Qiluo still held the cup blankly in her hand. She sat motionless on the wooden chair, as unresponsive as a puppet. Ariel couldn't help shrugging her shoulders, smiling wildly and unscrupulously.
"Please! Don't look so surprised, as if I said something strange. Do you really think you are worthy of being a singer?"
Ariel pointed with her fingertips at the face of the girl opposite. Her nails were long and pointed, painted with bright purple nail polish.
"The music is written by researchers with the help of artificial intelligence; the timbre is an artificial effect achieved after pre-processing with technology; popularity is accumulated by spending money to gain reputation; when it comes to appearance and presentation, it is probably because the researchers are unwilling to spend more money. Let you simply put on makeup and go into battle without makeup and call it 'fresh style'... Oh my god! It's the 21st century and you can still see this old routine. I really want to ask you when you rely on this to earn fame. Don’t you feel embarrassed?”
"I don't think so." Qiluo said.
After a brief daze, the girl has regained her composure. She still has the same face and the same hairstyle, but her temperament has completely changed, looking clear and simple. Qiluo put down her cup and spoke in the same tone as usual: "Miss Ariel, you also said that now is the 21st century, and high and new technologies have penetrated into every corner of our lives. If the assistance of technology can make singing more beautiful and music better, we will Why wouldn't people in the industry be happy about it?
I didn't expect that you would attack me from this angle. After all, you yourself also used off-site assistance. Putting aside the support of the Kalash family, when you held the concert, you not only took advantage of the special landform of the Real Sound State, but also used your own impermanent methods. Could it be that the dragon phenomenon and the help of the law of impermanence are more 'innocent' or 'advanced' than technology? So before we discuss singing, let’s take a look at the realm of impermanence. Whoever has a higher realm will be able to sing better. I don’t understand the law of impermanence, and you are undoubtedly much more advanced than me. "
The nervous and excited fan who was facing his idol disappeared in the blink of an eye. The girl sitting across the round table was neither humble nor arrogant, and her sharp-tongued look made Ariel particularly unhappy. She was like those second- and third-tier singers who were chosen as foils in talk shows. All of them are low-end people who are ambitious and want to use her as a source of fame.
She calmly glanced at the snake-shaped bracelet on Qiluo's wrist, pretending to be surprised and said: "You don't seem to be ashamed but proud of it."
"What is there to be ashamed of? You seem to have misunderstood. I am not an artist but a business idol. My responsibility is to sing songs that satisfy fans, not to create immortal music chapters." Qiluo said in a brisk tone, "I myself Singing happily makes the audience happy, which is enough for me to realize my self-worth. As for artistic pursuits... I think Miss Ariel has no position to accuse me. After all, you are also a 'pop singer'."
Qiluo accentuated the pronunciation of the pop singer, and was satisfied to see an annoyed look in the other person's eyes. She is not afraid of such occasions. She has seen many verbal confrontations in the four years since her debut, and she has plenty of ways to retort such clichés. Ariel sneered: "So you love singing? Are you proud of being an idol?"
"How could I do something I don't love?"
Ariel's expression suddenly changed, the flame of anger was extinguished, and the meanness on her face disappeared, as if an actor had taken off a mask and revealed her pale face under the paint again. She said softly: "Then why do you want to come to the United States, Miss Qi?"
Qiluo was stunned when he heard this. Ariel was taking care of her nails and said calmly: "I am here because I am a member of the Kalash family. I am not only a singer, but also a noble and an impermanent magician. I have to deal with diplomacy. You must use your own ability to contribute to the family affairs. What about you? Why did you come to Hezhong?
When I was collecting information, I felt particularly confused when I saw your team. A weak fake singer was mixed in among the famous big shots. The think tanks in the family are worried because of you. They are all discussing what Miss Qi is here for? How could she join this team? Could it be that she is a world-creating master who hides her strength and has the power to destroy the world? "
"..."
Qiluo fell silent. She didn't want to expose unnecessary information, so she could only remain silent. Ariel smiled with satisfaction and scratched the edge of the tea tray with her fingernails.
"I told them at the time not to think so much. Maybe they were just a burden to the big shots because they were bored and needed entertainment on the road. I thought that girl was having a really hard time... She was surrounded by omnipotent people, and she was the only one who had no meaning. No, they are vassals of other members.”
