Chapter 1035: Chapter 1033 Nightlife Chapter 1035: Chapter 1033 Nightlife “Really buying me a drink?”
Lanaia quickly abandoned her responsibilities and led the way, finally relaxing after a short walk.
“What’s wrong, don’t trust my honor?”
“Honor aside… I’m just curious where you’re keeping the money with that getup?”
Unfortunately for him, Lanaia, experienced as she was, wasn’t easily fooled, even by the dim streetlights as she scrutinized him from head to toe.
The question was indeed sharp because the man was wearing a black War Armor that covered his entire body, sleek in design and fierce in appearance.
There was even a wing-shaped cloak added to the back, making him look as if he had just returned from a comic convention.
“Although I know things are pretty casual over at Heaven’s Commencement Institute, isn’t your outfit a bit too extravagant?”
Lanaia couldn’t help but make a snide comment.
“Isn’t it cool?”
Professor Fu nodded again and again, seriously considering the opinion of the head of the Punishment Department, and finally asked.
…
Although he hated to admit it, purely from a design standpoint, the skin-tight War Armor was indeed uniquely elegant and domineering.
“Cool, sure… but my question stands, do you have a place to hold money on you?”
She begrudgingly acknowledged the design but didn’t lose track of her initial point.
Hmph!
Fu Qian gave a look that said ‘I see you’ve got taste,’ and then turned his body slightly.
There really was…
As he moved, Lanaia immediately spotted a hidden compartment on the right side of his waist and was temporarily speechless.
“Let’s go… I know a place with pretty good taste.”
“Do you think they’ll find my outfit cool?”
“Don’t worry, people who come out to drink in the middle of the night won’t be easily scared.”
…
“Are you sure it’s here?”
Moments later, Fu Qian frowned as he looked at the small establishment in front of him.
“So, this is your idea of ‘not bad’, huh?”
With his keen senses, he could tell that the scents wafting from inside were not those of perfumes or fake hormonal booze but the full array of smells from frying, sauteeing, and cooking.
Here I thought you lived a life of drunken dreams every day, and now you bring me to a midnight diner?
“The drinks really are good here.”
Facing disdain, Lanaia skillfully pushed the door open and entered.
…
The space was admittedly small, with a classic U-shaped bar where a middle-aged couple bustling around inside, whose demeanors differed greatly but strangely complemented each other when they stood together.
“Back already?”
Seeing Lanaia, the lady with the appearance of the hostess greeted her warmly, nodding towards a side.
“Too bad your stuff was just cleared away.”
It seemed Lanaia had been sitting there drinking just before she left, and now her spot was taken by a new customer– a rather young-looking woman.
“It’s fine, we can sit here.”
Lanaia didn’t seem to mind, pulling Fu Qian to the only small table in the corner.
Then, the hostess brought over two delicate porcelain bottles.
No need to ask, this was the legendary house good liquor.
Without a greeting, Lanaia eagerly filled a cup, continuing her previous mood.
She wasn’t wrong–in response to Fu Qian’s cool attire, most people at the bar only looked a few times at the start, and their reactions were mostly appreciative, then they carried on with their conversations.
And where the two of them sat was undoubtedly the best spot for eavesdropping.
Fu Qian listened to several snippets of conversation, almost all related to the suddenly appeared Red Moon, and the core idea was very simple–blame the Transcendents.
Of course, hidden envy permeated the various flamboyant criticisms.
“What do you think is up with that moon?”
Lanaia quickly joined in, speaking in the same gossiping tone.
[That woman recognizes you]
Meanwhile, after dipping her fingers in the drink, she scratched the table surface with remarkable precision, leaving a line of text.
[Could it be because of my outfit?]
Fu Qian imitated her actions and left a response of his own.
The reason for these secretive movements was simple: that woman was different from the others, she could hear their conversation. She was undeniably a Transcendent.
Fu Qian even knew her name–Jia Keke.
When he went to Ye Island, he remembered this fellow who had protected the ship.
And Lanaia was right–since entering, Jia Keke seemed startled by his presence, and she had been stealthily glancing over several times.
But the problem lay here–her knowing him was not strange, but the face she should recognize wasn’t the one he bore now, and her reaction was peculiar indeed.
