-tempered, and as for being a gentleman—you know what kind. As for my education, I took a half-year cognitive class in the city, never even got my certificate. I’ve never done any research. I’ve been living on welfare, creating nothing but negative value—a parasite, trash, a social outcast.”

Franny burst into laughter, her spirits suddenly lifted.

“So, with someone like me around, what do you have to complain about? Besides, life is yours to decide. If the day comes when you have to choose, don’t forget you’ve got this group of seemingly unreliable—actually, genuinely unreliable—friends.” Xie Liu gave a thumbs up. “We’re pretty dependable, you know.”

Franny stared at him in disbelief, then sighed in defeat. “I never thought I’d be getting a lecture from you.”

Just as she spoke, Franny’s face froze. In her mind, Angela’s anguished cry rang out, tearing at her heart: “Franny, save Sister Ye Ling!”