Chapter 151: Auction invitation, poor Lia borrows money again_2
“Don’t talk nonsense, Lin Da… He’s still watching!” Isa stared at Fannis with a look of embarrassment and a hint of reproach, snapping her fingers against Fannis’s forehead, turning the girl’s skin bright red.
…
In the afternoon, Lin Da, accompanied by the members of the Phoenix Tail Flower Team and Snow Goose, held a celebration banquet in the most expensive restaurant in the Inner City District.
“To our success!”
Around the huge circular table, more than a dozen people raised their glasses of wheat beer.
The banquet lasted until the evening.
...
In a bit of a disheveled state, Lin Da made his escape; a drunken Isa was a bit too much to handle. He felt that if he stayed any longer, they might not be able to interact as just friends the next day.
Behind him, Monica looked on with jealousy like a little vinegar pot, muttering under her breath, “The captain is such a lecher…”
Kafni teased, “You seemed to be having quite some fun playing ‘Bai Qi’, didn’t you?”
‘Bai Qi’ is a kind of long chocolate biscuit from Another World where a man and a woman each take an end and eat forward. If one stops, they lose—the tipsy Isa apparently intended to eat Lin Da as well, and although he wanted to refuse, the wicked Ice Flower team members acted like a gang of bad ‘drink pushers’, egging him on to accept.
It was as if to say, “Eat as much as your face allows”; and it wasn’t because he found Isa’s lips enticing that he agreed to play!
“It’s all a misunderstanding,” Lin Da said gravely, “it’s just that the biscuits are really tasty.”
“Here’s more…” Monica pulled out a box from her pocket, placed a piece of chocolate biscuit in her mouth, and looked at Lin Da with a shy, twinkling gaze.
Maybe it was the alcohol speaking, but Lin Da didn’t refuse. He wanted to taste what the biscuit on his teammate’s lips was really like.
“Lin Da, Mr. Lin Da, you forgot something—”
Fannis rushed out, holding jewelry and a fist-sized metal Demon Core in her hand: “The captain said you must accept it!”
By this time, Lin Da had already finished the biscuit.
Monica’s face was flushed red, hiding behind him like a shy little kitten, as he licked his lips which seemed to retain the girl’s fragrance: jelly-like, sweet and delicious!
‘Monica’s lips are different from Lulu’s.’
Lin Da thought about how Lulu’s lips were more like cool mint, more suited for hot nights.
Hearing Fannis’s voice in front, he came back to reality.
“Orange jewelry, this is really too much.”
“The captain said you can’t refuse!”
Even knowing it was just politeness, Fannis still greatly appreciated the gesture. Not everyone could face receiving orange jewelry and still offer refusals.
“I can understand a bit why the captain values you so much.” Fannis giggled and shoved the jewelry and the Demon Core into Lin Da’s hand, waving, “I’ll head back first; everyone said they want to drink until dawn.”
“Tell your captain to drink less; her capacity for alcohol is… really quite small.”
Lin Da watched as Fannis left and then turned his attention to the jewelry in his hand.
It was a silver bracelet with a pattern of slimes living happily on the grasslands.
[Name: Joyful Earth Bracelet]
[Type: Equipment – Jewelry]
[Quality: Rare Orange]
[Level: 20]
[Attribute Points: Magic Power +450, Earth Magic damage increased by 10%]
[Equipment Rating: 685. Wearing it, you can feel the call of the earth.]
A very standard piece of jewelry suitable for an Earth Mage.
Lin Da made a mental note.
The equipment required level 20, and his teammate Monica was currently level 19, just shy of being able to wear this orange equipment.
Carefully putting the bracelet into his pocket, Lin Da and his teammates took the carriage back to the villa.
Each villa had a red mailbox at the front, and when Lin Da returned, he saw an invitation in the mailbox.
In White Dove City, rock-level adventure teams were always prioritized for invitations to various events.
Although the Phoenix Tail Flower Team had not reached rock level, Lin Da, with his Honorary Adventurer Badge and the potential shown by the team, had garnered acknowledgment from the White Dove Adventure Group and received the same treatment even without being rock level.
