Chapter Eight: A Chance Encounter at the Shop (Thanks to Yumiya Koeda, the Guild Leader)

“Is Heshia going out today?”

After assisting Grandma He in tutoring the children for a while, Heshia’s health had gradually recovered, and there were no visible signs of her previous injuries.

“Yes, I’m heading to the upper levels later,” Heshia said as she sat at her vanity, combing her hair before tying it up neatly with a blue ribbon.

“I need to buy a new personal terminal and also see if there’s a suitable job.”

“It might be hard to find a good job in Paoyin City; going to Molybdenum Crystal City could be better,” Grandma He said, bringing a stack of sliced cantaloupe into Heshia’s room.

“Have something before you go out.”

“Thank you.”

“Most businesses in Paoyin City are industrial, or just mediocre restaurants and service jobs, which are quite exhausting—not suitable for you,” Grandma He spoke frankly about the city they were in.

“Hmm, I’ll just take a look first,” Heshia nodded.

Seeing Heshia’s seriousness, Grandma He felt a pang of sympathy. “Girls like you really shouldn’t have to work. You should be cherished and cared for.”

“That’s not true. Everyone has to become independent eventually; you can’t always rely on family,” Heshia replied.

She tied the ribbon at the back of her head, then picked up a pair of glasses from the table and put them on. Instantly, her once sleek black hair faded to a dull gray, and the lively bright blue in her eyes dimmed, replaced by a dark gaze hidden behind the reflective lenses.

The enchanting girl from moments ago had reverted to her original plain and unassuming appearance.

“That’s quite a useful ability; it makes things a lot safer,” Grandma praised from the side.

Being a beautiful girl was a blessing, but if one’s family was poor, beauty often brought hidden dangers—something the girl understood deeply.

“Well, I’m going out now.”

Having prepared herself, Heshia bid Grandma He farewell and stepped outside.

The spacious hallway was as cluttered as usual. Under the warm yellow street lamps, people passed by—some out shopping, others heading to work, and some escorting their children to school now that the new semester had begun. Despite the era's advanced transportation, working-class families rarely bought vehicles to save money.

The availability of public elevators and rail systems underground was another reason.

“Heshia, good morning!”

“Is that Heshia? Going out today?”

“Yeah, just out to buy some things,” the girl nodded in response.

“Little Tilan is finally stepping out for a walk,” one neighbor remarked.

Most neighbors had gotten to know Heshia by now, partly because of a widely discussed incident weeks ago, and partly because she tutored children at Grandma He’s home. The kids often spoke of her to their friends, making her well-known among the adults nearby.

Though Heshia still struggled to remember all their names, she no longer felt as flustered around them.

Entering the vertical elevator, she watched the doors close and the silence settle inside. Heshia exhaled quietly.

Everyone seemed so warm—it was a feeling she hadn’t experienced much before.

She hadn’t lived here since childhood, only moving here with her family about six years ago. Her father might have interacted with neighbors back then, but as a child, she knew little.

The neighborhood’s safety wasn’t perfect but far from terrible. Most residents had lived here for over a decade, some for generations, like Grandma He’s family.

Beep—

[Floor 43 has been reached]

The elevator doors slid open to reveal towering buildings adorned with neon signs, and the air felt fresher.

“Here already?” Heshia stepped out, thinking of her two goals for the day: buy a new personal terminal and find a suitable job.

First, the terminal. Her footsteps turned toward a bustling pedestrian shopping street.

Walking along the wide avenue, people came and went. A gentle breeze drifted from above, stirring her hair. Blue and violet neon lights cast mottled patterns over her and the passersby—light and shadow dancing together.

Shops along the street boasted various decorative styles. Inside, brilliant lights contrasted sharply with the dark street outside, as if two different worlds.

The laser-gradient glass doors revolved open as Heshia stepped into this bright realm.

---

Inside the pure white store, various virtual projections shifted continuously, demonstrating functions of personal terminals.

“The ‘Fire-Eye Sparrow Y-1800’ specializes in handling sudden life emergencies, equipped with chrome flame crystal lenses capable of focusing and firing ‘Flame Stream Rays’ within two seconds, enough to pierce a 20mm steel structure…”

“The ‘Sentinel E-100’ can detect any surveillance devices within a 100-meter radius, ensuring maximum privacy protection…”

“The ‘Matrix MR-4500’ is your all-purpose life assistant—whether analyzing, calculating, aiding work, or enhancing personal defense weapons, it lets you surpass others and approach excellence…”

“The ‘Ink Painting · Ge Wu 2700’ exudes elegant style and Eastern charm. Its ink-colored frame creates a boundary to shield your grace and tranquility from outside noise.”

These models were current flagship products, not cheap by any means. For example, the last one was the latest from ‘Ink Rhythm Workshop,’ priced around 30,000 Federation credits.

Though Heshia glanced at these with some envy, she felt no strong urge to buy—saving money was her priority.

Better to look for higher cost-performance products, older models from a few years ago that should have dropped in price by now.

Just as she wandered through the store, she ran into a familiar face.

“Heshia, you’re here to check out the new models too?”

Lina, with short golden hair streaked with dark purple bangs, wore a cropped jacket revealing a slender waist, radiating youthful energy. Beside her stood a mature-looking elven man dressed like a business executive.

