Even after getting in, Acheron still hadn't figured out what had just happened.
Her mind was still running rationality checks.
Pei Guang, however, was delighted at her joining. After all, bathing like this was truly something the more, the merrier.
And this time had made him fall in love with the Dreampool liquid: being able to soak in it with clothes on without ruining the experience? He decided he had to stockpile more of this good stuff.
If the Family knew what Pei Guang was thinking and doing right now, they'd want him dead. Such a precious liquid meant for entering dreams—used by him as bathwater?
That was an insult!
Unfortunately for them, no one would ever know. So far, everyone who entered this room hadn't left.
But just as Pei Guang was enjoying himself, he suddenly realized something awkward; when Acheron came in, she hadn't closed the door. Now it was wide open, meaning anyone passing by could see the four of them being slow-cooked inside.
Seeing this, Pei Guang's expression turned grim: "Stelle! Go! Close the door."
Stelle: "I won't! I'd have to get out of the can, and breaking this blissful comfort would be worse than killing me. Besides, why don't you go?"
She stretched out her arms, leaning comfortably against the rim of the trash tub—ahem, I meant trash can.
She had to admit, Pei Guang really knew how to enjoy life. The Dreampool's special liquid combined with his Savory Truefire produced incredible results.
Her spirit felt more and more invigorated, and her skin even seemed smoother.
Pei Guang glanced at her: "You already said what I was going to say, so what am I supposed to add?"
Then he turned to Acheron, since she was the last one in and the one who'd left the door open. He hoped she'd get up and close it.
But Acheron's rationality check had clearly failed: her eyes were empty, and she just leaned back against the trash can, gazing blankly at the ceiling like she was AFK.
Seeing this, Pei Guang realized Acheron was hopeless, so his gaze shifted to Aventurine. Feeling it, Aventurine smiled at him, though his eyes carried a hint of reluctance.
But Aventurine knew he had already gained a lot today. Even this simple encounter had pulled Pei Guang toward his side as a valuable chip.
If things truly came to a clash later, this chip would allow him to explain himself to Pei Guang.
He was sure their goals didn't conflict. And if there was no conflict, there was room to negotiate.
Even if it was a gamble, it was better than having no chance at all.
"It's getting late. I should return to my room. Trailblazer, I hope we can meet again in the dream. I look forward to next time."
Aventurine stood up, ready to leave the can and close the door. But as he rose, the sound of a camera shutter came from the doorway.
Everyone immediately turned their heads.
There at the entrance stood March 7th, holding a camera, her smile frozen as she stared at the scene inside.
Inside, Pei Guang, Stelle, and Acheron were being slow-cooked in trash cans, while Aventurine stood, saying farewell to Pei Guang.
A man, yet March 7th could see reluctance in his eyes?
Just imagine: in one room, two men and two women together. And one man gazing at the other with reluctant eyes? On top of that, both were absurdly good-looking! Worse still, one of them wasn't even wearing clothes, revealing his body?
One clothed, one bare, and exchanging soulful looks? Was another man trying to steal her man??
Her smile, originally blooming unconsciously at the thought of seeing Pei Guang, froze completely.
Her brain spun rapidly, but the camera-wielding March 7th pressed the shutter again by instinct, capturing the moment.
This was a scene no dream could ever produce: two Trailblazers, a high-ranking IPC executive, and a Galaxy Ranger, all being simmered together? Slow-cooked to the point of releasing fragrance?
Daydreams aside, such a marvelous and historic moment absolutely had to be recorded in her camera.
What March 7th didn't know was that she had just recorded a scene rare enough to be considered priceless across the universe.
Nowhere else in the cosmos had an Emanator ever been stewed in a trash can.
If it were an ordinary person, they would absolutely freeze up at such a sight.
But the four in the room didn't.
With a smile, Aventurine looked at Pei Guang. "Looks like your companion has come to find you. Then I won't disturb you~ Goodbye~"
Aventurine was about to leave, but as he prepared to go, Pei Guang called out to him. "Wait! Take your stuff with you! And the reward! Reward~"
Aventurine took out a chip, spun it once in his hand, and then it suddenly appeared in Pei Guang's hand.
With a smile, Aventurine said, "With this, you can exchange for a huge number of credits anywhere under the Company's management. Of course~ beyond credits, it has other uses as well~"
Pei Guang examined the chip, noticing a symbol on it resembling the suit of hearts from a deck of cards, and curiously asked, "Oh? Huge? How huge?"
Aventurine: "Let me think? A few hundred billion credits? Or~ maybe the ownership of a planet? Who knows?"
Hearing this reward, Stelle's eyes lit up. "Do you have more? Give me one!"
Aventurine smiled and shook his head. "No~ This is Mr. Pei Guang's 'mission' reward. If you want one, you can complete my mission~ The gift you prepared for me, I really liked it. Thank you~"
Aventurine found this trash can fascinating. Despite the fire burning beneath it, there wasn't the slightest discomfort from the flames. The entire can seemed to exist in a perfectly balanced state.
For this trash can, Aventurine was more than satisfied.
Compared with the Belobog trash can Topaz had acquired, the one crafted by Pei Guang was sturdier, more refined. As Aventurine held the liquid-filled can, he even felt the pure will of Preservation emanating from it.
That alone almost made him laugh: so many people spoke lofty words about the will of Preservation, yet in reality, their "will" wasn't even as good as this trash can.
Carrying the trash can, Aventurine left.
From his expression and movements, it was easy to tell that he was pleased with his interaction with Pei Guang. After all, he had built a connection with him, and through this contact, he had also confirmed parts of Pei Guang's personality.
Pei Guang's personality was far too simple. Simple enough that even a child could devise countermeasures. But at the same time, Aventurine understood that such a simple personality on an ordinary person would be called "easy to target," but when placed on an abstract being capable of tying everyone up for a tug-of-war with their dicks, trying to exploit this might be asking for death.
March 7th's appearance and Aventurine's departure finally allowed Acheron to finish her rationality check. "Sorry, I can't stay here too long. I should go back. Thank you for the invitation! Farewell!"
Acheron left as well. But she didn't take the trash can with her.
Stelle hadn't planned to leave. But when she noticed the awkward look on March's face, her eyes sparkled with mischief.
She packed up the entire can, water and all. "Oh my~ I should head back to my room and start dreaming too. Ah Guang~ I'll go first, okay~ See you in the dream."
With that, Stelle slipped away immediately.
Stay here? Forget it. Stelle felt the private space should be left for Pei Guang and March now.
After all, she had already had her fun—it was only fair to let March enjoy her turn.
Once Stelle left, March 7th walked expressionlessly up to Pei Guang.
Seeing March's emotionless face, Pei Guang swallowed nervously. "March! What's wrong with you? That expression's scaring me!"
March stood over him, looking down into the trash can where Pei Guang sat wearing only a pair of undies.
Under her gaze, Pei Guang felt a rare, strange emotion welling up inside.
Before that feeling could even take shape, March suddenly leaned down close to his face and whispered softly, "Ah Guang~ you smell so good~"
As she prepared to savor Pei Guang's fragrance, outside the door Stelle, who had left without closing it, secretly pulled out her camera and recorded the scene.
Meanwhile, in another room, Dr. Ratio had been about to say something to Aventurine. But when he saw Aventurine returning while holding a flaming trash can, all his words got stuck in his throat.
On top of that, Veritas noticed something else unusual: when had Aventurine become so fragrant?
This wasn't the scent of cologne, nor the pull of pheromones. It was the mixed aroma of three flavors that only came from stewed meat.
What the hell? Did Pei Guang stew Aventurine? With spices, even?
And yet… it really did smell good.