Chapter 150 A Beautiful Vow

Chapter 150: A Beautiful Vow

By detecting the presence of the Red Moon's power in the bodies around him, Su Bai could accurately distinguish between Fog City natives and outsiders.

Unfortunately, this method wasn't very effective elsewhere in the Nightmare World. Most areas outside Fog City, much like the players themselves, were saturated with the Red Moon's influence. Whether it was the anomalies, the buildings in other parts of the Nightmare World, or even a blade of grass by the roadside, all contained the Red Moon's power, often at a higher concentration than some newly arrived players.

However, perhaps due to the unique and terrifying power of the anomaly that created Fog City, this city, enveloped in thick mist, seemed truly isolated from the world. Everything within it—the people, the various buildings, the flora—appeared exceptionally pure, untouched by the Red Moon's power.

This purity was precisely what allowed Su Bai to easily perceive the distinction between Fog City natives and outsiders.

So far, the only "Fog City native" whose Red Moon power Su Bai could sense was likely the one known as the "Lord of Fog City" in the Nightmare World, Mayor Bai. Yet, even that was limited to mere perception. With Su Bai's current strength, he couldn't yet gauge the intensity of Mayor Bai's power.

Nevertheless, when facing the two new customers, beaming with happiness at the entrance of the Misty Shop, Su Bai's perception was unerring. He could confirm that the female customer was an ordinary Fog City native, devoid of any power, while the male customer was an outsider—a player from the Nightmare World.

"Paint this young lady as a monster disguised as a human?" Su Bai was still somewhat taken aback by their request. While it was clear the elegant lady had a penchant for eerie and grotesque styles, they were, after all, commissioning a double portrait for their wedding. Qing Lan's artistic style seemed utterly incompatible with the theme of a "wedding."

"Yes, to me, this is a beautiful vow," the male customer declared, gazing deeply at his beloved. "No matter what she becomes, my love for her will remain steadfast."

The female customer, visibly moved, returned his gaze.

"Meow?" The little black cat, appearing from nowhere, happily sprang onto Su Bai's lap, its eyes wide with curiosity as it watched the affectionate couple.

Although the atmosphere at the shop's entrance was exceptionally sweet, the dynamic between the two strangers surprised Su Bai.

Judging someone solely by their appearance and identity was undoubtedly superficial and inaccurate. However, after realizing the male customer was a player, Su Bai did ponder his motives for approaching a woman from Fog City. Yet, the expressions on their faces and the exchanges in their eyes seemed genuine to Su Bai; at least in that moment, they appeared truly, even passionately, in love.

"Boss, is it possible?" The two looked at Su Bai with expectant eyes. "Feel free to interpret the specific style as you see fit; you absolutely needn't worry about the price."

While such a commission was unexpected, Su Bai had no reason to refuse. Even Qing Lan, from within the puzzle piece, was highly interested in this commission, already feeling eager to begin.

"Please come in, both of you."

Su Bai's legs were temporarily incapacitated, and his only employee had just been dismissed. There wasn't even an extra chair in the shop, so the two customers had to stand while Su Bai and Qing Lan quickly completed the painting's outline and sketch.

Qing Lan's speed in completing the sketch was remarkable. Since Su Bai himself had never studied painting, all his artworks were created with the assistance of Qing Lan—the blood patterns that flickered on and off his right arm. Thus, Su Bai himself, like the onlookers in the square, quietly watched as the outlines of the two figures gradually took shape on the canvas through layers of color. Once the sketch was complete, even if the couple left the Misty Shop, Su Bai and Qing Lan could continue to refine the entire piece.

Precisely because Su Bai wasn't the one actually painting, he could chat casually with the two standing newlyweds while Qing Lan joyfully immersed herself in creation.

It was during this casual conversation that Su Bai learned the names and current circumstances of the two newlyweds, which they had forgotten to mention in their excitement.

The woman from Fog City was named Lan Yin. Perhaps because one of Fog City's creators wasn't adept at naming, many residents' surnames were color-related. For instance, the Mayor of Fog City was surnamed Bai, and the operator behind a large factory on Third Street was surnamed Lan.

In Fog City, people with the same surname weren't necessarily close relatives; otherwise, Su Bai wouldn't have misled others into thinking his surname was "Bai." However, Miss Lan, with her somewhat unique tastes, smilingly admitted that she indeed had a connection to the operator of the Third Street factory.

Miss Lan also happily and sweetly informed Su Bai that the man named Feng Zhe was exceptionally capable and bold, leading to an astonishingly rapid rise through the ranks. She added that her family, initially very exclusive, was eventually won over by Feng Zhe's abilities, and even her father was delighted that Feng Zhe could be with his precious daughter.

Feng Zhe's surname was uncommon in Fog City, so when Miss Lan affectionately called her lover by name, Su Bai surmised that Miss Lan Yin must have known early on that her beloved might be an outsider, but she didn't mind.

The more Su Bai observed them, the more he believed their feelings were genuine. Even though they had to stand in the shop for Su Bai to paint, their eyes frequently met, exchanging happy smiles. Even after Qing Lan finished the outline, the two showed no inclination to leave the small shop.

"Miss Lan, Mr. Feng, you can pick up the painting in a week."

Finally, Su Bai, in his wheelchair, saw the couple out of the Misty Shop.

After seeing off the grinning couple, Su Bai sat alone in the shop, now devoid of customers and employees, and let out a long sigh of relief. Compared to interacting with strangers, he preferred solitude—not only for the peace and quiet but also for the time to organize the somewhat jumbled thoughts in his mind.

"Meow."

It was then that Su Bai suddenly heard the little black cat's meow from not far outside the shop. He realized the kitten, which usually slept on shelves or counters, wasn't in the shop. It might have followed Lan Yin and Feng Zhe outside earlier.

Su Bai wasn't worried about the little one wandering off. After all, Kaixin was different from ordinary animals; even if it occasionally went out to play, it could always find its way home. Even if the players spying on the Misty Shop from behind the former employee Meng Wei hadn't gone far, the kitten could ensure its own safety.

However, this time, just as Su Bai heard the cat's meow, he also heard a familiar voice outside the shop.

"Little one, have you lost your owner?"

Su Bai glanced out through the Misty Shop's glass window and saw a figure he seemed to have encountered before, squatting on the ground and talking to the kitten.