Penguin Logistics' nest—well, more accurately, their primary workplace—was the bar owned by Emperor, The End of the Earth. Generally speaking, if anyone had business to discuss, or if something came up, it would be handled here.
It wasn't always like that, but Li Lin felt that after his own efforts and struggles, Penguin Logistics was at least far safer than he'd originally imagined.
In his memory, Penguin Logistics wouldn't last much longer before it scattered and split up, everyone going their own way.
Before that happened, producing a few good results, leaving a good impression, and ultimately staying in Lungmen to "farm some old-man coins" had been one of Li Lin's initial plans. And since The End of the Earth was the core base, it naturally sat at the center of that plan. So Li Lin's attitude toward Penguin Logistics and its internal dynamics was, in practice, very natural.
If you already know that one day you'll part ways—and you also know they won't abandon their ideals and convictions for something as simple as "coworker friendship"—then why not use this period, while you still have connections and the relationship is still close, to build some goodwill and leave yourself a way out?
Li Lin wasn't some top-tier succubus. He had no confidence he could make Exusiai forget her family and faith, or make Texas forget her homeland and bloodline, and just stay with him for life.
People like them were, bluntly, born for bigger roles. They were destined to become leaders and guides.
Operating under the principle of "coast, don't die," Li Lin did indulge in a purely appreciative, polite admiration of his beautiful coworkers—but he had never planned to stir up any truly outrageous "big news."
Fine. That was a lie. He'd thought about it.
After all, the people in Penguin Logistics were that good-looking and that unguarded. And in the first month, it had been midsummer. The air-conditioning had broken for a while, too. Li Lin could only describe that period as painful and blissful at the same time—and it also convinced him that his perceptions really were different from the people in this world.
But no matter what, all of that rested on one premise: Li Lin was actually living in this world.
Come on—Li Lin had been an ordinary person. He didn't have the power or ambition to change the world. He just wanted to slack off and lie flat. What was wrong with that?
And yet, looking at the bright-smiling blonde girl in front of him—and Texas' "go on" look—Li Lin still had the sinking feeling that if everything kept involving core issues like this, he might never find a "normal" cute girl in this lifetime.
Who could Texas possibly introduce him to?
Nothing but one heavy, intense woman after another—women who were all into Texas herself. Their orientation was completely off.
"Senior! I'm Sora, a new employee at Penguin Logistics! Please take care of me!"
A cute girl.
But—she liked girls.
Li Lin looked at the lively, adorable idol girl. His face pulled into a warm, enthusiastic smile, and he reached out to shake her hand in a friendly manner.
"Ah, Miss Sora! Of course I know you—Lungmen's hottest idol lately! I can hear your songs in every street and alley. I've even heard you're expanding into film, television, and opera performances soon? That's truly incredible!"
Speaking with a bright smile, before Sora could even respond, Li Lin smoothly continued:
"But I'm terribly sorry, Miss Sora. I'd genuinely love to help you, and I'd be happy to partner with you—however, I have something important right now. Or rather, something urgent. Could I ask you to wait for a moment?"
With that gentle smile still on his face, Li Lin turned from the cute blonde "pseudo-Lupo" idol and looked at Texas, who was calmly chewing on a pocky stick.
"Texas—there's still something off about that order of yours. Can we talk?"
With his back to Sora, Li Lin shot Texas a series of exaggerated winks and signals.
Texas stared at him in silence for a moment, blinked, and voiced her question.
"…Where?"
"Texas. I mean—can we talk in private?"
"Oh."
Texas nodded as if suddenly understanding, then stood up and walked into one of the bar's enclosed private rooms.
A moment later, she leaned her head back out, looking at Li Lin with mild confusion—apparently wondering why he hadn't followed.
…You still need to give people a reasonable explanation, don't you? Leaving her hanging out there like that—what was that supposed to be?
Faced with Texas' pure, straightforward execution, Li Lin could only take a deep breath, turn back to Sora, and flash a radiant smile.
"I'm very sorry, Miss Sora. As you can see, we have an urgent situation. You're welcome to have a drink around here, but please don't touch anything that looks expensive—especially the premium liquor and the vinyl records. Those are our boss's lifeline."
"Ah—okay! I understand!"
"Thank you very much for your understanding, Miss Sora."
Since Sora was being cooperative, Li Lin warmly pointed out a few bar options more suitable for someone younger—plus some hidden sweet drinks and desserts Exusiai liked to stash—then walked straight into the private room and faced Texas.
"Texas! How could you think to introduce her to me?"
"?"
Texas tilted her head, a puzzled look crossing her face.
Of course, Li Lin understood the meaning: she genuinely didn't know what he was talking about.
They'd worked together long enough that Li Lin could read her basic micro-expressions—especially when it was a beauty like her.
"Okay, no—of course I'm not saying there's anything wrong with her. I know she comes from film and music, and I know she probably doesn't have any bad intentions. She's a good girl. What I mean is: she and I are obviously not a fit."
"?"
A blink. A nearly imperceptible lift of the brow.
Li Lin understood that too: Texas was saying his explanation was unclear.
She really didn't understand what he wanted. She had simply chosen someone nearby who matched the "requirements" in the most literal way.
"That's not what I mean, Texas."
Li Lin glanced at the one-way glass. Outside, he could see Sora casually picking up a wineglass, clumsily trying to open a bottle.
He turned back to Texas and lowered his voice.
"Do you really think I can get along with an idol? If she's willing to come to Penguin Logistics, then she must be chasing something. You can't just treat her as—well, I mean, we have to figure out why she came, not just introduce her to me like this. I'm not that desperate."
"..."
Texas still didn't speak.
Her eyes stayed calm, but her ears and tail swayed—simple enough: Decide for yourself.
Of course it was his call. This problem existed because he was "repressed." Obviously he couldn't say "repressed" out loud, but this was an opportunity.
Sora's network was certainly broader than Texas'. Coupled with Sora's own intentions and the advantages of being an idol, Li Lin felt it was entirely possible that—when Penguin Logistics eventually went their separate ways—he might end up with a pretty girlfriend and a bright future.
"Thinking it through, maybe it isn't a big issue… Anyway, I'll go on an external assignment with her sometime and see how it goes."
Li Lin continued, shifting into business.
"Oh—also, don't forget to mention the Columbia matter to Emperor. And Lungmen seems to know something too, but I don't know what they want me to do. Tell Emperor that as well."
"…Mm."
Texas watched Li Lin without blinking, gently bit off her pocky stick, and her ears drooped slightly. Her expression remained calm—so calm that no one could tell what she was thinking.
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