Yingying

The subject can use a wisteria flower staff to manifest a blooming wisteria tree. Its fragrance and branches can dominate the minds of her prey, draining their mental energy and consciousness to serve as *nutrients* that nourish her power.

In N.F. 01, the Perishing Star fell, triggering widespread disasters that struck a small town. Beneath the wisteria tree of this town, the subject endured both Mania contamination and physical devastation from the calamity. Overwhelmed by the power of the townspeople's wishes, she awakened her special power, becoming a Sinner and shouldering the survival desires of the entire town. From then on, she sustained her power and illusion by absorbing the Qi and consciousness of the living.

Severely corrupted, her physical body remains inseparable from the Mania contaminants.

The Wisteria Fairy who's lived over a thousand years, documented in Eastian legends. Every New Year, she holds a fete to grant blessings, attracting numerous devotees who come to make wishes. However, rumors also claim the subject is a spirit transformed from a millennium-old wisteria tree that drains people's Qi and eventually their lives, and that none who attend her fete ever return alive.

The subject is a survivor of the Perishing Star's fall in N.F. 01. The collective dying memories and intense survival instincts of thousands at the fete merged with her, awakening her as a Sinner. For a century, whenever the fete reappeared, she always sacrificed her power and life energy to appease restless spirits and protect visitors caught within. After a chance encounter with Chief, and thanks to Chief's persistence, the subject, despite being severely corrupted by Mania, gained a sliver of hope for revival after the fete subsided. According to her, Chief embodies her purpose and hope for a new life, and she wishes to remain by Chief's side forever.

After the wisteria Mania was defeated, the century-old fete illusion was dispelled. The Sinner's physical body, having suffered severe corruption, could not be detached from the Mania remains. After days of continuous searching, Chief finally was able to connect with her spiritually through a new sprout at the bottom of the ruins.

The subject's recovery has seen little to slow progress, requiring generous Qi transfers from Chief to maintain minimal improvement. Upon realizing this process would seriously endanger Chief's health, the subject has become very reluctant to consider her own revival, refusing further spiritual contact with Chief.

Recently, an Eastian delegation has visited the Bureau. Claiming to be descendants from the subject's homeland and having learned of her stalled recovery, they've proposed to bring her back to her origin to facilitate her recuperation. After thorough verification, it's confirmed that the delegation members have deep historical connections to the original location of the wisteria fete. The delegation has demonstrated their sincerity and offered multiple guarantees for the subject's well-being. Their proposal is currently being carefully considered.

Of her own volition, the subject has declined the Eastians' proposal to bring her back to her homeland, choosing instead to remain in DisCity under Chief and the Bureau's care. Currently, the Bureau has already agreed to provide the Eastian representatives with regular remote communication and convenient visitation channels, ensuring unobstructed contact between the two sides.

During the early days of detention, due to her extremely fragile condition, constant supervision was required. However, records indicated that the staff responsible for her care were significantly more likely to be late the next day. When questioned, the staff all claimed the cause was unknown, merely stating it was hard to get out of bed due to the pleasant dreams they recently experienced. Upon learning of this situation, Chief decided to personally take care of her in order not to jeopardize the Bureau's attendance rates.

Recently, Chief has received numerous reports of paranormal phenomena, including but not limited to unexplained floral fragrance and incidents of people being struck on the head by random falling wisteria blossoms. Some staff have even reported sightings of an indistinct figure humming foreign melodies on the trees of the Outdoor Activity Area. So far, Chief has not taken any measures regarding these reports, merely instructing everyone to remain calm and not be too concerned.

The subject is naturally drawn to lively environments. Having been stuck in the fete illusion for a century, she always maintains a profound interest and curiosity toward all things and people. She often listens attentively to other Sinners discussing various topics and enjoys the atmosphere of everyone gathering together to chat and laugh.

The subject has meticulously crafted two wisteria bracelets for Chief. One features perpetually blooming wisteria, symbolizing everlasting affection. The other remains dormant and silent, only unfurling when the subject is nearby. She claims that the fragrance will remind Chief of her, so Chief won't forget to meet her every day.

[A melodious song echoes through your office.]

Yingying: Did you enjoy my song, Chief? What would you like to hear next?

• Prompt: I enjoy them all. Your singing helps me stay focused.
• Yingying: That's no surprise. Back in my hometown, people would pay a fortune just to hear me sing!
• Yingying: 😉😉😉

• Prompt: Would you mind singing that song again?
• Yingying: I knew we shared the same taste, Chief! That one happens to be my favorite song!
• Yingying: 😘😘😘

[Yingying is sewing a sachet for good fortune.]

