A Dinner, a Fall, and a Bold Proposition

Mo Changhong did not keep Li Yue waiting for too long.

Just a day later, she received a call from Dong Lu.

“My master has set aside two hours to have dinner with you tonight, to personally express his gratitude.

As for my personal thanks, I will prepare a splendid meal, so please look forward to my cooking.”

Li Yue could sense a shift in Dong Lu’s attitude towards her.

While previously polite, Dong Lu had maintained a certain distance, likely viewing Li Yue as a bad influence on her young mistress.

However, ever since Li Yue rescued Mo Linyu from the kidnappers, Dong Lu’s demeanor had transformed from mere politeness into a profound mix of warmth and deep gratitude.

Yet, Li Yue did not dislike this feeling, for she was a Hero after all.

Before crossing the border into the Demon Lord’s territory, she and her Hero squad had actively aided ordinary people suffering along their path, helping them resolve troubles caused by monsters.

Upon returning to Earth, however, this was the first time she had been thanked in such a manner.

Under the twilight sky, faintly flickering streetlights cast warm, shifting glows.

The exaggeratedly tall fence surrounding the Mo family estate came into view, but compared to her surprise the first time she saw it, Li Yue had grown accustomed to the sight.

Indeed, human adaptability was remarkably strong.

Li Yue arrived alone on her motorcycle.

Even though the gates of the Mo family estate swung open for her, a hint of apprehension lingered within her, as she remained unsure if Mo Linyu had truly gotten over her anger.

‘What if she refused to return the Holy Sword to me?’

‘Perhaps if I could find a way to free her from Mo Changhong’s soft confinement, she might forgive me?’

Pondering these thoughts, Li Yue had already parked her motorcycle in the garage and was now heading towards the estate’s main entrance.

“Miss Li Yue, you’re finally here!”

The maid Xia Xi, a young girl whose age seemed similar to Mo Linyu’s and her own, greeted her at the estate’s entrance.

“My apologies, the road was quite congested; I ran into rush hour.”

“Both Master and Young Mistress are already in the dining room!

If there’s nothing else, please follow me directly.”

The maid Xia Xi possessed a lively personality, radiating a vibrant energy.

However, she also had an endearing clumsy side; upon entering, her toe caught on the edge of the wool carpet, sending her tumbling forward.

She landed face-first, her backside comically raised towards Li Yue, her skirt flipping up to reveal cotton-white panties.

“…Are you alright?”

“Hehe, I’m fine~”

Xia Xi herself, however, seemed quite accustomed to such mishaps.

She merely patted her backside, scrambled deftly to her feet, and replied with a smile, “It’s alright, there’s a carpet~”

Li Yue followed Xia Xi to the estate’s dining room.

Mo Changhong sat stern-faced at the head of the long dining table, with Mo Linyu seated to his left.

Surprisingly, the seat arranged for Li Yue was directly opposite Mo Changhong—a position typically reserved for the lady of the house.

Naturally, this arrangement was a gesture of respect towards Li Yue, not an attempt by Mr. Mo to take advantage of her.

Still, Li Yue felt a bit awkward.

“Welcome to my humble abode, Miss Li Yue.”

Mo Changhong’s voice, deep and magnetic, resonated as he spoke, “Please forgive me for arranging this meeting so late, but due to the kidnapping incident, I truly haven’t had a moment to spare recently.”

It was not difficult to imagine that during this time, he had undoubtedly been doing everything possible to cooperate with the police in apprehending the kidnappers’ employers.

Li Yue glanced at Mo Linyu, unable to discern from the latter’s expression whether she was still angry.

She then inquired, “So, have you found anything?”

“Yes, the evidence is conclusive.

I will make them pay.”

A ruthless glint appeared in Mo Changhong’s eyes, but he quickly composed himself when he turned to Li Yue, speaking with a slight smile, “Let’s not mention those scoundrels tonight.

Before we begin our meal, please allow me to express my gratitude once more.”

Li Yue merely raised an eyebrow, politely stating, “It’s fine.

The matter of my ID card was also resolved thanks to you.”

Xia Xi wobbled over with freshly squeezed juice, carefully filling Li Yue’s glass, just as Dong Lu began pushing a serving cart laden with dishes.

“Those were minor matters,” Mo Changhong said, waving a dismissive hand.

“I would like to know, Miss Li, if there are any other wishes you hope to fulfill?

As long as it is within my capabilities, you need only speak.”

‘Oh?’

Li Yue had no intention of being overly polite.

As a Hero in another world, she had never refused compensation—after all, a Hero’s activities required funds, and she never took more than her due; it was simply fair payment for her efforts.

“Then, can Mo Linyu be allowed to leave the house and move freely?”

Li Yue’s proposed condition surprised Mo Changhong, but he immediately refused.

“Absolutely not!” he stated gravely, then continued, “Why?

The outside world is too dangerous for her.

We still don’t know how many people are aware of her identity; what if something else happens?”

Mo Changhong’s objection was well-founded, as Li Yue’s request had crossed his bottom line.

What he didn’t realize, however, was that his daughter remaining confined at home would only increase the danger.

Li Yue mused for a moment, then replied, “In that case, please hire me.”

“Oh? Hire you?”

“I will be the Young Mistress’s bodyguard, in exchange for her freedom.”

“Your demands are truly more surprising than the last.”

Mo Changhong did not question Li Yue’s qualifications.

Just then, Dong Lu presented garlic baguettes topped with caviar, accompanied by medium-rare steaks, to the three of them.

Mo Changhong glanced at her, and as if something had occurred to him, he said, “I heard from Dong Lu that you have a reason for needing to be active outside.”

“…Yes.”

Mo Changhong continued, “Tell me, and I will judge whether it is necessary.”

Naturally, Li Yue could not reveal the Demon Lord’s identity to him, so she merely replied, “We cannot say, but it concerns your daughter’s life.

This is all I can tell you.”

“…Concerns her life?”

Mo Changhong could not simply ignore such a statement.

“Then you should be even more forthright with me; you can rely on me.”

He clearly found it unacceptable for anything to be beyond his control.

“If you don’t wish for your daughter to suddenly die one day, it would be better to allow her free movement at this stage.

To tell you a bit more, we only have three months.”

In exchange for Mo Changhong’s support, Li Yue revealed some information, excluding the Demon Lord’s identity.

This was necessary.

If Mo Linyu couldn’t leave the house, her “radar” would be useless, and Li Yue alone couldn’t gather the remaining otherworldly souls.

“I assure you, Father, she speaks the truth.”

Mo Linyu, seated beside Mo Changhong, finally spoke.

She merely glanced at Li Yue, then continued to gaze at Mo Changhong, stating, “To continue living as your daughter, there are things I must do, but I cannot tell you the specific reasons just yet…”

Meeting his daughter’s serious gaze, Mo Changhong felt an urge to avert his eyes.

“No one knows what dangers you might still encounter.”

“I understand, but I am not a pet you keep confined at home.

I will assess the situation myself.”

Mo Linyu’s conversation with Mo Changhong also revealed her unyielding stance.

“Miss Li Yue, come to my company for an interview tomorrow.

If you can prove your capabilities, I will hire you as Linyu’s personal bodyguard… and allow you to take her out of the estate.”

Ultimately, Mo Changhong gave Li Yue a chance.

“A bodyguard also needs to be ‘tie’ (TL Note: ‘Tie’ literally means ‘close’ or ‘intimate’; here, Li Yue is making a playful double entendre regarding the term ‘personal bodyguard’).

This isn’t quite right, is it?”

Yet, Li Yue countered, “Moreover, why not begin the interview tonight… right now?”