"Andrew, thanks for your hard work in that fight. Why don't you take the Young Miss back to rest for now."
Evelyn got into the car they'd arrived in, ready to follow Zhu Yuan back to the police station to cooperate with the indictment and give a statement.
The luxury car, riddled with bullet marks, had become a perfect piece of physical evidence.
After all, bulletproof doesn't mean unscathed. The side that had been used as cover was now pockmarked from all the bullets that had ricocheted off it during the fight.
More importantly, though, the dashcam had recorded the entire incident.
That was the most direct and conclusive proof.
Since the unexpected incident had already caused a long delay, Evelyn, who felt she hadn't played a decisive role in the battle, decided to take on the responsibility of handling the aftermath.
So she said to Andrew:
"Just leave the statement at the Public Security station to me. Don't worry, I'll be careful about what information I disclose. I won't leak anything that could be detrimental to you."
What had just happened made her feel completely at ease entrusting Astra Yao to Andrew. Taking on this important task, Andrew nodded with equal seriousness and said:
"No problem, you can count on me."
Astra Yao, standing beside Andrew, had been spacing out from time to time ever since she heard Ryza confess everything. It was unclear what was on her mind.
Snapping back to reality, she found Evelyn looking at her. Once she understood the situation, she had no objections.
"Don't worry, Eve! We'll wait for you here!"
With a nod, Evelyn drove the car straight towards the Public Security station, leaving just Andrew and Astra Yao at the scene.
Andrew leaned against his motorcycle, looking at the somewhat downcast Astra Yao, unsure of what to do for a moment.
He rubbed his chin and said tentatively:
"We agreed on extra spicy hot pot tonight. Should we head back and get the soup base and ingredients ready?"
At the mention of extra spicy hot pot, Astra Yao's expression brightened for a second, only to dim again involuntarily.
She hesitated for a moment, then said in a small voice:
"Andrew, I kind of... don't want to go back just yet..."
Seeing Astra Yao's obviously dejected state, Andrew immediately knew something was troubling the girl.
And because Andrew didn't reply right away, Astra Yao, feeling his gaze on her, found her already wavering resolve starting to crumble.
"No, never mind..."
To her surprise, Andrew didn't try to dissuade her by mentioning safety hazards or anything like that, nor did he start lecturing her with what he thought were grand truths.
He simply chuckled and cut in before she could finish taking back her words:
"Of course. So, is there anywhere you want to go right now?"
Andrew's response made the already hesitant Astra Yao even more indecisive.
After thinking for a long time, she couldn't come up with a good place to go and admitted frankly:
"Actually... no. I just suddenly wanted to go for a ride, anywhere is fine."
Hearing this, Andrew crossed one arm, rubbing his chin with the other as he began to think, looking a bit troubled.
After all, as someone who had hardly explored New Eridu outside of commissions and buying materials, the only place he was somewhat familiar with was Lumina Square.
Suddenly asking him to find a good spot was a tall order; he couldn't think of anything off the top of his head.
He couldn't possibly take Astra Yao to the places where he usually buys materials to cheer her up, right?
Even a grand mage who's been single for thirty years would know that's an absolute no-go!
Maybe I should ask Belle?
In Andrew's memory, she was very familiar with all the interesting places in New Eridu and would probably have a lot of good ideas.
But asking his girlfriend for a good place to take another girl to cheer her up?
He probably didn't want to live that long.
But the two of them struggled for a long time without coming up with a good destination, and they ended up just looking at each other, at a loss.
Wasting more time like this wasn't a solution, so Andrew decided to pull out his phone.
But just then, Andrew's arm brushed against the hard, cool front cover of the Gouram.
Feeling the metallic hardness against his arm, Andrew suddenly had a great idea.
"Since we have no idea, instead of struggling here, why don't we just set off! No destination, just go wherever we feel like. If we see an interesting place, we'll stop and check it out. How about it?"
Andrew's idea immediately won Astra Yao's approval.
"A spontaneous trip? That sounds so cool!"
But she quickly realized something and stopped, looking a bit conflicted:
"But I wasn't planning on sneaking out to play today, so I didn't bring my disguise props..."
"Disguise props? You have professional stuff like that?"
"Oh... it's just my special identity-hiding sunglasses. Eve repeatedly warned me that I have to be careful about hiding my identity when I go out, so she specially prepared them."
Hiding your identity with a pair of sunglasses?
