Chapter 245

Chapter 245: Charlotte’s Layered Tricks, Heart Lock

Salzburg.

This historic city has made great efforts to preserve its medieval buildings. It is the birthplace of Mozart, the hometown of Karajan, and a treasure trove of Baroque architecture. The Mozart chocolate that Charlotte gave to Little Sakura is also a local specialty.

From Vienna to here, it takes only two to three hours by train, and flying directly is a bit faster. When everyone arrived at the airport, it was still not noon. It was only when they took the train and reached Monk Mountain in the city center that it was nearly noon.

Miss Saintess has a much richer travel budget than regular teams.

Dream Weaver Rabbit rented the Monchestein Castle to be the home for the little idols for a while.

This castle hotel is located at the top of Monk Mountain, surrounded by a large park, offering a view of the whole city.

Chu Yuanqing took the mountain lift to explore the surroundings. The buildings built on the hillside rose and fell like golden waves in the noon sun, while the soft outlines of distant mountains and the bright green plants made the colors in sight gentle and beautiful.

The castle at the top of the mountain is not too big or too small; it is larger than a normal villa but much smaller than the ancient castles where big medieval nobles lived.

Well, the green-eyed cat from Burgundy has a strong opinion on this matter regarding ancient castles.

Chen Xiaoxiao and the other staff stayed in different places, enjoying a half holiday. So, the little idols could easily carry their suitcases as they stored them all in Chu Yuanqing and Charlotte’s Space for Couples.

After everyone assigned their rooms in the castle and settled their luggage, they decided to wander around and grab a meal together before heading to the dance training organized by Dream Weaver Rabbit at three in the afternoon.

After all, the little idols had already decided on the amount of training they wanted to return to from their base time on the plane. If they didn’t take the chance to see this planned tourist spot while they were still fresh, they might not have the mood to enjoy this beautiful scenery later.

Since they were at the mountain top, everyone first went to the modern art museum. The exhibits may not be interesting, but the observation deck is a perfect place to enjoy the city view.

From up high, the Salzach River divides the city into two areas, the new on the left and the old on the right, connected by bridges. From a distance, many churches and distinctive, ancient spire churches and monasteries rise and fall, surrounded by lush green gardens.

Charlotte had visited Salzburg several times. Clearing her throat with confidence, she decided to present herself as a tour guide, eager to share knowledge with her beloved daughter and earn her admiration.

Unfortunately, for her adorable daughter, who could create a vlog with the charm of a travel blogger, coming here meant she had already done all the necessary research and preparation.

So before eager Charlotte could speak up, Chu Wang Shu had already started to introduce the origins and historical background of the sights to the clear-eyed Honey Qing beside her.

After listening for a while, Charlotte quietly held back. She certainly didn’t know less than her daughter; she just felt there were many ways to earn her lovely daughter’s admiration, and there was no need to prove herself in such a childish way!

Yes, just like that.

Chu Yuanqing patiently listened to her adorable daughter’s explanations, resembling a father on an outing with his children. The ripples in her clear eyes were like harmonious melodies, gentle in the light, her lips curved with smiles.

Once upon a time, she had taken Little Shu out and played this very role.

As time has passed, their roles have now switched. Perhaps, being a parent and watching children grow up brings such feelings—both joy and sadness, nostalgia and happiness, emotions that are incredibly complex, yet the warmth named happiness will always remain.

The little idols did not stay here for long; they only walked around a bit, took a few photos, and then took the cable car in the mountains to the old town.

Ten minutes later, the sun shone down on the towering Salzburg Fortress on the green cliffs, and around this famous building was the old town.

The Last Diva looked at the brightly colored world under the clear sky and confidently held Chu Yuanqing’s soft hand. Despite the angry glare of the green-eyed cat, she led everyone to find a spot to take a group photo. After taking the picture, she smiled and said:

"Everyone, make sure to create beautiful memories with Little Qing."

"This kind of chance doesn’t come often."

Tang Liuli confidently replied:

"My phone’s photo album is full of Little Qing; I’ve been keeping track!"

