Superman Termination Manual

July 23, 3:30 PM.

You Minglu looked down at her phone, strolling leisurely along the bustling Yandai Commercial Street.

Amid the cacophony of horns and shouts, the electric screens on the building facades were displaying the latest smartphone advertisement, featuring the superhero General Lingdong, designed with a cool-hued casing to match his demeanor.

Under the fragmented summer sky crisscrossed with wires and electronic signs, the swarming crowd seemed like ants trapped in a steamer, with no escape.

On the street, some people were handing out flyers, others were soliciting customers, and tourists dodged them as if avoiding zombies, fearful of staying under the hot sun for an extra second.

At that moment, noticing the two people in front leading the way had stopped, You Minglu belatedly looked up from her phone screen, curious about what kind of upscale place these ladies were taking her to.

She looked around, first at the mustard-yellow "M" sign, then at the poster by the door displaying the McChicken combo, finally settling on the clown figure with a red nose.

Staring at Uncle McDonald's for a good while, she dared to confirm, "This is really McDonald's?"

She was slightly taken aback, having thought that a lady like Amemiya Sakura and Japan's top Magic Girl would take her to some exceedingly luxurious restaurant for a fine meal, starting at least with a Wellington steak. Yet here were Amemiya Sakura and Kawamoto Ryuhana, leading the way and consulting their phone maps, with their slender, fair legs moving up and down under their skirts, eventually stopping in front of a McDonald's.

You Minglu felt rather conflicted.

It felt as if a princess from ancient times, along with her attendant, meandered down the street, incidentally dragging along a common beggar. The beggar thought he was about to taste exotic delicacies and experience aristocratic life, only to be led to a bun shop that he was already sick of.

"Xiaohongmao-chan, let's have lunch here," said Amemiya Sakura, turning to face You Minglu.

"Fine, McDonald's it is."

You Minglu thought and said aloud, "I'm easy-going, but can you guys not add your Japanese speaking habits when you speak in Chinese? No one in China talks like that."

Having said that, she followed them into the McDonald's.

Amemiya Sakura didn't use her phone to order but instead took a menu and went up to the counter to talk with an employee, smiling all the while. Out in public, she was completely devoid of any high-society airs, acting just like any normal youthful girl.

Kawamoto Ryuhana didn't seem like her attendant either; their interaction was more like that of childhood friends who bicker and tease each other constantly.

And their Chinese was incredibly fluent, as if they were native speakers. However, You Minglu had heard from Ash that the Magical Card Association had a card that allowed one to understand and use languages seamlessly, which must be how Amemiya Sakura and Kawamoto Ryuhana managed such fluid communication.

The brown-red uniformed staff bustled about while a few kids played joyously in a simple version of a playground constructed nearby, their noisy shouts rising and falling with the slide.

You Minglu walked forward in silence, then casually chose a table and sat down.

After the two had ordered, they turned around, looked at You Minglu, and came to sit opposite her.

"Fun fact, you can order with your phone," You Minglu said abruptly.

"Interesting fact, we don't come to China often, so speaking in Chinese and interacting with people is a novel and enjoyable experience for us," Experience more on My Virtual Library Empire

Amemiya Sakura said, placing the menu on the table.

You Minglu calmly said, "Fun fact, I know Chinese. You could engage in 'novel and enjoyable' conversations with me rather than inviting me out just to ignore me."

Amemiya Sakura casually replied, "Interesting fact, we can interact now. We just didn't know our way around earlier and were busy looking at the map, so we couldn't spare the time to converse with you."

"Oh, so you both are directionally challenged?"

"Indeed, both Ryuhana and I are," Amemiya Sakura answered.

You Minglu asked expressionlessly, "So, you two directionally challenged individuals had time to hold umbrellas and look at maps, leaving me aside to bask in the sun. Couldn't you have shared an umbrella with me or asked me how to get to McDonald's?"

"So, that's what upset you," Amemiya Sakura laughed, "I'm truly sorry about that."

"It's more than that. I want to go home now. Even Ash, that cheapskate, when he takes me out, doesn't treat me to McDonald's."

You Minglu propped her chin with her hand, speaking carelessly.

"What's wrong with McDonald's?" Amemiya Sakura tilted her head.

"The lady often orders McDonald's back in Japan too," said Kawamoto Ryuhana, "It's not any special treatment towards you."

"It doesn't really fit my stereotype of a rich young lady," You Minglu said.

"You just said it's a 'stereotype', so can we not be so stereotypical?" Amemiya Sakura replied.

"Sure, but I will be upfront, I'll leave right after this meal," said You Minglu, "so please get straight to the point and finish what you need to say before I'm done eating, okay?"

"Could you be a bit more respectful?" Ryuhana looked up at You Minglu, "Do you know who you're talking to?"

Amemiya Sakura nonchalantly said, "Ryuhana, you should be more respectful. She's our guest for this meal."