488: Chapter 16 Late Summer Madness (1)_2 488: Chapter 16 Late Summer Madness (1)_2 It seemed this kid had adapted quite well to eating pancakes with him at a roadside stall in the morning.
“It looks like this isn’t the first time you’ve eaten at a small eatery,” Gongsun Ce said, “I thought you’d be unhappy.”
“When I was young, an elder in the family often took me out to eat these things…” Qin Qianbai’s eyes dimmed, “After he left to roam the world, I’ve never been to places like this again.”
Why is your mood suddenly so low just from eating?
It’s like you’ve sprung a landmine on me, and I’m caught off-guard.
Gongsun Ce hurriedly changed the subject, “Roaming as in traveling?
Then he should have sent you some local specialties or something.”
“He went out to fight.
Wherever he went, he’d seek out strong opponents to battle, then move on to the next place.”
What a battle maniac.
The martial righteousness of the Qin family is clearly evident from him alone; no wonder you’ve turned out like this.
“He must be having fun out there, creating new moves and sending them back home by pigeon,” Qin Qianbai said, his mood growing even more somber, “Whenever that happened, everyone at home would be very unhappy.”
Too much to comment on, I can’t keep up…
Setting aside the fact that there’s pigeon post in the 21st century, why would the family be unhappy about a roaming relative sharing his accomplishments?
Could it be that everyone saw each other as deadly rivals, embroiled in daily infighting, creating an atmosphere as tense as a barrel of gunpowder like in those so-called fantasy novels about contentious big families?!
“Ah, ahem.” Gongsun Ce said awkwardly, “It sounds like his personality is quite different from most of your family members.
He’s an elder you’re fond of, right?”
“…Yeah.
He was always very kind to me.”
No, this isn’t good.
What’s going on?
Why does this child seem like they’re about to cry?!
Could it be a struggle for power within a wealthy family?!
The silent and overt battles for the family’s secret manual?!
Was the elder driven out of the household because of a defeat?!
What kind of terrifying family is the Qin family, and is this what the nobility of the Imperial Capital is like?!
Gongsun Ce’s brain swiftly cycled through a series of outlandishly possible scenarios, each seeming very likely for her.
He spoke rapidly, “Honestly, your family sounds quite odd to me, but we should change the subject—I see the more we talk about it, the worse you feel.
If I keep this up, I might make you break down.
What are your plans for the afternoon?
Continue practicing your superpower, or go buy furniture?”
“Furniture?”
The girl’s mood seemed to lift a bit; choosing shopping as an entry point was the right move.
“That’s right, everything you’re using now is stuff I made.
But I don’t want to say how long those pieces of furniture will last; it wouldn’t be surprising if they disappeared one day.
So while you have the time, I’d recommend buying some furniture processed by superpower users.
Those with the ability to release energy are very good at this kind of craft, and although the student-made items might look ugly on the outside, their quality is much more reliable than what’s sold in big stores,” Gongsun Ce pushed up her glasses, “Most importantly, homemade furniture is cheap.”
“Please take me there.”
Agreed very promptly, didn’t you?
It seems this child is beginning to understand their situation.
“Let me see if there are any flea markets or similar events nearby…” Gongsun Ce took out her phone and glanced at it, noticing a new text message she’d just received.
To Gongsun Ce
[There’s a Mutual Assistance Association end-of-summer event in the Central District this afternoon, going?]
To Kardesia
[Going.
You don’t mind if I bring a newbie along, right?]
Kardesia replied [If they’re easy to get along with, it’s fine.] Gongsun Ce pocketed her phone and gestured, “Let’s go, after lunch I’ll take you to Central District to look around.”
“Aren’t you going to prepare for battle?” Qin Qianbai asked, “There are often fights in this place.”
“You have a lot of misconceptions about the daily life of superpower users, most students don’t have actual combat abilities.”
Gongsun Ce ruffled her hair, feeling since its color had changed, it was as if it didn’t belong to her.
“And besides, if you’re with me, there won’t be any fights.
Don’t worry, I have some strength after all, and they will have to give me that much face.”
After lunch, the duo headed to the Central District, and not long after they left, a black-haired man who had been sitting with his back to them at a table a few away, stood up and left through the door as well.
·
Afternoon, Central District.
“There’s just over a week left before the school season starts!” the flamboyantly dressed emcee on stage shouted with all his might, “Fellow students, are you willing to see the last of the vacation slip through your fingers?!!”
A few high schoolers of various heights and sizes in the audience clasped their hearts in agony, “No!!!”
“No!
We refuse to let our youth pass by, refuse to let summer end in air-conditioned rooms!
Let’s step out of boring dormitories, put down those sticky controllers, and let our youth and sweat spray under the sun!
Before the official start of the event, I want to read a message from the President to everyone!”
The emcee took out a piece of paper from his pocket and unfolded it under the curious eyes of the students.
He scanned the message and gasped, shouting in a high pitch, “—During the event, all food and beverages within the venue are completely free!!
Have fun everybody!!”
“Awesome!””The President’s so generous!””That’s our President!””Long live the President!
Long live the President!!”
The high schoolers below the stage cheered ecstatically; passing students praised the generosity of the Mutual Assistance Association.
Only the emcee clutched his chest in sorrow—he was the one who managed the President’s accounts—and quickly turned this heartache into the drive to host the event: “New maid café!
Open-air buffet!
Market stalls!
Evening fireworks show!
And the most anticipated event, the Boom-Boom Unlimited Basketball Game!
I declare the End-of-Summer Carnival officially open!”