This was Lin Xiaohe’s first time at the Phantom Grand Theater.
It was utterly different from any other building on the Wasteland Star.
Its exterior resembled a polyhedral crystal wrapped in nebulae, its surface clad in adaptive optical film and an invisible protective shield.
The facade was seamlessly assembled from millions of nano-mirrors, reflecting the deep space vista in real-time.
The theater’s silhouette shifted with the viewing angle—from afar, it looked like a collapsing star; up close, Gothic pointed arches and cogwheel structures became apparent.
Brother Thunderbolt wore a long golden curly wig, a tight, high-slit crimson gown, sky-high heels, and a fiery red lipstick mask on his face.
“Clown, you know weapons aren’t allowed inside the Grand Theater, right?”
Lin Xiaohe was dressed as a clown, carrying a large white satchel: “Don’t worry, darling.”
Old Hei’s attire was much more normal—a black cloak covering him from head to toe.
The three of them presented their tickets and entered.
Suddenly, the man behind them in line was reduced to a pile of ash by several laser beams.
Brother Thunderbolt pressed Lin Xiaohe’s head down, whispering, “Don’t look. Another one who didn’t believe the warnings. He must have been carrying weapons.”
The Phantom Grand Theater specialized in curing all kinds of disbelief.
A chill ran down Lin Xiaohe’s spine. The theater was even more dangerous than she had imagined.
After their tickets were checked, the three entered a passageway.
This passage, also called the Corridor of Time, had a glass walkway underfoot flowing with the stellar data stream of the Sixth Ring from millions of years. Holographic screens on both sides cycled through projections of the theater’s classic play, “The Mute Bride.”
Beyond the corridor, a massive stage suspended in mid-air came into view.
Hanging above the stage was a grand chandelier, forged from collapsed star matter and inlaid with tens of thousands of pulsar crystals.
It no longer fell but instead split into countless fragments orbiting the audience seating.
Three crystals, like shooting stars, fell from the sky onto the shoulders of the trio.
[Respected guest, Clown, I am your exclusive attendant. Please allow me to guide you to your reserved seat.]
Lin Xiaohe raised an eyebrow. “Darling, is it here to monitor us?”
Brother Thunderbolt reached out, flicked the crystal, but couldn’t dislodge it.
His eyes darkened. “Yes.”
Exchanging a glance, they followed the attendant’s prompts and took their seats in the private box.
The box offered various services, even natural fruits, though the prices were exorbitant.
Seeing the long string of zeros after the prices made Lin Xiaohe’s head spin.
She stood up. “I’m going for a stroll.”
“I’ll come with you.” Brother Thunderbolt followed closely.
Outside the auditorium was a lounge corridor, divided into separate compartments, their purpose unclear.
Lin Xiaohe silently called out, “Heart Treasure.”
Heart Treasure activated its [Nudge] skill, connecting to the Grand Theater’s internal network. After obtaining a key, it used [One Poke Pops It], easily accessing the surveillance feeds of the various compartments.
The theater’s firewall was formidable, but it only defended against external threats, not internal ones.
As long as Heart Treasure didn’t touch the theater’s core systems, checking surveillance feeds was a piece of cake.
Lin Xiaohe walked slowly, appearing casual, but in reality, she was intently focused on the activity within the compartments.
“The classic play ‘The Mute Bride’ is being revived next week? I wonder which young lady is so fortunate to play the female lead?”
“I heard it’s a civilian girl personally chosen by a distinguished guest. A pure natural human, no modifications at all, and she’s mute.”
“I can guess which guest it is. If it’s that person, playing the Mute Bride… hard to say if it’s fortune or misfortune.”
“The last actress he handpicked was drained of her value and remained permanently at his estate.”
They discussed the girls’ tragic fates with detached ease, as if talking about a fine porcelain vase, an unsatisfactory cigar, an exquisite watch…
Lin Xiaohe’s face darkened, her steps growing heavier.
Just before reaching the corridor’s end, she heard Brother Cheng’s voice.
“Boss, rest assured. Lin Jingqiu has no background. Her mother is gravely ill, her father is disabled, her grandparents are on their last legs, and her eldest brother offended someone—probably already turned into fertilizer for mutant plants.”
The other voice was a synthesized mechanical tone: “Doesn’t she have a younger sister who took the college entrance exam and applied to the Federal Central Military Academy?”
Brother Cheng, full of confidence, thumped his chest. “I’ve already looked into it. Her younger sister, Lin Xiaohe, had poor grades at school. According to Teacher Li, her application to the Central Military Academy was purely a mistake.”
“Are you sure? The Central Military Academy is full of lunatics, and they’re fiercely protective. That gentleman wouldn’t oppose the Central Military Academy over a woman.”
Brother Cheng obsequiously lit a cigar and offered it to the boss. “You can trust me on this. I specifically waited until the exam results were announced and acceptance letters were sent before making a move. It’s been days, and Lin Xiaohe still hasn’t received a letter—she must have failed!”
The other person nodded. He thought the same.
It was the Central Military Academy!
For the entire Sixth Ring, no one had been admitted to the Central Military Academy in 500 years!
Lin Xiaohe looked as frail as a sickly kitten—how could she possibly get in?
“Keep a close watch on Lin Jingqiu. The Mute Bride’s wedding night is naturally reserved for that gentleman.”
With that, they stopped talking and prepared to open the door.
Lin Xiaohe hurriedly turned around, deliberately lowering her voice. “Darling, let’s go back.”
Brother Thunderbolt was puzzled but, under Lin Xiaohe’s intense gaze, obediently followed.
Returning to their box, they watched the opera and then left the theater with the crowd.
Lin Xiaohe’s mind was racing, trying to guess where her second sister, the lead actress, might be hidden.
Heart Treasure had checked everywhere accessible—no sign of her second sister.
That left the heavily guarded backstage area.
“Damn it, we wasted money for nothing, didn’t find any useful information!” Brother Thunderbolt said resentfully.
The Grand Theater lived up to its name—defenses were airtight, giving guests no chance for independent action.
How could they rescue someone if they couldn’t even find her?
Gazing out the window, Lin Xiaohe said calmly, “My sister is the lead actress in next week’s play, ‘The Mute Bride.'”
“Huh?” Old Hei shot Brother Thunderbolt a questioning look.
Brother Thunderbolt looked grave and shook his head.
Old Hei raised an eyebrow. Interesting. Even though Brother Thunderbolt and Lin Xiaohe acted together, Xiaohe knew so much more than he did.
Brother Thunderbolt asked, puzzled, “Can your sister sing and dance? Or is she stunningly beautiful?”
The lead actress of the Grand Theater being a civilian girl—wouldn’t that outrage those high-and-mighty guests?
Lin Xiaohe shook her head. “My sister can’t speak. She was personally chosen by some VIP.”
Tsk tsk.
Brother Thunderbolt and Old Hei exchanged a glance, both thinking this was serious trouble.
“Xiaohe, this is tricky. To have the Grand Theater accept a civilian girl as the lead, especially in a classic like ‘The Mute Bride’… this VIP must have immense influence.”
Brother Thunderbolt said decisively, “Iron Meteorite is withdrawing from this operation.”
They had no desire to take on both the Grand Theater and a powerful VIP—that was just asking for trouble!
