The excitement from the live stream gradually faded.
Su Yu lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep.
The game had gained popularity, and Kiana's presence had been established, but there was still a problem hanging over them like a ticking time bomb—household registration.
In this highly information-driven modern society, without an ID card, Kiana was a complete ghost. Forget about taking high-speed rail or staying in hotels in the future; even going to the hospital for a minor illness would require sneaking around.
The previous days of being a shut-in were manageable, but with the game's release, Kiana, as the core motion capture actor and even a future spokesperson, would definitely need to step into the spotlight. That 'undocumented' hat had to come off.
Thinking this, Su Yu rolled over, picked up his phone, and tapped on Kevin's avatar. That perpetually cold, unchanging profile picture was still lit up in the dead of night. It seemed overtime was the norm for office slaves.
[Su Yu: Asleep? Got something to ask you, urgent.]
[Kevin: Just got off work, eating noodles. Speak.]
An instant reply. Truly reliable Kevin; if he wasn't sleeping, he was on standby.
Su Yu carefully chose his words, trying to be more subtle.
[Su Yu: It's about that… uh, my 'cat' at home.]
[Su Yu: Due to some special reasons (you know, family changes, homelessness, etc.), she's never had household registration. If we want to get her an ID card through official channels, is there a way?]
The other side was silent for a while, probably thinking about what kind of 'cat' actually needed an ID card.
[Kevin: If there are absolutely no records, it's quite troublesome. Usually, it requires proof through an orphanage or evidence of lost archives due to force majeure.]
[Kevin: However, if you can prove she possesses some kind of 'irreplaceable special value,' things will be much easier.]
[Kevin: Mei's research institute, or some officially cooperative agencies, have 'special talent introduction' quotas every year. If she is declared under the name of 'confidential research personnel' or 'specially appointed expert,' the review process will go through a special approval channel, and the requirements for past archives will be relaxed.]
Special talent.
Here it was.
This was exactly what Su Yu had been waiting for.
He glanced at Kiana, who was curled up on the floor futon by the bed, sleeping soundly like an unsuspecting kitten. Although she looked harmless now, that monstrous strength capable of tearing apart mechs, and the Kaslana-style Ancient Martial Arts etched into her DNA...
If she wasn't considered a "special talent," then the world would be full of only ordinary people.
[Kevin: If you need, I can ask Mei for help. But the prerequisite is that she needs a 'background' that can be reasonably explained.]
Background...
Su Yu's mind instantly replayed a series of 'incidents' from the past few days. Sister Himeko, his neighbor, drunkenly yelling "martial artist" and "Little Junior Sister down from the mountain" after witnessing Kiana's skills that night.
In the live stream, under the gaze of Miss Pink Elf, he had brazenly made up the "Junior Sister" setting.
And that night, Kiana had given him, an 1.8-meter tall man, a perfect "princess carry" in front of everyone, walking hundreds of meters without breaking a sweat...
It seemed the script he had prepared would come in handy after all.
[Su Yu: Got it.]
Su Yu's lips curved upwards uncontrollably as his fingers flew across the keyboard.
[Su Yu: Actually… she's my master's last disciple, adopted in the deep mountains and old forests years ago. She grew up isolated from the world, focused solely on martial arts, mastering peerless techniques, and only recently came down the mountain to seek out her Senior Brother (me).]
[Su Yu: Because she always lived deep in the mountains, she has no birth certificate and no household registration.]
[Su Yu: Does this setting… ah no, does this situation meet the 'special talent' standard?]
Another long silence from the other side. So long that Su Yu thought Kevin might have fallen asleep facing the screen, or was so utterly flabbergasted by this absurd premise that he was fried to a crisp.
Finally, a message came through.
[Kevin: ..Deep..practice..?]
[Kevin: So that night when she carried you… was also because of this?]
[Su Yu: Exactly! That's Tongzigong! Kaslana-style Ancient Martial Arts! Not something ordinary people can master!]
Another moment of silence.
[Kevin: Then your Little Junior Sister should have a Shenzhou name, right? She wouldn't be surnamed Ye, would she?]
[Su Yu: Kao Ge emoji]
[Su Yu: If I may ask, which Ye are you referring to?]
[Kevin: Ip Man, of course. Why, would it be me?]
