Traveling through Tomorrow's Ark: Starting with a Yama Sword

(Warning: It smells like Taowen.)

“You sang very well!”

Bagpipe continued to speak in the same way, and the others just applauded, ending the hotpot meal in a relaxed and joyful atmosphere.

Only Shen Qi felt dizzy after singing - perhaps it was the combined effects of overexertion and alcohol that made him sit down directly.

At least he wasn't drunk, otherwise he would be in trouble if he acted crazy in front of everyone. If he spoke the truth after drinking, his image would be completely ruined.

On the way back, he didn't ask anyone for help, which was a good thing.

After returning to the inn, the operators dispersed, some went back to their rooms to rest, and some went to the local night market to hang out.

Ma Enna walked out of the inn alone. He seemed to be just a person passing by from all over the world, admiring the fireworks of Shangshu alone:

"Wait for the sunrise."

......

After a short rest, Shen Qi and Texas agreed to meet in front of the inn.

"Do you need me to protect you?"

Shen Qi said jokingly, but Texas did not change his expression:

"Who is protecting whom then?"

Shen Qi himself also understood that Texas did not need to be protected, and her own strength was enough to protect herself. Similarly, Shen Qi could also protect himself, and they naturally had other purposes for this trip.

Texas was still wearing the coat, which was loose and warm, and the leggings on her legs were relatively tight, so she was not afraid of the cold in Shangshu in winter. Although it didn't rain much in winter, she didn't have to worry about her tail getting wet, but the persistent fog still made the air humid. When this cold wind mixed with water vapor blew, her face always felt uncomfortable.

The nights here are always bustling and never stop until all the lights are turned off.

Shen Qi was not used to this kind of nightlife. His previous days were always boring. In the neighborhoods of the real world, the shops would close at ten o'clock. He had no experience of walking alone in dark alleys and was more accustomed to staying at home and doing what he wanted to do.

Texas was obviously sober and had returned to normal, but the blush on Shen Qi's face had not yet faded and his head still felt a little heavy.

When they walked to the night market, Shen Qi said he wanted to buy something to sober up. Texas was not good at dealing with the Yan people here, so she just watched Shen Qi.

"Here, this cup is yours."

Shen Qi handed a cup of hot drink to Texas, "Drink it while it's hot."

"You bought it for me?"

It didn't occur to Texas, after all, she didn't need to sober up.

"I can't just buy it for myself, after all, there's someone else hanging out with me. The main ingredient of this drink is a kind of tea that is unique to Shangshu, so don't worry about drinking it."

Texas nodded, opened the lid and took a sip - a refreshing taste swept away the cold air.

This feeling brought her back to her past in Syracuse. She no longer missed her days in Syracuse, but the people and things in front of her were what she cherished more.

She hadn't been with Operator Millennium for long, but she always felt that he cared about her the most - it was neither a simple colleague relationship like in Penguin Logistics, nor the weird concern of Lappland.

Their normal relationship was just mutual trust, but if it went a little deeper... No! Texas came to his senses and wondered why he had thought of this.

"what happened?"

Shen Qi, who was standing by, felt that Texas seemed a little uncomfortable.

Texas waved his hands to indicate that he was fine.

"Then let's go a little further."

"Wait a moment."

Texas couldn't help it after all, and said to Shen Qi, "Your hand..."

She used her gloved hands to hold Shen Qi's ungloved, scarred left hand - the scar left by the previous fight seemed to be something that could never be erased.

"Ah? My hands aren't cold, really not."

Shen Qi looked at his hand. The scar became the focus of both of them at this moment. They had blamed each other for this matter before, and it seemed to be a sad point again.

"Then you should also keep warm."

Texas stuffed Shen Qi's hand back into his pocket. His expression looked very calm, and he could only hide his inner nervousness by blinking.

Shen Qi was naturally very sensible. He took out the gloves that the system had given him and put them on - but they were only half a pair, just covering the scar.

[What do you mean, next time I should give you a pair of full-coverage gloves? ]

"No need."

Shen Qi felt that he should express his attitude first. After all, some things had been weighing on his mind for a long time since their first meeting, or even before they met. No matter what the result was, talking would calm people down.

"Texas, do you like this kind of life?"

Shen Qi threw away the empty cup and met Texas' bright amber eyes.

"I like it. Although the people here are noisy, it is a peaceful life for me personally. I don't need to rush around or go back and forth between life and death."

"But I don't like it."

"Oh?"

Texas' wolf ears twitched, and she was curious about Shen Qi's answer again.

Then Shen Qi took a deep breath and told her the answer:

"Because I like you, Texas."