Their conversation continued until around five o'clock—an hour earlier than the time originally scheduled for completing the maid task.
Due to the series of unexpected events, Chu Lian's maid mission was left incomplete. If not for Kujou Sakurako's later request, which gave her another chance to fulfill it, this quest might have simply ended in limbo—neither success nor failure, existing only as a forgotten attempt.
"System prompt: Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Goddess Quest 'Maid' has had its completion conditions altered. The mission has now been converted into a Special Quest—'Save Kujou Matsukaze'. The rewards have been updated accordingly."
"Save Kujou Matsukaze: Kujou Sakurako, the owner of Miss Sakurako's Café, has been deeply troubled for years. Her father suffers from a mysterious and incurable illness that only the most extraordinary healer alive may cure. The elder who extended his life once said that Kujou Matsukaze could live at most three years and six months longer. Now, three years have already passed, leaving only five months remaining. However, sudden changes may occur, so the host should make preparations as soon as possible."
"Quest Requirement: Within five months, invite Li Mingxue—the descendant of the Li family—to diagnose and successfully treat Kujou Matsukaze."
"Quest Rewards: Receive Kujou Sakurako's gift—'Shun Prison Calamity', a relic once belonging to Kurosaki Satsuki's mother; Kurosaki Satsuki's affection toward you will increase beyond the 'friend' level; gain the Kujou family's friendship and Kujou Sakurako's personal loyalty. (Congratulations, host! Two new harem members in one go! Hmph, you flirtatious little loli.) Obtain 'Dream-Breaking Life Key—Death Moon'."
"Quest Duration: 1 day to 5 months. Difficulty: Advanced to Nightmare. Note: This mission is variable and unpredictable. The higher the difficulty upon completion, the greater the rewards."
"A special quest… and a difficulty level that can change at any time? That's certainly special," Chu Lian murmured, sitting silently in the car as she reread the updated quest details. "I wonder what horrors the 'Nightmare' level will bring. Maybe it'll even cost me my life."
As usual, she completely ignored the system's cheeky commentary. There was no point in arguing with such a petty program, after all.
"Big Sis, why are you spacing out again?" Chu Chu asked. By now, everyone was used to Chu Lian's tendency to drift off mid-thought—but this time, Chu Chu had been talking to her just a moment ago, only for her to zone out again.
"Ah, sorry," Chu Lian said, scratching her head apologetically. "I just started thinking about something else for a moment. Right, where were we?" She always felt a bit embarrassed when caught daydreaming while someone was speaking to her. Even if it was easygoing Chu Chu, she still felt bad.
Chu Chu sighed. Her big sister was perfect in almost every way—except that she often slipped into her own world, completely ignoring those around her. It had happened during the fight earlier, and now again with her absentmindedness. Still, Chu Chu never blamed her.
"I was saying that Yui seems… strange. I'm not sure what it is exactly, but when I look at her, it's like I'm staring into a fog—I just can't see through her," Chu Chu said after gathering her thoughts.
Chu Lian blinked, recalling the mother and daughter who had been hiding inside the café. They hadn't escaped with everyone else as she had expected. For some unknown reason, they had stayed behind.
At first, no one had noticed them because they were asleep in a secluded corner. It wasn't until the maids began cleaning up that they were discovered.
The moment Yui opened her eyes, she seemed to know exactly where Chu Lian was. She jumped down from her mother's arms, ran straight into Chu Lian's embrace, and began rubbing her face against her chest while murmuring, "Big Sister, you're back! I knew you could handle everything. Those bad people who hurt you—they're all gone now, right?"
Although Chu Lian was curious as to why the girl had stayed behind, she still answered softly, "Mm. They're gone now. Things outside are still a bit chaotic, so stay here for now. Once it's all settled, you can leave safely."
"Mm-hmm! Big Sister, Yui didn't leave! Yui believed Big Sister would protect her, so she stayed. Mama was really brave too—she stayed with Yui the whole time."
As she spoke, her gentle, elegant mother approached with an apologetic expression and said softly, "I must trouble you again, Chu Lian-san. Yui refused to leave no matter what, and as her mother, I couldn't just abandon her. So we stayed behind. It seems we've disturbed you. I'm truly sorry." She bowed slightly as she spoke.
But Chu Lian couldn't possibly allow an elder to bow to her. She quickly reached out to stop her, even though she knew that for people in Neon, such gestures were common courtesy—it still didn't sit right with her.
"Having Yui trust me this much is my good fortune," Chu Lian said with a warm smile. She sensed that there was more hidden beneath the surface but didn't intend to pry. After all, as a public figure, having such devoted fans was a rare kind of blessing.
