The Date in Progress

The setting sun was like molten gold, pouring over the countless towers and pavilions of Star Luo City.

Carriages and horses clattered through the bustling streets. The hum of Soul Tools intertwined with vendors' cries, while brilliant lights illuminated the sky and reflected the myriad sights of the mortal world.

Crowds flowed endlessly along the ground, and the neon signs of taverns had just lit up. The entire city was shrouded in the afterglow of sunset and the lively bustle of everyday life, its prosperity dazzling to behold.

Qiangu Yunche had changed into a light golden robe, its collar embroidered with faint dragon patterns. It looked simple, yet carried an indescribable air of nobility.

Under the glow of the evening clouds, the contours of his features appeared especially defined. His nose was high and straight, his lips thin, and when he spoke, they pressed together slightly, carrying a careless sense of distance.

His pupils were golden. They could not exactly be called gentle, like a windless lake in late autumn—clearly calm, yet dangerous when one stared at them for too long.

As though something terrifying lurked within them.

At some point, Xu Jiujiu had put on a golden veil. It concealed most of her face, but it could not hide her exposed eyes or the innate nobility in her bearing.

Amid the bustling crowd, a handsome man and beautiful woman like them were naturally difficult to overlook.

"Should we get something to eat first?" Xu Jiujiu asked as she walked, secretly glancing at the youth beside her from the corner of her eye.

Though she was reluctant to admit it, walking beside Qiangu Yunche had caused faint ripples in her once confident and steady heart.

Those ripples were not merely because of Qiangu Yunche's nearly perfect looks, but also because of the unique aura and charm he possessed.

"Let's go. But Your Highness should make sure you brought enough Gold Soul Coins. My appetite isn't small." Qiangu Yunche turned his head and smiled, the golden dragon patterns glimmering beneath the lights.

"Now that it's just the two of us, don't call me Your Highness. Call me Jiujiu." Xu Jiujiu's gaze lingered on Qiangu Yunche's face for a moment before she spoke in a sweet voice.

"Alright, Your Highness."

"Hey, what's with you?" Xu Jiujiu puffed out her cheeks, a trace of dissatisfaction appearing in her azure eyes.

When they were alone, she did not want to keep up the elegant and dignified appearance she wore as a princess. Instead, she was more willing to show Qiangu Yunche the sweet, lively side of herself as a young girl.

After all, contrast was the best way to attract a man's attention.

Faced with Xu Jiujiu's coquettish and aggrieved appearance, Qiangu Yunche merely smiled lightly without reacting. His attitude made quite a few young men nearby, who had been secretly watching them, grit their teeth in anger. They wanted nothing more than to rush up and punch the ungrateful Qiangu Yunche.

She's already being this cute. What's wrong with going along with her?

If she were acting that coquettishly toward me, then I'd definitely...

Before his fantasy could finish, his feet suddenly slipped.

"Fuck, whose dog shit here!?"

Hearing the laughter erupt behind them, Xu Jiujiu turned to look. The sight was rather eye-searing, and she frowned before grabbing Qiangu Yunche's wrist and quickening her pace.

"Come on, come on. If we keep looking, we won't be able to eat later."

Qiangu Yunche raised an eyebrow as he looked at Xu Jiujiu's hand gripping his wrist.

Xu Jiujiu's hand was undoubtedly beautiful. Her five fingers were slender and well-proportioned, her skin as fair as congealed cream. Under the light, it resembled translucent mutton-fat jade—warm and smooth, yet possessing a distinct delicacy of bone.

A hand fetishist's dream.

Still... feeling that soft, smooth touch, Qiangu Yunche had every reason to suspect that Xu Jiujiu was taking advantage of him...

Do you guys get it? Bros, when you go out with girls, make sure to protect yourselves, or you might get taken advantage of before you know it...

They chatted and joked all the way. As they neared their destination, Qiangu Yunche finally stopped deliberately teasing Xu Jiujiu and went along with her wishes, calling her Jiujiu.

Having gotten what she wanted, Xu Jiujiu was like a little girl who had eaten honey. A radiant smile blossomed across her face, and her lovely, captivating appearance was even more alluring than that of Soul Masters who specialized in spiritual charm.

"Ding—ling—"

After passing through an alley covered in lush green ivy, they pushed open an old wooden door. The wind chime hanging above it rang softly, and a pretty young girl hurried out to greet them. Upon seeing the veiled Xu Jiujiu, her smile became even more enthusiastic.

"Miss Xu, it's been quite a while since you last came! Is this your boyfriend? He's so handsome, and the two of you are such a perfect match, truly made for each other..."

"Alright, alright, Xiao Yu." Seeing the girl's little mouth babbling on and becoming increasingly outrageous, Xu Jiujiu feared that her next sentence would be congratulations on becoming a mother, so she hurriedly cut her off.

"He's my friend. We're not in that kind of relationship. Read fewer of those storybooks every day. Just what is filling that head of yours?"

Xiao Yu froze, her gaze sweeping over Xu Jiujiu's hand gripping Qiangu Yunche's wrist. Her large eyes were filled with confusion.

You city people can hold hands and still not be boyfriend and girlfriend?

Xiao Yu only felt that her little head was not quite turning fast enough.

"Don't think so much. Go tell Uncle Yang to get started right away. Hmm... besides what I usually order, bring one serving of every meat dish on the menu today. Put it on my tab."

As she spoke, Xu Jiujiu had already pulled Qiangu Yunche up the wooden stairs with practiced ease and into the innermost private room.

Only after the door closed did Xu Jiujiu release his hand. The two sat facing each other by the window.

"I never expected the lofty Princess Jiujiu of our Star Luo Empire to visit a little restaurant like this in private. You've truly surprised me."

Qiangu Yunche looked at the lush flowers and plants outside the window, then at Xu Jiujiu across from him, who had already removed her veil, and spoke with a light smile.

"Mm... the imperial chefs may be skilled, but anyone would grow tired of their food after eating it for too long... I invested in this little restaurant years ago. The owner is an excellent cook, and his dishes have a unique flavor. Xiao Yu is his daughter."

Xu Jiujiu curled her lips into a smile and lifted the teapot from the table, pouring each of them a cup of tea.

For the moment, neither spoke. Before long, there was a knock on the private room's door, and Xiao Yu entered carrying two pre-meal desserts.

After she left, Xu Jiujiu picked up a spoon, gently scooped up a spoonful of fruit pudding, and brought it to her lips.

Every movement she made while eating revealed the elegance and nobility carved into her bones. Such instinct could not be learned through imitation; it could only be cultivated through day after day, year after year of arduous training.

Qiangu Yunche leaned back in his chair and watched Xu Jiujiu with great interest.

This princess truly was not as simple as he had initially thought.

It seemed that his impression of her from the novel he had read in his previous life had influenced him too deeply.

Seeing that Qiangu Yunche had not touched his food for a long time, Xu Jiujiu raised her head and asked somewhat doubtfully,

"Yunche, don't these desserts suit your taste?"

Qiangu Yunche shook his head, then slowly sat upright.

"Jiujiu, I'd like to ask you for a favor."

Xu Jiujiu's hand paused. A trace of surprise flashed through her azure eyes, and she even forgot to swallow the pudding in her mouth...