"Asta, we've finalized the next leg of our journey in the crew meeting. Once the shipping lanes around the Xianzhou have stabilized, we'll warp to the Corporation's headquarters first. After we pick up their 'Special Operative,' we'll use the Express's original coordinates to travel to Punklorde."
"Really! Thank you so much, Himeko! To be honest, I also feel the Corporation went a bit too far this time, but don't you worry! I've already discussed it with them, and I'll make sure you're well compensated!" Asta replied cheerfully to Himeko's virtual projection.
"There's no need to be so formal, Asta. We would have gone even if the Corporation hadn't contacted us. After all, the Astral Express's mission is to 'Trailblaze' and light up new worlds," Himeko said with a gentle shake of her head and a smile.
"Right! Thank you all so much!"
After ending the projection, Himeko let out a soft sigh and turned to face Welt.
"What's this? Is our dear Mr. Yang not going to work on his automaton? The Express's funds have been replenished quite nicely lately, thanks to you." Himeko smiled as she sat down by the coffee table, raising her cup to Welt.
"The automaton is finished for now, so there's no rush. But I have a bad feeling about Punklorde." Welt shook his head, his expression quite serious.
"Don't worry about whether it feels right or not. We have to go regardless, don't we?"
"Yes… we do. If we knew everything in advance, then 'Trailblazing' couldn't truly be called 'Trailblazing'."
"Indeed…"
"Would you like a cup of coffee?"
"No, thank you… I suddenly remembered Master Gongshu needed me for something."
Seeing his chance, Welt immediately excused himself, leaving Himeko alone to sigh.
"Would you mind pouring me a cup?"
Jingliu slid into the chair beside Himeko, a smile gracing her lips.
"Of course, if it's to your taste."
Seeing Jingliu so interested in her coffee, Himeko's own interest was piqued. This master of Wende's had tried her coffee once before, but… it seemed to have no effect on her? Could she actually like my coffee?
With a sense of anticipation, Himeko personally brewed a cup of her special blend for Jingliu under her watchful gaze.
"Here you go. Be careful, it's hot."
"Mm, thank you."
Jingliu accepted the warm cup and took a delicate sip.
"Mm, not bad at all. Although it's a bit bitter, the aroma is extraordinary. Did you add some special spices, Miss Himeko?"
Gently setting the cup down, a blush appeared on Jingliu's face, as fair as icy jade, as she asked Himeko with a smile.
"Oh? It seems Miss Jingliu is a coffee aficionado as well."
Himeko's eyes lit up when she saw Jingliu was completely unscathed. Although this was only their second conversation, their shared appreciation for coffee quickly warmed their relationship to that of close girlfriends.
Himeko and Jingliu chatted about everything and nothing. As the coffee in the cup dwindled, Jingliu's words grew more and more unfiltered, and her face grew redder and redder.
"Let me tell you, when Wende was little…"
---o---
"Achoo!"
Wende, who was on the Xianzhou preparing to procure supplies, suddenly sneezed.
"Benefactor? Did you perhaps catch a cold back on Belobog?"
Tingyun looked at the sneezing Wende in surprise and very naturally wrapped her slender arms around his, her expression filled with worry.
"Er… I'm fine. My nose just felt a little itchy, Miss Tingyun…"
Wende quietly extracted his arm from Tingyun's embrace. Seeing her resentful little expression, he took a few awkward steps back.
What is happening? Where is this urge to rub my nose coming from!
"Um… we should probably go check on Stelle and the others. Didn't you say they were managing Aurum Alley with that girl Sushang? Let's go have a look."
Wende very stiffly changed the subject.
"Aurum Alley? Very well. It has been a while since I last visited. I heard that under the management of Miss Sushang and Stelle, it's becoming quite prosperous. It would be a good time to see it for myself. What do you think, Benefactor?"
Tingyun held her fan, her eyes conveying a gentle affection.
"Yeah, let's go take a look…"
Wende's muscles were tense. At this point, his only option was to go check on his precious daughter. According to March, after drinking Himeko's coffee, Jingliu was one step away from starting a drinking game with her. There was absolutely no way he was going back to the Express right now!
"Sigh…"
Seriously, how did she end up drinking Himeko's coffee like it was liquor? No, wait… how did she manage to drink Himeko's coffee and come out of it completely fine?
---o---
"Aurum Alley? Pfft, that's a piece of cake. Just another easy event to hand out Stellar Jades~"
Dogzi was happily arranging her goods. It wouldn't be long before she finished her daily tasks and could log off! She had streamed herself playing the game again today—another day of padding her stream time! Hehe!
[TBH, seeing that we can open a shop in Aurum Alley, I have a bold idea.]
[Ohoho, regarding your bold idea, I have a bold candidate in mind.]
[I object to your bold candidate! That's my wife!]
[What are you guys even talking about?]
"Oh! A new quest! Damn it! Just let me finish already! I need my Jades!"
Dogzi cursed as she clicked on the new quest. Every single one of these tasks was getting in the way of her earning the dowry for the Great Azure Dragon!
"Wende's Massage Parlor?"
Seeing the name of the new quest, Dogzi was momentarily stunned.
"Huh? You can do that? Godfather! When did you set up a shop behind my back!"
[See, your bold idea came true!]
[Regarding this bold idea, I have an unspoken suggestion…]
[Shut up! Get online!]
---o---
"I'm starting to think I'd be better off back on the Express…"
Wende stared at the fully prepared massage parlor in front of him. This can't possibly be a coincidence, right? How could a massage parlor just appear? And the owner just happens to be sick and can't come in for a few days? Did I just get press-ganged into this?
"Hehe, we'll have to trouble the divine doctor Wende! I'm sure that with you here, our Aurum Alley will be practically glowing from a straw hut!"
Sushang scratched her head and gave a thumbs-up to the damned Stelle standing beside her, then turned to Wende with an adoring expression.
"Er, don't you mean 'make our humble abode shine'? And in this context…"
Stelle looked at Sushang's brilliant smile and ultimately gave up on the idea of correcting her.