When Shirou and Wa-zhu exited the bookstore, the crowd bustling through the streets couldn't help but turn their eyes toward the pair.
Some seemed to think of the tragic heroine from the serialized story; seeing Wa-zhu being carried on Shirou's back, they assumed she was a disabled girl and sent comforting, encouraging glances. Others were clearly fans of the novel, thrilled by the sight of a real-life "handsome guy and mystical girl" couple. Some even nervously stepped forward asking to take photos with them.
Someone handed them a massive bouquet of fresh flowers. Inside was a simple white card with elegant floral script quoting a famous German line by Hermann Hesse:
"All my wandering was a path that led me to you."(All mein irren war ein Weg zu dir.)
In that moment, it felt like the entire world rushed toward them, offering beauty, kindness, and earnest blessings.
Shirou, overwhelmed by the crowd's adoration, felt his chest tighten in awe. The next second, his rationality returned—Ah... this must be the atmosphere crew at work.
On his back, Wa-zhu remained completely silent.
"Wa-zhu?" he asked softly.
She replied in an uncharacteristically gentle voice, "…I'm fine. L-let's head to the next place." Her tone had softened like never before.
Their next stop was a beauty salon. The moment the shop owner and staff spotted Wa-zhu on Shirou's back, not one showed a flicker of surprise. In fact, the owner cheerfully exclaimed that today happened to be their store's anniversary, and they were giving a deluxe gift package to their first visiting couple!
Shirou could smell the setup from a mile away. When he cautiously asked what the package included, the owner beamed and listed an array of services—customized skincare, hair styling, manicures, body care, makeup, spa treatments—all ready on the spot.
Shirou glanced at the service sheet and felt his scalp tingle at the sheer number of options. He asked for recommendations.
With a confident smile, the owner began, "Let's start with hair. For a customer like your girlfriend—her face has youthful features but delicate and refined elegance—we suggest long, softly layered curls at the ends, giving a gentle and romantic aura."
The team moved into action. Wa-zhu, seated on a luxurious reclining salon chair, was immediately surrounded. This was the same fearsome young lady whose shouts could send hundreds of Zhou clan members scrambling—and yet here, she quietly sat still, not making a peep. She let the stylists work on her like a delicate porcelain doll.
Shirou watched with wide eyes. Maybe… she was still caught up in the story earlier? Did it leave that deep of an impression? Was the "Chips Team" going a little overboard? What else did they have in store?
Time slipped by. Within an hour or two, the full beauty treatment was finished. Wa-zhu, still seated in the chair, was pushed over to Shirou. And what sat before him now... was an elegant, warm, and noble young lady—transformed.
Her softly curled hair framed her face with gentle arcs, giving her a more refined and mature look. The childish roundness was gone, replaced with an elegance that made it feel like a ray of sunlight was shining directly on her—a real half-snake noble girl stepping out of a love story.
Several kilometers away, a large operations hall buzzed with noise and activity.
"Chips"—real name Su Enxi—sat in a rumpled pink pajama set like a tired college student. But she was no ordinary girl—she was the commander of this entire operation, leading a team of hundreds.
No one dared underestimate Su Enxi because of her appearance. In just a few days, she had pulled this ad-hoc team together, coordinating around the clock with military precision to ensure results. Everyone respected her.
"The magazine's story release is selling like crazy? Don't waste time filing a report—call the publisher directly for reprints! Also, get the illustrator to confirm new plot directions with the author! We need to ride this hype and start pushing out merch teasers!"
"Salon team is done? Good. Target's emotional state is stable. Alright, pack up! Next up—clothing unit, go! Target has left the store and entered the pre-arranged sports car. Get the boutique ready and start welcoming the guests. Prep every backup wardrobe option!"
Su Enxi's light makeup and calm demeanor radiated authority. With a champagne glass in hand, she directed beauty experts, stylists, psychologists, and event planners—like the gears of a massive machine. Their goal? To orchestrate the perfect date with a budget rivaling a reality TV show production.
Nearby, a long-legged bombshell named Sakaguchi Mai stretched and yawned. "God, this is exhausting. How much budget are we throwing into this for our little swordsman and snake princess? Aren't you even a little heartbroken over the cost, Chips?"
Sakaguchi Mai was one of Su Enxi's colleagues—a literal combat beauty and top-tier bodyguard. Meanwhile, Su Enxi was the money person, the top accountant under the trickster demon Lu Mingze.
In the finance world, Su Enxi was known as the "Black Gold Swan"—a woman capable of shaking up national economies, sinking countries with a single move, or leveraging billions to crush empires.
And now she was pouring all her strength into organizing… a date.
"Ugh, I'd rather be negotiating with financial tycoons," Su Enxi muttered. "Though, honestly, it's not even that expensive when you factor in the revenue from the serialized story, licensing, and the White Snake movie investments. We'll make it back. Eventually."
Still, she had to suffer watching this sugary romance unfold while she was knee-deep in logistics.
"Shoo! If you're not helping, don't bother me. This entire thing is being done under the Boss's direct orders. What do you want me to do?"
Sakaguchi lowered her voice, "…The Boss asked us to serve the child of fate, right? That's Shirou. Why get the Zhou clan's terrifying clan head involved too?"
Su Enxi rolled her eyes. "Maybe next time actually pay attention during the psychology team's report?"
"They already analyzed him. That Shirou boy may seem kind and easygoing, but deep down he's stubborn as hell. You can't win him over with riches or women. What matters to him are his companions. So we're giving him that."
"And Wa-zhu? She's the opposite—tough on the outside, soft inside. She only shows real feelings to people she genuinely trusts. We believe she really does have feelings for Shirou. She's been looking forward to this trip."
"So this time, we're going all-in. The theme is 'the perfect romantic experience a normal girl never had.' Make it so magical she thinks it's a dream."
(End of Chapter)
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