Charlotte, curious, leaned over to take a look at the very precious photo collection of the green-eyed cat. After admiring it for a while, noticing the other person’s puffed-up cheeks in their look of grievance, she praised:

"Yes, yes, Liuli has really been watching Little Qing closely; she has almost recorded everything—eating, walking, daydreaming, looking at the sky, smiling, frowning, and even her back! But this isn’t enough; there aren’t enough group photos. Why not take the chance to take more pictures?"

The young girl laughed and talked, gently pushing the shy cat into Chu Yuanqing’s arms. They stood in a street where they could see the distant green cliffs, blue sky, and Salzburg Fortress. She took out an old camera that seemed very precious and began to direct and take photos.

"Liuli, don’t forget to smile! You look so cute when you smile."

"Hmm, move a little closer. Little Qing is a bit taller than Liuli; they look like sisters."

"Little Qing, don’t stare at the camera like that! It will look very unnatural! Liuli is amazing; it’s no wonder she’s acted in movies, very professional!"

Charlotte stopped taking pictures after five or six minutes. She looked at many photos in the camera with satisfaction and said with a smile:

"Hmm, now it’s time for Miyuki and Little Qing to take some pictures, okay?"

Little Sakura blinked in confusion. Before she could say anything, she was pushed into Chu Yuanqing’s arms, smelling the soft and sweet flower fragrance that made her feel weak. Her cheeks turned pink as she stood up a little flustered, tucked her hair behind her ear, raised her eyes to look at Chu Yuanqing, and revealed a shy yet lovely smile.

Click, the sound of the shutter echoed.

"Perfect! We really captured a wonderful moment. Miyuki’s expression is great! Pure girls are indeed the cutest."

Kirimi Miyuki felt even more embarrassed by Charlotte’s words. She said, "Wait a moment," and quickly fixed her hair and clothes, trying to show a better side for the camera, but she kept hearing the sounds of the shutter clicking.

Little Sakura looked up in annoyance, her eyes met Charlotte’s sly smile. Another photo was taken, and she felt completely played with.

Charlotte quickly finished taking the picture of the two of them and urged Xie Qingxuan to join in.

Chu Yuanqing understood the meaning of this action and didn’t feel annoyed. She simply stood next to the golden-haired dog, looking slightly cautious to prevent a sudden attack.

Although she didn’t dislike Xie Qingxuan’s sudden kiss, doing it in front of Charlotte was one thing, but she could never allow it in front of their innocent, naive, and lovely daughter!

Fortunately, Xie Qingxuan behaved herself, standing still beside her and looking very well-behaved.

However, Charlotte had a different opinion. She suggested:

"The cool beauty is also in my sweet spot, but it wouldn’t be appropriate in a group photo. Little Xuan, try to look more at Little Qing instead of me."

After getting approval, Xie Qingxuan turned to look at the Pure White Witch’s face. Her cold, indifferent gaze seemed to peel away layers of ice and snow, revealing a childlike purity and softness, like thawing spring water, with her peachy lips looking even more beautiful.

"So cute! This is the real Little Xuan!"

Charlotte seemed to be delighted by the charming contrast of the high and aloof flower suddenly turning into a golden retriever, making her much quicker at taking photos. When she put down the camera, she looked a bit unsatisfied and secretly hoped for a fun time with Xie Qingxuan and Honey Qing.

Of course, from this perspective, Little Sakura’s innocence and the green-eyed cat’s shyness and social anxiety could add a playful touch to a group party.

Chu Yuanqing had no idea what scary things were on Charlotte’s mind. She was in a good mood and walked over to her lovely daughter, took her hand, and returned to the spot where they had been taking photos, asking Charlotte to help capture this precious mother-daughter picture.

However, the young mother couldn’t wait to hand the camera to Kirimi Miyuki after a few shots, clearly not wanting to miss a chance to take photos with her daughter.

Charlotte and Chu Yuanqing sandwiched their adorable daughter in the middle, turning their duo picture into a family photo.

