That night, a hall in Qlipoth Fort normally used for hosting esteemed guests had been arranged to look like a banquet.
Considering the feelings of Fu Zhu and his group, Cocolia had intentionally refrained from inviting any unrelated personnel. Everyone present was an acquaintance.
Bronya, Gepard, Serval, and Pela were there, naturally. From the Underworld, Seele, Clara, Natasha, Oleg, Svarog, and even Sampo had been specially dragged over by Gepard to liven things up.
At first, Sampo felt rather uncomfortable being watched by Gepard, but when he spotted Topaz, who was also attending, his eyes lit up and he immediately sidled over.
"Hey there, beautiful! Interested in making a deal?"
Topaz simply smiled and mouthed a single word at Sampo.
Scram.
Sampo could only chuckle sheepishly and slink away to a corner.
Meanwhile, Seele, who was sipping a drink nearby, couldn't help but snort with laughter at the scene. She shook her head, her gaze shifting from Sampo to Bronya, who was making conversation with Fu Zhu, one topic after another.
Seele understood. She had a good guess as to Bronya's intentions. Fu Zhu's group would probably be leaving Jarilo-VI after the Sun-Soaring Festival tomorrow to continue their journey.
If Bronya wanted to make a move, tonight was her only chance!
With that thought, a plan immediately formed in Seele's mind. She knew how to help Bronya.
Seele carried her drink over to where March 7th and Xing were playing with Hook and Clara.
"March, Xing, I've got an idea for tonight. You guys wanna hear it?"
The moment Xing heard there was something fun to do, she immediately turned her head. "I'm all ears!"
Seele hummed a little tune, smiling as she lightly tapped her finger on March 7th, Xing, Clara, and Hook. "Since we're all gathered together, and you guys are leaving tomorrow, why don't we have a pillow fight? Didn't you mention wanting to have one before, March? Girls only, of course."
"Yes! Yes!" March 7th clapped her hands in agreement the moment she heard 'pillow fight'. Xing thought it was an excellent idea too. She turned to look at Hook and Clara, who both had faces full of curiosity and anticipation.
"Hook, Clara, you wanna join?"
"Yes!" they both shouted.
"Excellent! Very spirited!" Xing was very pleased with their response and turned to wave at Bronya and Fu Zhu in the distance.
"Old Bro! Bronya! Come over here!"
"What is it?" Fu Zhu and Bronya walked over curiously with their drinks.
Xing gave Fu Zhu a mischievous wink. "Old Bro, don't say your little sister doesn't look out for you. We're having a pillow fight tonight, wanna join? You too, Bronya?"
"A pillow fight?"
Fu Zhu's mind conjured an image associated with the term. The next second, he put on a dead-serious expression and said with utmost solemnity, "Since it is an invitation from my dear sister, as her older brother, I naturally have no reason to refuse. What time, what place? I'll be there!"
When you say pillow fight, that means pajamas!
And standing before him were beautiful girls of all different types! He absolutely had to go!
For the first time, Fu Zhu felt that Xing might truly be his long-lost, non-biological sister!
However, after Xing invited Fu Zhu and Bronya, the expressions on Seele's and Bronya's faces instantly changed.
Seele quickly said to Fu Zhu, "This is an event for us girls. What's a grown man like you butting in for? Shoo, shoo."
Fu Zhu pointed at Seele with a look of grief and indignation. "That's bullying! How dare you assume my gender!"
Seele looked at Fu Zhu with disdain. How could she not guess what he was thinking? She then turned to Bronya and gave her a suggestive look. "Bronya, you probably have to deal with the trade matters with the Company tonight, right? I guess we'll have to invite you next time."
Bronya understood Seele's cue. Blushing, she gave a soft,糯糯 nod.
"Mm... it's alright. Thank you, Seele."
Seeing that Bronya and Fu Zhu couldn't join the party tonight, Xing sighed in disappointment.
"Aww, well that's a shame. Old Bro, I guess you'll have to join next time. We can have one when we get back to the Express, how about that?"
Fu Zhu sighed and said nothing more, merely nodding.
---o---
Seele, having finally settled the matter of tonight's two main characters, let out a sigh of relief. The only thing left was to lure March 7th and Xing to the Underworld…
"Alright, let's all meet up in my room tonight!" Xing suddenly slapped her chest and said cheerfully. "My room is huge, so we can sleep there right after we get tired! Hook and Clara, you haven't stayed in a fancy Overworld hotel before, have you? I'll show you the ropes!"
"Yay!" Hook and Clara cheered instantly.
Seele's expression flickered. Seeing Hook and Clara's excited faces, she couldn't bring herself to say no.
Oh well, she thought. Since it's an Overworld hotel, the soundproofing should be pretty good. As long as I'm careful, there shouldn't be any major problems!
---o---
After the banquet ended, Xing led the group back to her guest room. Soon, the room was filled with peals of laughter.
As Fu Zhu passed by the door, he rolled his eyes at it in exasperation.
What's wrong with letting me join? I'm great at pillow fights!
After grumbling to himself, Fu Zhu slipped into his own room next door.
He had barely sat down on the bed when there was a knock at his door.
"Hm?"
Fu Zhu got up and walked to the door, assuming it was Xing and the others. But when he opened it, he found Bronya standing there instead.
The scene felt oddly familiar. Fu Zhu couldn't help but tease the girl, who stood there with her head lowered. "You're not wearing pajamas this time?"
Bronya blushed, nervously clutching her right arm with her left.
"Should I be wearing pajamas? I can go back and change..."
"I'm just kidding, just kidding. Come on in."
Fu Zhu turned and walked back into the room. Bronya glanced left and right, confirming that Xing and the others were still busy with their party, before quickly slipping inside and locking the door behind her with a soft click.
Bronya leaned against the door, took a few deep breaths, and said to Fu Zhu with a blush on her face, "Fu Zhu, you said before that I could come to you if I needed any help, right?"
"That's right. What's wrong? Is Jarilo-VI in some kind of trouble again?"
Fu Zhu thought about it carefully. Cocolia didn't seem to have mentioned any other problems Jarilo-VI was facing.
"Then... could you please close your eyes, and don't ask anything."