Volume One: Entering the City Chapter Nineteen: Omens

Upon returning to Anvalo, Lu Yi bought a new phone for Li Xinran before they each went their separate ways. Entering the Plaza of Inner Sombakan, Lu Yi immediately noticed clusters of people gathered around. Some were wielding cameras, searching for the best angles, while at the center of each group stood cosplayers dressed in elaborate anime costumes.

Lu Yi wandered aimlessly through the square, waiting for a local to initiate a conversation.

At last, about halfway through, a girl spotted him. “Hey, Lu Yi.” She waved and hurried over, arms full of various items.

“Lu Yi, so you’re alright? We heard there was a landslide on that road yesterday, causing a series of accidents when cars couldn’t evade in time. We were all worried sick about you.” Her tone was filled with concern.

“We’re fine. Ke Yun Yao, what brings you here?” Lu Yi nodded to her and asked.

“There’s a comic convention here, isn’t there? Tu Xiaoxi wanted to boost her popularity, so she brought her costumes along. She’s over there now.” As she spoke, Ke Yun Yao led Lu Yi toward a particular spot.

“Oh? I never heard you mention this.” Lu Yi recited his lines, feeling a touch of annoyance. Dragging me all the way back with a forced script just for some idle chat with a few locals?

“She was going to tell you, but you’d already planned your trip,” Ke Yun Yao replied with a hint of regret in her voice.

“So, what are you and Tu Xiaoxi planning next?” Lu Yi glanced at the crowd, spotting Tu Xiaoxi dressed as a magical girl. She, too, noticed him, and they exchanged a quick wave.

“I’ve sent my resume to Xingteng Entertainment. I’ll be interviewing there in a few days,” Ke Yun Yao answered, her excitement tinged with nerves.

“Oh, that’s the company under Xingteng Group, right? I think you’re very capable; it shouldn’t be hard for you to get in.” Lu Yi offered encouragement, though inwardly he was startled. Dong Xingteng? That seasoned middle-aged practitioner—what a coincidence.

Ke Yun Yao smiled. “From your lips to the heavens.”

“It’s a pity, though—you gave us all so many opportunities, but it seems only Ran Shihan has really made a name for herself. The chance you recommended put her on a magazine cover, and she’s already received an offer from Xingteng Group.”

“As for Tu Xiaoxi, she told me she’ll soon be leaving the city to meet a boyfriend she’s only just started a long-distance relationship with.”

Ke Yun Yao laughed, “Unlike you, who holds so many resources in hand. You haven’t even graduated, and your investments are already worth millions. I remember you said you wanted to start a business. If I ever fall on hard times, don’t refuse to take me in.”

“With your abilities, if you join my future little company, I’ll welcome you with open arms.” Lu Yi forced a smile—for once, it wasn’t just the script; he truly couldn’t bring himself to smile. Everything felt so wrong. How could his character be familiar with so many people, yet he himself knew nothing?

Suddenly, there was a commotion in the exhibition hall. The crowd surged inside, escaping the midday sun, which was now almost unbearable. Tu Xiaoxi, wiping sweat from her brow, came over to Lu Yi. “I’m so relieved you’re okay.” She embraced him.

Lu Yi froze, awkward, unsure where to place his hands.

“Now that we’re all together, why not come over to my place? I’ll make lunch for us, and we can chat while we eat,” Tu Xiaoxi suggested.

The other two nodded in agreement.

Led by Tu Xiaoxi, they made their way to an old neighborhood. Before entering the narrow alley, Lu Yi’s attention was caught by some scaffolding. Remembering the video Fang Hao had sent him, he instinctively kept his eyes on it until they’d walked a good distance, only then relaxing his guard.

“That used to be a flower shop,” Tu Xiaoxi explained, thinking Lu Yi was curious. “It didn’t do well, so now someone else has rented it.”

“Yes, I remember buying flowers there for you,” Lu Yi said, trying to look nostalgic.

“You still remember? If you ever want to relive those memories, you’re welcome to.” As she spoke, Tu Xiaoxi suddenly pressed her ear to Lu Yi’s chest.

“Hey, hey, hey!” Lu Yi roared inwardly, slowly realizing that his character seemed to have a playboy streak.

Did something also happen between this character and Ke Yun Yao? No wonder he agreed to everything so readily; maybe he was juggling multiple relationships. This script was becoming a challenge for Lu Yi to navigate.

“Shall we?” By now, they had passed through the alley, and the rumble of machinery reached Lu Yi’s ears.

In the open lot ahead, several construction vehicles were parked. Workers in hard hats moved about, while pipes lay along the wall and a group clustered over blueprints.

“Several nearby complexes have reached agreements with Xingteng Real Estate. Soon, they’ll build a luxury development here, so the sewage pipes are being upgraded in advance,” Tu Xiaoxi explained.

Lu Yi nodded, feeling rather unlucky. There were construction sites so close to Tu Xiaoxi’s home, the scene chaotic—almost as bad as the food court yesterday. The environment made him uneasy, whether entering or leaving.

Just then, a gust of wind swept across the lot, stirring up dust from the ground. Lu Yi blinked, quickly moving to a less crowded spot.

Soon, the wind picked up further, forming a miniature whirlwind. Sand, dust, and litter spun barely half a meter off the ground, then swept toward the pipes.

“Ow!” Tu Xiaoxi bent over, rubbing her eyes, while Ke Yun Yao chided her. “I told you to take off your makeup over there, but you just had to rush.” Despite her words, Ke Yun Yao crouched down and gently blew into Tu Xiaoxi’s eyes.

“It was just a few steps. How could I have known the wind would pick up? And it was too crowded over there,” Tu Xiaoxi replied helplessly.

Lu Yi suddenly felt a chill. This wind?

He turned to look. The whirlwind had reached the pipes, pebbles clattering against the metal with a low, mournful resonance, as if playing a dirge. Again and again, the pebbles struck, bounced, then were sent crashing back by the wind, that somber sound repeating until, at last, the whirlwind dispersed and calm returned.

“Are you alright now?” Ke Yun Yao asked Tu Xiaoxi.

“Yes, I’m fine. Let’s keep going,” Tu Xiaoxi said, looking up at them.

“I—” Lu Yi started, but his face suddenly changed.

“What’s wrong?” Tu Xiaoxi and Ke Yun Yao looked at him in confusion.

“It’s nothing,” Lu Yi managed through gritted teeth. Just as he was about to make an excuse to leave, the city fed him a new script, this time with a mandatory directive to go to Tu Xiaoxi’s home.

For the script to drop right after that strange scene—if there weren’t something supernatural at play, Lu Yi wouldn’t believe it for a second.

But since the city insisted, he had no choice. As he fell to the back of the group, he took out his phone and sent his location to Li Xinran.