Chapter 73: Happy Midwinter Festival

Chapter 73: Chapter 73: Happy Midwinter Festival

"Happy Midwinter Festival, everyone."

Behind the bar, Gustav smiled and greeted the trio, spinning several glasses filled with different liquids in his hands with the flair of a showman. He quickly finished mixing three glasses of amber liquor and pushed them across the counter.

"The Midwinter Festival special. Enjoy."

He had obviously seen the little scene unfold earlier, so when he pushed Lorin’s glass forward, he smiled and gave him a wink. His eyes seemed to say, "You sly dog!"

Then, he turned and hollered toward the kitchen in a booming voice, "Lily! Come out here! Pip is going to give you a tip!"

"Coming, coming!"

The kitchen curtain was quickly lifted as Lily emerged, carrying a full platter of freshly roasted meat.

"Who is it? Who’s tipping... little Pip?"

She immediately spotted the short fellow standing on a barstool, proudly patting the ten Silver Coins on the counter. His expression, which practically screamed that Pip was no longer in debt today, made her chuckle, but her gaze quickly shifted to the person beside him.

The handsome young man from earlier was here, too!

Lily’s lips curled into a slight smile. Today, she had changed into a carefully selected light blue dress, with a thin leather cord cunningly wrapped around her waist to perfectly accentuate her curves. She had checked her reflection in the bronze mirror no less than ten times that afternoon, and Mia from the bakery next door had even praised her, saying she looked like she had stepped right out of a painting. She was absolutely going to win over that handsome guy today!

Setting the platter of roasted meat on the bar, Lily didn’t rush to strike up a conversation with the handsome young man. Instead, she deliberately turned to Pip first, aiming to use her acquaintance with him to close the distance.

"Well, well, little Pip. You finally remembered the tips you’ve owed me for three months?"

"I don’t owe you anymore..." the short fellow muttered, shrinking his neck, though his eyes kept darting toward the platter of roasted meat.

Lily reached out and patted his head lightly, then picked up the Silver Coins one by one and dropped them into the pocket of her dress.

"I’ll let you off the hook this time! Oh... Mr. Lorin is here, too!" She looked at Lorin in pleasant surprise, as if she had only just noticed him.

"Yes. Happy Midwinter Festival, Ms. Lily."

"Just call me Lily."

Lily leaned in slightly, propping one hand on the edge of the bar while resting the other naturally on her waist. The neckline of her light blue dress gaped open slightly with the movement, its white lace trim brushing gently against her collarbone.

Catching a whiff of her sweet fragrance, Lorin hurriedly lowered his head and took a sip of his drink. He hadn’t forgotten who was sitting right beside him; if he stared for even a second too long, his Magic study plans would surely go down the drain.

However, the Midwinter Festival special was actually quite delicious. The spicy kick of ginger mixed with the sweetness of honey made it perfectly suited for the season. It was warm and comforting.

Seeing him lower his head, the corners of Lily’s mouth ticked upward.

She thought, "Is he already too shy to look at me? Looks like I made the right choice with this outfit!"

She was just about to press her offensive, but when Lorin lowered his head, the person sitting on his other side was revealed. The red-haired girl was sitting casually on a barstool, gently swirling her glass with one hand and resting the other on the seat behind her.

Lily’s gaze swiftly swept over Erin, instantly taking in all the subtle, calculated details that only another woman would immediately understand. From the tailored pleats cinching at her waist, to the neckline that perfectly framed her delicate jawline, down to the two silver bead earrings adorning her earlobes...

Lily stared at Erin’s dress with particular envy. It was made of pure turquoise wool flannel—a dye she had never even seen in Frost Valley City. The material looked incredibly expensive; she probably couldn’t afford it even if she sold herself. Yet, such an expensive dress was being worn so casually, right here at the bar of a tavern reeking of alcohol and sweat.

She was truly a wealthy girl.

Lily retracted her gaze as if she had been shocked, but she didn’t back down. She remained casually propped against the bar, perhaps looking even more relaxed than before.

"Mr. Lorin," she said, turning back to him with a pitiful tone. "I happen to have tomorrow off. I was wondering if you might have some free time? I know of a delicious restaurant, but unfortunately, I haven’t had anyone to go with."

Lorin felt the murderous aura beside him rising exponentially. He silently rubbed his glass and lowered his head, suddenly finding the liquor inside very fascinating.

"Tomorrow..." He tried to make his voice sound like he was genuinely considering it, weighing every single word. "Tomorrow, I might have to go collect a bounty, and I also need to..."

"Collecting the bounty is for the morning," Erin’s voice interjected from the side. She spoke in an indifferent tone, "You are completely free in the afternoon."

"COUGH, COUGH..." Lorin inhaled a sharp breath of hot air and turned to look at her, only to find her staring back with a faint, mocking smile.

He thought, "This woman really holds a grudge..."

"I have things to do in the afternoon, too. We agreed to go clothes shopping," he hastily added.

Erin didn’t say anything else this time. She merely lifted her glass and took a sip, the corners of her lips curling up secretly.

"And who might this be?" Lily asked, tilting her head to look at her.

Erin gave her a frosty glance, her eyes sweeping from Lily’s light blue neckline all the way down to the thin leather cord that perfectly accentuated her curves.

"It’s a beautiful dress. This color really suits you," she said.

The two women’s gazes clashed in the air above the bar.

Lily was the first to look away. She knew this color suited her perfectly, of course. Light blue was simply the most attractive color she could afford. While this wasn’t the territorial self-introduction she had expected, it was clearly a far superior move. It prevented anyone from thinking she was jealously fighting over a man, yet it still made Lily realize it was time to back down.

However, it also revealed a crucial piece of information: the two of them were clearly nowhere near confirming their relationship. Erin had merely gotten there a step earlier. Otherwise, she would only need to declare her status. Why would she bother with such roundabout mind games?

"Your dress is also beautiful," Lily offered a sincere compliment. She knew exactly when to press an attack and when to pull back. Picking a fight with a woman when she was looking her absolute best was not a choice a smart person would make.

"Well, when Mr. Lorin has some free time, make sure to come find me." Knowing that Lorin wouldn’t give her a response right now, she reached out and snatched the meat platter from Pip’s grasp. "It’s gotten a bit cold. Let me take it back and heat it up for you."

"Hey!" the short fellow cried out, reaching for the skewers of roasted meat but only grasping thin air.

"Pip doesn’t think it’s cold..." he sighed.

Lorin rubbed his temples, glancing at Gustav, who was shrugging and looking down to stifle his laughter behind the bar. He raised his glass again, preparing to take a sip to calm his nerves. At least he had managed to save his Magic lessons.

Just as he lifted the glass, before he could even take a drink, another glass reached over and clinked against his. Lorin turned to look. Erin was holding her glass with slender fingers. She tilted her head slightly, seemingly very satisfied with his behavior.

"Happy Midwinter Festival."

"Wait, wait, wait! Don’t forget Pip! Happy Midwinter Festival!"

Lorin opened his mouth, then broke into a wide grin and clinked his glass against theirs.

"Happy Midwinter Festival!"