Kirimi Miyuki was good at taking pictures and was average for a Sakura high school girl. After taking the photo, she returned the camera and saw Charlotte happily thanking her. It felt like the pace of the group had been completely thrown off by her.

Chu Wang Shu also sensed something was a bit off, but because she really liked Sister Charlotte and Honey Qing, she overlooked these little details and happily continued exploring the old town with everyone.

Charlotte was familiar with the area and led everyone to the famous Grain Alley in the old town, from where they could walk to Store No. 9, the birthplace of Mozart.

This is a narrow alley about three meters wide, lined with light yellow shops, with various signs and logos hanging at the height of the second floor.

The Last Diva was excited and kept clicking the shutter.

Those colorful iron signs were very creative and could be seen as interesting pieces of art. When she was a child, she had visited Salzburg with Sister Ellie and took pictures of these signs. Now, revisiting the place and taking more photos felt like marking the passage of time.

Charlotte took pictures while complaining:

"I was just in Salzburg not long ago, but that little troublemaker, Little Dream, gave me so much work, it’s almost as stressful as performance reviews. I just finished dealing with the disaster aura here and had to rush to other places."

Kirimi Miyuki thought for a moment and said:

"So, the Dream Weaver Rabbit lets you work alone, not because you are spoiled by your magical girl talent, but because it’s more convenient for you to be a helper, right?"

Charlotte felt a bit guilty and looked away, but then nodded confidently and said:

"Yes, that’s right! Little Dream is just so unreasonable! Just look at her on the show, it’s so ridiculous, she’s just like a big villain standing against the magical girl in an animation!"

As soon as these words were said, the little idols immediately believed it.

Indeed, Dream Weaver Rabbit doesn’t seem like a good thing at all.

Chu Yuanqing, however, felt a bit uneasy.

Although some of the actions of that super AI were indeed annoying, she was sure that Esther must be the one being bullied by Charlotte. It was likely that the whole "one person per team" thing was just how Miyuki imagined it; it probably happened because this person, taking advantage of her status as the beloved Holy Maiden of the Sacred United Country, acted recklessly.

As for working, just by looking at Miss Saintess’s social media account, which is frequently updated with check-in selfies, you can tell how hard she works. This person seems to wear the words "relaxed and carefree" on her forehead.

Unfortunately, to avoid being bullied at night, Pure White Witch could only remain silent and watch Dream Weaver Rabbit being "slandered" by Charlotte.

Xie Qingxuan then caught the key point and asked:

"Disaster aura, what is that?"

This word brought a familiar yet unsettling scent to the air.

Chu Yuanqing thought for a moment and then explained:

"The strange monsters that appeared in the square are called disaster beasts. They spread like a plague and can turn humans into similar creatures."

"The disaster aura is the source of this infection. Long exposure to it can easily corrupt the mind and distort emotions. If the concentration of disaster aura is very high, it can even twist the soul and cause a phenomenon called disaster transformation, turning a person into a beast."

"In short, it is very dangerous and must be eliminated."

Chu Yuanqing’s parents, along with most of humanity from the old times, basically died from this extremely cruel disaster transformation. This is why she reacted so strongly to the small amount of disaster aura she encountered in the base.

Although the disaster aura in the Heart Flow development room came from E-class Grade D Calamity Seeds and its danger level is almost reduced to that of a hallucinogen, at its core, it is a terrifying soul killer, a genetic poison.

Even now that she understands some of the secrets of the Dazzling Stage project, she still holds a cautious view about humanity using the disaster aura.

The reason Chu Yuanqing does not argue against the official proposal is that her voice is weak; even presenting Chu Yuanying, who is equivalent to Pure White, would not convince the officials to abandon the most important aspect of the Dazzling Stage project.

Secondly, she already has a way to manage the aftermath for the officials and successfully protect the participants.

This piece of knowledge made Tang Liuli, Xie Qingxuan, and Kirimi Miyuki feel a strong sense of déjà vu deep inside. They quickly accepted this terrifying idea that could casually bring about the end of the world.

