The incoming call was from none other than Liu Ruyan, the wealthy woman who had been kidnapped earlier that day. Cifera had memorized her number at a glance while hacking into her phone.
Aunt Liu must have gotten my number from the Pursuit Team. Is she calling to thank me personally for saving her? Cifera mused.
After a moment's thought, she concluded this was the most likely explanation. Perhaps Liu Ruyan had seen her live stream and noticed she was finally free, which prompted the call.
With that in mind, Cifera answered:
"Hello, is this Aunt Liu?"
"..."
Aunt?!
Liu Ruyan hadn't even spoken yet, but she'd already taken a critical hit.
Sure, I'm about twenty years older than you, but couldn't you call me "Madam" or "Ms."? At least that would sound younger! More dignified! More classy!
Despite her internal grumbling, Liu Ruyan took a deep breath and replied with a smile:
"Yes, it's me. Hello there, Little Kitten~"
"We share the same interests, Aunt Liu~"
"...Heh, you're exactly as I imagined you from your live stream."
Liu Ruyan dropped the formalities, hoping to stop Cifera from calling her "Auntie" repeatedly.
"Little Cifera, thanks to you today, I was able to find redemption. I'm truly grateful, but I feel that words alone aren't enough to express my gratitude. I've prepared a special gift for you, and I hope you'll accept it."
"A gift? Ha, forget it. I love money, but I believe in earning it the right way."
"Acting with courage and helping those in need is what we righteous thieves should do. It's not about expecting rewards, you know?"
Cifera wasn't just being polite; she genuinely believed this. It was the same principle as Cipher's "honor among thieves" in the original story.
"I appreciate your sentiment, Auntie Liu. If there's nothing else, I'll hang up now."
"Ah! Wait, Auntie I... Ahhh! I wasn't finished! It's not the kind of gift you're imagining, you'll definitely be interested!"
Hearing Liu Ruyan call herself "Auntie", Cifera knew she was truly desperate.
Could her gift really be that special?
Curiosity finally won out. "Alright, Aunt Liu, tell me about it. I'm listening."
"Mm... that's better."
Composing herself, Liu Ruyan asked, "Have you heard of Starry Jewels?"
"Of course! Isn't that your company's global top-tier jewelry chain?" Cifera replied. She had thoroughly researched Liu Ruyan's background earlier that day and knew all the basic information.
"Then you must have heard of 'Starry Light,' the crown jewel of our Starry Jewels collection?"
"Absolutely! That classic tagline: If you've ever gazed at the night sky and been awestruck by its vastness, then when you behold 'Starry Light,' you'll understand—some beauty is destined for eternity alone.
"You wouldn't be thinking of giving it to me, would you? I wouldn't be sleepy anymore!"
Though Cifera was joking, if Liu Ruyan had been beside her at that moment, she would have seen a golden glint in her eyes. Perhaps due to merging with Cipher's template, Cifera herself had grown fond of these glittering jewels.
"It seems the little kitty likes it quite a bit. But I can't just give it to you directly—you'll have to go get it yourself."
"Go get it myself?" Cifera began to understand Liu Ruyan's meaning. "Are you saying... you want me to steal it?"
"Exactly! As expected of the clever little cat who's been running circles around the Pursuit Team."
Liu Ruyan chuckled softly before continuing, "I'm the type to speak my mind directly. To me, gold, silver, and jewels are fleeting clouds. Compared to the help you've given me today, even my shop's most prized treasure is inadequate to express my gratitude.
"But considering you're currently participating in the show, I believe it would be more fitting for you to 'steal' it yourself rather than have me simply gift it to you.
"This afternoon, in my capacity as the largest shareholder of Starry Jewels, I hastily organized a charity jewelry auction exhibition.
"It's scheduled for tomorrow evening at 8 PM, in the exhibition hall of Starry Jewels' headquarters.
"At the auction, the 'Starry Light,' which has always been on public display but never offered for sale, will be formally auctioned off.
"This is the perfect stage for your first official debut as a thief on the show!
"Though the security system at the venue will undoubtedly be extremely tight, I have full confidence in your ability to succeed.
"Will you accept this token of my gratitude?"
"..."
After a brief silence, Cifera said sincerely, "Of course, I'm happy to accept this gift."
To be honest, Liu Ruyan had truly done Cifera a great service.
Cifera had been searching for the perfect target for her first official heist, and now, all she needed to do was successfully steal the Starry Light.
Her wealth value and popularity were guaranteed to skyrocket.
And Liu Ruyan was being too conservative. How could Cifera not invite the Pursuit Team to witness her debut on such a grand stage?
Tomorrow's farewell ceremony will be the perfect time to share this exciting news with them.
"Good. Give it your best shot, little kitten. Don't disappoint me. I'll be watching your performance closely on the live stream."
"Heh, Aunt Liu, there's no treasure in this world that this cat can't steal~"
"Alright, alright, Auntie will be waiting to see Smiling Cifera show off her skills~" Liu Ruyan deliberately emphasized the word "Auntie."
Cifera immediately picked up on the subtext, her cat ears twitching slightly.
"Then... good night, Sister Liu?"
"Hmph, that's more like it~" a satisfied voice purred from the other end of the line. "Good luck, little kitty cat. Good night~"
After ending the call, Cifera gently set down her phone. Her gaze pierced through the glass window, fixating on the deep night sky.
The myriad stars sparkled like diamonds scattered across the cosmos, and the brightest one seemed to wink at her, as if taunting her or awaiting her challenge.
Slowly, she extended her hand as if to grasp that brilliant starlight in her palm.
Yet the starlight merely danced lightly at her fingertips before returning to the night sky.
Cifera smiled faintly, her eyes burning with unwavering determination and confidence.
"Starry Light," she murmured, "tomorrow night, I will make you shine in my hand."
With that, she turned toward her desk, switched on the lamp, and withdrew a card from the small blue pouch at her waist, embossed with the watermark of a one-eyed cat.
Taking the pen from the desk, she slowly began to write on the card.
Soon after, the light went out, plunging the room into darkness, leaving only the starlight streaming through the window.
And Cifera was already nestled in her comfortable bed, drifting into dreamland.