Chapter 165: Reunion with an Old Friend

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"Rest assured, my lord! I'll take you there right away. The tavern you're looking for is quite famous in Soto City. The owner is said to be a powerful Soul Master, so no one dares to cause trouble there. Among all the taverns in Soto City, this one is top-notch!"

Seeing the gleaming gold soul coin in Lin Ye's hand, the waiter couldn't help but rub his hands together, his eyes brimming with excitement and eagerness.

"Xiao Lan, I'm taking this esteemed guest to a tavern. That shouldn't be a problem, right?"

After enthusiastically promising Lin Ye, the waiter turned to a female attendant named Xiao Lan with a fawning smile.

"Go ahead, but don't keep this lord waiting."

Xiao Lan smiled as she responded, though there was a hint of jealousy in her heart. Even so, she wouldn't dare hold the waiter back. After all, he was merely guiding Lin Ye, who happened to be one of their tavern's most valued patrons.

If she caused trouble over this and ended up offending Lin Ye—leading him to stop staying at their Violet Orchid Grand Hotel—the manager would undoubtedly fire her on the spot!

"My lord, this way!"

With Xiao Lan's approval, the waiter beamed and eagerly led Lin Ye out of the hotel.

After weaving through several streets, they finally arrived in front of a tavern.

"My lord, this is the place!"

The waiter grinned and pointed at the sign above the entrance, which read Phantom Tavern.

"Let's go in and take a look."

Lin Ye nodded lightly and took the lead, stepping into the tavern.

Even though it was daytime, the Phantom Tavern was lively and bustling with patrons drinking and chatting loudly. As Lin Ye scanned the room, his gaze suddenly landed on a small, familiar figure behind the counter, her head lowered as she focused on something.

A smile appeared on Lin Ye's face as he walked over.

"One drink, please!"

Standing at the counter, Lin Ye tapped it with a smile.

"This is the cashier's desk, not the bar!"

Hearing his voice, Su Ying frowned in irritation and stopped her bookkeeping. She raised her head abruptly—only to freeze in shock.

"Lin… Lin Ye?!"

"It's been a while, Su Ying."

Lin Ye greeted her with a faint smile.

Behind him, Tangyuan, who had been playing around with Zhu Zhuqing, suddenly perked up at the familiar voice. Without hesitation, the little creature scurried off Zhu Zhuqing's shoulder, darted past the counter, and leaped onto Su Ying.

"Squeak! Squeak!"

"Tangyuan! Long time no see!"

Su Ying's eyes lit up with joy as she hugged the small creature, rubbing it affectionately against her cheek.

"Lin Ye, it's really been so long! Come with me, I'll take you to see Sister Xielin. She's been thinking about you a lot lately, worried you might not show up!"

Still holding Tangyuan, Su Ying excitedly stepped out from behind the counter, grabbing Lin Ye's hand and attempting to pull him inside.

"Aren't you supposed to be handling the accounts? If you leave now, who's going to do it?"

Lin Ye was momentarily taken aback by her enthusiasm.

"Oh, come on! Who cares about some drink tabs? It's just a bit of money, and we're not exactly short on it. Seeing Sister Xielin is more important!"

Su Ying urged impatiently.

"Hold on a second."

Lin Ye gently freed his hand from her grasp. He turned and walked over to the waiter, who was still watching expectantly. Taking out a handful of gold soul coins, he handed them over as promised. Then, he addressed Jin Crocodile Douluo and Zhu Zhuqing.

"Senior Jin, Zhuqing, wait here for me. I'll be back after catching up with some old friends."

With that, Lin Ye followed Su Ying deeper into the tavern.

Jin Crocodile Douluo watched Lin Ye leave before slowly making his way to an empty table and sitting down in silence.

As for Zhu Zhuqing, now momentarily without Tangyuan, she made her way behind the counter and took a seat.

---

"Sister Xielin! Sister Xielin!"

After passing through the main tavern area, Su Ying led Lin Ye into the courtyard at the back. She stopped in front of a room and knocked excitedly while calling out.

"Ugh… you little brat! Do you have any idea how late I was at the Great Soul Arena last night? Can't you let me sleep in peace?!"

A drowsy and irritated voice came from inside the room.

Moments later, hurried footsteps approached, and the door suddenly swung open.

A disheveled Xielin stood there, her hair slightly messy and her face still carrying traces of drowsiness. She was clearly annoyed—until her gaze landed on Lin Ye.

Her expression froze.

Without a word, she abruptly took a step back and slammed the door shut.

"Su Ying! You little brat! Lin Ye's here, and you didn't even warn me?! Are you trying to embarrass me on purpose?!"

From inside the room, the sound of frantic rummaging could be heard, followed by Xielin's flustered voice.

Su Ying chuckled sheepishly. "Oops, I forgot! But come on, Sister Xielin, I was so excited! You should've been mentally prepared!"

"Hmph!"

Xielin's only response was a sharp huff.

After a brief commotion inside, the door finally opened again. Xielin had freshened up, her usual cool and elegant demeanor fully restored. She greeted Lin Ye with a bright smile and eagerly pulled him into the room.

"Lin Ye, take a seat!"

After dragging him inside, she quickly fetched a chair and placed it in front of him.

As for Su Ying… perhaps as a bit of payback, Xielin didn't bother getting her a chair.

But Su Ying, familiar with the room, simply grabbed one for herself and sat down.

"It's been five years, Lin Ye. You've grown even more handsome! Even I'm feeling a little smitten~"

Pouring him a cup of tea, Xielin sat down and teased with a playful smile.

"Sister Xielin, you flatter me. But if anything, these past five years have only made you even more mature and beautiful."

Lin Ye responded with a smile of his own.

"Haha! You've certainly learned how to sweet-talk. Five years ago, you weren't this smooth!"

Xielin giggled, covering her mouth as she laughed.

"People change. I didn't spend five years in Spirit City for nothing."

Lin Ye took a sip of tea and smiled.

"Speaking of Spirit City, how have these past five years been for you there?"

Xielin asked, clearly intrigued.

"Not bad. I spent a few years studying at the academy, graduated, and then came here as promised."

Lin Ye replied casually.

"That's good to hear. When you left Eternal Night City for Spirit City, we were all worried about you. That place is complicated, and without anyone to look after you, we feared you might struggle."

Xielin sighed with a hint of nostalgia.

"Thank you for your concern, Sister Xielin."

Lin Ye felt a warm sense of gratitude.

"Oh, enough of this sentimental talk! We haven't seen each other in years—tonight, we're drinking till we drop! And tomorrow, I'll have Su Ying take you on a proper tour of Soto City. It's your first time here, right? You need a proper guide!"

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