ATL | Chapter 12

Inside Golden Flow Opera House.

It was already completely dark. The butterfly-wing-shaped audience seats slowly closed, only a faint flow of metallic light moving across them. At this moment yesterday, the tool crew had already dispersed, and the main theater had also returned to quiet, but tonight was very different.

At one corner of the stage, Duyu was respectful in manner, nodding and bowing as he listened to the black-clothed agent in sunglasses pick faults.

“This hydraulic mechanism won’t do.” As he spoke, the agent reached out and pressed it. The mechanism immediately gave off a very faint muffled sound, and he raised his voice at once.

“Old Kong, I’m not being picky, am I? Hear it for yourself. If this kind of noise shows up during the official performance, the entire quiet atmosphere of ‘Ruins Abyss’ will be ruined completely!”

Duyu hurriedly responded, calling for the Temporary Worker to handle it immediately.

The agent strode a few steps to the center of the stage, then stomped on the holographic altar beneath his feet.

“And this,” he said, “the tactile feedback on this thing is way too stiff. What I want is flexible resistance, something that ripples out like water waves, soft and gentle. If this imitation isn’t done well here, then what’s there left to perform?”

Duyu held his patience and said with a compensating smile, “The interactive feedback mechanism here was custom-built based on the Lead Performer’s personal data, so it will also produce precise feedback for different body weights. You can have the Lead Performer try it personally and see how the effect turns out.”

The agent’s companion gene was hippopotamus, and his build could not be called anything but robust. On hearing this, he immediately raised his voice and called toward the other side, “Lingsheng, come over here!”

On the other side of the stage, Lingsheng put down the wing props and quickly walked over to him.

This rising star of the opera performance world was still very young, yet the air around him was already gentle and refined. He extended the tip of his foot and touched the center of the holographic altar, looking like a night lily in water, about to bloom.

In the theater, many eyes turned toward him.

Lingsheng seemed already used to such gazes. After the agent nodded in satisfaction, he calmly stepped off the stage. When he returned to where the wing props were placed, he found someone else beside them.

It was a tall and handsome young man, wearing a work uniform that did not quite fit, with a pair of argali horns and a head full of silver curls.

Seeing him arrive, the other party smiled shyly. “Hello.”

Lingsheng nodded lightly. “Hello.”

He had no intention of talking to the other party, and quickly withdrew his gaze, focusing again on the broad wings. This thing was the key prop for the formal performance, and a large sum of money had been spent to make it. In its initial state, it was streamlined and could be folded against the back. Once fully opened, its wingspan could reach four meters, showing the distinct layered structure unique to crane wings, with the primary flight feathers, secondary flight feathers, and coverts all clearly distinguishable.

However, just now Lingsheng had found a fold about twenty centimeters long on the outer side of the left wing, with uneven color. This flaw was neither big nor small. It was just that sending it back to the factory for repair would be very troublesome, and Lingsheng was a little torn over whether to mention it.

He had just been interrupted by the agent, and was planning to take a closer look again. But when he focused his eyes, he discovered that the crack was already gone.

In its place were slender, slightly curled textures, similar to lily petals. They were a misty pale gray, with slightly broken edges, like a layer of frost condensed on them.

“This...”

“This is the flaw treatment I just did.” The young man said, “In that case, the flower will look as if it grew out from the wound. There is a miniature adsorption adjustment device at its base, which can ensure that the rhythm of the light and the wing’s own light and shadow effect remain synchronized.”

Lingsheng’s eyes widened slightly, and he tested it himself.

Sure enough, when the wings folded and the overall light dimmed, the edges of the flower glowed with mottled dark blue, like stars scattered over ruins. And when the wings opened and the white light bloomed, the flower became an extremely low-key presence, half-hidden among the biomorphic feathers, meaning the old marks of growth and transformation.

“The specific color can be adjusted,” the young man quickly added, “If you don’t like it, it can also be removed directly! Sorry, this is only my personal...”

“No,” Lingsheng said. “I like it very much, it’s a great idea. What’s your name?”

“Lin Bai.”

He rubbed the slender petal that covered the scar, as if thinking of something, and only then did he slowly raise his eyes to look at the other party.

