106: The stage has been set up

Kong Jiamu had been living with great anticipation these past few days.

Although he hadn't yet made the final Breakthrough, every smile and glance from Pearl told him that the final step was only a matter of time.

Look, Pearl had suddenly surprised him, appearing outside his room to invite him for dinner at the stern of the ship.

Tu Nan was dressed in a yellow-green formal gown. Her straight hair had been curled and woven into a complex hairstyle. Creamy white velvet flowers adorned the sides of her cat ears, creating a perfect Fusion of purity and glamour.

Kong Jiamu asked her to wait in the living room for a moment while he turned back into his room to change into a suitable outfit.

The corners of his mouth were constantly curled in an uncontrollable smile.

Pearl had coordinated a matching couple's outfit based on his usual style. See how well that green palette complemented his hair color, while the decorations echoed the color schemes of the clothes he often wore.

Taking one last look at himself in the mirror, Kong Jiamu was very satisfied.

It turned out that this kind of emotional push-and-pull was so interesting.

Sigh... He had thought he had long mastered all the techniques of flirtation, but looking at it now, he was still too crude. He hadn't expected that the stage before obtaining someone would be the most emotionally stirring.

Sigh, it was all to be blamed on his overwhelming charm, making it too difficult for those Female Beasts to restrain themselves.

Every progression had been too fast before; he had missed out on so much fun.

He stepped out of the room.

In an instant, the space seemed to be illuminated by him.

Tu Nan's gaze sharpened, and a smile rose to her lips. She made no effort to hide her gaze, which was intense and direct.

This man truly lived up to being a walking hormone.

Kong Jiamu wore a white jacket paired with dark green plaid trousers. With broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and an upright posture, he perfectly blended the arrogance of a powerful man with the refined elegance nurtured in wealth into an ultimate temptation.

He was like fireworks exploding in a cold night wind—both distant and brilliant, making people unable to resist wanting to get closer, to provoke, or even to ignite him.

He made one want to submit, yet also made one want to conquer.

So contradictory.

Tu Nan chuckled softly, her fingertips brushing against his arm as if by accident, before she sweetly took his arm.

She leaned in and whispered in his ear, her voice as ambiguous as a cat's.

"I dressed up specifically for you tonight; you're not allowed to refuse if you're unsatisfied."

She made a playful demand, "Even though I booked the dinner, you have to pretend you prepared it."

"This way, please, my princess," Kong Jiamu cooperated with her exaggeratedly. "To satisfy you, I chose this outfit out of ten. I'll definitely satisfy you tonight, alright?"

Tu Nan smiled.

Of course she would be satisfied, as long as he maintained this attentive attitude.

A small accident occurred on the way; they ran head-on into the captain, Wei Yang.

Upon seeing Kong Jiamu, the man's expression straightened, becoming even more stiff. Unfazed by interrupting the intimate pair, he stood before them and said to Kong Jiamu, "Young Master, I would like to inquire about something."

Kong Jiamu had a headache; why was it that every time he was about to make a key move, he would be interrupted by Wei Yang?

"What is it..." he asked helplessly.

"I noticed that your friend, Mr. Hain, used the video call service."

The expressions of both Tu Nan and Kong Jiamu became unnatural, but Wei Yang hadn't finished speaking.

"You know there are only two dedicated lines for video calls on the ship. Isn't this a bit inappropriate? Of course, there will be a charge, but..."

Kong Jiamu hastily interrupted him.

"Enough! It's just a video call, isn't it? If he used it, he must have had important business. Isn't there still one line free?" Kong Jiamu could hardly keep a straight face, remembering he had even consulted Hain for relationship advice.

"Don't talk to me about such trivial matters." Kong Jiamu hurriedly led Tu Nan away from the serious old man.

He was a bit embarrassed himself, so he didn't notice that Tu Nan's expression was also very tense.

That was close; she was almost exposed.

Tu Nan was nearly scared to death. What was with this Wei Yang... Video calls are supposed to be customer privacy, right? Why was he reporting it to Kong Jiamu?

It seemed she couldn't use that video call anymore. She would have to find a chance to tell Hain when she got back.

She hadn't known before that the ship would know both parties involved in a video call.

In this tense atmosphere, the two didn't speak again until they reached the stern restaurant.

It was dinner time, and many guests from the VIP rooms were in this area. A table by the porthole was empty, with an exaggerated candle stand beside it. The candlelight, which served no purpose other than atmosphere, painted a special, intimate vibe over that spot.

