Game: Civilization Paradise

"Hello, Miss Helorin."

Wang Yang greeted her like a perfect gentleman.

"Hello, Mr. Wang Yang."

Helorin replied calmly.

"And who is this? Wang Yang, please introduce us."

Keli’s gaze fell upon Long Ming as she spoke.

"Let me make the introductions. This is my best friend, Long Ming!"

Wang Yang said with a wide smile, introducing him to Helorin and Keli.

"Hello."

Long Ming greeted them politely.

Helorin glanced at Long Ming and gave a slight nod in response.

"Take a look at the menu and see if there’s anything you’d like. This restaurant has a pretty good reputation."

Wang Yang tapped the virtual menu projector on the table, displaying the restaurant’s menu.

"Helorin, what do you want to eat?"

Keli winked at Helorin, signaling her not to order anything too expensive.

"You can order."

Helorin replied coolly.

"Okay, then! We’ll have one ’Twin Fish Playing in Water’..."

Keli immediately began placing the order.

Long Ming glanced at the dishes Keli ordered. They were all relatively affordable options, and she hadn’t ordered any alcohol, just a few soft drinks. Still, it wasn’t cheap.

Soon, steaming hot dishes were brought to the table one after another.

"Come on, let’s eat!"

Wang Yang said enthusiastically to Keli and Helorin.

"Okay!"

Keli and Helorin picked up their utensils and began eating elegantly.

Wang Yang kept shooting glances at Long Ming, trying to signal him to be more enthusiastic. Unfortunately, Long Ming pretended not to notice and just ate in silence.

Wang Yang was a little speechless. He’d told him to seize the opportunity, but he was still acting like a block of wood. So, he took the initiative and spoke.

"Miss Helorin, I often hear Keli mention you. She said you two went to the same academy."

"Yes."

Helorin replied nonchalantly.

"I’m telling you, Helorin is incredible. Back when we were in school, she was one of the top students at our academy. The line of guys chasing after her could have stretched from one end of the city to the other."

Keli said to Wang Yang and Long Ming with a grin.

"Keli, that’s a bit of an exaggeration."

"Not at all! In my heart, you’re the best."

"Mm."

Helorin gave Keli a faint smile.

Then Keli looked at Long Ming curiously and asked.

"Wang Yang, what does your friend do?"

"He’s a freelancer, but don’t underestimate him. We graduated from the same academy, and he was the best in our year. Later on, he even became a hero back where we’re from..."

Wang Yang hyped Long Ming up as much as he could.

"AHEM."

Long Ming couldn’t listen to it anymore and quickly coughed to signal Wang Yang not to overdo it.

"That is pretty impressive."

Keli completely believed what Wang Yang said.

"I think both Long Ming and Miss Helorin are the studious type. You two should exchange contact info and chat more when you have time."

Wang Yang said with a chuckle.

"Yeah!"

Keli chimed in agreeably.

"Alright."

Helorin didn’t refuse.

Seeing that Helorin had agreed, Wang Yang quickly urged Long Ming on.

"Long Ming, add her."

"Miss Helorin, I’ll add you."

Long Ming complied, raising his wristband and sending Helorin a friend request.

Helorin immediately accepted the request.

"Come on, let’s have a toast. It’s not often we all get to gather like this."

Wang Yang enthusiastically picked up a soft drink and poured a glass for everyone.

"Cheers!"

Long Ming and the others raised their glasses, clinked them together, and took a sip.

Just then, Keli said to Wang Yang with a grin.

"Wang Yang, you have to take us shopping later, and you’re not allowed to say you’re tired halfway through!"

"How could I? It would be my honor!"

Wang Yang replied with sweet words.

At that moment, Long Ming also keenly noticed that Helorin’s gaze kept falling on Wang Yang. She was observing him without a change in her expression.

But he didn’t say anything about it, simply speaking up.

"I’m going to the restroom."

"Go ahead."

Wang Yang replied with a smile.

Long Ming got up and headed for the restroom.

He took out the gift Wang Yang had prepared for him and unwrapped it, revealing a rather exquisite necklace.

Long Ming raised his wristband, tapped it, and took out the "Mermaid’s Tear," swapping it with the necklace that was inside.

After doing this, he turned and left the restroom to return to his seat.

...

「Over an hour later.」

"I’m full. Let’s head over to the festival district."

Keli said, in a very good mood.

"Sounds good! I’ll go pay the bill!"

Wang Yang got up and walked toward the counter.

As Long Ming watched Wang Yang walk away, he discreetly swapped Wang Yang’s gift with his own.

...

「A short while later.」

The four of them walked out of the restaurant.

The sky had already darkened; dusk had arrived.

The entire commercial street had grown even more lively. Small stalls had been set up along both sides of the road, and strolling couples were everywhere.

They continued walking along the street.

"Wang Yang, look over there! They’re making little sugar figurines! They’re so cute!"

Keli said coaxingly, clinging to Wang Yang’s arm.

"Let’s go, we’ll get one!"

Wang Yang replied with a chuckle.

"Helorin, we’re going to buy something first. Make sure you two keep up."

After saying this to Helorin, Keli eagerly dragged Wang Yang toward the stall.

Long Ming and Helorin trailed leisurely behind, watching Wang Yang and Keli laughing and chatting as they browsed the stall.

Helorin glanced at Long Ming with a hint of surprise.

’To be honest, she knew exactly what Keli was trying to do by inviting her to have dinner with Wang Yang and Long Ming. But Helorin hadn’t paid it any mind, nor did she have any expectations. The only reason she’d agreed to come was to observe Wang Yang and vet him for Keli. What surprised her, however, was that this man named Long Ming was actually quite handsome—a classic pretty boy, you could say. Moreover, he hadn’t been clingy or pestered her at all. This gave Helorin a pretty good impression of him.’

She spoke thoughtfully.

"Mr. Long Ming, may I ask you something?"

"You want to ask about Wang Yang, don’t you?"

"Yes."

"Don’t you think you’re asking the wrong person? I’m his best friend. How could I possibly say anything bad about him?"

Long Ming replied with a smile.

"I don’t think you’re the type to lie."

Helorin said calmly.

Long Ming glanced at Helorin, a bit surprised. ’To be honest, while Helorin was observing him, he was also observing her. This Helorin may have been Keli’s best friend, but they weren’t in the same league. Although Helorin wasn’t wearing any jewelry, it was obvious from her clothes that she was extremely wealthy. But that wasn’t the most important thing. The most important thing was her dining etiquette, which was impeccable. That kind of innate grace couldn’t be faked.’

"Alright. I can tell you that Wang Yang has had a girlfriend before."

Long Ming said to Helorin calmly.

"And?"

Helorin asked coolly.

"She was Wang Yang’s childhood sweetheart. They grew up together."

As Long Ming spoke, he suddenly realized that Keli looked a lot like Wang Yang’s ex-girlfriend.