Elsa got up early and sat on the second-floor balcony playing music. She was playing a piece called "My Soul," taught to her by Mia. She really liked this music; it carried an elegant beauty, and it felt as though it contained many stories, sparking her imagination.
As she played, Elsa thought of a delicate figure. He was only fifteen years old. What kind of talent could create such beautiful music!
Elsa smiled as she finished playing the piece quietly.
"Elsa, breakfast is ready," a gentle voice called from downstairs.
"Okay, Mom." Elsa responded and got up, heading downstairs. In the luxurious dining room, a gentle and beautiful woman was sitting there.
Elsa tried a piece of cream bread, and the woman smiled, saying, "Don't eat too much, or you'll get fat and won't look as pretty."
"Just a little." Elsa smiled back. She looked towards the kitchen and called out, "Dad, you don't have to keep busy. Come join us."
"It's all done." The man turned around, carrying a plate of fruit salad to the table. He then took off his apron, picked up a fork, and handed a piece of fruit to his wife, saying gently, "Try it."
The woman opened her mouth to take a bite. Seeing this, Elsa chuckled and said, "Are you two pretending I don't exist?"
"Sweetie, have a piece too." The man smiled warmly.
"Mom, Dad, how was the music I played?" Elsa asked.
"It was beautiful," the woman replied with a smile. "Did your friend teach you?"
"Yes." Elsa nodded. "Mia plays even better than I do. She is very talented, but of course, the person who created this music is even more talented."
"Bring Mia over sometime," the woman said to Elsa, then as if remembering something, she turned to her husband and asked, "Is that okay?"
The man hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said to both of them, "We might be moving soon."
"Moving?" His wife and Elsa were both taken aback and looked at him in surprise. "Where to?" they asked.
The man smiled at them. "Don't worry, we're going to a better place. It'll definitely be better than here. Maybe, Elsa, you can attend a music academy."
"Really?" Elsa asked excitedly.
"Really." The man smiled at his daughter and nodded. He had been dreaming of this moment for years, finally having the chance to move up.
"Don't work too hard," said his wife softly. "If we move, you won't be able to spend as much time with the children."
"Let's make the most of our time together before we move," the man said gently, and his wife nodded.
"Mrs. Ellis, the children are here." A servant called out from the backyard. Mrs. Ellis glanced that way and said, "I'll be right there."
Mrs. Ellis was well-liked in the area - gentle, kind, and generous.
She loved children. Her husband had opened an early childhood center for her, where she taught children to read, write, and play. She loved this job, and many women from the neighborhood joined her.
"I'm heading out too." The man stood up.
The woman handed him his coat and draped it over his shoulders, asking softly, "Will you be back today?"
"The factory has been busy recently; I'll try." The man kissed his wife gently and then left the house.
...
Xu Mo encountered Elsa again as he was leaving the department store and greeted her before leaving.
At Factory 425 in the black market, Xiao Qi led Xu Mo inside and quietly asked, "Brother Xu Mo, we're about the same age. Can I call you brother from now on?"
Xu Mo looked at Xiao Qi, whose eyes were smiling at him.
"Sure." Xu Mo nodded. Given their actual ages, it was perfectly appropriate for Xiao Qi to call him brother.
However, Xu Mo felt there was something fishy about this kid.
"Brother, I heard you made a lot of money yesterday?" Xiao Qi blinked and asked softly.
"Not bad." Xu Mo 'understood.'
"How much?" Xiao Qi asked curiously.
"Ask Sister Butterfly," Xu Mo replied.
"Forget it." Xiao Qi laughed and said, "Brother, I have some money too. When are you taking me to play? I'll give you a cut if we win."
"I went yesterday and got chased after. It's too dangerous to go again, and no one will gamble with me now," Xu Mo said.
"It's fine. Just change your equipment, and no one will recognize you." Xiao Qi suggested to Xu Mo.
"To be safe, let's hold off for now," Xu Mo said.
"Alright, Xu Mo, the metallic poker you mentioned yesterday is quite complex to make. It will take some time." Xiao Qi stopped walking, no longer calling him brother.
"???"
Xu Mo blinked. Was it really that pragmatic?
"Don't mind this kid. Sister Butterfly asked him to do it. He wouldn't dare not to." Seth's voice came from ahead. In front of him stood a humanoid robot made of steel, looking like a mecha.
"Mind your own business," Xiao Qi scorned.
"Seth, what's this?" Xu Mo asked as he approached the steel figure.
"Mecha," Seth replied, his eyes showing a hint of fervor, indicating his passion for mechas.
"This mecha is quite old," Xu Mo thought, though he didn't say it aloud.
