事情發生在2160年、黑教堂事件的前一年,某個無所事事的下午。144Please respect copyright.PENANABCIeTAVtgu
144Please respect copyright.PENANAr72fMmwfyG
「欸?這麼突然?」144Please respect copyright.PENANApTbuRqSd8k
144Please respect copyright.PENANAZhvTtWIueu
仙境大樓,2F醫護室,派翠克接到母親打來的電話,表情很錯愕。144Please respect copyright.PENANAg3DnNuwJW4
144Please respect copyright.PENANA3yA0hLHsZq
「這……我問問,明天跟妳說。」144Please respect copyright.PENANAyFF9CZUAZ9
144Please respect copyright.PENANANl9VCn01BH
派翠克結束通話。尼可拉斯轉著辦公椅,轉到派翠克面前問:「怎麼了?」144Please respect copyright.PENANANO7VMfieyF
144Please respect copyright.PENANAp7C0nbojYA
「呃,」有點難啟齒,派翠克拐彎抹角地問:「你喜歡拍照嗎?」144Please respect copyright.PENANAsbTD87udwc
144Please respect copyright.PENANAM6SWfwPvCM
「拍照?」尼可拉斯微愣,「小時候不喜歡,現在還好。問這做什麼?」144Please respect copyright.PENANAOd24Ag4FUk
144Please respect copyright.PENANA9Co0ZPCNgD
「嗯……」144Please respect copyright.PENANA6tVTjVKXaC
144Please respect copyright.PENANAJH7kJGr4nB
思來想去,派翠克想不到更好的問法,直接告訴尼可拉斯:「我媽問,你願不願意當我們家的模特兒。」144Please respect copyright.PENANAhl33a9o23n
144Please respect copyright.PENANAD9cS6aNkOb
「哈???」144Please respect copyright.PENANAjc8gBuiDvA
144Please respect copyright.PENANAekX4ITS8qY
尼可拉斯滿頭問號。派翠克解釋:「她說這一期的時裝很適合你。事實上,我爸就是以你為靈感,設計出這一系列的。」144Please respect copyright.PENANAsa3E30AsjK
144Please respect copyright.PENANA7Vc6O9JCUr
雷蒙一家說大不大,說小不小。跟謝氏、薩拉凱爾教、Platinum相比,影響力確實不高,但其橫跨的產業非常多,包含時尚界、演藝圈、大眾媒體、物流業,是和民眾最貼近的十大家族。派翠克的父親是設計師,母親是娛樂公司的總製作人,叔叔伯伯姑姑阿姨舅舅哥哥姊姊弟弟妹妹不用說,都是一方巨擘。144Please respect copyright.PENANAsMmPhkyeyh
144Please respect copyright.PENANA6L7YPMImvk
第一代水果塔「公爵夫人」薇奧拉.雷蒙,留給後代的宗旨只有二字:和平。雷蒙一家不只內部團結,對外也不和反高派交惡,是評價很好的家族,堪稱二十二世紀的白鴿。144Please respect copyright.PENANA8oOIXXiXbn
144Please respect copyright.PENANASJM8eORBA6
派翠克加入神與畜、和尼可拉斯交往,在雷蒙一家早就不是秘密。尼可拉斯每個月都會和派翠克的父母吃飯,已經是「準女婿」了。144Please respect copyright.PENANAQHo1rpgjHR
144Please respect copyright.PENANALLig413UKT
「你爸的設計……」144Please respect copyright.PENANAYOGrQ6UBDW
144Please respect copyright.PENANAYFK5Zzddp6
腦中閃過色鉛筆插在頭上的畫面,尼可拉斯有點害怕,小心翼翼問:「是『正常』的衣服嗎?」144Please respect copyright.PENANA4nI3mSw17J
144Please respect copyright.PENANAJmXvySWP7w
「你『不正常』的定義是什麼?」派翠克真心發問。144Please respect copyright.PENANApgE4c8ypOl
144Please respect copyright.PENANACTwd4Mpmtx
「滾筒衛生紙纏身上、童軍繩綁頭髮,之類的。」144Please respect copyright.PENANAkhO8V7dyNL
144Please respect copyright.PENANAwQ6LxPEeOe
「哪有不正常,那叫時尚!時尚!」144Please respect copyright.PENANA8g1phQItiZ
