"From the beginning, you've been talking about the way of the leaf this and the way of the leaf that. What on earth is it?" Xu Xiaoyou asked, raising an eyebrow. She had completely given up on hearing anything normal from these two lunatics.
"It is not only men who can walk the way of the leaf, nor is it only the dominant party in a relationship who can practice this path. This path has nothing to do with gender or race; it is about a 'sincere heart.'"
"A heart that is burning and sincere. When your love for something reaches the extreme and a scalding heat fills your chest, you are walking the way of the leaf. It is the desire to support the beautiful and delicate flowers so they may reach the sky. Even if you are in a lowly position, even if you are cut and bloodied by thorns, you are willing to rot and turn into fertilizer just so the flowers can bloom under the azure vault!"
"Whether it's a green leaf shop serving men, women, orcs, ogres, or trolls, the main purpose is always the same: to support the flowers."
"The road of life is long, the things we encounter are many, and the intersections are numerous. No one can summarize exactly what the way of the leaf is. In different environments, everyone's way of the leaf is different. Some are born in low shrubs next to towering trees, unable to see the sunlight their whole lives. Some are born on the towering trees, hanging from thin branches, facing the gale; they enjoy the sunlight while also bearing the risk of being blown far away by the wind."
"The flowers one encounters are different as well. They could be a kindergarten desk-mate, a childhood friend, a high school class president, or a supermarket clerk."
"Perhaps someone is born under delicate petals, and the first flower they see is their own mother. A scoundrel who rolls and fights in the streets all day, leaving early and returning late just to earn money to buy his mother a birthday gift and say, 'I love you, Mom'; this is also a way of the leaf called 'protection.'"
"The way of the leaf is not to be defiled. The way of the leaf in everyone's heart is most sincere, pure, and beautiful. Put this way, can you understand?"
Ivy looked at Tiger Tail Orchid with eyes full of affection. The latter slapped her large hand onto the man's firm buttocks, a hint of doting appearing in her eyes.
"The Mint Green Leaf Shop follows the 'man's' way of the leaf. All the green leaves here were once scoundrels who did scummy things, and I am no exception. That is why we need more service to compensate for the past and fill the wounds we once caused girls. We walk the thorn-filled path until we can experience, feel, and understand the taste of it, chewing on our responsibilities and growing into accountable, upright men."
Xu Xiaoyou covered her face. She almost thought she was listening to some cult leader trying to brainwash a new recruit.
"It doesn't matter if you can't understand it now. Believe me, you will come to enjoy it. One day, you will understand and see through your own way of the leaf."
"Start work tomorrow. I can't wait. Don't worry, as long as you're willing to serve well, those ladies won't treat you poorly. Their generosity will be beyond your imagination. As for your leaf name, how about Dark Gold Rose?"
Xu Xiaoyou pondered for a moment and did not refuse. She wasn't worried that this leaf name would bring her any trouble. Currently, there were tons of fan art, cosplay, and derivative works of 'Dark Gold Rose' out there; who would think that a green leaf in an inconspicuous green leaf shop was the real Dark Gold Rose?
Not only would it not cause her trouble, but it could also attract more customers through the novelty. The wealthy sisters here in Red Heaven were far more numerous than in the Star of Art. The daughters of those arms dealers were wealthy and possessed immense social influence; any one of them could buy out this entire entertainment street.
In a month, Tang Xin's favorability plot, 【The Girl Who Fell into the Starry Garden】, would begin. She needed to return to the Star of Art. In the meantime, to avoid the association's attention while earning enough starting capital, this was indeed the best option.
After the agreement was settled, Tiger Tail Orchid snapped her fingers. The heavy door opened, and Mori no Natsu Kuri suddenly lunged in, moving close to Xu Xiaoyou to check her over with concern.
"Yuzu, are you okay?"
"Damn it, you guys went too far!" The girl bared her small fangs and glared fiercely at Ivy and Tiger Tail Orchid. Her presence was not at all weaker than the two grade 5 fixers, looking exactly like a protective wolf cub.
Xu Xiaoyou smiled. "I am a green leaf now. Please take care of me in the future."
Seya Winter: "???"
The girl shuddered, her gaze shifting frantically between Xu Xiaoyou and the ambiguously smiling Ivy and Tiger Tail Orchid, unable to believe what she had just heard.
It was hard to imagine those words coming from the mouth of the empathetic, considerate, and gentle-smiling Yuzu. Had she encountered some difficulty? These two must have caught some weakness and coerced Yuzu. She recalled Xu Xiaoyou saying she was on the run from pursuers.
Just thinking about the methods of those wealthy sisters and what Xu Xiaoyou might encounter next made Mori no Natsu Kuri's face turn pale.
"I have plenty of money, Yuzu. Don't do anything foolish. I... I..."
Before the words 'can keep you' could be said, Xu Xiaoyou burst out laughing. "Just a joke. I won't sell myself out."
Mori no Natsu Kuri breathed a sigh of relief and glared at the other two in the room.
"But it's true that I plan to work at the Mint Green Leaf Shop for the next month," Xu Xiaoyou said casually.
Mori no Natsu Kuri froze on the spot. A mirror in her heart regarding the blonde girl shattered silently.
"If you want, you can come and visit me. I'll give you a twenty percent discount."
At that moment, Ivy suddenly received a call and picked it up.
"Manager, the people from the Mountain Crow family are here! They're smashing everything! I don't know what they want!" A young green leaf cried out from a corner.
"Search everywhere!"
A gang of thugs in black suits rushed in, swinging riot batons and smashing everything in sight. Antique statues in the corridors were pushed over; the hundred-inch LCD screen in the center of the green leaf shop was shattered; virtual projectors were smashed; the emerald-green wallpaper was torn; and the carved golden phoebe wood floors collapsed under their heavy boots.
The luxurious and decadent atmosphere was crudely shattered. The pretty faces of the delicate young green leaves in their bright purple smoking jackets were beaten swollen, their exquisite makeup ruined as they fell onto the colorful stage one after another. The roaring shouts of the Mountain Crow family members echoed through the intense music.
Ivy's expression turned solemn as he looked at the members of the Night Walkers outside the room.
"Those guys are probably here for you. Move it, boys! Find a way to destroy the evidence. I'll go up and stall them for a while!"
Tiger Tail Orchid's face twisted with a hint of ruthlessness. "Those damned crows... they followed the scent right here. This old lady hasn't shown her claws in a while, and now they're acting up on my head!"
The two grade 5 fixers took the elevator and headed toward the upper floor.
Night Owl ran in panting. "Quick, quick, quick! Don't just stand there, move! That bastard Chi Tianyi is still downstairs. Clean up the bloodstains and interrogation tools, and find a way to move him!"
Rate on N.U.
