Chapter 373: Confession

Chapter 373: Chapter 373: Confession

Helorin’s brow furrowed slightly when she heard this, but she didn’t interrupt Long Ming, listening patiently instead.

"Her family wasn’t well-off, and she was in poor health from a young age. Later, she was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Wang Yang took care of her until she passed away. When he got to university, he met us and slowly started to come out of his funk, but he hasn’t dated anyone since."

Long Ming explained simply to Helorin.

"Is there more?"

"That’s about it. As for his family and background, there isn’t much to say. He’s considered well-off where we come from, but it’s certainly nothing compared to you all."

"Thank you."

Helorin replied politely.

"You’re welcome."

Long Ming watched Wang Yang and Keli from a distance.

He knew they had deliberately walked ahead so quickly to create an opportunity for themselves to be alone.

After he finished talking with Helorin, Long Ming played along and followed behind them, making small talk now and then.

Just then, Helorin’s bracelet started buzzing constantly as messages popped up.

She kept looking down to reply to them.

Seeing this, Long Ming smiled at Helorin and said.

"You don’t have to keep me company, really. If you have things to attend to, you can go ahead and leave."

"I’m so sorry. Then some other day, when we have the chance, I will be sure to have a proper chat with you, Mr. Long Ming."

Helorin apologized to Long Ming with a curtsy.

"Okay. Take care."

Long Ming nodded.

Helorin then hurried away.

Long Ming followed Wang Yang and Keli by himself, continuing onward.

「A short while later.」

Wang Yang and Keli arrived at a sunken, circular plaza.

The floor of the plaza was lined with rows of beautiful flower lanterns. These lanterns contained special fluorescent devices that gave off a faint glow, and they were all arranged in pairs.

Numerous couples were gathered here, picking out lanterns and preparing to release them together.

Long Ming stood quietly in the distance, watching as Wang Yang and Keli descended the steps at the edge of the plaza.

Hand in hand, the two of them chose a pair of beautiful carp-shaped lanterns.

Just then, Wang Yang suddenly produced a bouquet of red roses, got down on one knee, and formally confessed his feelings to Keli.

"Keli, I love you! I hope you’ll be my girlfriend. Let me spend the rest of my life with you!"

"Okay!"

Keli’s eyes were slightly red as she reached out and helped Wang Yang to his feet.

Then, Wang Yang took out a carefully prepared gift and handed it to Keli.

"This is a gift for you. Do you like it?"

"I’ll love anything you give me."

Keli took the gift, a blissful smile on her face, and carefully unwrapped the packaging to open the box.

In an instant, the Mermaid’s Tear came into view.

When Keli saw the Mermaid’s Tear, her face was filled with disbelief.

Wang Yang was also stunned when he saw the Mermaid’s Tear.

At that moment, Keli threw her arms around Wang Yang, tears streaming down her face as she spoke.

"You silly goose, why did you buy something so expensive?"

"You don’t like it?"

Wang Yang held Keli tightly and said softly.

"I love it. I love it so much."

"As long as you like it. Don’t cry."

"I don’t want to cry, but I can’t help it."

Keli buried her head in Wang Yang’s chest, her voice tinged with affection.

Just then, a low bell chimed.

All the flower lanterns in the plaza were released at once, slowly floating up.

Everyone raised their heads to look at the lanterns.

After the lanterns floated to the top, a thick layer of armor plating split open.

The lanterns continued to float upward, and a layer of transparent glass immediately sealed the opening below.

Then, the transparent protective layer at the very top also opened, and the lanterns flew out of the Haiyun, drifting toward the vast, starry sky.

Everyone watched quietly through the transparent protective layer.

Long Ming turned and left.

...

Room H4562.

BEEP~

The electronic door slid open.

A weary Long Ming walked in and lay down on the bed.

BUZZ~

Just then, a message from Wang Yang popped up on his bracelet.

"Bro, where’d you go?"

"I went back to rest. You two have fun."

"No way, you’re not going to seize the opportunity with that gorgeous rich girl?"

"Miss Helorin is indeed very nice, but she’s way out of my league. Next time you introduce me to someone, please figure out their identity and background first."

"Whoa! Isn’t a higher rank even better? There’s no shame in being a kept man!"

"Give me a break!"

"Anyway, about that... was it you who secretly swapped my gift?"

"Yup!"

"Isn’t it a bit much for you to give me something so expensive?"

"What’s wrong with it? You gave me something too. It’s just returning the favor!"

"Alright, then. I won’t be polite about it."

"Now that you’re with Keli, you better treat her right."

"You can count on it."

"And be careful lately. Don’t get carried away!"

"I won’t."

"I’m not talking anymore. I’m going to rest."

Long Ming then ended the call.

...

「Noon the next day.」

Tuba led Siel into a magnificent, resplendent building and headed toward an office.

As they reached the office door, they saw Hokas sitting at his desk, reviewing reports.

Standing beside him was the butler, Hododi, dressed in a blue tailcoat and having a somewhat effeminate air.

KNOCK KNOCK~

Tuba reached out and knocked on the open door.

When Hokas saw Tuba and the other man, he spoke.

"Tuba, my friend, what brings you here?"

"Weren’t we just passing by?"

Tuba walked in with Siel, chuckling.

"Hododi, go make some tea."

Hokas said to his butler.

"Yes, sir!"

Hododi bowed respectfully and withdrew.

"Tuba, my friend, I doubt you’re passing by out of sheer coincidence."

Hokas asked, looking thoughtfully at Tuba.

"As expected, I can’t hide anything from you. Siel, you tell him."

Tuba turned his head and glanced at Siel.

"It’s like this, Uncle. A friend of mine happened to take some photos yesterday. Please, take a look."

Siel took out an envelope and handed it to Hokas.

Hokas tore open the envelope and took out a stack of photos.

They were all photos of Wang Yang and Keli embracing and releasing flower lanterns together.

After seeing the photos, Hokas slammed his hand on the table, his face contorted with rage.

"Hokas, my old friend, honestly, I really don’t want to gossip behind anyone’s back, but I just couldn’t stand by and watch. A commoner trying to climb the social ladder to a noble... he truly doesn’t know his place. And this incident reflects poorly..."

Tuba said with a sigh.

One must understand, they were all nobles from a level-four civilization. Although they weren’t great nobles, they were still not someone that any Tom, Dick, or Harry from a level-two civilization could aspire to.

"You don’t need to say anymore. I understand."

Hokas cut Tuba off.

"In that case, we’ll take our leave."

"Goodbye."

"Yes."

Tuba then left with Siel.

...

------------------------------------

「3:00 PM · Tingfeng Restaurant」

Wang Yang and the other waiters had finished clearing the tables and chairs and were getting ready to take a break.

Just then, the sound of footsteps approached.

Wang Yang and the others turned to look.

They saw Hokas walk in, followed by Hododi and his men.

"Boss!"

Wang Yang and the others greeted him respectfully.

"Hmph."

Hokas shot Wang Yang a look, snorted coldly, and walked right past him.

Wang Yang was taken aback.