Su Yu wiped a bead of sweat. Thank goodness. If Kevin had blurted out "Ye Shunguang," he felt he would probably have to open a video rental store on the corner and spend his days pondering how to sell cereal. No, wait, if it was a "Junior Sister," wouldn't he be a benevolent, elderly Ju Fufu, or perhaps the Divine Dragon Warrior who was also head chef and financial manager—he meant, the Panda? Wasn't there a human option! Dammit!
[Kevin: Back to the main topic. Although it sounds like something from a movie… if it's Mei, she should be able to package this into reasonable material. After all, a 'successor of nearly lost ancient martial arts' indeed falls under cultural heritage protection special talents.]
[Kevin: As long as the data is real, Mei will have a way. I'll ask her for you first.]
The next morning, Kevin's message arrived as promised. The line of text on the screen relieved half of Su Yu's anxiety, but raised the other half.
[Kevin: Mei agreed. It will go through the special approval channel, under the title 'Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritor' and 'Special Security Consultant.' However…]
That "however" was almost always followed by troublesome conditions.
[Kevin: Mei hopes to conduct a comprehensive physical examination on her.]
[Kevin: Since it's 'ancient martial arts,' Mei is very interested in her muscle density, nerve reaction speed, and even blood composition. You know, occupational hazard.]
Su Yu's brow furrowed instantly as he read the message. He subconsciously looked at Kiana, who was sitting on the carpet, like a small animal, intently tackling the Rubik's Cube in her hands.
Research. Examination. Data.
These words might just be routine for ordinary people, but for Kiana, every single word reeked of blood. They evoked images of cold operating tables in laboratories, of being treated like a guinea pig.
Even if Dr. Mei in this world was a kind-hearted scientist, Su Yu dared not take that risk. Trust, like a thin eggshell, once shattered, would always have cracks no matter how much you tried to mend it.
He had finally managed to calm this startled kitten down a little.
Su Yu immediately replied, his fingers pressing so hard on the screen they almost poked holes through it.
[Su Yu: No, absolutely not.]
[Su Yu: Kevin, my Junior Sister grew up in the deep mountains.]
[Su Yu: She is extremely resistant to modern medicine, and one could even say she has severe psychological trauma. If she sees needles or those strange instruments, she might… well, become agitated.]
[Su Yu: You wouldn't want a startled 'humanoid tyrannosaurus' tearing down Mei's research institute or the police station, would you? Considering the strength she showed when she carried me that night… I think we can't afford that risk.]
The other side was silent for a long time. Probably visualizing Kiana going berserk and demolishing a building, Kevin's survival instinct was clearly online.
[Kevin: Understood. I will relay this to Mei. Safety first.]
A few minutes later, a new plan arrived.
[Kevin: Mei backed down; no invasive examinations are needed.]
[Kevin: However, when processing the household registration, the police department needs to input basic information and also verify her 'special abilities' to meet the special approval standards.]
[Kevin: Mei hopes she can demonstrate her so-called 'ancient martial arts' on site and allow Mei to collect some non-contact physical data. This is already the bottom line.]
Grip strength test, reaction speed, explosive power display. So, it was… publicly performing a 'chest crushing boulder' or 'bare-handed steel bar bending'?
This was indeed her area of expertise.
Su Yu breathed a sigh of relief and turned to Kiana.
"Kiana, I have some good news, and also… well, a mission."
After listening to Su Yu's recount, especially hearing how resolutely he had rejected the "physical examination" request, Kiana's Rubik's Cube stopped spinning. She lowered her head, her long eyelashes obscuring the emotions in her eyes, but her fingers gripping the Rubik's Cube tightened slightly.
She knew what "research" meant. If Su Yu had hesitated then, or agreed for convenience… But he hadn't. He was even more concerned about her feelings than she was herself, blocking out everything that could potentially harm her like a protective mother hen.
"That… Su Yu."
Kiana looked up, her gaze slightly evasive, but her voice was very soft and earnest.
"Thank you… and Dr. Mei, thank you too."
She took a deep breath, as if shaking off invisible shackles, stood up, and performed a stretching chest expansion exercise.
"Isn't it just showing off my skills? Easy!"
"Since I'm playing an ancient martial arts inheritor, I definitely can't embarrass the Kaslana name. Let's go! Let them see what a true genius is!"
"Let them see how I make sandbags explode!"
Seeing her return to her lively self, Su Yu smiled. This was the Kiana he knew.
