I'm in Mota, and they all want me to confess my feelings!

“It’s a pleasure doing business with you, Miss Coleta,” Giacomo replied quickly, his voice brimming with undisguised obsequiousness.

The two left Giacomo's theater together, where a black luxury car belonging to the Motari family had been waiting for some time at the theater entrance.

"How is it going?" As soon as she sat down, Coleta turned her head and asked.

"How should I put it?" Duanmu Yan frowned slightly and said, "He's more cautious than expected. Without an access card, it's almost impossible to get close to his core office area."

"Is that so?" Koleta responded calmly, gently adjusting her lace gloves. "That was to my surprise. But it's alright. The equipment ordered from the New Federation will arrive soon. It contains a special computer virus that's strong enough to penetrate their security system."

“Since Miss Koleta is so confident, then I’m relieved.” Duanmu Yan breathed a sigh of relief, then asked, “But regarding the specifics of the cooperation… how did you discuss them?”

Koleta shrugged dismissively: "What else can I do? Giacomo has his eye on my influence and wants to make a fortune off my fame. And me—"

She paused slightly, casually twirling a strand of hair between her fingers: "I decided to go with the flow and agree to his suggestion. Now, naturally, I need to make some preparations."

Her tone softened, but a faint complaint crept into her voice.

"However... it's not easy to find suitable new talent."

“As you know, the religious order has always been very strict in its control over this matter. In Laguna, apart from those who come from the choir, very few musicians dare to develop independently. Most people would rather sign with a major family than face the troubles of the religious order.”

"I'm new to the music industry, and I don't have a wide network of connections in this field."

At this point, Koleta turned her gaze to Duanmu Yan, a faint smile appearing on her lips:

"By the way, do you know anyone like that?"

Duanmu Yan was slightly taken aback: "What kind of person?"

“Someone with a keen sense of music,” she added softly. “If there really is such a person… perhaps you could introduce them to me.”

Upon hearing this, Duanmu Yan was slightly taken aback and subconsciously wanted to shake his head, but stopped abruptly.

Suddenly, the image of the unfamiliar girl he had only met once that day appeared before his eyes.

Volume One: Chapter Twenty - The Promise

Liberty Square.

A giant plaza located in the city of Laguna.

Folk theater troupes and artists regard the square as an improvisational theater. Street artists sometimes understand each other and cooperate with these sudden performances, playing music in sync and even joining in the improvisation.

Even so, finding a suitable candidate in such a place is like trying to find gold in the ocean.

But we should give it a try, just in case.

What if we get lucky and one of these people turns out to be an SSR?

Although, Duanmu Yan didn't have any expectations for it.

He sat on a bench in the square, his gaze sweeping indifferently over the passing crowds.

Just then, Xiao Shenghai gently tugged at his sleeve, excitedly showing him a large handful of balloons that were blown up.

Duanmu Yan was slightly taken aback, his gaze falling on the remains in front of him—a combination of a foreman doll and Miss Lonely, both of which were parasitic within the dolls, formless and intangible remnants, and showed no hostility toward humans.

On the contrary, for them, only by establishing a sincere relationship with humans and gaining their trust and gratitude can they taste that frequency, which is like an unparalleled delicacy.

He paused for a moment, then smiled, reached out and took one of the balloons, and said softly.

"Thank you."

"Rabi, Benny, wait for me. Eh, is... is it Mr. Duanmu?"

A familiar voice came from beside him. Duanmu Yan subconsciously looked up and saw the priestess who had been running all the way stopped a few steps away.

He widened his eyes slightly and softly called her name: "Phoebe?"

The girl gently touched her chest, her lips slightly pursed, her breathing still a little rapid.

The blush rising on her cheeks was like the horizon at sunrise, seemingly coated with a faint silver light as she breathed heavily, clear and bright.

—She's really cute.

"you……"

Duanmu Yan looked at the girl in front of him, then slowly shifted his gaze to the two skeletons. In a daze, he seemed to understand something.

In Lina Xita, it's not unusual to make friends with Sheng Hai.

But the problem is...

In the doctrines and precepts of the monastic order, the hymen is regarded as the sacred messenger of the Lord, carrying the Lord's will and power.

Unless absolutely necessary, priests must strictly adhere to the rules and regulations and refrain from any private contact or interaction with the deceased, lest they offend the Lord's majesty.

Looking at it now...

"Phoebe, you don't want the church to find out, right?"

"No...no...I didn't break any rules, it's just that someone asked me to keep an eye on them, so—"

Perhaps feeling guilty, Phoebe immediately waved her hands frantically and tried to explain to Duanmu Yan.

Seeing the girl's helpless expression, Duanmu Yan couldn't help but smile and shake his head: "Miss Phoebe, it's not a good habit to make excuses instead of facing your mistakes honestly."

Upon hearing these words, the girl's delicate shoulders trembled slightly, and she lowered her head, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible: "...I'm sorry."

"Why are you apologizing to me?" Duanmu Yan smiled knowingly. "I was just teasing you. Besides, this is your freedom, and I have no right to interfere. Everyone in this world has the right to live life the way they want."

Rabbi and Benny skipped back to Phoebe, tugging at her skirt and pulling her to the bench, as if inviting her to sit down.

Duanmu Yan moved to the side, making room for him.

Phoebe's lips moved slightly, but she eventually sat quietly beside him, her head still bowed and her hands placed properly on her knees. She whispered, "Mr. Duanmu... is really gentle."

"This is the first time I've seen Rabbi and Benny actively approach adults. Usually, they only give these balloons and small gifts to children."

"Really?" Duanmu Yan looked at the balloon in his hand. "Then should I feel honored?"

