```But Lin Da didn't notice her gaze, he was discussing something with Isa, laughing and jovial.
Lin Da wouldn't help her anymore. Lia's face turned pale as she faced this harsh reality.
As she stepped outside, Lia felt her steps were floating, her body seemingly weightless, stumbling to and fro.
"Sigh." A figure in robes sitting in a wheelchair beside her heaved a sigh.
"I had guessed you wouldn't make it, so I secretly followed you."
Lia, her mind elsewhere, looked up in surprise: "Ai... Aiko, what are you doing here?"
"I feared the captain might hang himself from a tree."
The cloaked figure revealed blond hair, indeed it was Aiko, looking none too pleased.
Though Aiko often mocked Lia, after three years of companionship, she had developed a certain fondness for the red-haired dwarf. Besides, Snow Goose genuinely needed that potion.
"I messed up, I didn't get the potion." Today Lia was somewhat vulnerable, not as tough-talking as usual.
"There's still a chance." Aiko said with a mysterious smile.
On a deserted street, Aiko and Lia suddenly appeared, blocking the luck-struck elven young boy Wenlai.
"Little brother, your sister here has something she wants to discuss with you." Aiko said with a soft, gentle smile. However, under the dark, windy night sky, dressed in a black robe, that smile seemed chilling.
"What do you want to do? I am just a kitchen boy!" Wenlai stepped back in terror.
"Don't worry, sister isn't interested in you, all right?" Aiko said, eyes smiling: "You have the potion in your possession, right? I'll buy it for twice the price."
"You're from 'Stargrave Adventurers', right? The average level of your team members is 21, you haven't even cleared the 11th floor yet. By the time you reach the 13th floor, the first kill of the hidden Magical Creatures would have already been claimed by Ice Flower."
"You won't even get the subsequent kills...not any of them. Now, I'm offering 200,000 gold for your potion, it's a guaranteed profit for you."
Wenlai's expression shifted again and again.
This big sister made some very compelling points.
Plus, if he didn't sell, something terrible might happen.
Wenlai grumbled and reluctantly pulled out the silver potion.
"Aiko, thank you."
Having obtained the potion, the two were on their way back to Snow Goose when Lia suddenly spoke out.
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Aiko gave her a surprised look.
This powder keg was actually being open with her gratitude?
If you had been like this earlier... how could Lin Da have left Snow Goose?
On second thought, it's also thanks to Lia not being too clever.
Otherwise... Aiko had a myriad of emotions in her heart, probably nobody else would have had a chance.
...
...
Meanwhile, at a nearby coffee shop.
This coffee shop, located in Sparrow District, is quite luxurious, with clean floors, neat round tables, and a pianist playing soothing music.
A girl with silver waterfall-like hair sat by the window, her stunningly beautiful profile captivating attention from patrons all around.
The girl was transfixed, staring at the young man opposite her: Lin Da was doing a final review of Ice Flower team members' information.
After all the adventurers had left, Lin Da was invited by Isa to this coffee shop to discuss strategies for the 13th floor.
Since returning from Red Heart City, Lin Da would intermittently work on strategizing.
Isa's requirement was to avoid any deaths or serious injuries, so he didn't have to spend as much time strategizing as he did while with Snow Goose.
Of course, the main reason was that Ice Flower's members worked harmoniously together, their number was greater, and their overall strength exceeded that of Snow Goose.
"We can start the day after tomorrow at the earliest, is that okay with you?"
Lin Da packed the materials, rubbed his slightly sore brow, and sipped the coffee on the table.
Not hearing a response, Lin Da spoke in surprise: "Miss Isa?"
"Ah."
As if she had been startled awake, Isa said somewhat flustered: "No problem, we've always been preparing for the 13th floor, I've watched quite a few strategy videos too."
"Are you feeling hot? Why is your face red?" Lin Da thought it was strange, recalling the last time they dined together, the Ice Flower Captain had been very composed. How had she suddenly turned into a shy girl this time?
"Yes, it's a bit hot." Isa drank her coffee to cover her embarrassment, feeling uneasy at the thought that the man before her might like her. Sёarch* The Nôvelƒire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
She pretended to casually gaze out the window and nonchalantly asked: "Lin Da, do you have a girlfriend?"
"Why sudden asking about that?" Lin Da, puzzled, replied: "No, I'm a perennial bachelor Mage."
"What a coincidence, so am I." Isa's pretty face showed a slight smile.
Under the cafe's warm yellow light at night, the girl in the white coat sitting opposite, her silver hair with a hint of graceful fragrance drifting over.
Lin Da's heart stirred: Everyone seems quite nice.
Whether it's Isa, Monica, Lulu, Aiko... Lin Da thought they were all exceptional girls.
"If possible, I'd like you to join my team and become part of the family."
Lin Da joked.
There was a bet between them; if Phoenix Tail Flower climbed higher than Ice Flower, Isa would have to join his team. If he failed in three years, he would honor the agreement.
Getting back to the subject, Isa was confident, once again the beautiful and composed Ice Flower Captain, almost like she was proclaiming victory: "Lin Da, I will make sure you become a member of Ice Flower."
"I return that sentence to you, exactly as is." Lin Da spread his hands.
Half an hour later, they settled on a start date for the strategy: noon, two days from now.
When they stepped out of the coffee shop to settle the bill, Lin Da reached for his Savings Card but found Isa had already paid.
Waving goodbye at the door, he thought to himself: She really is a mature girl. Compared to her, Lia seems to be aging in reverse.
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