I took a sip of my coffee, savoring both the taste and the newfound clarity of mind.

It was quite a late breakfast, as subduing the bloodsucking bitch took a considerable amount of time and effort. It was a pleasant process, so I had no complaints.

“So, what’s your plan going forward, dear?” A question from Bella reached my ears.

If I recall correctly, last time I said something close to not having any plans in particular.

“Mmm, I’ll focus on my relationships for now.” My answer changed quite a bit over the course of two weeks. “Starting to gradually get involved in clan matters doesn’t sound that bad anymore either.”

My special woman acknowledged my words with a hum and plopped down on the chair by my side.

“Anything I can help you with?” Another question from Bella.

“Nothing comes to mind right off the bat,” I responded with a head shake. “Except, maybe, lend me a few of your guys for sparring purposes. I am getting more and more restless lately, but I am too rusty to get into action right away.”

I paused to give this another spin.

“Yeah, I think that’s it,” I confirmed my previous words.

Another hum of acknowledgement followed, and I felt her leaning most of her weight into my side. Bella was in a great mood.

We spent some time in a pleasant silence, with both of us focused on the food.

“Anything in mind on how to spend the day?” Bella asked yet another question.

Oh, right.

“I need to pay a visit to my grandmother. And by ‘I’, I mean ‘we’.” I felt her freeze after hearing my words.

“Ugh. Maybe. You know. Next time?” Her response almost made me laugh.

I leaned to the side, giving the top of her head a kiss.

“Nope.” And dashed her hopes.

I was almost certain most of her outward reluctance was just some sort of play, but it still made me somewhat uncomfortable.

“Fine,” she drawled with a sigh. “But if she doesn't like me…”

“That won’t happen,” I interrupted.

“You are going to console me,” Bella finished her words, ignoring my interruption.

Yeah, I would love to ask for a refund for my previous concern.

“Sure. I know a few ways to console you,” I was half-serious in my response. “And it's been so long since I’ve seen you dressed in cheongsam.”

Perhaps not quite as serious.

My special woman snorted at my words and put her head on my shoulder. I’m going to pencil it in as a yes.

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***

Much to my surprise, Bella actually had a few of those traditional Chinese dresses ready in her wardrobe. Of different lengths and quality as well.

“What are you acting so surprised at? I meet all kinds of people in my line of work, and sometimes I have to follow their dress code,” Bella, busy twirling around in front of the mirror setup, threw over her shoulder.

I could only nod, accepting her words. Now that I thought about that, it made sense.

“So, how do I look?” Finally done with her preparations, my dear decided to ask this dreadful question.

The one Bella chose was a fairly conservative, royal purple qipao with floral ornaments. Well, as conservative as something so tight-fitting could look at her impressive figure.

I made a gesture for her to give me a spin, which she did.

“Like a worthy daughter-in-law for the Long clan.” I refrained from the usual compliments and decided to go with my honest opinion.

Judging by her pleased smile, it was the right choice.

The fact that Bella still blanked out briefly after hearing those words meant they were still shocking enough for her. Well, I wasn’t at all against repeating them until she'd gotten used to that.

A ping of a new message caught my attention.

The Lady in Black sent her response to my inquiry, roughly translated into ‘You can visit whenever you want, Tian.’

Now I just needed to decide who I should visit Kouzuki Miya’s bar as.

I looked at Bella again, who was busy styling her wavy hair into buns. I had no idea whatsoever why she would do so.

Well, Long Tian it was then. Why not?

I looked back at my phone and started scrolling through the last messages. A few more pictures from that outing Helen and Olivia had. The Counter Girl sent a short thank-you.

Found it.

Kon-Kon: [Young Master.]

I clicked on the profile details to double-check.

The profile picture was set on a very Japanese-looking girl in her late teens, perhaps early twenties? Straight black hair gathered into a single high-tail. Side bangs. A few strands here and there were colored red and purple. And V-signs on both hands.

A normal, cute girl.

I clicked the ‘about’.

[V(^_^) Nin-nin.]

I put the phone down and cupped my face with both palms. It looked like the forces of Chaos decided to throw me another curveball.

I fought back a sigh and typed down a message.

Me: [get me a car]

Me: [a Long one]

Kon-Kon: [o7]

I had to put down my phone once more. This time with a groan.

Sure thing, why would I even think that my personal shadow, most likely directly assigned to me by one of the two monochrome ladies, wouldn’t be an attractive girl? Had I not gotten enough Chaos in my life yet?

I decided to be optimistic about this. I worked with this girl before, and she was dependable if a bit eccentric. And, at the very least, she wouldn’t tire my eyes if I decided to use her as my personal driver.

I took a deep breath and decided to let it be.

***

“What are you thinking about?” Bella’s words registered in my ears.

“About how lucky I am to have you,” I responded in full auto.

Well, this wasn’t untrue anyway. And I got a kiss on the cheek as a reward.

“And what are you actually thinking about?” She continued.

“Nothing in particular,” I replied with a shrug.

This was also true. I had been daydreaming for a while as the overly luxurious car with the Long clan registration numbers was closing in on our destination.

There was no need for detailed plans. No matter what, I wasn’t conceited enough to believe in my ability to actually outplay even one of the Kouzuki Twins. And knowing my grandmother, there was a decent chance that the Lady in White would be present as well.

Bella was about to say something else, but I interrupted her with a kiss.

“You should relax as well,” I told her.

The rest of our ride went in silence.