Chapter Eighty-Three: An Unyielding Pursuit of Subscriptions

Arthur, while helping Shadow Moon dry her hair, said softly,
“Lanlan, Yu will be coming tomorrow.”
The relaxed expression on Shadow Moon’s face froze for a moment, then she replied lightly,
“Yes, it’s about time he came.”
She hadn’t looked at the affairs of the group for a long time. However—
Just thinking of that person made her heart ache, her breath catch, and perhaps this time, it was time to talk to him properly. She couldn’t let him wait endlessly.
“All done, your hair is dry.” Arthur switched off the hair dryer, put it away in the drawer, and took out a delicate wooden comb, gently brushing Shadow Moon’s silky hair.
“Arthur, you’re so good to me,” Shadow Moon sighed contentedly.
“Then hurry up and marry me,” Arthur joked, a dark gleam flickering in his sky-blue eyes.
Shadow Moon, still facing away, heard his words and her eyes flickered too, but she responded playfully,
“If you want me to marry you, you can’t just say it so casually. You have to be sincere, original, and… it should move me so deeply I cry my heart out.”
“Sincerity and originality, I understand. After all, every girl likes a romantic proposal. But must it be so moving you cry? We’re not parting in life and death, why make it so tragic?” Arthur was speechless.
“That’s the only way to make it unforgettable, a memory etched in my heart for a lifetime!”
“Lanlan, you mean you want a love that’s both painful and joyful?” Arthur gazed at the back of her head for a while before speaking, his tone unreadable.
“Such love is more profound, isn’t it?” Shadow Moon’s voice came muffled.
Arthur’s silence made Shadow Moon uneasy, and just as she was about to turn around—
Arthur’s laughter rang out, and before she could react, he pulled her tightly into his arms and whispered in her ear,
“Lanlan, you will definitely have a marriage proposal you’ll never forget for a lifetime.”
Shadow Moon smiled gently in his embrace, “I’m looking forward to it.”
“Let’s get some rest, you’ve had a long day,” Arthur said, holding Shadow Moon as they lay together in bed, pulled up the covers, and turned off the lights.
“But I thought you said I should rest well?” Shadow Moon’s muffled voice came from the darkness.
“Aren’t we both in bed, lights out?” Arthur replied seriously from the darkness.
“But with you like this, I can’t even turn over,” Shadow Moon grumbled.
“Do you want to turn left, right, lie on your back, or on your stomach?” Arthur asked earnestly.
“What does it matter to you?”
“Of course it does. Whichever position you choose, I’ll adjust accordingly.” Arthur said, and deftly rolled with Shadow Moon to the left, like conjoined twins. When she didn’t respond, in the darkness, Arthur quietly curved his lips and then rolled over, pressing her beneath him.
“Lanlan, so you like lying on your back? You should have said so sooner,” Arthur teased, rubbing her nose with his own, his breath hot in the dark.

Shadow Moon rolled her eyes in the darkness and gritted her teeth,
“Let’s just sleep on our sides.”
“Left side or right?”
“Get lost—”
The next day

Shadow Moon rubbed her sleepy eyes, reached for the spot beside her.
It was cold.
Startled, she opened her eyes wide and sat up in bed, looking around to find herself in her own room. She breathed out in relief, lay back down, turned over to face the right, and smiled softly at the creased pillowcase beside her.
“Knock knock knock,” came a knock at the door, “Miss, are you awake?”
“Yes, I’m up. Is there something you need?”
“His Highness asks that after you’ve finished washing up, please come to the lounge. Mr. Xiahou is here.”
Yu had come? So soon?
“Oh, alright, I’ll be right down.”
Shadow Moon quickly got up, ran to the bathroom, and after freshening up, skipped downstairs.

Lounge

“What did you say?” Xiahou Yu stared at Arthur, unable to believe what he’d just heard.
“I meant exactly what I said. I hope you won’t disappoint me,” Arthur said solemnly, looking at Xiahou Yu.
“But, what will Shadow Moon think?” Xiahou Yu protested, eyes reproachful.
“I’ll talk to Lanlan later. I trust only you with this matter, no one else.”
“But—” Xiahou Yu tried to argue, but footsteps interrupted him.
Arthur made a gesture for silence.
“What are you two talking about, so secretively? As soon as I arrive, you stop talking,” Shadow Moon pouted, sitting beside Arthur. She looked at him, clearly refusing to talk unless he spoke first. Arthur shook his head helplessly and smiled,
“Yu said there’s a banquet tomorrow. He wants to invite you as his dance partner and asked if it was alright.”
“Inviting me? Why not ask me directly?” Shadow Moon looked at Xiahou Yu, annoyed.
“Well… haha… I saw you weren’t up yet, so I asked Arthur first,” Xiahou Yu said awkwardly, rubbing his nose.
“Hmph, I’ll have to check my schedule. If I’m free, accompanying you is fine,” Shadow Moon declared, lifting her chin proudly.
The two men beside her instantly broke out in a cold sweat.