“Lin Bai,” Lingsheng asked gently, “are you a Staff Member of the prop crew?”

In front of him, a sheep ear twitched softly upward, and its owner said happily, “Mm!”

“I’m also your fan.” Ganlin said, “Two years ago, I was fortunate enough to watch your screening. Since then, I’ve been deeply captivated. You are the most spiritual dancer I’ve ever seen! After I learned about your schedule this time, I applied to come work as a Temporary Worker... Right, I originally ran a biomorphic flower shop.”

Lin Bai’s amber eyes curved, and he hurriedly took out a small bouquet of biomorphic flowers and handed it to Lingsheng.

“A little gift, I made it myself, for you!”

The bouquet was ice blue, thin as cicada wings, made of semi-transparent alloy and cold-light fiber. It looked like orchids condensed in frost, with faint, soft light slowly flowing inside, reflecting the sincerity and unease of the person giving the flowers.

So the rejection that had risen to his lips was swallowed back down. Lingsheng smiled slightly and reached out to take the flowers.

“Thank you,” he said. “They’re so beautiful.”

“As long as you like them,” Ganlin changed the subject, asking with some worry, “Your lips are so white. Are you sick?”

Lingsheng instinctively covered them for a moment. After reacting, he revealed a somewhat bitter smile. “A little. Recently I’ve been running nonstop with the troupe, so my resistance inevitably got low.”

“I see.” Ganlin said, “No matter how busy you are, you still have to take care of yourself. Your health is the most important! Did you bring medicine? Do you want to go to the hospital and have a look?”

When the two words “hospital” came out, Ganlin noticed that Lingsheng’s eyes slid slightly, but very quickly, the other party once again put on a proper smile.

“Thanks for your concern, but it’s just some old problems. I’m long used to them.” Lingsheng changed the topic. “Speaking of which, where is your flower shop?”

“On South Ridge Street in Huizhi District, a small shop called Morning Glow.”

Lingsheng was a little surprised.

“You sell biomorphic flowers in Huizhi District?”

Lin Bai lowered his head awkwardly. “Yes... because, because the pass to Dawn District is too expensive. Moving from Lower Nest to Huizhi District already used up the family savings.”

“Lower Nest?” This time Lingsheng was truly interested. He studied the small argali in front of him, unconsciously softening his voice a little.

“You’re from Lower Nest too?”

“Yes.” Lin Bai said, “Right in Sanpan Lane, do you know Sanpan Lane?”

“I know,” Lingsheng said, “It’s not too far from my home. There are many sheep-type gene companions living there, right?”

Lin Bai nodded vigorously. “Almost ten thousand people.”

“That’s a pretty large community too,” Lingsheng asked softly, “You look like you’ve just come of age. Did you move to Huizhi District with your parents?”

“No, my parents passed away very early. Only me and my Younger Brother are left at home,” Lin Bai showed a little loneliness. “But recently my Younger Brother got sick, and I’m saving up...”

He stopped there all of a sudden, and hurriedly bowed to Lingsheng. “Sorry! I shouldn’t have said these things to you.”

“It’s fine.” Lingsheng held the biomorphic flowers in his arms, understanding the deeper meaning of why the other party had come to find him, and finally letting go of the last bit of guard he had.

“The flowers are beautiful,” Lingsheng said. “Tonight, when I’m being interviewed, I’ll hold them. Don’t worry, plenty of people will definitely like them.”

Lin Bai thanked him over and over, and the agent also finished the evening’s preliminary inspection at this moment, striding toward the two of them and calling to Lingsheng, “What are you talking about? Hurry and touch up your makeup, we’ve got to catch the midnight show.”

Duyu followed behind him respectfully. Lin Bai was also pushed along, and together they sent the client to the underground parking lot. Only after the other party left did Duyu turn his head and ask, “The flowers in Lingsheng’s hands...”

“It’s a new item I finished weaving today,” Lin Bai blinked. “What do you think?”

Duyu thought about it and understood, bursting out laughing as he patted Lin Bai on the shoulder. “Not bad. Lingsheng is a hot new star, and he’s actually willing to endorse it for free. Now you definitely won’t have to worry about sales! Just right, your foot injury also makes heavy work inconvenient. Stay in the dormitory and rest well these next few days, make more biomorphic flowers.”

