Inside the music classroom.
Having just finished their chat, Fu Li and Eden sat together, idly discussing music while waiting for the teacher to arrive.
They had no idea what was up with their teacher today; he had mysteriously summoned everyone, saying he had something important to tell them.
Just as the two were deep in conversation, the teacher finally arrived, fashionably late. He placed a package he was carrying on the floor, a wide smile on his face.
"Students, as you are all about to graduate, the school has decided to give everyone a break to rest well and prepare for the final exams!"
"Therefore, I announce! From tomorrow until the day after next, the school will be organizing an outing to the suburbs! The activity fee is 200 euros per student. Participation is optional."
With the announcement of this welcome news, the previously listless students immediately erupted with excitement, their faces beaming with joy.
Although 200 euros wasn't cheap, converting to about 1,400 RMB, no one who could get into the Vienna School of Arts was short on that kind of money.
Thus, the students naturally began to celebrate the sudden holiday.
"The suburbs, huh? That sounds nice. I might find some new inspiration. Li, are you going?" Eden's eyes lit up; she was clearly very interested in this autumn outing.
She was, after all, still a young woman, so it was perfectly normal for her to have such thoughts.
"Of course I'm going. It's a rare chance to relax, after all," Fu Li replied. He didn't particularly care, but since Eden wanted to go, he would go too.
Besides, he had nothing else to do right now.
[You listen as the teacher recites a long list of safety precautions, but you pay it no mind. As long as it's not a Herrscher, you fear nothing.]
[Just as you are about to doze off from boredom, the ordeal finally ends.]
[After leaving the classroom, Eden asks you what ingredients to prepare. From the look on her face, she has been completely conquered by your culinary skills.]
[You think for a moment and decide that since it's an outing, a barbecue party is a must.]
[You propose your idea, and Eden is delighted.]
[She offers to prepare the ingredients and the grill, but you stop her, telling her you have everything. All she needs to do is enjoy herself.]
[Upon returning home, you immediately have your family's butler deliver a batch of high-grade ingredients for the barbecue, preparing to show off your skills during the trip.]
The next day, around noon, on a meadow in the suburbs.
"Hey, my dear Eden, is this your boyfriend? This food he makes... it's way too delicious!"
A girl named Erin held up a freshly grilled beef skewer, put it in her mouth, and adopted an intoxicated expression.
"Eden, you're so lucky! Not only is Li handsome, but he's also an amazing cook, and he waits for you every single day. Ugh... I'm dying of jealousy."
"You're impossible! What nonsense are you spouting!" Eden's face flushed red as she clamped a hand over Erin's mouth.
Seeing her flustered state, Erin's grin only widened. "What's wrong? Our perfect goddess Eden is actually getting shy, hehe."
"Oh, stop it. Don't mess around," Eden said, swatting her playfully. "Can't all this meat shut your mouth?"
Erin snorted in discontent. "Hmph, the way you two act around each other? Only a ghost would believe there isn't something fishy going on!"
"I already told you, there's nothing!"
Erin's eyes darted slyly. "Well then, if he's not your boyfriend, I'm going to make a move, you know~"
"You will not! What are you thinking about all day!" For some reason, Eden suddenly found herself gritting her teeth.
"Li is a person devoted to art, just like me. How could he possibly be as sordid as you make him sound?"
"Hmph, look at you getting all worked up. Alright, alright, I won't make a move, I won't," Erin sighed. "What a pity. Such a perfect, handsome guy. Ah~"
The main reason was that she had absolutely no confidence she could win against Eden.
After all, Li was famously an iceberg, always sternly rejecting any boys or girls who tried to get close to him.
"Hmph." Seeing that the topic had passed, the heat on Eden's cheeks slowly cooled.
She then carefully glanced over at Fu Li, who was silently grilling meat not far away. After confirming he hadn't heard them, she finally let out a sigh of relief.
It turned out that regardless of one's age, being mistaken for a couple by others was always an incredibly embarrassing affair.
Besides, she felt her relationship with Fu Li was merely that of kindred spirits. But for some reason, the thought of someone else making a move on him made her feel... unhappy.
Do friends feel this way about each other? Hmm, they probably do. This is just a sense of possessiveness over a friend. That's right!
Having convinced herself with this logic, Eden visibly relaxed, happily picking up a skewer of mushrooms and starting to nibble on it.
This type of mushroom was her absolute favorite, especially when Fu Li made it, as he always catered specifically to her tastes.
However, Eden didn't know that while their voices were low, Fu Li, as a MANTIS, had heard every single word clearly. He couldn't help but laugh to himself.
Foolish mortals. How could a nascent star born for art like Eden ever be shackled by the trivial matters of mortal love?
All he had to do was stay by their side, experience their lives, be a dutiful audience member, and offer some insignificant help.
That was all.
After they had eaten their fill, Fu Li looked at the remaining ingredients. Based on the principle of not being wasteful, he grilled everything and distributed it to some of his other classmates.
Just then, a hand suddenly tapped him from behind.
"What is it, Eden?"
Fu Li turned his head, a little puzzled.
"Li, do you want to go to the hilltop tonight to practice the new song? After a day of fun, I feel like I've got some new ideas for the piece. Want to practice together?"
As she spoke, Eden patted the guitar on her back a bit sheepishly, her intention obvious.
"Of course."
Fu Li nodded, naturally not one to refuse such a reasonable invitation.
But the hilltop? Why go there? Isn't it just as good here?
Before he could voice his question, however, Fu Li saw Eden make an excuse and leave, which only deepened his confusion.
Eden… what's going on with her?
They often arranged to practice together, but today she was acting strangely.
Just as he was about to follow her, the phone in his pocket suddenly vibrated. Fu Li took it out and saw it was a call from his private butler.
Looks like he'd have to ask her tonight.
With that thought, Fu Li answered the phone. "What is it, Uncle Li?"
"Young Master, there is a matter I need to report to you. That young woman named Mobius, whom you were secretly funding, has joined the MOTHs."
"Furthermore, using some unknown means, she has breached our systems. It seems she has already discovered your identity. What should we do now?"