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

Phoebe didn't understand.

Why do the people on this island harbor such deep prejudice against religious orders, even openly displaying hostility?

Is it...

What unforgivable things have religious orders really done?

Otherwise, how could it have provoked such obvious resentment?

no, I can not……

She quickly dismissed her own guess.

This must be a misunderstanding.

The Reformed Order always follows the Lord's guidance, advocating good deeds and mutual assistance, so how could they commit evil acts that harm others?

—The girl didn't want to think about it.

Duanmu Yan could understand the islanders' feelings.

He had witnessed firsthand the shadows deep within the religious order and had no fondness whatsoever for that outwardly glamorous religion.

But he always believed that matters should be separated from people.

Phoebe is different—he's seen her kindness all along.

The religious order may be unforgivable, but what does it have to do with her?

She always devoutly practiced the Lord's teachings, and always held a pure and gentle heart towards people and the world.

So he gently took her hand.

The moment their fingertips touched, the girl's shoulders trembled slightly, like wings startled by the sea breeze.

She looked up at him somewhat flusteredly: "Mr. Duanmu...?"

"Don't be afraid, stay close to me."

He didn't turn around, his voice was very soft, but it steadily reached her ears.

Phoebe's mouth was slightly open, and her iris-purple eyes seemed to hold the surging of stars, their light flowing like the gentle breeze rippling across the night sea.

"Ah."

Finally, she nodded gently and obediently responded.

Port Rijoli is the busiest port in the archipelago in terms of seafood throughput. Trade ships come and go, and the shouts, waves, and ship horns on the docks create a noisy backdrop.

They finally managed to squeeze through the crowd and stop in a relatively quiet corner.

“There are so many people here…” Phoebe turned back to look at the still bustling dock, gently placing her hand on her chest, her tone filled with amazement.

“After all, it is the most abundant fishing ground in Lina Xita,” Duanmu Yan explained. “Not only Laguna, but the seafood supply of most city-states is inseparable from this port.”

As he spoke, he unconsciously rubbed his stomach.

"Speaking of which, it's almost getting dark. Shall we go grab something to eat first?"

Phoebe turned to look at him and asked with concern, "Mr. Duanmu, are you hungry? I brought some green berries with me, would you like to try some?"

She bent down and took out a few green fruits from her small handbag, and handed them to Duanmu Yan.

"...Why did you bring this with you?"

“These are fruits given out for free by the church,” Phoebe explained softly. “I was afraid I would get hungry on the ship, so I brought some with me.”

"You like to eat this?"

Phoebe shook her head, her voice soft: "It's the order's rule. As a priest, even if you don't like it... you have to accept it."

"..."

Duanmu Yan silently accepted the green branch fruit handed to him by Phoebe, and under her expectant gaze, he mustered up the courage to take a small bite.

A strong sour taste instantly filled his mouth, and he almost stood up abruptly, suppressing the urge to frown and trying to keep his voice steady: "Hmm... I suddenly have a craving for seafood. Phoebe, how about we go buy something else to eat?"

"Eh? Mr. Duanmu doesn't like this taste?"

"..."

It's not so much that I dislike it, but rather that it's utterly inedible. The texture is practically the same as biting into a raw lemon—can this even be considered food? Who on earth designated it as Holy Communion? Could it be Floro?

"No, I just suddenly had a craving for seafood," he offered a weak explanation.

“Oh, I see…” Phoebe responded softly, her fingers unconsciously rummaging through her handbag. “But… I don’t think I brought much money. The seafood here must be expensive, right?”

"You don't need to worry about the money," Duanmu Yan patted his chest, "Just leave it to me."

"No, no!" Phoebe quickly shook her head. "I've already received so much care. How can I let Mr. Duanmu keep spending money? This one-sided giving... is too unfair!"

Duanmu Yan looked at her with some surprise, not expecting the girl to be so persistent.

“At least I should contribute half!” she said, stuffing a small bag of shell coins into his hand and smiling sheepishly. “This is my teaching salary for this month… It’s not much, but I’m giving it all to Mr. Duanmu!”

Duanmu Yan stared blankly at the slightly heavy bag of cowrie shells in his hand, then looked up at Phoebe in front of him, whose cheeks were flushed and who was unconsciously twirling her hair. He was momentarily lost in thought.