"However," she added, "you two should leave right away. Things will get more troublesome soon. There should be a back door behind the café—go through there. Be careful, and if you run into trouble, come find Big Sister Sakurako. She'll help you." Chu Lian could already sense certain movements outside and knew that what was coming wouldn't be suitable for the two of them. So, she made the decision for them.
Yui pouted, unhappy. "Yui knows she's bothering Big Sister… but Yui just likes being close to you. It feels so warm and safe."
Her mother gently lifted her out of Chu Lian's arms and nodded respectfully. "Then we'll take our leave. Thank you, Chu Lian-san, and Miss Sakurako. Could someone please guide us out?"
Despite everything that had happened—things far beyond ordinary comprehension—the woman remained calm and graceful, her gentle demeanor and deep, tranquil eyes never wavering.
"Goodbye, Big Sister. We'll definitely meet again…" Yui's voice echoed faintly in her ears, and Chu Lian's gaze grew distant and thoughtful. "No matter what their origins are, they're not our enemies. I never sensed even a hint of hostility from them."
Hostility was an elusive thing. If the opponent's strength far exceeded her own, it would be natural not to sense it. The only reason Chu Lian was so certain was because she had used the system's scan on them.
"Renqu Baihe: Origin unknown. Abilities—unknown. Power—unknown. System note: Though I can't detect anything at the moment, she harbors gratitude toward you and will not show hostility under normal circumstances."
"Renqu Yui: Daughter of Renqu Baihe. Background shrouded in mystery. The so-called father is merely a façade. Power—unknown. System note: Her affection for you is near maximum. Unless she forgets you or falls under control, she will never harbor harmful intent toward you."
"Note: This is a mysterious mother and daughter. They seem to have always existed, yet also as if they've only just appeared. No one knows their true origins—much like your own. Their names and identities are likely fabricated."
"In that case," Chu Chu said softly, "if Big Sis says so, then it must be right. I won't worry about it anymore." Normally, anything Chu Lian decided, Chu Chu would follow without question. Her judgments were rarely, if ever, wrong.
Her role beside Chu Lian had always been to see the things her sister couldn't—not to make judgments herself. That balance was the silent understanding between the two after more than a decade of growing up together, an unspoken connection between hearts.
Of course, if she could trade that connection for an ability to actually influence her Big Sis's choices, Chu Chu would have done it long ago.
Truly, the thoughts of a doting, sister-obsessed girl were beyond mortal comprehension. For her beloved sister, she would go to any extreme.
While the sisters talked, Inori and Li Xiu'er listened quietly, saying nothing simply because they wanted to hear more. Kurosaki Satsuki, however, remained deep in thought, her expression shadowed. It seemed that until the matter weighing on her heart was resolved, she would never return to her usual calm and frosty demeanor.
Outside the car window, the setting sun spilled its final rays across the sky, tinting the long streets with crimson clouds.
In this unique city of Tokyo, the evening carried a beauty unlike any other. Perhaps it was the city's way of gifting its busy people a moment of peace after a long day.
Though such a gift had to be discovered—requiring one to pause, calm their restless heart, and truly see—it was there nonetheless, waiting for those who would look.
Standing on the spiraling mountain road, Chu Lian and the others spread their arms wide, as if to embrace this fleeting, beautiful moment. Nine girls stood in a line, each with her own charm and temperament, yet all radiating the same youthful grace and loveliness.
"Excuse me, are you Chu Lian?"
A cool breeze drifted past. Though it was mid-spring, the wind still carried a faint chill. The girls didn't mind—it wasn't enough to distract them from the breathtaking view—at least not until another girl appeared.
The newcomer had long black hair cascading down to her waist. She wore a white long-sleeved blouse paired with a red-and-black plaid pleated skirt. Her slender legs were sheathed in black stockings, and her short leather boots clicked crisply against the ground as she approached.
As she drew nearer, her face came into view—flawless and luminous as snow. Her brows were delicately arched like ink-brushed willows, her eyes soft and deep as distant mountains, and her lips as pink as blooming sakura. Every feature was exquisite, and together, they formed a face of breathtaking beauty.
She walked calmly toward Chu Lian, her gaze steady, and softly repeated her question.
This was the first meeting between two girls—and perhaps, the most beautiful scene the city would witness that year. Someone nearby raised a camera, capturing all ten girls within the same frame, and the image that appeared looked almost unreal—like a perfectly rendered CG illustration.
Perhaps… this was what people called destiny.