Chapter 162: Chapter 162: Inviting Friends for a Happy Gathering
After a day, the vast majority of people had returned to their usual routines.
There was no helping it. They had been living in this world for over a month now; those who couldn’t accept reality wouldn’t have survived this long.
However, they had all grown a bit more vigilant toward the Otherkin in their hearts, which could be considered a good thing.
After all, people shouldn’t sell themselves out for a few small favors.
Since Faye Yardley was inviting people over, she naturally had to make preparations.
Although the weather was hot, the two outdoor thatched gazebos still needed to be set up.
At three in the afternoon, two Ice Basins were placed under the loungers in the gazebos. Just as she had envisioned, two pots of blooming sunflowers were placed between the gazebos, and a blooming cherry blossom tree was set in the shade of the gazebos.
The nearby wooden fences were covered in climbing roses.
Coupled with her raft’s defensive Attributes and the protection of the Energy Protection Tower, her raft was already slightly cooler than others’. Now with the Ice Basins for cooling, the effect was immediate.
A table was placed in the middle of each of the two gazebos, laden with fruit, sunflower seeds, and the Ru-ware lotus tea set she had just obtained yesterday.
"Sister, the refreshments have just been steamed. Do you need them cooled down quickly?"
"No need. Just bring them out and place them on the tables. Make sure the cushions and seat pads are all laid out."
"Okay."
Faye Yardley also placed two chairs under the cherry blossom tree, where people could sit to fish and chat.
Directly opposite the cherry blossom tree were the open French doors of the balcony.
Just then, Eamon asked, "Sister, the Chinese roses and white peonies are blooming beautifully. Should I move some over to decorate this area?"
"When the party is about to end, cut a few of the best-looking white peonies, wrap them up, and give them to the guests as parting gifts."
"Understood."
Seeing it was about time, Faye Yardley began sending out the invitations.
The moment Kyle Lewis arrived, his "wows" wouldn’t stop. He knew the group leader must be doing well, but he hadn’t expected her development to be so far beyond his imagination.
Leo Sloan and Wade Warren arrived one after the other.
Faye Yardley had just greeted them when Finn Ford and Caleb Colby also arrived.
"Yardley, your progress is insanely fast! But it still looks a bit empty," Caleb Colby said with a grin, looking around.
"You’re here! You can go sit in the gazebos over there, or rest inside. Anyway, there’s plenty to eat and drink, so do as you please." As Faye Yardley spoke, she introduced them to each other.
But the two groups of people truly didn’t know each other.
Still, they were all young, and Caleb Colby’s personality meant he quickly hit it off with Wade Warren and the others.
Before they could head off, Gavin Donovan arrived. He was familiar with both sides, and with him acting as a social lubricant, even Finn Ford and Leo Sloan managed to find common ground.
Gavin Donovan said directly, "Come on, the boss has all the good stuff here. Let’s head to the gazebos. We can still fish up treasure chests at this time of day. We can eat, chat, and fish for chests at the same time—kill several birds with one stone."
Kyle Lewis said, "Then let’s have a competition to see who can fish up a treasure chest first. Whoever does is the best."
"Deal! I’ll definitely be the best," Caleb Colby was the first to agree.
No one else objected.
Faye Yardley, however, found it a bit strange. ’Is there any point to a bet like this?’
’So what if you’re the best?’
’Men’s brains are just baffling.’
Not long after the guys left, Bonnie Callahan and Eleanor Jonas arrived.
"Bao, have the others not arrived yet? Oh, hello, hello! I’m Bonnie Callahan." Bonnie Callahan noticed the stranger beside her, who seemed vaguely familiar, and quickly introduced herself.
Eleanor Jonas offered a perfectly standard, polite smile and extended her hand. "Hello, Eleanor Jonas."
"Wow, so you’re the famous Jonas."
Eleanor Jonas looked at Faye Yardley. Faye smiled. "They’re over at the gazebos. They said they’re having a competition to see who can fish up a treasure chest first."
"Then I’ll go have a look too. Pierce might be a little late. He said to tell you please don’t mind, and that he’ll finish up his work and hurry over as soon as he can."
Faye Yardley waved her hand dismissively. "It’s fine if he’s too busy to make it. I just didn’t want to miss out on the event and took the opportunity to host a little something."
Facing Faye Yardley, Eleanor Jonas’s smile became much more sincere. When she finished speaking, Willow Yardley came over to lead her to the gazebos.
Just as Bonnie Callahan was about to speak, Ethan Yardley arrived.
"Faye, have all the guests arrived?"
Faye Yardley: "Everyone’s here except for Mr. Pierce. Brother, this is Miss Bonnie Callahan. Miss Bonnie, this is my brother, Ethan Yardley."
"H-Hello." Bonnie Callahan felt a little nervous. ’Why are top players not only powerful but also handsome?’
Ethan Yardley nodded at her with a faint smile. "Hello."
Feeling he didn’t have much to say to a girl, and hearing the others were at the gazebos competing to fish for treasure chests, he strode over, quickly catching up to Eleanor Jonas and Willow Yardley.
"Bao, your brother is so cool."
Faye Yardley looked at her, surprised. "Yesterday, you were crying your heart out. How come you seem completely fine today? Have you figured things out?"
Bonnie Callahan hummed in agreement. "I was heartbroken for them for a whole day, but I realized being sad is useless. I’ve recorded this debt. When I’m stronger in the future, I’ll help them get payback. If I wallow in sorrow, I might lose my own life, and then there’d be one less person to avenge them."
"It’s good that you can think that way. It seems your time in the training room yesterday wasn’t wasted."
"Yeah, and thank you for that. Can I go in again today?"
Faye Yardley nodded. "Of course, why not? It’s not even 4 o’clock yet. Let’s go over and sit with them first. Willow made a lot of delicious food, you should try some."
When they went over together, the gazebo area was indeed lively. Ethan Yardley and Eleanor Jonas were sitting under the cherry blossom tree chatting, each holding a fishing rod.
Everyone else was also lined up, fishing in what they each believed to be their best fishing posture.
It had to be said, the overall atmosphere was excellent. There was food and drink, and everyone knew at least some of the others present.
Faye Yardley didn’t have any special agenda, so as long as everyone was happy, that was all that mattered.
The first to fish up a treasure chest was Finn Ford. After earning the Title "Ultimate Treasure Chest Angler," he was clearly delighted.
After talking with Eleanor Jonas, Ethan Yardley discovered that for many matters, she still needed Zachary Pierce to make the final decision. So, he decided to have a good chat with Zachary Pierce later when he arrived.
’A win-win cooperation, after all.’
Eleanor Jonas sipped her juice, watching the lively scene. The atmosphere here was very different from Logan Langdon’s place.
"Hey everyone, come and get some freshly made mung bean cakes and some newly brewed sweet rice wine." Faye Yardley and Willow Yardley came over with trays of food and drinks, placing them on the tables for everyone.
Kyle Lewis: "Wow, did Miss Willow make all this? The osmanthus rice cakes from before were amazing, but I only got to eat one piece before they were all snatched up. This time, I’m eating two!"
Faye Yardley: "Don’t worry, there’s plenty. Eat as much as you like. Willow’s cooking is truly delicious."