Ariel got closer to the pale Qiluo, her smile was cruel, with undisguised malice: "Tell me, girl, how does it feel to be a man's foil? What did you do on that ship? You are in charge Sing for them?”
"——Yes, we all like Qiluo's songs very much."
A frivolous and leisurely male voice came from the entrance, and a pair of casual sneakers stepped on the gravel path among the flowers. Gongsun Ce crossed the garden and came to the wooden tea table. He stretched out his hand to pick up Qiluo and introduced with pride: "Have you ever heard of pirate stories from hundreds of years ago? Each pirate ship has its own dedicated musician, enjoying the first mate The same level of treatment is given to the best cabin on the ship, because without music, pirates would be bored to death on the vast sea. She is the musician on our Venus, and without Qiluo our ship would not be able to sail!"
"Really, Gongsun Ce!" Qiluo waved her hands in panic, "Why are you here now? Negotiations are still..."
Gongsun Ce lowered his head and kissed her cheek, and said with a smile: "The negotiation is over! Mr. Jin is an honest man. Although his positions are different, he is willing to help us. He will give the information to us when the data collection work is completed. our."
"Ah!" Qiluo sang in harmony, "Mr. Jin is such a nice person!"
Ariel sneered: "The first time I heard about my father was——"
"Qiluo, do you like wooden furniture? Do you want to move some on the ship later?"
"Hmm... I think a little wooden machinery is just right for decoration, but too much will make it look exaggerated."
Gongsun Ce and Qi Luo walked away along the road talking and laughing, completely ignoring Ariel's speech. Kim Kalash stood guard at the door, smiling broadly when he saw them.
"I will personally organize the information and hand it over to you as soon as it is completed."
"That couldn't be better." Gongsun Ce patted the old man's shoulder affectionately, "but I still have something to say. We all understand that the singers in the family are busy and have trouble receiving guests, and there is no need to send an impostor here just to show off. Well. That’s very insincere, isn’t it?”
Jin was at a loss for a moment, and Ariel stood up from the table and walked over quickly: "I didn't know you were—"
Gongsun Ce turned his back to the big star of Hezhong, not even looking at her, as if the woman behind him never existed.
"Miss Ariel is a world-famous star! I know that such a famous singer must not only have sweet singing but also excellent qualities, otherwise she would not be able to escape from the cruel vanity fair. But the substitute you found today, tsk tsk, is really She's not decent in every aspect." Gongsun Ce shook his head repeatedly, "It's okay to be clumsy in speech, but why is her heart so ugly? The evil women I've seen in the past just shed poison from the inside of their hair follicles. This is really the first time for me. Seeing such a dirty thing, even the skin is gone. At first glance, it looks like a pool of sewage, and every move exudes a foul smell to the outside world. No wonder there are so many flowers and plants on this floor. If there are no plants to cover it, it will only I’m afraid I’ll faint as soon as I walk in.”
"Watch your words, Gongsun Ce!"
Qiluo didn't turn around. She knew just from the sound that the woman was really irritated this time. Gongsun Ce sighed again and again: "This is no small matter, Mr. Jin! Finding such a villain to be a substitute for a big star will bring shame to the entire Hezhong entertainment industry. How many innocent Hezhong people will lose their face because of this Yeah! Foreigners will laugh when they hear this, so be careful next time."
Jin nodded repeatedly: "You are right."
"Don't worry, Mr. Jin. I know it's not your problem this time." Gongsun Ce comforted him, "We will talk slowly after you fulfill your promise."
Gongsun Ce took Qiluo's shoulders and walked away, not caring about the resentful eyes behind him. Except for the answer when he entered, he never said a word to Ariel, expressing his contempt in silence.
Jin turned around and stared at the backs of the two people silently until they entered the elevator and left. Ariel suddenly became manic. She swept the tea set on the table. The precious porcelain shattered into countless worthless pieces on the ground, and the fruit tea seeped into the artificial soil.
The old patriarch was furious, and his roar echoed in the empty space: "Ariel!!"
"Look at your shameful silence, you useless piece of trash." The woman said with disdain.
