Chapter 104 Chapter 104: Emperor and Is
Chapter 104: Emperor and Is
Squeak—
The door was pushed open, but the faint sound was quickly drowned out by the passionate rock music.
There were only a few scattered customers below the stage; it wasn't the bar's main operating hours yet.
"The decor here seems quite nice."
Over the past ten years, Fiammetta had explored many fields and had developed a certain understanding of interior design styles.
Although some ornaments appeared somewhat abrupt and peculiar—like certain golden penguin statues in the corner and... penguin statues of other colors...
Overall, the owner of this bar should have a certain artistic taste.
The four of them took their seats, placed their orders, and soon a waiter brought them their drinks.
Two glasses of alcohol, two glasses of milk.
Although Pozëmka was from Ursus, her alcohol tolerance couldn't be described as poor—it was simply nonexistent. That's why she ordered milk.
As for the other glass? It was ordered by Kevin. He didn't really care what he drank; ordering the same as Pozëmka would at least prevent her from standing out too much in this bar.
At the very least, she wouldn't be alone here either.
Noticing the young man's thoughtful gesture beside her, Fiammetta tightened her grip on his hand, only to receive a somewhat puzzled look from him.
"Pfft, it's nothing. I just wanted to thank you."
"Come on, drink!"
"Alright, let's drink."
W and FrostNova were no pushovers at the drinking table—one was a battle-hardened mercenary, and the other was FrostNova, who had spent time with the Ursus Shieldguards of the guerrilla force and had been influenced by them.
"Pen...guin?"
It wasn't until now that Kevin noticed the somewhat imposing penguin on stage. The passionate rock music was being performed by it, and the occasional rap verses heightened the atmosphere to a climax.
Why did it seem imposing?
Well, with a big gold chain, sunglasses, and a white shirt, anyone would look imposing.
On the other side of the bar, a few people were also gathered there, making quite a commotion.
"Hey, Texas, Texas."
"What is it?"
Shaken awake, the black-haired Lupo wearily opened her eyes. Exusiai and the others had been quite rowdy last night, leaving her with little rest.
"Isn't that Mr. Kevin we met before?"
Exusiai's halo gleamed brightly as she pointed in a direction.
"Hmm?"
Texas perked up a bit, raising her wolf-eared head above the sofa to look in the direction Exusiai pointed.
"Hmm, yes."
Although there were two more people now, she found it hard to forget Kevin and Pozëmka's presence.
Especially Kevin—he left quite an impression.
Hearing Texas's confirmation, Exusiai grew even more excited.
"So, should we invite them over?"
"Hah."
She had already made up her mind but still wanted to ask me.
Texas let out a desolate laugh. If you want to invite them over, just do it. Why wake me up?
"Then I'll take that as your agreement, Texas."
Exusiai hurried over. Coincidentally, Croissant and Sora weren't around, and Texas wanted to sleep. She was feeling quite bored on her own.
"Mr. Kevin, is that you?"
He looked up in confusion and was met with Exusiai's naturally cheerful and bright smile.
"You're... Exusiai?"
"Hehe, I didn't expect Miss Fiammetta to remember me."
"Of course I remember. What a coincidence to see you here."
Fiammetta smiled gracefully. From Gou Wu to Lungmen, they had traveled together, and she had chatted quite a bit with the Penguin Logistics members.
She had a very favorable impression of this lively Sankta girl before her.
"Oh, this bar is owned by our boss. We usually gather here too."
Exusiai explained while pointing at the stage.
"That's our boss over there. Huh? Where did the boss go?"
"Exusiai, you're blocking me."
A penguin with a dark expression appeared. It turned out that while Exusiai was chatting, it had already finished its performance and stepped off the stage.
Emperor was still holding a bottle of alcohol in its flipper. If it weren't for the fact that this person was its own employee, its choice of words wouldn't have been so polite after drinking low-quality sparkling wine that put it in a bad mood.
"Oh oh oh, sorry, boss."
Exusiai awkwardly laughed and moved aside to make way.
"Your friends?"
"Oh yes, they're also the recipients of that commission you assigned last time."
Emperor thought carefully for a moment.
"The one delivered to Gou Wu?"
It rubbed its chin with its flipper, barely recalling the matter. It only remembered because it was commissioned by that old lynx.
"Right."
Exusiai nodded vigorously. She had only mentioned it tentatively but didn't expect the boss to actually remember.
"Alright then. You guys chat."
Emperor just wanted to replace the low-quality sparkling wine in its flipper right now. Damn it! Don't let it find out which bastard dared to fool it like this!
