16. Share your improvised story (Next month is coming!)
Due to various concerns and reasons, I agreed to the dinner Lin Ke requested. She said it was to ensure a “pleasant collaboration” and to thank us for helping her reclaim the ruins, but what her true intentions were… who knows?
In any case, I didn’t have time to speculate on Lin Ke’s thoughts. The next morning, I hurried off to find Ke Fei Er.
At this moment, in the morning, within the “cultural venue” of the capital of the Meri United Kingdom—the public library. Even though this kingdom doesn’t really pursue any “cultural depth” and is only focused on business, basic infrastructure like libraries still needs to exist. Since the excavation of the ruins was nearly complete, Ke Fei Er had been spending every opportunity here.
In the kingdom, not many people frequent such places, so I easily found where Ke Fei Er was.
“Ke…”
Just as I was about to speak, my mind stopped my mouth from making such a reckless move. After all, in my line of sight, Ke Fei Er was elegantly standing in front of a bookshelf, sunlight streaming through the gaps, making her profile look as beautiful as a painting. The specks of dust illuminated around her seemed to be like golden flakes adorning this artwork.
My wife is so beautiful.
That was my first reaction.
Then, I started to feel nervous. After all, the purpose of finding Ke Fei Er today was crucial; if I didn’t explain it properly, I might end up sitting on a washboard when I got home, and I might also ruin Ke Fei Er’s currently picturesque mood.
Because… I planned to tell Ke Fei Er about “the dinner I promised Lin Ke.” This was something I couldn’t keep to myself; otherwise, it wouldn’t just be me sitting on a washboard, but I’d be sleeping on one too. But therein lies the problem!
If it were just an ordinary “business meal” with Lin Ke, there wouldn’t be any issue. After all, she is Lin Ke, dressed in a suit, bare-faced, munching on a burger and sipping coffee like a sporty boy while discussing business with us. Dining with such a carefree girl wouldn’t bother Ke Fei Er at all; it’s called business, it’s called business!
However, the outfit Lin wore when she came to see me last night was anything but “business.” With her incredibly feminine demeanor, combined with a rooftop restaurant in a high-rise, a candlelit dinner for two under the night sky…
To call it a “business dinner”—even I couldn’t believe it…
So, how exactly should I explain this to Kephir, and to what extent?
As I hesitated, Kephir had already noticed my presence. Reluctantly, I had to “take up arms,” pondering the right moment to speak as I approached her.
“What’s wrong? Rare opportunity, and you’re not going to find your little concubine?”
Please spare me, boss. Can we not bring this up?
My awkward gaze fell on the book in Kephir’s hands, just closed and ready to be put back: “What are you looking for?”
“A history book. Although it seems this kingdom doesn’t care much for history, there are many books that ordinary people can’t even read just sitting on the shelves. Sigh… But indeed, no one has read them; they’ve all gathered dust.”
Kephir shook her head with a sigh. Compared to the topic of “concubines,” it seemed she was more concerned with the matter at hand. “I’m investigating the historical issues surrounding the ‘White-Haired Elves’ found in the excavated ruins. To me, the underground of the Merli United Kingdom is very likely the ‘ruins’ of the country where the ‘White-Haired Elves’ once resided. If that’s the case, then all the so-called ‘ruins’ and various matters can be explained.”
“So I’m searching for this kind of literature. I know I won’t be able to finish it all, so I plan to buy everything and send it back to the Great Ying Empire, letting Sister Wang and Miss Iris help me analyze it.”
Is it because the main storyline includes content about the “White-Haired Elves” that could “stab me to death”? Kephir was quite invested in the excavated ruins, and after her explanation, I finally realized.
“Ah, what did you come to find me for? I still need to look around here for a while. If you’re bored… I temporarily allow you to go find Nilu.”
Don’t say it like I’m on a mission to build a harem or something…
“Uh… I…”
I hesitated for a moment. After all, Kephir was so serious and busy right now; it felt too inappropriate to disturb her. I could tell her about the dinner gathering another time.
“N-no, it’s nothing. I’ll head back first.”
I turned to leave, and at first, Kephir didn’t stop me. However, just as she was about to dive back into the bookshelves in front of her, suddenly…
“Hmm?”
I heard Kephir sniffing behind me…
“Wait a moment.”
I was called to a halt by the big shot.
Ke Fei’er immediately shoved the book she had just taken back into place, coming to my side, her nose twitching, her voice tinged with suspicion.
“Strange, this isn’t the scent of Ni Lu.”
It was then that I realized!
It’s over!
The nose is part of the senses! Yesterday, Lin Ke had exuded such femininity, partly because the eternally bare-faced her had put on a fragrant perfume! I had completely forgotten about that! And yet, after a whole night, Ke Fei’er could still smell it! Your nose is way too sensitive, isn’t it!?
It was too late to slip away; Ke Fei’er quickly circled in front of me.
“What did you do last night?”
The script was set, my wife’s keen sense of smell and her sharp “intuition” had directly cut off my escape route.
[Ke Fei’er sensed something unusual about Ou Ji Li De.]
Now I had no choice but to confess.
I immediately raised my hands in surrender: “The excavation of the ruins is basically complete. To show her gratitude, Lin Ke invited me to dinner three days from now.”
Ke Fei’er’s expression remained unchanged: “Just the two of you?”
“Uh, more or less.”
Although Lin Ke hadn’t said it last night, given her thoughts and the script’s portrayal of her feelings towards me at that time, it was likely spot on.
Only then did Ke Fei’er lift her head, her expression still the same as before. But whether my wife was angry or not was truly a perplexing riddle for a man, a phenomenon known as Schrödinger’s anger.
“And the scent of perfume?”
“Cheap, cheap stuff,” I hurried to explain, “just some gaudy fragrance, nothing like yours.”
Wanting to be angry but not knowing how to voice it, yet Ke Fei’er could feel the blush that immediately crept onto her cheeks.
“Don’t think this will make me agree.”
I’m not sure what to do, so I immediately turn around and head back to the bookshelf, starting to fumble around aimlessly. But as long as I have a bit of sense left, I can clearly see: though she says no, the way she’s distracted right now is clearly “hinting” that I should go ahead and explain myself properly.
After all, Ke Fei’er even picked up the book upside down in her fluster, her gaze never resting on the pages but instead subtly turning her face to observe my every move.
And then…
“Ke Fei’er, there’s a reason for this.”
The moment I rushed over to explain, a fleeting smile of satisfaction crossed her face, but she quickly feigned calmness, turning her head away and refusing to look at me.
“Go on, tell me the excuse you just made up.”
——
The last update in August, everyone please look forward to the September monthly ticket event and new character illustrations, etc. Get your tickets ready!