144Please respect copyright.PENANAEkgNPzOGZ7
派翠克一臉篤定。尼可拉斯不跟他爭,派翠克某部分的審美觀已經壞死,爭也沒用。144Please respect copyright.PENANASkm3ZLcYrY
144Please respect copyright.PENANAnVQAQZL7EF
「百貨公司會看到的那種。」派翠克解釋:「『正常』的衣服和鞋子,香水、飾品、手錶一類,可能也要你幫忙,你OK嗎?」144Please respect copyright.PENANA54OmFKlHfI
144Please respect copyright.PENANA3r2EHGiXeF
「OK啊。」144Please respect copyright.PENANAIYJz1MrKaz
144Please respect copyright.PENANABfYcLHY0aS
雖然不愛社交,但岳父岳母人很好,尼可拉斯沒有理由拒絕,爽快答應。144Please respect copyright.PENANAWLQuwQqVUP
144Please respect copyright.PENANAbXAPY9MuX5
「不過,這樣拋頭露面好嗎?我好歹是個懷特。」144Please respect copyright.PENANAXTmJ8e2f0a
144Please respect copyright.PENANAnE2TeIdP8w
「我問問宇維少爺,以防萬一。」144Please respect copyright.PENANA2gOv2UB008
144Please respect copyright.PENANA5yUhuGzVVr
──前因後果大致如此。幾個月後,以尼可拉斯為主的系列公諸於世。派翠克的父母很有眼光,尼可拉斯獨特的氣質搭配無死角的五官,狂野、高冷、頹廢、豪放……活生生的衣架子,什麼風格都能駕馭,當季銷售額因此暴增三倍。尼可拉斯模特兒的收入,相當於李博洋十年的薪水,在仙境大樓走路都有風,囂張極了。144Please respect copyright.PENANAYxtnJ4tr9U
144Please respect copyright.PENANAF69YxQsySj
144Please respect copyright.PENANAUIgXt8f3iR
「派翠克,你為什麼不找我!本大爺也很帥啊!」144Please respect copyright.PENANAwKv9ujWpKW
144Please respect copyright.PENANARYn2VDK4MO
144Please respect copyright.PENANAceNbZsxRhF
每天滑手機都看到尼可拉斯,李晴煬一肚子火,在三樓大客廳抗議。144Please respect copyright.PENANAcSV1oZ4Qmg
144Please respect copyright.PENANApCjYy0Ownl
「不是我,爸媽指定的。」派翠克不跟他吵,直接甩鍋。144Please respect copyright.PENANAjaUGVRdQKG
144Please respect copyright.PENANAoxmYQvEkdc
「那是我岳父岳母,嘸你係咧靠!」難得沒在醫護室,披著醫師袍的尼可拉斯走過來,看到李晴煬就想嘴兩句。144Please respect copyright.PENANAF52SgmT2ev
144Please respect copyright.PENANAWUmNf1cyu5
「晴煬,別想了,你是『李門小少爺』,不能隨便露臉,宇維少爺不會答應。」144Please respect copyright.PENANANErZgVGKRc
144Please respect copyright.PENANADRteioncIw
葛蕾絲端了一盤蛋糕來。看到兒子的照片,葛蕾絲超級得意,炫耀地說:「幸好遺傳到我的優良基因,不是你那邋遢老爸……唉唷,我兒子怎麼這麼好看!我真是太會生了,呵呵呵!」144Please respect copyright.PENANAUxWEmPxpzN
144Please respect copyright.PENANAnfzI0jlWko
不知為何,被媽媽稱讚就是特別彆扭。尼可拉斯默默喝咖啡,覺得很尷尬,不想回應。144Please respect copyright.PENANAjg1ao5UkTy
144Please respect copyright.PENANASkxQK9gfRp
「派翠克,本大爺一直有個疑問。」144Please respect copyright.PENANASEccxbDV3O
144Please respect copyright.PENANAcZIETpvHr4
吃著蛋糕,李晴煬突然一臉認真,正經發問:「你的體液都有毒,可以自由控制嗎?」144Please respect copyright.PENANAtD6yzFHG8z
144Please respect copyright.PENANAsiV86VF5c6
「當然可以……你幹嘛問這個?」144Please respect copyright.PENANA79ZX8vev61
144Please respect copyright.PENANAjhPhD7DABB
