Ling Cage: Twelve Talismans? I have everything I need.

Chapter 129 Chance Encounter
Ecological Base No. 3

Under the cold light, the last data simulation was completed, and the waveform on the screen showed a stable cancellation effect.

Bai Yuekui slowly leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh.

"Did it work?" Yang Chen's voice came from the side. He was analyzing other types of Devouring Beasts and didn't disturb her.

"Mmm." Bai Yuekui responded softly, closed his eyes, and rubbed his slightly sore temples.

"The countermeasure model based on that sound wave frequency is complete, and the blueprint for a miniaturized portable canceller has also been preliminarily determined. The rest is for Tasia and the others to test and improve it."

The fatigue from continuous high-intensity mental work gradually crept in.

Just then, a pair of warm hands gently pressed onto her shoulders, kneading them with just the right amount of pressure.

Bai Yuekui's body immediately relaxed, he closed his eyes again, leaned back, and surrendered himself more completely to the owner of those hands.

Yang Chen's massage skills were excellent, precisely relieving the stiffness in her shoulders and neck.

The laboratory was quiet, and she enjoyed this moment of comfort.

"Tired?" Yang Chen asked softly.

"How about we go out for a walk? Or... go home and play some games to relax?"

Bai Yuekui kept his eyes closed, shook his head, and after a while, spoke softly, "I don't really want to."

She paused, then said, "I want to see the sea."

Yang Chen paused slightly in his kneading motion.

He immediately understood that Bai Yuekui was not referring to this depressing wasteland polluted by the Mana ecosystem.

What she wanted to go was the city of Hisakawa in her memories, or rather, the old world, the real sea.

Yang Chen didn't hesitate at all, a knowing and gentle smile appearing on his lips.

"Okay," he said. "Let's go then."

The salty, warm sea breeze, the continuous sound of waves, and the faint sound of laughter in the distance.

A public beach in Hisakawa City, bathed in sunshine, with a clear blue sky and sea.

The soft white sand scalded the soles of my feet in the sunlight, yet a cool sensation emanated from deep within the sand.

Bai Yuekui walked barefoot on the beach, leaving a trail of clear footprints.

She was wearing a simple white swimsuit that accentuated her well-proportioned and powerful figure.

She casually wore a thin white linen shirt over her clothes, the hem fluttering in the sea breeze.

She leaned slightly forward, her vintage film camera aimed at a small crab that was scrambling across the sand, oblivious to the dangers around it.

"Click."

The crisp click of the shutter captured this tiny yet vibrant life force.

She watched the little creature quickly dart back into its sand burrow, her gaze distant.

"It's been a long time since I've seen such 'normal' crabs after the ecological impact." Her voice was very soft, as if she were talking to herself, or perhaps to Yang Chen who was following behind her.

Yang Chen followed behind her, wearing only swimming trunks, his body still covered in wet droplets, revealing his toned physique.

He looked at her profile, which rarely showed any signs of sentimentality, and didn't say anything, just quietly kept her company.

After a while, the two walked together toward the shallow sea, letting the cool waves wash over their calves.

Then, someone started by scooping up seawater with their hands and splashing it at each other, the water sparkling in the sunlight.

A smile appeared on Bai Yuekui's face as he dodged the water splashes Yang Chen stirred up, occasionally retaliating.

Feeling a bit tired from playing, the two walked side by side back to the large rented parasol and lay down on comfortable deck chairs.

The umbrella's shadow blocked out the scorching sunlight, leaving only a pleasant warmth that lulled one to sleep.

Bai Yuekui gazed at the distant expanse of azure sea and sky, and suddenly spoke up: "Want some ice cream? I'll go buy some."

Yang Chen turned his head to look at her, looking a little lazy from the sun: "Sure, what flavors do you have?"

"Let me take a look first," Bai Yuekui said, standing up, casually tying the belt of his shirt around his waist, and walking towards the ice cream shop by the beach.

There was a short queue in front of the cold drink shop.

Bai Yuekui stood quietly at the end of the line, the sea breeze ruffling a few strands of her slightly damp hair.

She stared blankly at the pictures of various ice cream flavors on the signboard.

When she was little, Teresa would bring her and Bai Yuetian to the beach to play.

Since their mother passed away, Mr. Horn would bring his siblings to the beach to relax.

Just when there were only two or three people left in front of her, a gentle and familiar voice rang out not far behind her.

"Xiao Kui, wait here for Mommy. Don't run around. Mommy's going to buy ice cream."

This voice...

