Xu Feiyan led the members of the Immortal Consort Guild into the teleportation array. Just before departing, the centaur Azkman's gaze drifted—almost unconsciously—toward the corner, where Vilora was playing with Xue'er.
When she saw the smile on Vilora's face, a quiet warmth stirred in her chest.
At the very least… among the centaur tribes, she had never once seen Vilora smile like that.
"See you later." Xu Feiyan waved at Kurose Akira, then vanished into the white glow of the teleportation array.
After the Immortal Consort Guild departed, Akira immediately shifted his attention to the mission panel. Once a mission failed, there would be a 24-hour cooldown before a new one could be assigned.
Additionally, since this had been a multi-guild mission, he could also view the post-failure reflections left by other players.
[Anonymous Player: Damn it! We got completely crushed! That boss is designed like a freaking nightmare!]
[Crystal Girl: Even the enemy players' adventurers were insanely strong! We had way more people, but their combat power was terrifying!]
[NamingIsTooHard: I know that guild—it's the famous Immortal Consort Guild! I heard they're already pushing toward A-rank. No wonder we couldn't beat them!]
[5-Star Player: Huh? I fought a near A-rank guild? Seriously??]
[Anonymous Player 2.0: Damn it, another 24-hour wait for mission reset. That's three failures in a row! That Waning Moon Priest is such dead weight!]
[...]
The flood of complaints scrolled past. Akira let out a quiet sigh of relief.
At least no one was accusing him of betraying the faction.
"Good work today. No missions for a while, so get some rest," Akira said, turning to Lucia and the others.
"Okay~"
After giving a few instructions, Akira logged out of the game.
The moment he removed his VR headset, Xu Feiyan's breathtakingly beautiful face came into view.
But for some reason, there was a faint trace of resentment flickering in her amber eyes—like she had something she wanted to complain about.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Akira asked, puzzled.
"It's nothing. Go change. We're heading out."
She shot him a brief glance, then turned and left.
Akira was left confused, but didn't bother pressing her. Better to think about what he might eat later.
He got out of bed, walked to the wardrobe, and changed into a clean outfit.
Then he stepped out of his room.
Xu Feiyan had already been waiting in the living room on the first floor. The moment she saw him, she said, "Let's go."
"Where are we going?"
Akira asked out of curiosity. She had only said they were going out—never where.
Though most likely… somewhere to eat.
"You'll see when we get there," Xu Feiyan replied, offering no direct answer as she headed for the garage.
Akira didn't press further and followed her into the car.
With a press of the accelerator, Xu Feiyan drove them to a rather quiet storefront.
The place didn't even have a name—just a large sign hanging outside, featuring a comic-style woman holding a bottle of beer.
A bar?
That was Akira's guess. And once he stepped inside, it was confirmed.
The place was eerily quiet. Only two or three women sat in the corners, drinking and chatting.
Behind the counter, a woman in a fitted suit with her hair neatly tied up was mixing drinks by herself—even though there were no customers in front of her.
"Wang Lin, prepare two drinks and bring them to the back room," Xu Feiyan instructed.
"Got it, Sister Xu," the woman replied, her voice as cool and subdued as the atmosphere of the bar.
"Come on," Xu Feiyan urged.
"Oh."
Akira followed quickly. As he passed the bartender, he glanced at her.
For some reason… she felt familiar.
Soon, they arrived in a private room.
The space was clean and simple. A single bouquet of roses sat on the table, with a box of tissues beside it.
After sitting down, Akira looked around.
Calling this a bar felt inaccurate—it was closer to a tea room.
Though the main drinks were alcohol, and for food, there was a tablet on a small cabinet nearby where orders could be placed.
"Is this your place?" Akira asked.
The bartender had called her "Sister Xu." Even if Xu Feiyan wasn't the owner, her status here was clearly close.
"Something like that." Xu Feiyan picked up the tablet and began selecting dishes to pair with the drinks.
At the same time, the bartender brought over two bottles.
Akira didn't recognize the brand—just that the packaging was covered in English.
Unfortunately, English was his weak point. He couldn't understand a word of it.
"Order whatever you want," Xu Feiyan said, handing him the tablet.
"Alright…"
Akira picked a few things he liked and handed it back.
Just then, the bartender placed a freshly mixed cocktail in front of him.
"Please enjoy."
"Thanks."
Akira took a sip.
It didn't taste like alcohol at all—more like a flavored drink.
"Take it slow. It's strong," Xu Feiyan reminded him.
"Oh."
He set the half-finished drink down.
Xu Feiyan then gave the bartender a look, and the woman quietly turned and left.
But as she did, she glanced at Akira—twice.
It made him feel oddly uncomfortable.
Like some kind of live-in son-in-law, surrounded by women in a household where everyone had their eyes on him.
"This time, you really helped me out," Xu Feiyan said, drawing his attention away. "So—what do you want? As long as I can do it, I'll make it happen."
"I…"
Akira thought for a few seconds before answering, "I haven't decided yet. I'll tell you when I figure it out."
"Then don't take too long. Time's a bit tight." Xu Feiyan lifted her glass, taking a small sip. A hint of anticipation flickered in her amber eyes.
"I'll think about it soon." Akira scratched his head. He had said it casually at the time—he didn't expect her to take it so seriously.
"I'm going to the restroom."
Xu Feiyan stood and left.
While waiting, Akira pulled out his phone, opened a mobile game, and cleared his dailies with one tap.
Just as he was about to spend the diamonds he had saved for half a month on a gacha pull—
Bang!
The door suddenly swung open.
