"Thank you for helping us. How many Denny do we owe you altogether?" Ju Fufu asked the captain in front of her.
"Young lady... from the sound of it, you're from Yunkui Summit, aren't you? I wouldn't dare charge you," the captain said in surprise.
"Huh? But we can't just not pay you!" Ju Fufu didn't know what to do either.
Hearing their conversation, Xu An quietly slipped aboard and left some Denny in a conspicuous spot in the wheelhouse. Although it had just been soaked in seawater, it had already been dried out. It looked wrinkled, but it should be fine.
After putting it down, Xu An gestured to Belle.
After they said goodbye to the captain, Yixuan headed back to the temple first to handle some business.
"Oh yeah~ Now that Master's gone back to Yunkui Summit, we're free to do whatever we want!"
"Come on, come on! I'll take you around the nearby streets. There's plenty of fun stuff around here!"
The three wandered around Chenghui Terrace for quite a while, and Xu An even spotted Yuzuha and Masato.
Xu An raised his eyebrows. They would definitely get to know each other later anyway, so there was no rush.
Yuzuha also noticed the handsome guy and took a few extra looks.
"Junior brother, junior brother." Ju Fufu tugged at Xu An's arm beside him.
"What's up ⊙∀⊙?" Xu An looked at her.
"Look at that mountain over there. Chenghui Terrace was built along the mountainside, so the terrain's a little complicated, but it has its own character.
"Like those decorative sculptures up on the mountain that are unique to Waifei Peninsula."
"Are those... cicadas?" Xu An looked uncertainly at the large rocks in the distance.
Seeing Fufu holding Xu An's hand, Belle took his other hand too.
Xu An glanced at her. Thinking she was a little shy because she was new here, he let her be.
"Exactly! Apparently, cicadas lie dormant underground for ages, then grow wings the night they emerge, take flight, and amaze everyone with a single cry!"
As she spoke, Ju Fufu grew a little excited and planted her hands on her hips.
"Here on Waifei Peninsula, cicadas apparently symbolize breaking through the darkness and moving toward a brighter life... hmm, that's a pretty interesting meaning."
"True. In this world, people need some hope to keep living. Even without that, having a symbolic image to pin their hopes on is nice too. It's a pretty positive meaning."
"Yes! Quite a few people on Waifei Peninsula lost their families when the old capital fell. But none of them have given up hope. They've kept working hard to make a living."
...They certainly work hard, but being happy can't be easy. After all, there are corporate slaves everywhere.
As the three walked and chatted, they arrived at Yin Tea House.
A fellow in martial arts clothes who looked a little like Bruce Lee watched them approach, then cleared his throat twice. "Ahem... a cup of clear tea to refresh the mind and quench your thirst!"
Beside him, Hongdou gently waved her fan. The slit in her qipao left her long, fair legs exposed, making Xu An's gaze freeze for a moment.
Belle noticed something beside him and looked at Hongdou, then at where Xu An was looking.
The corner of her mouth twitched involuntarily, and she pinched the soft flesh at Xu An's waist. "Mind your manners, senior brother~"
Xu An hurriedly looked away at the pain and whispered quickly, "Hiss, I know, I know! Let go already."
Seeing that he had stopped, Belle turned her head away. "Hmph."
Xu An couldn't help rubbing the spot she had pinched. Holy shit, I've increased my constitution so much already. How did she break through my defense???
Truly terrifying.
"Dear customers, come try our newest batch of tea! Yin Tea House's specialty pastries-new selections every day, no repeats! Uh, I got my lines right, didn't I?" As Xiaohu spoke, he stole a few glances at his boss, Hongdou, beside him.
But he found that his boss wasn't looking at him. Her eyes seemed fixed on that customer.
Ooh? He really is ridiculously handsome. No wonder even the boss is mesmerized.
"Ahem... that's right, that's right! Be louder when you greet customers. You can strike your kung fu poses too." Coming back to her senses, Hongdou quickly hid her slightly flushed face behind her fan as she spoke to Xiaohu.
(He probably didn't notice, right? That really was rude of me just now. Still, my charms aren't bad either. Hehe.)
"Got it. I'll try again," Xiaohu said after a moment's thought.
"Wait a moment. We have customers...
"Isn't this Master Ju Fufu? Welcome to Yin Tea House! Could the two beside you be... the new junior masters at Yunkui Summit?" As she spoke, her gaze drifted back to Xu An's face.
"That's right. This is my junior sister, Belle. And this handsome fellow is my junior brother, Xu An!
"Junior brother, junior sister! The food and tea at Yin Tea House are really good!"
"Oh? Since you're already here, why not have a cup now... we've got some new tea in today~"
Xiaohu chimed in, "A table for three, right this way~"
"Not today. Let's leave it for another time! These two have only just arrived, so we should head back to the temple and get them settled first."
"I look forward to your next visit~" Hongdou even threw Xu An a flirtatious wink as she spoke.
At that, Xu An's gaze darted all over, looking this way and that.
Let's go, let's go, let's go.
Once his senior sister led the way, Xu An hurried after her.
On the way back, they heard two workers saying something to a man in a suit. A few people had gathered around them, and for some reason, Xu An, Belle, and Fufu joined the crowd too.
One worker said anxiously, "The compensation we agreed on before... why hasn't it been paid out yet?
"My sick family member is still waiting for that money to buy medicine... when exactly will it arrive?" From his stance, he looked ready to slap the suited man in front of him.
The suited man replied calmly, "What's the rush? Lord Damian said processing the compensation takes time. Wait another two days and we'll give you a definite answer."
"Two more days?! It's already been delayed for so long... are you just stringing us along?"
The worker beside him couldn't help chiming in. "D-don't push us too far! If you don't give us an explanation for this accident, we'll go to the papers and expose you!"
The suited man narrowed his eyes, his tone turning somewhat chilling. "Oh? You'd better think this through.
"Lord Damian said you'd be compensated, and he will keep his word. It's his responsibility as the head of Hui Crystal Meike.
"But if you refuse to trust Lord Damian and intend to blow this out of proportion, you'll bear the consequences yourselves.
"Don't forget, we at Hui Crystal-"
"What, is your mom dead? Is that why you're in no hurry to get paid? Then can I take it that you're fine with that Lord Damian of yours constantly withholding your wages too?"
"What the fuck are you saying?!" The fellow who had been putting on a calm front instantly lost his composure.
He charged over, seemingly intending to punch Xu An.
"What, you want to fight me?" Xu An watched the fist draw closer, only for a hand to catch it.
Senior Sister Fufu clamped down tightly on his hand with one of hers. There was even the faint sound of bones cracking.
"Hiss, that sounds kind of painful," Xu An said with a quiet hiss.
"Damn it." Seeing that no one there would take his side, the man hurried away.
"Tch... he looked pretty intimidating. Who knew he was just a sickly cat?" Xu An couldn't help commenting as he watched the man flee miserably, clutching his hand.