Whether intentionally or not, although separated by a table, she had almost half her body leaned over it, bringing her face quite close to Lin Yun. A glimpse into her slightly open neckline revealed sothing that was not quite ant to be seen, out of politeness, Lin Yun imdiately looked away.
However, it was but a fleeting glance, yet he noticed that today's outfit appeared sowhat different from her previous shabby appearances. Not only was her hair neatly combed, but her clothes also seed to have been washed and nded, looking quite fresh and clean.
Was she preparing for sothing?
Such thoughts crossed his mind, and Lin Yun unobtrusively took the teacup, briefly checked it with Magic Power to make sure it didn't contain anything else, and then brought it close to his mouth.
He knew that no matter what the real purpose of her gourd was, he now seed to have no choice but to drink this in order to find out the truth.
Then drink it, he thought.
Upon tasting the liquor, a mild burning sensation spread across his mouth, and after confirming again that there was no odd taste, Lin Yun swallowed it, then raised the cup, gesturing towards her.
She smiled satisfactorily.
Only then did she straighten up and sit back in her previous seat, picking up her own teacup, "That's more like it. You're a grown man; it's just a drink, no need for all this fuss."
Saying this, she also brought the cup to her lips, tilted her head back, and, as if drinking plain water, chugged it down in two big gulps. After a few gulps in her throat, she went "Ha" loudly and slamd the teacup down on the table.
"Refreshing! Good drink on a festive day is truly a fine thing!"
After saying this, she opened a packet of duck neck next to her and pushed the bag to the center of the desk, "Co on, don't forget the snacks to accompany the drink!"
Only at this mont did Lin Yun start to sowhat believe that this person might have really co just to drink with soone.
However, realizing this only deepened the confusion in his heart—could there really be such laid-back individuals among Magical Girls, even among those who were experienced veterans?
Unfortunately, the answer to this question was inevitably hard to deduce from the current scene, and he could only pretend to blend into this twoso drinking session.
She was still like her first ti visiting the Abnormal Strategy Bureau, seemingly not considering the effects of getting drunk and constantly serving herself more alcohol while also frequently urging Lin Yun to drink.
Lin Yun did not engage in her banter, only leveraging his years of experience in the drinking scene, following her lead by sipping at intervals—he appeared to be drinking frequently, but in reality, very little went into his stomach, and he even surreptitiously spilled quite a bit onto the floor.
Drinking was one thing, but he dared not get drunk. Even though becoming a Magical Girl would sober him up imdiately, even if he got completely drunk, the impact on his thinking and judgnt was already worth his utmost caution.
In addition, he secretly sent a ssage to Lin Xiaolu on his phone, telling his daughter that soone was discussing business with him in the Director's Office and asked her to take a walk around before coming back.
Thus, as the liquor brought by her nearly ran out after three rounds, and only a pile of broken bones remained in the bag of marinated at, she leaned back with so satisfaction, resting against the chair back.
"Ah, bliss, sheer bliss."
Although she had picked up the marinated at with her bare hands all along, her hands were still impeccably clean. She patted her stomach and belched leisurely, "Indeed, this is the true flavor of the New Year."
"Are you satisfied now?"
Lin Yun's face appeared flushed, as if he was slightly inebriated, but in reality, he was completely alert, "So, what is this 'other matter' you ntioned earlier?"
"Oh, Director Lin, don't be in such a rush."
Looking indeed like she was tipsy, hence her voice was several decibels louder, "n who are too hasty aren't popular with the ladies, you know."
"I believe I've been patient enough."
Pointing to the nearly empty bottles in front of him, Lin Yun's expression remained unchanged, "Since you burst in here proposing a drink, it has been over half an hour. I think it's ti for you to fulfill your promise, Miss Canna."
As he said this, despite having sent a ssage to montarily hold back Lin Xiaolu, he knew this situation couldn't be sustained much longer. Allowing her to linger here might indeed end up waiting until Lin Xiaolu returned.
In using the na "Canna," there was of course a calculation—he deliberately called her by the codena she used while still serving in the court, to emphasize that he still did not accept her position as a mber of the Claw Marks. After all, the sight of the Director of the Abnormal Strategy Bureau drinking with a Magical Girl from the Claw Marks was truly hard to explain if word got out.
Moreover, this codena was initially brought up by Canna herself when they first t, as she was then trying to conceal her identity as a mber of Claw Marks and get through undetected.
But what he hadn't anticipated was that after he had spoken, Canna fell into an inexplicable silence.
"Canna..."
After a long pause, she murmured to herself, "It really has been a long ti since I've heard this na from soone else, but for so reason, it feels like it was just yesterday."
"This is the codena you told yourself."
Lin Yun hinted, "Although I later verified that it indeed exists, it was just a forr na."
"...Yes, it's a forr na now."
Leaning back in her chair, Canna nodded rather nonchalantly, "Now I am no longer the Arbitrator Canna of the Magic Kingdom, but an executive of Claw Marks—Canna."
"You don't seem ashad to speak of your betrayal to the kingdom."
Lin Yun looked directly at her, "But from your actions, I can't see the resolve of a villain either; your behavior totally does not match what I know of 'Claw Marks'."
"Hmm, you are quite right, I am just a half-baked villain."
Canna smiled, "But, your understanding of 'Claw Marks'... what do you think we 'Claw Marks' are in your eyes?"
"...Coveting the power of magical girls, yet shunning the responsibilities that co with being a magical girl, breaking ties with colleagues, choosing to side with enemies, a traitor."
After a brief pause, Lin Yun frankly said, "From any perspective, you should not be considered good people."
"Haha, truly sparing no feelings."
Canna took it in stride, showing no sign of soone who was being accused, "I won't deny it, a half-baked villain is still a villain. You say I don't act like a villain, but do you know? Whether intentionally or not, my hands are still stained with the blood of innocents."
"I have no intention of delving into the truth or lies of your words, but I will maintain my bias that 'Claw Marks are all evildoers', so, I am puzzled by your actions."
Lin Yun's expression was unreadable, "Why do this? You've been in Fangting for almost two months now, and during this ti, you've clearly had plenty of opportunities to commit evil acts. Since you're not a good person, why act like a regular tourist?"
"What if I said I really just wanted to take a vacation... Would you believe ?"
Canna blinked innocently. Seeing no reaction from Lin Yun, she imdiately deflated, "Well, that really makes no sense, I give up."
"Since you so want to know the truth, I'll tell you."
She steadied herself on the table, her inebriated body swaying as she stood up, then staggered across the desk that lay before her.
Before Lin Yun could react, she had already walked behind him.
Then, she placed her hands on the back of the chair, slowly lowered her head, and whispered into Lin Yun's ear.
"Let tell you the real reason I ca here tonight is actually..."
— "Who are you?"
Canna's words were interrupted by a voice from the door.
Lin Yun and Canna both looked up, to see that the door to the Director's Office had already been opened; Lin Xiaolu was standing there, staring at their figures, her expression blank.
She hesitated, seemingly pondering sothing, then after a long while she raised her hand, pointed at Lin Yun, and said:
"Are you having an affair?"
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