A decorative flower stand stood by the table; the area was blatantly filled with a romantic and intimate aura.

Kong Jiamu paused slightly at the restaurant entrance.

He recognized it—it was that bird-shaped flower arrangement from when he and Tu Nan first met.

Kong Jiamu's smile grew warmer. He lowered his head and blew a breath into Tu Nan's ear, seeing the white fur on her cat ears quiver.

"A surprise? Hmm?"

Tu Nan looked at him innocently, her eyes full of smiles.

"I rejected you that time. Let's start over, shall we?"

The smile on the corners of Kong Jiamu's mouth gradually widened. Leading Tu Nan to the table, he reached into the bouquet and pulled out the pale yellow, slightly blooming flower he had already set his eyes on.

"Look. This is the most beautiful flower here." Meeting Tu Nan's expectant gaze, he steadily tucked the flower behind her ear.

"When it's just about to bloom... it's most beautiful." His words were ambiguous and affectionate.

Kong Jiamu hadn't expected that he would still remember every single word from that day.

Pulling out the chair for Tu Nan, the two finally took their seats.

A small three-person band that had been waiting nearby stepped forward to perform romantic music for them.

Everything was perfect—perfect enough to make others envious.

The other guests in the restaurant had long been speculating about who had reserved this seat. Seeing Kong Jiamu walk in with the beautiful and charming Madame Pearl, they all showed knowing smiles.

Clearly, this would become the talk of the town for the next few days.

Meanwhile, at the neighboring table, The Peng Sisters lowered their heads to cut the food on their plates, their eyes sparking with fury.

"Why her?" The younger sister didn't dare say much; she didn't dare challenge Colonel Kong's hearing.

The elder sister didn't respond, but the sharp, grating sound of her suddenly cutting into her plate told the younger sister that she was equally unwilling to accept this.

The two were restless; they wanted to leave but were unwilling to give up, wanting to see just how shameless this Female Beast Pearl could be.

Tu Nan and Kong Jiamu began their meal, but after a while, Tu Nan apologetically said she needed to step away for a moment.

She passed by the two sisters' table, lifting her skirt and stepping on the younger sister's foot.

"What are you doing!" Peng Yilu stood up, angrily throwing down her cutlery.

Tu Nan was waiting for her with a cold sneer.

"I specifically came to tell you that this 'second-hand goods' is just that capable."

She looked at the elder sister, who was staring at her with a grim face, and continued her quiet provocation.

"I won't be burned to death at all; your Colonel Kong will protect me."

"If you don't believe me, why don't you ask him? Anyway... there's not a shred of possibility for you two, got it? You're the ones who should stop dreaming. Go ahead and be jealous!"

Kong Jiamu came up behind her. He pulled Tu Nan close and asked with a smile, "What's wrong? Are you alright?"

Blatant favoritism.

Peng Yilu, unwilling to let it go, complained, "She did it on purpose! She stepped on me!"

Kong Jiamu glanced down and politely apologized on behalf of his Female Beast: "I'm truly sorry. Please go pick out a pair of shoes and put it on my tab." Then he asked Tu Nan, "Are you still going to the restroom?"

Tu Nan shook her head. "I just wanted to touch up my makeup, but forget it."

The two returned to their seats, leaving the two sisters behind, who were about to explode with rage.

"Let's go." Peng Yining forcefully led her still-angry sister out of the restaurant.

Kong Jiamu helped Tu Nan with a dish, then asked her with a smile, "Feeling better after venting your anger?"

He had clearly heard what Tu Nan said and could guess that she had been given a hard time before. Of course, he also knew why.

Tu Nan huffed, "It's all because of you. I'm completely implicated by you."

"Am I not making amends now?" Kong Jiamu handed her the food he had shelled for her. "Forgive me. You can't blame me for being too charming, can you? Hmm?"

His eyes were full of smiles.

Tu Nan looked at the food, then at him, and couldn't help but laugh.

The two let this little episode pass just like that.

The two sisters, provoked by Tu Nan, walked back to their room.

The younger sister Peng Yilu's footsteps grew heavier and heavier until she finally stopped in anger. She growled in a low voice, "I can't take it! To be humiliated by such a slut!"

She stared at her sister.

"I want that! The thing on the note..."

"Shut up!" Peng Yining interrupted her.

"We'll talk in the room."

There were surveillance cameras in the public areas.