Chu Wang Shu felt a little scared but also gained a clearer understanding of how her dad had saved the world.

Without the Pure White High Wall, who knows how many people would lose their dads and moms? A careless moment could turn into an extreme movie scene like in "Resident Evil," and she wouldn’t be living her peaceful life now.

Thinking about it, her dad was indeed very great and a powerful hero!

The lovely daughter felt a bit proud, then squeezed her phone, full of hope for the future.

Yesterday, after seeing Charlotte, she impulsively sent a message to her dad (even though she took back the most important sentence), and today she surprisingly got a reply about her mom.

— "When we meet next time, I will tell Little Shu about your mom."

Chu Wang Shu counted on her fingers. If there were tickets for family members at the third performance, she could see her dad again in about a month. By then, she should have become a real magical girl, and maybe she could surprise her dad!

Hmm~ Even if she couldn’t surprise her dad, she would surely learn many things that little kids shouldn’t know, right?

The lovely daughter thought of this and couldn’t help but feel happy. She was eager to become better, whether as an idol or a magical girl. She wanted to improve quickly to deserve the title "the daughter of the savior."

Chu Wang Shu longed,

"When we all become magical girls, we can travel around like Sister Charlotte, defeating disaster beasts and helping many people."

Charlotte pinched her daughter’s cheeks and confidently said,

"That’s right! By then, Little Shu will certainly be amazing; maybe we will even need Little Shu to protect us!"

Chu Yuanqing looked at Charlotte, who had cheered up their daughter with just a few words, and couldn’t help but add seriously,

"Helping others starts with being able to protect yourself."

"No matter what, always remember to be mindful of your own strength; Little Shu’s safety is the most important."

Chu Wang Shu nodded obediently. She blinked and felt a bit strange, thinking… it sounded like something Daddy would say.

Kirimi Miyuki looked at the three people and felt a strange sense of not belonging.

And speaking of which, don’t both Charlotte and Little Qing care too much about Little Shu?

Little Sakura subconsciously noticed the reality of the three people, but she couldn’t wrap her mind around the truth of three girls of almost the same age walking together.

Even the incredible wisdom of Sherlock Holmes Liuli would struggle to uncover the truth hidden beneath the iceberg.

Well, on the contrary, the golden retriever, having recovered the most memories and guessed a bit about the connection between Chu Yuanqing and Chu Yuanying, had a clear understanding and was thinking about how to help Honey Qing have babies.

The group talked about Xiaoxiao, strolled through the peaceful old town, and followed Charlotte to take many photos. Along the way, they passed a lovely graveyard with a well-kept garden, white angel statues, and many crosses.

This place seems quite famous; a poet from Austria once praised it as a secret garden watched over by a smiling heaven.

Charlotte didn’t take pictures of that place; she puffed her cheeks, feeling the graveyard was unlucky, and immediately pulled Chu Yuanqing towards the stone steps leading to Salzburg Fortress.

The ancient fortress built on the mountain may not be impressive, but it is undoubtedly a landmark here, seen everywhere in the old town. Not only in the narrow alleys, but even the gaps in the rooftops reveal its grand silhouette.

Even the grand church where everyone just took pictures can see the distant old castle with its walls, but there isn’t much to see up close. After taking their photos, everyone quickly got back into the car and ran to another landmark.

Charlotte was in charge of leading the way, and her goal was clearly defined. Along the way, they passed many Baroque-style shops, where she bought lots of gifts for the young idols in big and small bags, and also picked up some local snacks and drinks, eventually reaching the bridge that connects the old town and the new town.

This building is called the Baker’s Bridge; it connects the town at one end and the square at the other, sitting over the Salt River. It looks quite ordinary, but interestingly, the metal grid by the bridge is covered with love locks from all over the world.

Over time, it became a popular spot for travelers to visit and take pictures.

The locals affectionately gave it another name—Lover Bridge. According to legend, couples who hang their love locks here will never part.

While it may be common, couples feel that a visit to Salzburg isn’t complete without coming here.