“Is this Lina’s friend?” the man eyed Heshia curiously, scanning her from head to toe.

“Yes, she’s a classmate and a friend,” Lina replied confidently, stepping toward Heshia.

“My old terminal broke, so I came to look,” Heshia looked away slightly, feeling like an ugly duckling next to Lina’s radiant confidence.

“Ah, we’re on the same mission—I’m here for a new personal terminal too,” Lina said, patting Heshia’s shoulder.

“Come on, let’s look together.”

Unable to refuse, Heshia was pulled along as the three approached the counter.

---

“Could you bring down the ‘Purple Owl D-1260’? I want to see it,” Lina requested.

“Certainly, please wait a moment,” the saleswoman smiled and retrieved a rarely seen personal terminal from behind.

“This ‘Purple Owl D-1260’ can create individual stage lighting and shadow effects, with high-power, high-definition vocal playback, and can even project dynamic backup dancers—perfect for music enthusiasts…”

Lina eagerly took it, testing its functions and projecting dazzling stage effects in the store. It was clear she loved it.

“What do you think, darling?” Lina asked the elven man beside her in a coquettish tone Heshia had never heard before.

“I think it’s very good,” he answered affirmatively, though he looked somewhat bored during the demonstration.

“Then I’ll buy this one.”

“No problem.” The man signaled the clerk.

“This model is priced at 23,890 Federation credits. We’re running a promotion, so it’s discounted to 22,890…”

“No need for explanations, just charge it,” the man took the payment terminal and quickly completed the transaction.

Heshia watched quietly, slightly awed by the ease of the wealthy. For her, even finding a job earning 80 Federation credits a day would be lucky, especially since she hadn’t graduated high school yet.

“Thanks! Hehe,” Lina happily accepted the brand-new terminal, fondling it in her palm before reluctantly putting it down.

“Heshia, it’s your turn. What do you like? I’ll help you pick.”

“I just want a basic one, nothing fancy,” Heshia said, wanting to save money.

“Come on, don’t you want something better? You’re almost in high school.”

“No, thanks,” Heshia mustered the courage to refuse.

“All right, how about this one?” Lina pointed to a model.

[‘Silver Star Gr-620’—capable of creating realistic scenery and sound effects, so you can vacation and relax wherever you are…]

“Priced at 12,580 Federation credits. Though a few years old, it’s well-reviewed.”

---

“That’s still too expensive,” Heshia shook her head.

Lina suggested a few more models, but Heshia repeatedly declined and chose on her own.

“Want me to lend you some money? No rush to pay me back,” the elven man, who had been silent for a while, finally spoke, having studied Heshia for some time.

“Um…” Lina hesitated.

“Thanks, but no. I’ll buy it myself,” Heshia looked up, embarrassed.

Seeing her insistence, they didn’t press further.

In the end, Heshia purchased a slightly outdated but well-rated and durable model, spending about 4,000 Federation credits.

Though this was somewhat expensive for her, she felt awkward choosing anything cheaper. Without Lina and the man around, she would have been content with a basic model priced at 2,000 to 3,000 credits.

After the purchase, the three exited the store. Lina invited Heshia for a drink, but Heshia politely declined.

After exchanging farewells, Heshia waved and left.

Watching her walk away, the elven man lingered on her graceful figure for a long moment before turning to Lina, who was still fiddling with her terminal.

“I don’t remember you ever mentioning this friend before.”

“That’s her,” Lina looked up.

“She’s not very well-known in class. I used to sit next to her and got to know her better.”

“How to put it… she’s introverted and quiet, like a stone—dull and uninteresting. No common ground for chatting about trends.”

“I think she’s good-looking. Has no one ever shown interest?”

“Appearance, yes, that’s true. Heshia doesn’t dress up much, but she has naturally good skin and is genuinely pretty—among the people I know, few surpass her…”

Lina pondered.

“Strange. No one has really pursued her. Maybe she’s too ordinary? People just overlook her. Plus, she never initiates conversations and always wears glasses.”

“Right, with glasses. You might not know her hair is naturally gray, and she always keeps to herself after class, sitting in the corner. That’s why no one pays attention. Also, many junior high classes combine several groups of students, so many are strangers—no one talks to her.”

“Sounds like a rough diamond,” the elf pushed up his silver-framed glasses.

“Hey, are you interested in her?”

“I just want to know more.”

“Tsk, men are always like that. Maybe you’re already thinking of dragging both of us into bed,” Lina waved her hand dismissively.

“Suit yourself. If you want to chase her, go ahead, but I won’t help.”

“Why not?” The man was puzzled, having been about to ask Lina to introduce them.

“Don’t you think that’s insulting? I have my pride.”

“Well then, next time I’ll take you to White Wave Beach in District 2 South.”

For those living in the underground city, traveling to a beautiful seaside beach was a tempting prospect.

“When’s next time?”

“All right, this June.”

“Okay, I’ll ask around in the next few days. Heshia looks strapped for cash, so convincing her shouldn’t be hard.”

Putting away their personal terminals, the two left the store, heading toward a high-end restaurant with flashing signs.

In the ever-night underground metropolis, neon lights flickered endlessly as people chased their desires, lost in intoxication and confusion.

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