Chapter 321: work harder

[MASHTER, Captain definitely threatened that fish girl.] – Eclipse commented.

Luo Yan ruffled the fluffy head of the fox sitting comfortably on his lap while looking at Shen Ji Yun who just closed the door of the private box. [What makes you think that?]

[That fish girl talked like that to you, of course, Captain won't let it slide.]

He looked down at Eclipse. Seriously, he sometimes wondered where did this pet of his learn how to analyze such situation. Was it also included in his codes? At the end, he could only wonder. 

Shen Ji Yun walked back and sat again on the seat beside Luo Yan.

"What did you say to her?" Luo Yan asked.

"Not much. I just gave her a friendly advice," Shen Ji Yun answered.

Somehow, Luo Yan doubted that that was really the case. He caught a glimpse of Nereid's face before Shen Ji Yun closed the door. She looked scared. He wasn't sure if it was because of the expression on Shen Ji Yun's face or because the other said something to her which resulted to that. Either way, it must have been quite a shock to her. After all, Shen Ji Yun was the person she liked.

"Did you not recognize her?" he thought of asking.

Shen Ji Yun frowned. "No. Should I?"

Sure enough, this guy didn't really recognize Nereid. Of course, Luo Yan wouldn't tell him that she was one of his secret admirers. That's not his secret to tell. If he did, it would feel like he was stepping down on the girl's dignity. He wasn't such a malicious person that he would stoop so low as to embarrass a girl who hadn't done anything to him.

"She's the captain of team Sirens," he only said.

"Is that so," Shen Ji Yun said, his tone obviously showed that he wasn't really interested.

Seeing such a reaction, Luo Yan once again felt sorry for Nereid. It's really hard to like someone like Shen Ji Yun. Because he was the type who would remain unmoved no matter how much one chased him. Unless, he was the one who fell in love first. Which happened to be the case between them.

Luo Yan wasn't sure if he should be thankful for that. But he was definitely flattered by Shen Ji Yun's affection for him. Who wouldn't, right? If someone like Shen Ji Yun fell for you, it would be weird not to feel flattered.

He pushed a plate of sesame balls towards Shen Ji Yun. "Brother Ji Yun, don't be mad. I'm sure that girl didn't mean the things that she said."

If that was how she coped up with her nervousness, then she probably really didn't mean the things that she said.

Shen Ji Yun stared at Luo Yan. The other was smiling, obviously, he didn't take what that woman said earlier seriously. Maybe he really thought that she didn't mean the things that she said. But Shen Ji Yun didn't care whether she meant it or not. He just simply didn't like the way she talked to Luo Yan. But here was Luo Yan defending her despite that. His rabbit was really so kind. He couldn't help but feel distressed because of that. 

"Yan Yan, don't be too kind," he couldn't help but say. "I'm not saying it's bad. But being overly kind would just make other people want to take advantage of you."

Luo Yan smiled amusedly. He understood what he was worried about. But really, for someone who was already in his second life, being taken advantage of was definitely not something that would happen to him. 

"Don't worry, Brother Ji Yun. I'm not so naïve that I could only see the goodness in people. I assure you, I won't easily be taken advantage of."

"That's good."

Then there was another knock on the door. This time, Luo Yan didn't immediately tell whoever it was outside to come in.

"I'll see who it is," Shen Ji Yun said before Luo Yan could say anything.

He stood up and walked towards the door. He opened it and saw one of the NPC employees in the pavilion. He knew it was an NPC because he recognized her from that task they did during the birthday of the King of Arcadia.

"It's one of your employees," he said to Luo Yan, letting the NPC in. After that, he closed the door.

This time it was the one Luo Yan had been expecting – Madam Ru.

"Did he come?" he asked.

"Yes, Master. I already gave him the message you wish to deliver."

They were talking about Bian Que. Since Luo Yan had no intention of meeting him without his NPC disguise, it's better to just leave him a message. So, he told Madam Ru that once she confirmed Bian Que's presence in the pavilion, she should deliver to him the note that Luo Yan gave to her earlier. The note contained his idea of making some kind of pill that could transform pets into a humanoid form. Of course, it should not be mentioned that the note was from him. 

He didn't really care about the profit that that idea might produce. After all, he just gave Bian Que an idea. Everything still depended on the other person. He just hoped that Bian Que would be successful in making the pill.

"What was his reaction?" he asked.

"The guest didn't have one. He just raised one of his brows."

Okay? Should he take that as a sign that Bian Que was interested with the idea? She sure hoped so.

After that, Madam Ru left the private box.

"May I ask what that was about?" Shen Ji Yun, who had been silent while he was talking to Madam Ru, asked.

"Ah, it's about Bian Que…" Then he told him about his idea about making a pill that could transform pets into their humanoid form. "Do you think he would be interested?"

Shen Ji Yun wanted to snort. He was a bit annoyed that Luo Yan thought too highly of that Bian Que's ability. But he told himself to be more mature. "A profiteer like him? Definitely." 

Luo Yan wouldn't exactly call Bian Que a profiteer. It was more appropriate to call him a businessman. But he didn't disagree to what Shen Ji Yun said. Because he somehow heard a bit of reluctance and annoyance in his voice. As if he was reluctant to admit that Bian Que would go along with Luo Yan's idea and he was annoyed that he had to say that. 

Luo Yan noticed that Shen Ji Yun seemed to be controlling himself from saying anything bad. This was certainly unexpected. Was this so Luo Yan wouldn't notice him being such a big vinegar jar? He couldn't help but smile at the thought. 

He stared at his handsome side profile. As he looked at his face, a certain thought suddenly flashed inside his mind. Like a flower uncontrollably blooming. The smile on his face slowly disappeared as he realized something. That realization caused his heart to beat faster and faster by the second. His heart seemed to already have an answer to a certain question. But sadly, from how things were, his brain was probably still not ready to accept it.

"You should work harder, Brother Ji Yun," he said with a long sigh.

Shen Ji Yun only looked at him with a confused gaze, probably wondering what he meant by that. 

[Work harder to chase me.] – he added to himself.