Chapter 2745: Midnight Beauty

Rose Studio is a private estate, located within a water-surrounded manor territory, equipped with detection devices all around. The risk of sneaking in is substantial, and the best approach is to be invited as a guest. However, the manor’s owner enjoys peace, seldom hosting guests, so alternative methods are needed to enter.

Pretending to be a worker within the manor, applying for a job, or posing as a reporter to interview have all been exhausted by other players. The manor’s staff movement requires multiple layers of verification, and changes in identity are easily detected.

Xu Huo first learned about the manor owner’s situation, spent money to obtain a psychologist’s certification, found a distant relative of the manor owner, convinced him to visit, and then followed this person openly inside.

As expected, several players were living in the manor, holding various identities. There were scholars invited by the owner for conversation, a specialist solving plant diseases, as well as photographers and gourmets.

When Xu Huo arrived at the manor, these people were chatting on the second-floor small balcony. Upon meeting, both sides silently observed each other for several seconds before looking away.

"Is my dear uncle busy today?" asked Harry, the distant relative of the manor owner and Xu Huo’s newly acquainted friend, familiarly of the butler, after offering gifts. "I came specifically to see him this time, and introduce a friend to him."

The butler smiled, "The master is visiting friends outside and hasn’t returned yet. He instructed me before leaving to guide you around, to see if there are any flowers you like. He’ll then arrange to send a few to your home."

Harry was, of course, delighted. Such considerate care among relatives gave him face in front of outsiders, and he immediately took Xu Huo along.

Rose Studio is a place dedicated to growing flowers, with large areas of roses and dozens of other flowers, all in bloom, appearing like a paradise both from afar and up close.

Though Harry’s family wasn’t affluent, he understood rare flowers, picking as he walked, and choosing only the ones with hefty price tags.

"My dear uncle must keep his birds well; even from their calls you can tell they are rare breeds," Harry commented, hearing the sounds from the remote greenhouse.

"The master doesn’t particularly like expensive birds, and doesn’t keep many; most are gifts from visiting guests," the butler explained.

Harry nodded knowingly, "I understand my dear uncle. He prefers flowers, but gardens with birds and butterflies are more appealing, so keeping some birds as decoration is good."

"I’ll go and have a look."

The butler didn’t obstruct, and the three proceeded toward the aviary. From afar they heard a whistle distinct from the birdsong. After the whistle, the greenhouse suddenly fell silent.

Deliberately heavy footsteps approached, and an elderly lady with graying hair appeared before them. With bead-like eyes, she glanced at them, her wrinkled face fluctuating, "Strangers coming in easily unsettle the birds."

The butler first apologized, then introduced the lady, "This is Mrs. Ti Hui, who regularly helps the master care for these birds."

Before entering, Xu Huo had understood the situation in the greenhouse; there were many hummingbirds but none with prominent red feathers. However, the elderly lady before him was a player, or rather, used to be one.

The butler explained Harry’s identity to Mrs. Ti Hui, who merely nodded and then saw Xu Huo, "And who is he?"

Xu Huo proactively responded, "I’m Harry’s friend, visiting Mr. Wen with him."

Mrs. Ti Hui’s face was as hard as stone, "Guests should behave properly, not wander aimlessly, especially not come near the greenhouse."

Harry’s expression soured slightly, but Xu Huo just smiled without speaking.

The butler changed the topic, saying a few words before preparing to leave.

Xu Huo followed behind Harry, and upon leaving noticed Mrs. Ti Hui adding water to a bowl from a transparent pot, with several hummingbirds swiftly flying over to drink eagerly.

At this moment, the sunlight slanted, turning the greenhouse from dark to bright. Under the light, those hummingbirds and Mrs. Ti Hui’s hand flickered subtly, appearing dusted with reflective powder, while across the wall in the garden, numerous flower buds glittered brilliantly.

"What kind of flower is that?" Xu Huo asked.

"You have a keen eye," Harry chuckled, "That’s called ’Midnight Beauty,’ highly valuable, a decent specimen commands at least tens of millions, and there’s likely over a thousand here."

"Midnight Beauty?" Xu Huo gazed at the sea of flowers, "I think it’s stunning during the day as well."

Harry patted his shoulder, winking mischievously, "It’s not the beauty of the flower, but the beauty of the person."

Seeing his confusion, the butler explained that Midnight Beauty carries a unique pheromone. During daylight, when exposed to sunlight, it produces hallucinogenic effects. If one smells the fragrance at night or approaches the flower, there’s a tendency to mistake the flower for a person. Everyone who experiences it unanimously sees a breathtaking beauty, regardless of gender.

"I’ve heard before that someone experimented with this pheromone, and no matter how ugly one might be, afterward they’re perceived as unparalleled..." Harry whispered two sentences into Xu Huo’s ear, then emitted an ambiguous low laugh, adding, "So you’d better not come here at night, what if you see Mrs. Ti Hui then?"

The butler sighed slightly, "Harry, please don’t joke about Mrs. Ti Hui."

Harry waved his hand, "I was just speaking casually, don’t tell her, that old lady looks tough to deal with."

Returning to the manor, the guests had come down from upstairs; a bespectacled scholar proactively engaged Harry in conversation. His humorous words revealed deep insights into Zone 022’s cultural history, soon becoming a confidant to Harry, who enthusiastically invited him to his own home.

"What do you do?" The photographer adjusted his equipment while talking to Xu Huo.

Xu Huo handed his business card over.

"Psychologist?" the photographer laughed ambiguously, "I thought no one would want a psychologist as a friend, having someone analyze your motivations and mental state beside you is like being nude."

"You’re joking," Xu Huo said, "Psychologists are merely humans; in analyzing mental states, they are far less accurate than machines, the role of emotional support is more significant."

The photographer raised an eyebrow, "Is that so? Then your reputation seems misleading?"

Before Xu Huo could respond, Harry interrupted with displeasure, "Who are you to question my friend? When my dear uncle returns, I’ll have to mention that his guests are too unruly."

The photographer’s eyes turned cold, but returned to normal when looking at Harry, "I overreacted, just recently several guests arrived claiming to be certain people but failed to provide proof, later found to be impostors."

He turned to Xu Huo again, "I’m merely concerned about Mr. Wen being deceived."