Apocalypse Forecast

Chapter 463: Chapter 401 There Is a Problem_1

When Huai Shi changed his clothes and stepped out of the bedroom, the old man running the music hall showed a puzzled expression. ”Do you plan to go out dressed like that?”

”Hmm?”

Huai Shi was confused and looked down at himself. He wore a subdued, practical grey iron coat with defensive power, a pair of alchemically treated, durable work pants, boots that could handle trekking over mountains without issue, and an Artifact Sling Bag packed with various equipment, including the Sword of Virtue, for emergency use.

He was armed to the teeth, ready for any trouble. Flawless!

”Is there a problem?”

The old man’s expression grew complicated. He set aside the towel in his hand. ”Please wait a moment.”

Within a few minutes, he brought out a brand-new suit preserved in a storage bag, along with a pair of leather shoes, a shirt, a tie, and a pocket square for Huai Shi. After setting them down, he took another good look at the young man before him and asked, ”I wonder if you have the habit of using a tie clip?”

”Uh, is it really necessary?”

Huai Shi hesitated over whether to accept this kindness and waved his hand. ”Honestly, I’m already quite content with the free lodging here; I don’t need anything else.”

”But these are all within the range of member services,” the old man asked, confused. He then had a sudden realization. ”If you feel these are unfit for your status, I can contact the tailor later to provide you with custom service.”

”No, no, no. I just feel that taking things unilaterally isn’t right for a normal relationship,” Huai Shi gestured with his hands and said earnestly. ”I would feel much better if I could pay for it.”

The old man fell silent for a moment.

”I understand where the problem lies.”

He suddenly laughed and asked seriously, ”You are now a rather successful Sublimator, having achieved both fame and fortune. But would you consider giving up the time and love you invest in music?”

Huai Shi naturally shook his head.

”Then music will not give up on you either.”

The old man placed the suit into his hands and spoke earnestly. ”This hospitality comes from your sincere love of the arts, nothing else. It’s a meager token of appreciation for your passion dedicated to the arts. You deserve it, and you should indeed enjoy such honor.”

As he spoke, the old man, representing the Hell United Music Association, bowed respectfully and said calmly, ”Unless one day you cast it all aside, we will not leave you.”

Huai Shi was silent for a long while, unable to help but smile. ”Is this a blessing from the arts or a curse?”

”Just a small token of hospitality.”

The old man stepped back, bowing respectfully as he left.

Huai Shi turned back to look at the subtle yet dignified suit on the table. After a long while, he couldn’t help but shrug and put on the new clothes.

He looked at himself in the mirror.

In the mirror, the handsome young man dressed in the suit grinned back at him, showing a smile.

He looked very fitting, which was pleasant.

”I’ve kept you waiting.”

Huai Shi opened the door of the resting room and nodded to the teenage girl inside. ”Miss Yuan, shall we depart now?”

When Yuan Yuan looked up and saw the completely transformed Huai Shi, she was momentarily stunned. The standard business smile, a hallmark of Old Liu’s genuine lineage, had yet to return to her face.

It took her a while to notice her own trance.

”Just call me Yuan Yuan.”

She said politely, hiding some fleeting emotion.

Just as they were leaving, Huai Shi once again heard faint sounds emanating from behind him.

This time... it seemed a little closer.

”What about Yuan Zhao?” he casually asked. ”Didn’t he come?”

”It seems he was up all night gaming, then suddenly caught a cold. He’s now lying in bed at the inn, refusing to wake up no matter how much we call him,” Yuan Yuan said with regret, shaking her head.

”Is that so?”

Huai Shi nodded nonchalantly, recalling the several calls he had made to Yuan Zhao just now that hadn’t gone through. A slight sinking feeling settled in his heart.

Yet, at the same time, though he didn’t know what Yuan Yuan was planning, he was beginning to look forward to it.

What would be waiting for him outside?

「.」

Today, the Group Star seemed different from yesterday once again.

While the bustle remained the same, the streets now had more black-clad, indifferent-faced train guards. They made no attempt to hide their vigilance, coldly surveying the faces of each passenger.

Additionally, there were many more security and scanning devices. Under the ubiquitous presence of cameras, even the travelers who were previously at ease couldn’t help but feel suppressed.

”What’s going on?” Huai Shi looked at the people around him with curiosity.

”It must be because of what happened last night,” Yuan Yuan said from beside him.

”I heard many people had nightmares last night, as if under some sort of curse. Even the train management didn’t escape it. Mr. Huai Shi, did you rest well?”

”I slept very well. I didn’t dream anything. When I opened my eyes, it was already daylight,” Huai Shi replied. ”It might be because of the dreamcatcher I bought yesterday, so no nightmares came to disturb me. How about you, Miss Yuan Yuan?”

”I didn’t sleep much.”

Yuan Yuan shook her head. ”I never sleep well when I’m away from home. It was nearly morning when I finally got a little shallow sleep. If it’s convenient, let’s buy a couple of dreamcatchers later; hopefully, they will work.”

