At noon, the sun hung high overhead, bringing a touch of warmth to everyone in the cold winter.
A private room in a coffee shop.
Linda changed into a navy blue bathrobe, wore the "Sea and Sky" brand watch given to her by Isa, and wore wooden clogs. With her hands tucked into her sleeves, she gave off a relaxed and comfortable feeling.
Linda booked this private room a month in advance.
The lobby downstairs was packed with people, and it was rare to find a quiet private room.
This is where they agreed to meet.
Linda smiled as she looked at her teammates sitting on the sofa.
Monica was wearing an orange yukata, with a huge white bow hair clip in her long brown hair, and her small hands shyly holding her handbag.
Seeing their youthful innocence and beauty, Linda felt a surge of tenderness and protectiveness.
Then there's Lulu, dressed in a blue yukata, exuding composure and maturity, with small white flowers adding a touch of allure as she quietly sips her coffee.
Kaphni needed to rest and didn't come. But where was Tasia?
Linda thought to herself, puzzled.
In the morning, he also saw Tasia wearing that maid outfit.
It seems that my first step in education has failed?
Linda glanced at her watch; there were only about 10 minutes left until the agreed-upon 12 o'clock.
Binghua and Xueyan's people have yet to appear.
He could understand the latter, but Isa was probably the kind of person who was very punctual.
"Let's not wait for them, let's go by ourselves," Lulu suggested.
Linda shook her head. "Let's wait a little longer. Maybe the traffic is too bad."
With one minute left until 12 o'clock, the door to the private room was suddenly pushed open.
"Phew... I'm not late, am I..."
"We made it! We made it!"
Two girls, one in silver and one in red, each leaned against a wall, panting heavily.
They were covered in sweat, their yukatas wrinkled, as if they had gone through a fierce battle on their way to the cafe.
What's going on with you guys?
Linda asked in surprise.
"Sorry, the traffic was unexpected. When I met Leah, she insisted on seeing who would get there first, so we had a race...it looks like it's a tie."
Isa smiled awkwardly, looking at her slightly dirty white yukata, and said apologetically, "Linda, I'm sorry you had to see this."
Leah said with a stern face, "I'm not late, let's go!"
"No rush, wait a little longer."
Linda said.
The team members from Binghua and Xueyan haven't arrived yet.
Of course, Linda was unaware that Lia and Isa had not informed their teammates at all.
At this moment, Linda's attention was focused on the two girls' outfits.
Isa wore a white yukata, like a pure little flower emerging from the mud, while Leah wore a fiery red yukata with many flame embroidered patterns, her red hair was styled in an updo, and she wore a peony hairpin carved from jade.
The girl revealed her snow-white neck, her small face was lightly made up, and her pink lipstick shone with a jelly-like luster. Paired with the peony hairpin, she unexpectedly gave off a delicate and charming feeling.
Linda suddenly realized that Lia had grown into a beautiful young woman.
"You are all very beautiful."
Linda offered a simple and unpretentious assessment.
Isa smiled generously: "Thank you for your compliment."
A look of panic flashed in Lia's eyes; she hadn't expected Linda to be so blunt.
She had originally intended to say something defiant, but when it came to her lips, she let out a soft "hmm," her feet, encased in black stockings, twisting and turning.
Leah suddenly felt that the sun was much brighter today, and she could smell a hint of richness in the bitter aroma of coffee.
"That hairpin."
Linda hesitated for a moment: "They look familiar."
“It was a gift from you,” Leah said. “Instead of throwing it away, let’s use it for now.”
The other three people in the private room looked at the hairpin in Lia's hair in surprise.
It was actually given to her by Linda?
Apart from Monica, who received a magic doll, neither Lulu nor Isa received a gift from Linda.
A sour smell filled the private room.
Linda keenly sensed that something was amiss and added, "Actually, it didn't cost much, only 10 gold coins."
“Monica wants one too.”
"Me too."
Lulu looked at Linda with resentment.
Isa saw the intimate scene between the members of the Phoenix Flower team, opened her mouth, but swallowed her words.
“I want one too.” Leah readily joined the crowd asking for gifts.
When Isabella saw how brave, or rather 'shameless', Lia was to ask the kicked teammate for a gift, she was stunned and felt a little jealous.
Sometimes, being ill-mannered is a good thing.
At least you won't have too many worries.
If she had even a tenth of Leah's courage, she wouldn't be so conflicted.
"Buy them all."
Linda rubbed her temples, glanced at Isa standing awkwardly to the side, and joked, "Captain Isa got a share too."
This is the "snack theorem"—if snacks are shared with most people, and only one person doesn't share, even if there's no malicious intent, it will still leave an unpleasant memory for that person.
Moreover, Linda doesn't dislike Isa.
Of course, everyone gets a share.
Isa lowered her head shyly: "Th-thank you."
Seeing Isa's unnatural expression, the group was puzzled. The captain of the Ice Flower seemed a bit off.
"By the way, where are your teammates? Why aren't they here yet?"
Linda checked the time; several minutes had already passed.
"Team members?"
Leah was stunned for a moment, then stammered, "You...you didn't just invite the two of us, did you?"
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