Are these the same kind Superman wears, the ones that turn you into a different person the moment you put them on?
However, this wasn't an issue for Andrew at all. A slight smile played on his lips as he said:
"Well, the point of a disguise is to avoid getting sneak photos taken. With my observation skills and the Gouram's speed, I can definitely make sure no one gets a single shot."
He patted the Gouram under him, which was still brimming with energy, and said:
"That way, you won't need a disguise, right?"
"That's right, Andrew! You're a genius!"
Once Astra Yao's enthusiasm was sparked, her execution was incredibly swift.
At Astra Yao's eager urging, Andrew slightly transformed the motorcycle, allowing its seat to accommodate two people.
With a light jump, Astra Yao settled securely sideways behind Andrew. With a gentle twist of the throttle, everything outside the vehicle became scenery.
The sun was already setting when the rehearsal ended, and now it had completely dipped below the horizon.
As the last crimson glow faded from the sky, the stars could finally begin to shine in the dark blue expanse.
With no destination in mind, the two began to roam around New Eridu on the bike.
Strange statues in the square, bustling milk tea shops by the roadside, and a chubby little Bangboo getting the worst of a fight with a tanuki.
And... small bands of three or four people that occasionally appeared on the roadside.
Singing with all their might, whether anyone was paying attention or not.
After riding around the city for a while, Astra Yao was excitedly looking left and right the whole time. Whenever she found something interesting, she would tap Andrew's shoulder and excitedly point it out for him to see too.
As the motorcycle weaved through the streets, they somehow ended up on the road to the Outer Ring.
Rocks and cacti became the main features on both sides of the road, but without the city lights, the pitch-black Outer Ring could fully reveal the beauty of the sky.
Under the black canopy of the sky, the two sped along the empty road of the Outer Ring.
Suddenly recalling a cliffside on the way to Blazewood that was perfect for stargazing, Andrew decisively turned the bike and headed there.
At the edge of the tall cliff, the two used a protruding rock as a chair, leaning back against it gently.
Without the scorching sun, the Outer Ring at night was no longer sweltering. On a nearby cactus, pale yellow petals emitted a faint fragrance.
A gentle breeze blew, serene and melodious.
In the night wind, Astra Yao's thoughts drifted endlessly.
Because of the disaster in her childhood and that small concert in the shop, becoming a musician had been her dream since she was little.
For the sake of this dream, she had eagerly signed that contract with DGA Entertainment as soon as she came of age.
To strive to become the next musician after Eve who could reconnect people's hearts through song.
An era must always have the ballads of its time.
If every heart is a lonely note, then Astra Yao hoped her songs could be the staff that connects them all.
Her idol, Eve, was just such an existence.
Although she had only been signed for a little over a month, she was actually well aware.
Joining DGA Entertainment brought convenience, but it also meant facing certain things.
These groups formed by huge capital were not some pseudo-benevolent do-gooders, but bloodthirsty monsters.
Ravenously thirsting for anything of value.
But if she wanted her songs to be heard by many, if she wanted music to be a bridge and a bond to reconnect every lonely note,
then she would inevitably have to face the darkness behind it.
Before this, she had always thought she was mentally prepared.
But the filth that Ryza had spouted made her re-acquaint herself with the darkness and greed in people's hearts, like a bottomless abyss.
Sitting beside her, Andrew looked at Astra Yao's face, a touch of confusion lingering on it as she gazed up at the starry sky.
He scratched his head slightly and thought to himself:
"No matter how strong she looks, she was probably still scared by the attack and that bastard's plan. After all, she's just a young girl who's barely an adult."
After a moment's thought, Andrew spoke to comfort her:
"Are you worried that bastards like Hank will try to cause trouble in the future? Don't worry, with Evelyn around, things like that won't succeed."
But as soon as the comforting words left his mouth, he remembered the Typhon that had just been dismantled.
While it was simple for him, for Evelyn, it could be considered a difficult problem to handle.
Besides, Andrew had a pretty good impression of Astra Yao, so he added:
"And you have me. No matter what kind of danger you can't handle, as long as you call me, I will definitely come and save you guys."
Andrew's promise made Astra Yao feel a warmth, the same kind of warmth she felt from Evelyn.
It wasn't like other bodyguards, motivated by protecting the company's important assets or a desire for some benefit.
It was genuine concern for the safety of Astra Yao, the person.
