Wayne gently took Christ’s hand and slowly placed it on the hilt.
The delicate texture slid over her fingertips, magic power transmitted, a moonlit-like sheen spread out, reflecting in Christ’s eyes, her breathing quickened involuntarily, making it even harder to refuse.
"Take it, consider it a loan, when I want it back, you’ll give it to me anytime," Wayne whispered.
So close that it made Christ’s ears turn red.
Women are born with an inability to reject beautiful things, and Christ was no exception, especially since this short sword was related to the moonlight faith; she really didn’t have the courage to refuse.
But a woman’s intuition also told her that the whisper in her ear was the devil’s, certain to come at a price.
After pondering for a long while, weighing the pros and cons, she ultimately could not refuse and said softly, "Wayne, I’ll borrow it for a while, can I write you an IOU?"
"Forget the IOU, I trust Christ’s character, you’ll definitely return it just as it is, like new."
Christ let out a sigh, blaming her own weakness, thinking if she had just held on a little longer, she could have gotten through it!
"However, although I’ll take care of it for you... "
Christ, looking at the short sword in hand, noticed Wayne was still holding her hand. She gave a polite, slightly embarrassed smile and slowly withdrew her hand... pulled... pulled it away.
He’s really strong!x2
"But this sword has a high artistic value, you’re a pastor of the Naturalism Church after all, is it really okay to lend it to me? Won’t your teacher blame you?"
Christ still felt something was amiss, unable to refuse, and suggested Wayne think it over again.
"No worries, just say you seduced me and I couldn’t resist, a mistake any man could make," Wayne replied, indicating that it wasn’t a big deal, he was always good at deflecting blame.
Wouldn’t that make her look like a bad girl in Veronica’s mother’s eyes?
Well, let it be, if she was to be labeled bad, it was Veronica’s mother who was unethical in the first place, snatching Wayne away when she let her guard down.
Christ put away the short sword and thanked Wayne again.
She’s just that kind of person, very appreciative of kindness shown to her, terrified of owing favors, even more of being unable to repay them.
She is what people call a genuinely nice person!
"Oh yeah, Christ, I’ve designed a few new stockings and clothes. It’s getting late; I’ll need your help soon," Wayne, having shown his last card, was proceeding with his strategy, ready to wrap up today’s business.
"Can we do it tomorrow?"
Christ blushed, looking down. Before, when she modeled, Verily was with her, so it was embarrassing but not too much so. But tonight, on her own, it was just too embarrassing.
After all, those dresses were really short.
"No, I have to submit the inspection report tomorrow, and you know I was busy until midnight last night, I really didn’t want to bother you," Wayne sighed, showing that he was pressed for time on the other end and couldn’t help it.
Christ hesitated for a long while, unable to find a reason to refuse, and thus followed Wayne into the bedroom.
"This, this... isn’t this too short?"
"No, it looks pretty with stockings."
"This is called a garter belt, made up of thigh-high stockings and garter straps. The dress is this short to better showcase a woman’s charm."
"It’s still... too short. Will anyone buy it?"
"Christ, I’m a professional clothing designer, I’ve had hit products; you can doubt anything else, but not my professional standards!"
"Okay, okay, I’ll go to my room to change."
"No need, running around is too much trouble. It’d be embarrassing to let the maid see, just change here, I’ll lock the door and turn around, I promise not to look."
I’ll never accept gifts again!
The second family dinner.
Different from the last time’s grumbling atmosphere, tonight was clearly much more harmonious.
Hefei smiled throughout, giving her good-for-nothing husband plenty of friendly looks, and Austin progressed from turning a blind eye to winking.
Spotting Wayne glancing at the younger sister, he immediately closed this eye.
Out of sight, out of mind, let it be!
Veronica, complying with her mother’s requirements, donned a white evening dress. She rarely wore dresses, only on significant occasions, unable to understand why a social reject made her wear a dress twice.
Though the atmosphere was better, she felt something was off.
That’s it, she was not part of it!
Veronica: What kind of trick did you pull, why isn’t Mister Lando grumbling at you anymore?
Wayne: Yeah, now that you mention it, it is weird!
Veronica: Bastard, don’t run off after dinner, I’ll see how I’m going to deal with you.
Wayne: If I don’t run, then I’m a bastard.
After dinner, Austin stood up, heading toward the study, "Wayne, come with me, I need to talk to you."
He chose the study where family business was discussed over the one reserved for guests and strangers.
Veronica watched, dumbfounded, as the two figures dressed in black walked away, swallowing hard in disbelief, "Mother, did you hear that? Mister Lando spoke with the social reject!"
It was the first time Veronica could recall Austin having a conversation with Wayne; she thought they’d never speak in their lifetimes.
"Don’t talk nonsense, Wayne isn’t a social reject, and he’s not some Mister Lando, he’s your father," Hefei corrected.
Veronica inhaled sharply, her mouth agape: "I have a father?"
Of course, without a father, how did you come to be? Even laying an egg requires a male!
Veronica knew she’d said something silly, quickly walking up to Hefei with excitement, "What I mean is, Mother, are you not going to fight with Father anymore?"