"If calling someone by the name you prefer counts as frivolous, then greeting you formally by etiquette—is that just perfunctory, Sister Youqian?"

Not frivolous. Not perfunctory.

Simply a habit—a search for the "most fitting" within instinct.

Shiren, who’d been about to push her chair back and leave, paused mid-motion. Her rising emotions grew even more uncertain at these words.

This girl wielded speech that swayed hearts without magic.

"I don’t see it that way. You—"

"If you dislike the name, I’ll change it, Miss Youqian. As I said when I invited you: this isn’t flirting. It’s verification."

Seeing the lady’s urge to leave fade, Mei Yige let out a quiet breath. She took a delicate sip of black tea. "A man went missing in town yesterday. We’re searching for him now."

"But a disappearance… why come to me?"

Shiren’s voice softened. Her gaze dropped, thoughts tangled in Mei Yige’s earlier words.

*Calling someone by the name you prefer?*

*So all those names he used for her—were they expressions of affection?*

*For someone he’d just met…*

*Buying her breakfast. Caring this much.*

*Was that a form of liking too?*

*How strange, Mei Yige. What’s really in that head of yours?*

"His name is Hans Stearn. The town’s carriage driver. Have you seen him? Early twenties. Brown-haired cat-eared subhuman."

"Mm…"

*Of course I know. He’s in my stomach, after all.* But why come straight to her? Tracking magic? Or evidence she’d overlooked?

He’d tapped her shoulder in a crowd for a reason. She couldn’t blurt the truth.

Shiren nodded. "He drove me once. Did something happen to him?"

*True. She’d ridden his carriage to investigate his hit-and-run.*

"He’s missing. Likely dead. Hmm… seems I got a useless lead."

The tracking spell was vague—only pointing to the target or those who’d touched him. This lady probably just had his hair on her clothes from the ride.

"Couldn’t help you, then?"

Sensing Mei Yige’s weak lead, Shiren exhaled in relief. A flicker of curiosity sparked—maybe stepping out of her house wasn’t so bad.

"Failing to resolve everyone’s safety on only my second day as advisor… I’m truly sorry. Ah… I won’t trouble you further."

*Keeping up the act matters.* Mei Yige had branded herself "helpful." She’d smile at every soul in this town.

*She was the town’s Magic Consultant, after all!*

"Wait. Perhaps… I can help? You came all this way for me. Yes. Exactly."

*Trying to pat my shoulder and run?*

*Not a chance.*

Shiren wouldn’t let this mood-swaying woman slip away. Determined to build a new connection under her current identity, she extended her right hand—white glove gleaming.

"And you invited me for tea. Leaving before I’ve had more than a sip… is my face so plain it stole your appetite?"

*A direct strike at Mei Yige’s professionalism—and decency.* Using official business to flirt then flee?

*Unthinkable.*

Shiren hadn’t meant it that way, and Mei Yige knew she wasn’t flirting. But the words hit like erasing a salaryman’s KPIs—a blatant challenge.

Mei Yige, ready to walk away, closed her eyes.

Half a second later, her expression softened.

Shiren caught every shift.

"Then… I’d be grateful if you’d spare some help for this humble Magic Consultant, beautiful lady."

"Flattery won’t work either."

"Call me a hypocrite then. Let my sweet words beg your forgiveness. Will that do, troublesome—but beautiful—lady?"

Mei Yige surrendered. She took Shiren’s hand. "Still in the mood for the tea I ordered?"

"Which matters more: a man’s life… or tea with a lady?"

Shiren smiled. This dance was unexpectedly fun.

"He can’t make me happy. The answer’s obvious. So can we skip this exhausting talk? I’m getting awkward."

"Up to you, Miss Mei."

Both had instinctively probed each other’s true nature.

"Thank you for understanding, Miss Youqian. If you don’t mind… let’s drop the formal titles."

"Gladly. This isn’t a noble’s salon. I’d rather avoid curious stares."

Mei Yige finally relaxed.

*She didn’t know Mei Yige’s intentions—but someone this easy to talk to, even disguised, wouldn’t turn cruel later.*

The tea went unfinished. They left the teahouse together.

"Shall I call a carriage?"

On the bustling street, Shiren smiled at Mei Yige.

"Magic’s easier. Though my skills are poor—it might be bumpy. Forgive me."

Mei Yige pulled out her Magic Wand, switching it to flight mode. She patted the seat behind her. "Or take a carriage yourself. My destination’s Shuijun Vil—"

"Leaving companions behind isn’t a good habit."

"You’re far more frivolous than I am, Youqian."

Before she finished, Shiren slid behind her. Arms wrapped around Mei Yige’s waist—casual as hugging a plush toy. Zero hesitation.

Mei Yige felt the soft warmth against her back.

"Is it? I merely hugged you from behind, Miss Mei Yige."

"Heh. Hold tight. My flying’s terrible." Mei Yige didn’t care what this girl did.

*[Just a clumsy imitation, Landlady.*

*Think a new face hides you from me?]*

The moment she’d closed her eyes, Mei Yige had seen through Shiren’s sloppy disguise.

*Looks deceive. Locked-on aura doesn’t—especially when you don’t hide it.*

*[Mistake or plan, Sister Shi?*

*Enjoying being a ‘skin-suit person’?*

*…Wait. ‘Youqian’—is that a pun on ‘having money’?*

*How crude.]*

Mei Yige kept her face calm. Inside, laughter bubbled uncontrollably.

She nearly blurted:

*Guess who’s being kept in the dark?*