Dragon Raja: Lu Mingfei finds a Freylian

He remembered that she was always calm, speaking slowly and deliberately, with eyes so clear they seemed to reflect the most subtle wrinkles in a person's heart. In moments of exhaustion or confusion, he would subconsciously think of her, and a ripple would stir in his heart.

Was that feeling love? Lu Mingfei didn't know. This vague emotion, which even he himself hadn't figured out, was even less capable of supporting a weighty answer about having no regrets.

He suddenly realized that selfless love might not be the kind of perfect, sweet, and lifelong fairy tale it is. It might be more like a love that doesn't necessarily have to be flawless, doesn't necessarily have to end in marriage, and may even be full of regrets and pain.

However, many, many years later, when you have spent half your life adrift in the sea of ​​people, becoming somewhat numb and resigned to your fate, you suddenly and inadvertently look up and see a figure standing alone like a reef in the distance. Perhaps it is her, or perhaps it is just a similar silhouette.

In that instant, your heart will pound and tremble violently without warning, a surge of hot emotion rushing to your eyes, too fast to discern whether it's hatred, resentment, or sorrow. Only a clear, piercing feeling remains: that you have loved. And you have no regrets.

The hall was deathly silent, save for the low rumble of the giant aquarium's circulation system and the occasional shadow of a tiger shark slicing across the glass.

Lu Mingfei felt a surge of heat rising from the top of his head, as if his CPU had been overclocked and was about to explode. He gathered all his strength, his expression as serious as if he were about to unleash a forbidden spell that could destroy the world.

"Don't utter any trash talk," Caesar and Chu Zihang silently prayed almost simultaneously. They knew Lu Mingfei all too well; in a state of extreme tension, his defense mechanism was likely to turn into a machine for spewing lame jokes and cheesy memes, and the scene would be utterly disastrous.

“No regrets, no love is it.” Lu Mingfei finally spoke, his voice dry and his speech extremely slow, as if each word was squeezed out little by little from the depths of his throat under a thousand pounds of pressure, “I used all my strength, I didn’t think about anything, I wasn’t afraid, and I didn’t back down.”

He suddenly stopped mid-sentence. Like an old car that roars painfully as it climbs a hill, then stalls completely, lying motionless. His mouth was agape, his face flushed, his eyes vacant, as if those few words had exhausted all his literary accumulation and emotional experience, leaving him unable to squeeze out another word.

The accumulated "earth-shattering blow" simply deflated silently, like a punctured balloon.

"It's over." Caesar and Chu Zihang both felt a sinking feeling in their hearts. This answer was not only weak and illogical, but also incoherent, completely missing the point, and even somewhat naive. For an interview discussing principles and techniques, this was a disastrous response.

Sure enough, the store manager let out a long, deep sigh, shook his bald head with the blue whale tattoo slightly, and revealed obvious disappointment on his face behind his sunglasses.

Lu Mingfei himself felt an overwhelming despair, his inner lining soaked with cold sweat. He could almost see himself being packed up and thrown out of Takamagahara, back to the miserable state of wandering the rainy streets of Tokyo.

In a moment of desperation, he blurted out, "Me, me, me, can I be a waiter? I'm very steady at carrying plates! I can practice my flower arrangement while carrying plates! I learn things very quickly!"

However, the expected reprimand and expulsion did not come.

The shop manager was silent for a moment, then suddenly raised his hand and gently placed it on Lu Mingfei's shoulder again, startling Lu Mingfei. Then, the shop manager slowly spoke:

“Sakura-kun, is your unwavering love 'fearless, unyielding, selfless, and without expecting anything in return'?”

He paused, savoring the profound meaning contained in those few words, then suddenly raised his voice, filled with emotion and admiration: "Well said!"

Lu Mingfei: "???"

Caesar & Chu Zihang: "???"

Shelley once said, 'Love is like a lamp, shining on two people at the same time, and its brilliance does not diminish.' And the great Byron also wrote, 'Joy and sorrow in love always alternate.'"

The store manager stood up and began to slowly pace around the center of the hall, his gestures impassioned, like a philosopher giving a speech in an ancient Greek square: "Poets, in different languages, speak of the same eternal truth! Love is neither pure sweetness and happiness, nor a transaction of haggling on both sides of a scale!"

"In a true, unwavering love, there are never any winners! Everyone has already lost before deciding to step into this love! You lose your defenses, you lose your rationality, and you may even foresee the pain to come."

He became more and more excited as he spoke, waving his cigar.

