Game: Civilization Paradise

Three hundred mobile elevators stood here, each one capable of easily holding a hundred people. Different elevators traveled to different areas.

Many travelers boarded the mobile elevators here.

Long Ming glanced around before following the crowd into mobile elevator #46.

As the metal doors slid shut, the elevator began to move rapidly, heading for the H1 commercial street.

DING~

A few minutes later, the elevator doors opened with a crisp chime.

The moment Long Ming stepped out, his vision opened up. An incredibly bustling commercial street appeared before his eyes, filled with good-looking young men and women out for a day of shopping.

Virtual image screens all around continuously projected various advertisements.

"Fashion Paradise, Aisha..."

...

For a moment, Long Ming was in a daze, feeling as if he were still in the City of Stars.

He walked down the street and soon spotted a restaurant called Tingfeng Restaurant not far away.

The restaurant's decor looked quite upscale, so he walked over.

"Welcome, sir. Do you have a reservation?"

A tall waitress in a blue cheongsam asked respectfully.

"No. Please find me a quiet spot."

Long Ming replied simply.

"Of course. This way, please."

The waitress led Long Ming inside.

The interior of the restaurant was spacious, surrounded by rare green plants. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and the decor was exceptionally tasteful and elegant.

There weren't many guests dining at the moment, but every one of them was impeccably dressed and carried an extraordinary air.

Soon, the waitress led Long Ming to a seat in a corner by the window.

She opened a holographic virtual menu, displaying a variety of exquisite dishes, and said respectfully to Long Ming.

"Sir, these are our signature dishes. Please see if there's anything to your liking."

Long Ming glanced at the menu. The food looked good, but it was a bit expensive, with dishes easily costing hundreds or even thousands of Star Coins.

'Even if I had money, I wouldn't squander it like this.'

"I'll have the 50 Star Coin Selected Set for One."

"Very good."

"Excuse me, where is the restroom?"

The waitress pointed toward the back of the restaurant.

"Thank you."

Long Ming stood up and walked towards the restroom.

「A few minutes later.」

As Long Ming came out of the restroom and was heading back to his table, he suddenly spotted a familiar figure.

He stopped in his tracks, watching with great interest.

In a corner not far away, he saw Wang Yang. He was wearing a blue waiter's vest and a bow tie, grinning cheekily at a young woman in a red dress. She had light-red skin, delicate features, and lively eyes.

"Watch closely!"

"I'm not gonna look."

Keli replied playfully.

"Oh, you've got something in your hair."

"What is it?"

Keli asked, confused.

"Let me get it for you!"

As he spoke, Wang Yang raised his right hand, lightly touched Keli's bangs, and conjured a pink rose out of thin air.

"Wow, it's so pretty."

Keli snatched the pink rose in delight.

"Didn't you say you weren't going to look?"

"I changed my mind. After your shift, you're taking me to the Sikeman Auction."

Keli said with a grin.

"No problem! It would be my pleasure!"

Wang Yang replied with a wide grin.

"Then it's a date."

Keli left, in a very good mood.

Wang Yang stood rooted to the spot, a dopey, lovestruck grin on his face as he watched Keli walk away.

Just then, Long Ming walked up behind Wang Yang and remarked with mock sentimentality.

"Well, well. You really are the king of simps. Looks like all that sucking up is paying off."

Wang Yang started, whipping his head around to look at Long Ming. His expression turned to one of ecstatic surprise.

"Long Ming! You're not dead!"

"Were you hoping I was?"

"Tch, tch! Don't say that!"

"Haha! Surprised?"

Long Ming replied with a laugh.

Just as Wang Yang was about to respond, a voice called out from afar.

"Wang Yang!"

"Can't talk now, the manager's calling me. Let's catch up in a bit!"

"Go on."

Long Ming nodded and headed back to his table.

He returned to his table and sat down.

Before long, Wang Yang came over pushing a serving cart and began placing one exquisite dish after another on the table.

"Deep-Sea Cod, Aromatic Sea Duck... You didn't bring the wrong order, did you? I didn't order any of this!"

Long Ming looked at Wang Yang, intrigued.

"It's not the wrong order. I ordered them for you."

Wang Yang said with a sly grin, then pulled out a chair and sat down across from Long Ming.

"Are you treating me?"

"How could I? Look at me. Do I look like I have any money?"

"Then aren't you worried I can't pay for it? You know what my financial situation is like, don't you?"

Long Ming replied with a laugh.

"Just kidding. It's on me. Look how scared you were."

"That's more like it. But speaking of which, how did you end up here?"

"Making a living, of course. Don't look down on this waiting gig. A job like this is hard to come by!"

Wang Yang told Long Ming frankly.

"True."

Long Ming nodded.

"By the way, where have you been all these years? We thought you were dead. I even wasted a few tears on you."

"Nowhere, really. I was just in a coma for a while."

"I see."

"Right, are you still in touch with Bai Chuan and Wei Xiu?"

"Not much. They were split up and joined different legions in the Star Alliance."

Wang Yang said as he ate.

"Oh, who was that girl from earlier?"

"Miss Keli. My boss's daughter."

"Nice. You're a natural when it comes to mooching off a woman!"

Long Ming teased with a grin.

"Hey! Am I that kind of person? I'm a top graduate from Mountain City Mountain's First Advanced Academy, you know. They might not recognize my diploma here, but I still have my pride."

Wang Yang said, as if trying to convince himself.

"Sure, sure."

Long Ming replied with a smile.

Just then, Keli's voice called out from behind Wang Yang.

"Wang Yang, let's go!"

"Coming!"

Hearing her, Wang Yang immediately stood up and said to Long Ming.

"Sorry, man. I've got a date, gotta run!"

"Go on, get out of here!"

Long Ming waved his hand with a smile.

Wang Yang turned and hurried over to Keli's side.

"I'm here!"

"You're going to wear that?!"

Keli pouted, looking at Wang Yang's work uniform.

"Easy. Watch this!"

Wang Yang ripped off his bow tie, pulled a suit out of his bracelet, and put it on. Suddenly, he looked quite dapper.

"That's more like it. Let's go!"

Keli and Wang Yang walked out, chatting and laughing.

However, as they reached the entrance, the smile on Keli's face froze.

There, a middle-aged man in a black suit with a refined, scholarly air was talking to another middle-aged man. The second man had thinning hair, a round face, and wore a luxurious robe.

A young man standing beside them spotted Keli, and his face lit up. He was wearing a plaid shirt and had side-swept bangs, a high nose bridge, and a tear mole under the corner of his eye. He immediately called out.

"Keli!"

"Siel."

Keli walked over with Wang Yang, her expression cool as she replied.

"I heard you have your eye on a piece of jewelry. Why don't I go with you to the Sikeman Auction later?"

Siel said eagerly.