Chapter 2783: Is This Interesting?
The boss didn't care whether he was telling the truth or not and enthusiastically went to attend to other customers.
By the time Xu Huo left the small shop, it was already late. He went to the lodging he had booked earlier, then looked up the woman's residence. Following the local protocol for visiting, he prepared a letter of introduction and had someone deliver it on his behalf.
Generally, the host would reply within two days whether they agreed to meet. The person who helped deliver the letter would then relay the response back and inform him of some of the host's habits, such as what time to visit and what gifts to avoid bringing.
After sending out the letter of introduction, Xu Huo didn't stay idle. Over the next two days, he traveled all over several small islands, buying quite a bit of food and drink, but he didn't trigger any random souvenirs.
Afterward, he went to see the underwater meteor shower again, but this time he didn't encounter any meteors, only the star river. The woman didn't appear this time, which disappointed quite a few people who had come specifically to wait. Some lawless individuals openly talked about finding the woman's residence, drawing looks of disgust from the locals.
These people naturally didn't care about others' opinions, but they hadn't gone far before the local enforcement team had them in their sights. A warning order was issued in advance, telling them not to approach the lady's residence.
Being strangers in a foreign land, no matter how arrogant these players were, they had to hold back.
"You dirty men, stop dreaming," a female player sitting by the bar in the dimly lit tavern mercilessly mocked the others. "Just one look and we can tell you're thinking about nothing but the gutter. No woman would look twice at you, let alone someone as beautiful as her. If she wanted a man, she could have any she pleased. Why would she settle for you misfits?"
"Boss lady, that's going too far," someone chimed in. "I may not be top-tier in looks, but I'm at least decent. Everyone has a love for beauty—what's wrong with pursuing a beautiful woman? Having desires for a pretty lady is a normal physiological reaction. You'd have to worry if you didn't!"
The tavern erupted in laughter, with some people chiming in that the boss lady wasn't bad herself. An invisible beauty was never as good as a visible one.
The boss lady wasn't angry. Leaning against the bar, she gently swirled her glass. "Keep talking if you want. Once my man gets angry, he'll cut off your tongues one by one to go with our drinks."
Most people in the tavern didn't take it seriously. Only a few, probably aware of the boss lady's background, restrained their smiles.
"Handsome, you've been sitting here for a long time. You don't talk, you don't drink—got something on your mind?" The boss lady shifted a little closer to Xu Huo, her fingertip lightly tracing the rim of his glass. "If you have any troubles, just tell me. In Lake City, there aren't many things I can't handle."
Xu Huo smiled. "I've heard that the owner of Wild Berry Tavern is very capable. As long as you pay, you can get things done that others can't."
The boss lady gave a charming smile. "Everyone's just being polite. If you have business, we can talk inside. As for the price, it's negotiable."
"Talk about what?" Someone tactlessly approached, his hand naturally reaching for the boss lady's back. "How about the three of us talk together?"
The boss lady curled her fingers and knocked his hand away, squinting at the man behind her. "Lake City is full of men. If you want to talk, I can find as many as you like. I guarantee you'll try every position in one night."
The man, having been put in his place, found himself an out. "Just joking, boss lady, don't be mad. I've got business for you."
The boss lady snorted coldly. "Come in."
The man glanced at Xu Huo and quickly followed. Xu Huo stayed where he was. After a while, when the man came out with a look of anger on his face, he walked over.
In the small room reserved for guests, the boss lady poured a cup of tea and placed it in front of Xu Huo. "Let's hear what your business is."
"Lady Ruo," Xu Huo said.
The boss lady's expression turned subtle. "And here I thought you were a gentleman. You sat next to me all night without even glancing my way. Turns out you have high standards."
"You misunderstand," Xu Huo said. "A couple of days ago, I had someone deliver a letter of introduction to Whale Garden, but Lady Ruo hasn't replied yet. I suspect the intermediary wasn't diligent enough, so I wanted to try another channel."
"You're quite patient," the boss lady chuckled. "But you've come to the wrong person. As for Lady Ruo, not even the district government coming in person would necessarily get her to show face."
"I don't need you to get me into Whale Garden. Just ask about the letter." Xu Huo took out several stacks of White Notes and placed them on the table.
The boss lady's gaze swept over his gloves before she suddenly asked, "Can you take off your gloves and let me see your hands?"
"Why?" Xu Huo asked with a smile.
"Players usually equip the most commonly used and most effective items in their daily carry. Once you become an advanced player, not many people wear a whole bunch of items dangling on them. Mastering an item's effects and knowing when to use them based on the environment is also a test of a player's strength."
"Players often go in and out of dangerous places, so wearing protective suits all day isn't strange. But during leisure time, most people prefer a more relaxed approach. Someone like you, who wears gloves all day, is even rarer."
"Besides, they don't really match your outfit."
"Your gloves are indeed items, but I can tell you're not weak. You shouldn't be so dependent on a single item that you won't even take them off while drinking. Doesn't it feel uncomfortable wearing them?"
The woman smiled at him. "Obviously, your gloves are meant to hide something else."
"Your reasoning is good," Xu Huo praised, then added, "But I'm particularly cautious about my life. I hate making irreparable mistakes due to my own carelessness. Since I'm in an instance, there's no time for leisure."
The woman just snorted. "If you don't want to, fine. Don't make excuses."
She tapped the White Notes on the table with her finger. "I can help you ask, but if she doesn't want to see you, don't blame me."
Xu Huo smiled and nodded, then took his leave.
Not long after leaving the tavern, two players followed him. One of them was the man who had gone in to negotiate with the boss lady before him.
After leading them around the island for a while, he stopped in a sparsely populated area.
"Looking for me?" On the tree-lined path of a small park, Xu Huo looked at the two men emerging from the shadows.
"Nothing much. Just wanted to ask what business you discussed with the boss lady," the man said.
Xu Huo raised an eyebrow. "If you're that bored, why don't you grab a spoon and go scoop up lake water to play with?"
The man wasn't angered. He grinned. "Brother, refusing a toast only to drink a penalty isn't fun..."
"Is that so?" Xu Huo tilted his chin slightly. The Space Ray Blade and Space Barrier had already lifted the two men into the air. "Then is this interesting?"