"But! You still won't regret it! Why? Because that's love! Love is like a great light that illuminates two people at the same time! It is because of this light that your otherwise dull and mediocre life has been given meaning! All those so-called loves that are fearful, retreating, calculating in terms of cost, and obsessed with demanding returns are nothing but demons in the form of desire! In front of someone like you, Sakura-kun, who possesses such a pure, brave, and loving heart, they all vanish into thin air!"

The store manager's voice echoed in the hall, and against the backdrop of the circular aquarium's deep blue color and the shadowy sharks swimming around, it actually had a resounding and enlightening effect.

Caesar and Chu Zihang were completely dumbfounded. How did Lu Mingfei's dry, toothpaste-like twenty or thirty words suddenly become an elaborate, powerful, and well-structured essay in the store manager's mouth?

This reading comprehension ability is beyond the scope of over-interpretation; it's as if a philosophical edifice has been built out of thin air!

Lu Mingfei himself was overjoyed and could hardly believe his ears!

His eyes widened as he stared at the excited shop manager, who seemed to have discovered a genius. Only one thought occupied his mind: So, I'm actually this insightful?! My few words contained universal truths I hadn't even realized I possessed?!

Sure enough, joining the literary society in high school and being forced to read a few poetry collections did have some effect? ​​Is this the legendary "a masterpiece is born of nature, and a stroke of genius is often found by chance"?

Just as the three were still immersed in the absurdity and surprise, the shop manager suddenly clapped his hands!

"Snapped!"

A crisp round of applause served as a signal. Behind the azure curtains surrounding the hall, several concealed doors slid open silently at the same time. Waiters, who had been waiting outside, filed in, pushing ornate silver carts piled high with shimmering champagne towers.

Led by Fujiwara Kansuke, who had changed back into his imposing Furin Kazan kimono, the many handsome male hosts from Takamagahara, dressed in various gorgeous costumes, also entered the hall one by one with friendly smiles.

The giant, tiered crystal chandelier in the center of the hall suddenly lit up, its dazzling light dispelling all the shadows in the corners and illuminating the colorful fish swimming leisurely in the circular aquarium. The entire space became magnificent and filled with a festive atmosphere.

"Gentlemen!" The manager's booming voice cut through the slight noise. He casually picked up a glass of bubbly, golden liquid from the nearest champagne tower and raised it high. "Congratulations! You—Basara King, Ukyo Tachibana, and our little Sakura—have all passed my interview!"

He looked around at everyone, his face beaming with pride and satisfaction.

"From today onwards, you are officially members of this Takamagahara family! Use your unique flower arrangement skills, use your light and warmth, to lead those lost, sorrowful, and joyful women to a paradise of blooming flowers, love, and beauty!"

He glanced at Lu Mingfei, who was still in a daze, and added, "Of course, our lovely little Sakura still needs a little time to get her eight hundred flower tickets. But—"

His tone shifted, becoming confident: "What does this mean to our brilliant, promising young people? Who wouldn't like smart, sensitive, beautiful, and lovely young people like you?"

He raised his glass again: "Now, let us raise a toast with this golden champagne to a brighter future for Takamagahara!"

"Cheers!" the male escorts responded in unison, their faces beaming with smiles.

Not long after the nightclub closed, everyone had been drinking all night, and now there was another series of crisp, pleasant "pop" sounds as bottles were opened. The golden liquid rippled in the chilled stemmed glasses, reflecting the dazzling light of the crystal chandeliers.

It seems that, under the leadership of this unconventional and passionate manager, this top-tier male escort nightclub truly adheres to a unique concept of "chivalry and drunken madness" similar to the Iserlohn Fortress in "Legend of the Galactic Heroes".

The senior male escorts all smiled and stepped forward to shake hands and hug Caesar, Chu Zihang, and Lu Mingfei, saying polite things like "Welcome to the team," "Please guide us in the future," and "We look forward to your performance," celebrating the three talented newcomers' official joining their harmonious and loving family.

A glass of cold champagne was shoved into Lu Mingfei's hand. He raised it blankly, looking at the handsome faces around him, some sincere and some insincere, but all beaming with smiles. He listened to the noisy congratulations and smelled the mixture of perfume, alcohol, and the slight fishy smell of the seawater tank in the air.

He suddenly felt a strong sense of unreality.

It's approved already? Not only did it pass, but the store manager also considers him a confidant and praises him highly?

Lu Mingfei looked down at the bubbling golden liquid in his glass, then stole a glance at Caesar and Chu Zihang beside him, who were both smiling but whose eyes were filled with the same "This is possible?" look.

Chapter 626 The Real Store Manager (Part 1)

The champagne party was in full swing, golden bubbles rose in glasses, and laughter and the clinking of glasses mingled. No one noticed that the Whale Store Manager, who had just delivered a passionate onboarding speech, had quietly disappeared from the center of the crowd, like a whale diving into the deep sea without making a ripple.