Bai Yuekui's body stiffened almost imperceptibly.

Almost instinctively, she slowly turned her head.

Time seemed to quietly overlap at this moment.

A woman dressed in an elegant long dress, with a gentle and intellectual demeanor, was bending over and giving instructions to a little girl who looked to be about five or six years old.

The woman's profile, her gentle tone, that familiar feeling etched deep in my memory...

It's Mom. Teresa.

And that little girl… Bai Yuekui’s gaze fell on that tiny figure.

That was me when I was a child.

Bai Yuekui stood there, staring blankly at Theresa not far away.

"Madam? Madam? What would you like to order?"

The voice of the ice cream shop waiter startled Bai Yuekui out of his daze.

She came to her senses and realized that the person who had been in front of her in line had already left.

"I'm sorry." Bai Yuekui quickly composed himself.

"Two ice creams. Thank you."

She didn't even look at the flavor cards and randomly pointed to two.

The waiter quickly handed her two vanilla ice cream cones decorated with chocolate coatings.

Bai Yuekui took the money, paid, and almost subconsciously took a deep breath before slowly turning around.

Just as she turned around, Theresa walked up to the counter.

The distance between the two instantly closed, almost to the point of being only one step apart.

Theresa's gaze naturally fell on the tall, elegant, white-haired woman in front of her.

When she saw Bai Yuekui, a hint of doubt flashed in her eyes.

The young woman in front of her was very beautiful and had a unique temperament, but Teresa was certain she did not know her.

But... for some reason, looking into the other person's clear eyes, which seemed to hold countless stories, she felt inexplicably moved.

Theresa gave Bai Yuekui a gentle smile and nodded as a greeting.

Bai Yuekui also nodded slightly to Theresa in response.

She gripped the ice cream cone tightly, forced herself to walk past Teresa.

Her pace was not fast, even somewhat slow.

One step, two steps... She finally couldn't resist and stopped after taking a few steps, turning around.

She stood not far away, her gaze following the familiar yet unfamiliar figure with longing.

Just then, a childish voice suddenly rang out beside her.

"Sister, do you know my mother?"

Bai Yuekui lowered his head.

Suddenly, the little one in the cute swimsuit appeared beside her, looking up at her with his big, clear eyes.

Seeing that she didn't speak, Xiao Yuekui stretched out another finger and pointed to the ice cream in her hand that was slowly melting.

"Sister, your ice cream is melting!"

"Uh..." Bai Yuekui looked at the ice cream in his hand, and it did indeed show signs of melting.

She crouched down, bringing her line of sight to be level with Xiao Yuekui.

She looked at Xiao Yuekui, shook her head, and said in a very soft voice, "No... we don't really know each other."

She paused, looking at Xiao Yuekui's still curious gaze, and added, "I just think... your mother is very gentle."

Little Yuekui seemed quite satisfied with the answer, nodding her little head vigorously: "Yes! My mom is the best mom in the world!"

At this moment, Theresa had already bought the ice cream and was turning around to look for her daughter.

Seeing Xiao Yuekui talking to the white-haired woman from before, a hint of surprise flashed across her face, but she still quickly walked over.

"Xiao Kui, why did you come here? Didn't I tell you to wait for your mother where you are?" Theresa's tone was gentle and reproachful.

She stepped forward, naturally took her daughter's hand, and then looked at Bai Yuekui, who was squatting on the ground, and gave him a slightly apologetic smile.

"Excuse me, the child was just curious. I hope I didn't bother you?"

At such close range, Bai Yuekui could clearly see every detail on Theresa's face.

She stood up abruptly, so quickly that she even swayed slightly.

She lowered her head, avoiding Teresa's gaze, and quickly said, "No, she's lovely."

After saying that, she didn't linger. Clutching the two nearly melting ice cream cones, she turned around almost as if fleeing and quickly walked towards the direction of the parasol in the distance.

As Teresa watched the departing figure, that strange feeling resurfaced in her heart.

She always felt that the young woman's gaze towards her was... indescribably complex.

Little Yuekui tugged at her mother's hand, looked up, and said, "Mom, that white-haired lady seems a little sad."

Theresa looked away, suppressing the inexplicable emotions welling up inside her.

She bent down and handed the ice cream to her daughter, smiling gently: "Really? Maybe."

"Alright, let's go find my brother. He must be getting impatient waiting all by himself."

"it is good!"

Theresa took Little Moon Queen's hand and walked in another direction.

On the way, Teresa turned around, wanting to see the white-haired woman again, but she had already disappeared.

(End of this chapter)