Samui's bow had been dazzling, to say the least.
Lin Qing awkwardly looked away. In a very serious tone, Samui said, "Please think it over carefully. Whatever Kirigakure or the Land of Water can offer you, Kumogakure and the Land of Lightning can offer even more."
With that, Samui swayed her hips and left gracefully.
Lin Qing didn't watch her retreating figure. He opened his notebook again and scribbled in it, then spoke softly toward the shadows behind him:
"How long are you going to keep hiding?"
Mei Terumi emerged from the shadows and gave the bottle in her hand a shake.
"Want a drink?"
"Sure."
She came over and sat on the edge of the rooftop like Lin Qing. After pouring two drinks, she handed one to him and asked, "Was she pretty?"
Lin Qing took the drink, paused for half a second, then smiled. "I thought your first question would be what Samui and I talked about."
Mei Terumi gave a snort.
"When people from Kumogakure come calling, it's always the same old story—they use money, people, and power to lure strong shinobi over and make them risk their lives. Especially handsome, capable pretty boys like you."
Lin Qing nodded, took a sip, and said, "She was pretty."
"What do you mean, 'she was pretty'—"
Mei Terumi didn't finish her question. Lin Qing was answering her question about whether Samui was pretty.
Lin Qing was a normal man. It was instinctive to look the first time; managing to look away the second time was already the limit.
"So, were you tempted?" Mei Terumi asked.
"No. It's too big. It's not right for me."
"Huh?"
Lin Qing said seriously, "Kumogakure has too much territory. Its military is strong and its coffers are full. If I went there, I'd only