Li Andy gently turned his umbrella, a hint of spirituality from his fingertips seeping into the mystic mirror, leaping between the light-speckled surfaces created by the rain, silently attaching itself to the two lucky individuals.
Spirituality brushed over the coins, bringing back a faint aura. After the shadow devoured it, it returned a strange premonition.
That premonition was that these lucky individuals would gather together, merge with each other, or devour each other, and ultimately... become the sole destiny.
“This feeling is like… raising Gu?”
“So, these lucky coins are actually undeveloped relics?”
“Then who exactly planted this ‘seed’ in Black Alley?”
Carrying curiosity and doubt, Li Andy followed the feedback of spirituality, traversing Black Alley, and easily found the other three “lucky individuals.”
From then on, all five coins within his perception were found, located on five people with completely different professions.
A streetwalker, a murderer, a Gambler, a gang rising star, and a Quack.
It was like an impromptu play with pre-selected roles; before it even began, no one knew how the plot would unfold.
“I wonder if the director behind this play is watching?”
“Hmm… let me look forward to it too.”
The rain stopped…
Li Andy glanced at the gloomy sky, closed his umbrella, and quietly disappeared from the rooftop.
On his way home, he passed an area blocked off by the Security Bureau, and he saw Security Officer Susan once again.
“What a coincidence, we meet again so soon,” Li Andy greeted with a smile.
Susan, who was already frowning, frowned even more:
“I remember you have a female companion at home. If there’s nothing wrong, go back early.”
“Oh? The deceased is a woman?” Li Andy asked.
Susan’s body paused for a moment, seemingly suppressing her emotions, and replied somewhat unhappily: “Yes, and she also visited the house next to yours yesterday. So, don’t join the fun.”
Li Andy raised an eyebrow and scanned the corpse with his spirituality. All internal organs were gone, and half the skin was peeled, but he could still confirm that the deceased was the other streetwalker from that night’s trio.
At the same time, the back of the murderer who possessed the lucky coin flashed through his mind.
Was it him…
Li Andy lowered his eyes in thought for a few seconds, raindrops from his umbrella falling onto the muddy ground.
Perhaps, I can also participate in the scriptwriting of that play…
“Miss Susan.” He looked up and asked, “Have you ever tried… entrapment?”
Susan frowned, but quickly relaxed, as if a new idea had occurred to her.
She paused, her tone clearly a bit better:
“Please leave. The Security Bureau is currently conducting an investigation. Please do not interfere with law enforcement.”
Li Andy’s lips curved slightly, and he attached a wisp of his spirituality to her.
…………
Back home.
Li Andy noticed a pair of shiny leather shoes and small ankle boots standing prominently by the doorway, and not far away, a parked carriage wheel was dripping water.
He could tell that Mrs. Harveys and Molly had visited.
They must have… come to deliver school uniforms, right?
Going upstairs, he indeed saw a lady smilingly tidying the attire of three youthful and beautiful girls.
“Brother!”
Youxi slightly lifted her plaid skirt, twirled around on the spot, smiling very happily,
“Does it look good?”
Li Andy smiled and nodded, also inclining his head to Mrs. Harveys.
At this moment, the three girls were wearing school uniforms that blended light industrial style with British style, possessing a mechanical punk deconstructionist fashion visual while retaining Gothic elegance.
Compared to the aristocratic academy’s uniforms, they had less daintiness and more competence.
Molly’s expression still looked a bit dull, but at least she could smile, especially when she looked at him, her eyes noticeably brighter.
As for Sophia, although she was forcing a smile, she looked listless, as if she hadn’t woken up, letting the other three help her get ready.
Before leaving, Mrs. Harveys couldn’t help but ask:
“Andy, do you really not need me to help you find a better house?”
Li Andy shook his head:
“This house has a special meaning to me. Many fates need to come to it on their own.”
Seeing this, Mrs. Harveys no longer tried to persuade him, and went out, waving for the coachman to drive the carriage closer.
Taking advantage of this brief moment, Molly hesitated and whispered to Li Andy:
“Then… Brother Andy, I… seem to have Molly’s memories. When I read the diary, scenes always flash through my mind…”
Li Andy raised an eyebrow and placed his hand on her shoulder, his tone somewhat serious:
“That proves you are Molly. I’ve said it many times, don’t differentiate yourself. Just think of it as having amnesia before.”
Molly froze, her small mouth slightly agape, but in the end, she just lowered her eyes and nodded.
Li Andy sighed inwardly and gave her a small hug:
“Go back. You need to get along well with your family.”
Molly paused, then revealed a smile.
Compared to her previous stiffness and rigidity, this one was exceptionally vivid and captivating.
Even Youxi and Sophia, who were beside them, couldn’t help but stare in a daze.
…
Night, it rained again.
Sophia hugged her knees, curled up at the head of the bed, her eyes staring blankly ahead, her head occasionally dropping and then sharply lifting, looking like she wanted to sleep but didn’t dare.
She only realized Li Andy had knocked and entered several seconds later.
“Andy?”
Sophia bit her lower lip lightly, looking as if she was resisting herself,
“Don’t come over. You… go sleep with Youxi. I’m afraid I won’t be able to resist biting you.”
Li Andy couldn’t help but laugh:
“Think carefully, who pulled you back from the brink of madness? Am I still afraid of you biting me?”
Coming to her bedside, Li Andy observed the girl.
Her hair was a bit messy; she must have run her hands through it just now; her dark circles were a bit heavy, and a faint, insane red-black undertone could already be seen in the depths of her eyes.
“Relax, it’s just sleeping. With you looking so sick, I wouldn’t even think of touching you inappropriately,” Li Andy guided her to lie down, saying with a smile.
Sophia shrank her neck, struggling slightly internally, but still obediently lay flat, her long legs uncomfortably pressed together.
Li Andy’s lips curved. No matter how many times, he always thought Sophia’s legs were truly wonderful, just like Youxi’s perfectly formed buds, possessing a unique magic.
It was as if a skilled artisan, when crafting a work of art, inadvertently poured all their inspiration into one place, creating that stroke of genius.
“Sleep. Tonight, I’m a decent man.”
Li Andy gently embraced her, his legs touching and aligning with hers, warming each other while also allowing their shadows to overlap.
“Faking decency…”
Sophia mumbled softly, but still slowly closed her eyes, nuzzling against his chest. Smelling that comforting scent, she soon fell into a deep sleep.
That night, she didn’t dream of her terrifying self; she only saw a profound darkness.
It was quiet, peaceful, like the boundless universe.
===
(Raw seafood is something you shouldn't touch unless you have an iron stomach. I strongly suspect that stuff is an offering made for Deep Ones; a few bites completely triggered all my sub-health issues. My head is still dizzy, my eyes can't focus properly, and I only finished this chapter by writing and stopping repeatedly.)