"Er... no, Vill-V, calm down and let me explain."
Seeing the look in Vill-V's eyes begin to change, Fu Li quickly let go of Klein's fair, slender foot and tried to explain in a fluster.
However, it was clear that Vill-V had no intention of listening.
Under the watchful eyes of the others, who were enjoying the show, she strode over to Fu Li's side, pushed him to the ground, and looked down on him from above.
"You don't need to explain, Li. You know, you might be able to fool others easily, but you can't fool me, the Conman."
"No... that's not it, you've really misunderstood. Klein just accidentally sprained her ankle, and there was no one else around. You wouldn't want me to just leave her, would you?"
Fu Li had always been helpless when it came to girls he was familiar with.
It was precisely for this reason that even with Vill-V now sitting on top of him, he had no intention of resisting.
At this, Vill-V's brow furrowed, and she looked puzzled.
"Klein? Is that the girl's name? ...Fine, you're not lying. But why were you holding her foot? Hmm? You've never even massaged mine."
"That's a Shenzhou bone-setting technique. I had to touch her bones like that to help her get better quickly. It was just simple concern."
Simple concern?
Vill-V lowered her head, closing the distance between them in an instant, and stared intently into Fu Li's eyes.
Their breaths mingled in the small space. Vill-V's face turned slightly red. Even though she knew her actions were a bit excessive, for some reason, her heart was in a flutter.
It was this very fluster that made her, for the first time, doubt her own ability to see through others' lies.
Fu Li was a bad guy who was very good at lying; she knew this well.
Vill-V continued her intense stare, but at this moment, Irene finally couldn't bear to watch her boss suffer any longer. She stood up and spoke in Fu Li's defense:
"Miss Vill-V, he isn't lying. We were all here just now and can testify for him."
With that, Vill-V couldn't press the matter any further. She resentfully let go and was met with Klein's awkward yet polite smile.
It was just that the smile seemed to hold a hint of triumph.
"Hmph."
Vill-V snorted coldly. She got off Fu Li and straightened her clothes, which had become a little messy from the close contact.
"I have to go perform. I'm leaving now."
"Mhm, mhm, you should go."
Seeing the pouting Vill-V leave, Fu Li breathed a sigh of relief and offered Klein an apologetic smile.
"Sorry about that. My little sister can be a bit rude, but don't mind her. She doesn't mean any harm."
"Yes, I know. In fact, it was my fault for causing the misunderstanding and troubling you. I'm very sorry for that."
Klein's expression was calm, but her obedient demeanor was a stark contrast to Vill-V's, making her seem exceptionally cute and well-behaved.
To be honest, it was rather strange to hear such "green tea talk" delivered in such a deadpan tone.
Fu Li just smiled at this and extended an invitation. "It's nothing. But since you're here, why don't you stay and watch the show before you leave? The view from this angle is quite good."
"Okay, thank you."
Klein's goal was to spend more time with Fu Li anyway, so she agreed without hesitation.
Soon, the performance began.
At first, the magic troupe performed nothing more than classic, old-fashioned tricks, like pulling a dove from a hat or making a coin appear in an audience member's sleeve.
Later, after the warm-up acts were over, the magicians began to perform the signature tricks that had made them famous.
Besides Charlotte, who was carefully analyzing the tricks for their flaws, only Watson seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the show, clapping and cheering from time to time.
Fu Li, however, had his head lowered, seemingly lost in thought.
Klein took in this scene, and at some point, a small smile graced her lips. Her feet, dangling in the air, swayed slightly. She was enjoying this feeling.
No work... no Dr. Mobius... just her and Dr. Li, sitting so close.
Klein knew she was a very timid person. She worked hard not because she liked working... well, she did like working, but what initially drove her was fear.
That fear drove her, pushed her to work, hoping that it would allow her to forget her pain.
However... that method didn't work. Perhaps it was because of that mentality that she became one of the Herrschers of Domination and committed unforgivable sins.
And the one who changed all of that was Dr. Li.
No one could imagine the sheer, transcendent joy of that single moment when, as you are being swallowed by sludge, sinking into darkness and suffocation, a hand pierces through the gloom and pulls you out.
But, in order to save her, Dr. Li himself was plunged into darkness, nearly dying several times.
Just as Klein was reminiscing about the past, a beautiful voice suddenly rang out from the stage, pulling her back to the present.
Klein looked up and saw the girl on stage. Though still young, she was already beginning to show her talent, a confident prodigy. A relieved smile appeared on Klein's face.
She didn't wish to possess Fu Li. All she wanted was to stay by Dr. Li's side. That was all.