Chapter 535: Chapter 535: Return to Reality_1 Chapter 535: Chapter 535: Return to Reality_1 …
Facing Fu Qian’s self-commentary, Tan Ying found herself at a loss for words for a moment.
After a lengthy silence, she picked up the paper cup in her hand and took a big gulp of fruit juice.
Sour yet sweet, and evidently chilled, the taste was surprisingly good.
“There’s no one around here, where did you get this from?”
Tan Ying couldn’t help but ask.
“Of course, I made it myself. This is a mall, after all. As long as you want to find something, it’s really too simple.”
Fu Qian too finished off his juice in one go and set the paper cup aside.
“Actually, I was inspired by someone who could even drag a generator out of a pile of rubble to make coffee.”
“…Your friend must be a very optimistic person, huh?”
“Perhaps.”
Images of Bernard and Rosetta flashed through Fu Qian’s mind one after the other.
“Or perhaps they’ve just come to terms with things.”
Hmm…
A cup of juice quickly down the throat, it was obvious that Tan Ying’s mood had somewhat improved.
Seeing that Fu Qian had no intention of elaborating, she didn’t pursue the matter further and instead looked around.
“It’s like a dream, hard to distinguish between reality and illusion, truly a wondrous feeling.”
“I just don’t know where Yanqing has gone. I hope she just hasn’t appeared in my dream.”
Tan Ying’s tone was somewhat self-mocking, but before she finished, she could faintly hear a noise behind her.
Startled for a moment, as soon as she realized what it was, Tan Ying turned around quickly to look at a spot not far away.
It was the elevator that the group had just used.
Moments later, the jumping numbers on the elevator halted, and the elevator doors opened shakily.
A breathless Pei Yanqing, clinging to the elevator doors, walked out.
And the moment she saw the group of people on this side, she looked relieved and took a long breath.
“Finally found you. Lucky the elevator hasn’t stopped!”
She seemed oblivious to the oddness of the others for a moment and complained under her breath as she hurried forward to ease her tension.
“This mall’s basement is too complicated. I’ve been walking in circles till I’m dizzy.”
However, in the next moment, the air remained quiet, with no one chiming in with her.
Pei Yanqing, not receiving the response she expected, finally sensed something was off.
Looking at the empty mall, she stiffened her neck with difficulty and looked at Tan Ying with effort.
“How long have I actually stayed down there?”
…
Faced with Pei Yanqing’s question, Tan Ying just stared at her face, dumbfounded.
Who would have thought that after searching for so long, she would come out on her own?
Is this the magic of dreams?
“Quite a while. Have you been down there the whole time?”
After organizing her thoughts, she finally spoke.
How great!
And Fu Qian beside her commented on the scene.
The rules that had been set were complete, and as the dream controller, he naturally sensed the dream crumbling apart swiftly.
Pei Yanqing had certainly been exiled in the same manner before, but this girl showed remarkable resilience, never pausing in her search for an exit, forcing Fu Qian to expend extra effort in designing passages, leading her around in a maze down there.
This process of creating something out of nothing was undoubtedly draining, not at all in line with the original intent of a relaxing retreat.
Fortunately, it was nearly over.
In the next moment, an invisible ripple surged, bringing back the noise of the young crowd.
…
“What’s wrong, why are you looking at me like that?”
Next to the plastic round table, Pei Yanqing’s rosy lips released the straw, her expression somewhat odd as she asked.
Across from her, Tan Ying was staring at her with an intense gaze, her expression indescribably strange.
“No… it’s nothing.”
Faced with Pei Yanqing’s question, Tan Ying snapped out of her daze, glanced at the crowd around, and subconsciously shook her head.
“Your clothes, they look nice.”
After her thoughts took several twists and turns, Tan Ying finally found a reason.
“You sure? This Cinderella style?”
Pei Yanqing looked down at herself and let out a chuckle.
“But since you’re looking at me so sincerely, I’ll give it to you. After all, our heights are pretty similar.”
“Let’s swap then, can’t just take advantage of you for free.”
Tan Ying didn’t even know how she managed to say it so naturally.
“Are you serious?”
Her answer somewhat surprised Pei Yanqing, who clearly thought Tan Ying was just joking.
“Of course.”
As Tan Ying confirmed, her eyes involuntarily drifted to Fu Qian, sitting to the side, as if subconsciously seeking his opinion.
“Trying a new style isn’t bad, people should try out new things.”
Fu Qian casually commented, quite pleased with his own ease.
As a dream breaker, Tan Ying’s memories were a bit more vivid than others.
But that was all, still vague and not enough to form a clear memory or consciousness.
“Yes…”
Unable to discern anything from Fu Qian’s face, Tan Ying quickly gave up.
“Tan Ying.”
In the midst of their conversation, a familiar voice called out.
The composed Song Hang approached from not far away.
“You guys sure picked a place. I remember this cafe being here since my school days.”
He took a seat naturally, greeting Fu Qian and Pei Yanqing with an air of ease.
“Then you should compliment this fellow student, Pei.”
Watching Song Hang sit down, Tan Ying blinked and pointed at Pei Yanqing.
“She recommended this place. By the way, have you finished your business?”
“Yeah, it wasn’t complex, just like sneaking a break.”
Song Hang responded, but inside, a strange feeling arose.
Tan Ying’s attitude towards him had indeed changed from before; it was no longer repulsive, but her newfound composure unsettled him, impossible to fathom.
“Since you’re nostalgic about it, you should have a drink as well.”
Tan Ying seemed oblivious to his emotional shift, supporting her cheek with her hand and casually signalling to Auntie behind the counter.
“You chat, I’m off to the restroom.”
Pei Yanqing, who hadn’t noticed anything odd, whispered to Tan Ying.
“Restroom?”
Surprisingly, Tan Ying’s expression turned strange.
“What’s up?”
Pei Yanqing couldn’t figure out what could be wrong with going to the restroom.
“I’ll go with you.”
Tan Ying didn’t explain, just stood up determinedly.
…
In an instant, only Fu Qian and Song Hang were left.
It was clear that Song Hang was trying his best to ignore the milk tea in front of Fu Qian and to maintain his composure.
Unfortunately, Fu Qian had no interest in making awkward conversation, his slightly mocking smile only infuriating the other man.
In seconds, Song Hang felt his irritation plummet, triggering some unpleasant emotions buried deep within.
“Honestly, I can’t understand this self-satisfied demeanor of yours.”
He finally couldn’t hold back.
“It’s without basis or reason.”
“You simply don’t understand the real rules of how this world operates.”
“I’m enlightened.”
Fu Qian nodded at him, his expression becoming even more annoying.
“I am the rule.”