She is so pure that it breaks your heart.

How can there be girls like this in the world?

For some reason, a heavy sense of guilt rose from the bottom of his heart—probably from remembering the times he had teased her occasionally before.

He silently prayed in his heart: God above, I am guilty. I should not have bullied such a little angel as Phoebe.

He roughly weighed the bag of cowrie shells in his hand.

Phoebe's salary isn't much; it's enough for a few meals, but clearly not enough to stay there for an extended period.

but it does not matter.

Duanmu Yan himself was not short of money.

Moreover, the second young lady had personally promised to give him a generous bonus.

Perhaps... while investigating the whale's madness, we can take her to relax a bit.

Phoebe, who has been staying at the church all the time, probably hasn't had a proper rest, right?

“Phoebe, wait here for me a moment.”

"OK, all right."

After giving a soft instruction, Duanmu Yan walked to a corner, took out his terminal, and dialed Koleta's number.

After a brief pause, the call was connected.

"Hey."

Do not know why……

The second young lady's voice came from the other end, but her tone carried a hint of resentment that was hard to ignore, and it seemed that...

Bad Mood.

P.S.: I want to share this hopeful image with the whole world!

In addition to (two) shirts, Wu (seven) j2iu liu (three) Er, my card is also double yellow!

Volume 1: Author's Note on the Release of the Book

It's on the shelves tomorrow.

I wrote Mingchao for only three reasons.

iKe! iKe! iKe!

Okay, that's just one of the reasons.

Another reason is: iFTV.

As for the little milk dragon of Imaizu?

No such person can be found.

I hope Kuro will release Phoebe and Jinxi's companion star soon!

Besides that, there's another reason I wrote about the Mingchao: it's because I felt repressed.

Since no one has written about Mingchao's peaches, I will.

Don't doubt my skill in color theory; for details, you can check out my book, "Star Guardian."

As for the bounty, forget about the monthly tickets; tomorrow is Hedgehog Cat's anniversary.

With double monthly passes and no upper limit coming together, I feel like I can't handle it.

One extra chapter for every 1 donations, and the same applies to treasure chests.

Also, Delta Pro, you're secretly taking me out for a meal, so I'll add another chapter?

……

……

On a side note, after the Yuno storyline, let me mention Jinxi, Lihuo, Humorous Female Agent, The End of the Wanderings, One Day Flower, Little Potato, Magical Girl, Saintly Sports Student, Kanshui, and especially Floro, which he doesn't like to hear.

—The Yunojin Dynasty has begun.

Anyone who doesn't like Yuno is a genius.

Floro lost so badly in the game, watch me make him win back in fan art!

Volume 1: Chapter 57 Koleta: You used my money to support other women?! [Seeking first subscriptions!]

—My chest felt tight and suffocated. The more I tried to ignore it, the heavier the feeling pressed down on me.

Koleta rested her chin on her hand, her gaze drifting absently out the window.

At five o'clock in the afternoon, the sun was slowly sinking into the horizon.

The streets of Laguna remained bustling, filled with laughter like a tidal wave.

If... I could share this sunset with him at that corner café, today would perhaps be perfect.

Unfortunately, she didn't have time.

Or--

He simply didn't have the time.

Sunshine, sea breeze, bustling crowds, and—the girl beside him.

That position should have been hers.

"...This is infuriating."

Koleta let out a soft breath, a fleeting look of sadness and disappointment crossing her eyes, as if she had been stung by something subtle.

"Has he forgotten... whose side he really is now?"

Cantrera is one thing.

But why is even Phoebe...?

Could it be that he really prefers the obedient and cute type?

Or am I just overthinking it?

Maybe... they just bumped into each other by chance?

Maybe.

Koleta slumped limply onto the table, her mind completely blank.

She had been busy all day—ever since the Fachibana family's foolish attack, the Motari family had naturally begun a full-scale takeover of them. And she, as a true Motari, naturally had to keep a close eye on it, not letting her guard down for a moment.

Now that I finally have some free time, my girlish heart is...

But it didn't brighten at all.

When I'm busy, at least I can temporarily put that morning scene aside. But now...

"...That guy wouldn't even send a single message."