Let's Talk About "Hearts"

Inside the teahouse, the young women in tattered clothes watched Lu Qiming being led in by Anya and cast envious glances his way. They hadn't thought much of the customers who'd come to talk and drink tea with them tonight.

But compared with Lu Qiming, those customers didn't even come close. Their own guests were all rough-looking men with faces full of flesh, while Lu Qiming had a cool, slightly bashful face and awkward hands and feet. He looked like a virgin, and his skin was so smooth and tender—he must taste delicious!

"Hehe!"

Seeing the envious looks all around her, Anya lifted her little head high like a victorious general. She puffed out her chest and strode forward with her legs spread wide.

"Miss, this teahouse sure is popular!"

It was Lu Qiming's first time in a place like this. He'd never been anywhere like it in his original world, where such establishments were strictly forbidden. If you dared to go, you were guaranteed a limited-edition pair of silver bracelets and a private room with free food and lodging for ten to fifteen days.

Even though a group of young women were working hard in the dim street corners, Lu Qiming had never spent two hundred to support their work. Mainly because he hadn't had the nerve.

But now, he wasn't in his original world anymore, and he wasn't here to do anything. He was just here to support the enthusiastic young woman from this morning. He definitely wasn't going to do anything! GPR serious and solemn face.

"Just call me Big Sister Anna. As for business, it's all right. Big Sister Tia's teahouse has a bit of a reputation in Orario."

Watching Lu Qiming keep glancing around, looking like he wanted to stare but was afraid to, then sneaking peeks anyway, made Anya breathe a little harder. She wished she could whisk the little guy away right then and there and lavish him with affection.

"Mm, my name's Lu Qiming. Big Sister Anna, just call me Qiming. Wow! Big Sister Anya, they—"

Lu Qiming stared blankly over there. Apart from what he'd seen in books and adult videos, this was his first time seeing a scene like this.

"All right, Qiming. There's nothing worth looking at. In a little while, I'll show you something even better."

Lu Qiming looked at Anna in shock. He was just about to say that he was a respectable person and she shouldn't do that when Anya stopped in front of a door and gently knocked on it a few times.

"Knock, knock, knock."

"Big Sister Tia, I brought Qiming. He's the young man you met this morning."

"Whoosh!"

As soon as Anya finished speaking, the tightly shut wooden door swung open. A woman with a head of red hair and a curvy figure stepped out.

"You really came, young man!?"

Tia stared at Lu Qiming in surprise. When she'd first seen him that morning, she'd immediately recognized him as a kid who'd just arrived in Orario. But he was so handsome. It would be such a shame if he died in the Dungeon still a virgin.

Of course, she'd only wanted to do him a good turn and help him experience a different world. But Lu Qiming had turned her down—and even after she'd offered to do it for free, he'd still refused.

Tia gradually grew a little interested in the little guy. After telling him how to get to the Adventurer Guild, she'd invited him again. She hadn't expected him to actually show up that evening.

"Mm-hmm, Big Sister Tia, I'm here. Thanks for giving me directions this morning. I came as soon as I'd earned some money today."

"Then come on in!"

Tia looked at Lu Qiming and led him straight into the room, then reached out to close the door.

"Smack!"

Tia looked in confusion at Anya, who was holding the door open.

"Anya, what are you doing?"

"Hmph! Even you, Big Sister Tia, don't get to keep him all to yourself. I'm the one who brought Qiming here, so I deserve at least half the bed!"

Tia gave Anya a helpless look, then turned to Lu Qiming.

"Little Brother Qiming, are you all right with Anya joining us?"

"Mm-hmm. More people won't make any difference when we're drinking tea."

Lu Qiming nodded. After all, two people could drink tea, and so could three. Besides, Anya had brought him here. How could he leave without even having a cup?

"Since that's settled, come on in."

Tia stepped aside to let Anya through the doorway, then closed the door and activated the soundproofing magic in the room.

Inside, Lu Qiming sat by the table and chatted with Anya about all sorts of things in Orario: the strong adventurers in different Familias, the Familias of the various gods, and recent events.

Anya could find out about all of it easily. Adventurers came to this place every day, and as they chatted among themselves, Anya and the others naturally picked up all kinds of news.

As they chatted, Lu Qiming compared what he heard with the story he remembered. The timeline in Orario was probably set before Hestia had met Bell, though that meeting was coming soon.

According to Anya, the Loki Familia was preparing for another expedition into the Dungeon. The story had begun when they returned from this expedition and accidentally let a Minotaur escape. It encountered Bell, who had ventured into the Dungeon's fifth floor.

Just as Bell was about to be killed by the Minotaur, Ais appeared and killed it with a single strike, saving Bell.

After that, Bell gained the skill Liaris Freese. With its help, he began to grow at incredible speed, becoming the fastest adventurer in Orario to reach Level 2 and earning recognition from adventurers and gods alike.

"What are you talking about?"

Just then, Tia came over with the tea set and sat down beside Lu Qiming, smiling.

"I was asking Big Sister Anya about what's been happening in Orario lately. I just got here, Big Sister Tia, so there's a lot I don't know. I asked Big Sister Anya to fill me in."

"Mm-hmm. Is there anything else you'd like to know, Qiming?"

Tia smiled as she set a cup of tea in front of Lu Qiming and asked.

"No, I've got a general idea now, and I have a plan for what to do next."

"Good. It's great that you have a plan, Qiming."

Tia smiled and took a sip of tea, then gently took Lu Qiming's hand.

"Qiming, it's late. Why don't we have a nice heart-to-heart?"

"This..." Lu Qiming looked at his hand, then at Tia. "Um, Big Sister Tia, do you have to hold my hand to talk 'heart-to-heart'?"

"Who said so?"

Tia smiled and pushed out her chest.

"My 'heart' is right here. I want you to take a good look."

Anya took one of Lu Qiming's hands as well, smiling shyly.

"Qiming, come take a look at my 'heart,' too."