Jin's anger made his eyes red: "Do you know how much danger your foolish actions have brought to the family? The power given by others makes you get carried away -"
Ariel stretched out her hand and Jin immediately stopped talking and stood still.
She walked forward and poked the head of the old family master with the tip of her fingernail: "What's that look in your eyes? Are you angry with me? Do you think I'm still the singer and money printer that you can exploit?"
Ariel's disdain and arrogance were palpable, and she pressed the old man's forehead like this until Jin's legs bent under the load and he knelt silently in front of her.
"As if someone really cares about your family... Just do your job as a puppet for me."
She walked into the elevator and gave a commanding order.
"I don't want all this furniture, and clean the garden with my own hands. From today on, you are not allowed to leave the building."
Ariel walked away without looking back or saying a word to her father. She took the elevator to the top floor and looked down at the entire city from the top of the building, watching the two figures retreating in the crowd.
"I'll make you regret using 'snake' to protect useless trash, Gongsun Ce."
A bit of invisible and colorless power emerged from her fingertips, and the power dissipated quietly, following the invisible network and disappearing into the vast sound screen city.
·
Jin knelt on the ground in silence. After a long time, he stood up supporting the wall, went to get cleaning tools, and started doing the same work as a hygienist. The elevator door opened and closed, and many maintenance and security personnel walked into the 45th floor, but they paid no attention to the busy homeowners, as if that was the scenery they were accustomed to.
A woman with long wavy hair walked quietly among the crowd. She stood beside the old man and said softly: "Master, please go and rest. I will help."
"What a good boy." Jin said casually, "You must be the one who stole the data yesterday."
The wavy-haired woman was about to pick up the tools, but her movements suddenly froze when she heard this. Kim Kalash took out a chip and put it casually into her hand.
"Real secrets don't let others know where they are hidden." The old man continued cleaning, "Be careful next time."
·
The sky in Sound Curtain City was dark, and the condensed dark clouds cast a gloomy filter over the city. It's going to rain soon. The crowded crowds in the city center are diverting towards shopping malls and underground cities. Even if they bring umbrellas, few people are willing to stay outside. Summer showers come and go quickly, often bringing no shade but only evaporating a new layer of hot and humid atmosphere.
Gongsun Ce held Qiluo's shoulder and walked silently among the crowd. Most of the people around them had cheerful faces, and the two outsiders seemed out of place here. A few middle school students who had just finished class were walking not far away, talking about pop music with their children's frowning loud voices.
"The number one on this month's list is definitely Miss Ariel's "Journey"." "Forget this month, it's already September. It can be said that it is the number one this year." "It can be predicted that Miss Ariel will top the list again... "The champagne was opened a little early, wasn't it?" A student wearing glasses was unconvinced, "There are other singers, aren't there..."
"Who else? Do you like Xingli?" "Haha, he's still thinking about that has-been singer!" "My cousin knows a lot about this industry, and he said he's just a fake singer."
The unsociable boy with glasses was surrounded by his classmates and mocked him. Gongsun Ce pushed up his glasses and deliberately said loudly: "My dear, what did you tell me last time? People who laugh at other people's preferences are uncultured?"
"Really?" Qiluo smiled, "I don't even remember."
"When I chased you, you told me that this was extremely childish..."
The discussion between the two people reached the ears of the students. The young and energetic boys thought they had met the one who was causing trouble, and suddenly they were so angry that they wanted to pursue the matter. But at this time, the couple had gone far away. The man's back was upright and the woman's figure was graceful. They were as far away as a model walking down a fashion magazine, so the students unconsciously gave up the idea of getting closer.
The students could not see the woman's face or the depressed look on her face. Qiluo held Gongsun Ce's clothes tightly, lowered her head and said, "There should be a conflict between Ariel Kalash and Jin Kalash. This family is not united."
"I know that the woman who couldn't wait to launch the attack must have received the mission from the higher-ups. She came here just for you." Gongsun Ce said, "Actually, I felt it when she said the first sentence, but I think you are very responsive. Fortunately, I didn’t rush out.”
Qiluo raised her face and smiled: "After all, I have been in the entertainment industry for 4 years! I can't sing even if I don't have this kind of mental quality."
