It was evening at the Starlight Restaurant aboard Herta Space Station.
Except for Himeko, who had yet to awaken, every member of the Astral Express Crew had arrived to join Lin Feng.
Naturally, a certain rabbit-like humanoid creature wearing a red top hat and looking adorably dopey was especially lively.
Beyond the transparent glass curtain wall, the vast expanse of stars stretched out beside them, mysterious and magnificent.
No matter how often he saw it, the starry scenery never grew dull. At that moment, Lin Feng began to understand Asta's dream.
Exploring the mysteries of an endless sea of stars would make life feel much more fulfilling. Perhaps that... was what a dream meant.
Beside the star-facing glass wall stood a luxurious antique dining table draped in an emerald-green tablecloth, set with futuristic candlesticks and intricately engraved tableware. Everything before them spoke of elegance and distinction.
The Starlight Restaurant where Lin Feng and the others sat was the most luxurious venue on Herta Space Station, without exception.
Herta Space Station rivaled a midsized city in scale, so having a luxury restaurant of this caliber was perfectly reasonable.
"Lin Feng... since you're treating us, let's get this straight... you can't make me pay, okay...?"
March 7th leaned close to Lin Feng's ear, her pretty face so serious that he could hardly keep from laughing.
Her warm breath carried a faint floral fragrance, sending a ticklish tingle through Lin Feng’s ear.
"Relax... how could I make my Little March pay?"
The corners of Lin Feng's mouth lifted. He felt rather tempted to laugh. How had this girl gotten by before now?
The Astral Broke Express: free food, free drinks, friends across the stars, and a little tour of every planet.
Was that reasonable? Absolutely... their whole approach was to go with the flow.
"Hmph, glad you know... and watch how you phrase things. Who said I was yours...?"
March 7th pouted and grumbled softly, a faint blush blooming across her pretty face.
Did this guy Lin Feng have no sense of occasion? Dan Heng and Uncle Yang were right here, and so was Pom-Pom!
Especially Pom-Pom. That little conductor might look adorably clueless, but was actually an enormous gossip.
"288 Credits for one dish? Yikes... that price is ridiculous!"
"Forget it... I'd better save Lin Feng some money. Even if he's treating us, I shouldn't go too far."
As she leafed through the menu's understated leather cover, shock and disbelief kept flickering across March 7th's fair, pretty face.
The food looked incredibly tempting, but March 7th had to restrain herself.
That's right, I have to hold back. If Lin Feng can't afford the bill, won't he just come asking me for a loan?
"Order whatever you want. Don't worry about the prices. Young Master Lin is picking up the tab tonight..."
With his arms folded across his chest, Lin Feng watched March 7th's endearingly goofy behavior and spoke with a faint smile.
He had never realized that March 7th had such a reserved side. Perhaps she even had the potential to become a good wife someday.
"Oh... fine, I get it. I won't go easy on you!"
"Little March... you're taking forever! I'm taking the menu, pom! Your conductor is starving, pom!"
Before March 7th could do anything, a pair of furry paws reached out and snatched away the elegant menu.
"I want Ketas Steak, M15 Grilled Skewers, Super Imperial Crab Soup, Exquisite Butter Spaghetti, Golden Tempura, Boodoo Ice Cream, Vanilla Chocolate Tart, Herta Reserve Vintage Wine..."
"Yep, that's everything. Hurry up and bring the food, pom! I'm starving to death, pom!"
Flipping rapidly through the exquisite menu, Pom-Pom rattled off dozens of items in a single breath...
"I'm sorry, sir. Could you repeat that? I didn't quite catch it..."
Beside the dining table, the waitress in her elegant uniform wore a confused expression on her fair face.
Meanwhile, the other members of the Astral Express Crew froze. Even Lin Feng looked utterly exasperated.
He might have offered to treat everyone, but Pom-Pom was truly merciless, ordering dozens of dishes at once.
"Ahem... allow me to say something."
"Please bring us one of every most expensive item on the menu. Thank you."
Adjusting his glasses, Welt Yang spoke slowly in his deep, resonant voice.
"Certainly, sir... I'll have your meals prepared right away."
The uniformed waitress bowed politely and turned to leave, while everyone around the table exchanged looks.
Good grief. This was the real heavyweight. Welt Yang's move had stunned them all.
"Uncle Yang... is that really a good idea?"
Dan Heng, who had remained silent while gazing quietly at the stars, spoke with a slight frown.
"Yeah, Uncle Yang... you're going to bankrupt Lin Feng!"
Recovering from her shock, March 7th spoke with a thoroughly serious expression.
They had thought Pom-Pom was ruthless enough. Who would have guessed that the seemingly elegant, gentlemanly Welt Yang was the one hiding his true prowess?
"Ahem... there's no need to worry."
"Lin Feng holds an Aeon of Preservation Qlipoth Co-Branded Black Card. An expense like this is hardly worth worrying about."
"Only those with deposits exceeding five million Credits are eligible to hold that card..."
A faint smile touched Welt Yang's lips, though his expression remained as composed as ever.
"I see... as expected of Uncle Yang. It seems I was simply uninformed..."
"That's wonderful, pom! Lin Feng, hurry up and join the Astral Express, pom! We'll be living the good life from now on, pom!"
"Lin Feng... you're actually that rich? Boo-hoo... you really had me fooled! Hmph... I don't want to talk to you anymore!"
After hearing Welt Yang's explanation, the members of the Astral Express Crew wore a particularly colorful range of expressions.
March 7th especially. Although her words were still prickly, there seemed to be something new in the way she looked at Lin Feng.
Lin Feng was wonderful, of course, but if he really was a domineering CEO, that would be even better.
After all, having been deeply influenced by certain books for teenage girls, March 7th wanted to experience being Cinderella herself.
Faced with everyone's reactions, Lin Feng merely smiled without offering much explanation.
Becoming rich overnight was no dream to him. It was something that had actually happened.
Besides, even old Yang had underestimated his wealth. His card held a full billion Credits.
Normally, even if he tried to squander it, he probably couldn't spend it all in a hundred years or so.
The purchasing power of Credits was nothing like that of the Blue Star currency from before his transmigration. A billion was an astronomical sum.
Sure enough, clinging to the wealthy Asta's long legs wasn't merely a good deal. It was an unbelievably good deal.
At that moment, Lin Feng was already considering how he should thank Asta. But with no ideas coming to mind, he decided to leave it for another day.
Thinking of Asta's long legs in white stockings earlier that day, Lin Feng felt a little flutter of excitement.
Before you continue