Chapter 236: Friends Arrive
"Wait, Natsume," Sonoko said, a puzzled frown creasing her brow. "Are you saying one of your friends is, like, really old?"
"Ah... well, to be precise, he's of a much higher seniority," Natsume explained, her expression a little conflicted. She couldn't very well tell them he was ancient; after all, judging by his appearance, he looked deceptively young.
'An elder with high seniority...' Sonoko mulled over the phrase, a flicker of unease crossing her features. The feeling didn't last long, however. Who cared? The man was still handsome, and his seniority had nothing to do with her. The momentary concern vanished, replaced by a familiar sparkle in her eyes. She leaned back, a dreamy sigh escaping her lips as she pictured the grand entrance of two dashing men.
Watching her friend slip into another fantasy, Ran could only shake her head with helpless affection.
Seeing that Sonoko had no more questions, Natsume caught Noelle's eye and beckoned her over.
The maid approached their table dutifully. "Yes, Miss Natsume?"
"We'll need to add a few more dishes to our order," Natsume told her, then leaned in slightly. "Oh, and Noelle? Be sure to remind Xiangling that a very... picky diner will be arriving soon."
As she said this, the corners of her mouth curled into a sly, knowing smile.
"It sounds as though your friend is quite the gourmand, Natsume," Mr. Okiya observed from across the table, his tone mild with curiosity.
"He is," Natsume affirmed with a nod. "He has unique research and deep insights into all kinds of cuisine. But he also dabbles in other fields—antiques, calligraphy, painting, rare and exotic stones..."
At this, Mr. Okiya adjusted his glasses. His eyes, usually squinted shut, opened just a fraction, revealing a glint of keen interest. "He sounds like a truly fascinating individual," he said, his words laced with meaning. "It seems the people in your circle are all rather... distinctive, Natsume."
Natsume simply smiled, her expression as bright and untroubled as ever, giving no indication she'd noticed the subtle probe beneath his words.
She smoothly changed the subject, turning the attention to her other guest. "He's not the only one. My other friend is an excellent person, too. He's an architect with a considerable understanding of engineering." She angled her head toward Mr. Okiya, her smile widening. "You mentioned you're a graduate student in engineering, didn't you, Mr. Okiya? I'm sure you two will have plenty to talk about!"
Mr. Okiya's movements hitched for a split second, a barely perceptible pause before he recovered. "Is that so?" he replied, his own smile returning. "That's wonderful. We should have a lot in common, then."
"Yes, exactly!" Natsume beamed. "They're both very easy to get along with. I'm convinced you'll all have a very pleasant conversation."
I just wonder if you'll still be so agreeable when you can't answer a single one of his questions, she thought, watching Mr. Okiya's decisive response with hidden amusement.
The group continued to chat for a few more minutes. The conversation drifted, with Sonoko teasing Ran about her luck with handsome men and the potential for sparks to fly with Lisa's junior, which Ran sheepishly refuted. Meanwhile, Mr. Okiya remained focused, subtly questioning Natsume about the connection between this junior and her Teyvat organization.
Before long, the restaurant's front door opened, and two tall, handsome men with long hair stepped inside.
One had brilliant blond hair held back by crimson clips, his ears adorned with a pair of golden earrings set with rubies. He wore black trousers and a V-neck white shirt, cinched at the waist by a dark blue belt decorated with bead-like ornaments. A striking red cape was fastened to his back with a black leather collar, lending him an air of romantic, artistic flair.
The other man also wore his long hair tied back, the dark locks transitioning into a rich, golden-brown at the ends. He was dressed in a formal, suit-like long robe over black trousers, his attire a deep, reserved shade of navy blue that gave him a steady and dignified presence.
Their joint entrance immediately drew the gazes of nearly everyone in the restaurant.
"Over here!" Natsume spotted them instantly, standing and waving happily to get their attention.
Both men saw her greeting at the same time. A faint, pleasant smile touched their lips as they made their way toward her table.
"You're finally here! Come, sit down," Natsume said warmly as they arrived. She gestured to the empty seats opposite her.
Turning back to the others, she began the introductions, her voice filled with obvious delight. "Everyone, these are the friends I was telling you about."
She pointed first to the blond man, a bright smile on her face. "This is Kaveh, Lisa's junior. He's a brilliant architect."
The moment Sonoko saw that the junior Lisa had mentioned was such a stunningly handsome man, a mischievous grin spread across her face. She nudged Ran gently with her elbow, leaned in, and whispered, "Well, Ran? Isn't he gorgeous?"
The playful, teasing tone made Ran's cheeks flush with embarrassment. She shot Sonoko a glare. "Sonoko, stop it!" she hissed back. She truly didn't have those kinds of thoughts, and besides, how could Sonoko say such things right in front of someone they'd just met?
Next, Natsume gestured to the other man with the long, dark hair. "And this," she continued, her tone carrying a hint of deep respect, "is Mr. Zhongli."
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