READ NOVEL FREE Chapter 109: Huh? Are We Officials Now?
At the entrance of the cake shop, Shu didn't have to wait long before the two people he was waiting for arrived.
Yun Mengxi, wearing a baseball cap and a large mask, and Liu Zhuohua, who looked uncharacteristically disheveled.
Looking at Liu Zhuohua's haggard appearance, Shu really couldn't see the elite businesswoman she put on when she had someone by her side.
Truly, you can't judge a book by its cover.
"Hello… we…" Liu Zhuohua was a bit out of breath from running, but her exhaustion was nothing compared to the excitement of seeing four clean, calm humans.
Nor was it as overwhelming as her hunger.
"You're Miss Yun Mengxi, who sang the theme song for Homu's Crown, right?!" Before Liu Zhuohua could even speak, Kiana had already grabbed Yun Mengxi's hand, her and Bronya's faces flushed with excitement.
Yun Mengxi and Liu Zhuohua were both startled.
What was with this overly enthusiastic girl? Why did they seem like they didn't know us at all? And if they didn't know us, why were they so enthusiastic?
Were they some crazy fans?!
Yun Mengxi was at a loss, looking at Liu Zhuohua, clearly having been caught off guard.
"Ahem." Shu and Mei hadn't made a move yet, but Shu felt a vague chill emanating from his side, and couldn't help but offer a subtle reminder to a certain someone.
It's fine when you're like this usually, but did you forget what you just said to Mei?
Rein it in, Kiana! Mei's your true love!
"Ms. Liu Zhuohua, right?" Shu stepped forward, taking the initiative to break the awkward silence. Liu Zhuohua was taken aback, then looked at the young man in front of her with a trace of suspicion.
She was certain that she hadn't mentioned her name, but this young man had accurately stated it… This wasn't simple…
But she didn't know how it wasn't simple.
Her mind had no information about Shu, but she did vaguely recognize the purple-haired girl beside him…
"That's me, who are you?"
"We're not with Yun Feng, if that disappoints you." Shu's formal way of speaking caused Mei to glance at him, and even Kiana and Bronya stopped their excitement to look at Shu in confusion.
"But our goals align. Ms. Liu Zhuohua, we can bring you and Miss Yun Mengxi back to Mr. Yun Feng's shelter. We also hope that you can introduce us to Mr. Yun Feng."
Liu Zhuohua didn't agree immediately. Shu's tone and attitude made her overthink things.
This way of speaking, and these requests…
Liu Zhuohua furrowed her brow for a moment, then suddenly, Yun Mengxi's stomach let out a loud "grumble."
Everyone's eyes focused on Yun Mengxi. Even with her cap and mask covering her face, Kiana and the others could still see the blush on Yun Mengxi's face.
Shu chuckled, pulled a chocolate bar he had prepared from his pocket, and handed it to Yun Mengxi, then handed one to Liu Zhuohua. "You can take your time to consider it. We won't force you."
Liu Zhuohua took the chocolate, her brow furrowing deeper.
After a long moment, Liu Zhuohua looked up, tentatively asking Shu, "Are you… with the government?"
"You could say that." Shu smiled, giving a vague answer.
Everyone was instantly stunned, even Mei and the others looked at Shu with surprise.
Shu hadn't told them that he was going to pretend to be with the government!
But Shu had already done it, so they could only play along.
Mei controlled her expression, Bronya remained stoic, and Kiana, on the other hand, had a slightly awkward expression as she tried to act like a mature adult.
Shu: "…" You'd be better off not trying.
Shu's plan needed a higher level of authority, at least enough to make Yun Feng follow his lead, so he had to establish his credibility now, so that he could easily take over the shelter when they finally met.
As for what if Liu Zhuohua refused? Shu wouldn't hesitate to turn and leave.
It wasn't a choice he was making, he could just go down the other path, saving him from having to go toe-to-toe with that Honkai beast.
Shu still had a bit of PTSD.
At the same time, Kiana and the others wouldn't be too upset if they were rejected. If he had informed them beforehand, they'd surely start rehearsing. If they were rejected then…
Kiana would be depressed for a long time.
Liu Zhuohua looked at Shu's smiling face, trying to read something from it.
The purple-haired girl's expression management was excellent, the gray-haired twin-tailed girl was even more unreadable, and only that white-haired European girl looked strangely nervous and guilty.
But, considering how that girl had suddenly grabbed Mengxi's hand and started talking, Liu Zhuohua figured that she was just naturally ditzy…
Shu, meanwhile, was thinking: How did Otto smile? Eyes slightly narrowed, a three-part confident smile, three-part easy-going, three-part pride, and ninety-one parts Kallen…
Liu Zhuohua's gaze gradually shifted to the tachi that each of the four was carrying.
The swords looked strange, but everyone had one, it seemed to be some kind of standard issue. Looking at their attitude…
Even if they weren't officials, they were likely part of some professional team or organization.
"Okay, I agree." Liu Zhuohua thought for a long time, then finally made a decision. She looked up at Shu. "But, I'll only introduce you to Yun Feng. You can discuss the rest yourselves."
"Of course." Shu let out a sigh of relief, and stopped imitating Otto's mannerisms.
If Liu Zhuohua had looked at him for a moment longer, he might have given up the act.
"Let's go, we have enough food and water." Shu maintained the last bit of elegance he had imitated, stepping aside to clear the way. "We'll guarantee the safety of you and Miss Yun Mengxi on the road."
Liu Zhuohua nodded, and finally unwrapped the chocolate.
This was Shu's show of goodwill and sincerity. She needed to show that she had accepted it.
"Oh, right." Just as they were about to leave, Shu suddenly remembered Liu Zhuohua's resistance to going to the city center, and added, "Yun Feng's shelter is in the city center, is that okay?"
Shu had thought that she would strongly object.
But, unexpectedly, Liu Zhuohua glanced at the long swords hanging at Shu and the other's waists, and then silently agreed.
Shu couldn't help but take another look at Liu Zhuohua.
As expected, this youth, who was supposedly an official, knows what's in the city center.
Liu Zhuohua felt relieved. If the others knew what was there, and were still willing to go, that meant that they must have a certain degree of confidence.
Shu also felt a lot easier now.
Looks like there won't be any need to argue after all… Was it my attitude and the weapons in my hands that had an effect?
Shu suddenly had a new goal.
He had to practice his negotiation skills, so he wouldn't be intimidated by Otto's strip-search-like gaze in the future!