Chapter 41 This melon is big, green and sweet

"Captain, perseverance is key in everything you do."

Winnie said sweetly, but her mind was filled with a hundred schemes.

Damn, is anyone up for a bet? Even a ten-thousand-lios bet would be fine. Let me earn some pocket money; these poor bastards are no help at all!

Over there, Rachel had just sat down. Planning an event was actually quite exhausting, from venue decoration to personnel allocation. She had been busy for the past two days.

But it was worth it. She and Luo Lan both got what they needed. It was clear that Luo Lan was very satisfied with this event. While helping him boost his popularity, she could also claim a minor achievement within the Autonomous Council. At Luo Lan's level, he wasn't merely pursuing power and achievements anymore; he needed prestige and influence.

As for herself...

"Rachel."

Just as she was thinking, Fantasia had already approached her, nervously rubbing his hands in front of the sofa, his face full of smiles: "Can... can I invite you to dance?"

Rachel rubbed her temples tiredly and smiled: "I'm really exhausted. Maybe next time."

Among those in her pond, Fantasia was the only one who could keep providing without getting any return, at least for now.

"Ahh!" Fantasia was taken aback and asked with concern: "Are you feeling unwell? Do you have a headache?"

"Just a bit tired, nothing serious. Go play with your friends; I'll sit here for a while."

"Sure, sure, rest here! Don't drink alcohol, I'll get you some hot water!" Fantasia volunteered eagerly and ran off to the long table. But by the time he returned with the hot water, another man had already appeared beside Rachel's sofa.

Ma Tan, whom Fantasia recognized, was a third-year student at the Wizard Academy and the vice-captain of Rachel's team. He was a notable figure within the academy.

"Dance, dance! What are you sitting around for?" Ma Tan wasn't particularly tall, about 170 cm, a full head shorter than Rachel in her heels. Yet his expression was lively, as if he had just warmed up on the dance floor.

He grabbed Rachel's hand. Being a member of the Wizard Academy, he always sought out beautiful women whenever he could.

Rachel was pulled up from the sofa, but there was no anger on her face. She just smiled: "Can't I rest for a moment?"

"Dancing is the best rest! We're here to have fun, let's get going!" He slapped her ample rear.

"Hands off!" Rachel lightly slapped his hand.

"Hehe, feels even fuller. What, afraid Luo Lan will see? He's busy," Ma Tan grinned slyly: "Rachel, don't forget, I introduced you to the team. Don't burn bridges."

"Senior Ma Tan, you're such a petty man. I'm just a bit uncomfortable, and wouldn't it be bad if Senior Lina misunderstood?"

"No worries, I can handle it." Despite saying so, his hands did become more restrained.

They each had their own motives. Ma Tan was a lecher, and Rachel wanted to climb higher. They were a perfect match. However, Rachel's recent constant attention to Luo Lan had made Ma Tan a bit unhappy.

Fantasia, carrying the hot water, watched in astonishment as the two entered the dance floor. He finally remembered to shout: "Rachel, your hot water?"

"Thanks, I feel much better. You can have it." Rachel smiled back, warming Fantasia's heart.

"Who's that fat guy?" Ma Tan grinned slyly on the dance floor. "Don't tell me he's a distant relative; the genes don't match."

"Don't talk nonsense. He's just a regular friend, very caring."

"What kind of care? Look at that fatso, his eyes haven't left your chest, right?" Ma Tan grinned mischievously.

"There's nothing between us. He's a good person."

"I'm a good person too, hehe."

Ma Tan's face was almost buried in Rachel's chest, and she had pushed him away several times: "Stay away from scum like him. Once they latch on, they won't let go. I'll find someone to teach him a lesson!"

"This is Senior Luo Lan's party. Do you want to cause trouble?" Rachel smiled: "I'll talk to him later. Don't stir things up."

Seeing Fantasia dejectedly carrying a large cup of hot water back, Winnie couldn't help but laugh. If she hadn't wanted to maintain her image, she would have jumped up to celebrate for Fantasia.