"I know you are very strong. Don't care about that woman's attack. A few days ago, you helped Sister Zhenfan save 100,000 people in the Woodcraft State." Gongsun Ce encouraged, "Do you want to see one of those superheroes in the movie? Your mission is to save hundreds or thousands of people, and yet you are admired by the public and become an urban legend. Once you take action, you can save 100,000 lives!"
"Gongsun Ce, you make me look like a super villain." Qiluo was helpless.
"Super villains are also very good, no one dares to provoke them." Gongsun Ce touched her head, "Whenever we collect intelligence and formulate plans, we cannot rely on your strength. What does that little character know?"
"I know, I understand everything." Qiluo whispered, "But I have always liked listening to her songs before."
This time Gongsun Ce also fell silent, not knowing what to say for a while. Idol stars are such two-faced people. On the stage and on the screen, they appear to be dazzling and perfect human beings, but once you come into contact with them, you will find their defective, mediocre or even ugly other side. Of course it’s not good to have your own expectations, but aren’t those expectations exactly what celebrities give to their audiences? In the end, this longing was shattered by myself, mocking the fans' feelings in the worst possible way.
At night, the city is brightly illuminated by neon lights, and artificial sound and light are everywhere in the streets and alleys, like a maze built with invisible walls. Gongsun Ce looked at those lights and felt a little tired. He consoled him: "Don't think about it. Go back and have a rest. When the condition is adjusted, we will go back."
"Yeah, okay, okay."
·
["Idol" Xingli remains unfazed in the face of wars of words, and "information life form" Qiluo shoulders the heavy responsibility of breaking through obstacles. They both have the strength to match their responsibilities. But Qi Jingxuan herself is just an ordinary "superpower". She is sensitive and fragile. She will be confused and doubtful, and she will also feel sad because of the ugly behavior of "idol" Ariel who betrays expectations.
Sadness is a scar engraved in the heart. Once it appears, it is difficult to forget. Under the dual effects of external pressure and internal pain, people will always behave irrationally. We can't criticize her. After all, regardless of her abilities that have nothing to do with her, she is just a girl who loves to sing. 】
·
Gongsun Ce booked a hotel in the city center and sent a message telling everyone to gather at the house. Qiluo took off the little snake bracelet of Xuyan Seal and went inside to rest. Gongsun Ce wanted to talk to the girl again, but when he saw Qiluo taking off her bracelet, he knew that Qiluo must be feeling very uncomfortable at this time, so much so that he didn't want his lover to see him.
He decided to let Qiluo calm down first and talk slowly in the evening. Now there are more things waiting for him to think about, the position of the Kalash family, Servais's secret, and the real purpose of this trip... Once his thoughts turn to the other side, questions to be considered will follow one after another. Not long after, the eldest lady and the others came to gather. The new information brought everyone to a new stage of discussion. Gongsun Ce decided to wait and see Servais in person to ask about the situation.
"Gongsun Ce, I want to go out and sing."
"Okay, wait a minute and I'll join you."
During the discussion, Qiluo came out of the room and said something. The girl was carrying a red guitar on her back. Gongsun Ce raised his hand to say hello, and said a few words casually to signal everyone to suspend the discussion and prepare to relax with the girl.
The eldest lady at the table asked: "Ace, aren't you going?"
"I won't go right away..."
"But Qiluo has been waiting for several minutes?" the eldest lady said in confusion.
"...?"
Gongsun Ce was stunned, and his gold-rimmed glasses were filled with belated heat. The superpower's expression suddenly changed. He rushed to the door and opened the door. There was no one in the hotel corridor.
Qiluo is missing.
·
[The "Sword Holder" Gongsun Ce has always been cautious. His experience four years ago made him pay careful attention to the status of those around him. But the successive victories since entering the Northern Continent have made the "sword holder" full of confidence. Now he is a truly big man. He has enough power to protect his companions, but he does not put the strongest protection on himself.
We cannot criticize the choice of the sword holder, after all, he cares so much about the relatives and friends around him. If the Dawn Knight still had the same power as in its heyday, she would have been able to spot something fishy right away. But unfortunately, wisdom and strategy always need the support of strength. If you can't see the problem, you can't protect it! 】
(End of chapter)
