Li immediately protested loudly, even sitting up straight in her excitement. Their foreheads nearly collided.
“I also think Merlinlia’s aura is a perfect match for high heels! Really! If you wore regular flats, it would actually feel weird instead.”
Li cradled Merlin’s face as if she were admiring a rare treasure.
“Think about it. An elven princess should have that unattainable yet delicate and fragile vibe. High heels elongate the lines of your legs, giving you a graceful sway when you walk, and they make you look like a princess… *cough*, anyway, please make sure to wear high heels more often! This is a request from your childhood friend!”
Looking at Li’s sparkling eyes, Merlin couldn’t help but break into a smile through her tears.
“What kind of skewed logic is that… fine, since you put it that way.”
With Li’s support, the two of them stood back up.
Li didn’t rush to leave. Instead, she knelt down and reached out to hold Merlin’s ankle.
“Don’t move, let me check.”
Her fingers moved nimbly, pressing and rotating Merlin’s ankle with a gentle touch, as if she were handling fragile paper.
“Does it hurt?”
“No.”
“How about here?”
“It tickles a bit…”
“Looks like we’re lucky; it’s not sprained.”
Li stood up, brushed the dirt off her hands with satisfaction, and naturally extended her hand to Merlin.
“Let’s go, my Princess. We’ll walk slowly this time.”
Merlin looked at the hand, which was covered in light calluses, and felt a surge of warmth in her heart. She reached out and gently took Li’s palm.
It was just like when they were children getting lost in the slums — as long as they held each other’s hands, they weren’t afraid of anything.
Like a pair of harmonious sisters, they walked hand in hand, strolling slowly along the academy’s tree-lined path.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting two long shadows on the ground.
“By the way, that hand cream is really useful. I’ll recommend it to you next time…”
“Really? Mother seems to have something similar…”
“How about we go shopping next time? Just for dresses!”
“Spare me, trying on clothes is exhausting…”
The two occasionally glanced at each other and smiled, naturally chatting about those trivial yet cozy girl topics. The clicking of high heels against the ground was no longer hurried, accompanying them all the way back to the open-air cafe.
***
John watched his two childhood friends return hand in hand. At that moment, both of them radiated a warm, peaceful atmosphere.
One was the lover he would protect for the rest of his life, and the other was the Boss who had changed everyone’s fate.
As their skirts brushed against each other and their steps remained light, they gave off an aura so sweet it could melt candy, causing even a rough-hewn man like John to soften his expression.
The two sat down close together, just as they had been during their conversation.
Noticing John’s gaze, Li looked at him playfully.
“What is it? You’ve been staring at Merlin and me. Are you jealous?”
“Not really.”
Li leaned over like a lazy cat, pressing her cheek against Merlin’s soft little face.
“Back when we were kids, I used to watch you boys with Merlin, playing in the mud with your arms around each other’s shoulders. Back then, I wondered when I could join in… Look, now the roles are reversed.”
Merlin didn’t resist the sudden cuddling.
Or rather, she had already grown somewhat used to Li’s clingy behavior.
She merely pursed her cherry-blossom lips slightly, but her body didn’t move an inch, allowing Li to rub against her as if she were a bolster.
“Hehe, Boss, it’s because of this shy, ‘playing hard to get’ look of yours that everyone wants to hug you so much.”
“Hmph, I wouldn’t know.”
Merlin finally felt a bit embarrassed. She gently pushed Li away, trying to regain a bit of her dignity.
She straightened her collar and skirt, which had been ruffled from the rubbing, and cleared her throat.
“Ahem.”
“Alright, why did you want to see me today?”
“I just wanted to see you, Boss. Besides, the Starlight Roses have been in such high demand lately that they’re selling out. The price keeps going up, and everyone is very happy. They wanted to see our excellent Boss.”
Hearing such blunt praise, Merlin turned her head away shyly, her fingers unconsciously twirling a strand of her hair.
“I… I’m only responsible for research and improving the varieties. In reality, you guys are the ones doing the actual planting, operations, and sales. I’m just flapping my lips. It’s nothing impressive.”
“We still have to thank you, Boss, for being willing to put the Starlight Roses up for sale.”
Merlin was silent for a moment.
“There’s nothing to thank me for. If technology can’t be turned into profit to bring everyone a better life, then it’s not worth mentioning.”
Li didn’t say anything more. She simply squeezed Merlin’s hand on the table, silently conveying her gratitude.
“Mm… Thank you, Boss. You’re the best.”
“This is only the beginning. Life at the academy is gradually settling down, and I’m starting to have more spare energy and time. I plan to make some even more practical things in the future, trust me.”
For Merlin, it was finally time to utilize the knowledge from her previous life here.
‘If I make some simple and practical gadgets, like refrigerators or hair dryers, wouldn’t they sell like crazy in this world?’
John remained sitting upright, maintaining the same distance as when they were a boss and subordinate.
“Thank you, Boss.”
“I told you, there’s no need for thanks. It’s enough as long as everyone can live happily together.”
John looked at the ground, silent for a moment.
“Boss, you got the Third Princess’s people to help us, didn’t you?”
“Ah…”
Merlin blinked, suddenly remembering the seemingly casual promise Lucia had made not too long ago.
Actually, she hadn’t quite understood what Lucia meant by “cooperation” at the time. Lucia hadn’t come to see her for the past few days either, so Merlin had almost forgotten about it.
She only knew for sure that Lucia wouldn’t do anything to harm her.
Seeing Merlin’s reaction, John became certain of his suspicions.
“Thank you, Boss.”
In truth, even Merlin wasn’t sure exactly what Lucia had done, but judging by John’s reaction, it wasn’t a bad thing.
“It’s nothing, I just asked her for a favor when the opportunity arose.”
John smiled.
“It was more than just a favor. From choosing the location for the new shop to the sales and even connecting us with the upper class, everything was handled perfectly from start to finish.”
John paused, looking at Merlin.
“Moreover, in the contract they provided, Her Imperial Highness the Third Princess only requested a small percentage of the profits… It was practically a gift. Her people helped us with so many of the procedures.”
Li clapped her hands happily from the side, adding her own thoughts.
“In short, whether it’s the Starlight Roses becoming a hit or the smooth opening of the new shop, everyone’s good life is all thanks to Boss’s connections! Boss really is the best!”
Merlin gave a muffled reply.
“Yeah, yeah… Li. Talk normally. Since you think I’m the best, could you please stop squeezing my face?”