"Ah-sshi-bah hyung, Ah-sshi-bah hyung! That guy is so annoying. Look at his hands, touching her everywhere! So rude!"

Fantasia awkwardly smiled and gulped down the hot water: "Kids know nothing. That guy is the vice-captain of Lei Lei's team, a comrade. This is normal interaction!"

"Here, have some melon." Old Wang handed him a slice of green dragon melon: "Look how big and sweet this melon is, and the color is perfect."

Fantasia took a bite of the melon, looking regretful: "Lei Lei is still a bit unwell. Sigh, it's all my fault."

Wang Feng and Winnie exchanged glances. Brother, she's doing 360-degree spins, and you say she's unwell? Can she fly when she's well?

"Ah-sshi-bah hyung, have some water." Winnie excitedly handed him a glass of green apple juice and a piece of matcha cake: "Have some cake too!"

"No need for the cake." Fantasia drank the apple juice but didn't take the cake, sighing: "Ah Feng, if our Old Wang team had that kind of strength, it would be great. We still have two spots open."

"Brother, let's not talk about it. Drink, drink."

The music continued to blast, and everyone in the dance floor was having a great time. After a few rounds of drinks, everyone's spirits were high.

Wu Di was still eating voraciously, trying to finish everything on the long table as the captain had instructed. His belly was already bulging.

Fantasia held a bottle of wine and started singing "Her Purity, Her Beauty" to himself. Kela sat on the outer side of the sofa, watching the colorful party, her heart calm.

Unlike Wu Di, who came from the impoverished north, Kela, as a warrior from the southern tribes, came here with a sense of mission. She wanted to integrate into human society and learn from their advanced ways.

The prejudice against Beastmen on the continent was deeply ingrained. Admittedly, Beastmen had once been labeled as stupid, poor, and lazy, but they were making progress. In recent years, more young Beastmen like Kela, with dreams of reform and changing the perception of their race, had emerged.

But reality was cruel. The most tragic part was that her biggest enemy wasn't outsiders but other Beastmen. Kela faced ridicule from within her own community.

Karida's approach gave her a glimmer of hope, which led her to the Rose Holy Sanctuary.

However, entering the sanctuary only intensified her experience of discrimination. Perhaps only the Old Wang team was different. Though its members weren't entirely reliable, they didn't discriminate.

Why am I here? Just to sit around?

Why come here at all?

Someone has to take the first step.

Kela stood up and proactively asked the waiter for another drink. She needed a bit of alcohol to give her more courage.

"Hi, junior!" A deep voice sounded beside her. It was a rather tall and sturdy boy, about two meters and three centimeters tall, and his voice was full of ruggedness and strength. "I've been noticing you for a while. Can I have a drink with you?"

Kela quietly looked at him without responding.

"My name is Wu Haotian, a third-year student at the Martial Dao Courtyard. What's your name, junior?" the boy said gently.

He had been observing this girl for quite some time. She was definitely a freshman; he had never seen her before. She was tall and slender, not like the typical skinny girls, but particularly sexy. Rachel was already beautiful, but he felt this girl was even more so, and she remained quiet. How had he not noticed such a gem before?

Seeing that Kela did not speak but did not refuse either, he grew even more enthusiastic. "Your outfit is really impressive. In my eyes, you're the queen of this ball. Would you care to dance with me?"

"I... don't really know how to dance," Kela said slowly. Her heart was conflicted, but this was the first time in the Holy Sanctuary she had heard such a gentle voice, and Wu Haotian was a well-known senior at the Martial Dao Courtyard.

"It might be a bit abrupt, but I can teach you. Would you grant me the honor?" Wu Haotian said politely.

Kela gritted her teeth. It's just dancing, what's the big deal? If she wanted to integrate into the human world and break down discrimination, she had to take the initiative to make the first move.

Instinctively, Kela's tail swayed back and forth a few times, and Wu Haotian was slightly taken aback by this sight.

(Lords, the old skeleton is working hard to stockpile chapters. Are you ready with your silver? Don't be scared when it's time to go live!)