[Su Yu: OK.]
[Kevin: Are you feeling better? Can you walk now? Mei said she wants to collect data as soon as possible. Do you need me to carry you there?]
[Su Yu: No need, walking is fine now. Eating like a champ, feel like I could punch a tiger to death.]
[Kevin: I somehow feel like you can't beat your 'cat' at home, oh no, your 'Little Junior Sister.']
[Su Yu: You're really killing the conversation, bro.]
Su Yu sent the other side an Elysia pink-haired playful smile emoji, looking exactly like a certain pink milk dragon. Don't ask where this emoji came from; the answer is that year, Elysia desperately needed an excellent designer to create an excellent set of emojis for her fans. So Su Yu stepped in.
[Kevin: Tibetan fox squinting emoji]
[Kevin: Right. Su also said you're quite healthy, just a bit weak.]
Su Yu irritably replied, "You're the one who's weak." A man's pride was the hardest; you could say he was tall, short, fat, thin, beautiful, or ugly, but you couldn't associate him with the word "weak." This concerned his dignity, an inviolable bottom line! It was like everyone vying to be the other's godfather.
After confirming the time and place with Kevin and Mei, Su Yu and Kiana arrived at the police station on a nearby street. The interior design here was completely different from the oppressive, cold, mechanical security bureau Kiana had imagined.
A bright lobby, gentle lighting, and even the faint scent of coffee hung in the air. The staff at the counters didn't have the cold, scrutinizing eyes of interrogators; instead, they carried a professional politeness.
But Kiana was still very nervous. Her hand gripped Su Yu's sleeve tightly. In her subconscious, she was a criminal burdened with millions of lives. Even though Su Yu had told her countless times that this wasn't that world, the deeply ingrained guilt made her instinctively want to flee whenever she stepped into a place representing justice.
She didn't even dare to look up at the uniformed police, fearing that the next second she would be recognized and then handcuffed with heavy electronic shackles.
"Don't be scared."
Su Yu seemed to notice her stiffness and subtly stepped in front of her, speaking in a voice only they could hear.
"You are the Little Junior Sister now. Remember, you are a worldly hermit, here to gain experience down the mountain."
"Look at these mortals with a… hmm, that kind of 'these mortals are no good' gaze. You need to have the solitude of a master."
Kiana almost broke character, amused by his irreverent description. Her taut nerves inexplicably relaxed a little. She took a deep breath, looking at Su Yu, who was negotiating with the young lady at the front desk.
His back wasn't particularly broad, but at this moment, it was like a wall, blocking out all her unease. She couldn't embarrass him. Kiana told herself in her heart. Since he was trying so hard, I must… I must play this role well too!
"Um, excuse me, the special talent introduction channel…" Su Yu was trying to explain something to the front desk lady. The young lady clearly didn't quite understand, her suspicious gaze sweeping past Su Yu and landing on Kiana, who was standing behind him, wearing a tracksuit and looking down like an underage girl.
"Special talent…? She's…?"
Now! Kiana abruptly looked up. She recalled the wuxia films Su Yu usually showed her, and the calm, effortless demeanor of Squad Monitor Fu Hua from her memories.
She stepped forward, straightened her back, and her eyes sharpened. Then, she clasped her hands together, a clean and swift motion that even created a small gust of wind.
"This humble one… cough, that…"
She stumbled for a moment but quickly recovered, lowering her voice and speaking in a tone intended to sound profound:
"This humble one, Kiana, is the thirty-eighth generation disciple of the Tai Xu Sect. Greetings, honorable… ya-ye."
The air seemed to solidify.
The front desk lady's hand, holding a pen, froze mid-air. The several police officers nearby, who were drinking tea, were also stunned, almost spitting out their water. Even the old men and women who were mediating a dispute nearby stopped arguing, staring at the white-haired girl with expressions like they were seeing an alien.
Tai Xu Sect? Ya-ye? Was this a TV drama? Or some new prank show?
Su Yu pinched his thigh desperately to keep himself from bursting out laughing on the spot. Although they had rehearsed it, seeing Kiana declare the name of "Fu Hua's" old sect with a look of resigned bravery, the contrast was simply deadly.
Just as the front desk lady was about to pick up her walkie-talkie to call the psychiatric department… ah no, to call her superior, a crisp sound of high heels tapping the ground came from the entrance.
