"I refuse!"
Without a second's thought, Sylvia shot it down.
Just listen to that. Seriously.
What kind of terrible idea is that?
Giving Fu Xuan a massage? Who even comes up with this stuff?
Sylvia's icy stare seemed to prick at Qingque's conscience. The latter desperately clung to Sylvia's arm, pressing it firmly against her own chest as if to prove a point.
Her eyes, full of hopeful anticipation, bored into Sylvia, seeming to say, 'See? I do have a conscience!'
"Come on, just think about it! If you can make the Master Diviner happy, you'll be set for life! Shooting straight to the top! Once you're personally acquainted with the heads of two out of the Luofu's six commissions, you could practically strut around this ship sideways!"
"Pfft. I'm more worried about being hauled off by the Cloud Knights before I get the chance to strut anywhere. Qingque, oh Qingque. Here I am, kindly trying to help relieve your stress, and you repay me by plotting my downfall? My heart aches."
"No, no, no! That would never happen! With me around, there's no way Lady Fu would ever have you taken away. You've gotta believe me!"
Seeing Sylvia looked ready to bolt, Qingque threw all dignity to the wind, latching onto Sylvia's arm like a lifeline. The warm, soft pressure against Sylvia's arm didn't let up for a second.
"Master Diviner Fu works overtime every single day, never takes a break. Even for a long-life species, working year-round without rest is too much! Sylvia, you're so skilled, you're definitely the one who could help the Master Diviner unwind."
"If she's happy, then maybe I won't have to work overtime anymore!"
Sylvia had to admit, for a brief moment, she was tempted.
If she could get into Fu Xuan's good graces, grind some favorability points, who knows, she might get a chance to snag some really good loot later.
But reason quickly reasserted itself. If this went wrong, the consequence wouldn't just be getting stomped.
Right at that moment.
Tingyun, who had been watching the spectacle for a while, suddenly spoke up.
"I actually think Miss Qingque's idea has some merit."
"???"
Hearing that, Sylvia forgot all about arguing with Qingque. Her head whipped around, a look of pure horror on her face as she stared at Tingyun.
This little fox is pure trouble! I already agreed to give her a massage, and now she's trying to set me up?
If I really get thrown in the slammer, who's gonna massage your tail then!
"Now, now, Benefactor, allow this humble one to explain," Tingyun's ears twitched slightly as she leaned in closer to the pair.
"Master Diviner Fu carries the weight of the world on her shoulders. Our Sky-Faring Commission, and several other merchant guilds, have escaped many a disaster thanks to her efforts."
"We all see how hard she works. If there was a way to help the Master Diviner relax a little, I believe many among the five commissions would be fully in support."
That… made sense. Sylvia nodded, then retorted without mercy.
"I get the logic, but is that really what we're discussing here? We're discussing whether I'll be executed on the spot after the massage!"
"Ah, let me finish, Benefactor~" Tingyun lightly tapped Sylvia's forehead with her folded fan.
"This humble one will draft a letter to the Master Diviner today under the name of the Sky-Faring Commission. We'll say it's a gesture of gratitude, recommending a talented individual skilled in massage therapy."
"Then, Qingque can take the letter and make the introduction. If Qingque can secure the appointment, given Master Diviner Fu's meticulous nature, she would never hold any blame against you, Benefactor."
The more Qingque listened, the brighter her eyes became, especially at that last part. She thumped her chest emphatically, promising she could definitely pull it off!
After all, she had the Master Diviner's preferences down pat! Others might fail, but with her on the case, success was guaranteed!
Sylvia, meanwhile, was starting to think it over.
Well now. The way Tingyun put it… it did seem like there might be a sliver of feasibility here.
The key was, this way, Sylvia could legitimately get close to Fu Xuan, opening up the possibility of grinding that favorability.
Oh no. It seemed she was actually being convinced.
Seeing the hesitation in Sylvia's eyes, Qingque quickly pressed her advantage.
"Miss Tingyun's plan is as elegant as she is! This way, the Master Diviner gets to relax, Sylvia gains the backing of the Divination Commission, and I get to avoid overtime! Everyone gets a bright future! Right, Sylvia?"
"...I suppose that's true."
Sylvia couldn't help but fall into deep thought. If everyone's winning… then just who is losing here?
"Great! It's settled then! The 'Qingque No-Overtime Plan' is officially a go! So, as for today's—meeting adjourned?"
Qingque's 'ulterior motives' were now completely exposed, but Sylvia couldn't be bothered to call her out on it.
Tingyun just smiled and nodded.
"Then this humble one shall prepare the letter promptly and have it delivered to Miss Qingque tomorrow."
"Hehehe, thank you so much, Miss Tingyun! You're as kind as you are beautiful~"
Sylvia, waiting nearby, realized Qingque had stopped talking. She found it hard to believe there was nothing more. She nudged Qingque with her foot.
"And what about me?"
"Aiya~ Sylvia, you're obviously a top-tier good person too! You're helping me out in my hour of need, and I'll definitely repay you handsomely someday!"
Finally unburdened of her major worry, Qingque bounced back to her usual bubbly self, her entire demeanor brightening up instantly.
--+--
Evening.
Back in her apartment, Sylvia sprawled lazily on the sofa and pulled out her phone.
After the trio had gone their separate ways, Sylvia had lingered a while longer at the Starskiff Haven, watching the starskiffs come and go. She'd even toyed with the idea of buying one for a few joyrides.
After enjoying the breeze for a bit, she got a message from her 'precious son'—that friend of hers who cosplayed as Silver Wolf—urging her to get online.
Her friend said some game was having an event, required a partner, and wanted to rope her in.
Telling her to log on ASAP.
With nothing better to do, Sylvia naturally hurried home, fired up her phone, and launched the game.
The moment she got in, the urging messages poured in:
[GamingDomainDivaSilverWolf: Get in here! Finish the tutorial and come straight to the church!]
[GamingDomainDivaSilverWolf: 'Game Coordinates']
[QuadCoreGreatsword: So urgent? What's the reward?]
[GamingDomainDivaSilverWolf: Limited-time outfit and item. Can only be claimed by a duo. Stop wasting time, hurry!]
[QuadCoreGreatsword: Alright, alright. As your one and only gaming buddy, and your part-time awesome dad, I simply have no choice but to oblige!]
Having sent that, Sylvia, with a sly grin, closed the chat window and temporarily muted new message notifications. Chuckling to herself, she clicked into the game and started the tutorial.
Meanwhile, on the other end, Silver Wolf read Sylvia's message and instantly saw red.
"Oh, really? We're still on that, are we?! Well, Acheron's not with you anymore. Tonight, you're done for!!!"
"Sweetie, is Sylvia bothering you again?"
Kafka, sipping wine nearby, watched as Silver Wolf's frustration peaked, seemingly ready to hunt Sylvia down right then and there. A slight smile played on her lips.
Sure, Silver Wolf was cursing up a storm.
But there was no denying she'd been having a lot more fun gaming lately.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.