Taking out the invitation from the mailbox, it was a gold-embossed magic paper with elegant script:
‘Respected Phoenix Tail Flower Adventure Team:
The 36th auction held by Chilang Commerce, Golden Fruit Commerce, and Dreamy Mist Commerce will commence tomorrow night at 9 pm. We hereby extend our sincere invitation and look forward to your esteemed presence.
Location: XXX Road, XXX number, Underground Theater.’
Here it was.
Lin Da’s lips curled into a smirk; he had been raking in gold coins until his hands were numb these past few days. His savings card now boasted a total of 541,540 gold; he had been waiting exactly for this auction.
His main weapon still hadn’t found a place, and both Monica and Kafni needed a set of purple gear… In addition, he still needed to buy a space ring.
…
Returning to the villa, Lin Da created a strategy guide for Phyllis in his study.
By 1 a.m., he finished everything.
He drank a cup of hot milk and leisurely opened the Back House system while lying on a recliner:
[Sign-in successful, obtained 2440 diamonds!]
The challenge page refreshed, showcasing a small fry team; the cute Phoenix Tail Flower Team easily defeated their opponents, earning 10 Defense Guidance Coupons.
There was no change inside the Hell Rift; still stuck on the 28th level with the Heart-eating Demon Worm, it seemed impossible to advance without leveling up.
It was as if Lin Da had completed a set of ‘daily tasks’; he washed up and went to bed.
…
At the same moment, in Snow Goose’s villa.
Oru, Klyne, Phyllis, and others were summoned by Lia to the second-floor conference hall.
“What, you’re selling your Flame Devourer?”
Aiko’s mouth dropped open in shock.
The rest of the team gazed incredulously at the short-haired Lia who sat at the head of the long table.
The same thought crossed everyone’s minds:
What major illness had befallen Lia? She had cut her beautiful long hair and was now selling her favorite weapon?
“What are you thinking? I’m not giving up on myself.”
Lia snorted, crossing her arms in front of her modest chest. With her short hair tied into a ponytail, she exuded a smart and refreshingly beautiful vibe as she spoke with pride:
“On the contrary, my fighting spirit has surged. I’ve already broken through to level 25, making me the strongest person in Snow Goose.”
Aiko, also at level 25 and equal in rank to her, subconsciously felt that he was no match for Lia.
Lia said, “I need a new main weapon. There’s an auction coming up, and I’ll sell this Flame Devourer to get a new one.”
“So that’s it…”
Aiko stroked his proud chest and breathed a sigh of relief.
If Lia had thrown in the towel, every team member would find themselves in an awkward situation. Leaving the team would breach their contracts, and staying would be unbearable…
Moreover, the stronger Snow Goose became, the higher their value as team members, and the easier it would be for Aiko to catch Lin Da’s attention.
If Snow Goose turned out to be rotten to the core, what if Lin Da thought Aiko just wasn’t up to par?
In that case, Aiko’s chances of capturing Lin Da’s heart would be slim to none!
So, Lia, you need to perk up—the sweet life is still ahead!
At this moment, Aiko was undoubtedly Lia’s biggest fan.
“So, I’m saying you all need to lend me money to buy equipment.”
Lia stretched out her pristine little hand, speaking as if it were a matter of course.
“?”
Five question marks popped up above the heads of Snow Goose’s team members.
Lend money?
Again?
You just borrowed 50,000 from each of us yesterday and haven’t paid it back!
Lia furrowed her brow, saying, “This is for everyone’s sake, okay?”
“If I become stronger, it means we all get stronger. I only have over a thousand gold coins in my hand, and even if I sell the Flame Devourer, it won’t be enough to buy a decent level 25 main weapon. You have to lend me the money!”
“Don’t worry, right after we conquer the 12th floor, I’ll pay you back immediately.”
Seeing Lia’s self-assured demeanor, Aiko and the others were simultaneously frustrated and relieved.
Lia was still that Lia; arrogant, egotistical, and dismissive, which, paradoxically, provided a sense of security. Sёar?h the N?vel(F)ire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
If Lia had really become calm, humble, mature, and steady, the team would have found it harder to adapt.
Such a Lia wouldn’t be Lia anymore.