NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 163: Two Paths?
After the deafening blast of static, all eyes in Shanghai City turned towards the arena.
Yun Feng covered his ears, grimacing as he looked back at the suddenly silent horde. He knew they'd been drawn in. His ears throbbed.
Even though he'd covered them, he'd still needed a free hand to press the button. A persistent ringing filled his ears. He tried to clear it, but the high-pitched whine remained.
"Couldn't even give me a little peace at the end…" he sighed, sliding down to sit against the speaker, leaning against its cool metal. His task was complete. He didn't bother finding a hiding spot, choosing instead to sit facing the stage, lost in thought.
He began to imagine… what the arena would have been like if the Honkai hadn't erupted.
Yun Mengxi, dressed in her finest, standing center stage, singing his favorite song… The lights dimmed, the audience waving their glow sticks, a sea of light swaying to the rhythm of the music…
He closed his eyes, the noise and ringing fading. He could almost see it…he was almost there.
Ah…but before that…at the very beginning of the concert…
What would Yun Mengxi do?
She always tapped the microphone twice…
Tap, tap…
Yes…just like that…
A small smile touched his lips. By now, Chen Shicheng should have reached the control room, activating the microphone and connecting it to the speakers. Too bad there were no computers here. What kind of noise would Chen Shicheng make?
Or…was Chen Shicheng a secret singer, using this final opportunity to serenade the city?
Nah…he's not that kind of guy…
A flicker of curiosity stirred within him. He opened his eyes, wanting to see what would accompany him in his final moments.
Two figures stood on stage, dressed in their finest.
Yun Feng's eyes widened.
"Why…" he murmured, bewildered.
…
["If…you had two paths before you, one winding, the other straightforward but boring, which would you choose?"
The girl, holding a microphone, looked at her reflection in the mirror, and asked.
The woman applying her makeup rolled her eyes. "What, is this the theme of your new song?"
The girl shook her head, only to be held still by the woman. "Don't move, let me finish your makeup!"
The girl froze, sitting perfectly still, like a captured animal.
"It's not for a song. Just wondering," she said, unable to resist talking, her restless nature taking over.
The woman continued working. "What, is our superstar turning into a philosopher now?"
"Liu-jie!" The girl glanced at the clock on the wall. "Just answer the question~"
"Fine, fine! But keep still!" The woman patted her head, urging her to be quiet.
The girl winked at her reflection, earning her another tap on the eyelid.
"If there were two such paths, I'd choose the boring one," the woman said after a moment of thought, putting down her eyeliner.
"Why?" the girl asked, curious.
The woman chuckled self-deprecatingly. "I'm not exactly adventurous. Given two paths, I'd choose the faster one. Let those who enjoy a leisurely pace explore the winding road. I can't stand slow living."
The girl nodded thoughtfully, staring at her reflection, lost in thought. She looked different today. Usually, she cultivated a demure, delicate image, a fragile flower. Only on stage did she transform, becoming…grand, majestic, imposing.
It felt…unfamiliar, almost like looking at a stranger.
Yet, she strangely liked this version of herself…except for one thing…
She shook her head, only to be held still again.
"So, Liu-jie would choose the shorter path because it's better, right?" Unable to move her head, she resorted to talking to break the tension.
"Of course. Who would choose a path that's worse for them?" the woman retorted, rolling her eyes again.
"What if they liked it more?" the girl persisted. The woman paused.
"Liked it…?" She looked at the girl, puzzled. "You mean you'd want to take that path?"
The girl tried to nod, then remembered her head was still restrained. "Yes," she said.
The woman sighed, understanding dawning. She picked up a lipstick and cotton swab.
"Then take the path you like. You have a choice now, don't you?"]
"And…haven't you already chosen it?"
The girl blotted her bright red lips, posing and making faces at her reflection. Finally, she smiled and waved, as if saying goodbye to herself.
"Yes. Thank you, Liu-jie." She lifted the hem of her elaborate dress and walked to the door, opening it and stepping out.
The woman followed, applying foundation to her own face in another mirror.
"If there were two paths in front of me now, I'd stop you. I must be crazy to support this!" she muttered, putting down her makeup and picking up her guitar.
"Just so we're clear! I'm an amateur! Don't blame me if I mess up!"
"You won't," the girl replied, smiling, then, amidst the lingering drone of static, pushed open the final door leading to the stage. She walked onto the stage, adjusting her posture, waiting for the microphone to activate.
In the distance, Yun Feng opened his eyes.
"Why…"
The figure on stage, seeing his lips move, smiled sweetly, then spoke into the microphone.
"Because…I missed my brother," Yun Mengxi said, her voice filled with warmth.