"Apologies, traffic wasn't great. I'm late."
A calm, intellectual voice broke the awkward silence. Everyone turned around to see Dr. Mei, clad in her signature white lab coat, entering briskly, followed by several technicians carrying equipment. Her aura was too strong; that authoritative presence instantly commanded the room.
Mei pushed up her glasses, her gaze sweeping across the room, finally resting on the application form.
"I am Mei, responsible for the review of this special talent introduction."
She took out her ID and placed it on the table. "This Miss Kiana is our institute's specially appointed ancient martial arts expert, and also a key protected special talent. Her identity verification will be entirely handled by me."
"Research institute," "specially appointed," "ancient martial arts expert." As these grand terms were dropped, the expressions of those around them instantly changed. The looks of a chuunibyou girl immediately transformed into respectful reverence for a hidden master.
So she wasn't mentally ill, but part of the national team! No wonder her speech was so archaic! This was traditional culture!
"Ah… so she's an expert! My apologies, my apologies!" The front desk lady quickly stood up, her attitude becoming incredibly respectful. A farce had been rescued by Mei's mere presence.
Mei turned and gestured for her subordinates to prepare the venue. Once no one was around, she walked over to Kiana, her gaze lingering for a second on the silver metal collar around her neck. That was the Anti-Cat Scratch Artifact Kevin had delivered yesterday. Mei, of course, recognized it as something she had made.
She wasn't a fool like Kevin; or rather, even a fool like Kevin would have long figured out what Su Yu's "found cat" was all about. Kiana subconsciously recoiled a little, feeling somewhat guilty. However, Mei, being clever, didn't poke holes in the facade or press further.
Everyone had secrets, and Su Yu had gone to such great lengths to protect this girl, so she would naturally cooperate fully. Her gaze paused on the device for a moment, a flicker of understanding in her eyes, then naturally moved away, as if it were just an ordinary accessory.
Seeing through, but not speaking through. This was the tenderness of a highly intelligent person.
"Is this thing comfortable to wear?" Mei asked casually, but with a hint of concern in her tone. Kiana was startled for a moment, then subconsciously touched the collar.
"Mhm… it's good. After putting it on, my mind is much quieter."
That was the truth. Since wearing it, the feeling of constantly being spied on and mocked by another consciousness had greatly lessened, allowing her to have a good night's sleep for the first time in a long while.
"That's good." Mei smiled, her cold scientist demeanor melting slightly. She looked at the somewhat awkward girl before her and thought that this "cat" was indeed quite likable. No wonder that lazy guy Su Yu cared so much.
"Nervous?" Mei changed the subject, pointing to the wide training field inside. "You'll be performing ancient martial arts in front of so many people later, you know. If you mess up, all those lies Su Yu made up will be exposed."
Kiana looked at Mei, then glanced at Su Yu, who was chatting and laughing with the police officers not far away, but was actually nervously watching their side.
"A little." Kiana nodded honestly.
"But…" She clenched her fists, feeling the power flowing within her. That power used to be a curse, a source of disaster. But now, in this peaceful world, with Su Yu's help, it could perhaps become a shield to protect herself, a key to a new life.
"But I want to try." Kiana's eyes brightened, like the sky after rain. "I want to use these hands to protect something. Even if it's just… this lie."
Mei nodded, as if confirming some data. "In that case, show some confidence."
She pointed to the training field inside. "There are many police officers watching there. Since you've claimed the name of the Tai Xu Sect, don't let that name be tarnished, or Su Yu will lose a lot of face."
"After all, as a talent specially approved by me, if you can't even break a few sandbags, my report will be very difficult to write."
Kiana was stunned for a moment. She looked at Mei's eyes, which seemed to see through everything yet embrace everything, and her apprehension dissipated significantly. There was no judgment here, no suspicion. Only kindness that accepted her as an ordinary person with special talents.
"Don't worry!" Kiana took a deep breath, clenched her fists, and her eyes became sharp again. "This lady… this heroine, will absolutely not let you down!"
Su Yu stood by, watching this scene, and couldn't help but smile. It seemed he wasn't the only one trying. Everyone in this world was carefully nurturing this injured kitten in their own way.
"Let's go, Heroine Kiana." Su Yu smiled and made a "please" gesture. "Go give them a little Kaslana shock."
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