On the coastal highway, Su Zimai and Blue Arc exchanged glances.
Above them, the entrance to the villa was designed like a torii gate, located near the sea.
The sea breeze blew softly, gently moving Su Zimai’s hair, as a golf cart ambled along the coastal highway.
The driver was humming a tune, and when he caught a glimpse of Blue Arc’s back with his peripheral vision, he immediately turned his head and exclaimed: "Blue..." As soon as he spoke, he faced the stares of dozens of security guards, making him stammer: "Blue blue blue blue..."
So, thinking quickly, he changed his words: "Nan... Nanfu, Nanfu batteries."
Looks like the driver was a Chinese person, speaking with pure and eloquent Chinese. The golf cart drove past the public bench.
"Oh... Nanfu batteries?"
On the public bench, the great artist Black Cocoon scratched his chin, seemingly inspired creatively.
He decided that next time he makes an appearance, he would leave behind a drawing titled "Swallowing Silver Mouse Mouse" eating "Blue Arc Battery," to hype the friendship between Blue Arc and Swallowing Silver in Japan.
While Swallowing Silver is still in China, he plans to build up his image as a comedic entertainer in the eyes of the Japanese—a step towards Swallowing Silver’s bright future; if he can’t become a Mutant, he can still perform in the exhibition area of Tokyo Tower.
Strike while the iron is hot, now is an excellent time for Swallowing Silver to break into the Japanese entertainment industry.
Pick the stage name "Swallowing Silver Mouse Mouse," eating Tokyo Tower models raw while signing autographs for passing fans—it’s a way to make a living.
He had even prepared the script for Swallowing Silver:
——"After experiencing countless sails, one returns as... a Taisho."
Black Cocoon happily hummed twice in his mind, turning to look at the sibling duo beneath the torii-style entrance.
Su Zimai stared at Blue Arc, unmoving; yesterday’s psychological shadow still loomed over her, causing one thought to jump unbidden whenever she saw Blue Arc:
——Is this really my brother?
But soon, she came to her senses: the leader and Xu Sanyan had already proven that Gu Wenyu was neither Blue Arc nor Black Cocoon.
At this point... what’s left to think about?
This blue power-guzzling rascal before her had nothing whatsoever to do with her family, so there was no reason to harbor peculiar feelings; treat him like a stranger.
Thinking of this, to maintain composure, Su Zimai politely spoke, unwillingly introducing herself:
"My name is Ke Zinan, a member of the Ghost Train Corps."
"Both of you have the surname Ke," Blue Arc remarked curiously.
"That’s right, she’s my sister." Ke Qirui smiled, gently put his arm around Su Zimai’s shoulder.
"She’s your sister, then who is my sister?" Not far away, Black Cocoon squinted his eyes while sitting on a public bench, "So you’re sharing sisters here? Sharing bikes is fine, but sharing sisters should at least need my signed approval?"
Blue Arc observed Su Zimai for a moment, then looked at Ke Qirui.
He commented nonchalantly: "That’s nice. Hmm... I also have a sister; it’s just that her temperament isn’t great, easily offending others, and usually doesn’t want to interact with me."
Ke Qirui replied indifferently, yet politely: "Sounds like an adorable girl. Maybe one day when Mr. Blue Arc achieves success, you could bring your sister boldly out to join us."
"When I retire, there will be such a day... But in the business of Mutants, masks are necessary; otherwise, adversaries will continuously emerge, doing whatever it takes to affect those close to you. There are too many cases like that." At this point, Blue Arc paused, then said wistfully:
"In that respect, I envy you Exorcists. You don’t need to operate publicly, unlike us with so many viewers and enemies, so you don’t need to wear masks."
"Who knows?" Ke Qirui shook his head, "Actually, the work of Exorcists isn’t just about banishing demons; sometimes we are resented by other Exorcists... Anyway, let’s go inside and talk—standing here is awkward, isn’t it?"
Blue Arc shrugged, "You’ve reminded me; the auction host has been waiting for us a long time, and the other members of the core security team are already here."
Ke Qirui teased: "In that aspect, I greatly admire Mr. Blue Arc—you possess lightning speed, yet manage to be the last to arrive."
"Fun fact: procrastination and efficiency don’t necessarily conflict."
Su Zimai followed the two, quietly listening to their chat.
She has always admired the leader’s social skills; Ke Qirui is always confident and composed, no matter the other person’s status or class, seamlessly shifting from one topic to another.
Thinking of this, Su Zimai glanced at Blue Arc’s profile.
Suddenly, she felt Blue Arc didn’t seem as annoying as on TV—not sure if subconsciously, she kept comparing him to Gu Wenyu, resulting in preconceived filters and affection.
Ke Qirui pulled a pipe from his windbreaker pocket, teasingly said, "Mr. Blue Arc gives me a very peaceful impression; I thought you’d be as eloquent as when confronting criminals—I was worried keeping up with your thinking."
Blue Arc thought for a moment: "A friend said that to me too..."
"Is that friend named ’Black Cocoon’?" Black Cocoon squinted his eyes, sitting like a warrior at the torii-style entrance, silently watching the three enter the villa.
As Blue Arc, Su Zimai, and Ke Qirui stepped inside the villa, the elegantly adorned door closed.