"Eden, my neck's so sore♪"
The brown-haired Eden was helping Elysia with her hair.
"Just hang in there, Elysia. It's almost done. How about some stage makeup? Pearlescent eyeshadow, maybe?"
"Oh, I get it now♪" Elysia smiled faintly. "No wonder you're so excited about me getting ready for the performance. To you, I'm just a life-sized makeup doll♪
The super cooperative kind♪"
"Hehe." Eden smiled indulgently. "So, my obedient doll Elysia, can I do your makeup?"
"Wow, such a heart-pounding request, my dear Eden♪"
"Makeup's a big deal. Sure you don't want to try? There might be a surprise."
"I'll save the surprise for later♪" Elysia took Eden's hand. "After all, a smile's a girl's best makeup♪
Right♪"
"Fine, you win." Eden took Elysia's hand and led her to a full-length mirror.
"Let's check the results."
"Wow♪" Elysia pressed a finger to her lips. "I'm quite the rare beauty, aren't I♪"
"That's not something you say about yourself."
"Self-awareness is my greatest strength♪" Elysia turned to Eden.
"Everyone promised to come for my birthday, but in the end, only my Eden showed up♪
Of course, I know everyone's got their own stuff, but I really wish we could all have a fun get-together♪"
"Maybe one day we'll all work at the same company." Eden rested her head on Elysia's neck, comforting her in her own way.
Elysia could feel the warmth of Eden's breath.
"Really♪
That'd be amazing♪
Eden, when do we head out? The Interactive City con starts the day after tomorrow♪"
"We can leave anytime."
…
Soon after, Eden brought Elysia to an open area in front of the villa.
"We'll wait here for a bit."
Elysia looked around. "Waiting for a car♪"
"Nope." Eden glanced at the sky as a helicopter slowly descended before them.
"Wow♪" Elysia covered her mouth in surprise.
"This is too cool♪"
Eden smiled warmly. "Anything Elysia likes is fine by me."
Dreamscape Hotel.
"This is the Dreamscape Hotel?" Jiaoqiu fanned himself with his feather fan.
"Of course it is! Think Lady Sparkle would lie to you?" Sparkle crossed her arms and pouted.
"Don't think I forgot about that cilantro milk tea…" Jiaoqiu's face darkened at the mention.
"Let's not bring up the past."
"You got it!" Sampo slung an arm around Jiaoqiu's neck. "This Sparkle loves pranks and stirring up fun. You're better off hanging with ol' Sampo."
"You…?" Jiaoqiu shook his head in disbelief.
Are there this many shameless people in the world?
Aventurine tossed a chip idly. "So, we're just standing around here?"
"Wait a bit. Su Chen's parking, and he hasn't given clear instructions. Acting rashly could mess things up…"
Just then, Sparkle spotted two figures, rubbed her eyes, and shook her head.
She couldn't believe what she saw and nudged Sampo.
"Hey, that guy in the blue coat—doesn't he look like Su Chen?"
"Su Chen?!" Sampo followed Sparkle's gaze. "Su Chen!!!"
Sparkle rolled her eyes. "Keep it down, you sound like Xiao Shenyang."
At that, Jiaoqiu and Aventurine looked in the same direction.
The man looked almost identical to Su Chen—white hair, blue eyes.
"Hiss…" Aventurine gave an awkward laugh. "Wasn't Su Chen parking? When did he change clothes, dye his hair, and put in contacts?
And…"
He closed his eyes, sifting through his memories.
"It's him. That's Sunday next to Su Chen!"
"It's not Su Chen." Jiaoqiu quickly cut off their guesses.
"From the time we got out of the car to now, it's only been a few minutes. We haven't seen any sign of Mr. Sunday leaving the hotel.
In other words, Mr. Sunday was waiting here before we arrived.
So why would they meet behind our backs? Besides, in this timeframe, Su Chen wouldn't have had time to change, dye his hair, and act all chummy with someone."
Sparkle picked up Jiaoqiu's thread.
"So you're saying this guy's Su Chen's doppelgänger?"
"Something like that."
"No matter how similar, there's gotta be a limit!"
"Hey! Talking trash about me behind my back?" A sudden shout startled the group.
The four turned slowly to see Su Chen standing behind them.
Sampo clutched his chest.
"My goodness, there's actually a doppelgänger trope?"
Su Chen looked at them suspiciously. "Huh? What are you talking about?"
"We just saw a guy who looks like he was carved from the same mold as you!" Sparkle clicked her tongue. "If I hadn't seen it myself, I'd think you were pranking me!"
Su Chen smiled calmly. "Tch, what's so weird about that? Stelle and I aren't related, but don't you all think we're siblings?"
"Boss, your reaction's off. Normal people would be curious and go check it out. Why're you so chill?"
Jiaoqiu narrowed his eyes at Su Chen. "If you've got a plan, please fill us in first. And what's the real purpose of coming here?"
Su Chen glanced at the hotel.
Since he knew Elysia existed, the Thirteen Flame-Chasers must exist too.
Months ago, Welt and Himeko took March 7th, Dan Heng, and Stelle to Welt's school.
Of course, Welt was politely turned down.
The acting patriarch, Siegfried, said only the patriarch could make decisions.
So…
Back then, he couldn't believe Kevin existed in this world.
After all, he himself could be considered Kevin's alternate-world counterpart.
But that accidental livestream—Elysia's appearance—confirmed it for him.
The goal this time was simple.
He needed Sunday and Robin to join miHoYo, completing Penacony's final puzzle piece.
And the Dreamscape Hotel? He wanted it in his grasp, to make it part of miHoYo's Interactive Entertainment City.
This was the real-world hotel Su Chen had chosen to represent Penacony.
"Sampo, use your connections to dig up all the gossip on this hotel. The wilder, the better.
Aventurine, head to the gaming room and do what you do best. Call if anything comes up."
Sampo and Aventurine nodded and entered the hotel one after the other.
Sparkle looked at Su Chen expectantly, pointing at herself. "Hehe, what about me, Su Chen-chen?"
"You, me, and Jiaoqiu—we're moving together."
"No way! No way!" Sparkle grabbed Su Chen's arm, shaking it. "Let me go solo, or pair me with Sampo. My disguise skills are top-notch!"
Su Chen looked confident.
"I know. That's why you're with me. Trust me, you'll be laughing your head off by the end."