Next door to the hall, however, was a completely different scene.

Two extremely tall, heavy black velvet high-backed sofas were placed side by side, like thrones. Two figures sat on the sofas, almost completely blending into the shadows. Their gazes, through the crystal-clear blue water—the wall of a huge circular aquarium—silently observed the lively champagne party taking place in the adjacent hall.

A slender and expensive arowana gracefully swam past the glass, its tail fin gently swaying, creating a string of tiny bubbles that floated up from the dark green seaweed and eventually disappeared into the shimmering water above.

This stunning aquarium wall is actually an extremely ingenious spying device.

Looking from the party hall, one sees a deep and enchanting underwater world; but from this secret room, one sees a single, perfect one-way glass wall. Those inside can see every face, every expression, and every conversation in the adjacent hall with perfect clarity, while those in the hall remain completely unaware that behind this ocean-view window lies another luxurious and secluded space.

This is the true power center of Takamagahara, the boss's office.

Unlike the slightly dramatic marine theme of the main hall, this private room takes luxury and classicism to the extreme. The dazzling multi-tiered crystal chandelier reflects the marble floor until it shines, and the walls are covered with meticulously framed large-scale black-and-white or color photographs.

These are portraits of top male escorts who have made outstanding contributions and enjoyed immense popularity over the decades. They are handsome, masculine, melancholic, or unruly, and together they bear witness to the glorious history of this legendary nightclub.

From the large Italian leather sofa to the heavy mahogany desk, every piece of furniture exudes the patina of time. In the corner, an old-fashioned record player plays the famous aria from Puccini's opera "Madama Butterfly" at just the right volume, its poignant and lingering melody flowing quietly through the air.

Just moments ago, the manager, who commanded the room like a rock star and was respectfully called "Whale," could only stand respectfully behind the sofa, bowing slightly, with a white linen napkin symbolically draped over his arm, looking like a waiter ready to be at anyone's beck and call.

The real boss is the one sitting here.

The two women, with very different styles, were equally radiant.

On the sofa to the left is a girl with a distinctly forest-inspired style. She has long, flowing hair that reaches her waist, with a few strands falling naturally over her shoulders. Her makeup is very light, almost bare-faced, which only accentuates the delicate and clean features of her face, as if she has just emerged from the morning mist of a forest.

However, the extremely form-fitting black leather miniskirt she wore, and the pair of gleaming silver patent leather over-the-knee boots with dagger-like heels, formed a stark contrast with her harmless face.

On the sofa to the right sat another woman with a completely different aura. Her hair was styled in a high, meticulously styled jet-black bun, with a striking bright red ribbon wrapped around it, like congealed bloodstains. Her makeup was exquisite and heavy, with upturned eyeliner and dark red lips, exuding an ancient and alluring charm.

She was also dressed in a black tight leather jacket and skirt, with black stockings covering her long legs, and matching silver high-heeled patent leather boots. She simply sat there casually, yet exuded an aura of dangerous allure that kept strangers at bay.

"Why do we have to dress like this?" asked Mai Shude, the Mori Girl on the left, somewhat uncomfortably adjusting her shockingly short skirt, her brow furrowed slightly. The tightness and length of her leather skirt forced her to be extra careful about her posture when sitting down to avoid exposing herself.

“We’re the two of us behind the scenes at this host club now, right? But the way we’re dressed makes us look like we’re preparing to go out and sell ourselves,” she complained in a low voice, a hint of helplessness in her tone.

"Hehehe, this outfit is so cool!" The elegant girl on the right, Su Enxi, excitedly twisted her shoulders, the black leather jacket making a slight rustling sound.

"I heard that this mission requires me to play a role like a behind-the-scenes mastermind or a female yakuza boss, so I specially went to Ginza to buy a limited edition! All the white shirts and suits I brought in my suitcase make me look like a finance manager going to a board meeting, completely lacking in presence!"

"You give off the impression that you're a finance manager who suddenly had a meltdown and turned into a female hooligan," Mai Shude retorted mercilessly, shaking her head. "You can change your clothes, but your aura isn't something that's so easy to change."

"Who cares! Life is too short to be sexy!" Su Enxi said nonchalantly, excitedly patting her thighs covered by the leather skirt, making a soft "slap slap" sound.

“Be more reserved, my girl,” said Mai, rubbing her forehead. “The way you’re slapping your thigh like that isn’t sexy at all. It looks like a man watching the European Cup live in a bar late at night, getting all excited.”

