Sleepless Sky Huole looked at Lin Yu very seriously, speaking with surprise.

"What, aren't you going to marry Sleepless Sky Huoxing?"

Lin Yu was also quite surprised.

"I'm actually very curious how you came to that conclusion."

Sleepless Sky Huole began explaining earnestly, "Because you need a legitimate 'identity' that can truly meddle in Sleepless Night Family affairs, and Huoxing's husband is a very good identity."

"Coincidentally, you are also attending Huoxing's coming-of-age ceremony—and as a guest, no less."

"I originally thought that with Mother's wisdom, she would also make this choice… and you were delayed for so long, you must have been scheming and trading something, right?"

"After all, you need a high-status identity, and Mother also needs to give Sleepless Sky Huoxing a proper 'arrangement'… having her marry you is the best option."

Hearing Sleepless Sky Huole's analysis, Lin Yu nodded.

Her analysis was indeed logical and thorough. Even Lin Yu felt that if it really were Fu Luo who came… this might actually be a possible outcome!

It was just a shame that all of Sleepless Sky Huole's deductions were built on a fundamentally wrong premise from the start.

The one who struck a deal with the Sleepless Night Family Head wasn't "Fu Luo."

However, Lin Yu certainly couldn't explain this causality to Sleepless Sky Huole.

Moreover, upon second thought, this rumor actually seemed beneficial to him.

He could completely use this rumor to conceal his true purpose of assassinating someone at the banquet.

So, Lin Yu spoke calmly, choosing an ambiguous attitude. "You certainly understand your mother well… However, regardless of what the Family Head's attitude is now, what I'm going to do isn't set in stone either."

Hearing Lin Yu say this, Sleepless Sky Huole also nodded. "I understand. So, the strategy for choosing gifts and formal attire later will need to change again… Furbollo, you have to remember you owe me."

"Do you really lack that bit of money?" 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Lin Yu looked at Sleepless Sky Huole and said seriously.

Sleepless Sky Huole took a sip of the drink in her glass as the server brought the appetizers.

"All this is coming from my personal account… This money that can't be reimbursed by the family is precious, different from other expenses."

"But I'm not asking you to repay money. I want you to repay a 'favor.'"

At the same time, Sleepless Sky Huole sighed. "And although I don't know what agreement you reached with Mother, it's obvious Mother doesn't intend to provide any substantive help… It's very difficult to orchestrate a situation where you can propose without leaking any news."

"Although Huoxing has a strange temperament and even a somewhat notorious reputation, precisely because of that, many powerful figures outside the Five Great Noble Families know she might 'marry beneath her station,' so she actually has many suitors."

Lin Yu raised an eyebrow. "Why avoid leaking news? Letting it generate gossip isn't necessarily bad."

"Rather… I'm looking forward to everyone's reaction when they hear about this."

"Do you want to use public opinion to build momentum? But that might make people target you," Sleepless Sky Huole said softly. "Even if they won't go too far out of respect for Mother's face, essentially… you still don't have a true 'public identity' that makes people wary."

"Before, no one targeted you because you hadn't touched their interests. If you want to join the ranks of Huoxing's suitors, the situation changes."

Lin Yu smiled.

"It's fine. I have my own arrangements."

Sleepless Sky Huole looked at Lin Yu, blinked, and then spoke.

"Furbollo… although I've known you for a while now, today, it feels like I'm really meeting you for the first time."

She leaned forward over the table, propping herself up and getting close to Lin Yu.

It was a very rude, crude gesture.

But Sleepless Sky Huole didn't need to mind etiquette in such a place. She wrapped one arm around Lin Yu's neck and spoke in a low voice, "You're very different today, much more decisive than before… In the past, I only thought you were a somewhat clever Otherworldly Visitor lacking courage, a Kept Man skilled at pleasing Mother."

"But today… that past timidity and aimless optimism seem like your disguise."

Saying this, Sleepless Sky Huole grinned, revealing her stark white teeth.

Her breath gently brushed against Lin Yu's face.

"Tell me honestly, Furbollo, you won't betray me, will you?"

Lin Yu looked at Sleepless Sky Huole and chuckled dryly.

"Tsk, this Young Mistress is having another episode. She just did this this afternoon, and now she's baring her teeth again."

"This time it's even in a public place."

Lin Yu inwardly grumbled.

Although the restaurant had few customers and the booths were visually blocked by various decorations, there were still plenty of attendants, bodyguards, and servers around.

With Sleepless Sky Huole making this move, before the rumor of "Furbollo pursuing Sleepless Sky Huoxing" could even spread, gossip about him and Sleepless Sky Huole would probably start circulating instead.

If Old Zheng hadn't been stored in the [item space], he could probably immediately launch into a lengthy analysis about the lack of security behind Sleepless Sky Huole's unstable emotions and other issues.

However, Lin Yu didn't have that professional analysis, nor a professional solution.

Lin Yu gently used his index finger to lift her chin and close her mouth.

"Of course I won't—Huo Le, I promise you."

Lin Yu said softly, his voice full of affinity and persuasiveness.

He didn't need professional plans or psychological tricks.

Since Sleepless Sky Huole lacked a sense of security, Lin Yu could naturally play the part of a reliable, reassuring figure for her.

Sleepless Sky Huole stared at Lin Yu for a long time, looking into his now-light-colored eyes as if trying to read any wavering in him.

"If I become the Family Head, I'll give you back your freedom."

She spoke without context, then released her hand and sat back in her chair.

Lin Yu looked at Sleepless Sky Huole and was just about to tease her in Fu Luo's tone when he heard Sleepless Sky Huole abruptly change the subject.

"There seems to be some commotion at the entrance…"

Following Sleepless Sky Huole's words, Lin Yu turned to look toward the restaurant entrance and realized she wasn't entirely just changing the topic.

A new wave of black-clad bodyguards and attendants flooded into the restaurant, all wearing golden badges on their chests.

The badge design was a blooming three-leaf, seven-petal flower.

Just as Lin Yu was curious about their origins, Sleepless Sky Huole spoke up in surprise.

"People from the Saint-Land family… what are they doing here?"

Then, after the bodyguards cleared the way, the main personage also entered the restaurant surrounded by an entourage.

Sleepless Sky Huole frowned.

"Sheng Lan Kui…"

"And also, Sleepless Sky Huo Shu?!"

In the crowd, she saw a very familiar figure.

Meanwhile, Lin Yu on the other side subtly straightened his posture.

Because he also saw someone somewhat familiar—not referring to Sleepless Sky Huo Shu.

But the "Team Leader"—the captain designated by the employer who issued the C-77 commission.

"Is the Sheng Lan Kui you mentioned the guy in tall boots next to Sleepless Sky Huo Shu?"

"Yes, that's him."

Hearing Sleepless Sky Huole's confirmation, Lin Yu let out a breath.

"Damn it, I really hit the jackpot."