Chapter 48: Progressing with California

Month's end, at night, in the food street.

The street was packed from end to end with tables, leaving only a narrow path barely wide enough for two people to walk side by side. Right now, the food street was bustling, the liveliest hour for late-night snacks.

"One down, three more to go!"

Hikaru clinked glasses with the flushed-faced California, tipping his head back to gulp down the beer.

The glass in his hand held a full liter of pale yellow, fragrant, freshly brewed beer, and he drained half in one go, the icy refreshment invigorating him.

"Ah, that's the stuff!"

California sipped hers in small mouthfuls, her face blissfully intoxicated.

"This fresh brew is amazing. Commander, let's buy some for home, okay?"

Sitting nearby like a little maid, Fletcher shook her head repeatedly. "It's hard to keep fresh. We can't store it at home."

Not far from the food street was a large brewery. Thanks to their proximity, they had first pick of freshly brewed draft beer—unfiltered and rich in flavor. This food street was famous for it.

Hikaru waved. "Boss, another 100 yuan worth of skewers!"

Fletcher, annoyed, scolded him, "Commander, too much grilled food causes cancer! Drinking too much also causes cancer! You're overdoing it!"

Fletcher was always the buzzkill, but Hikaru and California had long since learned to tune her out.

Biting into a skewer of grilled cartilage meat, Hikaru patted the table and exhaled. "Cali, no more for you. Watch me drink the rest."

Over the past few days of their "hell training," California had lost every single time. According to their bet, she had to drink five fewer mugs than Hikaru.

Holding her nearly empty mug, California looked up at him like a pitiful kitten.

"Come on, Commander, we finally got out from under Lady Lexington's watch. Let me enjoy myself~"

Hikaru shook his head. "Nope, rules are rules. Win next month, and you can drink all you want."

Fletcher suddenly piped up, "Commander, with your daily high-intensity training, you'll need knee replacements before you hit fifty! I saw a professor say so on TV!"

California snorted. "What kind of crackpot expert says that?"

"It was a university professor from Huadu, a medical expert!"

"I'm fine, don't worry. Here, Fletcher, have a duck heart and chill a bit."

Hikaru picked up a skewer of marinated duck hearts and held it out.

California joined in teasing. "Come on, Fletcher, say 'ah~'."

Blushing, Fletcher hesitated but took a bite.

Hikaru grinned, quoting softly, "That gentle lowering of your head… like a lotus trembling in the cool breeze."

Fletcher turned crimson to her neck.

Teasing her was just too much fun.

California wanted to whistle but thought better of it, remembering Fletcher's earlier glare. She knew better than to push her luck—Fletcher could easily take her down.

Just then, the deafening heavy metal music stopped.

The place Hikaru picked was famous—a food stall out front, a beer hall inside, complete with a small stage for live performances.

They'd ended up here because Fletcher insisted they avoid unhygienic street food. Only a shipgirl-run establishment could be trusted for quality and safety. It also happened to be famous for its beer and barbecue.

The only reason they'd gotten a table was because the earlier band had been blasting death metal since the afternoon, scaring off most customers.

California perked up, turning to Hikaru. "Commander, let me sing for you. If I do well, you'll buy me more drinks, okay?"

Hikaru waved dismissively, "Go ahead!"

Downing the rest of her mug, California grabbed a guitar and climbed onto the stage after a quick chat with the owner.

The owner was Alaska, a pink-haired battlecruiser shipgirl and rock music fanatic. The earlier performer had been the Swedish light cruiser Göta Lejon—a tiny girl whose death metal could make your soul leave your body.

California strummed a few chords to test the sound.

Hikaru frowned, recognizing the melody.

The simple strumming began. It wasn't perfect, but the crowd clapped politely—pretty girls always got some leeway.

Then California's raw, guttural voice erupted, startling everyone.

"Whose father has passed,

Tell me how to mourn.

Whose lover has gone,

Tell me how to forget…"

Hikaru set down his mug and squinted at Fletcher.

"You two read my diary, didn't you?"

Fletcher guiltily looked away.

"It was Cali! She said she wanted to cheer you up!"

So that's how it is. He'd come here thinking it was for her happiness, but it turned out it was his own heart that needed healing.

On stage, California continued, golden hair flying as she poured her soul into the song.

"Let me see you again,

Under the starry night.

Like a lone bird flying westward,

We were born to be alone…"

After the song ended, she waved frantically at Hikaru.

Pinching Fletcher's cheek, Hikaru stood up. "We'll talk later."

Fletcher pouted, rubbing her cheek.

Climbing onto the stage, Hikaru rested his hand on California's shoulder.

"Cali, my diary interesting to you?"

California immediately threw Fletcher under the bus. "Commander, it was all her idea! And I bet Lady Lexington's on it too! I'm just an innocent bystander!"

Honestly, there wasn't anything too personal in his diary—just scattered thoughts, old songs, poems, and such. Over the years, it had grown into a thick notebook.

California clung to his arm, nuzzling against him.

"Commander, you promised to sing for me, remember? Why don't I play and you sing? Please?"

He had said that once. When had Cali become so shameless? Who corrupted his cool beauty of a battleship?

Feeling the buzz from the beer, Hikaru pulled her close and smirked.

"Do you know Hotel California?"

California stiffened. She knew exactly what he was thinking—that old meme about her being the owner of the California Inn.

Still, she nodded quietly, "I've learned almost all the songs from your diary."

She'd spent her free time learning them, instead of slacking off.

Hikaru adjusted the mic. "Let's go, darling. The crowd's waiting~"

Laughter and cheers erupted from the audience.

As the guitar chords rang out, Hikaru closed his eyes and began to sing.

"On a dark desert highway,

Cool wind in my hair…"

As the song progressed, the mood grew more lively, the audience clapping along.

"Welcome to the Hotel California,

Such a lovely place,

Such a lovely face…"

Hikaru had once been tone-deaf, but after becoming a cultivator, he'd trained his voice. His life experiences added depth to his performance, transporting listeners to that mysterious hotel in a distant, forgotten era.

After the final note, the room erupted in applause.

The bar owner Alaska approached with a dark beer in hand.

"Fresh from the freezer—authentic German black beer."

Hikaru took a sip, his eyes lighting up.

"Why don't you sell this normally?"

"This is our private stash. You like it?"

Hikaru held the glass to California's lips, letting her have a sip.

"Incredible, especially the icy finish—it's like drinking pure soul."

"Glad you like it. How about one more song?"

Setting the beer aside, Hikaru nudged California. "Want to keep going?"

California strummed the guitar confidently. "Hell yes! I'll pick the next song, you sing."

"Man, I feel like a jukebox…"

California smirked. "How about this—you sing, and I'll give you a kiss?"

"Yeah, right. How about I sing, and you just try to look happier, deal?"

California arched a brow. "Deal. Make me smile then. Play Once You Were Here!"

As soon as she finished speaking, she started strumming.

Hikaru chuckled, grabbing the mic and swaying with the rhythm as he sang once more.

[End of Chapter]

[50 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]

[Check out my Patreon to read 20+ chapters ahead]

[p@treon.com/BellAshelia]

[Thanks for your support!]