Chixia blocked everyone's view, leaning close to Phrolova's cold, delicate face and gently lifting the bandage covering her left eye. After a careful look, Chixia exclaimed, "By the Sentinel…!"
Jiao-Jiao: "?"
Lucian pushed the surprised Chixia aside and leaned in for a closer look, letting out a similar exclamation: "By the Sentinel above! There's actually an eye under that eyepatch!"
Everyone: "?"
Rover slapped the back of Lucian's head. "Are you two insane?"
Chixia rubbed her chin, speculating, "Strange, there's nothing special about it. Why wear an eyepatch? Could it be some kind of chuunibyou thing?"
Rover carefully compared Phrolova's eyes and shook her head slightly. "Although they look identical, there's a subtle difference… Her right eye is slightly redder than her left."
Lumi eagerly raised her hand. "I know, I know! Once the eyepatch is removed, it'll definitely shoot out some weird light wave and blast us away with a laser!"
Chixia patted Lumi's shoulder. "Lumi, you need to stop reading those ridiculous storybooks."
Lucian shook his head slightly and sighed. "Tch, you guys just don't get it."
Yinlin, lounging with her long legs crossed, said lazily, "And you do?"
Lucian nodded. "Of course. Phrolova must have gone through a deeply unforgettable romance."
"As they say: the left eye is for forgetting you, the right eye is for remembering you."
"Truly tragic, truly lamentable."
"But no worries—I, Lucian, cherish the world."
"The best way to move on from one romance is to start another. Don't worry, I'll help you."
Rover pinched Lucian's cheek with two slender fingers. "And who exactly are you planning to start this new romance with?"
Phrolova sighed. Was this how these people usually interacted? If she hadn't been secretly investigating everyone connected to Lucian and Rover, learning about their strengths and personalities, she might've thought they'd escaped from some mental hospital.
"Such a pity, I don't have any unforgettable romance," Phrolova said.
Lucian laughed heartily. "No matter! As long as I give you an unforgettable romance, wearing that eyepatch to forget me will make perfect sense, won't it?"
"As I said, a god loves the world."
"Whether you're a Jinzhou executive, a Jinzhou Patroller, an undercover investigator, or even a member of Fractsidus—no matter who you are…"
"I will love you all with my most sincere and pure feelings."
"This is: Universal Love."
As Lucian spoke, he slowly spread his arms, the golden light of the carriage shining upon him, as if a god had descended.
But instead of receiving worship, Rover hooked his neck, pressed him onto a chair, and began pummeling him. From an outsider's perspective, her fists seemed to rain down heavily, but in reality, Rover's punches were playful, not harming him at all.
Lucian smirked. "No need to be shocked, everyone. This is just Rover's way of expressing love… Mmph!"
Ignoring everyone's stares, Rover slipped off the black stockings from her long legs and stuffed them into Lucian's mouth.
"Gods should speak less. After all, as the saying goes: silence is golden."
Yinlin shook her head lightly, sighing. "They're playing way too perversely."
Everyone nodded, agreeing with her assessment.
Chixia stared at Phrolova, deep in thought. The situation was chaotic, but Rover was clearly the dominant force. Next came the duo of Magistrate Jinhsi and Counselor Changli, whose combined presence was overwhelmingly intimidating. And the weakest? Obviously herself and Lumi—how could the two of them pose any threat?
Then, a brilliant idea struck Chixia. As the weakest party, the best strategy was to let the snipe and clam fight, leaving the fisherman to profit. But what if she stirred the waters even murkier?
Yes, Chixia planned to drag Phrolova into the fray. Though she was a Fractsidus member, based on Chixia's understanding of Lucian, as long as Phrolova wasn't a truly wicked woman, Lucian would definitely make a move on her. As a Fractsidus member, Phrolova was naturally at odds with Rover and Jinzhou's leadership. If the three sides clashed, too busy to watch each other, Chixia could fish in troubled waters and steal Lucian away!
Since Lucian was already so flirtatious, what harm was one more?
The ultimate winner would surely be Chixia!
HAHAHAHAHA!
Chixia felt like an emotional mastermind. Those sappy romance storybooks she'd read weren't entirely useless after all!
So, Chixia suddenly declared, "I think Lucian's right!"
Everyone turned to look at her, even Rover's fists pausing as she looked at Chixia in confusion.
Chixia coughed lightly. "Think about it—why is Lucian so flirtatious?"
"I think it's because of the 'Universal Love' he's always talking about. It's his noble character that makes him this way."
"But instead of recognizing this, you all think he's just a playboy. That's a huge insult to a god with such a pure divine nature!"
Chixia's words rang out confidently, leaving everyone's expressions bewildered.
Is she speaking human language? I understand every word, but why does it make no sense together?
Lucian jumped up, excitedly grabbing Chixia's soft hands, mumbling through Rover's stockings: "My true confidante, Chixia!"
Jiao-Jiao gasped. With Chixia's talent for twisting the truth, wasn't it a waste for her to be just an Patroller? Who called Chixia dumb? She was anything but.
Yinlin scoffed, her high heel slipping off her foot as her toes curled playfully. She propped her cheek lazily. "Or maybe Lucian's just too lustful?"
"Look at everyone in this carriage. Who here isn't drop-dead gorgeous?"
"I think Lucian's just acting on lust."
Feeling the warmth of Lucian's hands and his presence, Chixia was greatly emboldened. She declared loudly, "No, no!"
"I say Lucian's like this because of your mistakes!"
Everyone: "?"
How is this our fault?
White Cat cautiously said, "This has nothing to do with me, right?"
Jinhsi raised an eyebrow curiously. "Oh? Care to explain where we went wrong?"
Lumi tugged at Chixia's sleeve, whispering anxiously, "Chixia, what are you doing? Are you trying to make enemies of the world?"
But Chixia's mind was already clouded by love. She raised her head confidently and declared: "On why Lucian is a god!"
Everyone: "?"