「沒什麼,單純好奇。」144Please respect copyright.PENANAJmVCq5sXdc
144Please respect copyright.PENANAWBv2aFZvyS
李晴煬這人,如果突然認真,一定在想不正經的東西──尼可拉斯太了解他,拍桌怒吼:144Please respect copyright.PENANA5A5kqGCznV
144Please respect copyright.PENANADwfwNYO1IL
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「廢話!不然我要怎麼幫他(嗶──)!!」144Please respect copyright.PENANAU7VOWV2FZz
144Please respect copyright.PENANAVfzpOV5od6
144Please respect copyright.PENANAddWaXGbXOz
尼可拉斯聲音超大,整個三樓聽得一清二楚。李晴煬一副「原來如此啊!」的表情,恍然大悟地說:「也是,否則尼可早就死在床上了!」144Please respect copyright.PENANA5SHwIohTiA
144Please respect copyright.PENANAaB9aXGkD2A
「你們能不能別聊這個,我不想聽……」144Please respect copyright.PENANAETWdPhF0BF
144Please respect copyright.PENANAmLIK9lGCaI
窗邊的座位,謝綠和江云格也在客廳。出生於保守的謝氏,謝綠加入神與畜,什麼都能適應,就是無法適應黃色話題。144Please respect copyright.PENANAQt5wKe6KLb
144Please respect copyright.PENANANgJy5kY1GO
「敢砍哥哥的手,卻不敢看A片,妳也真的很奇怪!」尼可拉斯調侃謝綠:「學學江云格,他多淡定!」144Please respect copyright.PENANAld9lt8liAr
144Please respect copyright.PENANAZVKtHi9DCS
江云格真的很淡定,咬著小魚乾歪頭,「交配行為和繁衍後代,不是很自然的事嗎?」144Please respect copyright.PENANALViyKtWum3
144Please respect copyright.PENANAXFSfHTmxNg
「以動物來說確實……唔,格格你不懂啦……」144Please respect copyright.PENANAf8t14272Lr
144Please respect copyright.PENANAyXnobQmGfD
謝綠摀著耳朵、趴在桌上。看她這麼痛苦,尼可拉斯故意繼續話題,和李晴煬從上面的嘴聊到下面的頭,聽得謝綠哀號,兩顆抱枕直接砸過去。144Please respect copyright.PENANAitYUY0Gs2z
144Please respect copyright.PENANABUrkaBlMMo
仙境大樓人一多,就會像這樣吵吵鬧鬧。神與畜有條規定叫「感情和睦,禁止吵架」,很顯然,根本沒人遵守。144Please respect copyright.PENANAujaUXXmFIX
144Please respect copyright.PENANALgttmD7oO8
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「媳婦啊,能陪我去買東西嗎?」144Please respect copyright.PENANA1W0eZrquOA
144Please respect copyright.PENANAFlGPnx4gEg
144Please respect copyright.PENANArqEMS7MRKT
只有葛蕾絲會這樣叫他。派翠克點頭,問葛蕾絲:「買什麼?」144Please respect copyright.PENANAnNeONdMlRs
144Please respect copyright.PENANAKOcvtOxy8P
「天氣變冷,哥哥說檸檬需要一條圍巾。」葛蕾絲微笑,「十分鐘後一樓集合,待會見!」144Please respect copyright.PENANAsxAgrwvp9k
144Please respect copyright.PENANAV8hbOFmJGM
和葛蕾絲出門不是第一次,派翠克也習慣和「婆婆」相處,但圍巾這類針織品,什麼都會的葛蕾絲習慣自己做,這次竟然要用買的,派翠克覺得奇怪。144Please respect copyright.PENANAP0XBjoH1gy
144Please respect copyright.PENANAzWbc7kNTuh
「親愛的,你還好嗎?」144Please respect copyright.PENANA3bcfQtM53n
144Please respect copyright.PENANApCzVh9Fznm
為了不引人注目,派翠克出門都會戴黑色口罩。兩人走在大街上,派翠克眨了眨眼,「我?」144Please respect copyright.PENANAECIxDpZLXf
144Please respect copyright.PENANADFXgo2smW2
