While Akatsuki Kojou's gaze was still fixed on Kurumi, Zheng Sheng had already begun observing this Fourth True Ancestor.
His silver-gray hair was exceedingly rare, yet he looked no different from an ordinary young man. Even the expensive formalwear on him failed to bring out any noble bearing.
He looked more like a fresh college graduate attending a job interview.
Even the young waiters serving tea and wine at the party had a far better air about them than the young man before him.
When Akatsuki Kojou held out his hand, Zheng Sheng did not hesitate to take it in a polite handshake.
"Zheng Sheng."
"Huh? I feel like I've heard that name somewhere before." Akatsuki Kojou thought for a moment. "Wasn't that the name of someone from a research division under a pharmaceutical group a while back..."
"That would be me."
"You're really impressive."
"..."
Before long, the two began exchanging commercial flattery. It was not until Himeragi Yukina secretly pinched the soft flesh at the man's side that Akatsuki Kojou, jolted awake by the pain, came back to his senses.
"Sorry about that. Himeragi and I still have something to do, so we'll be leaving first."
Zheng Sheng watched helplessly as his prey slipped away, while an intense internal struggle raged deep within him.
"Tokisaki, don't you think this is a good opportunity?"
Kurumi: "???"
"Let's follow them!"
Without even asking whether Kurumi agreed, Zheng Sheng grabbed her wrist and headed straight in the direction Akatsuki Kojou had left.
"I'm sorry, sir, but this isn't an entertainment venue. Entry is prohibited."
A waiter blocked the stairs leading to the top deck of the cruise ship, making Zheng Sheng panic inwardly.
"My friend just went up there. I need to find him urgently." Zheng Sheng lied.
The waiter's smiling