AZI Volume 4 Chapter 45

"Oh? Quite an odd sight to see you here during these times."

As soon as Long Hua enters the Mirrored Moon Café with Tian Cheng, the Owner tilts his head with a look of surprise on his face.

Shrugging a shoulder, Long Hua says—

"Office is being renovated. Basically, the entire squad has time off."

"Time-offs are meant to be treasured, aren't they? Well, what can I get you?"

"You still have cherry blossom wine?"

Ever since he finished the bottles that he had, Long Hua had been attempting to acquire more during his free time. However, the wine shops that he had visited would always say—it's out of stock, or that someone had purchased all of them beforehand via a special order.

"I do."

Saying this, the Owner reaches down the counter, and brings up three bottles, to which, Long Hua asks—

"Owner, do you actually know someone in the industry? All the shops that I've visited would say it's out of stock, or something along those lines."

"Hmm, I guess, you can say—it's because a brother of mine just so happens to know someone in it? These wines tend to go for quite a bit. You can probably find a few bottles being sold during an auction."

"They're that expensive?"

Sitting down in front of the counter with Tian Cheng, Long Hua can't help but widen his eyes a bit, while the Owner replies—

"Low supplies and high demands; it's common practice to charge a limb or two for items of this nature."

"Then, how much do you want them for?"

"Didn't you manage to acquire some items from the ruins?"

Upon being asked of this by the Owner, Long Hua looks to Tian Cheng, who nods, and brings out a necklace.

The chain of the necklace seems to be made from platinum. Attached to the ends of the chain is a butterfly body frame—with its wings made up of four rubies.

"Oh? This seems like it will fetch quite a high price."

Taking the necklace, and examining it, the Owner has a pleased look on his face, while Long Hua asks—

"How many bottles can I buy with it?"

"I'd say a total of 15, these three included."

"Have the remaining 12 ready for pickup. I'll drop by for them when I have the time. Hmm, I kind of want a regular supply of them."

"We can discuss the details after the shop is setup."

Upon the conclusion of their current deal, Zhou'er comes up from the back—dressed in her work attire, which is a maid-uniform.

"Oh? Long Hua being here during this time is quite unusual."

"Office is closed for today."

Momentarily, Yao Ying comes up from behind Zhou'er, and towards Long Hua, she greets him with a subtle nod—before starting to set up the tables for opening.

Sensing there to be a hint of tension between them, Zhou'er comes closer to the counter, and whispers—

"Did something happen between you two?"

"Something… I guess, minor for me, and major for her?"

Blinking her eyes, Zhou'er replies—

"I see? Well, since you're here, you got any plans to help out?"

"You hardly need any helping hands around here, do you? In any case, I'm no longer affiliated with NPI, so you know."

"So, you're basically unemployed?"

"…Bureau work counts for something, right?"

Leaving it at that, Zhou'er turns away from Long Hua, and begins to help with setting up the tables with Yao Ying.

Finished with storing the necklace away, the Owner places a short glass in front of Long Hua, and pours a bottle of wine for him, while saying—

"You seem concerned about something."

"Your bartender senses tingling?"

"Something like that."

Thinking for a bit, Long Hua replies—

"I doubt it's something that you could really help me with. Although… Hmm, you know anything about Lan Si Restaurant's proprietress by any chance?"

Picking up a giant block of ice, the Owner replies—

"The famous restaurant of the third ward?"

"What's it famous for exactly?"

Setting up the giant ice block for cutting, and with a knife in hand, the Owner answers—

"One plate of food costing around 1,000 NWD—minimum."

"…? What a rip off…"

As Long Hua takes a drink out of the short glass, the Owner explains—

"You see, Long Hua, people of wealth need places to spend their cash. Spending their cash is also a way of showing off, and to give themselves a reputation. To have the ability to buy the best, and to eat the best, that is what separates the super-wealthy from the run-of-the-mill wealthy, and it is what separates them from the commoners."

"Still 1,000 NWD…"

For a normal person, that's enough to have one full course meal at a renowned restaurant.

"In any case, the proprietress?"

Sawing away at the ice, the Owner replies—

"No one really knows the full name of Lan Si Restaurant's proprietress—other than her surname being Mo, as for which mo, that remains unclear. However, it's said that she's a Sinner."

Setting the glass down, Long Hua says—

"We live in the modern world here, Owner. There's got to be more specific details that you can give. Any rumors, or telltales from the internet? Actually, just get to the main point."

Shrugging his shoulders, the Owner replies—

"Hmm, she's rumored to be someone with red-colored hair, and doesn't look that old. Also, she enjoys listening to the flute. Other than that, it's said that she's quite a musician herself."

Hearing this, Long Hua looks to Tian Cheng, who has already started to investigate the matter with these clues.