“Hello, everyone! Welcome to A City Museum!”
The fiery red mascot waved its large, clumsy hand, greeting the children in front of it.
“Wow—it’s Flamey!”
“Flamey, look at me! Look at me!”
“Flamey, can you do that thing? You know, that…”
A group of excited children swarmed around. Some jumped up trying for a high-five, some clung to the mascot’s legs, and others tried to pull its tail off.
Bai Li, trapped inside the heavy mascot suit, felt like a steamed bun in a bamboo steamer.
This was the part-time job she had found.
A City Museum’s newly opened “Otherworld Civilization Exhibition” needed a mascot to attract visitors. It was daily pay, simple, and didn’t require much brainpower.
Most importantly, the pay was decent—more than enough to cover rent and daily expenses.
It perfectly fit all her requirements.
But right now, all she wanted was to tear off this damn mascot suit.
It was so hot.
It was really, really hot.
The stifling fabric wrapped around her like a thick quilt, and the giant headpiece on top felt as heavy as carrying a sack of rice. After just half an hour, her back was already soaked with sweat, which trickled down her spine, making her itch in places she couldn’t reach.
To make matters worse, the rules clearly stated: Do not remove the headpiece during work hours.
The reasons were obvious: to maintain the character’s authenticity and protect the children’s innocence.
And if she was caught by the supervising staff, her pay would definitely be docked.
Bai Li could only weep silently in her heart.
But what was a little discomfort?
She was someone who had big plans!
Watching another group of elementary school students enter the museum led by a guide, Bai Li lifted her head, her gaze passing over the crowd and looking upward.
The top floor.
That’s where the “Otherworld Treasures Special Exhibition” was being held. Inside a display case lay a staff, its entire body a vibrant emerald green.
This was her real reason for being here.
According to Madam’s plan, the Starfall Society needed this lost treasure.
It originally belonged to the Aberrants, confiscated by humans during a battle.
Now, they had to “take it back” before the exhibition ended.
Bai Li’s primary task was reconnaissance.
Familiarize herself with the layout, figure out the security situation, and find the best time to act.
‘Honestly, it’s an Aberrant’s possession,’ she grumbled internally. ‘Not only do they take it, but they also put it on display. Isn’t that just openly bullying people?’
Ever since her conversation with Lin Du that day, Bai Li had secretly made up her mind.
If that guy wanted to be a partner of justice, then let him.
She was an Aberrant. She had to do what Aberrants do.
At worst, she could just secretly tie Lin Du up and throw him out of the city. What could he do about it?
He might even thank her. After all, she’d be saving his life.
Young people talk a good game, but it’s different when you actually have to do it.
Once he sees the entire city fall with his own eyes, he’ll understand what “doing what one can” really means.
“So hot…”
Bai Li pulled her thoughts back, struggling to lift her arm to wipe the sweat.
But the thick mascot glove brushing against the headpiece felt like nothing.
She secretly lifted the headpiece a tiny crack, hoping for some cooling airflow.
It was minimally effective.
However…
She looked down at her own huge, furry paw, then at her mostly obstructed field of vision.
People outside couldn’t see inside.
Didn’t that mean…
A brilliant idea struck Bai Li like a bolt of lightning.
—
During the lunch break, she rushed into the changing room and yanked the bracelet off her wrist.
A cascade of silvery-white hair tumbled down, fox ears popped up from her head, and a fluffy tail swished behind her.
“Hmph, I’m a genius!”
Since people outside couldn’t see inside the mascot suit, there was no need to maintain this disguise.
And without the bracelet’s restraint, she could freely use magic to cool herself down.
She breathed a gentle puff of air onto her palm.
Mana surged. A thin layer of frost condensed along the inner lining of the mascot suit, and a cool sensation instantly washed over her from all sides.
“Ah~”
Bai Li almost moaned in comfort.
Wasn’t this better than air conditioning?
The afternoon work was much easier. With magic’s help, the heavy mascot suit was no longer torture; it felt more like a mobile air-conditioned room.
Bai Li even had the energy to interact more with the children—waving, high-fiving, posing for photos—the whole routine flowed smoothly.
“Flamey is so lively this afternoon!”
“Yeah, yeah, the previous one was always so lazy!”
Bai Li rolled her eyes internally.
‘That was then, this is now. If you keep comparing the past to the present, buddy, why don’t you compare it to when you were born?’
Time passed quickly.
At four in the afternoon, the museum closed early, and staff began clearing the area.
Just as Bai Li was about to head to the changing room, she suddenly spotted a familiar figure standing at the entrance.
Blue and white school uniform, holding a bottle of water.
It was Lin Du.
He stood at the entrance looking around, his gaze sweeping across the lobby before finally landing on the giant red mascot.
Bai Li paused slightly, then raised a paw and waved at him.
So, Lin Du walked over.
“What are you doing here?” Bai Li’s voice came muffled from inside the headpiece.
“You said you were working part-time at the museum,” Lin Du said, offering the water. “I came to check it out and brought you some water.”
“Thanks.”
She extended a hand, reaching out from the gap beneath the headpiece to take the water.
Lin Du stared at the hand emerging from the mascot’s neck, the corner of his mouth twitching.
“…Aren’t you going to take the head off to drink?”
“No, no,” Bai Li quickly refused. “There’s a rule. Can’t take it off during work hours.”
“But,” Lin Du paused, “I heard today’s work is already over. I just asked the front desk. They said the mascot can clock out at four.”
Bai Li froze.
“And,” Lin Du tilted his head, his eyes scanning her suit, “does your voice sound a bit… sharper than usual?”
“Uh—!”
She wasn’t wearing the bracelet right now! How could she possibly take the headpiece off!
Bai Li’s brain went into overdrive.
“It’s probably the mascot suit!” she blurted out, a flash of inspiration striking. “Being cooped up in this thing for so long makes your throat uncomfortable, changes your voice!”
“Oh.” Lin Du nodded.
“And! And even though my shift is over, there are still children in the museum!” Bai Li said, feeling more justified the more she spoke. “Look over there, a few kids are still taking pictures. If I take this off now, wouldn’t that ruin the image in their hearts? As a mascot, you have to have professional ethics!”
Lin Du was silent for two seconds, looking down at the extended hand.
Her fingers were slender and pale, nails neatly trimmed.
It didn’t look like a boy’s hand at all.
“Alright.” He pushed the water bottle forward again. “Then take it for now. Remember to drink it later.”
“Will do, will do!”
Bai Li took the water, hugging the huge mascot body as she shuffled toward the changing room.
“I’m going to change! Wait for me a bit!”
Lin Du nodded, watching her clumsy figure disappear down the corridor.
—
Inside the changing room, Bai Li frantically struggled out of the mascot suit.
The headpiece came off. The jacket came off. The pants were tugged off.
Her movements suddenly stopped.
Her wrist was bare.
‘That’s weird. Where’s the bracelet?’
Bai Li’s mind went blank with a ‘buzz.’
She looked down at herself—silvery-white hair cascading down, tail swishing anxiously behind her.
‘I’m finished.’
‘Where did I leave the bracelet?’
She searched the entire changing room. Not there. Searched the mascot suit. Not there. Searched her own bag. Still not there.
Bai Li’s vision darkened, and she almost lost her balance.
—
Outside the changing room, Lin Du stood waiting in the corridor.
His gaze inadvertently swept over the bench nearby, where Bai Li’s bag had been earlier.
He was about to look away when he suddenly spotted a silver metal bracelet lying on the floor under the bench.
The bracelet lay there quietly, emitting a faint luster.
‘That bracelet… have I seen it before?’