NOVPUBThe goosebumps on the back of his hand had just disappeared.
"Of course I can, but aren’t you going to run away first?"
Lanci squinted and smiled, lowering his voice as he asked her,
"After all, as I understand it, Master, you’ve never had the experience of going on a date alone with a boy in these past few centuries. I’m afraid you’ll be very shy."
Facing Lanci’s provocative words, Talia felt her blood pressure rise again.
"I won’t, as long as you don’t let go, I won’t let go."
Talia maintained her smile as she responded.
"Then naturally, I will do the same."
Lanci promised.
Both of them grinned without genuine mirth, their eyes locked.
Today, whoever let go would lose.
In a brief moment,
Rosalinda and Aitio were already hiding behind the parasol of an open-air tea shop, their gaze still fixed intently on the man and woman not far away.
"My God, Aitio, do you see that?"
Rosalinda excitedly grabbed Aitio’s arm, her tone trembling slightly with excitement.
"Wow!"
Aitio covered her mouth with both hands, struggling to suppress the urge to make a sound.
Her eyes were sparkling, her cheeks flushed with excitement.
"I can hardly believe it, Lanci could be so tender and affectionate, just look at the way he gazes at Tata, as if she is his entire world!"
Rosalinda hugged Little Black Cat even tighter.
This was exactly the sweet romance they wanted to witness!
Listening to the duo’s conversation, Cat Boss only felt life was not worth living.
It too had once mistaken this as a romance between an ice-cold intellectual big sister and a gentle, intelligent young man, eagerly anticipating the sparks between them.
Now, having actually understood both parties, it felt like they were insulting the very idea of love.
In an instant, Lanci and Talia walked further away.
Aitio and Rosalinda followed closely after them, weaving through the streets with the cat, dodging and hiding, while also eager to witness the entire date.
...
The two walked along the streets of Parriet, fully enjoying the tranquil and peaceful beauty among the quaint old buildings of the North Shore.
"By the way, Tata, is there somewhere you would like to go?"
Lanci turned his head to look at Talia and asked.
Today was the first time they had truly agreed to go out and have fun together.
Both were a bit unsure about what to do.
Lanci hadn’t made any plans beforehand, and of course, planning was useless.
Tata was different from ordinary girls; the more carefully you considered things, the more likely she was to throw you into confusion.
"Let’s go to the Cardmaker’s Association first."
Talia thought for a bit, feeling it was almost ten o’clock.
Although she hadn’t told Carlen a specific time, she had instructed her to go to the Parriet Cardmaker’s Association on the morning of the festival day.
To leave Carlen hanging there for an hour or two.
Making Carlen maintain a state of being frightened that Talia might appear at any second, yet longing for her to show up quickly and end it swiftly.
Carlen’s mindset should be gradually changing.
"No problem."
Lanci and Talia crossed the Riverport Bridge spanning Selina River and headed towards the direction of the Cardmaker’s Association on the South Bank.
Occasionally, a few swans glided over the river, casting slender shadows in the water.
After walking for about half an hour, the two finally arrived at the Cardmaker’s Association building in District 3 on the South Bank.
Unlike usual, today the spacious plaza in front of the Association was adorned with several lifelike fireworks notice boards, announcing the time for that evening’s fireworks festival along the riverbanks.
The two didn’t pay much attention to this.
They had planned to do their own things today anyway.
Entering the Association building, they were greeted by the delicate and pleasant scent of sandalwood.
The gentle sunlight streaming through the dome-shaped glass windows bathed the interior space of the Association in a warm hue, with the first floor at the rear connected to a massive escalator, enveloping a towering Golden Leaf Banyan Bonsai that soared up to ten meters high.
The two took the escalator up and strolled across the third-floor gallery with its deep brown, patterned carpet. Display cases on either side showcased a dazzling array of cardmaking creations, some new cards shimmering with ornate beauty, others simple and unadorned, returning to their rustic roots.
But both being Platinum Level Card Makers, they had little interest in these cards.
Only by looking through the glass curtain wall could they admire the Red Maple Forest on the street behind the Association, its leaves already turning a mesmerizing deep red, fluttering in the morning light like dancing flames.
After a few steps,
Their attention was drawn to a girl in the middle of the third floor who was surrounded by people like a star being flanked by her fans.
Her light-colored hair rested gently on her shoulders, wearing a plain chiffon shirt that outlined her petite yet curvy figure.
It seemed everyone was congratulating her on becoming a Platinum Level Card Maker, each person of distinguished status trying to curry favor and befriend her.
However, the girl’s slightly pale face and smile hinted at weariness—as if burdened with heavy thoughts or feeling unwell.
As Talia paused to observe, the girl became aware of their presence.
She slowly raised her head, her gaze sweeping across the crowd, and when she caught sight of Talia, her somewhat dim eyes suddenly shone with a light of terror.
Carlen, as if she had been waiting for this moment, no longer paid any attention to the people around her and rushed eagerly towards her.
Seeing Talia so sweetly holding Lanci’s hand at this moment, and realizing she had nothing to do next but perform shameful acts to preserve her own reputation, Carlen’s heart was a swirl of emotions, her eyes feeling sore from the pangs.
