"Oh, you're here?" The girl sat by the window with her chin propped on one hand. Hearing the door open, she asked the question calmly. It was as though she had known Chu Lian would come, just like all those years ago, when Chu Lian returned to camp after removing her armor and tried time after time to surprise her, only to be discovered every time.
She had always been like this. Whenever something happened, she often refused to speak openly about it. Instead, she would secretly seek out each girl and explain everything to them one by one.
To put it nicely, she was earnest. To put it less kindly, Chu Lian was a little cowardly, afraid she might hurt someone.
"You understand me better than anyone." Chu Lian quietly walked up behind her and wrapped both arms around her neck. As their cheeks brushed together, Liu Yanran's scent lingered beneath her nose. It felt so comforting.
"It's always been that way. You simply never realized it." Liu Yanran smiled gently and raised a small hand to pinch Chu Lian's cheek. With that single sentence, all the longing and waiting in her heart dissolved like smoke in the wind.
"Kiss me." She was the most direct of them all. She simply closed her eyes and let Chu Lian kiss her.
"That's exactly what I wanted to do." How could she bear to refuse when such a beauty invited her to kiss? Especially when this was a woman whose fate had been entangled with hers for a very, very long time.
When it came to the bond between them, hers was deeper than that of any other girl at Chu Lian's side. Yet among them all, she was also the one who demanded the least from her.
Every time, she simply guarded Chu Lian in silence. No matter how recklessly Chu Lian courted death, whether she had prepared properly or not, or how great the danger she faced, Liu Yanran was always there.
"Mm..." A soft hum escaped through the girl's nose. She was so gentle, far gentler than she was with anyone else.
Chu Lian also reveled in that tenderness. It was a kind of heartfelt love and protectiveness directed solely toward her.
Although I'm not truly that fragile, in front of you, I'm willing to let myself become so vulnerable.
"Mm..." Her soft cries seemed to form a melody, expressing both the longing in her heart to possess Chu Lian and the tenderness pouring out from within her.
"All right..." Liu Yanran drew away and gazed at her through hazy eyes, allowing Chu Lian to begin what she had come to do.
"Mm." Chu Lian agreed, then leaned in and kissed her once more...
"Is this what you want to perform?" A long time later, the two girls lay on the bed with their clothes in disarray. Gazing at the ceiling, Liu Yanran asked the question.
"Yes." Chu Lian lay on her stomach and turned her head to look at Liu Yanran's face. Her snow-white skin seemed to reflect the tenderness she possessed.
"How should I put this? The two Chinese songs are manageable, but I can't do anything with the two English songs. I only know how to perform classical dances. Even if I brought out the celestial dance I performed back then, it wouldn't match either of those English songs at all." Liu Yanran was not particularly interested in performing music. She would rather remain in the background as the one who danced.
"There's no helping that. Using Chinese shows them how moving our own culture is. Using English tells them that even when I use your language, I'm no worse than any of you. Huaxia is filled with outstanding talent. Who gave you the right to act so arrogantly?" Chu Lian buried her face in the blankets and spoke in a muffled voice.
"You're practically declaring war. Aren't you afraid their superheroes will come after you?" Liu Yanran covered her soft lips and laughed quietly. She did not need to worry, because Chu Lian would protect her.
"Pfft..." Hearing her words, Chu Lian could not help laughing. "Although America's overall national strength isn't much weaker than ours, its other factions are far inferior. Even with many long-established powers from Europa, the Soviet Union, and the African Co-Prosperity Sphere establishing themselves there, the forces they possess in this field are still too limited."
"That's because the authorities have always guarded against those factions and refused to let them interfere in any of America's state affairs. Other than granting them control over some territory in a particular state, almost like feudal lords ruling their own domains, the government generally refuses to let them get close to power."
"Meanwhile, the authorities began cultivating their own forces from nothing. Superheroes are their greatest trump card, followed by the forces operating in the shadows. However, even when all of them are combined, they may not possess half the strength of Europa. At most, they are somewhat stronger than the combined factions of every Asian country outside Huaxia and the Middle East. And even that comparison excludes Japan, which is considered part of Huaxia's sphere."
"So America is actually a country that appears extremely powerful on the outside but is weak within?" Liu Yanran grew curious. If that were truly the case, America should not have been able to maintain its position until now.
"You could understand it that way. However, the reason they've managed to preserve their current power for so long is naturally because they possess something unique. I heard they obtained alien technology and may possess capabilities even I can't understand at present. Judging from the large-scale teleportation of zombies during the previous incident, that's almost certainly true. That's probably why the other countries haven't acted rashly."
"However, no matter what trump cards they possess, everyone in this world must abide by the rules. Their cultivation world is weaker than those of Huaxia and Europa. No matter how much they posture, it won't help them in this field." Chu Lian had only gradually reached these conclusions after collecting a great deal of information and analyzing it for a very long time.