Xiahou Yu glanced at Shadow Moon and said softly,
“President Lan, you haven’t managed the company’s business for days now. Attending this banquet is your chance to make amends.” Xiahou Yu took a notebook from his pocket, flipping through it and marking something inside.
Shadow Moon twitched at the sight,
“What’s that?” Surely not a ledger made just for her?
“Oh, it’s a notebook for your daily schedule,” Xiahou Yu replied seriously.
As expected, Shadow Moon glared at him. Xiahou Yu wore a sleek black suit today, tailored to show off his figure, his hair meticulously styled as always, his angular face framed by thick dark eyes and sharp brows. He looked the picture of honesty and reliability, but who would have thought he was so shrewd?
Seeing Shadow Moon’s suppressed anger, Xiahou Yu secretly smiled, though his face remained unmoved. But his words—
“Shadow Moon, don’t worry, I only take such ‘meticulous care’ of you. For all others, I’m not so particular.” For others, dismissal would be immediate.
“Heh… heh, is that so?” Shadow Moon smiled stiffly. “Then I must thank you properly, Yu!” Her last word, “Yu,” was delivered in such a melodious tone that Xiahou Yu felt an ominous chill. But—
“Don’t you agree, Arthur?” Shadow Moon suddenly turned to Arthur with a sweet smile, tracing circles on his chest with her fingers.
Arthur, amused, took her hand, smiled warmly,
“Yes, you’re absolutely right.”
Boom—Xiahou Yu suddenly felt as if the sky darkened, the earth collapsed, the sun retreated, and his world crumbled to dust!
“No, wait, Shadow Moon, I—” Xiahou Yu stammered, wanting to fix his slip.
“Arthur, don’t we have something to do today?” Shadow Moon smiled seductively at Arthur, who nodded in response. With that affirmation, Shadow Moon turned to the flustered Xiahou Yu, “Yu, we have things to do, so we’ll be going now. See you tomorrow.” Without waiting for his reply, she pulled Arthur out of the castle.
Xiahou Yu started to rise and chase after them, but Steward Hill suddenly appeared behind him, bowing respectfully with his right arm extended,
“Mr. Xiahou, Miss requests that you finish this cup of tea before leaving.” Hill said, placing a steaming cup of tea before Xiahou Yu.
Xiahou Yu looked at the two receding figures, then at the hot tea, and a bitter smile crept onto his lips. He resigned himself, sat down, and blew on the tea.
Still, seeing those two so happy together brought him joy. Though such ordinary happiness was common for others, for them, it was a luxury. Remembering what Arthur had said to him just now, Xiahou Yu frowned again.
Hill saw Xiahou Yu had settled down and quietly withdrew, though his shoulders shook with silent laughter.

On a street lined with shops, two figures drew the gaze of passersby, everyone turning to look in their direction.
A man and a woman: the man was tall and well-built, wearing a sky-blue silk shirt with three buttons undone to reveal a sensual collarbone, paired with crisp white trousers that emphasized his straight, long legs. Most captivating was his wickedly charming smile and his golden hair, dazzling as sunlight, forming graceful arcs as he walked, making the women on the street swoon. The woman beside him was petite and curvy, dressed in a pale lavender sleeveless chiffon dress. The round neckline was embroidered with a delicate violet flower, highlighting her flawless skin, while a simple lace hem lent the dress an airy elegance. Her lips wore a gentle smile, not wicked like the man’s, but pure and angelic, her glossy black hair draped smoothly over her shoulders, gleaming in the sunlight as she walked, equally captivating all the men who passed.
Hand in hand, the two strolled leisurely through the bustling streets of London, a striking sight.

———Side Note———
Thank you, konglong561, for your subscription. Your support gives me the motivation to keep going. I welcome your feedback on my story!