“No problem,” Ganlin immediately went with the flow. “It’s just that I’m a little short on materials. Do you know where the nearest materials market is? I’ll make a trip myself, try adding a few new materials, then optimize the presentation effect a bit more.”

Duyu gladly agreed, but was still stingy and had no intention of sending a car. Ganlin was even more happy to see it, and chatted casually with Duyu for a while longer. After walking together for a stretch, he waved goodbye with a smile.

But when he turned around and saw the theater entrance, he could no longer smile.

...Why is Arthur here?

Only after a delay did Ganlin remember the other party’s invitation from this morning.

Near evening, Lingsheng suddenly came to the opera house and disrupted his plan to meet him. Ganlin subconsciously looked at the time, and by now it was already close to nine at night.

Arthur had actually waited three hours for him.

He seemed a bit clueless.

A trace of guilt rarely flashed through Ganlin’s mind, and he quickened his pace toward Arthur. “Sorry, I...”

“It’s fine,” Arthur took over warmly, “You were busy until now because of work, I know.”

Ganlin immediately became alert. “You went to the theater?”

“Yes.” Arthur admitted frankly, “I saw you were busy, so I didn’t speak to disturb you. I didn’t mean to, I was just a little worried about your safety.”

After Hetaweis finished speaking, he quietly observed Lin Bai’s expression.

After a few breaths, the other party said a little embarrassedly, “I see. I’m really sorry, by both reason and feeling, this meal should be my treat. It’s just that today is really too late, and I still need to rush to buy biomorphic flower materials before the market closes... Which day is convenient for you recently?”

Heta did not answer the last sentence, only asked, “Buying materials?”

He lowered his eyes, his gaze passing over Ganlin’s empty hands, and asked calmly, “It’s for making the one you gave out tonight?”

He gave it to someone else, but not to him.

Actually, if you think about it a little, it’s understandable, but there was still a subtle bit of dissatisfaction.

Hetaweis thought that even if Arthur had been stood up, he would inevitably have some temper. He had caught a glimpse of those biomorphic flowers from afar, and they were beautiful, not the mature mainstream styles on the market, but full of unique design sense.

It could be seen that Lin Bai really liked weaving biomorphic flowers.

The other party indeed nodded, and Heta turned to the side and opened the hovercar’s front passenger door for him.

“Since you’re in a hurry, get in. I’m familiar with the market location, I’ll take you there directly.”

Ganlin: “Huh?”

He hurriedly waved his hands. “No, no, that’s too m...”

“Not troublesome.” Arthur smiled gently. “Just a small thing. If you feel embarrassed, or want to thank me, just give me a bouquet of the same kind of flowers.”

Ganlin once again lost his freedom of action for the night.

Arthur had already said it to this extent, and he could no longer refuse. He could only brace himself and get into the front passenger seat. So when he was choosing materials at the materials market, he was also somewhat absent-minded. After buying up the kinds he had originally needed, he only picked out a few new things in passing, then got back into the car.

However, as soon as he turned his head, he met Arthur’s expectant gaze.

Ganlin suddenly had an ominous premonition. “You want it now?”

“Can’t I now?” Arthur said, “I just reserved a table at a restaurant I often eat at nearby. It should take about half an hour before the last round of customers leave... I just want to know how you can weave such beautiful biomorphic flowers.”

So, he still wanted to watch the whole process with his own eyes.

Ganlin was starting to suspect that the other party was doing this on purpose, but Arthur’s request was perfectly reasonable. The only thing in the whole process that was beyond reason was that he actually could not weave biomorphic flowers.

Even the one he had just finished in the afternoon was completed under Cizhu’s remote, step-by-step guidance. But back then, they had exchanged too much information, and the complicated steps in his hands never really made it into his brain.

“What’s wrong?” Arthur leaned forward slightly, as if thinking of something.

“Is it because the cost is too high, and it’s not convenient to give it directly?” he said considerately. “Then, Mr. Lin, can I use contribution points to buy a bouquet of biomorphic flowers from you?”