Sylvia had no reason to decline Fu Xuan's invitation.
All those delirious thoughts she'd entertained earlier were just that—private musings she'd never act upon.
Even if the massage technique was unconventional, its effects were undeniably positive.
If Fu Xuan needed it, Sylvia was more than willing to help out in her free time—a perfect chance to build some rapport, too.
"Since you put it that way, I'd be happy to help if I can," Sylvia said with a smile, watching as the Master Diviner carefully tidied her hair. But then she quickly added, "But… just going to your place for a massage feels a bit strange, almost like a business transaction."
"A transaction?" Fu Xuan frowned slightly.
"Though I do intend to offer suitable compensation, calling it that seems rather impersonal."
"Exactly," Sylvia nodded, looking at Fu Xuan with a hint of anticipation.
As the Master Diviner, how could Fu Xuan miss what Sylvia was hinting at? But she didn't mind—in fact, she was pleased that Sylvia wanted to deepen their personal connection.
Both professionally and privately, Fu Xuan had no reason to refuse. Her impression of Sylvia was quite favorable, aside from perhaps some… quirky interests.
Moreover, according to what her Third Eye had shown her, among Sylvia's uncertain threads of fate, those aligned with the Xianzhou promised favorable outcomes.
But still…
Fu Xuan hesitated. Removing the element of service and need complicated things.
For her, inviting someone to her private residence implied a truly close relationship—family, a partner, a confidante.
Casual acquaintances never received such invitations. Official matters could always be handled at the Divination Commission.
This was how Fu Xuan had always lived. Now, having to define her relationship with Sylvia on the spot… was genuinely challenging.
As Sylvia said, inviting her over under the pretense of a transaction or mutual benefit felt distant and unnatural.
More importantly, after Sylvia had already seen her in such an undignified state, it felt like a certain barrier had been shattered in one go.
And the thought of repeating today's scenario every time she asked Sylvia for a massage made the label of "ordinary friends" seem somewhat absurd.
Even for Fu Xuan, this was a knot she quietly wrestled with for a long moment.
Finally, she turned slowly to face Sylvia, her expression slightly bashful, fingers twisting in her hair as she spoke with uncharacteristic hesitance:
"You made a fair point earlier. If you don't mind… would you be willing to try becoming my close confidante?"
Sylvia's eyelid twitched.
Jumping straight to 'close confidante'?
Was the mighty Master Diviner easier to win over than even Tingyun?
She had expected something like "good friend" at most, but now they'd skipped a step straight to confidante.
But since Fu Xuan had suggested it herself, Sylvia wasn't about to refuse. She nodded immediately.
"Of course I don't mind. It would be an honor to become your confidante, Fu Xuan."
Friendship isn't built on verbal promises alone, but such acknowledgments can often mark the beginning of a bond.
It might seem a bit redundant, but sometimes it serves as a convenient excuse for interaction.
For Fu Xuan, who had spent the first half of her life wholly devoted to the art of divination with little regard for interpersonal relationships, such spoken commitments actually held considerable weight.
And for Sylvia, verbal acknowledgment was what truly brought tangible gains.
--+--
[Target: Fu Xuan]
[Affection: 77 (Awestruck and Flustered)]
[Relationship: Close Confidante]
['Your massage skills have deeply impressed a long-life species long trapped in suffering. No living being can fully resist the instinct to pursue pleasure and ease. Right now, you could probably easily win over this long-life species.']
['You're really putting this skill to good use now, sprinting full speed down the path of a harem protagonist. Tsunderes might be out of fashion, but they're still cute, heh.']
[Reward: Green Pull x1, Purple Pull x1]
--+--
That brief exchange alone had raised Fu Xuan's affection by another two points.
It was now the highest she'd received from anyone except Acheron.
What's more, establishing the closer "confidante" relationship had directly granted Sylvia two gacha pulls.
For a moment, Sylvia felt the wild urge to sweep Fu Xuan up in a hug, lift her high, and spin around three times.
The Master Diviner was truly a saint!
Two pulls at once—and one was even a purple pull!
More importantly, since these pulls came from Fu Xuan, the rewards were likely related to her in some way.
That meant these pulls might grant abilities related to prophecy, divination, or something similar.
Just thinking about Fu Xuan's capabilities made Sylvia itch to pull right away.
Coincidentally, Fu Xuan had finished arranging her hair by then. Without her hairpin, her long locks fell smoothly, lending her a more youthful, maiden-like air.
"Sylvia, I plan to take a quick rinse now. You…"
Hearing this, Sylvia quickly cut in:
"Then I should probably step out. Besides, it's not really appropriate for me to wander around the Divination Commission. Why don't I head out first? If you need anything, you can always contact me."
As she spoke, she raised her phone slightly.
Fu Xuan, who was already feeling somewhat exposed, breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
"It's true that the Divination Commission isn't suited for casual strolls. I'll message you later on the Jade Abacus about your thank-you gift."
"Heh, I'll be off then. See you next time, Fu Xuan."
With that, Sylvia stood, waved to Fu Xuan, and strode straight out of the resting room.
Watching Sylvia leave, Fu Xuan finally let out a long, deep exhale.
The experience had been intensely awkward and uncomfortable. Now, finally alone, the tension in her nerves eased at last.
She collapsed onto the bed in one motion, her whole body radiating a lazy, languid aura she scarcely ever showed.
--+--
Meanwhile.
After leaving the room, Sylvia retraced her steps out. Passing through the main gate, she gazed toward the distant port.
She was wondering whether a starskiff would be available for her solo trip back from the Divination Commission when—
Whoosh! A figure suddenly darted in front of her, a pair of fluffy twin-tails bouncing with the movement.
It was Qingque, who'd left earlier.
Now, Qingque was putting on a fierce, clawing pantomime, puffing herself up as if ready to demand an explanation:
"Sylvia! You've really done me in!"
"Me? You're the one who tried to ditch me alone with Fu Xuan! You've got some nerve, you little sparrow!"
Sylvia immediately turned the tables. Qingque reacted just as fast:
"I was doing you a favor so you could get closer to the Master Diviner! Don't think I don't know about your massage skills. Me staying would've just complicated things!"
"You were the one who introduced me, so you should've stayed to take responsibility. What if something went wrong? Who would Fu Xuan have blamed?"
Not only did Sylvia refuse to take the fall, she acted completely justified, riling Qingque up until she was squawking in protest.
--+--
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.