Chapter 47: Variables

The tickets provided by Xia Zili were in an excellent location, right in the prime golden zone closest to the stage.

Here, one could directly hear Kunitani Maki's singing without having to worry about the distortion caused by amplified speakers.

The only trouble was that the people who managed to grab tickets for the golden zone were almost entirely super-zealous fans who had used technological means or a great deal of money... Chen Zi'ang felt that he and his sister were completely out of place among these people.

Support outfits, glow sticks, banners, and synchronized movements—their faces bore looks of intense, anticipatory fanaticism, much like zealous worshippers on a pilgrimage to their goddess.

Chen Xiaozhu lacked physical stamina, so Chen Zi'ang brought a folding chair for her, an action that attracted the collective gaze of the surrounding fans.

Mind you, everyone around them was standing. To actually sit right down like this—how on earth were they supposed to gaze upon the holy countenance of the goddess up close?

"My younger sister is blind," Chen Zi'ang explained to the crowd.

Oh, blind, no wonder... The onlookers withdrew their gazes one after another. A few kind-hearted female fans even urged everyone to leave some space for Chen Xiaozhu.

After all, blind people couldn't see a thing; even if the crowd surged forward, they wouldn't know, making it very easy for dangerous situations to occur.

However, everyone soon had no time to discuss this matter, as the lights and music on the stage sounded simultaneously.

Kunitani Maki was about to take the stage!

Surprised cheers rose and fell in the surrounding crowd, mingled with faint, excited screams.

Chen Zi'ang struggled to look toward the stage when he suddenly heard a cold voice ring out beside him:

"Why are you here?"

Turning his head, he saw none other than Xia Qingyu, dressed in casual wear.

A white shirt, brown jacket, casual trousers, and over-the-knee boots gave her a distinct flair and temperament... provided you didn't think about how she usually scolded you with her sharp tongue.

"My sister is a fan of Kunitani Maki," Chen Zi'ang replied.

"Mhm." Xia Qingyu crossed her arms and scrutinized Chen Xiaozhu for a moment. "She is blind?"

"Yes." Chen Zi'ang didn't want to elaborate and simply nodded.

The wave of sound around them exploded once more as Xia Zili flashed onto the stage.

At this moment, the diva of the music scene was dressed in full regalia like a goddess descending to the mortal realm, her voice seemingly capable of piercing metal and shattering stone, instantly igniting the atmosphere of the entire venue.

Chen Zi'ang didn't have the luxury of continuing his conversation with Xia Qingyu; he simply focused on enjoying Xia Zili's singing—his interest in music hadn't reached the level of an audiophile, but he still had to admit that Xia Zili's control over her voice this time showed a clear improvement compared to her live performance at the Budokan last time.

Of course, perhaps it was because the melody of the new song was more magnificent, which highlighted her vocal prowess even more.

"The title of this song is *Hero*," Xia Qingyu said suddenly from beside him. "What do you think?"

"It sounds pretty good," Chen Zi'ang said subconsciously without thinking too much.

"Kunitani Maki... is my younger sister," Xia Qingyu said slowly. "A half-sister by the same mother."

"We grew up together since childhood, and I am all too familiar with her personality. The lyrics of this song are far too radical; it doesn't look like something she would write."

Chen Zi'ang was puzzled by this and asked:

"Maybe someone else helped her write the lyrics?"

"Her creative habit is to handle everything personally; she wouldn't let others interfere," Xia Qingyu dismissed the notion. "Therefore, something must have subtly... changed her in a place I didn't notice."

She stared at Xia Zili, who was belting out high notes on the stage, a dark, obscure negative emotion lingering in her deep eyes, spreading like heavy rain clouds.

Chen Zi'ang sighed and persuaded:

"Qingyu, I also have a younger sister. I know what it feels like to be an older brother or sister."

"But just as parents cannot force their children to become the people they expect them to be, we cannot make our younger siblings grow up forever according to our expectations."

Xia Qingyu was silent for a moment, then shook her head:

"You don't understand."

"What is there that I don't understand?" Chen Zi'ang asked with a frown.