Yingying: Oh, Chief! You're here! Help me pick out a color for the sachet cord!

• Prompt: Use whichever color you like.
• Yingying: Oh? Are you saying you'll like anything I like?
• Yingying: 😘😘😘

• Prompt: The color of wisteria would be nice.
• Yingying: In that case, I'll have to choose carefully! Now, which shade matches wisteria the best?
• Yingying: 😘😘😘

[A potted plant with an unusual fragrance has appeared beside your desk. Upon closer inspection, its newly sprouted branches look strangely familiar.]

Yingying: Other than at the Wisteria Fete, the Wisteria Fairy will grant a wish to the first person who finds her on this special day. Who will be the lucky one?

• Prompt: [Pretend not to hear]
• Yingying: Don't go, Chief! Seeing as you're the only person here, this wish is all yours. What would you like?
• Yingying: 😫

• Prompt: Who could it be?
• Yingying: It's you, of course! Tell me, Chief, on the first special day we're spending together, what would you wish for?
• Yingying: 😘

[The faint scent of wisteria blossoms wafts through the air, and before you realize it, you find yourself back at the wisteria fete.]

Yingying: Chief, when we meet my moms later, they're definitely gonna trap you with all their questions. Are you nervous?

• Prompt: There's nothing to be nervous about.
• Yingying: That's true. You're always so good to me. There's nothing to worry about.
• Yingying: 😘

• Prompt: Should I hold your hand?
• Yingying: Of course! What if we get separated here and the Wisteria Blossom deity sweeps you away? You may never find your way back, Chief.
• Yingying: 😘

⚠ A Delicate Sapling

As a sapling, Yingying exhibits the typical traits of any indoor houseplant.

System Notifications: The Bureau staff, yourself included, have been meticulously monitoring everything—soil composition, water levels, hours of sunlight—to ensure the wisteria grows strong and healthy. Yet Yingying still finds reasons to droop dramatically all day, whether it's "someone gave me one drop too much water" or "Chief spent five minutes less time with me today."

• Prompt: You're a big sapling now, you know.

Chief: If something's wrong, you should just speak up, don't you think?

⚠ The Charging Station

Word has spread about a peculiar tree in the greenhouse known as the Charging Station.

System Notifications: Bureau employees have started calling one tree in the greenhouse their "charging station." They say anyone who naps beneath it falls into a peaceful slumber, experiencing pleasant dreams and waking up completely refreshed. Upon investigation, you find Yingying—unseen by others—perched in its branches, singing softly.

• Prompt: Well, it is break time after all.

Chief: I think I'll join in.

⚠⚠ Spiritual Sleep Aid

For once, you sleep soundly through the night without stirring. Could someone be watching over you?

System Notifications: Chief's health analysis report received. Source: Medical Department. Summary: Chief's average sleep duration and sleep continuity have shown significant improvement this month, with positive health outcomes.

• Prompt: Check report

Chief: Hmm... Now that I think about it, I have been sleeping much better this month. Not many sudden wakeup calls or urgent consultation requests in the dead of night either.

Chief: But why the sudden change though? I've reminded those departments countless times not to abuse the emergency hotline for non-urgent matters, but they always insisted everything was "absolutely urgent"...

Yingying: Teehee, maybe it's because my sweetheart is just so kind and gentle that the wisteria flowers thought to give you some extra care.

Chief: Yingying? Is it you? Don't tell me you've been... staying up all night watching over me?

Yingying: With how late you stay up, it's hardly "all night," is it? Besides, I sleep plenty when you're too busy to keep me company. No need for that worried look!

Yingying: Besides, I barely did anything! I just answered the calls before they could wake you up. Lucky for us, even in this form I can still communicate through those... what do you call them... "radio waves"!

• Prompt: Is that really all you did...?

System Notifications: You find it hard to believe that simply having someone else answer the calls would make these departments—always so eager to seek expert opinions—quietly give up on dragging you to incident sites.

Yingying: That's all, really! Other than that, I just sang you some lullabies to help you sleep better. That hardly counts as doing anything, right?

Yingying: Oh right! While I could interact with the radio waves, they seemed to have trouble catching my words. Something about static? Electrical interference? Then when I tried using the terminal's robotic voice to ask them questions, they hung up right away!

• Prompt: Now things are starting to make sense.

Chief: ...So, when they called in the middle of the night, someone would answer, but all they'd hear was fragmented speech filled with electrical static. Then after a while, a robotic female voice would ask in a rigid tone, "What matters are you calling for?"...

Chief: That's why Nightingale mentioned other departments reporting paranormal activity... They must have thought they were connected to some otherworldly dimension... No wonder they stopped calling altogether.

