SWWW Chapter 236: First Time in Gotham, Hardcore Date
A week later, on Saturday.
Rain fell in a fine drizzle, the streets glistening wet.
A black-haired boy leaned against the train platform railing, draped in a dark blue trench coat. His features weren't strikingly handsome, but clean and pleasant, his not-so-tall frame carrying the uniform and coat with quiet ease.
Out here, he didn't draw much attention.
The only thing that stood out was his pair of bright, clear brown eyes—shining even beneath the gloomy, rainy sky.
"Good thing Alice warned me ahead of time. Cloudy skies, rain today…"
Xi Nian stood at the edge of the platform, calmly lifting a black umbrella.
Just as he was about to step out into the rain—
Thump!
A large suitcase toppled onto its side nearby. The lid popped open, and several tiny white shapes flitted out, wings fluttering as they flew toward the rainy gray sky outside the station.
Crack!
A purple bolt of lightning slithered across the heavens like a dragon, illuminating the station and half the bustling city in a blinding flash.
The white birds scattered into the storm, vanishing into the city.
"Look, Mom, pigeons!"
A little girl squealed, while curious eyes turned toward the commotion.
Xi Nian glanced sideways. White feathers drifted down to the wet ground. Their owner was a woman in her twenties with long, slightly wavy black hair. She wore a purple scarf over a white blouse and black jacket, paired with neat denim jeans and black leather heels. A pair of square-framed glasses perched on her nose.
Her figure was mature and full, her face strikingly beautiful—though her plain outfit made her look somewhat dowdy, as if she were deliberately disguising herself. Juggling several large cases, she apologized profusely to nearby passengers while scrambling to gather her belongings, appearing clumsy and flustered.
Xi Nian stepped forward, picking up a fallen hat and scarf, brushing the dust away before handing them over.
"Thank you, thank you so much!"
The woman bowed quickly, grateful.
As her scarf shifted, her blouse revealed soft, generous curves. In Xi Nian's memory, only Felicia could compare.
But he didn't stare. Instead, he eyed the hat curiously. "Are you a magician?"
"No, just a magician's assistant," she replied, adjusting her glasses with a wry smile. "With my looks and temperament, do I really seem like a magician?"
"I actually think you'd suit the role." Xi Nian spoke earnestly.
Magicians were supposed to be mysterious, wise, even eccentric. Somehow, she felt like she fit.
"Really? Thank you. I am working toward that goal…" She gave him a grateful glance, then studied him in turn. "Little brother, are you from around here?"
Xi Nian shook his head. "Just here for a date."
"Oh, a date? Impressive…" the woman murmured.
At that moment, a black car pulled up outside, hazard lights flashing.
"My ride's here. I should go."
After a brief farewell, Xi Nian watched her get into the vehicle and leave.
"I should get going too."
He opened his umbrella and left the station.
Outside—
The drizzle continued under a sky thick with dark clouds. A gray mist seemed to seep between the stormy heavens and the shadowed city below.
Through the haze, towering skyscrapers rose like a forest of steel and stone. Their dim lights made the city resemble a dark wilderness. Overhead railways and tangled bridges marked the signs of advanced development, but much of the city still clung to a retro, gothic style.
Churches, statues, iron lamps dotted the streets.
Cars passed in silence, neon lights casting icy reflections on rain-slicked pavement.
Dark skies and constant rain—this was the city's eternal backdrop.
This was—
Gotham.
"As expected, nothing like other cities…"
Xi Nian marveled quietly. Gotham was as advanced as New York, but veiled in shadow and mystery, like a darker twin.
"This should be the spot… where is she?"
He reached the agreed street corner, checked his phone.
Exactly eleven in the morning.
Though in Gotham, with its gloom, it felt more like eleven at night.
…
High above Gotham—
Storm clouds churned, growing thicker until they smothered the city below.
Crack!
Bolts of violet lightning split the skies, thunder booming across the heavens.
Amid the tempest floated a lone figure. A red cape whipped in the wind, a short red skirt billowing, golden hair dancing like fire. She stood in the storm as if born from it, a goddess above the city.
Unafraid of lightning, untouched by rain.
"This weather won't do…" Supergirl muttered.
Her expression sharpened. She clenched her fist and struck.
Boom!
A shockwave burst outward, shattering storm clouds for miles in an instant.
The heavens tore open, and sunlight poured down through the breach.
"Not enough yet."
Supergirl spun through the sky, punching and scattering dark clouds like a living whirlwind, clearing the storm with sheer force.
…
"The rain stopped?"
Standing at the street corner, Xi Nian held out his hand. No droplets fell. He closed his umbrella, looking up.
The sky above was suddenly clear, bright blue, the sun shining golden and strong.
"It actually turned sunny?"
Around him, Gotham citizens stared in disbelief. Sunshine was rare here, almost unheard of in the middle of a rainy day.
"Over here, Senior!"
Xi Nian turned at the familiar voice. Across the intersection, in the sunlight, a bright-haired girl waved at him. Platinum-blonde locks gleamed, her short skirt swayed, black stockings wrapping her slender legs. Her smile was radiant.
"Coming, Kara."
Xi Nian smiled, waved back, and walked across the street toward her.
This weekend, Supergirl Kara had invited him to Gotham.
It was his first time here.
He'd only ever heard stories or seen it on the news—a metropolis to rival New York.
Now that he was here… it didn't feel so bad.
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