ALL NOVEL Chapter 27: Chapter 27: A Chance Encounter
Mo Chen completed the payment. Surprisingly, it didn't cost much.
With such a small price, it was odd that Anis would have scrimped on meals just to save up for it.
"Um, excuse me…"
A melodious voice called from behind. Mo Chen turned around to see a beautiful woman standing there.
She wore her long, high ponytail draped down to her waist, highlighted with a chestnut streak. Her tall, shapely figure was accentuated by a stylish asymmetric skirt, with a thigh harness emphasizing her long legs and curvy silhouette.
Her face was stunning—enough to make Mo Chen, who was used to beauty, pause in appreciation. With refined features, she looked like she'd stepped out of a painting, giving off an almost ethereal presence.
Her deep blue eyes sparkled like gemstones, though there was a hint of melancholy behind them. Her lips were full, slightly upturned, with an enticing charm. Her skin wasn't the typical fair shade but a smooth, healthy tan, with not a single flaw.
She looked somewhat familiar.
"Need something?"
"Sorry to intrude, but…are you a fan of Shining Star?"
"...?"
Shining Star? Mo Chen hesitated, realizing she meant T.T. Star.
"Something like that."
The woman's eyes lit up with excitement.
"That's great! I'm a huge fan of T.T. Star too!"
"You're a fan?"
"Yes! Their songs are amazing—the compositions are clever, the lyrics deep. It's so energetic! I always listen to them when I'm feeling down, and it lifts my spirits."
She spoke passionately, her eyes shining.
"Yeah, definitely." Mo Chen nodded, figuring she was as much of a fan as Anis. What a shame they didn't know each other.
"Which of their songs do you like most?"
"Hmm… all of them, I guess."
"Right? Right? They're all so good, but 'Star' is my favorite!"
"Yeah, it's a great one."
"Ah, so you're here buying accessories—are they for your girlfriend?"
"No girlfriend yet."
"Me neither! Whenever they release new merchandise, I'm right here. It's a pity they're getting harder to find, though. Merchandise is barely available anymore."
"They did disband, after all."
"Yes, it's been ages since they broke up. Their popularity dropped so much that these items don't even sell anymore. I heard the last of their merchandise is getting pulled from the shelves soon."
"Hmm."
The woman knew every detail about the group, making Mo Chen, who only knew their name, feel increasingly uncomfortable. He'd be exposed if the conversation went on much longer.
"Could we exchange contact info?" Mo Chen interjected, smoothly changing the subject.
"Sure!" she replied, pulling out her phone without hesitation. "Here's my number."
Mo Chen took out his phone and they exchanged contacts. Her name: Noise.
Wait. Mo Chen suddenly remembered who she was.
A member of Tetra's pop star squad.
The difference between her real appearance and her in-game model threw him off at first, and since Mo Chen hadn't played much of the game, he hadn't recognized her right away.
Her profile picture was a close-up shot, and it was flattering, but she looked even better in real life—especially in the outfit she was wearing.
Looking down, he caught a glimpse of a deep curve, enough to make him pause.
Just then, he noticed her shoulder strap slipping down, exposing a bit more of her smooth skin below her collarbone.
Mo Chen hesitated, wondering if he should say something.
Thankfully, Noise noticed his gaze, a bit embarrassed.
"This outfit's just for the event. Normally, I don't dress like this," she said, hooking her finger around the strap and adjusting it.
As she moved, her chest rose slightly, deepening the neckline.
Mo Chen thought it would be rude to keep staring—it wasn't polite.
So, he just made sure to get a good enough look.
"Commander?"
The woman looked up, surprised. "You're a Commander?"
"That's right."
Mo Chen nodded, his name simply shown as "Commander." Straightforward and to the point.
Just then, her phone rang.
"Sorry," she excused herself, stepping aside to take the call.
From her tone, it seemed to be something urgent. Mo Chen stood a little distance away, watching her quietly.
She really was quite stunning.
In the past, Mo Chen had always preferred fair-skinned women with long legs. But now he realized that a tan complexion could be just as captivating. Noise had a certain allure to her, with a refined warmth and charm that seemed to awaken something deeper, almost hidden, within him.
"Sorry about that. I have something to take care of, so I'll be heading out for now. Let's catch up again soon," Noise said, putting her phone back into her purse and apologetically returning to Mo Chen.
"No problem, go ahead," Mo Chen nodded.
Noise gave him a bright smile and waved goodbye. "Alright, talk later."
Then she turned and hurried off.
After selecting a few more items at the shop, Mo Chen left. Just as he stepped outside, he received a message.
It was from Noise.
"I saw that!!!"
"…?"
"Peek-a-boo!"
"!!!"
"( ≖ ‿ ≖ )"
Busted!
Mo Chen wondered if it had been that obvious.
Just as he was thinking of a response, another message from Noise came in.
"I saw you bought several things!"
Several things?
Mo Chen paused, caught off guard.
"Hmph, didn't expect you to be such a player, buying for multiple ladies? (? ′ω`?)"
Seeing her playful emoji, Mo Chen breathed a sigh of relief.
So, that's what she meant. For a second, he thought he'd been caught staring.
After thinking for a moment, he replied.
"I don't even have a girlfriend."
Noise replied immediately with a cute emoji.
"Hehe, just kidding. Busy today, but let's stay in touch! (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)"
"Sure."
After a while with no response, Mo Chen figured she must have gotten busy.
When he returned, he found Anis in the park, clearly growing impatient.
"Back so soon, Commander? Why not take a bit more time to look around?" Anis said, her big eyes blinking with faux concern. "Or maybe something's on your mind, so you came back so quickly. Don't worry, really, Rapi and I aren't in any hurry!"
Mo Chen: "..."
You call that "not in a hurry?"
Still, Mo Chen knew he had taken his time and felt a bit guilty.
"I ran into someone and we chatted a bit."
"Oh?"
Anis raised her eyebrows, looking intrigued, like she'd made a new discovery. "So, there's someone here you know?"
"Not exactly. We just met."
"Just met, and already talking for so long," Anis grinned, her expression turning sly as she leaned in and whispered, "Come on, admit it~ Did you spot a beautiful woman and couldn't tear yourself away?"