Not to mention that now, dressed in a silver diamond-encrusted gown with her long hair swept up high, her mere presence made people feel...
She was the true host of the banquet.
Wen Xiang Yuan was so dazzling that everyone around was stealing glances at her.
Nan Yue looked at Wen Xiang Yuan. Around her long, fair neck hung a somewhat crude copper necklace.
"This look really suits you."
Wen Xiang Yuan pursed her lips into a smile, as if accustomed to such praise. She naturally hooked her arm through Nan Yue's and acted coyly. "But I don't like dressing like this."
Nan Yue nodded in agreement. "It's not very convenient."
Wen Xiang Yuan's eyes curved into crescents. "Exactly. What's the point of being pretty if it's not convenient at all?"
"Distinguished explorers, it is time to take your seats."
John was also in formal attire today, appearing tall and handsome, though still quite serious.
Nan Yue could already see that the other passengers on the ship had taken their seats in the restaurant, the sound of chatter and laughter drifting out from behind the doors.
"May I?"
Jiang Siyan, looking even more noble in his formal suit, walked up to Nan Yue. He crooked his arm, making a "please" gesture.
Nan Yue naturally hooked her arm through his, and the two of them were the first to walk inside.
Wen Xiang Yuan naturally understood the etiquette. She looked left and right, finding Gu Xiang Kai standing in front of her like a wall, blocking the others.
"Then, Xi Ning, will you go with Brother Gu?"
Zhu Xi Ning glanced at Gu Xiang Kai and smiled. "You should go with Old Gu. Otherwise, we won't feel at ease."
As she spoke the last few words, Zhu Xi Ning emphasized her tone, making Gu Xiang Kai feel a bit self-conscious.
He gave a light cough. "You should come with me then."
Wen Xiang Yuan nodded at his words and hooked her arm through Gu Xiang Kai's wrist. Gu Xiang Kai felt a bit stiff. "That... I've never been to an occasion like this before."
Wen Xiang Yuan tilted her head. "Ah, are you worried about triggering some rule? It's fine. I'm very familiar with this. Just follow me."
She smiled brilliantly, and Gu Xiang Kai responded with reddened ears.
Objectively speaking, Gu Xiang Kai had a very good physique. Just standing there, he exuded a strong sense of masculine pheromones. However, his buzz cut and the scar between his brows made his well-fitted, crisp suit look a bit out of place.
But once Wen Xiang Yuan stood beside him, everything seemed to make sense.
Wen Xiang Yuan always had a certain magic; she carried an aura that seemed to embrace everything.
No one looked out of place standing beside her.
"Hey girl, mind if we pair up?"
Long Qinghe, once cleaned up, was well-dressed with a rugged aura. Zhu Xi Ning smiled and took his arm. "Brother Long, Old Gu talked to you, didn't he?"
Long Qinghe nodded. "I have to thank you all for this mission. Not only did you scout the way yourselves, but you were also willing to share clues."
Zhu Xi Ning looked at the figures ahead and smiled. "Mainly because we have a boss who is both powerful and has great character."
Nan Yue chose a seat closest to the dance floor. The others more or less avoided the dance floor and the crowds, opting for quieter spots.
Penny was not far from Nan Yue, her partner still Johnny. She winked at Nan Yue and made an expression of amazement.
Nan Yue made a face back at her.
"Your psychological value fluctuated yesterday."
Jiang Siyan asked a waiter for a non-alcoholic cocktail and handed it to Nan Yue.
"Did something happen?"
Nan Yue didn't know if Jiang Siyan's probe was out of curiosity or expectation. Was this man hoping she could reignite his desire for life, or was he expecting her to become as dead inside as he was?
Or perhaps both?
Nan Yue looked down and took a sip of the drink. It tasted quite good.
"Penny told me that even if they die during an adventure, they die on the path they chose for themselves."
"She doesn't think it's a regret to die for freedom."
Jiang Siyan's movements paused slightly. After a moment, he spoke.
"Do you know about Shen Nian?"
Nan Yue looked at him. She wasn't surprised that Jiang Siyan knew about Shen Nian.
Although Shen Nian had been gone for a long time—so long that almost no one knew of her now, nor did they know she was the founder of Sharp Blade or the mentor of the now-famous Fu Xi Ming.
But there would always be someone who remembered her.
"I know."
Jiang Siyan dropped his habitual fake smile, revealing a trace of genuine seriousness.
"I think Penny is right. So, as for that legend... the one saying Shen Nian and her team encountered something that overturned their beliefs, causing them to give up the struggle and their desire for freedom..."
"I think that legend is total bullshit."
Nan Yue raised an eyebrow. Jiang Siyan had always presented himself with a very gentlemanly and elegant demeanor. Such crude language sounded a bit out of place coming from him.
"You are clear about my current state. If anyone has lost the sense of exploration and the true meaning of life, it's me."
"A person like me wouldn't deign to warn others. I would only watch them suffer and watch them repeat the same mistakes."
At this moment, Jiang Siyan was exceptionally candid. All his previous indirect probing was discarded. Nan Yue watched in surprise as he rationally dissected his own blood-stained heart.
"The last message sent back was to tell us not to explore, to stop being curious."
"That wasn't giving up hope, nor was it betraying themselves. It was because they felt protecting others was more important than finding the truth and freedom they sought."
After Jiang Siyan finished speaking, he downed the whiskey in his crystal glass. It wasn't until the waiter brought a new drink that he put his smile back on.
"So, Penny is right. Even for those who pollute the world, as long as they are human, there will always be a similar light within their hearts."
Nan Yue's expression softened. "You're right."
Jiang Siyan had such a strong emotional reaction to Shen Nian's story. He must have some connection to that team that left the city state.
But Jiang Siyan didn't say, and Nan Yue didn't ask further.
"Distinguished guests, welcome to the Devil's Bay captain's banquet!"
Steve attended in formal wear, a rose pinned to his chest.
"Devil's Bay represents freedom, adventure, and courage. Every guest who boards this ship is a brave soul!"
"Now that the voyage is coming to an end, we hold the captain's banquet as per tradition. I hope everyone has a wonderful time."
Steve spoke briefly, and as the melodious music played, the waiters began to serve the dishes.
The food was delicious and the atmosphere harmonious, but none of the scavengers let down their guard. They always remembered that this was an adventure.
Gu Xiang Kai and Wen Xiang Yuan's table was right behind Nan Yue's. Gu Xiang Kai leaned forward slightly.
He wasn't used to such restrictive clothing. He tugged at his tie and whispered to Nan Yue.
"Something's not right."
"I smell something foul."
Gu Xiang Kai's nose had always been very keen. Neither Nan Yue nor Jiang Siyan smelled anything unusual, but Nan Yue believed that something must have appeared.
"What kind of smell?"
Gu Xiang Kai rubbed his nose. "The stench of a corpse."
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