Upon hearing this, Su Enxi subconsciously glanced at her crooked sitting posture through the faint reflection of the one-way glass in front of her, and somewhat embarrassedly adjusted herself, trying to adopt a more queen-like posture.

There was no way around it; taking over a host club and controlling everything behind the scenes was just too interesting and too subversive for someone like her who usually spent most of her time in front of a computer screen, processing global financial data, and striving to maintain an air of authority in every word and action. So much so that she couldn't help but reveal a bit of her true self.

"Su Sang, are you satisfied with today's interview?" Standing behind the sofa, the store manager, a humpback whale, asked respectfully in a tone completely out of character for his imposing physique.

“I’m not so much satisfied or dissatisfied,” Su Enxi swirled her wine glass, the crimson liquid clinging to the side. “I’ve really had my eyes opened today. Is this the same process you used to use when interviewing male escorts? Asking about principles and techniques, and that so-called unwavering love? Do you want to be a philosopher, or the Socrates of the male escort world?” she teased with a smile.

“Philosophy, art, history… are all projections of a person’s inner self. Only by asking these kinds of questions can we select the truly perfect man.” The humpback whale straightened its back slightly, its face revealing an almost devout sense of professional pride. “They will bloom a unique flower from the depths of their hearts.”

"Blooming in your heart? What's that all about?" Su Enxi asked dismissively.

"When women come to male escort clubs, frankly speaking, they're just paying to spend the time of handsome men, right? They want these good-looking guys to drink with them, flirt a little, touch their muscular physiques, play games where they tease them and the men have to smile in return, and maybe in the end, they can even expect a hug or something. I'm a woman, okay? I know all too well what women are really thinking."

The humpback whale hesitated for a few seconds, considering how to explain his professional philosophy to his boss.

"Su Sang, your appreciation of men is like appreciating the finest wine; it gradually improves with experience and taste. In the beginning, you might only appreciate their physical beauty. But gradually, you'll begin to yearn to appreciate their souls, their unique personalities, and their inner radiance. The ultimate erotic experience often has nothing to do with the most direct lust; it's about the indescribable heartbeat you feel when you're together."

"Potato Chips, did you hear that?" Mai Shude lazily took a sip of her drink and casually added, "He's implying that your aesthetic standards for men are still at a rather low level."

"What the heck! My standards for men are low? Low standards? I'm high standards!" Su Enxi almost jumped off the sofa like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, but her voice grew softer and softer under the amused gaze of Jiu Demai, and she finally let out a sullen hum.

"A woman whose romantic experience is a blank slate always gets quieter and quieter when talking about this kind of topic," said Mai, patting Su Enxi, whose face had instantly darkened, as a gesture of comfort.

"However, I do believe what this old whale said to some extent. Some women fall in love with a man, perhaps they really only fall in love with the empty and beautiful shadow projected into their hearts, or rather, a feeling."

Her gaze, through the one-way glass, followed with great interest a person in the hall—Lu Mingfei.

At this moment, everyone else in the hall was gathered around the newly popular Basara King and Ukyo Tachibana, frequently raising their glasses in a lively atmosphere. Only Lu Mingfei, like a discordant note in this lavish gathering, squatted alone in front of the huge fish tank, making faces at the glass.

Of course, he couldn't see Mai Shutoku behind the glass; all he saw was a curious, silvery-white little fish in the aquarium. The little fish, also intrigued by this enormous creature that had suddenly appeared outside the underwater world, was unaware that there was an impenetrable layer of glass between them and kept ramming forward with its snout.

Lu Mingfei stared at the silly little fish, trying to scare it with his exaggerated facial expressions. His nose was pressed flat against the cold glass, his mouth was crooked, and his eyebrows were flying wildly, making him look foolish and boring, completely out of place among the faces around him, which were either charming, handsome, or elegant.

The room was filled with meticulously decorated peacocks, but he, like a quail that had wandered into a magnificent palace and was at a loss, wandered aimlessly, his face showing confusion and a slight sense of incongruity.

However, Mai Shude's gaze remained fixed on that foolish and boring face.

"Oh, esteemed guest, have you taken a fancy to our little Sakura?" Upon seeing this, Su Enxi immediately adopted the fawning madam's demeanor, leaning closer to Shude Mai and winking, "She is the most promising future star of our Takamagahara, the most pure, innocent, and lovable!"

"I just find it very interesting," Mai Shutoku said, withdrawing her gaze and gently swirling her wine glass. Her voice was somewhat distant, as if she were talking to herself.

"It's like watching a silkworm, oblivious and slow, spinning silk layer by layer, until it finally traps itself tightly in the cocoon it has woven. The process is slow, but the ending is already predetermined."