Nightlife sure is interesting!
“It must be related to Emperor Yasui,”
Fu Qian nodded solemnly, answering Lanaia’s question amidst his feelings of awe.
…What the hell is he babbling about!
This time it was Lanaia’s turn to be startled.
Although Fu Qian’s voice wasn’t loud, and the guests engrossed in their grand talks couldn’t hear, that woman’s breathing visibly became more refined–was he doing this on purpose?
Lanaia suddenly realized.
Someone who could turn a public trial into a debating platform couldn’t make such an indiscreet mistake.
“How so?”
Even so, her role as the straight man remained cautious.
This guy could set someone up as easily as he ate or drank; one could get played by his trapping ways without even noticing.
“The battle is going poorly, and he’s hiding on the moon.”
That answer… really does match your style.
“That can’t be right! With the strength of Yasui Corp, even if they are at a momentary disadvantage, it shouldn’t have come to this, right?”
Lanaia’s internal scoffing relaxed her tone considerably.
“Naive. Don’t just look at the surface, the little bits of news.”
Fu Qian snorted and lowered his voice, his eyes sharp.
“Do you think Yasui’s opponent is just a single Siren? Without substantial certainty, would Siren be reckless enough to make their move on Ye Island?”
“Yasui has been making countless enemies over the years, and I have reliable information that at least one other group is secretly supporting Siren. With their combined stratagems, Yasui’s losses could be much greater than they appear.”
I couldn’t refute his words; after all, even Emperor Yasui himself might be done for…
Seeing Fu Qian speak with such fervor, excitedly pouring himself another glass and knocking it back in a single gulp, perfectly blending into the current atmosphere, Lanaia deeply admired his acting skills.
“It sounds somewhat reasonable, but which group specifically? Does your reliable information know?”
Caught up in the atmosphere, Lanaia, too, was influenced, setting down her half-finished drink, her expression skeptical yet intrigued.
“I don’t know!”
However, the latter shook his head decisively.
“Then what is this–”
“But I know how to find out.”
Lanaia’s look of scorn was only half-formed, and Fu Qian snorted again.
“Looking at you, you probably think I’m drunk, but my answer like this is to let you know I’m not just spouting nonsense.”
The next moment, Fu Qian’s voice dropped even lower.
“I have a friend with the surname Jia, who went to Ye Island on business and just happened to witness a Yasui ship sinking… Then after he came back, he told me that he encountered some strange people on the cruise.”
“In my opinion, among them could very well be the shadow of other groups. Just catch and severely interrogate them, and there’s a high probability of obtaining interesting information.”
“Really?”
Fu Qian’s tone and demeanor were so persuasive that Lanaia’s question had even lost its performative element.
“Excuse me… Are you Professor Fu Qian?”
Unfortunately, before Fu Qian could respond, a figure approached them.
“Just call me Fu Qian here, please take a seat.”
With a look of surprise, he glanced at Jia Keke, who finally could not stay seated any longer, and his barely maintained smile became even more strained as Fu Qian gestured.
“Have we met?”
“No, no, my name is Jia Keke, I’ve seen some of your materials before.”
Sitting on just the edge of her seat, Jia Keke’s demeanor was incredibly careful.
Hmm?
“Please don’t misunderstand, I’ve been entrusted by someone to give you something.”
Seeing Fu Qian’s gaze sharpen, Jia Keke hurriedly explained and carefully took something out of her bag, cautiously handing it over.
A love letter?
Seeing the white envelope in Jia Keke’s hand, Lanaia’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Although it seemed well preserved, it clearly wasn’t any kind of secret document, and few used this means of communication nowadays.
Finally, after meticulous reasoning, she arrived at a sensible conclusion.
A letter?
Fu Qian was slightly puzzled, but he gladly accepted it.
Without hurrying to open it, he brought the envelope close to his nose for a sniff.
A wisp of scent, faint yet distinct.
Not perfume, but the pure smell of flowers.
He had an inkling about the sender’s identity.
“I’ve heard the good news of your promotion, Miss Ji Liushuang asked me to convey her sincerest congratulations.”
Jia Keke explained earnestly.
“She will need a few more days before she can return and asked me to deliver this letter to you in advance.”
(End of Volume Five, Transformation [Part I])