Chapter 40: Parting

Jiang Ming was practically pushed forward by two determined forces at his sides. He tried to adjust his stride, only to find his movements completely dictated by the two women flanking him.

Even as a “Glimmer” rank Beyonder, he was being held firmly in place by their raw strength, unable to budge.

“What’s our specific objective?” Jiang Ming asked, giving up on fixing his posture and cutting straight to the chase. He kept his voice low, nearly drowned out by the noisy background chatter.

“The mission itself isn’t complicated,” Elvira replied. She pulled a forged invitation from her small pouch, flicked it in her palm for a brief second, and quickly stowed it away. Her expression flickered with complexity. “Tonight, we are representing the Sky Star Chamber of Commerce from the Holy Moon Empire.”

The Sky Star Chamber of Commerce.

Even though she lived in Opas year-round, she had heard of this behemoth. It was one of the top commercial giants within the Holy Moon Empire, with reach extending across the continent. It was rumored they could even influence the Empire’s more private policy decisions.

Its wealth and influence far surpassed that of an ordinary Noble house.

Elvira’s gaze darted toward Lillian. White hair, red eyes, stunning beauty, and a calm demeanor.

‘Could this woman, who claims to be Jiang Ming’s “fiancée,” actually be the young lady of the Sky Star Chamber of Commerce? Are they childhood friends?’

The thought made her heart tighten. If it were true, Lillian’s background was far deeper than she had ever estimated.

But if her status was so prominent, why was Jiang Ming’s attitude toward her always one of wary distance? Something heavy seemed to lie between them, more than just a simple reunion of old acquaintances.

‘Then… do I still have a chance? Don’t the books always say the girl who appears out of nowhere always ends up defeating the gentle childhood friend who usually loses to time or misunderstandings?’

‘No, we’re just partners. Why do I care so much?’

Elvira’s thoughts drifted uncontrollably. She even forgot to continue explaining the mission details, merely pressing her lips together and staring straight ahead at the shifting crowd, her red eyes flickering with an unreadable light.

“Elvira.”

Jiang Ming’s light cough broke her train of thought.

She snapped back to reality, realizing she had been daydreaming, and a faint, imperceptible heat flushed her ears.

“Our core mission tonight is to record,” Elvira whispered, leaning close to Jiang Ming’s ear to ensure she was heard over the loud music and voices. “Remember exactly what is being auctioned here.”

“That’s it?” Jiang Ming raised an eyebrow. The answer was surprisingly simple.

“That’s it,” Elvira confirmed, a cold light flashing in her red eyes. “If these items were only in the Lower City, the Order Bureau might be out of reach. But once they enter the Upper District through certain channels…”

She paused, her voice turning grim.

“Any one of them could be the spark that ignites a powder keg, enough to cause an immeasurable chain of destruction beneath the polished surface.”

Jiang Ming fell silent. A ridiculous chill crawled up his spine to the back of his neck. Dangerous goods were circulating freely in a gray area, and official agencies could only record it?

He couldn’t help but think of the world in his memories — orderly and strictly controlled.

In contrast, the chaos and potential danger here made a corner of his heart ache with a hint of homesickness.

He missed the feeling of safety.

“Does the Order Bureau… have no way to intervene?” He frowned, lowering his voice further.

“There’s no suitable opportunity, and they lack a sufficient legal excuse,” Elvira said with a slight shake of her head. “The Opus Coexistence Treaty signed 100 years ago drew the lines. The Lower City’s autonomy and… certain traditional transactions are tacitly permitted within those vague clauses.”

She paused before continuing, “That is why the Sky Wings were created. They specialize in handling special items that drift along the edges of the treaty and could jeopardize the balance of both cities. We record; they evaluate and decide whether to… intercept.”

“I need to go backstage,” Elvira’s voice pulled Jiang Ming back from his thoughts. “I need to confirm the auction list and the items with my own eyes.”

She let go of his right arm with a crisp movement, as if her firm grip from earlier had never existed. However, as her fingertips left him, they lingered on his sleeve for a fraction of a second.