Thinking Xu Feiyan had returned, Akira turned his head—only to find a group of fashionably dressed women instead.
"And you are?" he asked.
But the moment they saw him, their faces lit up with excitement.
"No way—it's true!"
"Xu Feiyan actually brought a man here!"
"So it really is him!"
"I told you they were close! Pay up!"
"Damn it! My fifty bucks!"
"He looks so young… is he still in high school?"
"Wait, is Xu Feiyan dating a minor?!"
"Eww~"
"..."
They chattered over each other, completely fascinated by him.
Akira smacked his forehead.
Right—these women were Xu Feiyan's friend group.
He had seen them a couple of times in-game, but due to equipment, magic effects, and appearance-altering spells in the Magic Continent, he hadn't recognized them immediately.
But when he spotted the sharp, short-haired woman with a heroic bearing—
It clicked.
Wasn't that Cheng Lan? The one he fought during the promotion to a C-rank guild?
Wait…
Why were Xu Feiyan's friends here?
Were they just that bored?
Before he could think further, the group squeezed into the already cramped room.
Five people in a space meant for four—it was inevitably crowded.
Yet they didn't seem to mind at all, instead crowding around Akira.
"So, little brother, how old are you? Started elementary school yet?" one teased.
"Cheng Lan, listen to yourself—what kind of question is that?"
"Told you, she's an idiot. Even with a graduate degree."
"Hey! Can you all shut up? I'm asking him something!"
"Cheng Lan, quitting your teaching job was the best decision of your life—you saved a whole class of high schoolers' IQ!"
"Shut up!"
"..."
The group devolved into bickering.
Akira ignored them, pocketed his phone, and glanced outside.
The bartender was still mixing drinks alone—but her eyes were fixed on the room.
"Oh right, little brother, what's your name?" someone asked.
"Su Xuan," he answered honestly.
"Su Xuan? Nice to meet you!"
"Can I ask—what's your relationship with Xu Feiyan?"
"Yes, yes! Tell us your love story!"
"Come on, we're dying to hear it!"
"..."
"You've got the wrong idea. We're just friends," Akira clarified immediately.
"Just friends?"
"Then why are you so close to her?"
"Don't lie—she's got hundreds of male acquaintances, but someone this close? You're the first!"
"Exactly! She won't even let us ride in her car!"
"I get it! She likes younger guys—classic cougar—"
At that moment, Xu Feiyan appeared at the doorway, her voice cold.
"What are you all doing here?"
"Uh-oh!"
The group instantly stiffened, like kids caught misbehaving.
They turned, forcing awkward smiles.
"Haha… Feiyan, good evening~"
"We heard you were here, so we came to hang out!"
"You can't drink without us~ we'll keep you company~"
Despite their rushed explanations, Xu Feiyan's response was nothing more than a cold glance.
She walked forward.
Like magnets repelling, the women parted, clearing a path.
Xu Feiyan sat down and said flatly, "Not today. Come back another time."
"Aww, come on~"
"We came all this way~"
"You know Cheng Lan's heading back to Yanjing tomorrow."
Cheng Lan: "?"
"Since we're already here, let them stay," Akira said with a smile.
"See? The little brother gets it~"
"Feiyan, learn from him!"
"Yeah! How are you less generous than a college kid?"
Xu Feiyan shot them a cold look—then glared at Akira.
She was paying for this meal, after all.
But that wasn't why she wanted them gone…
"Well then, don't mind if we do~"
The women sat down—but all squeezed next to Akira, leaving Xu Feiyan alone.
"Wait—don't you think this is a bit crowded?" Akira frowned.
It was his first time being surrounded by women like this in real life.
Still, he wasn't some inexperienced teenager. It didn't faze him.
"Yeah, a bit. Cheng Lan, you go sit with Feiyan."
"Huh? Why me?"
"You go!"
"Are you done yet?" Xu Feiyan's cold voice instantly silenced them.
Then she said, "You two—come here."
"Oh."
Akira carefully maneuvered past soft bodies and sat beside her.
Cheng Lan followed, grinning smugly.
The other four looked visibly disappointed.
"Now tell me," Xu Feiyan said coolly, "what are you really here for?"
"Hehe~"
The women exchanged glances, then smiled.
"We just came to see you. Nothing else~"
"Really?"
Xu Feiyan clearly didn't believe them.
Under the pressure of her gaze, Cheng Lan quickly changed the subject.
"Lin! Bring some wine! Tonight, we're drinking Feiyan under the table!"
"Cheng Lan, don't change the topic."
"Let's drink and talk!"
"Little brother, you drink, right?"
"I'm an adult."
"Ohhh~"
...
Before long, it was late into the night.
Aside from Akira and Xu Feiyan, everyone else had collapsed drunk at the table.
"They're all that bad at drinking?" Akira asked, genuinely curious.
These older women had been trying to get him drunk earlier—
Only to end up knocking themselves out instead.
"Just a bunch of useless old ladies." Xu Feiyan rolled her eyes, as if trying to distance herself from them.
"Should we take them home?" Akira asked.
"No need. There are rooms here—just carry them in."
Xu Feiyan shook her head and tried to stand—
Only to sway, nearly falling.
Akira noticed the faint blush on her cheeks.
She was drunk too.
"I'll handle it. You stay seated."
With that, he hoisted one of the women over his shoulder—then another.
"Where's the bedroom?"
"Inside. That door."
Xu Feiyan pointed the way, her expression… complicated.
The way Akira carried them—
Why did it look like a bandit hauling off loot?
..
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