Although she said that, in this situation, it was impossible for ordinary people to remain calm. Immediately, two tables away from Yu Lian, a girl who looked like she was either a model, an internet celebrity, or a ninth-tier starlet, instantly turned pale and screamed.
However, as soon as their screams burst from their throats, Miss Gongsun Qing softly uttered a "Silence!" The voice was not loud, nor did it fluctuate, but it seemed to be full of spiritual power that made people calm and brave, instantly settling down the two girls and everyone else in the room.
All the diners stared fixedly at Gongsun Qing, waiting for her to speak.
"Yes, there is indeed danger here, but nothing will happen immediately. There's enough time for everyone to evacuate. So, please line up. Yes, please let the elderly go first, then the ladies. Don't be afraid, our team has already arrived here, and rescue has been arranged outside. Everyone just needs to follow the back door and line up to leave. I will protect everyone here," she said, standing still and speaking to everyone with a serious expression.
Gongsun Qing, who was suspected of being a "secret agent," had such a powerful aura, and the firm smile on her face at this moment gave everyone a sense of security, so much so that there was truly no scene of chaos.
"Okay, thank you, gentlemen. Oh, there's also a child here. Are you his mother? Please take him and leave first. Thank you, thank you all for your cooperation. You are all wonderful, brave ladies and gentlemen. Now it's your turn. Ladies first. Thank you, thank you, gentlemen, for your cooperation. Don't worry, out the back door is Middle Street, and our people are already there to meet everyone!"
Before long, all the guests, including the owners, had left one after another, leaving only Yu Lian, who had just stood up, clasped his hands, and smiled.
"Sir, please leave as well. I said there's danger here..."
"Oh, is there a fugitive? Or has someone planted a bomb here? If it's a fugitive, I'm the only one left here. If it's a bomb, I think I'm very professional and can help you disarm it."
"This, this..." Gongsun Qing probably didn't expect to encounter someone who didn't play by the rules, and she immediately stammered a bit.
"Also, Country Statistics Security Bureau is responsible for intelligence security, right? Does a public order incident concern you? Or are you saying that I am actually an enemy spy on the run?"
"This, this..."
"Gongsun Qing!"
"I didn't! It wasn't me! Don't talk nonsense!" She quickly covered her face and instinctively squatted down.
The restaurant owner and the guests waited for a long time on Middle Street behind them, but they didn't encounter anyone who was supposed to meet them. Only then did they realize that they seemed to have been really fooled. When the owner grumbled and returned to the restaurant, he found a gleaming Imperial Golden Dragon on the counter and quickly, with quick hands and eyes, tucked it into his sleeve.
But by this time, Yu Lian and Gongsun Qing had already made their escape. They were now in an office building two blocks away from the restaurant.
Yu Lian sat outside the office waiting for someone, looking at the label on the door that read ""Cosmic Knight Saga 3: Myriad Slayer Maiden" Production Crew Preparation Room."
Since it's the third part, there should be two previous ones, right? Why have I never heard of them?
Inside the office, the conversation between Gongsun Qing and the crew members continued. The room's soundproofing was quite good, and neither side deliberately lowered their voices, so Yu Lian naturally heard everything clearly.
"So, well, Miss Gongsun, you see, this, it's really... I really have no other way! Since there's still one person who didn't fall for it, then we... I'm truly sorry! Truly sorry!" The middle-aged man's tone was quite respectful, even a bit humble, but the refusal was very clear.
"You, you can be angry, there's nothing I can do. It's fine if you hit me or scold me! I, I really have no other way! Wuwuwuwu... But, I can only refuse you!" At this point, the middle-aged man almost cried.
Fortunately, Miss Gongsun Qing didn't seem to be an unreasonable person. She said helplessly, "There's nothing to be done, a promise is a promise. I hope there will be another chance to cooperate next time."
"Yes, yes..." Although the other party said that, the subtext was completely "I hope to never see you again."
Gongsun Qing walked out of the room dejectedly, looked at Yu Lian, and then sighed dejectedly, "Sorry, I ruined your lunch... I'll treat you."
"No problem, I came to Mist Capital precisely because of you."
"Eek!" Gongsun Qing took a step back, showing alertness, almost striking a White Crane Spreads Its Wings pose.
"Don't worry, I'm a good person."
Gongsun Qing took another step back, already pulling out an unfurled baton from her overcoat.
Of course, perhaps Yu Lian was too handsome to look like a bad person. After a serious discussion, Miss Gongsun Qing still put down her baton for the time being. She was indeed a person who kept her promises. Although she hadn't completely relaxed her guard, with the thought that all visitors are guests, she still took Yu Lian to a restaurant she liked very much—of course, it might also be because she was very confident in her own strength.
