The sky in the girl's eyes was shining brightly.

Looking at Xu Xiaoyou in front of her, Tang Xin knew full well that maybe it was just a casual boast from the other party.

Such absurd and unrealistic thoughts, two penniless people, down and out, gnawing on bread on the street, yet talking about making a vow to the stars and becoming known throughout the Cosmos.

Yet there was a voice within her telling her that it wouldn't hurt to believe the other person just once; their words seemed inexplicably convincing, as if filled with magic power.

Even if the other person had just deceived her a while ago.

"It's like I have any room to refuse..." Tang Xin said, "The contract is signed, I don't have a penny on me, and there's nowhere else to go."

Seeing Xu Xiaoyou still standing in place, Tang Xin thought for a while and said seriously:

"If you've deceived me..."

"What will happen?" Xu Xiaoyou curiously asked.

"Nothing will happen, if your conscience can handle it, then there's no problem." Tang Xin patted the snow off her dress.

Watching the girl's figure recede into the distance, the smile in Xu Xiaoyou's eyes gradually disappeared.

The first step had been taken.

Next, she had to figure out how to fill the hole in Cosmic Heavy Industries.

...

Returned to the old rented apartment.

Looking at the chaotic environment, plastic bottles rolled to the ground, instant noodle cups on the table, and even some clothes scattered on the ground, Tang Xin frowned.

She looked at Xu Xiaoyou, who seemed accustomed to it.

Xu Xiaoyou found a chair and was about to sit down when Tang Xin grabbed it:

"How can you live in such a messy place?"

Xu Xiaoyou blinked and looked around.

"Is it that messy? It's okay."

Compared to her living environment back in Corrupt Nest City, this small security booth could even be called cozy, without cockroaches and pests crawling everywhere, nor large heaps of foul-smelling garbage.

She began to miss Lin Ran; during the time in the employee apartment, Lin Ran had always taken care of her and Anya's living arrangements.

"Are you and You really the same person?" Tang Xin couldn't connect the two at all.

"That curtain, that series of numbers, that outfit, where did that aura come from?"

Seeing the girl somewhat angry, Xu Xiaoyou shrugged.

If possible, she would quite like to sell that curtain and number to the wealthy patrons of the Star of Art; she wasn't one to pay attention to formality, as long as things served their purpose.

But Jiulong Message had added a technical lock to each light screen; from the moment it was activated, each screen was bound to the individual's biometric data, making it impossible to transfer or sell.

A research team had once tried to dismantle this exquisite little gadget to study and break its technology, but in doing so, they triggered the light screen's technical defense mechanism, and the laboratory exploded in spectacular flames.

This world's technology patents are supreme, even surpassing the rights to life; any probing into technological domains is forbidden and regarded as taboo.

Every big company holds at least one piece of core technology, like heavy military industry, space-time leap, gravity control, clean energy — the foundation that allows them to thrive in this world, growing from the shadows and absorbing the cream of the crop, transforming into colossal entities.

Everyone has their own secrets, and Tang Xin refrained from asking too much, just quietly tidying up the messy room.

After sweeping the dust off the floor, Tang Xin clapped her hands, tucked her hanging hair behind her ears, and wiped the sweat from her forehead, realizing Xu Xiaoyou was watching her intently.

"Why are you staring at me?"

"Thank you, you reminded me of a familiar person." Xu Xiaoyou said.

"Humph, at least you have manners."

Seeing that the other person was quite polite, Tang Xin felt less resentful towards Xu Xiaoyou.

At that moment, the door was knocked.

A black silhouette appeared in the window.

"Excuse me, is Miss Tang Xin inside?"

"Are you looking for me?"

The figure wore a heavy robe with a desert fox wool scarf and a deep gray cape. The fabric was soft and delicate at first glance, clearly of exceptional quality, a creation of the 'tailor' lifestyle profession, imbued with extraordinary traits.

Standing outside the door, a solemn and majestic presence pervaded the room.

Unable to see the person's expression, their entire face was concealed by a deep black prism-like mask, their voice sounding mechanically distinct, revealing them as a male.

"Tuner..." Xu Xiaoyou frowned.

The Star of Art's order management organization, and the only official forceful agency, directly answerable to the school board, with Belvedere as its highest authority.

The Star of Art is like a prolonged melody, and each person here is a note flowing through it; in daily performances, dissonances inevitably occur.

At such times, it falls to them to level the melody, erasing all dissonances through force.

She looked at the badge on the man's shoulder,

The emblem depicted an open eye, with wings behind it, resembling a hand spread protectively over the eyeball, surrounded by a pale golden glow and encircling ring.

Xu Xiaoyou envisioned some angels' semblance, daunting in appearance, fulfilling the duty of penalizing evil and deterring darkness in the world.

Likewise, these Tuners were also members of the Cleaner Association's 'Eye' Association, responsible for maintaining law and order under the direct supervision of Nest City, monitoring its compliance with the association's will.

With double authority, these Tuners wield enormous power, second only perhaps to the few elders of the school board in the entire Star of Art, whom they dread.

She discreetly backed into the room's shadow.

"It's me, may I ask why you're looking for me, Tuner, sir?" Tang Xin stepped forward.

Xu Xiaoyou noticed that Tang Xin became visibly restless after the silhouette appeared.

"No need to worry, it's nothing serious, just the monthly routine level evaluation." The Tuner's voice was mellow.

"Will, will I pass?" Tang Xin still felt uneasy.

Xu Xiaoyou discerned certain information in the conversation.

"Your composition 'If I Could Shine' published on your social account last month has been evaluated by the school and reached apprentice level; you can continue to stay in the Queens District."

Hearing these words, Tang Xin visibly relaxed and smiled: "Thank you."

The Tuner paused upon seeing the girl's lovely smile, scratching his head and bashfully saying:

"Miss Tang, I'm actually a fan of yours."

"Ah, I?" Tang Xin pointed at herself.

"They all call you Little Blue Bird, I've noticed you since you were an apprentice..."

"Anyway, believe in yourself, you'll surely succeed."

"I have official business to attend to, so I won't disturb further."

Feeling that the atmosphere was slightly awkward, the Tuner quickly left after speaking, heading towards the apartment's upper floors.

"Little Blue Bird?" Xu Xiaoyou raised an eyebrow.

"Wha, what Little Blue Bird." Tang Xin's ears turned hot. "I don't know, what is that, haha."

"You actually have a social account, let me search for it."

Xu Xiaoyou opened the curtain, and Tang Xin immediately shouted, lunging over.

"Don't look!"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.