Silence finally dissolved into a sigh. Wu Menghan felt incredibly dejected. Just as she was about to turn around and dismantle the camera, she suddenly saw a small figure running out of the coffee shop.
In her arms, she was cradling three cups of coffee.
Wu Menghan froze for a moment. Before she could react, Vivi had already run back, panting heavily, and handed over the coffee.
“Sister… Sister, this is your coffee. *Huff… huff…*”
“Is this… for me?”
Her mind went blank for a second. Before she could process it, she instinctively took the coffee Vivi offered.
Faint ripples of warmth passed through the cup and into her hands. Her heart felt just like her palms—warm and cozy.
The feeling of suffocation she had felt just moments ago was completely replaced by warmth. She looked at the slightly out-of-breath loli, a charming smile appearing on her lips.
“Thank you, Vivi.”
“It’s… it’s nothing. It’s a good thing you came over; otherwise, I would have forgotten.”
Vivi was still a bit winded. She had already discussed it with Xia Yu—they were going to bring two coffees back for Wu Menghan and Xia Xiaoling.
Because she had chatted with Su Xiao for a few extra minutes, she had almost forgotten. It was lucky she ran into Wu Menghan, or she really wouldn’t have remembered.
“Anyway, Sister, why are you here?”
Wu Menghan turned her head away guiltily, pretending to be calm as she spoke.
“I just wanted to see you. There’s no other reason.”
“Hmm?”
Vivi found it a bit strange. This place was quite far from the Old Residential District, and there were no buses running at this hour.
If Wu Menghan wanted to go back, she would have to take a taxi. If she walked, it would take at least one hour to get home.
She had come all this way just to catch a single glimpse of her?
Something was wrong—very wrong. Vivi stared into Wu Menghan’s eyes as if trying to see through her.
But Wu Menghan refused to meet her gaze. Vivi could only sigh helplessly and hail a taxi.
“Driver… eh? Why is it you again?”
Li Si glanced at the rearview mirror and remained silent for a moment.
“Sigh, get in.”
***
Back at the Old Residential District, Wu Menghan stepped out of the car. She watched the taxi drive away and tightened her grip on the coffee.
The coffee had long since gone cold, yet it still seemed to hold a certain temperature. She could feel the care Vivi had shown her.
‘I’m a little reluctant to drink this cup of coffee.’
Cradling the coffee, she quickly opened her door and placed it on her nightstand. Her eyes grew a bit misty.
‘Vivi gave this to me. This is something Vivi gave me…’
On the other side, Vivi had no idea what was happening there.
After returning home, she greeted Xia Xiaoling and went back to her room.
She opened her phone, re-entered her account and password, and impatiently sent a message to an avatar with white hair.
Vivi: “Are you there? Are you there?”
Irena: [Annoyed.jpg]
Irena: “What is it? I’m still busy.”
Vivi: “Well, I have a bit of money now. Can you help me give it to Wu Menghan?”
Irena: “Oh, that. No problem. A transfer?”
Vivi: “No, cash. I can’t register a phone number with my current identity yet, let alone use a bank card.”
Irena: “Sorry, I forgot.”
Vivi: “Are you free tomorrow?”
Irena: “I can make time. Coincidentally, my research has had some breakthroughs. I have something good for you.”
Vivi: “What is it?”
Irena: “Don’t worry about it. Just consider it a little surprise.”
Vivi was completely confused, having no idea what Irena was up to.
She checked the time, estimating that her sister’s living expenses were probably running low. Time was pressing.
Since tomorrow wasn’t a day off, it looked like she could only go in the evening.
***
Soon, evening arrived the next day. After being busy all day, Vivi finally got a moment of rest.
To avoid being a burden today, she had spent the entire day learning various coffee-making methods.
It was just a basic introduction, but at least she could help out a little bit now.
After saying goodbye to Xia Yu, Vivi stood at the entrance of the Old Town Police Station.
It had been a while since she last visited. Ever since Wu Menghan warned her not to contact Irena again, she hadn’t come back.
However, Wu Menghan had been acting fairly normal lately, so slipping away to see Irena shouldn’t be an issue.
The police station was the same as always. After stating her purpose at the entrance, Vivi was soon led to that familiar room.
Irena was leaning back in her chair, resting. Her face was filled with exhaustion, a sight that made one’s heart ache.
The moment the door was pushed open, the silver-haired girl’s body trembled. Her pale gold eyes snapped open, flashing with a faint trace of killing intent.
Vivi was startled. As a slime girl, she could vaguely sense the unique aura of a Slime Hunter.
“Oh? Sister Vivi… sorry for scaring you.”
The killing intent in Irena’s eyes vanished in an instant, replaced by a look of apology.
“Um, are you okay?”
“Hmm? I’m fine. Why?”
Seeing the silver-haired girl’s exhausted appearance, Vivi wanted to step forward and comfort her, but the scene from a moment ago had truly frightened her.
It felt as though the person staring at her wasn’t a cute girl, but a ferocious beast.
Irena seemed to realize something. She scratched her head awkwardly and said softly, “I got used to staying in the wild, hiding all over the place. I’m really sorry.”
Vivi pursed her lips, feeling a bit guilty.
Irena had it quite hard too, and she was willing to help. ‘I should give her more trust.’
Thinking of this, she took a step forward and used her small body to pull Irena into a hug, gently stroking the girl’s smooth silver hair.
“Eh?”
Irena froze. The sudden warmth left her at a loss, yet the feeling made her want to lose herself in it.
“Irena, you don’t need to apologize to me. On the contrary, I’m the one who should be thanking you.”
The warm voice reached her ears. Irena felt touched, but she turned her head away, her tone becoming slightly distant.
“I… I don’t need your thanks. I’m only doing this for myself.”
“Is that so? Really?”
“Of course it’s true!”
Vivi suddenly felt that Irena was quite cute—and she was white-haired too. As everyone knew, white hair came with a special attack buff.
“Well, then let’s just say you’re helping yourself. But I still want to thank you.”
“Take this. I hope you don’t mind.”
As she spoke, Vivi handed Irena a red envelope containing 1,000, with an extra 100 tucked underneath it.
Irena stared blankly.
“Sister Vivi, you… this is…”
“Um, just think of it as a tip for you. I hope you don’t look down on it. This is all the money I have on me right now.”