Story Reader / Festival Event Story / The Destined Surprise / Story
Hey, [player name], what do you think of my secret base?
Inside a compartment of the Asslam's train warehouse, Changyu looks proud as he gives a thumbs-up, pointing to the space behind him.
The place isn't exactly spacious but big enough for moving around. It's got running water and electricity, a small bed with a cushion, and even a terminal with all sorts of data in the corner.
On top of all of that, there are all sorts of boxes stacked up, each filled with useful supplies like food and tools. One could probably last a year living here.
Secret base. Call it a secret base. "Shelter" sounds odd and ominous.
ACA had invited you here for a birthday party they threw for you today.
You came across all sorts of nobles at the party, which quickly tired you out since you aren't exactly a social being.
And that's when Changyu showed up and got you out of the tiring celebration, saying that Jamilah was looking for you. Instead of taking me to Jamilah, however, he brought you here, away from everyone.
Hey! What, lost in thought?
Well, makes sense that you are, though. The nobles on the Asslam are all old foxes, and you need to pay attention to every word that comes out of your mouth when talking to them so you don't fall prey to their little tricks.
...Businesspeople are all questionable beings these days, [player name], so you want to be careful when you deal with them.
That's good, but I'm not like them, FYI. They just want your money, while I...
Hey, don't lump me in with them. They just want your money, but I...
Why would I want your life? It's not like I could turn your life into money anyway.
Heh... Never knew you were quite the debater, [player name].
Haha... well, just don't ever tell people you got that from me.
Why would I want you around to share my food?
...Well, that's one way to think about it. Now, how about this amount, plus three meals a day? Interested?
Another zero, huh...
Hey, stop looking at me like that. I wasn't thinking about anything!
Oh, by the way, I noticed you didn't eat much outside...
Ugh, that sounds gross...
Tell ya what, I'll fix ya somethin' to eat. Can't have ya goin' back on an empty stomach after all that trouble.
Take a seat over there and kill some time. The terminal's got e-books, or you can listen to music with the headphones. Let me whip up somethin' real quick.
Sitting on the bed Changyu pointed to and facing the terminal, you start browsing away. Most of the titles at the top are opera, which is probably what Changyu listens to when he's alone.
You open a particular opera folder and start browsing through it before stumbling upon a particular audio file.
The title "111" stands out from the other Kowloong-style titles.
Today being your birthday, curiosity got the better of you. You put on the headphones and tap on it.
What comes out is Changyu singing opera, but unlike the perfect performances he has shown you before, this one sounds like practice, with occasional off-key tunes...
And the lyrics are very different from his usual pieces. They sound like something Changyu wrote himself. You know this would probably come across as offensive to Changyu, but this particular piece is far from all the ones he's sung for you so far.
Despite the off-key notes and the obvious drop in quality, I find myself oddly entertained, looping it several times without knowing it.
Food's ready... Wait! Why are you listening to that?!
The headphones are jerked off your ears and the terminal gets shut down before you know what's happened.
Turning around, you see Changyu panicking like he never has.
Seeing you all stunned, Changyu takes a few deep breaths and quickly regains his composure... though not entirely.
Well, I was going to sing you something since it's your birthday today, but most of the ones I know are for old folks' birthdays and didn't seem right for you.
So I tried writing one myself, but writing's harder than singing... Couldn't get the tone right. Tried recording once, but it never sounded good...
I didn't think you'd open the opera folder, so I didn't hide it deep. How... did you still find it...
This is anything but a treasure, though.
Uhh... well, ten thousand Black Cards. Pay me that and you can copy it.
Wait, you're not serious now, are you?
Forget it, just take it. It's free. Consider it your birthday gift... Saving on a gift with such a lousy song isn't a bad deal at all.
Why are you laughing like... you just won a major auction deal?
Just promise me that you won't let anyone else listen to you, or else I'm coming after you for emotional damages...
Well, then, guess that's a promise...
Now, come over here and eat up already. The birthday star gets the best seat.
