Honkai Impact 3rd: Catching the Herrscher of Sentience at the Start

"Why are you pulling me to hide?" Fu Shi looked at Fu Lin hiding beside her with a puzzled expression.

"Think about it. If we meet Stelle and she calls you 'Mom' in front of all these people, what would the residents around us think?" Fu Lin covered his face, not daring to step forward. He didn't want to endure the strange gazes from the crowd. No wonder March 7th and Dan Heng weren't nearby—they were probably too embarrassed.

"...You have a point. Let's not meet with Stelle." Fu Shi's mind quickly filled with the scene Fu Lin had described, and her expression changed instantly. Fu Lin had indeed thought this through.

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"We'll toss the Stellaron and this Flame Spear into the trash can and let Stelle pick them up herself." Fu Lin nodded in satisfaction when Fu Shi grasped his intentions. He then pulled out the Flame Spear and the Stellaron.

Stellaron's consciousness: "..." Do I not deserve any dignity?

"Alright, let's do that. But should this weapon also go to Stelle?" Fu Shi clapped her hands in agreement with Fu Lin's decision. Solving the issue without having to meet the train crew was ideal.

"It's not safe for her to fight with just a baseball bat. Besides, I think this was originally Stelle's fortune that we ended up taking."

"This trash can will do. Stelle will come by soon. Add some light effects to the trash can," Fu Lin said as he found a corner, shoved the Stellaron and Flame Spear inside, and instructed Fu Shi.

"Whatever makes you happy." With a wave of her small hand, Fu Shi caused a few flickering lights to appear on the previously dull trash can. The lights blinked temptingly, making it hard for anyone to resist opening it.

Satisfied with the glowing trash can, Fu Lin nodded, finding it hard even for himself to refrain from taking a peek. Then, he and Fu Shi retreated to a corner where they could observe the trash can, quietly waiting for someone to take the bait.

A few minutes later, Stelle appeared in front of the trash can, staring incredulously at the glowing object before her.

A single tear slowly rolled down Stelle's cheek as she gazed at the trash can with deep affection, as though she were falling in love. Then, she carefully took out a rag and began wiping the trash can.

"...Just open it already!" Fu Lin clenched his fists, anxious as he watched Stelle polish the trash can. This was not how he envisioned it.

"She... she seems to have taken the trash can with her..." Fu Shi was puzzled as she watched Stelle happily embrace the trash can.

"...Not a big deal. Time for Plan B." Fu Lin slapped his forehead and quietly put on the Fatui Executive mask.

"What's Plan B?" Fu Shi asked, also donning her mask as she followed Fu Lin.

"We'll act like passersby, knock the trash can out of her hands, and expose the Flame Spear and Stellaron in front of her."

"I refuse to believe she'd ignore it this time." Carefully trailing Stelle, Fu Lin waited for the perfect opportunity. He took a quick step forward and bumped into her, expecting everything to go as planned...

But Stelle suddenly stopped, as if sensing something, and her eyes lit up as she spotted another trash can in the distance. Hugging the trash can she was holding, she rushed toward the other one, completely oblivious to Fu Lin now sprawled on the ground behind her.

Fu Shi squatted next to Fu Lin, poking his head as he buried his face in the dirt. "Still alive?" she asked.

".....Again, this time together." Fu Lin raised his head, spat out the dirt in his mouth, and gritted his teeth as he glared at Stelle.

It seemed like Stelle was blessed by Lady Luck herself. Each time, she narrowly evaded their attempts to intercept her and cheerfully moved on to the next trash can.

Covered in dirt and looking at the retreating Stelle, Fu Lin and Fu Shi exchanged helpless glances. Seeing how disheveled they both were, they couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Their amusement was cut short by the sudden appearance of a dark green spear. Fu Lin gulped as he looked up at the weapon's owner.

Dan Heng and March 7th stood nearby, their expressions serious. March 7th's bow was fully drawn, ready to shoot if Fu Lin made a wrong move.

"Who are you two, and why are you chasing Stelle?" March asked sternly, eyeing the two masked figures.

"Ahem! We're not chasing Stelle..." Fu Lin and Fu Shi slowly stood up, brushing the dirt off their clothes.

"Not chasing her? We've been watching you for a while now. You've been running after her nonstop! Do you think I'm easy to fool?" March didn't buy it and fired an arrow at their feet.

"...She took something of ours." Fu Lin was silent for a moment before pointing at Stelle in the distance, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

"What did she take?" March asked suspiciously.

"That trash can she's holding. It has all our belongings in it. If we don't get it back, my sister and I will go hungry," Fu Lin said pitifully, hugging Fu Shi and squeezing out a tear.

"Ah, yes, that's right." Fu Shi looked at Fu Lin speechlessly. Who would put all their belongings in a trash can? There's no way anyone would believe this... unless...

"That's so tragic... I'll help you get it back right away!" March 7th put away her bow and gave the two dust-covered figures a sympathetic look. It was clear they hadn't bathed properly in ages.