「尼可出名,這麼多人看到他帥氣的一面,是不是後悔答應父母了?」144Please respect copyright.PENANAmK1uM5MVvB
144Please respect copyright.PENANA9D1dcI8aG0
「……!」144Please respect copyright.PENANArY18kAIaUz
144Please respect copyright.PENANAiuhFWg6LnO
心情被說中,派翠克一陣尷尬。尼可拉斯沒發現,派翠克以為自己藏得很好,卻瞞不過活了一百多年的長輩,葛蕾絲和里奧的觀察力真驚人。144Please respect copyright.PENANAFMaBWyWifS
144Please respect copyright.PENANAvM2HnVXvyT
「我……」144Please respect copyright.PENANA1EmLpdK3v7
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否認沒有意義。派翠克認輸,嘆了口氣。144Please respect copyright.PENANAMZlGXQZ0Wk
144Please respect copyright.PENANAq2LAFSFob5
「確實,一開始很替他開心,但看到網上的留言,有種……什麼被搶走的感覺,我說不上來。」派翠克說。144Please respect copyright.PENANARH6dke5S7T
144Please respect copyright.PENANAS1QqHmEILb
「我懂,另一伴長得好看,又是知名人物,多少有這種感覺。」葛蕾絲回憶:「我哥以前也這樣。」144Please respect copyright.PENANAhPLa4ea9LF
144Please respect copyright.PENANAWPIAPLOxP8
「里奧大哥?」144Please respect copyright.PENANAgGlSoVtDRn
144Please respect copyright.PENANAHNIvhKI81Q
派翠克很震驚。葛蕾絲點頭,「大嫂很漂亮,又是黑教堂的副諮理,在薩拉凱爾教的人氣很高,算是名人。」144Please respect copyright.PENANAe1Vot7NwXE
144Please respect copyright.PENANArKB6LEKlJe
派翠克沒見過賴雪檸,葛蕾絲簡單形容:「你想像長大版的檸檬,個性開朗、說話溫柔,有時很調皮,偶爾會惡作劇,大嫂就是這麼可愛。」144Please respect copyright.PENANAxYpKgfOjdC
144Please respect copyright.PENANAwxIcx0gNEU
派翠克看過雪檸的照片。在神與畜,每個人提起賴雪檸,都會露出懷念的表情,包括李博洋、李晴煬,還有看誰都不順眼的赫密士。144Please respect copyright.PENANAKpacV6SwTu
144Please respect copyright.PENANA34oZGN9hB7
如果雪檸還在,神與畜的氣氛會是什麼樣,派翠克很難想像;至少尼可拉斯不用背負罪惡感,檸檬的人生也會不一樣。144Please respect copyright.PENANAy74UF55Xsw
144Please respect copyright.PENANAFwBRDcJo9m
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「後來,經過宇維少爺開導,我哥釋懷了。大嫂其實很懶惰,也有任性的一面,這些只有我哥看過。『因為是你,她才願意展露缺點』,宇維少爺這麼跟他說。」144Please respect copyright.PENANAftjovRoXsW
144Please respect copyright.PENANA3WSZTzaVtl
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他們走到附近的公園,葛蕾絲突然停下腳步,轉身面對派翠克。144Please respect copyright.PENANAVuDj87i3gw
144Please respect copyright.PENANAeYYYadzZfb
「你們倆也是!尼可的缺點很多,但有些缺點,他只願意讓你知道。」葛蕾絲偷笑,「那孩子很黏人,對吧?」144Please respect copyright.PENANAp9Tw3o9MNV
144Please respect copyright.PENANAuJhnGeehdJ
派翠克知道葛蕾絲的意思,無法否認。144Please respect copyright.PENANAGIIizq1MJf
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「都怪我死得太早,尼可的成長過程很孤單。那孩子表面強勢,其實很需要陪伴。」葛蕾絲很欣慰,「再怎麼說,他年紀都比你小,是個年下男友。有你照顧他,我很放心喔!」144Please respect copyright.PENANANU0UUejHav