Yingying: Connected to another dimension? Is that the kind of spiritual story DisCity people like? Even if it is, you shouldn't worry too much! Everyone's doing just fine now, so those calls weren't really urgent, right?

Chief: You have a point... And thank you for looking after me, Yingying. But please prioritize your own rest from now on. I have a feeling my peaceful nights of sleep are secured, at least for the time being.

⚠⚠ The Mysterious Spirit

All sorts of stories about a mysterious Sinner have been making the rounds at the Bureau lately.

System Notifications: As Yingying's condition continues to improve, not only has her range of movement expanded, but she can now interact with more objects and leave more traces of her presence.

Chief: While this should have been a positive development, as more staff members and Sinners begin to notice traces of Yingying's presence, strange rumors have become increasingly difficult to suppress.

• Prompt: Listen to the staff's conversation

Staff A: Hey, have you heard? They say among the Sinners detained at our Bureau, there's this female spirit—supposedly a wisteria tree that somehow became self-aware. They say she can even drain people's vital energy!

Staff B: No, no, I heard she's a ghost! They say she had a fated connection with our Chief in a past life, so she followed Chief all the way from Eastia to DisCity... You know that fragrance we catch sometimes? That's proof she just passed by!

Staff C: So by that logic, Chief was Eastian in the previous life? Well, the version I heard says she's a stunning beauty who stepped out of a painting! Only Chief can see her true form, and the rest of us just see flower petals...

Chief: These rumors are getting wilder by the second. There seem to be even more versions than last week... Don't tell me they're all coming from Yugu's taletelling sessions...

System Notifications: Just as you're about to step forward to intervene, you see Yingying's dress hem and fair tiptoes dangling from the branches, swaying gently to stop you in your tracks.

Yingying: With so many rumors flying around, most of them must be false, right? But in every version, this mysterious Sinner seems to share a special connection with Chief... Perhaps that part might be true?

Staff B: I think so too! And have you seen how exhausted our Chief looks lately? Those dark circles under the eyes are no joke... Everyone's starting to wonder if maybe... you know...

Yingying: Could it be... that spending too much time with me has drained away Chief's Qi? Heehee.

Bureau Staff: W-who... who's speaking?! N-no one's there?! Then that voice just now was... AAAAAH! There really is a spirit! AAAAAH—

System Notifications: The staff members flee in terror at Yingying's sudden interruption. You finally step out from behind the tree and look up to find Yingying wearing a triumphant grin, clearly pleased with her successful prank.

• Prompt: You seem to be enjoying this quite a bit...

Yingying: Well, these rumors just keep getting more and more interesting! Besides... it's not every day we get to be part of the same story together. I wouldn't mind if their tales grew even bolder!

⚠⚠⚠ Blossoms and Blush

In response to popular demand, the Bureau has decided to host an Eastian-themed fete—safe edition.

System Notifications: To appease the Sinners who couldn't join in the fun, you decide to answer public demand by hosting a time-limited Eastian-themed fete within the Bureau—a safe version, of course, where Sinner abilities are strictly prohibited.

• Prompt: Give repeated reminders

Chief: ...So that's the situation. This event is meant to let DisCity Sinners experience Eastian culture, so you all need to keep yourselves in check. Don't let others' enthusiasm get to your head and accidentally use your powers!

Yugu: I understand. While I may not be able to resist the fervor of the crowd, I shall regale them with tales suitable for the moment, refraining from unveiling my full prowess. Yet, from where I stand, your underlying purpose for orchestrating this fete...

Yugu: I fear it's not as simple as claimed. Tongues are adept in deceit, yet perhaps that is a blessing. As long as true feelings remain concealed in crucial moments, let falsehoods reign.

System Notifications: Yugu's knowing gaze sweeps over you, then lingers on the real branch artfully hidden among the ornamental wisteria tree... and the figure partially obscured beneath the blossoming foliage. Only after that does she leisurely take her leave.

Chief: She shouldn't be able to see you... but her perceptiveness is almost frightening.

Yingying: A taleteller doesn't witness countless stories of joy and sorrow for nothing. She may not see me, but she can certainly see how earnestly you're trying to help me recover.

Yingying: Hehe, let's not dwell on that! This little fete feels so wonderfully authentic... It's just like back then, when we were still in that dream together.

Yingying: You even thought of recreating this wisteria tree for me! Everyone keeps stopping to admire the flowers and praise them so earnestly... I can't help but blush!

System Notifications: Yingying takes a step forward, drawing very close to you, and flashes a teasing smile.

