Chapter 147: Gwen's Coming-of-Age Ceremony
After safely finishing the underwater tunnel tour, the two of them walked out of the tunnel exit, one after the other. The sea breeze gently lifted the woman's long black hair onto the boy's face.
It tickled his cheek and carried a hint of violet fragrance.
Xi Nian kept his head slightly lowered, appearing somewhat absent-minded, continuing to be led forward by Diana as if he were still a child.
Diana seemed to understand his thoughts. She glanced back at him and softly asked, "Still thinking about that little incident earlier?"
Xi Nian nodded and lifted his eyes, a spark of light flickering within them. "Maybe… my classmate wasn't mistaken."
After all, a shark with hands and feet—he really had seen one!
Since leaving the island that held Starro captive, he hadn't seen any news of the surviving members of the X-Task Force, neither on TV nor in newspapers.
What had become of them? Were they re-imprisoned in some nightmare prison designed for the most dangerous criminals, sent to Arkham Asylum in Gotham for psychiatric treatment, or had they slipped into some dark corner of the world beyond the control of the U.S. government?
Though they were some of the most vicious criminals on Earth, Xi Nian had played a role in these outcomes as part of the Trinity, so he couldn't help but care.
"I've got this," Diana said, gently squeezing his palm. Her long, fair fingers pressed into a warm hand.
She paused, realizing that since boarding the bus, their hands had barely separated. It had shifted from Xi Nian holding her hand to her now actively holding his, as if she had grown accustomed to the closeness.
And this was outside, in public.
Even though many parents held their children's hands, Diana felt a subtle tremor in her heart.
"Aunt…" Xi Nian was about to continue talking with Diana when, outside the tunnel exit, a familiar pair of figures approached—one tall, one small.
"Hey, Miss Diana! Little Xi Nian!" Mary Jane waved enthusiastically as she walked over with Gwen.
"Good afternoon, Miss Diana… I'm glad you could come to visit the museum with us," Gwen said politely to Diana, a bit shy. She wore a black uniform with a small dress, exuding the quiet elegance of a well-bred young lady and bowed respectfully.
"Gwen, you don't usually behave like this…" Xi Nian muttered, but Gwen shot him a glare, making him stop speaking.
"Miss Jane, long time no see."
"Gwen, you've grown so much. You look even more beautiful," Diana replied with a gentle smile, nodding gracefully to the mother and daughter pair.
Gwen covered her slightly flushed cheeks, eyes sparkling with joy, clearly valuing Diana's recognition.
"I always thought I maintained myself well, but compared to you, I feel like I'm aging by the year," Mary Jane said, warmly taking Diana's hand.
"Not at all, you still look very youthful," Diana replied with a soft smile.
Mary Jane sighed. "Look at my wrinkles—they're just hidden by makeup. Unlike you, your skin is radiant and fresh, like a woman in her twenties."
"Miss Diana, aren't you just in your twenties?" Assistant Instructor Felicia, passing by, couldn't resist joining in, curiosity lighting her eyes. "Probably only a few years older than me, right?"
"Felicia, you don't know. Miss Diana is at least…" Mary Jane stopped mid-sentence, covering her mouth apologetically. "Sorry, I hate when people talk about age. Almost slipped up just now."
"It's fine," Diana said, lightly shaking her head. She subtly released Xi Nian's hand and gently patted his back. "Go ahead and walk around with Gwen for a bit. Don't wander too far."
"Really?" Gwen's eyes brightened as she glanced at Xi Nian.
"Go on, you'll have more to talk about with someone your own age," Mary Jane said, suddenly remembering something. "Oh, Xi Nian, make sure to come to my house this Sunday for dinner."
This Sunday?
Xi Nian froze, exchanging a glance with Gwen. They had already planned Saturday together yesterday.
Gwen frowned in confusion. "Mom, why does it have to be Sunday?"
Mary Jane smiled. "You silly girl, don't you remember? This Sunday is your birthday—the seventeenth coming-of-age ceremony! Or are you saying you don't want Xi Nian to join?"
"Oh no, I almost forgot!" Gwen slapped her forehead, realizing her mistake, and turned red in front of Xi Nian and the assistant instructor.
Xi Nian's lips twitched with a suppressed smile. Gwen blushed and grabbed his hand, pulling him along.
"Well… Aunt, I'll go walk around for a bit," Xi Nian called back quickly.
"Go ahead, but don't stray too far."
Diana smiled and nodded, continuing her conversation with Mary Jane and Felicia.
...
On the second-floor reception hall of the Ocean Research Museum, Gwen led Xi Nian to the railing near the floor-to-ceiling windows. Outside, the fishing docks and the vast blue ocean stretched out before them.
Noon was passing, and the sun was leaning westward, making the ocean shimmer with sparkling light.
"Please, forget what happened just now!" Gwen bit her lip, her short hair shaking like a maraca, emitting a faint, almost imperceptible whine. "I can't believe it happened in front of your aunt…"
"You looked kind of cute being flustered," Xi Nian said, covering his mouth and patting her shoulder. "Don't worry, my aunt won't think less of you for it."
"Darn it, just laugh then!"
Gwen pouted, raising her small, soft fist. Only Xi Nian knew she wasn't joking.
Suddenly, Gwen remembered something. "Oh no, you already promised Kara to visit her cousin's place on Sunday."
Xi Nian thought for a moment. "I'll explain it to her tomorrow."
Gwen shook her head, determined. "It's my fault. I'll explain it. If possible, maybe she can move it to Saturday."
"Either way works," Xi Nian agreed. Gwen was like family; it didn't matter who explained.
"Wow, you're almost seventeen and ready for your coming-of-age ceremony."
Xi Nian looked at the beautiful girl in front of him. He didn't celebrate birthdays, as he didn't know his own birth date. Christmas was the only exception—the night his aunt found him.
"My coming-of-age gift, you better prepare it well," Gwen said, clasping her hands behind her back and slightly pushing her well-developed chest forward, getting very close to Xi Nian. She tossed her shiny golden hair and winked, her eyes sparkling like gemstones. "I'll collect it along with your previous compensation!"
"Of course!"
Xi Nian didn't think too much, agreeing immediately.
[Please give powerstones if you're enjoying the story.
500 stones = 1 extra chapter
patreon com/GuessMyName33 for advanced chapters]