A warm melody emanated from Andrew, soothing the chaotic strings of Astra Yao's heart.
She gently rested her head on Andrew's shoulder and said sincerely:
"It's so good to have met you."
Time flowed quietly around the two of them. After a while, a re-energized Astra Yao smiled, lifted her head again, and nodded firmly, saying:
"Don't worry, I'm fine."
The confusion retreated, leaving only resilience.
"I have you by my side, and Eve, and countless people who love my music and support me. As long as you all are here, I will keep working hard and persevering!"
Seeing that Astra Yao had pulled herself together and was no longer lost, Andrew finally felt relieved.
However, if her emotions were confused before, now they were a bit too high.
The emotions piling up in her heart really needed a good release.
Looking around, in this deserted place, there was no need to worry about any possible onlookers.
Astra Yao suddenly thought of a good way to vent her emotions.
"Andrew, want to try shouting out here?"
"Shouting?"
Andrew froze for a second at her words, looking at Astra Yao, who was blinking her bright eyes and looking at him expectantly, with a face full of reluctance.
"It's okay, Andrew, there's only the two of us here. No one will hear."
Seeing Andrew's slightly wavering look, Astra Yao immediately pressed her advantage:
"Come on, just try it, just try..."
Holding up her index finger, Astra Yao waved her hand coaxingly:
"Just once, once! You'll feel so relieved and comfortable after you shout!"
Seeing Astra Yao like this, Andrew, unable to refuse her, could only nod in agreement:
"Alright, I'll give it a try with you then."
"Yay!"
A jubilant Astra Yao immediately pulled Andrew to his feet.
At some point, the gentle evening breeze had grown much stronger.
Astra Yao's neatly styled long black hair flew wildly in the wind. Looking at her bright smile, Andrew felt as if all the troubles piled up in his heart were being blown away with the wind.
As if wanting to vent all the dissatisfaction in her heart, she faced the wind and let it all out with a roar.
"Ahhh—!"
But she didn't stop after the first shout, continuing to scream with all her might:
"All you bad guys who keep me from making my music, get the hell away from me!!!!!"
By the time Evelyn got home after dealing with all the questioning at the Public Security station, a steaming hot pot was ready on the table, surrounded by all sorts of prepared side dishes.
It just looked like it had just been prepared?
Although she was a little puzzled, Evelyn didn't think too much of it, trusting the two people before her.
In the dining room, Astra Yao was sitting at the table with Andrew, looking perfectly happy and harmonious.
This closeness made Evelyn a bit curious, and she asked:
"How did you two suddenly get so close?"
"What do you mean 'suddenly'? My relationship with Andrew has always been this good!"
Astra Yao pouted, saying with a hint of dissatisfaction.
Seeing her pouting like this, Evelyn couldn't help but smile. At their invitation, she sat down at the table.
Looking at the travel-worn Evelyn, Astra Yao still asked with some concern:
"Eve, they didn't give you a hard time, did they?"
Evelyn was taken aback for a moment. Seeing the worry and concern in Astra Yao's eyes, she instantly felt a warm current surging through her heart.
She smiled and said:
"Don't worry. Just as Andrew said, Officer Zhu Yuan is a person with a strong sense of justice. Besides, the evidence was conclusive, and we were the victims, so she just asked about the specifics of the case and didn't give me a hard time."
At the same time, Evelyn looked at Andrew and said:
"About that Ryza you caught, by examining the wreckage of those cars, Public Security found that he's connected to many missing person cases in New Eridu. Once the evidence is collected, the final result will be nothing other than the death penalty."
Andrew wasn't surprised to hear this. In fact, he had pretty much guessed it when he saw that pile of wreckage.
So he nodded and said:
"Good riddance. But what about that Hank?"
Evelyn replied:
"He's not much better off. His previous actions crossed TOPS's red line. Once he gets out of prison, what awaits him will be a reckoning from DGA Entertainment."
Andrew found this outcome to be quite reasonable.
Handing them over to Public Security was fine by him, as long as they could truly implement the punishment for the criminals. With Zhu Yuan there, Andrew was quite reassured.
But if some special circumstances like force majeure occurred, Andrew wouldn't mind taking matters into his own hands.
After all, Hank was a manager in a behemoth like TOPS. Who knew if he had connections that could get him out.
If something like that really happened, then after due process, it would be time for physical justice to make its appearance.
____
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