As for the recipients of the old lynx's commission... they were worth a glance.
Emperor's small eyes glanced at Kevin, then its gaze suddenly froze.
"(Unnameable penguin screech!!!)"
"Is! Is! Where are you?! Come out quickly! Come out and look!"
Emperor screeched while calling for its most capable assistant.
Everyone covered their ears—the sound waves were simply too strong. Should we say it's no surprise for someone who plays rock?!
"Boss."
Is, dressed in a crisp suit and wearing a mysterious mask on his head, quickly appeared by its side. But when his gaze fell on Kevin, his body also stiffened almost instantly.
"How can this be?! It shouldn't be possible."
Emperor paced over to Kevin, its tone filled with deep confusion and bewilderment, mixed with some hesitation. It was hard to imagine that a penguin's face could display such rich expressions!
"Ahem, what's your name?"
Although it felt a bit awkward to ask, Emperor's tone was very friendly—at least much friendlier than when dealing with other strangers.
"Kevin."
"Alright. You can call me Emperor. Today's drinks at your table are on me. Consider it making friends."
Making friends with a... penguin?
Kevin's expression turned odd. Even though he had seen many Terra people with demi-human forms, this experience was still quite novel.
But judging by the flipper extended toward him, Emperor was clearly serious and not joking at all.
He remained silent for a moment but eventually reached out and shook the offered flipper.
"The drinks aren't necessary, but friends are fine."
"Are you looking down on me?!"
Emperor was very dissatisfied. Did it look like someone who couldn't afford a few drinks?
"Mr. Kevin, please accept it. This is Emperor's goodwill."
Is was very proper in his manners.
"Yeah yeah, Boss is loaded. You guys drink as much as you want; he won't even bat an eye."
Exusiai laughed. She happened to know there were several good bottles of alcohol at the bar counter. Since they didn't have to pay, she'd bring them over later. As a "friend," she could surely have a few sips then, right?
Dragon Boat Festival Side Story
Gou Wu City, the fifth day of the fifth lunar month—the Dragon Boat Festival.
"Why did you suddenly decide to celebrate this festival?"
After all, neither he nor Pozëmka were from Yan.
"Ah, Kevin, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Aunt Wang next door sent us zongzi last year; we can't just not return the favor."
Fiammetta trimmed the tips of the bamboo leaves; there was already a thick layer laid out in the bamboo basket.
"Actually... we could use other methods."
Kevin remained silent for quite a while. For reciprocating favors, other things could serve as substitutes.
"How can bought things compare to handmade ones in terms of sentiment?"
She placed down the last trimmed bamboo leaf, clapped her hands as if completing a great task, lifted the bamboo basket, and brought it to the sink to wash and soak them.
Then she uncovered the pot containing glutinous rice that had been soaking earlier.
"Four hours... should be about right."
Poking at the glutinous rice in the bowl, she carefully recalled the steps Aunt Wang had taught her.
"Come on, Kevin, come over here. Let your teacher Pozëmka show you how to wrap zongzi."
"Ahh, come on~ Life needs a bit of participation~"
Half-pushed and half-willingly, Kevin came to the kitchen counter.
"First like this..."
Fiammetta took out two soaked bamboo leaves and somewhat clumsily shaped them into a cone shape.
Carefully scooping up some glutinous rice with her hand, she placed it into the cone-shaped leaves along with two red dates.
Everything went smoothly!
A hint of joy appeared on her face as she slowly folded the bamboo leaves inward.
Plop! The barely cone-shaped zongzi instantly fell apart. Glutinous rice slipped through her fingers, and bright red dates rolled in her palm as if mocking her incompetence.
"Wah! So difficult!"
The Lupo let out a cry of despair. Aunt Wang made it look so easy!
Her eyes glanced sideways again only to find that Kevin's zongzi beside her was perfectly shaped. His nimble fingers tied the string after just a few movements.
Perfect!
"You you you! Kevin, you've become bad! You secretly practiced behind my back."
Fiammetta was flustered and exasperated. There's a traitor among us! He's so skilled yet pretended to be reluctant!
Isn't he just playing with me?!
"Is this... actually difficult?"
Kevin was genuinely confused—not pretending. This was truly his first time wrapping zongzi; he had only watched Aunt Wang's steps once last night.
The Fiammetta ship was mercilessly sunk!
...
"Little Qingyuan
，take this to Grandma for me? When she comes back，tell her it was made by the sister next door."
"Mhm，okay!"
"What a good boy."
Patting the little boy's head，Fiammetta stood up and once again took Kevin's hand.
"Let's go back then."
The two returned to their residence.