“I have things to handle as well,” Lillian spoke up at almost the same time.

Jiang Ming reflexively turned his head toward her. She still held his left arm but had slightly loosened her grip, her crimson eyes reflecting the flickering lights.

“Nominally, we are representatives of the Sky Star Chamber of Commerce,” Lillian said calmly. She looked toward the other side of the hall, where a small group of elegantly dressed, jewel-adorned women had gathered. They were chatting in low voices, their gazes occasionally drifting their way. “And I should go greet the ladies of the business circles and share some small talk. It’s necessary social interaction.”

The explanation was reasonable.

“What about me?” Jiang Ming suddenly realized he was the only one without a clear task. His two companions each had their own direction, while he stood in the center of the bustle like a misplaced decoration.

Lillian gently let go of his arm. She took a half-step forward, standing face-to-face with him, close enough that he could smell her familiar cool fragrance.

She raised her hand, her fingertips brushing the knot of his black tie, adjusting its already neat position with deliberate slowness.

Having finished, she stepped back slightly, her eyes carefully studying him from his dark hairline to his clean jawline, as if evaluating a piece of art that belonged to her. Then, her lips curved into a meaningful arch.

“In any prominent family,” she said softly, “there are always one or two… idle Playboys who are only responsible for being handsome and spending money.”

Her gaze met his, her smile deepening with a hint of unmistakable possessiveness.

“So tonight, you will be my Playboy.”

Before the words could fully land, she suddenly leaned in quickly. Her soft lips brushed his cheek in a light touch, like a passing feather, yet leaving a burning mark.

Then, she tilted her head slightly, her warm breath grazing his ear as she whispered in a playful tone only the two of them could hear:

“Remember, you are only mine. Don’t be… lured away by any other random women.”

With that, she didn’t stay. She turned, her ivory skirt tracing an elegant arc as she walked gracefully toward the group of noblewomen, her stride calm and her back straight.

On the other side, Elvira had taken it all in.

She stood where she was, not immediately leaving for the backstage. Her deep navy-blue gown almost melted into the shadows in the dim light, leaving only her red eyes clearly reflecting Jiang Ming’s stiff profile and Lillian’s receding white figure.

Elvira’s lips pressed into a straight line, and her jaw tightened for a moment. She didn’t look in the direction Lillian had gone, nor did she immediately turn toward the backstage.

She lingered for a few seconds before stepping toward the still-dazed Jiang Ming.

The hem of her deep navy-blue dress swayed with her steps, shimmering with a dark luster under the flickering lights.

She stopped in front of him, close enough for Jiang Ming to see every individual eyelash and the faint ripple beneath the calm she struggled to maintain in those red eyes.

Then, she stood on her tiptoes and tilted her head.

A kiss fell on Jiang Ming’s right cheek.

Unlike Lillian’s touch, which carried a declaration and lingering warmth, Elvira’s kiss was lighter, faster, and even carried a hint of clumsy stiffness.

Her lips felt cool, pulling away as soon as they touched, like a shard of ice meeting skin — melting instantly and leaving behind only a damp chill and a suddenly racing heart.

She quickly retreated half a step and turned her face away, seemingly afraid or unwilling to see Jiang Ming’s current expression. Her black hair fell forward, hiding half of her face and her quietly reddening ears.

“…Stay safe.”

Her voice was very low and soft, nearly swallowed by the surrounding noise.

But Jiang Ming heard it clearly. Those two words didn’t sound like a warning; they were more like a hurried incantation that had used up all her courage, pushed gently from her tightly pressed lips.

She didn’t stay a moment longer, not even glancing at Jiang Ming again as she turned abruptly. Her dark blue figure seemed to be fleeing from something, moving quickly and decisively through the swaying crowd toward the side door leading backstage, soon merging into the deeper shadows.

Jiang Ming stood there.

His left cheek still seemed to hold the warmth and fragrance of Lillian’s kiss, while his right cheek bore the cool, hurried touch of Elvira’s.

He raised his hand, his fingertips hovering near his face, but in the end, they never touched it.