”Sure, but I can’t quite remember where that stall was yesterday. We’ll see how our luck holds up.” Huai Shi considerately asked, ”Do you need to find a place to rest for a while first?”

”No need. Let’s go.”

Yuan Yuan quickened her pace, leading the way.

The place they were going wasn’t far, just up one floor, on a fairly bustling street. Outside the quaintly decorated shop, the store manager was already waiting.

”Welcome back, Miss Yuan.”

The manager nodded, smiling politely. ”The violins you specified yesterday have just arrived at the store. Would you like to see them now?”

”Of course. I’m sorry to trouble you.”

Yuan Yuan nodded and walked into the shop.

The moment Huai Shi stepped through the door, he sensed several glances discreetly cast his way. When he looked around, those dressed like clerks quickly averted their eyes.

I’m not sure if they were prepared in advance or if they really intended to buy a violin.

Soon, after they were served some black tea and asked to wait for a moment, three violin cases, cushioned with sponge inside aluminum alloy protective cases, were brought out.

Just looking at the three exquisite violin cases within their protective metal shells suggested their hefty price.

Moreover, they contained a faint presence of Source Fluctuation, clearly the heart and will integrated by the luthier during the meticulous crafting process. Even without opening them, Huai Shi could feel they were rare treasures.

After opening the violin cases, the manager began to enthusiastically introduce the origins and histories of the three violins. One of them was so old that it traced back several decades.

Despite such a lengthy passage of time, there were no visible signs of damage. The violins seemed even more precious for having been carefully preserved.

After the manager finished the introductions, Huai Shi asked curiously.

”Generally speaking, shouldn’t there be a lute player stationed in your shop, always ready to offer advice to customers? Why don’t I see one?”

The manager’s smile stiffened slightly, and his pupils flickered as though he was about to glance at something. He quickly controlled himself, showing an apologetic expression. ”Due to health issues, the lute player is unable to come to the shop to serve our customers for the next two days. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.”

”It’s alright. Even if they had come, they might not be better than me.”

Huai Shi waved it off nonchalantly, which caused the manager’s expression to twitch. It was unclear whether he admired Huai Shi’s thick skin or was curious about where such a self-confident fool came from.

In fact, there wasn’t much need to choose. All three violins were rare finds, and their tonalities were not significantly different. Although their prices were equally striking, this posed no issue for the wealthy Yuan Family. The only difference was the style of music they were suited for. This was also inconsequential for a beginner. Beginners are definitely subjected to the most rigid, stringent training that meticulously builds a foundation, followed by three to four years of diligent practice before one can even consider personal playing style.

Discussing this with a newbie was as absurd as consulting an elementary school student on which university major to choose.

Huai Shi casually pointed to the one that looked the best and suggested to Yuan Yuan, ”You could try this one.”

The teenage girl, following his advice, picked up the violin. After a brief pause, she skillfully played a part of ”Little Concerto.” Her performance was competent, clearly showing solid groundwork.

At the end of the short performance, she turned to Huai Shi, seeking his opinion.

”It’s pretty good. Although I haven’t played the violin much, I can tell you have a great ear for music and solid fundamentals.”

Huai Shi casually pointed out a few minor faults. Yuan Yuan, bowing her head, played it once more, seeming to improve this time.

She was quite perceptive.

But her vibrato was always a bit off.

Huai Shi stood behind her, correcting some of the oversights in her performance. Unaware, they had gotten very close, almost to the point where he could feel her warmth.

Just as Huai Shi was about to adjust her fingering technique, he heard a voice from behind.

”Excuse me, folks, may we see your IDs, please?”

Two patrolling guards walked into the shop, disrupting the atmosphere.

Huai Shi stepped back and then noticed the clerks had gathered around, seemingly to watch. In the reflection on the glass counter, Yuan Yuan’s smile momentarily darkened but quickly composed itself.

”No problem.”

Huai Shi handed over his ID, allowing them to check it.

Upon seeing the emblem of the Astronomical Society on Huai Shi’s Inspector ID, the two patrolling guards paused. They took it respectfully with both hands, verified it, then returned it.

They left shortly afterward.

Yuan Yuan picked up the violin again, preparing to say something, but was interrupted by Huai Shi’s voice.

”Excuse me, I’m going to step out for a smoke.”

He pushed the door and left.

「.」

Definitely something amiss.

In a small alley beside the pedestrian street, Huai Shi leaned against the wall of a vehicle, his head bowed as he lit the cigarette at his lips, replaying everything that had just happened.

If the guards hadn’t burst in, what could have happened?

He squinted thoughtfully.

A voice came from nearby, ”Could I borrow a light?”

”Of course.”

Huai Shi instinctively passed over the lighter, but the person opposite didn’t take it. When Huai Shi looked up, he realized who it was, his eyes widening in surprise.

”What are you doing here?”