"A Xi，I left some zongzi outside for you。Remember to eat them."
Fiammetta knocked on the "door" formed by ink marks，then called out。
She should be able to hear。After spending a year together，she had some experience with this。
After they left，a sneaky little head poked out。Looking around and finding no one，a jade-white dragon tail swiftly scooped up the zongzi and teacup from the ground。
Then it retreated back into that ink door。
——————
Underneath the tree in their small courtyard，
"Come，Kevin，cheers!"
"Mhm."
Fiammetta，holding her zongzi，drank down all the calamus tea in her cup in one go。
It was said that during this time in Yan，people drank realgar wine。But she truly couldn't handle alcohol，so she had to substitute with calamus tea。
Taking a bite of sweet zongzi dipped in honey，a happy smile immediately spread across Fiammetta's face。
Kevin ate savory zongzi filled with pork belly，with a cup of calamus tea also by his hand。
"For Dragon Boat Festival，what wish should we make?"
"This festival... doesn't seem meant for..."
Kevin paused，unsure whether he should remind Pozëmka that not every festival is like a birthday?
"Ahh，Kevin，don't talk。Let me think..."
Knowing full well that the man beside her was a "romance killer，" Fiammetta immediately stopped him。
"Mmm——how about this: I wish for our happiness and well-being。And that every Dragon Boat Festival from now on will be just like today，and we'll never be apart!"
Fiammetta softly made her wish。
If there really were gods in this world，they would probably think she was too greedy。Because "forever" is really so distant。
"What do you think，Kevin?"
"..."
"Hmm?"
"Okay."
Receiving the young man's response，a bright smile appeared on Fiammetta's face。
——————
Another year's Dragon Boat Festival，
The old courtyard gate was knocked upon。Kevin stood up and went to the door。
Opened it——
It was an elderly man，accompanied by a still somewhatimmature high school-aged child。The child held a bag of zongzi。
"Long time no see，hahaha。This old body of mine isn't much use anymore。Even wrapping zongzi is such an effort。Don't know if I'll make it through next year."
"...Long time no see."
Kevin remained silent for a moment before replying。
"This is my grandson。How about him? He's very promising。Got into that whatchamacallit Long... Long something University?"
"Grandpa，it's Lungmen University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Technology."
The child supplemented for his grandfather。He didn't understand why his grandfather，at such an old age，insisted on personally making zongzi to deliver。
"Oh right right right。Look at my memory."
"Please come in and sit."
Looking at the other's aged body，Kevin extended an invitation。
"Ah，no need。This old body will head back now。Please accept this bag of zongzi。Consider it just an old man's little token of appreciation."
"...Thank you."
"No need for thanks。Come on，child，let's go."
Watching the old man and young boy walk away into the distance，Kevin slowly closed the old wooden gate。
"Grandpa Qingyuan，why did you give that person zongzi?"
"My child，Grandpa originally intended to pass this responsibility on to you。But you are destined to go far away。So let it end with my generation。If you encounter anything unsolvable elsewhere，you can seek out that Mr。Kevin。Our family still holds some small regard there."
"You just need to remember... this is our family's fortune..."
"Fortune?"
He listenedin bewildermently to his grandfather's words。
——————
Returning to the kitchen，Kevin carefully placed that bag of zongzi into a pot to reheat them。
Then he came to the kitchen counter and took out the previously prepared bamboo leaves and glutinous rice。
Forming cones，pouring in glutinous rice，closing them tightly，wrapping strings... one standard step after another—he actually started making zongzi by hand!
Strangely enough，he stopped after making only three—two sweet ones and one savory one—and placed them in the steamer。
......
Kevin returned to the courtyard and placed down a jade plate holding zongzi。Alongside it were three cups of steaming hot calamus tea。
He simply sat there quietly，peeling open that sole savory zongzi and eating it，accompanied by sips of calamus tea。
Not long after，a graceful figure dressed in cyan-blue qipao sat down on one of the stone chairs。She also quietly drank her calamus tea and ate one sweet zongzi。
Her water-ink-like brows and eyes glanced at the man beside her。Within them seemed to be thousands of words，yet ultimately they still transformed into a long，soft sigh from her lips。
She knew this man never needed any pity。He had always been like this，unchanged。So she tactfully transformed into ink wash and faded away。
Kevin sat like this from morning until night。Even though both zongzi and calamus tea on the plate had long gone cold，he seemed unaware。
Only when the bright moon hung high overhead did he slowly raise his cup。As if reminiscing，as if cherishing memories，he spoke his first words after long silence。
"I promised you。Everything would be just like that day."
"We.
.....will never be apart."
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