Chapter 61: Chapter 61

Mary was cleaning the bathroom when she heard a sound of the open door.

"Miss? Is that you?" She asked after washing her hand on the sink. However, it's not Cecilia who opened the wardrobe.

"What are you doing here, Miss Ambrose?"

Havana smiled warmly, "Hello, Merry. I want to pick up my clothes."

"What do you mean, Miss Ambrose? And my name isn't Merry. It's Mary." The maid said while she crossed her arms.

"Wow, your employer has a good taste at fashion style. I will take this." She said when take an elegant sky-blue dress.

It was tight but full dresses which consisted of a long tunic, together with a stylish veil which fell down from the head, completely covering the neck.

A golden thread was sewn along the lace work. An embroidered lace and several small sapphire stones were used to decorate the dress.

"Wait! It's Miss Lancia's dress! Don't touch it!"

Havana harshly jerked the maid's hand, "Hey! I already got permission from the Young Miss! Look at these letter!"

Mary took the letter and shocked when she found her employee's handwritten on the letter. "How did you… But, Young Miss didn't say anything to me! You must be forged this!"

Havana laughed, "Why don't you ask by yourself, Merry? Well, I have no time to arguing with you. So, I'll take my leave."

"Okay! I will ask Young Miss. If you lied to me, I will complain to Baron Ambrose."

"Do whatever you want." She said with a confident smile. It must be taking several days when she gets the reply. By the times come, she will be in Capital and chatting happily with her noble friends.

----

"It's so wonderful!" Cecilia almost drool when saw so many familiar dishes on the table. Ramen, kung pao chicken, sashimi, yakitori, and several dim sums. "But, are you sure about this, Max? They look so expensive."

"Don't worry. If things go wrong, we can escape by using teleportation."

"How could you do that immoral thing?"

Max ate his noodles, "Just kidding, Chili. They didn't as expensive as you think. Hong port has lower currency exchange rate than Atrazal Empire. Besides, didn't you want to eat this tasty noodle?"

"Well, then. Thank you for the foods," Cecilia gulped. The smell of ramen soup was very appetizing. She took the chopstick and eat the noodles. It's thick and straight, but so chewy. "This is so good!"

"I told you." Max said, while he drinks the soup directly from the bowl.

Cecilia know there is a bit of difference between this Japanese's ramen and Korean's ramyeon.

Usually, the soup is fish-based broth combined with katsuoboshi (tuna flakes), niboshi (dried sardines baby), shiitake, onion and kelp.

It's a bit different with Korean's ramyeon which is spicier and thicker than this.

"I hope we have a kimchi."

"Why are you so obsessed with that pickled? Try this. Yakitori is so delicious! How come grilled chicken taste like this?"

Cecilia, takes that skewered grilled meat and smell it. Basically, there's nothing out of the ordinary from the seasoning of this grilled meat. But, the difference came from the way it grilled.

Charcoal is the preferred method of cooking as it produces high heat and strong flames while giving off little to no water vapor. This allows for the ingredients to cook quickly while imparting a crunchy texture to the skin.

"No wonder if this place is so popular." She said while eat the yakitori.

An hour later, Cecilia and Max finished their meal. After eating deserts, she barely can walk because her belly was full and heavy.

"Wait here, Chili. I will pay the bill."

"Yeah." She said while waving her hand.

When Max exits, a young man with an oriental face and round glasses greet and bows to him. "Welcome, Master. I'm sorry for not greet you earlier."

Max let out a heavy sigh. "Let's talk in somewhere else."

The man in glasses was Shan Li. A member of Scorpion's guild and the owner of this restaurant. It's not a secret that Hongport has the important role to the business in this world.

But, not everyone knows that the shadow market which under Scorpion's has more powerful impact to Hongport's economic.

Aside of the espionage action which they do to blackmail the governments who are doing corruption or money laundry, they were doing an illegal action to control currency rate, too. Not because Scorpion need to adding up their wealth, but to stabilize their economy situasion.

This is happened because of two main reasons.

One, the government sets the local currency at some arbitrary level to another currency that does not reflect its true market value.

Second, a government makes it difficult for its citizens to own much or any foreign currency.

Thanks to the Scorpion's help, that two problems was solved and the currency of Hongport back to reasonable rate.

Max and Shan Li then built this restaurant to scout the situation of Hongport.

But really, delicious food is necessary to smoothen their goals. Now, even the government unaware of this fact and used this place to hold the secret meetings.

It's make Shan Li job get easier. But, he wonders why did his master come without notice.

"Master, is there something happened?" He asked when they already reach Shan Li's private office.

The room's space is small but comfortable. It's only consisted of a pair of couch, tidied wooden desk and several bookshelves which full of business books.

Max shrugged when he sits on the one of black leather couch. "Nothing. I just want to eat."

"Eat?" Shan Li's dark brows raised.

"Why did you look so surprised?"

The man in glasses gulped when heard the cold voices from Max. Quickly, he bowed deeply and say. "I'm terribly sorry. Please punish me for my rudeness, Master."

"Just give me the bills."

Shan Li flinched, "But, you don't have to pa--."

"Shan, I hate to repeat myself.

Even it was hidden from his mask, but Shan Li know that the muscle on his employer's forehead was flinched.

"I will prepare it for you, Master. Please wait for a moment." He said while exited the door.

One minute later, Shan Li came with a small white paper. Max took the bill and examined it, "Good. I will send this along with your monthly salary."

"Your kindness is unparalleled, Master." Shan Li bowed until Max left the room without saying anything.

But, still, he's feeling a bit curious about the guest who accompany his cold master. A waitress told him that Max was came with a charming woman.

This is the first time he heard about this. First, he thought that perhaps she was an ordinary client. But, Max rarely escort anyone. He preferred to stay in his desk and thinking about the next step.

So, he thought that this woman must be a special case.

Then he casually came to the front door and pretend to have a conversation with the waiter when he noticed that his master was walking in his direction.

Shan Li almost panicked that Max will stare a dagger to him.

But, his worries are unfounded.

Max's never left his eyes off that young girl even for a second. He looks so happy, and Shan Li almost not recognize him.

When they almost reached the door, the young girl with purple eyes stopped and asked Max with informal language, "Hey, how do we say 'thank you for the foods' in Hongport's language?"

Max tilted his head. Pretend to not noticed about Shan Li's presences. "Xie-xie is enough."

"Xie-xie? Okay!" Then she walked to Shan Li's direction and said those words with bright smile before she left.

Shan Li frozen for a bit before he noticed that his master was stared at him with that dark cold eyes.

The waiters and him quickly bowed to avoid that evil gaze. Then, Shan Li come with a strong feeling that the girl who smiled at him is the future Mistress of Scorpion's Guild.