Without a doubt, Li Ke was a highly disciplined man. He intended to accompany this eccentric character for just a little while longer before heading off to tend to his actual business.
"When the time comes, let's see if those legally contracted professionals can work some kind of miracle for me."
With a heavy sigh, Li Ke let the female Poison Master lead him right to the storefront of a grocery shop. However, when he caught sight of the little girl struggling to haul crates by the entrance, and the female Street Fighter walking straight toward her, a massive question mark slowly materialized over his head.
And just like that, his ominous premonition came true.
"Yo, Cannina, long time no see."
The girl, currently lifting a heavy crate, nodded happily upon seeing Galina, her face practically radiating pure innocence.
"Hello, Sister Galina! Is there something you need help with?"
"Don't worry, it's a good thing."
Galina stood before Cannina, naturally crossing her arms over her chest, and said with absolute seriousness, "Hey, Cannina, didn't you mention you were looking for more responsibility? Come on, I found a job for you that pays well, and apparently it's quite demanding..."
Without waiting for the deadpan Galina to finish her sentence, Li Ke materialized behind her like a flash. One hand clamped over her mouth while the other grabbed the back of her jacket, dragging her away from the intensely curious Cannina.
Suddenly ambushed, Galina struggled wildly. Unsurprisingly, Li Ke's physical strength was no match for hers, and she broke free without a hitch. "Mmph—mgh?! Li Ke! What do you think you're doing?! I was trying to find you a—"
"Shut up!"
Li Ke hastily covered her mouth again, stuffing the rest of her sentence right back down her throat. Then, he stared at the woman before him in utter disbelief.
"Are you out of your mind?! She's just a kid!" Li Ke hissed in a low, furious roar, pointing at Cannina, who was watching them with an expression full of curiosity and confusion. "Are you pulling my leg?!"
But Galina simply stared back at Li Ke, looking completely exasperated.
"Huh? You're the one pulling legs here. Cannina is already an experienced worker, you know."
"Huh?"
Li Ke snapped his head to look at the young girl standing there, then looked back at Galina's expressionless face, before finally turning his bewildered gaze back to Cannina. "Seriously?"
"It's true!"
Cannina set the crate down, extended her arms, and struck a mock-muscular pose to show off her strength. "Cannina is already a big girl! Besides, everyone always says Cannina is going to be the best shopkeeper in the future!"
So it really is a misunderstanding after all!!
Li Ke looked at the little girl in front of him, desperately wanting to ask what kind of screw was loose in the head of this bumbling Street Fighter named Galina. Yet, the woman just nodded alongside her with absolute composure, acting as if everything she did was perfectly normal.
"See? She said it's fine," Galina noted.
With an IQ like yours, I could take advantage of you eighty times over, and you'd probably still pay me for the privilege!
Li Ke buried his face in his hands and waved a dismissive palm.
"Whatever. I'm exhausted."
He should have known better than to rely on this woman.
Sighing deeply, Li Ke turned on his heel and walked back toward the pink-themed bar. Galina watched his retreating figure in sheer bewilderment, wondering why a guy who had been so bursting with excitement a moment ago had suddenly deflated into such a miserable heap.
Still, since Li Ke no longer needed her help, the shrewd Street Fighter figured she was officially off the hook for repaying her debt.
"Then I'm counting this as a favor returned! But whenever you manage to build a tolerance to my deadly poison, I'm still down to fulfill my original promise!"
She waved her hands energetically, bidding him farewell. Li Ke ignored her completely, stepping straight through the entrance of the pink bar.
The moment he crossed the threshold, he felt as if he had finally returned home. Looking at the hostesses moving back and forth through the lounge in their incredibly revealing outfits, a genuine smile finally returned to his face.
While these girls didn't have the kind of powerful, athletic thighs that made you instantly want to squeeze them like Galina did, their plump, porcelain-white legs naturally possessed a completely different kind of soft, seductive charm.
Especially those flimsy dresses that looked like mere strips of fabric; as the hostesses moved, the cloth would slide off their pale thighs, making Li Ke unable to stop his imagination from wandering to what kind of tantalizing mysteries were hidden deeper within that deep, enticing shadow.
Their beautiful long hair released waves of sweet fragrance as they glided around. When those various hair colors fell against their fair or beautifully tanned, bare skin, it created a deeply intoxicating, erotic aesthetic.
Suddenly, a girl with long black hair, pale skin, and a striking yellow gown leaned heavily against him. He instantly caught the alluring, fragrant scent of fresh roses.
Thus, he leaned in and hooked a finger under the lovely girl's smooth chin to lift her face, while his other hand naturally slid across her bare, silky-smooth back. The exquisite, delicate sensation of her skin made him incredibly comfortable.
"How much money will it cost me to thoroughly play with a lovely flower like you?" Li Ke asked, staring at her cute face with a confident, predatory smile.
Then, he received some rather excellent news.
"Plucking the flower doesn't cost any money at all," the cute girl replied with a coquettish, charming smile. "However, our minimum drink consumption here is ten gold coins."
Li Ke chuckled. He pulled a few gold coins from his pocket and pressed his hand directly against the lovely lady's chest. He casually let the golden coins slide down her pale, exposed cleavage, letting them drop right into the tight fabric clinging to her smooth skin. The weight of the coins caused a sudden impact against the yellow rose lady's slender shoulder straps.
Consequently, it exposed a faint, tantalizing glimpse of a pinkish hue.
It was clear that the hostess was quite accustomed to such attention, and her outfit was designed with an eye for elegance and charm that didn't go unnoticed by Li Ke.
"A minor issue, isn't it?" Li Ke smiled, clearly impressed by the atmosphere. "And what might your name be, my lady?"
Li Ke's confidence and easygoing attitude made the lady's smile grow even more brilliant as she leaned in closer, matching his playful energy.
"Why don't you try to guess?" she teased.
The proximity between them and the lively energy of the bar fueled Li Ke's excitement. He found the interaction far more engaging than his previous encounter with the street fighter, appreciating the professional charm of the lounge.