In the early morning, the sun leaps from the horizon, and the first ray of sunlight shines into Herlan City, piercing through the morning mist and falling on the stone roads of the streets. Birds let out cheerful chirps, injecting the first hint of vitality into Herlan City. The vast city, like a sleeping giant, is slowly being awakened.
Unlike the tranquility of previous mornings, today's Herlan City is slightly noisy. On Herlan City's Shelan Avenue, it's clearly just waking-up time, yet the entrance of the emerging star of Herlan City's catering industry, "Green Field Fairy Trail," is already full of people.
The men are dressed in formal attire, elegant and luxurious, obviously belonging to the upper class of society. In fact, they are all prominent figures in Herlan City.
They are not here to eat but quietly stand at the entrance, as if waiting for something.
Next to the crowd is a creature resembling a small hill. It looks like an elephant but has horns and long fur. It appears majestic and formidable, with an enormous size, almost occupying half of the street.
Despite this, the group of people is not afraid of it.
Because they all know that this is a precious species unique to the Sin Forest, the "Hairy Elephant". Hairy Elephants are herbivores, gentle in nature, and extremely strong. The elves of the Sin Forest tame them to pull carts. Hairy Elephants are expensive, and even in the Elf City, they are a symbol of status and identity.
A rein is tied to the Hairy Elephant, and at the end of the rein is a luxurious carriage with pink pearl curtains. On top of the carriage is a shield-shaped emblem, engraved with a long sword and green leaves entwined with vines, seemingly declaring the owner's authority.
Suddenly, the crowd became agitated.
"Miss Michelle!"
"Michelle!"
Under everyone's gaze, a female elf wearing an elven long dress walked out of the Green Field Fairy Trail with a faint smile on her face. It was Michelle, the owner of the Green Field Fairy Trail.
Following her was a tall elf, who was keeping a step's distance from Michelle.
Michelle slowly walked down the steps, greeting everyone with a slight smile on her pretty cheeks.
The man in the first position at the bottom of the steps was a bald man with a beard. He wore noble formal attire, and precious gems adorned his fingers. At a glance, he was obviously of extraordinary status.
"Baron Sir," Michelle said in a clear voice as she approached the man.
Upon hearing Michelle call him, the Baron hurriedly performed a standard noble courtesy: "Miss Michelle, we have come to send you off!"
"Thank you, everyone," Michelle responded politely.
The Baron's face was fawning: "A few days ago when we heard that Miss Michelle was going back to the Elf Kingdom, everyone was both shocked and reluctant, thinking you were really leaving!"
Michelle smiled faintly: "I'm sorry for making you all worry. How could I bear to leave you all? I'm just returning to the clan to deal with some trivial matters, and I will return to Herlan City after sorting things out."
"The clan's affairs are important! The clan's affairs are important!" the Baron nodded and bowed, "But thinking of how I won't be able to enjoy the dishes from Green Field Fairy Trail for such a long time, I'm absolutely devastated!"
Michelle shook her head slightly: "Please don't be sad, Baron Sir. A brief separation is for a better reunion. When I come back, Green Field Fairy Trail will definitely bring better service to everyone. During my absence, I hope the Baron Sir will take care."
The Baron immediately beamed with joy: "Of course! Miss Michelle, please take good care of yourself on the dangerous journey back to the Elf Kingdom. May the Lord of Light bless you, and may everything be fine! Everyone is looking forward to your early return!"
Michelle bowed slightly: "Thank you for your concern, Baron Sir."
The Baron hesitated for a moment, then extended his hand to Michelle, trying to appear as natural as possible. However, his trembling hand had already revealed his nervousness.
Of course, it is almost impossible for any man not to be nervous in front of such an unparalleled beauty like Michelle.
With a faint smile, Michelle placed her hand in the Baron's, touching it for just a moment before letting go.
"Miss Michelle... I..." Finally, it was the turn of the next person, who also eagerly approached Michelle and expressed his concern.
The words of everyone were repetitive, all about missing her, taking care, and coming back soon. Even the tall elf behind Michelle got a little annoyed after hearing so much.But Michelle greeted and shook hands with everyone with a smile on her face, having friendly conversations without showing any impatience.
The farewell party went on in a friendly atmosphere for a long time, and Michelle had greeted all the old customers present.
Finally, Michelle came to a man wearing an apron. Dressed in work attire, the man stood with his hands on his hips, eyeing Michelle.
"Mr. Chen, we are neighbors, and that's fate. Don't you have anything to say to Xue'er?" Michelle's seemingly unchanged expression for thousands of years finally showed a slight sign of relaxation, and her smile became much more genuine.
This man was Chen Ai.
Chen Ai didn't say anything, just looked at Michelle up and down with an unfriendly gaze.
Although Michelle was usually stunningly beautiful, today's Michelle was even more breathtaking, well-dressed in an elegant elf gown, her carefully groomed green hair pinned behind her long ears, making her look like a fairy from a fairy tale, her visual impact even greater than usual.
Such a beautiful girl, but what a pity...
"What are you doing with your hands, Miss Michelle is talking to you!"
"Uncultured man, don't you know etiquette?"
"The face of a Harlan City gentleman has been lost by you!"
Seeing Chen Ai remain silent, the people around him gradually expressed their discontent.
In their view, the two people face to face had completely unequal status.
Michelle was not just the well-known owner of the Hotel "Green Wilderness". Behind her was the noble figure of the Elf clan, her identity extremely high and her background enormous. Her mystery and nobility made even the Duke of the Kels Kingdom not dare to slight her.
It was said that the land for the Green Wilderness was also reserved for her by the Duke himself.
She was a top-quality woman who brought together wealth, beauty, and power. It was beneficial from any angle to curry favor with her.
Everyone present wished Michelle would talk to them. If she asked them a question like that, they would spill their hearts out, even revealing how much private money they had.
In contrast, Chen Ai was unknown, and his most well-known reputation was "the passerby A who owns a hotel opposite Michelle's."
As for his hotel? Who cares about that broken wooden house? The city only needs the Green Wilderness!
Under such a disparity in status, Michelle's conversation with him was tantamount to lowering her own position. This unknown small shop owner should have been overjoyed and grateful.
But he dared to ignore Michelle's proactive greeting! And stared at Michelle with such a terrible gaze, not knowing how to appreciate her kindness!
Everyone was indignant, staring angrily at Chen Ai.
Ignoring the dissatisfaction of the crowd, Chen Ai finally asked slowly, "How long will you be gone this time?" Then he naturally reached out to Michelle.
Michelle was slightly taken aback because according to the etiquette of the Roland Empire, handshaking was generally the final part of a greeting. She didn't expect Chen Ai to reach out directly.
But Michelle also quickly extended her hand and said, "Counting the journey, probably about a month."
"Snap!" Chen Ai's hand shot out and grabbed Michelle's soft, boneless little hand. This grip was very aggressive, far from gentlemanly, and more like a Noir gang leader's meeting.
The surrounding voices of discontent grew louder.
"What do you want to do to Miss Michelle?!"
"Rude guy! Don't you have any upbringing?"
"Where did this wild boy come from?"
Several people couldn't help but rush forward to teach Chen Ai a lesson right on the spot.
The accustomed tall female elf hurriedly stopped everyone, "I'm sorry, Miss has some very important things to talk to Mr. Chen about, please don't be anxious."
While calming the crowd, her other hand was secretly casting a spell behind her back - because based on past experience, she had already anticipated the development ahead.
