Chapter 92

Chapter 7: Linda Nord

The patriarch of the Nord family was dressed in a sky-blue, stand-collar suit, with golden silk ribbons intricately wrapped around his shoulders, giving him a particularly spirited appearance. Coupled with his straight posture and a gentle yet powerful speaking voice, he exuded the air of a scholarly general. Standing beside him, hand in hand, was the matriarch, wearing a deep purple silk dress. Though it was adorned with no jewels or other expensive embellishments, it conveyed a simple and elegant beauty. Ye Qi, standing at the edge of the crowd, carefully observed the Nord family’s patriarch and his wife. He had to admit that the patriarch must have been a handsome and dashing figure in his youth. Although the relentless passage of time had left indelible marks on his forehead, his demeanor and charisma remained unmatched by anyone present. As for the matriarch, who had become the wife of such a distinguished man, she naturally possessed remarkable beauty. Even though she had entered middle age and lost her youthful vigor, her steady and graceful demeanor made her even more radiant and captivating.

Seeing their simple attire and the fact that the matriarch wore only a thin gemstone necklace, Ye Qi couldn’t help but look at them curiously. Although he hadn’t counted the number of guests in the hall, every guest who had passed by him was dressed more lavishly than the Nord couple. Even if they maintained a frugal lifestyle, they shouldn’t have let the family lose face in such a grand occasion.

"Lost face? You really are ignorant, boy!" Odd Wolf, always eager to mock Ye Qi, chimed in, "Did you see that thin gemstone necklace? It looks similar to the gemstone necklaces others wear, but this one is actually hand-woven from fine gold threads. Its value is ten times that of others, and it has a history of at least three hundred years, making it an antique! As for the patriarch’s suit and accessories, you’d probably have to sell all your assets and the bar to afford just the sleeves or an additional pant leg!"

Although Ye Qi wanted to argue, his lack of knowledge in this area left him speechless, and he could only respond with a resentful hum. This hum seemed to encourage Odd Wolf, who began to incessantly comment on the attire of the people around Ye Qi.

After Odd Wolf’s chatter and the patriarch’s courteous opening remarks, the main guest of the evening finally made her appearance. The Nord family’s young lady, inheriting the excellent genes of both her parents, was undoubtedly a beauty. Her slightly bashful expression, paired with a white dress, made her resemble a startled princess, evoking a protective instinct in those who saw her, wanting to step forward and be the knight who battles the demon.

Many of the young and handsome men present were seeing the Nord family’s rarely seen young lady for the first time and were immediately captivated by her stunning beauty and bashful demeanor. Even those who weren’t completely entranced still showed admiration or appreciation. Only Ye Qi’s face showed no admiration, appreciation, or infatuation, but rather a look of surprise.

How could it be her?

Ye Qi’s eyes widened in shock. Although a year had passed, he still remembered the timid girl who had approached him on the train, thanks to her striking beauty. He never imagined that she would be the Nord family’s young lady.

"Hmph! Last time, when you told me to flirt with her, did you already sense something different about her? And this time, when you told me to prepare carefully, was it to win her favor?" Ye Qi inwardly sneered. Connecting the dots from a year ago to the present, a vague main thread formed in his mind. He then bluntly questioned Odd Wolf, "Tell me, what are you really up to? What does the Nord name represent?"

"I just want to break this seal as soon as possible! You only understand when you lose it! Nothing compares to freedom!" Odd Wolf’s tone was filled with helplessness. "As for Nord, it means the sea in ancient language, or someone favored by the sea, or a child of the sea..."

"What does that have to do with your seal? Don’t tell me that if I sacrifice her to you, you can break the seal!" Ye Qi was not moved by Odd Wolf’s lament and continued to press for answers. It’s best not to believe a demon’s lament, as it often turns out to be a lie, and the one who gets hurt is never the demon...

"Of course not!" Odd Wolf immediately denied it and then dodged the question, "My situation is very complicated, and at your level, you can’t understand it! Pay attention, they’re coming. Remember the benefits and responses I taught you..."

While Ye Qi and Odd Wolf were conversing, the Nord family’s patriarch had already warmly greeted his daughter and a few old acquaintances and introduced his daughter to the surrounding guests. Ye Qi, standing at the edge, was clearly the last guest to be introduced.

As a result, both the hosts and the guests in the hall turned their eyes toward the somewhat unconventional Ye Qi—his relatively clean and neat black windbreaker and black pants, and his already creased military boots, were already equated with poverty, the lower class, or even a beggar in their eyes. If the host were not the Nord family, even Ye Qi’s somewhat proper manners would have been questioned.

"Mr. Ye Qi, I’m glad you could make it!" Gail Nord smiled, holding his wife and daughter, and introduced the new head of the Demon Hunter Association’s Bay Area branch with a friendly demeanor, "This is my daughter Linda and my wife..."

"Beautiful lady, esteemed madam, it’s a pleasure to meet you..." Ye Qi’s words were, of course, relayed by Odd Wolf. From the moment he saw Ye Qi, Linda Nord’s beautiful eyes widened and she stared without blinking. Fortunately, her upbringing prevented her from exclaiming in surprise...

He’s here! He really appeared on my birthday! My wish has come true...

At that moment, Linda’s mind was filled with the wish she had made to a shooting star the night before...

After some small talk between Gail and Ye Qi, the successful businessmen and social elites once again led their children, presenting congratulatory gifts and introducing their sons to the Nord family’s patriarch and matriarch. As for the young men with ulterior motives, they tried to appear refined or charming, hoping to leave a good impression on the beauty. However, it was clear that they would be disappointed...