Chapter 118 Part 1
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Chapter 118: Believe in Bai Yan! (1)
“Delicious!”
Holly giggled with a mouthful of cream, cutting another slice of cake with the knife in her hand, and then quickly popped it into her mouth, making loud smacking noises.
“Oh, this is so touching. It’s really delicious. By the way, do you think eating three ‘cheat meals’ a week would make me gain too much weight?”
Her rabbit ears twitched slightly, giving Holly a genuinely excited look.
One piece of cake was saved for Black Vulture, and the rest of the cake was shared between Bai Yan, Adelaide, and the big guy. As for the remaining portion, it was quickly devoured by the rabbit.
Holly suddenly realized that everyone was staring at her, especially Bai Yan, who was eyeing her stomach!
“Don’t look at me like that with those eyes, ╰(°▽°)╯, oh my, it’s just because I usually burn more calories, that’s why I can eat this much… and besides, I paid for this cake!”
“But today is the captain’s birthday, not yours.”
Bai Yan said calmly, clearly enjoying the argument.
“Men who get so serious about small things might never find a girlfriend.”
Holly said, her expression deadpan.
“Could you repeat that while looking me in the face?”
“Not all women care about appearance! And you don’t even have a girlfriend, do you?”
“I’m not in any rush.”
Holly shook her head and smiled, “Oh my, I’m different. Once I come of age, I’ll immediately find a good husband to marry!”
“Why are you in such a hurry?”
Holly said, “I’m anxious about having children, since I can only live until my early thirties.”
Bai Yan froze in his chair, feeling as though a cold realization hit him hard.
Holly hesitated, then added, “Didn’t you know? The lifespan of half-orcs is shorter than that of orcs. Reaching forty is considered very old.”
The mood that had been light and cheerful moments ago began to fade.
Bai Yan studied the girl’s face, her sadness not hidden from him. His emotions became complicated. He spoke quietly, “Mmm… I wasn’t aware of that.”
Holly seemed to notice the change and smiled, “Oh, don’t pity me. Aren’t you humans also unable to live as long as elves? I’ve never seen anyone constantly lamenting that.”
She paused and said calmly, “Plus, I’m different. Maybe I’ll live longer… I just want my parents to see that I’m no longer a child before they pass.”
“Let’s change the topic.” The big guy shook his head, his eyes distant as though recalling something. “Today’s supposed to be the birthday celebration, so let’s talk about something cheerful.”
It was then that Bai Yan noticed Adelaide’s strange behavior.
She had been quietly listening to the debate between Holly and Bai Yan, her head slightly bowed, a faint smile on her lips. She held a partially lit cigarette in her hand, but there was something off about her now.
Adelaide’s face twisted with what seemed like intense struggle, and her hand trembled as she held the cigarette.
“Captain?”
Bai Yan asked, his voice full of concern.
“I…”
Adelaide’s voice wavered, and it sounded like she was holding back tears.
Bai Yan was taken aback, unsure what was happening. The big guy and Holly also noticed that something was wrong.
Her fragile demeanor was completely unnoticed by anyone else.
What was happening?
Bai Yan frowned, a deep sense of unease rising within him. Adelaide’s smile appeared forced, almost as though mocking herself.
“Oh no, did I eat too much cake?”
Holly immediately panicked, “I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything to upset you.”
“Holly, it’s fine. I’m really happy!”
Adelaide quickly switched from tears to laughter, shaking her head and waving her hand to reassure them.
“It’s nothing, I’m just so happy, so excited.”
The big guy continued to frown, and Bai Yan couldn’t shake the image of what he’d just seen.
Holly patted her chest and smiled, “I’m glad you’re not angry anymore. I remember when you first became the captain, you were so unpredictable—always angry, even hitting people!”
“I’m sorry,” Adelaide shook her head and smiled apologetically.
“Over the years, the captain has softened,” the big guy said calmly, “no longer keeping a distance from us.”
Bai Yan observed Adelaide’s face silently, then remembered two things.
When he first met her, Adelaide wasn’t very polite, directly calling him a “problem child.”
He had assumed it was just her personality.
Later, she had gotten angry at him in the car but had quickly calmed down when he reacted similarly.
Recently, Bai Yan had come to realize that Adelaide wasn’t naturally domineering… especially after hearing what Holly and the big guy had said.
She had purposely kept a distance from others… and that was the only conclusion Bai Yan could draw.
But why?
He didn’t know.
What he did know was that today, Adelaide had let go of her walls and showed a happy smile.
——
Inside the Babel Tower.
Soft music lingered as it was time for the staff’s lunch break.
In the large, white research center, the hall, made entirely of metal, had rows of tables and chairs.
On the tables, pots filled with nutritious and well-balanced meals appeared one after another, courtesy of magic.
Even though the food was balanced and healthy, it didn’t look very appetizing, resembling large blobs of colorful slime.
The door on the white wall of the hall slowly opened.