"Then what exactly did the president mean by coming here this time?" Liu Yanran curiously asked about the matter Chu Lian had not finished explaining during the day.
"First, the shot I fired was far too shocking. Although every media outlet and online source remained silent about it, those capable of learning the truth would inevitably find out. He came to determine whether we possess some kind of energy-cannon launch facility... Mm, he would never imagine that I fired it entirely on my own."
Chu Lian had not been particularly shaken by the destructive power of the Seraph's final attack. She had merely been surprised that it could cause such tremendous devastation, but she did not find that level of power especially frightening.
After all, there were quite a few people more skilled than her when it came to firing cannons. For example, a certain Tyrant, a certain Beloved Consort, and a certain Cup Master...
Should I find some time to visit the world of magical artillery? I should be able to learn the proper posture for firing cannons there, right? And if I established friendly relations with them, then when I called for spacetime support in the future, perhaps the Tyrant could fire a blast straight through space and time and flatten my enemy.
"You only explained the first point before drifting off. Finish the rest before you start daydreaming!" Seeing the girl she loved lapse into a daze again while speaking with her, Liu Yanran did not know whether to laugh or cry. She lightly smacked Chu Lian and complained in a coquettish voice.
"Oh, right. The moment I started thinking about firing cannons, my thoughts wandered elsewhere. I'm truly sorry." Chu Lian had already grown accustomed to this habit and even considered it perfectly normal. If there ever came a day when she did not become distracted, something would surely be wrong.
"Second, he came to convey a message. America has no intention of becoming Huaxia's enemy. Of course, there was another meaning hidden within that message. Even if war truly broke out, America would not be afraid. The fact that I, the president, dared to visit Huaxia at such a time is the greatest proof of our confidence."
"Third, he wants to experience Huaxia's differences for himself so that he can return and formulate a strategy for dealing with us. As for his visit to an academy, particularly our academy, there are many implications hidden within it. However, it's impossible to explain them clearly right now. We'll understand once something happens in the future."
Chu Lian was not deliberately being evasive. Some matters were simply difficult to explain before they actually occurred.
Fortunately, Liu Yanran would not press her too hard about such things. As long as Chu Lian offered an explanation, that was enough for her.
"So that's how it is. It seems the current situation isn't particularly peaceful." She thought of what had happened in Miami. Would war break out?
"There won't be a war. In less than half a year, dragons and all kinds of enormous monsters will be flying everywhere in the sky, giant beasts will roam the land, and ancient species that have slept in the depths of the oceans for tens of thousands of years will awaken. Humanity needs unity. Starting a war now would be suicide, and everyone understands that."
Chu Lian lifted her face from the blankets and exhaled. She was not particularly worried about the state of the world.
"Huh? When that happens, won't you be unable to become a celebrity? That's your dream. And if the world becomes like that, what meaning will there be in making games or starting a company?" Liu Yanran had believed she understood Chu Lian extremely well, but now she found herself wondering whether she truly understood her at all.
"Little fool, when has your husband ever done anything meaningless? Since I'm still following the path I chose for myself, none of it will go to waste. You'll understand when the time comes." This time, Chu Lian truly was keeping her in suspense.
However, Liu Yanran enjoyed being doted on and called a little fool, so she did not care. As long as Chu Lian was happy, that was enough.
As for Chu Lian's claim that she had never done anything meaningless, it was best to ignore it. Otherwise, Liu Yanran could list countless examples, and once Chu Lian became embarrassed, Liu Yanran herself would not have an easy time either.
"All right, you've kept me company for a long time. It's time for you to go see the others. Listen carefully. Visit Xiu'er first, then Chu Chu, and Inori last. Trust me, that's the best arrangement..." Liu Yanran was considerate and knew Chu Lian still had things to do, so she would not delay her any longer.
After all, it was already nearly ten o'clock. If she did not let Chu Lian leave soon, Chu Lian might still be busy even at midnight, and that would not be good.
"As expected, my Yanran loves me best." Liu Yanran had taken the initiative to mention what Chu Lian had been too embarrassed to bring up herself. How could Chu Lian not adore her?
"Mwah..." Chu Lian planted a forceful kiss on her lips, then jumped off the bed with a delighted smile. She turned back, waved goodbye, and left.
"Our hearts have been joined for a thousand years. When will we compose another song together?" Rising from the bed, Liu Yanran looked at the crescent moon outside the window and murmured softly.
Chu Lian, Xiang Yu...
One represents the present and the future, while the other represents the past and memories.
Although they are the same person, they are also two different people. Just as Yu Ji and I are different as well.
She can distinguish between them, and so can I, though sometimes... things do become a little confusing.
"I believe you'll bring us hope and give us the life we desire most, no matter how difficult it may be. Just as you said, and just as we said, we will always be here..."