Late at night, on the corridor outside the top-floor suite of the Goethe Grand Hotel in the Overworld.
Bronya's hands tightly gripped the large leather coat wrapped around her. The black knee-high boots she usually wore were now replaced with high heels.
Under the corridor lights, a white silk nightgown could faintly be seen beneath the leather coat, starting from below Bronya's fair neck.
This was what her mother had privately sought her out and instructed her to wear after she returned to Belobog from the snowfield with Fu Zhu's group.
'Bronya, perhaps what I'm saying is cruel, but as the successor to the Great Guardian, you should understand that the more you enjoy, the more you must pay.
I won't force you to do this; after all, as a mother, I also hope my child can find someone they truly love. If you are unwilling, at least ask clearly what exactly Fu Zhu wants. Belobog owes them far too much!'
Bronya lightly bit her lower lip as she walked to Fu Zhu's room and knocked gently twice on the door.
The door opened in response. Fu Zhu leaned against the doorway, looking somewhat puzzled at Bronya, whose cheeks were so red they looked like they could drip blood.
"Bronya? Is something the matter?"
"Fu... Fu Zhu, I have some things I want to ask you. C-Can I come in?"
"Of course."
Fu Zhu stepped aside to let Bronya enter, then closed the door.
Bronya walked into the room somewhat stiffly, her hands and feet moving uncoordinatedly. She glanced at the room's layout, then, steeling herself and gritting her teeth, chose to sit on the edge of the bed.
Fu Zhu closed the door properly and walked further in, only to see Bronya sitting on the bed looking bashful and fidgety.
This scene, a man and a woman alone together.
Fu Zhu's thoughts almost subconsciously strayed. Similarly, a question surfaced in his mind.
Is exhaustion considered a negative BUFF? Can milk remove it directly?
"Um... Fu Zhu..."
Bronya seemed to muster her courage and lifted her head. Just as she was about to speak, the door was knocked on again.
Fu Zhu shot her an apologetic look and walked to the door to open it.
"Ge!"
Xing, wearing pajamas, stood at the door, fidgeting just like Bronya had earlier.
"I want to learn the Sheep Piston Machine!"
Fu Zhu, whose thoughts had been running wild just moments before, had all those notions instantly extinguished upon hearing her words.
"You came looking for me in the middle of the night, just for this?!"
"Hehe, let me in!"
Xing forcefully squeezed past Fu Zhu and slipped into the room, only to come face-to-face with Bronya sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Ah..." ×2
Fu Zhu closed the door speechlessly. Before he could speak to either of them, the door was knocked on yet again.
Xing, who had been standing awkwardly, digging her toes into the floorboards hard enough to carve out a three-bedroom apartment, proactively ran to the door, "I'll get it!"
The door opened, revealing March 7th standing outside, also in pajamas, equally fidgety, her face flushed red with embarrassment.
"Um... Fu Zhu, I came to apologize to you. For doubting you during the day... Eh? Xing?!"
Seeing it was March 7th, Xing couldn't help but point towards the room.
"Whatever you want to do, get in line!"