In short, Gongsun Qing, as the host, found a secluded restaurant deep in the old town of Mist Capital. The place was not big, and the environment was very elegant. It was clear that the owner was a very tasteful person.
The dishes served were far less grand and luxurious than those at the so-called authentic Imperial Palace Cuisine internet-famous restaurant, but they were quite exquisite, with a proper balance of meat and vegetables, and perfect in color, aroma, and taste.
"Heh, the difference between a true Imperial noble's diet and the public's imagination of Imperial Palace Cuisine," Yu Lian chuckled.
"An expert!" Gongsun Qing smiled, "This is my favorite restaurant. In the entire Mist Capital, perhaps only this one is qualified to say that it makes authentic palace cuisine. However, the owner is a person who values taste and cultivation and is not prepared to cater to the masses. Of course, if it really became famous, it might not have the current atmosphere."
Where we're from, that's called a literary youth.
"So, thanks to your discerning eye, and the owner's taste, this meal will be on me."
"How can that be? I said I'd compensate you for your lunch, and I must." Gongsun Qing shook her head.
"But, it looks like I ruined your audition, didn't I?"
As soon as these words came out, Gongsun Qing's expression stiffened. She tried to force a smile, but ultimately sighed, letting out a few "bitter" sounds, then gulped down a large glass of ice water before saying faintly, "Tell me, do I really have no talent?"
"What are you referring to?"
If you're talking about talent in swordsmanship, psionics, and combat, you're among the top three of everyone I've ever met!
"I, I mean, acting!"
...You are a student of the Mist Capital Royal Academy of Arts. That's an art institution established during the Imperial rule period. When it comes to art academies, it can rank among the top five in the galaxy. How could you not have talent if you could get in?"
"But that was based on the family's prestige, and I entered the classical dance department. My family, those from the Empire, and everyone I knew, all hoped that I would inherit the family's legacy, which is why they insisted I sign up! But, I actually want to be an actress!"
...Yu Lian thought, I'm sorry, I, who came back from the future, really didn't know you had such a dream when you were young.
"Moreover, I don't like the so-called aristocratic life at all, all those pretentious court etiquettes, and all that messy heraldry. With that time, wouldn't it be better to watch a skyball game? So passionate! Oh, do you like skyball?"
...I do! A die-hard Arsenal team fan!"
...Really?" The other party's eyes lit up, but then narrowed again, "Who is our current head coach? Who is the team's first star player? What is the team's slogan? What was the first interstellar championship the team won?"
It was clear that many people had previously tried to get close by claiming to be Arsenal team fans, and this girl must have been fooled a few times. Fortunately, Yu Lian was a true fan, so he had spent some time recently understanding the "ancient history" of his home team's difficult founding, thus accumulating a lot of knowledge.
Yu Lian spoke eloquently, and Gongsun Qing's eyes became brighter and brighter. Her vigilance finally disappeared, and she nodded, "Alright! As long as you're an Arsenal team fan, you're one of us. The team is going through its most dangerous moment and needs our support even more! But my family, especially those from the Empire, always say that skyball is a commoner's sport and that I should mind my status. Haha~~~ And because of what happened last time, I was almost grounded."
At this point, Gongsun Qing touched the back of her head with lingering fear. Yu Lian also almost touched his neck with lingering fear, but he managed to restrain himself.
"Speaking of which... I always feel like I've seen you before. Have we met?"
"We have. Perhaps we sat in the same stands cheering for the team during a skyball match. We even had a drink together," Yu Lian blinked and said in a matter-of-fact tone.
Gongsun Qing thought this still seemed to make some sense, so she said, "The team's announcement said that they will definitely overcome the difficulties and that we don't need to worry. By the way, for all fans, if we can strive to abide by the law, live diligently, cherish our loved ones, and persistently pursue our dreams, that is the greatest support for the team! After all, the Arsenal team's slogan is 'Dreams Live Forever.' How could I not love such a team? So, I will never give up on my dreams."
"Hmm, keep it up. Without dreams, you're no different from a salted fish," Yu Lian also encouraged her seriously, "So, that's why you came for the audition? Uh, that scene just now, that was the audition performance, wasn't it?"
"Exactly! Because I don't have any formal acting experience, I could only audition for a supporting role, which is a Commonwealth security agent. The director saw that I had no acting experience and studied classical dance, so he was initially unwilling to take me. But, perhaps my persistence moved him, and he still decided to give me a chance... If I can successfully make everyone in that restaurant believe that I am a secret agent, this role will be mine!"
No, the director clearly didn't know how to refuse you in a reasonable, legal, and non-offensive way. It's truly difficult for this unlucky production crew to come up with such a trick!
"Oh, I was quite confident in myself, but it still didn't work. Boohoo, I really have no talent!" At this point, the girl was almost in tears.