48: Chapter 48 The Mayor's Invitation

"Xiao Yan? Xiao Yan? Are you okay?"

A familiar voice filled with concern reached her, pulling Xing Yaoyan's consciousness from her Sea of Spirit back to reality.

"Qian Mo? Where are you? Why is it so dark in here?"

*Snap.*

The lights in the room flickered on.

Only then did Xing Yaoyan realize that Qian Mo had closed all the doors and windows in the bedroom.

"Xiao Yan, do you have any idea how much of a commotion you just caused..."

As he spoke, the young man pulled the curtain open a crack and peeked outside.

"Phew~ Fortunately, it's still daytime and there aren't many people on the street, so it doesn't look like you attracted any attention..."

"Honestly, could you give me a heads-up before your next Breakthrough? Don't give me such a heart attack, okay?"

Before Qian Mo could finish, he felt a quick nuzzle against his cheek; it was a bit ticklish.

"Thank you, Qian Mo."

Seeing Qian Mo's shocked expression, Xing Yaoyan spoke sincerely.

"But I cannot fulfill the request you made earlier; my ambitions lie elsewhere."

Xing Yaoyan's tone was mature and firm. Though her voice hadn't changed, there was an added magnetism compared to her previous hesitation.

The boy's face instantly flushed bright red.

Although he had felt complex emotions for his Xiao Yan before, they had never been as intense as they were now.

He couldn't quite explain why, but he felt as though the wolf before him had suddenly grown taller in his eyes, becoming incredibly captivating.

"I... I..."

"Is this apology not enough... How about I let you touch my tail then..."

Xing Yaoyan thought that her earlier affectionate gesture hadn't fully dispelled the boy's disappointment after being rejected.

"No, it's enough, it's enough! Xiao Yan, don't move. If we're not wearing it, we're not wearing it!"

In his past life, he had a wife in name only, but that was a private arrangement by the Organization to keep him stable. He had given his all to women before, but they were all just mission targets.

In a real sense, he was still a virgin and had zero resistance to suggestive comments from girls.

Xing Yaoyan naturally noticed this and found it quite amusing.

She took a few steps back and sat down, quietly enjoying Qian Mo's embarrassment.

So this kid actually likes the mature Big Sister type...

After chanting the Heart-Clearing Incantation a few more times in his head, Qian Mo finally calmed down.

"Will you leave me in the future?"

This was actually the question he cared about most.

"Yes."

Xing Yaoyan's answer was swift and blunt, causing Qian Mo's eyes to dim involuntarily.

"Unless..."

Mimicking Hu Wang, she deliberately trailed off, enjoying the changing expressions on the boy's face.

"We can meet at the peak."

"Fine, then we'll meet at the peak."

Qian Mo's passion was instantly ignited by Xing Yaoyan's words.

He knew Xing Yaoyan had immense talent, strange powers and skills, and hailed from the mysterious starry sky.

But with a cheat like the System, it was still uncertain who would end up stronger.

There's no way I can't beat a natural genius even with cheats...

Just as the human and the wolf made their pact to climb to the summit together...

Qian Mo's phone suddenly rang.

The caller was Captain Li Qiaoyan.

"Hello, Senior? Is something the matter?"

The boy's tone was light; he was clearly in a good mood.

"Um... Qian Mo... the Mayor heard about your highlight performance at the Awakening ceremony and has specifically invited you to have tea with him tomorrow morning at eight..."

Captain Li Qiaoyan's voice stuttered slightly, but Qian Mo didn't think much of it, only wondering if she was feeling unwell.

"Okay, I understand. I'll go the day after tomorrow."

"..."

There was a moment of silence on Captain Li Qiaoyan's end, but the call wasn't disconnected.

"Is there anything else, Senior?"

"A car will pick you up at 7:30 tomorrow morning, right at your doorstep..."

"Oh, okay, I've got it."

*Beep— beep—*

"What did your senior say on the phone?"

Xing Yaoyan was a bit curious.

Hadn't Qian Mo already accepted the admission to Longxiang Ability University as they had agreed? Why was she still calling...

"Oh, she said the Mayor invited me for tea tomorrow morning. It's probably just to congratulate me, do a routine check-in, and then have the media promote it or something."

"Oh..."

"You must be hungry. I'm going out to get some groceries; I forgot when I just got back..."

As Qian Mo spoke, he stepped out and bumped into his elderly neighbor, who was carrying several bags of belongings.

Although he saw her practicing Tai Chi every morning during his runs, they had rarely spoken.

Feeling good today, he casually greeted the elderly woman.

"Hi! Good afternoon, Grandma. Are you moving?"

The woman looked up and saw a young man with a sunny smile, and she responded politely:

"Of course, child. Didn't you hear? I heard there were traces of Star Beasts found around here... Many people in the neighborhood moved out today for safety; I'm actually one of the late ones..."

"Star Beasts?"

Qian Mo had actually learned from the news earlier that a Star Beast had died in the alley cordoned off by police tape when he was heading home; it seemed to have been hunted down by a team from the Capital.

"But hasn't it already been killed..."

"Listen to me, I suggest you move out quickly too, for safety's sake..."

"Alright, alright, I appreciate the concern! I'm off to buy groceries now."

Dismissing the old woman's words as mere groundless fears, Qian Mo quickly cycled away. He didn't want to waste too much time; someone was waiting for him at home to cook.

"Hey! I'm telling you, the notice about the Star Beast sightings was sent to us by the government. Didn't you receive it..."

The old woman was about to say more, but the boy had already vanished from her sight.

"Sigh~ These young people... if you don't listen to your elders, you'll suffer the consequences... I hope you don't regret it later..."

...

*Beep— beep—*

The call ended.

"Captain Li Qiaoyan, remember your place!"

Before her, Director Li Li frowned deeply, clearly dissatisfied with the girl's recent performance.

"I won't say anything about you letting the Bridge of Worlds people go on purpose today, since no damage was done. But you'd better think carefully; the nature of this matter is different! Think about how your father died..."

Standing with her head bowed, the girl's slender body trembled slightly. In the shadow of her bangs, a tear silently rolled down her cheek.

Seeing his niece's distress, Director Li Li sighed, and his tone softened.

"I overcame many obstacles to specifically entrust this mission to you."

"Once this mission is completed to Perfection, you will receive a Third-Class Merit Medal, plus a permanent opportunity to become a full member of the Silver Dragon Enforcers. Isn't this what you've always wanted..."

Before Director Li Li could finish, the girl suddenly looked up. Her eyes shimmered with tears, yet her face still wore that familiar smile.

"Uncle Li... I understand... I will complete the mission with all my might..."