This time, Xia Qingyu remained silent for even longer.

Just when Chen Zi'ang thought she had no intention of answering, he heard Xia Qingyu say softly:

"Never mind, just pretend I never said anything."

Chen Zi'ang: ...............

Although she spoke in riddles, it was still much better than spitting venom at him at random, so he didn't plan to take it to heart.

Soon it was intermission. Xia Zili needed to return backstage to rest and retouch her makeup, and the fans were also milling about chaotically in an endless stream of those going to the restroom, buying water, or stepping out to smoke.

"I'm going to buy some drinks. Watermelon juice?" Chen Zi'ang asked his sister.

Chen Xiaozhu nodded.

"Qingyu?" he asked their superior.

"Ice black tea is fine," Xia Qingyu said.

This boss had rather common tastes, didn't she? At the very least, she should be drinking fruit juice, milk, or coffee favored by white-collar women... Chen Zi'ang muttered inwardly.

However, since Chen Xiaozhu would be looked after by Xia Qingyu, he could safely go buy drinks by himself.

As Chen Zi'ang temporarily stepped away, Xia Qingyu crossed one arm over her chest and stood rigidly beside Chen Xiaozhu, gazing at the empty stage.

"Xiaozhu," she suddenly spoke up. "Let's talk."

Chen Xiaozhu did not reply.

Xia Qingyu raised her right hand, revealing a silver key at her fingertips, and said in a low voice:

"For the next three minutes, no one will be monitoring our conversation."

The bustling and noisy sounds of the surroundings seemed to freeze entirely in a single instant.

They did not vanish, nor did they fall silent; they were "frozen"—it was hard to put into words what "frozen sound" was like. If one were to compare it to ocean waves, it was as if wave after wave of tide had suddenly locked in place, transforming from motion into absolute stillness.

"You didn't need to take the risk," Chen Xiaozhu said suddenly.

"There are some questions I must ask," Xia Qingyu said coldly. "What on earth went wrong with Xia Zili?"

Chen Xiaozhu did not answer.

"She hasn't received her memories," Xia Qingyu continued. "If she truly knew what was going to happen next, it would be utterly impossible for her to hide her thoughts in front of me without revealing the slightest hint."

"Takamagahara is currently like a pre-written play, already operating along its designated track. And although Miyazuko Runa and I despise each other, the fact that she has chosen to head toward the Rose Nebula now proves that, at least in this matter, she and I maintain a tacit understanding that needs no words."

"If Zili has truly acquired memories she ought not to have, it would risk disrupting the established trajectory, potentially causing events to veer away from our predictions. You should understand the critical nature of this matter."

Chen Xiaozhu still remained silent.

"Not speaking?" Xia Qingyu went on. "In other words, there is no need to answer."

"Some change has inevitably occurred in Zili, but this change will not obstruct my plans, which is why you do not intend to answer my questions in this regard."

Chen Xiaozhu maintained her silence.

"Very well." Xia Qingyu let out a long sigh and put away the key between her fingertips.

The ambient noise of the surrounding environment came back to life, as if nothing had happened at all.

Chen Zi'ang returned from outside, placed the watermelon juice in Xiaozhu's hands, and turned to Xia Qingyu, saying:

"The black tea was sold out, so I brought you green tea of the same brand. Is that alright?"

"Mm." Xia Qingyu accepted the drink and took out her phone. "I'll transfer the money to you."

"No need," Chen Zi'ang waved his hand hastily. "It's just a bottle of drink..."

Before he finished speaking, the notification for the mobile transfer had already sounded.

Chen Zi'ang whipped out his phone at lightning speed and frantically tapped the "Reject" button.

"Ah, my hand slipped and I hit reject." He stuffed the phone back into his pocket with a chuckle. "Forget it, forget it, it's not like it cost much."

Xia Qingyu looked at him in silence, her pitch-black eyes devoid of any discernible emotion.

"Let's continue watching the concert!" Chen Zi'ang waved a hand grandly, refusing to look at her thwarted expression.

His mood had subtly improved.