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「……。」144Please respect copyright.PENANATFLHAqvJWP
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什麼都會的葛蕾絲,果然也擅長安慰人。派翠克莫名想哭,能被葛蕾絲稱讚、認可,他真的真的很開心。144Please respect copyright.PENANAazM95xvi7W
144Please respect copyright.PENANASSDDJLyc8n
「啊咧?這是要哭了嗎?」葛蕾絲打趣地問。144Please respect copyright.PENANAzSUKJOGNOw
144Please respect copyright.PENANAGO3R67a1hD
「被男朋友的媽媽這樣說,誰不會哭……」144Please respect copyright.PENANAbQNrjvRX5M
144Please respect copyright.PENANASIDtFZe0eq
跟尼可拉斯相反;派翠克表面柔弱,內在剛強。他用袖子抹掉眼淚,迅速重整心情,看著葛蕾絲。144Please respect copyright.PENANAO4sCzEMeZb
144Please respect copyright.PENANAhopLZOViRY
「圍巾還要買嗎?」144Please respect copyright.PENANAmViZYwyU07
144Please respect copyright.PENANAlCWikM98vJ
買東西是藉口,葛蕾絲特地把派翠克約出門,是為了跟他說這些。144Please respect copyright.PENANAKwZLIEg4j9
144Please respect copyright.PENANAWFmeqdIzh3
「圍巾不用,但我想幫云格買條厚棉被,他是隻怕冷的貓。」葛蕾絲燦爛一笑,「最近任務少,趁這時候多多逛街,我們走吧!」144Please respect copyright.PENANA0rWg1leuQQ
144Please respect copyright.PENANAEQohy00tAi
說完,葛蕾絲牽著派翠克,開心走去商店街。不只里奧,葛蕾絲買東西也能報公帳;至於派翠克怎麼發現、事後怎麼幫葛蕾絲隱瞞(尤其是李博洋),那都是後話了。144Please respect copyright.PENANAzDhv7xpx9N
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◇◆ ◆◇144Please respect copyright.PENANAO4lzp72XEX
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同樣2160年、某個無所事事的下午。里奧和檸檬去博物館,看《大秦帝國》展覽和兵馬俑;MIO、李博洋、李晴煬,三人被葛蕾絲綁架,強迫參加淨灘活動曬太陽;謝綠和江云格當志工,協助流浪貓咪找到家;赫密士一如往常搞失蹤,沒人知道他去哪;只有派翠克和尼可拉斯在仙境大樓,非常難得的一天。144Please respect copyright.PENANA2kpF2XTtXo
144Please respect copyright.PENANAareo2cjHK2
「呼……」144Please respect copyright.PENANAznwbkoBQqT
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不用待在醫務室,又不用帶小孩,尼可拉斯躺在床上睡午覺,派翠克戴眼鏡打電動。好不容易打完BOSS,派翠克按暫停,決定休息一下──打遊戲很耗心神,何況他在玩《黑○靈魂》。144Please respect copyright.PENANAEkHUPcOxQl
144Please respect copyright.PENANA55dAKGUJ2g
看著手機,派翠克才剛坐到床上,尼可拉斯就捲著棉被、整個人縮了過來,緊緊挨著派翠克。144Please respect copyright.PENANAecfjOfEgew
144Please respect copyright.PENANAvdl6bz70VB
「……?」144Please respect copyright.PENANAfJpfAygsB7
144Please respect copyright.PENANAWi0lXJaVyg
尼可拉斯還在睡。派翠克做實驗:他故意從床上起來、繞一圈,改坐到床的另一邊。尼可拉斯起初沒反應,五秒後,他好像感應到什麼,又捲著棉被、翻身,整個人朝派翠克縮過來,緊緊挨著。144Please respect copyright.PENANAvcD2QogV8I
144Please respect copyright.PENANAF0RUDxH7xu
「這是……下意識反應嗎?」144Please respect copyright.PENANAkkPy3do8pY
144Please respect copyright.PENANAwBCaH7I0UZ
派翠克覺得很神奇。尼可拉斯向來晚睡,派翠克自己單獨醒著,這是很少見的情況。他想起前陣子和葛蕾絲的對話──尼可拉斯很黏人,千真萬確。144Please respect copyright.PENANA2BTkxfFdcm
