Firefly Journey

On East Street of St. Louis College, a tavern called "Blood Rose" opened, and on its opening day, it had a big promotion: buy one get one free, and business was booming.

Compared to the small bar in Torreg, this place was like a palace in the sky, a world apart from the other.

As the Pope, Lin Yuanran is extremely busy, and even if the tavern is considered his property, he would not appear here.

But as a boy from a small town, he felt he had to come and support the opening of a business he co-owned with his friends.

After the coronation ceremony and his return from conquering the abyss, Lin Yuanran, having experienced several major events, had his image etched into the hearts of the residents of Yicheng. To avoid unnecessary trouble, Lin Yuanran activated the "Thousand Illusions" mask, temporarily transforming into his original appearance.

Fengling paid for it, and since she was bored out of her mind every day, she didn't miss out on these lively occasions.

Not many people knew her, but she wasn't unknown either. Just to be on the safe side, she subtly altered her appearance. The two sat by the window, ordered two of her signature "Crimson Rose" drinks, and some small snacks were on the table.

Outside the window, the bustling traffic revealed the true nature of this industrial city. Pedestrians and carriages did not stop for a newly opened tavern; they hurried along, some leaving and others arriving in droves, an endless stream.

Lin Yuanran raised his glass, smiling, "Cheers?"

Feng Ling didn't spoil the mood; she picked up her reddish wine glass and clinked it against his. With a crisp clink, Lin Yuanran downed his drink in one gulp.

"This flavor is truly intoxicating."

Lin Yuanran said that it was most likely not about alcohol.

Fengling raised an eyebrow slightly, took a sip, and said, "Regarding those measures against the nobles, I've worked on that stubborn old donkey at home. He'll take the lead in the council."

Calling one's own elders "old stubborn donkey" is a unique practice in mainland China.

Lin Yuanran said, "Even if you don't say it, Duke Xu can't refute it. Everyone knows about our relationship. The Xu family has long been tied to the Vatican. Even if he is unwilling, he has no choice but to bow his head."

“In the past, when those nobles, led by the Xu family, interacted with Duke Xu, they would have to consider whether the things they were plotting would end up on my desk a few hours later.”

"So you planned this all along? To force a woman into prostitution?"

Lin Yuanran chuckled and said, "The analogy is good, but I think we are the good ones."

The two chatted and looked out the window at the various sights, enjoying the peaceful moment.

The buy-one-get-one-free promotion was such a great deal that the pub was packed with customers in no time.

The table they occupied wasn't small, so people who had nowhere else to sit would come over and share it.

"Hello...may we sit here?"

A timid female voice rang out.

The woman was accompanied by a young man. Both of them were quite young, and judging from the way they were holding hands, they were a couple.

Lin Yuanran was somewhat dazed.

The voice was familiar, exactly like the little girl who ate his candy.

Indeed, Lin Yuanran looked up and saw Delvis.

The little girl has grown up and has her own love life. The tavern is indeed a good place for couples to go on dates. Isn't Lin Yuanran himself one?

"Of course," Lin Yuanran replied with a smile.

"Thank you, kind sir," Delvis said hastily, then pulled the young man down to sit.

The young man didn't speak, but gestured with his hands. Seeing Lin Yuanran's curiosity, Delvis explained, "I'm sorry, sir, he is a disabled person and cannot speak. He is like me and is very grateful for your kindness."

So that's how it is.

Lin Yuanran pointed to the snacks on the table and said, "It's fate that we met. We can't possibly finish all of these, so let's eat them together."

Both Delvis and the young man showed expressions of gratitude.

Lin Yuanran glanced at Delvis and gave Fengling a look.

"What?" the wind chime transmitted.

Lin Yuanran said, "I mentioned it to you before, Delvis, do you have any candy? She should like it."

Wind Chime didn't refuse, patted "Venus," and took out a bunch of expensive candies.

The wind chime's action of striking the wind chime was not deliberately avoided, which made Delvis and the young man even more grateful. It turned out that they were superhumans, and they were probably here to experience life by coming to this tavern to drink.

Unlike them, who often seek out stores that offer discounts.

Looking at the dazzling array of candies, Delvis was deeply moved: "Sir, Madam, you are so kind. So many candies remind me of an old friend."

Lin Yuanran almost couldn't help but smile, but he didn't want to reveal his identity and affect the other person's or his own life, so he forcibly suppressed it.

"I'd love to hear your story."

A warm feeling appeared on Delvis's face.

“When I was very young, I lived with my family in a shared hotel. It was a terrible place. Later, I met someone there who you would never expect!”

Lin Yuanran and Feng Ling asked curiously, playing along perfectly, "Who is it?"

The young man beside him had no expression. It wasn't that the old friend didn't deserve his respect; it was just that Delvis had mentioned him so many times that he was tired of hearing it and had become immune to it.

“It’s the current Pope!” Delvis exclaimed, his eyebrows dancing with excitement.

"He wasn't the Pope back then. He was a student in St. Louis, and after graduating, he even helped me in the factory!"

"His Holiness the Pope is a great man. Not only that, he also revised various regulations to increase workers' wages. The workers' compensation that had been owed to Bell for two years was also paid out after he took office!"

Bell, the disabled young man, also looked agitated. Presumably, his inability to speak was caused by the workplace injury.

Whenever the Pope was mentioned, Delvis would launch into a long, eloquent speech, praising the light incessantly. Lin Yuanran was completely bewildered. "Wow, I'm so great? How come I didn't know!"

After finishing their drinks, the couple, Delvis and Bell, left, while Lin Yuanran went to find the person in charge of the tavern, Olek.

After all, it was his investment, so it's impossible to completely ignore it. The two, both from the same small town, talked about business, but mostly about the town itself. There's not much to talk about in such a tiny town, but for those who have come from there, there are countless stories to tell.

As dusk fell, the streetlights illuminated the road, and tourists were few and far between.

Looking at Lin Yuanran walking side by side, Feng Ling said, "How come I never noticed before that you are such a proud person?"

“How come you see?”

"I just heard Delvis praising you. If it weren't for maintaining your image, you'd probably be strutting around like a mile a minute, right?"

Lin Yuanran did not deny it.

"I'm drunk, and I can't walk very steadily."

Fengling naturally took his hand.

"What about this?"

"That's good."

As the sun sets, their shadows lengthen as travelers from another world walk home hand in hand.

……

……

End of the full text.