Yingying: Everyone else seems amazed by the flowers, but you're different, Chief. I'm curious... When you gaze at these wisteria blooms, are you looking at the flowers... or at me?

• Prompt: I'm looking at you.
• System Notifications: Surprised by your candid response, Yingying studies you for a moment before clapping her hands together, her smile growing even brighter.
• Yingying: Indeed! Thousands may appreciate these flowers, but you're the only one who can truly see me, Chief. So you must keep your eyes on me always! After all, you're the only one who can.
• Chief: I will.
• System Notifications: Yingying contentedly links her arm with yours, eagerly suggesting a tour of this miniature fete. Meanwhile, you can only hope that no one besides Yugu notices your inexplicably flushed face, given that you appear to be walking alone.

• Prompt: I'm looking at the flowers.
• System Notifications: Hearing your answer, Yingying lets out an exaggerated sigh of disappointment before gently resting her head on your shoulder.
• Yingying: But don't they say that lovers' eyes are fixed only on their beloved? You promised to keep your eyes on me, so why are you admiring the flowers instead? Are they more beautiful than I am?
• System Notifications: Her soft voice whispers in your ear, leaving you at a loss for words—neither "yes" nor "no" seems like the right answer.
• Yingying: Oh my, Chief, why is your face so red?
• System Notifications: Feeling the heat rising in your cheeks, you make a hasty retreat.

⚠⚠⚠ The Gossip Grapevine

Yingying has mysteriously acquired quite a collection of gossip about you.

System Notifications: As the only one who can communicate with Yingying in her human form, you've taken over some counseling duties from the hypnotherapy team, setting aside time for one-on-one sessions with her.

• Prompt: What's new with you lately?

Chief: Whether it's troubles or just something you'd like to share, I'm here to listen.

Yingying: Oh, there's just so much to share! Heehee, it's a whole new world compared to when I managed the fete alone. The Bureau is bustling with people and their tales! Every day brings something fresh and thrilling, and I simply can't get my fill of it all!

Yingying: There are still a few things that puzzle me, though. It could be because of the different era I'm from, or maybe it's just cultural disparities... Would you mind shedding some light on these matters for me, Chief?

• Prompt: Of course.

Chief: I'll help with whatever I can.

Yingying: For instance, I heard some Sinners talking about secretly switching your "coffee" with Eastian herbal tea, and they were curious if you'd actually be able to tell the difference.

Yingying: What exactly is this "coffee"? Someone said you "couldn't live without it"—is that true? Wuhuanzi warned about using too many stimulants. You really should be careful!

Yingying: Oh, and there's more! A Sinner said that during a meeting, you accidentally clicked the wrong bookmark and ended up "projecting" your "Strange Wisteria" growth records on the screen—

Yingying: Am I the "Strange Wisteria"? Heehee, I had no idea you were documenting me so carefully, Chief, even taking lots of pictures... But what does "projecting" mean? Could everyone see it?

Chief: Um, well, this...

Yingying: Hmm? Chief, it seems like you have something on your mind. Just spill it out! And just so you know, I wasn't intentionally eavesdropping. Their voices were just so loud, I couldn't help but catch their chatter!

• Prompt: Where did you hear all of this?
• Yingying: Oh, from all over the place! By the trees in the Outdoor Activity Area, around the cafeteria tables, near the computers in the Recreation Area...
• Yingying: Even though no one can see me, I just love listening to everyone chat! There's such a wonderful buzz of conversation and laughter, and I hear about so many new things I've never known before!
• Yingying: And best of all, so many conversations are about you! That's what interests me the most—I could listen to those all day long!
• Chief: What are the Sinners talking about all day... On second thought, maybe it's best I don't know the answer...

• Prompt: Why is all of this about me?
• Yingying: Because that's what I care about the most, of course! Sure, everyone talks about all sorts of interesting things, and it's all quite fascinating and novel to me.
• Yingying: But nothing catches my attention quite like anything related to you, Chief, even if it's just the smallest details... Heehee, I suppose that's what happens when my feelings for you run deep!
• System Notifications: As Yingying drops this bombshell with such casual grace, you find yourself at a loss whether to acknowledge or deflect her statement.
• Chief: ...Anyway, I'll make sure everyone knows not to make me the target of their pranks, or spread stories about my embarrassing moments.
• Yingying: Aww, that's no fun! I was hoping to hear more stories about you!

A delicate dress infused with the grace of wisteria vines, personally selected and tailored by Yingying. As the hem flutters, a subtle fragrance lingers in the air, radiating elegance with every twirl.

The flowers have yet to fade, lantern lights flicker in a haze. On this night by the spring river, I long to meet you once again.