Chapter 90 - 88: Love Rivals Everywhere

Chapter 90: Chapter 88: Love Rivals Everywhere

Today, Lu Wei finally understood the meaning of "getting carried away."

He remembered how, just ten days ago, Bai Ya was a timid, pitiable girl. She would wait outside his cabin until she fell asleep, all for a free meal. She had begged him to take her in, even offering to work for free, her voice no louder than a mosquito’s drone.

But now she’d gotten so full of herself!

She actually dared to poke fun at her leader!

’This can’t be allowed to continue!’

’Is she going to start walking all over me next?’

As they ate, Lu Wei watched Bai Ya gulp down half a bowl of mushroom soup in one go and couldn’t help but wonder.

Bai Ya, however, didn’t notice his stare at all. She was busy taking big bites of her bread, her mind completely occupied with how to Imitate more Skills.

’Hmm, maybe I can pay people to demonstrate their Skills for me.’

’I could post a request at the Adventurer Association. As long as the price is high enough, plenty of people should be willing.’

’The problem is, I don’t have any money.’

’Last time, I got 5 Silver Coins. I spent a little over one on Leather Armor, and then bought some food and spices. Now I have less than three left.’

’And my share of the Gray Gemstone profit is gone too... huh?’

’Wait, I don’t think I’ve thanked the captain yet.’

Suddenly, it dawned on Bai Ya. She quickly swallowed the bread in her mouth, turned her head, and gently tugged on the corner of Lu Wei’s sleeve.

"Captain..."

"What is it?" Lu Wei shot her a sidelong glance.

"It’s just... thank you."

Bai Ya seemed a little shy. "For giving me such a precious Skill Book."

’Hold it!’

’Who said I gave it to you?!’

Lu Wei immediately corrected her with a serious expression. "I didn’t give it to you. It was to offset the gem share I owed you."

"But my share of the gems was only worth a few Silver Coins. This Skill Book must be worth at least a dozen Gold Coins."

Bai Ya mumbled shyly, "I don’t even know how I can ever repay you."

"Then you can just pay me back the difference."

"Ah, but I don’t have any money..."

"Then what are you talking about?"

Lu Wei grumbled, eager to drop the subject. "Just count yourself lucky. Besides, no one else can learn this Skill but you."

Bai Ya pursed her lips. "Even so, I still feel indebted..."

’Oh, please. I didn’t see you feeling indebted a moment ago.’

’Weren’t you perfectly happy with the arrangement just now?’

"Alright, you don’t have the money, so stop talking about repayment."

Lu Wei waved his hand dismissively. "This discussion is over. Hurry up and eat. We need to head back to town afterward."

"Oh..."

Bai Ya looked at Lu Wei, confused. She had a baffled expression on her face, not understanding why he was so irritable.

After a moment’s hesitation, she didn’t bring up "repayment" again.

It wasn’t that she didn’t understand the concept of repaying a debt of gratitude; she had simply already decided on her own "method" of repayment.

’It’s true I don’t have money, but...’

Suddenly, Bai Ya’s cheeks flushed a visible shade of red. She quickly averted her gaze and pretended to lower her head to sip her soup, while secretly scheming in her heart—

’After I defeat Mirana, I can confess my feelings to the captain.’

’As long as I can marry the captain, the debt will be canceled, right?’

’After all, a husband and wife don’t bicker over money.’

’Hee hee, I’m so smart~’

’A genius with 10 Intelligence, as expected...’

Her mind abuzz with calculations, Bai Ya lifted her head and snuck a glance at Mirana, who was eating quietly. Then, she scooted a little closer to Lu Wei.

Lu Wei noticed her subtle movements but had no idea what she was thinking.

If he had known, he probably would have shattered her little fantasy on the spot.

"Stop dreaming!"

"You can offer yourself in marriage, fine! But you absolutely cannot use marriage to pay off a debt!"

...

...

After lunch, the group set off on their journey back to town.

Just like last time, they left most of the supplies behind, only taking the spoils Lu Wei and Mirana had acquired.

In addition to the contents of the Wooden Box, there were also seven or eight dilapidated Weapons.

There were actually many more back in the cave, but because Mirana was still weak, they couldn’t bring everything back.

