"Hmm, you're saying the person who snatched the book plans to trade with *that* person?" Facing the blood-red sunset, the Councilman, who hadn't had a peaceful night's sleep in days, was stunned.
He had wondered why they had tricked him out of the book, and even suspected it might be the Hero Association's doing, but it never occurred to him that they had the exact same idea as him.
"That's right. Moreover, our customer has already agreed to their request. The meeting place they've set is the same street where the book was stolen last time." Elder Ying stood to the Councilman's right, his voice carrying a hint of inexplicable emotion.
The plan of those two mysterious people was completely beyond his expectations. To think they took the book just to trade with that guest... it was truly... infuriating.
This was clearly a transaction he was responsible for, yet they dared to bypass him, making all his hard work over the past few days for naught. The old man found it hard to accept.
"How can that person violate our agreement?!" the Councilman asked, full of rage. "Why didn't she tell us?"
"After all, she only cares about obtaining the goods; she doesn't care who she trades with." Elder Ying narrowed his eyes and spoke slowly. "Now is not the time for anger. We still have a chance to snatch the book back."
"You mean..."
"That distinguished guest's identity is no ordinary one, and the item being traded is equally extraordinary. As long as we drop a hint to those hotheaded fools at the Hero Association, they will naturally help us ruin this deal."
"And we just need to intercept the person with the book after the deal is ruined and take it back."
"Even if the book falls into the hands of the Hero Association, that's fine. After all, you are the owner of the book, Councilman. The Hero Association cannot keep it for themselves. At that time, the transaction can proceed as planned."
"Fine, we'll do as you say. I'll go call my contacts in the Hero Association right now." After a brief moment of thought, the Councilman realized the old man's plan was the best course of action so far.
For the sake of his position, it seemed he had no choice but to bow his head to those detestable heroes.
"Call those three heroes over. Tell them I have a lead on the book and need their assistance."
The hunched old man stood in the shadows, watching the now-busy Councilman with an unreadable expression.
Trying to snatch a book from two people who could easily defeat three A-rank heroes—and doing so without attracting the Hero Association's attention—was a challenge for the old man.
However, it wasn't that difficult; he just had to pay a certain price.
"It's time to bring that thing out and test it again."
...Beep beep beep, beep beep beep.
A pleasant ringtone suddenly sounded, startling Momo who was eating dinner. Who would call her at this time?
"Hmm, what does he want with me?" Taking out her phone to check, Momo was surprised to find the caller was her partner, Huangmao.
"Who is it, calling at this hour?" The Leader, sitting next to Momo, leaned over to look and was also surprised. "Didn't we tell him not to disturb us today?"
If it were just a trivial matter, Huangmao naturally wouldn't contact them.
In other words, the fact that Huangmao was reaching out meant something important had happened.
"Sorry, I'll take this call." Momo stood up and ran to a nearby open space to answer the phone.
Leticia watched Momo's rapidly changing expression thoughtfully, though her chopsticks didn't pause.
This table was full of dishes she liked, so she planned to eat her fill today.
As for Melanie?
The glutton's appetite was as shocking as ever—at least, it shocked the Leader and her companion, who were seeing Melanie for the first time.
Her chopsticks moved so fast they were almost a blur; three-quarters of the food on the table had basically gone into this girl's stomach.
"Can't you eat a little less? Look at the Leader's expression. If I didn't know better, I'd think she was looking at a pig."
"Hmm?" Melanie, the devoted eater, looked up in confusion. She felt she had been restrained enough.
The Leader looked away. She didn't know if her gaze was rude, but since Leticia had said so, she would take it as the truth.
"York Rose really has a great appetite." The Leader laughed it off, though a hint of envy rose in her heart.
Why did York Rose eat so much yet still have such a good figure?
Then she looked at herself; she ate so little, yet the fat on her body still grew uncontrollably.
It was truly frustrating to compare oneself to others.
"Yes, an appetite even better than a pig's. Among humans, she's likely in a league of her own," Leticia chuckled. "I think the name 'White Pig' suits her better."
"Ahahaha..." Yuna's tongue was as merciless as ever.
"Right, White Pig?" Leticia looked at Melanie, but halfway through her sentence, a piece of braised pork held by Melanie's chopsticks was stuffed into her mouth.
"Talk less." Leticia was physically silenced, and Melanie nodded with satisfaction.
"Mmph! Mmph!"
"Is Yuna okay?" The Leader looked worriedly at Leticia, who was struggling with the large piece of braised pork in her mouth. Would she choke?
"She has strong teeth, don't worry." Melanie indicated that the Leader didn't need to worry about Leticia; this girl's combat strength was much higher than the Leader imagined.
"That's not what I'm worried about." The Leader was helpless.
"Don't worry about anything else either." Melanie put down her chopsticks and pulled her hand under the chair.
The reason was that Leticia's hand, carrying a thick aura of resentment, was already lunging toward Melanie's waist.
If she didn't defend herself, Melanie was certain she'd end up with several bruises on her waist. Leticia didn't know the meaning of "showing mercy to the fairer sex."
Ah, rather, she didn't know how to show mercy to Melanie.
"Are you full, York Rose?" Seeing Melanie put down her chopsticks, the Leader thought Melanie was finally finished.
She had no idea that in a corner she couldn't see, the two girls' hands were already firmly locked together.
Leticia's sneak attack had failed, and Melanie's hand was also completely controlled by Leticia. Now, unless one of them gave in first, it was unlikely these hands would separate.
"Yes, I'm full," Melanie said against her better judgment.
"That's good." The Leader picked up her chopsticks, wanting to grab a pastry, but what Momo whispered in her ear made her stop. "Do we really have to go?"
"Yes. It's fine to slack off usually, but in a situation like today, we can't." Momo nodded and spoke apologetically to Leticia and Melanie. "Sorry, Leticia and I suddenly have something to do. We have to leave first."
"Ah, I see." Leticia's eyes flickered, and she proactively withdrew her hand. "We've finished eating too. Let's head out together."
Then, she forcefully pulled Melanie, who was still somewhat reluctant to leave, out of her chair. "It's getting late. We should head home too."