Chapter 190: A Small Matter
Throwing a hot potato at me because you’re afraid of trouble?
Lena looked at the balding pawnshop owner kneeling before her, sighing inwardly.
“Get up, let me see the goods first…”
“Yes, Miss!”
The owner’s usual arrogance was gone, his voice cautious.
He presented [Dark Plum Blossom] to Lena.
“This is…”
Lena’s eyes widened, wasn’t this the hero’s blade?!
Seriously, trying to use her as an assassin…
Her expression turned strange.
The owner trembled, his voice shaky. “I came here to offer you a treasure, Miss. I acquired this from someone in need of money, and remembering your kindness, I’m gifting it to you, please accept it.”
He kowtowed twice.
Lena sneered. “You’re quite the businessman, using someone else’s belongings to curry favor with me, making me your scapegoat…”
“I wouldn’t dare!”
The owner was terrified, his secret exposed, his every word and action carefully calculated, as if fearing something terrible would happen.
And behind him, his burly thugs were equally silent and cautious.
They were supposed to be protecting him, but now they stood submissively, not daring to make a sound.
“Fine, I’ll accept it.”
Lena waved them away.
Lena examined [Dark Plum Blossom], her mind racing…
The pawnshop owner’s intentions were easy to guess.
A gentleman is not guilty, but possessing a valuable item is.
He clearly didn’t want to bear the risk, so he had given the blade to her. There were two reasons:
One, the blade was indeed valuable, but its owner didn’t recognize its worth. He was offering it to Lena as a gift, currying favor and showing off his connections. Two, he was avoiding risk, having sensed the blade’s unusual nature and fearing its owner would return to redeem it, so he wanted to get rid of it quickly.
In short, he was greedy!
Trying to play both sides, but Lena had seen through his scheme.
Snow’s blade had ended up in her hands, now, how could she return it without arousing suspicion…?
…
The morning sun shone brightly in the botanical garden.
A silver-haired girl in a white shirt and black pleated skirt, her legs long and slender in black stockings, stood under the shade of a tree, waiting patiently.
“Hmm?”
She tilted her head, checking her wristwatch, her expression calm and unwavering.
“Sorry I’m late.”
Lena arrived just in time, avoiding the impression of being tardy.
They had agreed to meet at the botanical garden.
Lena’s intention was to sound Snow out, then find a way to return the blade, but getting Snow to talk was as difficult as defeating the Demon King.
“Getting used to academy life?”
Lena made small talk.
But it was mostly Lena talking, Snow listening quietly, occasionally responding with a single word.
Snow’s personality was incredibly cold.
Colder than winter, as cold as snow, besides her frustrating silence, Snow was undeniably beautiful.
Her silver hair and crimson eyes, like a snow lotus blooming on a mountain peak, her aloofness and ethereal beauty intimidating.
Lena usually turned heads wherever she went, but compared to Snow, she was overshadowed.
After all, silver hair was quite eye-catching.
“Ahem, I heard you’re selling blind boxes by the dormitory, quite popular. Are you short on money?”
Lena steered the conversation towards her main purpose, as they walked through the winter garden, the redwoods lining the path forming a secluded space.
“Yes.”
Snow nodded faintly.
“Are you still selling them? Can I take a look?”
Lena continued, trying to keep the conversation going.
Snow didn’t answer, simply walking among the trees, catching a falling leaf.
The antique blind boxes were no longer profitable, the students’ initial excitement had faded, and the market was now flooded with imitations.
Those who had been blinded by greed had learned a painful lesson.
And Snow, ever pragmatic, had sold her stall and her remaining stock, escaping unscathed.
“No more.”
Snow shook her head.
Losing one source of income wasn’t a big deal, a flexible mind was the key to success.
The redwood trees, their leaves no longer green, but a vibrant red.
Tall and straight, their fiery red color a stark contrast to the clear blue sky.
Every winter, these redwoods were a beautiful sight in the academy.
On a clear day, like a vibrant oil painting; on a rainy day, like a misty watercolor.
Looking up, each needle-shaped leaf reflected the pure, transparent light of winter, as if time had spilled a bottle of red ink, painting the forest…
They had reached the end of the botanical garden.
Lena still hadn’t revealed her purpose, nor had Snow, her expression unchanged throughout, as if this was just a casual stroll.
“Happy.”
Snow suddenly spoke.
Lena paused, then smiled. “It’s my honor to make you happy, there will be other opportunities…”
“Mm.”
Snow looked around, then thanked Lena softly.
Her gentle voice echoed in Lena’s ears.
“How unexpected…”
Lena hadn’t done anything, had Snow seen through her intentions?!
Snow stopped walking.
She looked up.
Her silver hair swayed in the wind, framing her delicate face, a hint of vulnerability in her eyes.
Snow’s crimson eyes met Lena’s, and she spoke softly, “There’s something… I need your help with…”
“No problem.”
Lena’s immediate reply.
Snow’s voice had been so soft, although still indifferent, there was a subtle difference.
Was Snow… asking for her help?
Lena’s heart pounded.
Being asked for help by the hero, it felt like a scene from her past life.
She had helped without hesitation back then, and now, she had agreed again without thinking…
“Tell me, what do you need?”
Lena reminded herself that Snow wasn’t the same as that man, she wouldn’t make any unreasonable requests.
Her fists clenched.
Lena felt a strange sense of panic, an inexplicable feeling, like a close friend being possessed by an evil spirit, a mixture of fear and dread.
She didn’t understand why she felt this way.
She couldn’t even explain it.
Deep down, Lena was still afraid of fate, afraid that her efforts would be in vain, but she wouldn’t give up…
“My blade is gone,” Snow said softly, her eyes downcast.
“I was hoping… you could help me find it.”