This made Lu Wei’s heart ache just a little.

In any case, since there wasn’t much loot to divide, everyone’s pack was more than half as light as it had been on the way there.

As a result, their return trip was much faster. By the time night began to fall, the group was already back in Heitai Town.

After grabbing dinner at a small eatery, the group parted ways at an intersection—

Furen eagerly ran off to the Adventurer’s Tavern to find Clara.

Mirana went to see Kairos.

Zovir and Anna wanted to check on the few other young slaves who had become apprentices.

As for Lu Wei, he was planning to find Aryan.

Because Aryan’s uncle was the town’s renowned "head contractor"—

The president of the Heitai Town Artisan Association.

Well... even though he didn’t have many people under him, he was, in fact, the president.

Besides, there were no "construction companies" these days. For any large-scale projects, only the Artisan Association had the capability to complete them.

So, he counted as a "big shot" in his own right.

If Lu Wei wanted to finish construction of the "Golden Sword Hu Commercial Complex" before the Silver Scale Merchant Association arrived, he would have to ask for the man’s help.

"You go on back. I’m going to Elder’s clinic to see Aryan about something."

When they reached Daffodil Lane, Lu Wei spoke to Bai Ya as he was about to turn into the alley.

But she immediately followed after him.

"I’ll go with you."

"Why are you following me? I have real business to attend to."

"So what? I won’t bother you."

"Ugh, fine, whatever."

Sighing with a look of resignation, Lu Wei found that Bai Ya was "showing her true colors" more and more.

In truth, the signs had been there ever since they returned from the forest last time.

And it had only gotten worse after she learned Imitation.

’So this is why a "probationary period" is so important!’ ℯℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

’Whether it’s a companion or an employee, you can’t see their true character without a long and thorough observation period!’

Glancing again at Bai Ya, who was now completely ignoring his commands, Lu Wei let out a long internal sigh and pushed open the wooden door of the small clinic.

The kerosene lamp cast a dim light. In the gloomy room, Elder was asleep in a recliner, one hand resting on his chest, the other clutching a bottle of wine.

Aryan, meanwhile, was sitting on a small, low stool, her head bowed as she ground herbs in a wooden mortar. A few strands of hair fell alongside her face, but she still looked as energetic as ever.

"Oh, Lu Wei! Bai Ya!"

Seeing the two of them, Aryan was startled for a moment, then asked with some urgency, "What happened? Are you hurt?"

"No, we just got back from the forest. I need to talk to you about something."

Lu Wei glanced at the passed-out Elder. "You’re not busy right now, are you?"

"Not at all."

Hearing that they were all right, Aryan breathed a sigh of relief and said with a cheerful smile, "Well, make yourselves comfortable. I’ll go get you some tea~"

"Don’t go to any trouble... How about we help you grind those herbs?"

After all, he was the one asking for a favor, so Lu Wei was being especially helpful.

Aryan quickly waved her hands. "No, no, there’s only a little bit left. I can finish it myself in a minute."

"It’s fine. Bai Ya isn’t doing anything anyway."

Lu Wei turned to Bai Ya. "Hey, you go grind the herbs. I need to talk to Aryan for a bit."

Huh?

’So "we" just meant me?’

"Ah, okay."

Bai Ya blinked, then nodded dumbly.

Aryan started to refuse again, but Lu Wei cut her off. "Don’t be so polite. I’m going to need to ask for your help in a minute anyway."

"Hm? You need my help? No problem!"

"Don’t agree so quickly. Let’s go talk by the door."

"Okay~"

Since there was nowhere to sit inside, Lu Wei and Aryan went out and sat on the stone steps by the door. He began to discuss his plan to ask her uncle to find some artisans to help with construction.

Meanwhile, Bai Ya was left alone on the small stool, silently grinding the herbs.

Her knees were pressed together and her long hair was tucked behind her ears. The pestle fell in a steady rhythm, quickly grinding the herbs in the mortar into a fine powder.

Her movements were diligent, but her expression was distant, as if her mind were elsewhere.

’How strange...’

’Aryan’s necklace is the exact same style as the swan necklace the captain gave me...’

’Could Aryan have gone to see that play last week, too...?’