The green-eyed cat noticed something was wrong and immediately got alarmed, looking warily at Charlotte.

When Xie Qingxuan saw the hearts painted on those locks, she looked around, starting to search for a place that sells locks.

Kirimi Miyuki, feeling a bit tired, looked at the smiling Charlotte and quietly asked:

"Did you just sneak away to the antique shop by yourself to buy a love lock?"

The cute daughter felt confused and thought everyone’s reactions and conversations were very strange.

This is Lover Bridge, not Friend Bridge. What does it have to do with our group, and why buy a lock?

Charlotte tilted her head and smiled sweetly as she said:

"Congratulations, you got it right! As a reward, how about I give Miyuki my favorite little pink lock? Isn’t it cute?"

Little Sakura watched as the person took out a heart-shaped lock from their bag and placed it in her palm, feeling dazed and confused in the breeze.

As Charlotte spoke, she smoothly took out a love lock with a cat paw print on the back and handed it to Tang Liuli, making the green-eyed cat unable to look at her like a bad person anymore.

Soon, Xie Qingxuan also received a love lock with a dog paw print on the back.

The last person to get a love lock was Chu Yuanqing, but the one she received was much bigger, about four or five times the size of the others.

After Charlotte delivered the lock, she didn’t want to neglect her adorable daughter, so she took out a colorful piggy bank from her bag that she had prepared earlier and placed it in her daughter’s arms. Clearing her throat, she said:

"This is to test your magic control. Everyone, try to carve your name into it using your magic!"

Chu Wang Shu suddenly understood, so that was it.

The cute daughter innocently believed this clearly playful statement and focused on squatting by the bridge.

To avoid damaging the gift from Sister Charlotte, she carefully controlled her magic, trying hard to write her name on the colorful piggy bank, her attention fully focused.

Soon after, the other little idols also began to quietly carve their names.

However, unlike the innocent cute daughter, everyone remembered to add a heart and, most importantly, the name "Chu Yuanqing" after carving their own names.

Before long, the golden retriever, the shy cat, Little Sakura, and Charlotte’s lock were all finished.

Only Honey Qing, who had deliberately received an oversized love lock, stood still after writing her name, looking lost as if deep in thought about life’s philosophy.

The colors in Charlotte’s eyes slowly spread, and the smile on her lips grew even brighter. After looking at the Pure White Witch for a long time, she stopped being mischievous and took the love lock. She carefully engraved her name with her fingertip and then passed it to Xie Qingxuan beside her.

Xie Qingxuan had no worries about this at all, and without a second thought, she wrote her name next to Charlotte’s.

The green-eyed cat noticed this and got anxious, forgetting how wrong it seemed. It hurried to write the next name, making the innocent Little Sakura feel pressured not to fall behind, and she had to overcome her shame to write down her name.

It is worth mentioning that Charlotte wrote in German, Liuli wrote in Gloria’s language, Little Sakura wrote in Japanese, and Chu Yuanqing and Xie Qingxuan wrote in Daxia language.

As a result, the names on the big lock ended up being as complicated as those at an international adult party.

Charlotte’s layers of tricks worked perfectly, and she smiled playfully at everyone. She then pointed her fingertip to her lips, winked, as if not wanting her dear daughter to hear, and whispered softly:

"Next, shall we find a place to hang it together?"

Although the little idols, as public figures, thought hanging a lock here might bring trouble in the future, they couldn’t possibly give up after being tricked by Charlotte.

Moreover, there were so many locks on Lover Bridge that seemed endless. Who would check them all, especially while being a fan of theirs?

Impossible, absolutely impossible!

So, after the lovely daughter finished dealing with the colorful piggy bank, in a certain corner of Lover Bridge, four love locks of the same size were hung side by side, along with one very large love lock that looked quite flirtatious.

Splash, splash.

Under the bright blue sky, a gentle breeze blew through the skirt, creating a crisp sound like waves. This was the music written by the gentle clinking of locks as they touched each other, harmonious and beautiful, as if telling… a tender future.