As he spoke, he glanced at Rabbi and Benny, who were waving goodbye to him before skipping and hopping away into the crowd.

"Speaking of which, Miss Phoebe, would you like some pizza today?" He turned his gaze back, his tone relaxed.

The girl paused for a moment, then quickly shook her head: "No...no need! Mr. Duanmu already spent money last time, how could I let you treat me again? Besides..." Her voice lowered, becoming somewhat serious, "As a priest, I must abide by the precepts and not commit the sin of gluttony."

In a sense, it wasn't him who treated us last time, but Zanni.

"Really? You can't eat pizza, but you can be friends with Sheng Hai?" Duanmu Yan's lips curled up slightly, and he looked at the girl beside him with a hint of mockery in his eyes.

“I…I…” Phoebe’s cheeks flushed instantly, and she instinctively lowered her head, momentarily speechless.

"You really do get shy when teased," Duanmu Yan chuckled, continuing to tease.

“…Mr. Duanmu.” Phoebe muttered softly, her tone tinged with a hint of coquettishness, as if expressing dissatisfaction yet helplessness.

"Alright, I won't tease you anymore." Duanmu Yan breathed a sigh of relief. For some reason, talking to Phoebe always made him feel exceptionally relaxed. "I want to ask you about some things."

Phoebe looked up, tilted her head slightly, and looked puzzled: "What's wrong?"

“Hmm,” Duanmu Yan nodded, “Do you know any people who have particularly unique ideas about music and are rather unconventional?”

“Eh? Let me think…” Phoebe frowned, pondered for a moment, and finally shook her head. “I don’t think I… know anyone like that. However, if Mr. Duanmu is interested in music, I know the choir’s performance schedule, and I can take you to see it!”

Singing hymns 6 Easy Fin Printing Hand? 俬" is 8 Reading - Yi Class?

Duanmu Yan had absolutely no interest in this.

“It’s not that I’m interested,” he explained, “it’s for work that I need to come into contact with these kinds of people.”

Hearing this answer, Phoebe couldn't help but feel a little disappointed: "Oh, I see."

Duanmu Yan noticed the subtle change in the girl's emotions and responded immediately.

"Speaking of which, I've never seen a choir perform before. Phoebe, how about you take me to one after I finish work?"

The girl's originally dull eyes immediately lit up after hearing this promise: "Really? I thought Mr. Duanmu would never go to the monastery."

"Hehe, it's mainly because I'm busy with work."

This is a lie!

Actually, he just didn't want to go.

Time is like water in a sponge; you can always squeeze some out.

Phoebe said earnestly, "Then it's a deal! Mr. Duanmu can't break his promise!"

Duanmu Yan smiled and said, "Of course. I will always keep my promises."

A gentle breeze suddenly arose, carrying a trace of indescribable sorrow, and lightly brushed against his face.

—In that instant, a crimson figure silently swept past him.

Volume 1: Chapter 21 I can't play any of them!

That is……

Floro?

"I'm sorry, Phoebe." Duanmu Yan suddenly stood up and said to the girl beside him in an apologetic tone, "I suddenly have something to attend to and need to leave."

"Eh, is...is that so?"

Phoebe's mouth was slightly open, her eyes filled with confusion, but she quickly put on an understanding smile.

"Since Mr. Duanmu is busy, I won't bother you any longer."

Goodbye, Mr. Duanmu.

"But please remember to come see the choir's performance!"

Duanmu Yan agreed, "Yes, I will definitely come."

After saying that, he chased after Floro in the direction he had left.

Although he had only met Floro once, perhaps some kind of almost fateful intuition told him that this girl was not as simple as she seemed on the surface.

Laguna's streets are a maze, making it no easy task to track down a person.

Duanmu Yan followed closely behind Floro, but every time he tried to close the distance, he was interrupted by unexpected events—pedestrians rushing by, vehicles speeding past, or sudden attempts to strike up a conversation—his pursuit was repeatedly thwarted.

For some reason, whenever Duanmu Yan thought he had lost them, he would always catch a glimpse of that scarlet figure again at the next street corner.

She was like a scarlet flower blooming on the other side of the river, elusive yet ever-present, as if deliberately drawing his footsteps.

……

……

The stars were overwhelmed by the night, their faint light spilling across the world amidst the roar of the waves.

Floro gazed at the distant lighthouse, listening to the sound of the wind.

Of course she knew he was following behind her.

Even though she couldn't be sure if he was the one, for some reason, she didn't feel any resentment or disgust—it seemed that deep down, she didn't dislike the feeling of being pursued by him.

even……

There is some longing.

"Still following?" Floro's voice was very soft, almost blending into the sound of the tide, yet it clearly reached Duanmu Yan's ears. "What a persistent fellow."

Duanmu Yan paused, stunned: "You already found out?"

Floro turned around, tilted her head slightly, and looked at him: "So, what do you want?"

After considering for a moment, Duanmu Yan looked at the open-air café by the sea and invited, "How about we... have a drink and chat?"

Floro thought for a moment, then nodded slightly: "Okay."

—This seemed to be the first time he had taken the initiative to invite me.

The aroma of coffee wafted in the sea breeze.

Duanmu Yan added a few sugar cubes and some condensed milk to his cup, while Floro added nothing to his black coffee.

She took a light sip without changing her expression, as if the cup contained not bitter coffee, but just a glass of water.

"Don't you find it bitter?" Duanmu Yan asked curiously.

"Bitter?" Floro gently put down his coffee cup. "I think it's alright. Only this sour and astringent taste can leave a mark on my memory. Perhaps... I've already gotten used to this taste."

"...Your taste is quite unique."