Twilight Street, Sunset.
After seeing off the last batch of visitors in the confessional, Fu Li arrived at the break room and saw Vera, one of the only three nuns in this church.
"Hi, Vera? What are you doing?"
"Father, you're here?"
Hearing footsteps, Vera's ears twitched. She hurriedly turned around and looked at Fu Li with a smile, appearing very enthusiastic.
"Yes. Are the eggs I asked you to prepare ready?"
"They're ready, just over there. Are you still going to deliver them to Miss Aponia at the Sanatorium?"
Vera's tone was a bit strange, and the enthusiasm on her face faded slightly.
Clearly, she didn't like Fu Li's decision very much, or perhaps other matters were making her unhappy.
Perhaps it was because... people here didn't like to share food?
Thinking he had grasped the key point, Fu Li gave a light laugh and spoke soothingly.
"Don't worry, Vera. Our church will have money very soon."
"Li, that's what you said last time."
"This time it's true."
"Alright, alright, understood. Hurry up and deliver the food to your beloved Miss Aponia."
Seeing Vera roll her eyes in disdain, Fu Li coughed awkwardly, picked up the bundled eggs, and walked toward the Sanatorium.
[You arrived at the entrance of the Sanatorium and saw Aponia from a distance, telling stories to the children.]
[You could feel that the adopted children in the Sanatorium now have not been eroded by the Honkai. This is a good thing.]
"Hi, Sister Aponia."
"Father? You're here?"
Hearing the voice, Aponia reached out and patted a child's head. After shooing them away for the moment, she walked over.
Fu Li glanced behind Aponia and couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.
There, a group of little heads were sitting upright, watching this side with curious and gossipy eyes.
"Sister Aponia, these are eggs sent by the believers. There are too many to finish, so take them to nourish the children's bodies."
Fu Li raised the eggs in his hand. Judging by the quantity, it was enough for the Sanatorium to eat for a long time.
"This... then thank you, Mr. Priest..."
"Not at all, Sister Aponia. Everyone is a friend, just call me Li."
After handing the eggs to Aponia, Fu Li noticed that she seemed to be looking at him constantly, a trace of complexity flashing through her clear eyes.
"Li..." She spoke with such complexity, extending her hand and gently brushing it over Fu Li's head.
"Since you've become a priest, you have to look the part. I am a registered nun of the church, so naturally, I should call you Father."
Fu Li shrugged indifferently. "Sister Aponia, we grew up together. Does it matter?"
"No, good children must be obedient."
"Okay, okay, I got it..."
Regarding the matter of Aponia always treating him as a child, Fu Li was also somewhat helpless.
Previously, Aponia called him Li. Suddenly switching to an official title like Father was somewhat unaccustomed.
It was as if a thick, sorrowful wall had been erected between them.
"Alright, Sister Aponia, take these. No need to save them; children need to grow."
"Mmh, I know."
After helping to send the eggs back to the kitchen, Fu Li waved goodbye to Aponia and walked toward the chaotic district.
"That..."
Suddenly, Fu Li was called out to. He turned his head, somewhat puzzled. "What is it? Sister Aponia?"
"No... nothing, just be careful recently."
"Mmh-hmm, I know~ I can take good care of myself."
Watching Fu Li's back, anxiety flashed through Aponia's eyes. She opened her mouth, wanting to add something, but in the end, she said nothing.
She felt that the silk threads entangling Fu Li had recently begun to become chaotic, but there was no danger to him personally.
Sigh... I don't know what that child wants to do either... I hope he can pass through it safely.
Aponia sighed, suppressed the uneasiness in her heart, and decided it was better to watch over him silently.
However, when she turned her head, she saw the Director with a mischievous smile on her face.
Aponia tilted her head. "Director? What's wrong?"
"What is it?" The female Director stepped forward, looking at Fu Li's receding figure.
"Little Aponia~ What do you think of that child, Li?"
"Mmh... very kind? But he also has his own persistence, and he seems to like children very much." Aponia answered truthfully.
"Do you really think he likes children just to deliver food to us every day?"
The old Director turned around, smilingly patting Aponia's shoulder.
"Silly child, in Twilight Street, even a priest wouldn't be that generous and kind. Perhaps when you grow up a bit more, you'll understand."
"No... Director..." Aponia wanted to defend herself, but the old Director had already walked away while sighing about how good it was to be young.
"Director... really..."
Watching the old woman leave, Aponia sighed, a look of fatigue on her face.
As someone who could faintly perceive fate, she could sense that the threads entangling herself would eventually lead her toward loneliness.
So, for someone like her, happiness would forever be just a luxury.
.......
On the other side, inside the stronghold of the largest gang in Twilight Street.
"Father! I trust you know that I have never been suspected of making a move against the church, but can you tell me, what is the meaning of this?!"
Anderson, the Godfather of Twilight Street, had twitching facial muscles, and the hand holding his cigar couldn't help but tremble.
Oh, my God! What kind of monster is this!
Anderson simply wanted to roar this out, but looking at the smiling priest opposite him, his throat moved, and he chose to force himself to maintain his last shred of dignity.
Fu Li spread his hands, appearing somewhat innocent.
"Godfather Anderson, I only wanted to discuss matters with you calmly and amicably, but your subordinates wanted to get rough with a frail priest."
"What exactly did I do to make your people disrespect me so much that they wouldn't even call me Father?"
Anderson didn't answer, his gaze silently sweeping behind Fu Li.
Behind him, the brawny men lying on the ground could already be described as 'corpses littering the field'. They were all his most capable elite fighters, numbering a full 100 men.
Yet, it was these 100-plus burly men who, in barely five minutes, were all beaten down by this 'frail' priest. And none were killed or permanently maimed.
Finally, the Godfather sucked in a breath as if accepting his fate, and put down his cigar.
"Fine, Father, I lost. What do you want to talk about?"