CHAPTER 380: CHAPTER 380 ARIEL

"Let’s go, we haven’t finished shopping yet, let’s continue strolling." Xu Ke extended his hand to Lin Mengyao, completely ignoring the person lying on the ground.

Just as the two turned around, the three people behind him exchanged a quick glance, one of them slowly broke away from the group, while the other two remained as usual, following behind Xu Ke.

"Oh? He was taken down?" Upon hearing the report from his subordinate, K raised an eyebrow in surprise, accidentally snipping off a flower branch with the pruning shears, instantly ruining the entire aesthetic, causing K to curl his lips in dissatisfaction. His subsequent snips were no longer as careful as before, instead becoming much more casual.

"Weren’t you saying he’s formidable, with ironclad strength, and yet he was defeated so easily? Truly disappointing. Alright, I’ve got the message, you may leave. Order someone to replace this completely ruined bonsai with a new one," said K as he forcefully trimmed away all the branches of the messily pruned bonsai in front of him.

"Yes."

In a villa located in the East District, a man addressed as Knight was teasing a Tibetan Mastiff at his feet with a piece of meat still dripping with blood, watching it open its large mouth with drool dripping, full of desire yet restraining its instincts from grabbing it, obediently crouching at his feet.

"What, lost?" Knight’s voice bore an indescribable somber tone, like an ornament placed in a warehouse for hundreds of years.

And the person kneeling at the doorway was the man who had fought with Xu Ke earlier that day, along with the woman who drew a gun.

"Yes," the man replied.

"What do you think of him then?" Knight tossed the meat into the Tibetan Mastiff’s waiting mouth and wiped the blood from his fingers onto its fur.

"He’s not to be underestimated," the man answered.

"The Orient truly is a fascinating place." The man placed his foot on the Tibetan Mastiff, crossing his hands on his knees, eyes half-closed as if contemplating something.

"What’s so fascinating about the Orient? What are you all talking about? Why are so many people in the living room, don’t you feel stifled?" The newcomer’s voice was unlike the typical clear and melodious feminine voice, carrying a hoarse and deep tone, yet it wasn’t unpleasant, a classic example of a lady with a husky voice.

As she spoke, the woman who was initially outside stepped over the threshold and walked in.

She was a typical American, with snow-white skin, a tall stature, blonde hair, blue eyes, an angelic face, and large eyes with a childlike innocence.

"Why has Miss come?" Knight removed his foot from the Tibetan Mastiff, stood up, and bowed to the newcomer. Instantly, the living room was filled with voices of greetings and lowered heads.

"It’s too boring, so I came to take a look. What were you discussing just now? I want to know too," Ariel unabashedly sat in the main seat, blinking her eyes and tilting her head as she stared directly at Knight.

Knowing well the temperament of this young lady, Knight held nothing back, directly gesturing for someone to repeat what was said earlier in front of her.

"Huh? Are Orientals really that impressive? I’ve heard that Orientals all possess magical martial arts, but I don’t know if it’s true." Ariel supported her chin with her hand, her face showing a thoughtful expression.

Fully understanding Ariel, Knight first fell silent briefly, his eyes filled with deep helplessness and indulgence. Watching Ariel leave swiftly again without obstruction, only after she left did he call over his most trusted subordinate, "Assign someone to protect Miss at all times, and if anyone poses a threat to her, eliminate them on the spot." A fleeting ruthlessness flashed in Knight’s eyes.

Ariel was unaware of how many people were protecting her from the shadows around her, and even if she knew, she wouldn’t care at all. She was completely captivated by the mention of Orientals.

Lately, she had developed a keen interest in the mystical Orient. Now, aware that two Orientals had appeared in the West District, she almost felt like a bird returning to the forest, completely indifferent to the rivalry between the two areas, happily stepping into the West District’s jurisdiction, heading for the place she had heard about.

"I wonder if they’re still around." Ariel muttered softly, holding her small handbag.

But she was undoubtedly lucky. When she found Xu Ke and Lin Mengyao, they were shopping in a jewelry store.

"Hey, thank God, I found you guys after all." Ariel blinked her star-filled eyes, joyfully looking at the two people before her.

"Are all Orientals as good-looking as you? You’re both much more attractive than what I’ve seen online." Ariel said with her eyes sparkling.

"Do we know each other? Is there something you need from us?" Even though they had been recently troubled, Lin Mengyao couldn’t bring herself to get angry at such a face, and at eyes so bright, her tone involuntarily softened, as Ariel’s eyes were too beautiful, carrying an innocent purity like that of a child.

"I’m Ariel. I came to know what the Orient is like, are all Orientals like you, beautiful and skilled in martial arts? Right, that word is martial arts, right?" Ariel unhesitatingly reached out to grab Lin Mengyao’s hand, then displayed a look of surprise, "Wow, your hand is so soft and delicate."

Lin Mengyao didn’t expect the other party to be so enthusiastic and proactive, her cheeks instantly turned red, like a red apple.

"Why did your face suddenly turn red? Are you shy? But why be shy, I’m not a handsome guy, do you like women?" Ariel blinked her large eyes, continuing to ask incessantly like a curious baby.

Just as Lin Mengyao was feeling embarrassed and unsure what to do, Xu Ke reached from behind Lin Mengyao, separating their clasped hands, "Sorry, miss, my wife isn’t accustomed to being in such close contact with strangers." Xu Ke completely enveloped Lin Mengyao’s hand in his own, wearing a distant yet polite smile as he spoke.

Although the other was a woman, Xu Ke still felt a bit jealous.

"Huh? You have a nice smile, and you’re really tall too." Ariel gestured at the height difference between them, eyes showing a look of surprise. As for what Xu Ke had just said, what was that? She didn’t take it to heart at all.

"The Oriental men I met before were all shorter than me, you’re the only one taller, and you’re better looking than all of them." Ariel said, cupping her chin in her hands.

"Thanks for the compliment, but I want to continue shopping with my wife, so feel free to do as you please." Xu Ke took a step back, holding Lin Mengyao, as he said.

For some reason, Ariel exuded no sense of threat, and for Xu Ke, she wasn’t even a threat, but his instincts told him to keep his distance from her, the farther the better.

Xu Ke expressed his displeasure, wishing she would go play elsewhere and not disturb their time together, but she acted as if she didn’t understand at all. Not only did she not leave, but she came closer again, "What’s there to shop for, if you like it, buy it all, or do you not have money?" Ariel tilted her head and asked.

"We simply enjoy the process, and we do not wish for anyone to disturb us, so please keep your distance and do not interrupt." Xu Ke’s smile diminished considerably, his gaze towards Ariel becoming solely cold.