144Please respect copyright.PENANAL4oktVCExf
「嗯……」144Please respect copyright.PENANAcJETxs0myU
144Please respect copyright.PENANAZe4gQ7518t
尼可拉斯呻吟。本來就挨著派翠克的他,突然伸手抱住對方,頭靠到派翠克腿上,繼續睡。144Please respect copyright.PENANAI3Kj9PAt5c
144Please respect copyright.PENANAc3xN26cHWZ
「尼可。」144Please respect copyright.PENANA1Ao4YX4yIk
144Please respect copyright.PENANA7wJAfJWffn
派翠克搖他的肩,「我遊戲還沒打完,放開我。」144Please respect copyright.PENANA1TWNETu6wF
144Please respect copyright.PENANAUIvFq9cQO3
「不要……」144Please respect copyright.PENANAgRv7Mx3nVm
144Please respect copyright.PENANAb8SH6AOiAj
好像夢話,又好像不是。尼可拉斯沒醒,手卻越抱越緊。144Please respect copyright.PENANAZ8xBTYJFS2
144Please respect copyright.PENANAVblJOALXPl
144Please respect copyright.PENANA5oBBkuVk5t
「不要……走……」144Please respect copyright.PENANAgHyTlM4OWh
144Please respect copyright.PENANAbtw415tQnt
「陪我……」144Please respect copyright.PENANA6LBXvkLQzf
144Please respect copyright.PENANAGedw8JtRCd
144Please respect copyright.PENANAWTWdp6F5T5
斷斷續續說完五個字,尼可拉斯又睡死了。派翠克拿他沒轍,伸手摸尼可拉斯的側臉,再摸摸他銀白色的頭髮,好像在安撫小孩。144Please respect copyright.PENANAFZuFp9lP4k
144Please respect copyright.PENANAj824EVQE8y
「……。」144Please respect copyright.PENANAfJH4L8d3WU
144Please respect copyright.PENANAE6gy1GABPq
強勢、高傲、囂張、脾氣差,尼可拉斯就是這樣。大家以為派翠克是弱勢,事實相反,他才是被依賴的那一方。尼可拉斯就算睡著,也會無意識黏著派翠克,叫他不要離開自己。144Please respect copyright.PENANAIK9zDE5oD8
144Please respect copyright.PENANA20ZAY492jT
反正動不了,派翠克拿起手機,偷拍睡著的尼可拉斯。他瀏覽相簿,都是尼可拉斯的照片,睡覺、吃飯、被咖啡燙到,還有從床上滾下去、撞到床頭櫃的蠢樣,這些都是派翠克的,其它地方看不到,比時尚照片更珍貴。144Please respect copyright.PENANAxE35M6apVl
144Please respect copyright.PENANAfP1Ucib6FP
「好好睡吧,尼可。」144Please respect copyright.PENANAU7IoHmDhFj
144Please respect copyright.PENANAzbaCrasqbI
他們相遇前,尼可拉斯經歷很多,那些時光只有他一人,現在不一樣。144Please respect copyright.PENANAJY39BeF79b
144Please respect copyright.PENANARNdZsTK6sX
兩雙拖鞋、兩個枕頭、兩支牙刷、兩條毛巾。除了神與畜的戒指,他們還有一副對戒,戴在兩人的手上。144Please respect copyright.PENANAcnmQ4r5UXC
144Please respect copyright.PENANAgzGB1zshIR
144Please respect copyright.PENANAnS0Kc4m0Rz
「你現在有我。」144Please respect copyright.PENANAL2jywVItep
144Please respect copyright.PENANA2rZ3z11e0I
144Please respect copyright.PENANANLqDswBJq8
派翠克俯身,親了親尼可拉斯的臉頰,輕聲說道:144Please respect copyright.PENANAlHRtuzacEU
144Please respect copyright.PENANAny0CNKKwpa
144Please respect copyright.PENANAtFHtaKg0uB
「──我陪你。」144Please respect copyright.PENANA8rFfu7cub5