The Grand Tavern and a Sister’s Generosity

Despite the scorching summer heat, a refreshing coolness enveloped them the moment they stepped into the grand ship’s tavern. It felt as though they had walked into an air-conditioned haven.

Though modest in size, the ship’s tavern was exquisitely designed, reminiscent of a French palace. Intricate carvings adorned every surface, leaving no wall or table corner untouched.

A glance through the tavern’s main entrance revealed that the entire structure shared this opulent aesthetic. The interior decor was so seamless and grand that it felt more like being within a magnificent palace than aboard a ship.

Only when the sound of the waves reached his ears did Tang Wenxu realize this was merely a mode of transport. Otherwise, he would have genuinely believed himself to be in a royal palace.

Inside the small tavern, every patron was impeccably dressed in luxurious attire—some in coats made from magical beast fur, others in formal wear, and a few in mage robes. Despite their varied garments, they shared a common trait: all appeared young and exceedingly wealthy, clearly students of the academy.

The moment Tang Wenxu and Kuroki Nao entered, every student turned their gaze towards them. However, upon closer inspection, it became clear their attention wasn’t on both of them, but solely on her, Kuroki Nao.

Her beauty instantly became the tavern’s focal point.

Being stared at by so many seemingly influential figures made Tang Wenxu feel a pang of unease. He instinctively patted his deflated wallet, realizing it contained very little money, and a desire to retreat began to sprout.

He whispered quietly to Kuroki Nao, “I think we should skip it. Drinks here are surely expensive. How about we head back?”

Kuroki Nao, hands on her hips, replied with an air of absolute confidence, “Master, you don’t need to worry about the price. This round is on me, a celebration for you finding a new job.”

“But…”

“Oh, come on, come on! Drop your male chauvinism and let me treat you to a drink.” She spoke with a bold, almost masculine bravado.

“You know I don’t like owing anyone anything,” Tang Wenxu mumbled.

“Am I ‘anyone’? Master, why are you being so distant? I think you don’t even consider me one of your own. Hmph.” Kuroki Nao pouted, her cheeks puffed out like a reddened tomato.

“That’s not what I meant, let me explain—”

“No, no, I won’t listen! I’m angry.” Kuroki Nao stamped her foot in frustration.

“Sigh—” Tang Wenxu sighed, asking her in a soothing tone, much like he would a younger sister, “Then what will make you not angry?”

“Let me treat you to a drink.”

Tang Wenxu gazed at Kuroki Nao for a long moment. Seeing the resolute look in her eyes and her pouting face, he could only nod in compromise.

As soon as Tang Wenxu nodded, Kuroki Nao immediately added, “Oh, and there’s another condition: you don’t get to choose what to drink. You’d just pick the cheapest one anyway, right?”

Tang Wenxu offered a helpless smile. Kuroki Nao was like a mind-reader, always knowing his thoughts instantly.

“Alright, alright, I’ll do as you say. But you’re not allowed to waste money, okay?”

Though Nao usually acted like a cute, spoiled sister around him, making him want to pamper her, the outcome invariably reversed, with her doting on him instead.

“Master should just be obedient, right~” Kuroki Nao, lost in her triumph, stroked Tang Wenxu’s head.

As his head was being stroked, Tang Wenxu recalled his own mother doing the same, but…

Emmmm…

Being doted on by an eighteen-year-old girl, two years his junior, felt incredibly strange, no matter how he thought about it.

Tang Wenxu coughed, and Kuroki Nao instantly realized her impropriety. She quickly retracted her hand, then nestled her small head against Tang Wenxu’s shoulder, sticking out her delicate pink tongue.

‘This girl really keeps me on my toes; I feel like I’ll turn into a good-for-nothing if she keeps spoiling me.’ A sudden shiver ran down Tang Wenxu’s spine. He wondered if Kuroki Nao secretly wished for him to become exactly that.

He glanced nervously at the girl nestled on his shoulder, wearing a blissful expression.

‘I must be overthinking it.’

Regardless, he resolved to work hard, earn money, and give her happiness.

A moment later, the bartender, after mixing the drink, politely placed a cocktail before Tang Wenxu.

Aside from the drink’s potential deliciousness, the glass itself was extraordinary. Its base was inlaid with a gold rim, and its stem, long like a sword hilt, was embedded with pearls and diamonds. The glass stood nearly half his height, resembling a work of art—or perhaps, a monstrosity.

If the glass was such a terrifying spectacle, then what kind of monstrous drink could possibly be contained within such a vessel? By any measure, this cocktail would not be cheap.

“You wasted money, didn’t you?” Tang Wenxu’s face immediately fell upon seeing the cocktail.

“It’s only right to spend a little extra to celebrate Master finding a new job, isn’t it~”

“Sigh—”

Since the drink had already been served, there was no returning it.

Tang Wenxu looked at the monstrous glass and said with immense helplessness, “Next time, you’re not allowed to waste money like this again.”

Kuroki Nao lowered her head, but Tang Wenxu sensed she wasn’t reflecting. He pressed on, “Your answer?”

“Fiiiiine—” Kuroki Nao drew out the word, sounding utterly displeased.

Watching the sulking Kuroki Nao, Tang Wenxu didn’t know what to say. Although she could be a little disobedient at times, he would never get angry about it. Instead, he felt touched, knowing her intentions were always good.

Thanks to her, the sense of grievance from being wrongly accused by Viscount Renitz had long since vanished. All of it was her doing.

He looked at the cocktail and finally made up his mind to drink it. After all, it was Kuroki Nao’s sincere gesture; to reciprocate her kindness, he had to drink it.

As he picked up the surprisingly heavy glass, he saw Kuroki Nao resting her chin on her hand, her ruby-like red eyes fixed on him. He smiled back at her, then took a delicate sip of the cocktail.

“Mm, not bad.”

Tang Wenxu wasn’t merely praising the drink because Kuroki Nao had bought it for him; he genuinely found it delicious. Unlike other alcoholic beverages, this one lacked bitterness or spiciness. Instead, it offered a hint of sweetness, with various sugary notes filling his taste buds, as if he were immersed in a delightful environment.

“Hehe, I’m glad you like it.”

Kuroki Nao instantly recognized her master’s genuine enjoyment. She breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed the three thousand gold coins hadn’t been wasted.

Coincidentally, three thousand gold coins was precisely Tang Wenxu’s monthly salary as a butler.