Chapter 28: Don’t Worry, I’ll Help You Choose!
“I think… that won’t be necessary…” Xu Bai subtly avoided Uncle Lin’s gaze, turning her face slightly.
“Little miss, you really won’t attend?” Uncle Lin’s voice was laced with feigned surprise. He smiled. “It’s a banquet specifically arranged by General Glaimond to entertain the nobles of Vikarn Port—there will be plenty of delicious food. I’m sure you’d be interested.”
Xu Bai didn’t answer immediately, just looked at Uncle Lin.
His insistence on her attending the banquet, and his deliberate mention of Glaimond, made her suspect he recognized her.
However, if he truly recognized her as the “Xu Bai” who should have died in Saint Noyes, his reaction would have been far more dramatic.
So, who Uncle Lin thought she was remained a mystery.
He maintained his smile, while Lin Yan looked on, confused.
“Uncle Lin, what are you saying? How can we bring this little girl to that guy’s—”
“Mister, are you saying there will be lots of delicious food?” Xu Bai interrupted, looking up at Uncle Lin with anticipation.
“Of course. I guarantee you’ll be interested.” Uncle Lin bowed slightly to Xu Bai, then turned to Lin Yan. “Miss, let’s bring her along. I’m sure General Glaimond won’t mind another adorable child at the banquet.”
“He certainly won’t mind…” Lin Yan’s gaze darkened, her tone unfriendly as she mentioned Glaimond.
This was consistent with Xu Bai’s understanding of her old friend. With Lin Yan’s pride, she likely resented being under Glaimond’s thumb.
But as a noble, bound by her family’s arrangements, she had no choice but to accept the position of Garrison Commander, despite her reluctance.
She was also surprised by Uncle Lin’s unexpected suggestion. It was rare for him to take initiative, especially for a little girl he barely knew.
Could it be that after following Xu Bai, he had discovered something about her that aroused his sympathy?
But as far as Lin Yan knew, although Uncle Lin cared for her deeply, he always prioritized the family’s interests, rarely showing personal sentiment.
Regardless, since Uncle Lin had suggested it, and the little girl seemed eager to attend the banquet…
Besides, bringing a little girl to a banquet wouldn’t cause any harm.
It was just a meal, and there was always plenty of leftover food. It would be a waste not to share.
Lin Yan finally relented.
“Alright, let’s bring her along.”
“Very well, Miss. I’ll make the arrangements and inform the City Lord’s Mansion.” Uncle Lin bowed slightly and quickly left.
Xu Bai noticed him wink at her before leaving, but she didn’t react.
What was Uncle Lin up to?
She frowned slightly.
“Little girl, little girl?”
Lin Yan waved a hand in front of Xu Bai’s face, seeing her lost in thought. “Make sure you stay close to me at the banquet. There are many bad people there!”
“Okay… thank you, big sister.” Xu Bai curtsied, mimicking the gesture she had seen a few times before, though her attempt was slightly clumsy.
“So cute…” Lin Yan found the girl increasingly endearing. She reached out to pat Xu Bai’s hair again, but stopped herself mid-gesture.
The little girl didn’t like having her head patted… she should restrain herself.
“By the way, little girl, what’s your name?” Lin Yan suddenly realized she didn’t know. She couldn’t keep calling her “little girl.”
Xu Bai’s heart sank. Here it comes.
“Just call me Bai,” she said cautiously. “No need for ‘little’ or anything else. I don’t have a family name.”
“Bai…” The name reminded Lin Yan of the young man in her memories. She shook her head. “Alright, Bai. It’s a beautiful name.”
“Mm-hmm.” Xu Bai nodded repeatedly, relieved.
At least she hadn’t been given any strange prefixes or suffixes. This instantly improved her opinion of her old rival.
“However…” Lin Yan took a step back, examining Xu Bai critically. “You can’t go to the banquet looking like that…”
“Why not?” Xu Bai blurted out, then realized what Lin Yan meant, looking down at herself.
She was still wearing her simple, faded, and worn linen clothes.
Xu Bai had never cared much about her appearance, and her unusually striking appearance had already caused enough trouble this past year. Wearing plain, even unattractive, clothes was a way to avoid further attention.
Of course, thanks to Sasha’s rune, her conspicuous silver hair was now an unremarkable black, and her eyes were a normal human color.
Although still pretty, she no longer possessed that breathtaking, almost alarming, beauty.
However, attending a noble banquet required at least presentable attire, if not elaborate and gorgeous.
In these clothes, she wouldn’t even be allowed through the door. Even if Lin Yan brought her in, it would reflect poorly on her.
As if sensing Xu Bai’s discomfort, Lin Yan hesitated, then said, “You’re already very pretty, Bai, but for the banquet… you need to be even prettier.”
“I…” Xu Bai blushed slightly at the unexpected compliment.
She knew Lin Yan was just saying her clothes were too plain for the banquet.
But being complimented by a former comrade felt strangely… heartwarming.
“Don’t worry, don’t worry,” Lin Yan said quickly, seeing Xu Bai’s embarrassment. “I can take you to choose some new clothes. We’ll make you look beautiful.”
She looked at Xu Bai again, her tone confident. “Yes, definitely beautiful.”
“Clothes… no, I think I’ll pass…” Xu Bai suddenly realized that if Lin Yan chose her clothes, they would be… girl’s clothes. Perhaps even dresses!
That was unacceptable!
Although she had been a girl for a year now, she had never worn women’s clothing, always sticking to men’s attire.
Lin Yan mistook Xu Bai’s refusal for shyness. She puffed out her chest.
“Bai, don’t worry, I’ll help you choose!”
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