159: vying for beauty

"You're here~" Just as Tu Nan stood at the doorway, Kong Jiamu immediately pulled the door open. It was as if he had been guarding it the whole time.

Theoretically, since he had been to the military district today, he should have been wearing his military uniform. But his current outfit was clearly one he had completely changed into after returning.

It was a loose, off-white top with a linen-like texture, featuring a perfectly placed V-neck, with the hem tucked casually into a tasseled sash. His lower half was quite normal, consisting of slim-fit trousers made from a denser material and soft leather shoes.

It wasn't very formal, very suitable for a home atmosphere, and also... very calculated.

The texture of the fabric also looked rustic, not too dense.

But the key was that whenever he made a slightly larger movement, his full muscles pressed against the fabric, and his flesh tone would faintly show through... like right now, as he leaned against the door complaining.

"I said I'd pick you up on my way out of the military district, but you insisted on refusing."

He complained clingily, "We haven't seen each other in two days, and you didn't even come earlier. You don't miss me at all."

Tu Nan ducked directly under his arm, then turned back to give a helpless smile.

"You have a pile of things backed up, and I'm the same. I just haven't had the heart for anything lately."

Kong Jiamu was immediately satisfied.

That was true; during the time he had gone missing, Pearl must have been terrified and unable to eat or sleep. Sigh... it had been hard on her.

In the living room, Gu Lvhai had already stood up. "Young Miss Pearl." She greeted her naively.

"Lvhai, good evening." Tu Nan responded warmly.

Kong Jiamu pulled a long face, caught up to Tu Nan, and lowered his head to grumble quietly.

"Can't we just have a nice meal for two? Why did you call her over?"

Tu Nan turned her head slightly and glared at him.

"She's a guest. Pay a little attention to etiquette; you're offending everyone."

Kong Jiamu savored these words, and his expression turned from cloudy to sunny in an instant.

Listen to that! She's a guest!

Then what is Pearl?

Naturally, it meant she had unconsciously placed herself in the position of the "hostess," which was why she could consider the problem that way~

Pearl was already worrying on his behalf.

Hehehe.

The three of them hadn't exchanged more than a few pleasantries when someone knocked on the door again.

Kong Jiamu was puzzled. He had instructed the guards to bring Pearl in directly, so who was this...

Without thinking too much, he yanked the door open.

Very good, it was indeed someone who didn't need to be announced.

Kong Jiamu looked on in shock as his friend stood at his front door, dressed in the traditional formal attire of a Sea Soul Star Male Beast.

"You're back..." He greeted him dryly, "Want to... eat together?"

Hain nodded.

With the way he was dressed, he wouldn't look out of place even if he went straight to a gala.

No, he would steal the show.

It was a deep blue, almost black robe that reached his calves and looked crisp and structured.

A stand-up collar and a row of Pearl buttons extended from his throat all the way down to his waist.

The cut was tailored precisely from his shoulders to his arms, and from his upper body to his waist. Anyone wearing it had to maintain their posture at all times, because even the slightest slouch would cause wrinkles in the garment.

The robe had slits on both sides reaching the hip line, revealing lighter, lustrous black silk trousers underneath—what is commonly known as "colorful black."

Around the cuffs of the trousers, a circle of tiny Pearls hung. As Hain walked, they rippled with a circle of soft, faint light.

This outfit suited Hain too well.

His cold, fair, and reserved face, set against his black hair and black robe, appeared even more unattainable. It was almost divine.

Gu Lvhai opened her mouth in a daze and stood up abruptly, knocking over the water cup on the coffee table, causing quite a commotion.

Kong Jiamu was secretly annoyed that he seemed to have been outshone. He turned his head to see the silly Gu Lvhai, who was soaked by the tea but still couldn't help but glance over again and again. Then he looked at Pearl, who was just earnestly helping to clean the water stains off her clothes. He relaxed.

He poked his friend and quipped, thinking he was being clever: "Hey, if you want to get married, just ask. She'd agree in a heartbeat; no need to try so hard."

Looking at Hain's outfit with all those little Pearls, although traditional Sea Soul Star attire often used mother-of-Pearl, he still found it an eyesore.

"You were certainly well-prepared for your trip. It's been so long since I've seen you wear something like this; I thought you didn't like it."

Hain didn't reply. The moment he entered the door, he had seen Tu Nan, and the instant appreciation in her eyes. That made him feel completely satisfied.

It was indeed the right decision to change into this outfit this afternoon; Kong Jiamu, as expected... hadn't dressed properly.

When he decided to surprise Tu Nan, he had added several sets of this formal wear to his luggage.

He had always disliked what these clothes symbolized: decorum, restriction, and adherence to rules.

But... this was truly the outfit that suited him best.

It was the underlying color soaked into his bones, flowing in his blood, something that could never be completely severed...

What was Tu Nan going to say tonight? She said she wouldn't speak immediately and needed a little time for Kong Jiamu to understand.

Was it possible she would regret it?

Hain hoped to let her see how much he valued her.

Furthermore, he hoped that in Tu Nan's eyes, he was the most special one.

Just like Pearl—the name he had chosen. Every time it was spoken by someone else, it gave him an indescribable sweetness.

Gu Lvhai went to the guest room to change her clothes, and the four of them finally moved to the small dining room. Dinner finally began.

To make things feel intimate, the dinner was held at a rectangular table that wasn't too large. The servants were very observant and had already set the seats and tableware. Two people on each side, symmetrical.

Kong Jiamu stepped forward eagerly to pull out a chair for Tu Nan.

"Come on, beautiful lady~" Tu Nan thanked him, smoothed her skirt, and sat down. She was only wearing a very casual dress; compared to the two men, it could be said to be too simple.

Gu Lvhai didn't want the Male Beast to pull out a chair for her. She rushed ahead and sat down next to Tu Nan with her head lowered.

Hmm... her face was still flushed; being so flustered in front of Hain made her feel a bit embarrassed, so it was safer to sit next to the Female Beast.

Kong Jiamu froze for a moment, then walked to the opposite side.

Hain naturally pulled out the chair opposite Tu Nan and sat down properly.

Kong Jiamu glared at him.

Hain tilted his head slightly and stared at him expressionlessly.

Kong Jiamu gritted his teeth and had no choice but to sit beside him, facing Gu Lvhai.

Great... Hain was really strange. If he wanted to flirt, he should just do it. This hesitating manner of wanting to flirt but not being willing to go all the way was truly a headache. He had even ruined his chance to get close to the beauty.

Thinking this, Kong Jiamu kicked the person beside him under the table in resentment. On the surface, however, he was extremely attentive, telling Tu Nan.

"Didn't I say last time that I wanted you to try some top-tier delicacies? Tonight's appetizer includes a type of Night Mushroom, which is perfect for serving cold. You should try it. The main course is Extreme Cold Crayfish, which is..."

"A specialty of Sea Soul Star, found in the extreme cold deep sea. The shell is very hard, but the meat is extremely delicious and very hard to catch."

...That's right, it was indeed a Sea Soul Star specialty. But you don't need to say it!

Kong Jiamu kicked to the side again in a huff. His toe was stepped on. He pulled a few times, but the other person firmly pinned him down, not moving an inch!

Had Hain gone crazy? Why did it feel like today... Hain was targeting him? Must be an illusion, right?