Chapter 1929 - 1924: Yesterday Once More
Chapter 1929: Chapter 1924: Yesterday Once More
When Su Gao volunteered for the investigation task, she may not have realized her ulterior motives.
But when I followed her, she must have known something was up.
When we reached the uppermost level and my partner promptly ceded control, all I could say was that it was a pleasant collaboration.
Indeed, participating in the investigation wasn’t due to diligence, but because I had a few ideas that weren’t suitable to try in a crowded setting.
After realizing this, Su Gao decisively cooperated, providing me with an ideal operating environment.
Of course, I’m not entirely sure if it will be effective.
Fortunately, it doesn’t require much effort anyway.
Leading the way, I quickly guided Su Gao through the dense wheat fields, finding the place where I first boarded the ship.
"What a pity, there’s no tea."
Because each cabin is independently "semi-transparent," there’s no need to open the door to see that it’s empty behind it.
In fact, facing the simple door, I didn’t rush to push it open but quietly remarked.
Though my remark seemed nonsensical, Su Gao, the leader of this operation, had no objections and didn’t rush to open the door, just quietly observed from behind.
Squeak—
The subtle atmosphere didn’t last long. A few breaths later, with a slight friction sound, the door before us slowly opened on its own.
And indeed, there was the aroma of tea.
"Please come in."
Simultaneously, a somewhat familiar voice echoed from the empty room.
...
It was no illusion.
The moment I recognized the voice, I immediately stepped inside.
It felt as if I had passed through some special barrier, entering an empty room, yet it seemed like I was stepping into another overlapping space.
The scene before me suddenly looked dramatically different from what was outside the door.
Still simple, still dark, but there was now a small tea table, complete with various utensils.
A figure with brown hair, dressed in a fitted white shirt, resembling a female researcher at first glance, was pouring tea into several cups before her.
The scene was all too familiar; even the designs of the utensils seemed recognizable. Who else could it be but Lady Nepheli?
With a sigh, I sat down without hesitation.
Indeed, after leaving Ye Island, I had no chance to talk again. It was Nepheli, a key member of the Native Council, former head of the Benevolence Institute at the Academy, former technical advisor to Yasui, and Ariel’s pilot, who invited us in.
Clearly, she has a good memory, recalling the time she was hosted and invited for tea.
She also showed some courage; not everyone who receives such an invitation would dare to respond.
...
This time, the goal isn’t to observe how the ark’s wandering affects the interior, but to attempt to find someone who might already be on the ship.
I’ve always had great confidence in Su Gao. She can handle the former.
As for the latter, considering her style, Nepheli might recognize her as Violetta from Ye Island, but she might not have the courage to appear.
That’s right, I’ve even directly identified this hidden character.
From long ago, I remarked on the limited mental capacity of the Mar brothers.
This was proven when playing the game with them in the dark; their actions appeared irrational and self-protective.
Even so, it was not enough to convince me that they were the only hands at work in the shadows.
We mustn’t forget the still unclear purpose of the conflict with the ark.
One of the clever guiding methods, the subtle change of light, couldn’t have been managed by them alone.
It’s more likely that a yet-to-be-revealed character was orchestrating everything from the shadows, including the quick self-destruction when the incitement plan failed.
Considering these conditions, the first person who came to mind was this technically talented individual.
That’s why I brought it up again outside the door.
"Violetta, you look much better this way."
Unfortunately, even having strategized so meticulously and being the first to sit down, Lady Nepheli immediately greeted Su Gao with a friendly nod and smile.
Given her previous actions, it’s clear Su Gao doesn’t feel affection for her.
Even in the face of compliments, Su Gao only nodded coldly, taking the last empty seat.
"...Should I call you Mr. Darcy, or Professor Fu?"
Hitting a wall, Nepheli looked a bit awkward, but she finally turned her gaze to me, immediately acknowledging the identity from our last tea gathering.
Straightforward and efficient, as everyone’s very busy.
"Darcy is fine. After all, if you call me Professor, I’d have to reciprocate and call you Dean."
I had no complaints, nodding with a smile, offering an unexpectedly easygoing answer.
...
"I’m no longer that."
Calling me by my alias was clearly a move to seize the initiative, but my response prompted a brief silence from Nepheli.
"When did you know I was here?"
When she spoke again, her smile faded slightly, yet she finally turned to the main topic.
"If you mean when I started to suspect, it was when I found Marco obediently staying in that place... Not unreasonable, but it seemed deliberate to me.
Shaking my head slightly, I replied fluently.
"No matter what information he provided to this team, once it’s successfully delivered, I leaned towards the possibility that you were reluctant to give up on this place without some action.
"Considering your deep ties to this location, it’s hard to imagine you wouldn’t get involved."
There was no time wasted on suspense, nor was it bravado; the logic always flowed smoothly.
"Indeed, perhaps letting him linger around here a bit longer would have been more natural... But when exactly did you know I was here?"
The smile on her face had completely vanished, and without denying Marco’s name, Nepheli reflected briefly before posing another question.
"Are you really here? Didn’t I choose the tea-drinking spot myself?"
However, this time I didn’t answer straightaway. Instead, I blinked, questioning the premise itself.
"I’m quite certain of my sincerity, but even more certain of your audacity. After hiding so well, how could you easily abandon it?"
Staring at the slightly offended expression, no matter how lively and expressive it appeared, having witnessed her concealment skills multiple times, I couldn’t believe the face before me was the real her.
"But the tea does smell good, so thoughtful."
In the next moment, I did take a sip of the tea in front of me, inhaling its fragrance before tasting it.