Given the technological limitations of the Underworld, it was already impressive that they had managed to get a mecha, even if it was old.
He had yet to witness mecha combat.
"Xu Mo." Fang Ze approached Xu Mo.
Xu Mo nodded at him. Fang Ze asked, "Did Uncle Fang say anything in the end?"
As his words fell, Xiao Qi, who had been leaving, paused, and Seth's hands froze. They had never mentioned this matter before; it weighed heavily on their hearts.
"No." Xu Mo shook his head.
Fang Ze looked disappointed upon hearing Xu Mo's response and walked away with his head lowered. Xu Mo watched his back, seeing the guilt in his eyes.
But he was only seventeen or eighteen.
Seth sighed behind him, and Xiao Qi also walked away.
Xu Mo continued forward. Ye Qingdie was practicing her shooting.
Not wanting to disturb her, Xu Mo watched as Ye Qingdie hit the bullseye with every shot.
She stopped shooting and turned around. She was still wearing leather pants and a leather jacket, her hair tied up, looking very efficient, and her figure was perfectly highlighted.
"Does it look good?" Ye Qingdie smiled at Xu Mo.
Seeing her smile gave Xu Mo chills. He smiled back and said, "Sister Butterfly, raising one's vision consumes a lot of spiritual power. I don't normally look unless it's an emergency."
"Is that so?" Ye Qingdie smiled at him. "I didn't see you getting tired at the casino."
"..." Xu Mo felt he couldn't clear his name.
He truly wasn't that kind of person.
"Then why were you looking down just now?" Ye Qingdie walked towards Xu Mo.
"It's a natural reaction." Xu Mo responded honestly.
Any normal man would do it.
A powerful leg swept towards him before he could react.
"Bang!" Xu Mo was kicked back and glared at Ye Qingdie with some displeasure.
"Natural reaction," Ye Qingdie said with a smile.
Xu Mo glanced and said, "Black!"
Ye Qingdie's face turned slightly red, and she lunged forward at great speed.
Seeing Ye Qingdie's kick sweep towards him, Xu Mo muttered angrily, "It's still a C no matter how much I look."
Do women ever make sense?
"Bang, bang, bang!" Another round of marvelous combat ensued. However, Xu Mo was utterly overpowered, though he performed slightly better than the day before.
"Why are they fighting again? Black C?" Xiao Qi's voice came from afar.
"Scram." Ye Qingdie cursed, causing Xiao Qi to flee instantly.
A few minutes later, Xu Mo was in excruciating pain. The bruises on his body from yesterday had not yet healed, and now he had new ones. Moreover, his face was hit precisely where it was injured yesterday.
Xu Mo wondered how he would explain this to Mia.
Did he accidentally bump into something again???
Ye Qingdie stopped and looked at the panting Xu Mo. "You've improved compared to yesterday. Your reaction speed is excellent, but your fighting skills are close to zero. In the black market fighting arena, relying on just speed is sufficient against ordinary people, but it won't be enough against experts," she said.
"Hmm?" Xu Mo was taken aback. Was she trying to hone his fighting skills?
"Sister Butterfly, can you just talk next time?" Xu Mo was touched.
"An accomplished shooter must also have good close-combat skills," Ye Qingdie said, looking at him. "Continue."
And so, another round of beating ensued.
Xu Mo thought he felt grateful too soon...
He didn't know how many rounds he endured. Xiao Qi even peeked in secretly during the process. By now, Xu Mo was utterly depleted, lying on the ground. Though his breathing technique had significantly improved his physical endurance, he couldn't withstand Ye Qingdie's prolonged punishment.
"Can you go on?" Ye Qingdie still stood there, seemingly at ease, looking down at Xu Mo as he rested.
"???" Xu Mo looked at Ye Qingdie. He felt insulted, so he stood up.
But he soon collapsed again, this time lying flat.
Since coming to this world, Xu Mo had never been so embarrassed.
Clearly, someone was seeking revenge.
Too fierce!
"Once you've rested, choose a weapon. You've used a knife in the fighting arena. We have various knives here. Go pick one and start training your combat skills with Seth. He used to be in the fighting arena," Ye Qingdie said to Xu Mo.
"Okay." Xu Mo nodded. He sat up and closed his eyes, adjusting his breathing.
Although this woman had a vengeful intent, Xu Mo could see that Ye Qingdie was genuinely training him.
Although the training was intense, Xu Mo didn't let himself suffer too much...
Shooting skills and combat skills were essential for him. In the past, he relied on perception and reaction speed in the fighting arena, not true combat abilities. Facing experts like Ye Qingdie, his skills were insufficient.
He needed to improve his abilities in all aspects.