NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 35: The Couple’s Test
Chapter 35: The Couple’s Test
After Aierjisi and Yake entered the Fallen Area, they were instantly attacked by the residents living there. However, before Aierjisi could make a move, Yake single-handedly took care of the gang of ruffians, getting them in line.
While Yake dealt with them, Aierjisi sensed other commotion and thought it might be the watchers approaching. She rushed ahead alone, only to find that it was Reina and Xier who were being hassled by the thugs. Without hesitation, she stepped in and saved them. By then, Yake had finished dealing with the other bunch and joined them.
“Mom? Xier? What are you two doing in the Fallen Area?”
Seeing his family in the Fallen Area left Yake a bit bewildered at first. But it quickly dawned on him—his mother was the one keeping an eye on him. With Reina’s way of doing things, if he was out having fun with girls, she’d definitely come to watch. Yes, that had to be it.
“Of course, we were just passing by, right, Xier?”
Even though Yake had already seen through her excuse, Reina threw out the classic line: just passing by.
“Yeah, yeah, Mom and I were just coincidentally passing through here. Definitely not to stop you from doing anything naughty with little Aier!”
Xier nodded eagerly.
【Did you just blurt that out?】
Yake and Reina exchanged speechless glances at Xier.
“Mom, do you really think I could do something like that in your eyes? Even if I wanted to, I wouldn’t pick such a dirty place like the Fallen Area; it’s not like I’m broke!”
Yake said with a look of deep sorrow at Reina. Was he really seen as that desperate…? Was he really that short on cash for a place?
“Ahaha… It’s just that I saw you entering the Fallen Area, and my mind went to dark places. As long as you have no such intentions, that’s good. Remember, if you’re going to roll in the sheets, it has to be after the wedding, okay? And little Aier too, if Yake tries anything before marriage, don’t hold back—teach him a good lesson!”
“Mom… I told you I’m not that kind of person.”
Yake looked at his mom in despair again.
“While I might not have understood what you all have been talking about for a while, as long as everything’s fine, let’s head out together.”
Naturally, Aierjisi didn’t catch the drift of Yake’s family’s conversation. After all, a little princess living in a palace wouldn’t encounter such topics in her daily life at all.
Once they left the Fallen Area, Reina and Xier quickly made up an excuse to leave, leaving Yake and Aierjisi to continue wandering around the Small Town. Yake knew his mom wouldn’t just give up that easily and was likely tailing him. But that was fine; he was out here with Aierjisi pretending to be a couple, and if Reina saw that, maybe she’d actually think they were a couple and wouldn’t kick him out of the house.
However… Yake was still too young; he underestimated the extent and fervor of his mother’s interest in his marriage. While he was out here playing couple with Aierjisi, Reina had already started preparing their wedding ceremony!
“Yake, where to next? Should we go back to the Clothing Store to get the outfits?”
Aierjisi sat by the flowerbed, crossing her legs.
“No, not yet. Let’s finish today’s errands first before we go back for them. Aier, my mom is definitely still watching us from somewhere, so to make it look more convincing and let her believe I’m really dating you, I might have to trouble you a bit.”
“Um? Just don’t go overboard.”
Aierjisi was willing to go along with Yake’s plan and didn’t mind compromising a little.
“Then let’s head to a famous Coffee Shop in the Small Town.”
Yake thought for a moment; that popular Coffee Shop in the town seemed to be hosting a couple activity lately. It was perfect for their couple act!
“Coffee Shop?! Is there cake to eat there?!”
As soon as Aierjisi heard “Coffee Shop,” her eyes sparkled with excitement. Typically, Coffee Shops had cake to enjoy, and she absolutely loved those sweet treats.
“Of course, they have cake. So, do you want to go?”
Yake patted Aierjisi’s head and asked her.
“Yes, yes! I want to eat cake!”
As soon as cake was mentioned, Aierjisi jumped up joyfully, completely unlike an 1100-year-old child.
“Alright, let’s go! Come on, I’ll carry you.”
Seeing the adorable Aierjisi, Yake was utterly smitten. He swept her up onto his back and headed for the shop.
“Hello, I’d like to participate in the couple activity you’re currently hosting. Is that still on?”
Arriving at the entrance of the Coffee Shop with the little princess on his back, Yake cheerfully greeted the attendant.
“Ah… the activity is still ongoing. But… are you sure you want to participate in this?”
The attendant glanced at Aierjisi, then at Yake. The two looked less like a couple and more like father and daughter. After all, Aierjisi looked quite young!
“Yes, I’m here to participate as her boyfriend. Is that a problem?”
Yake was aware that the little princess appeared very young; if he said they were a couple, he would likely be tagged as a 【Copper Refinement】! But at this point, who cares?! He was practically homeless now—what did he have to lose?
“Of course, sir. However, to prevent people from pretending to be couples just to take advantage of the discounts, before participating, you both need to take a test to prove you’re a real couple.”
The attendant’s eyes lit up. Several mischievous couples had previously tried to game the system, which led the manager to set up this test to filter out fake couples and ensure genuine couples could enjoy their benefits.
“What kind of test?”
Yake started to feel nervous. He wondered what the attendant had in store for him and Aierjisi to prove they were a legitimate couple.
“It’s simple. Both of you follow me.”
The attendant turned and led them to a room inside the shop, asking them to step in first.
“Please have the lady remove all clothing except for her underwear.”
“Huh?”
Upon hearing the Coffee Shop’s request, Yake instinctively shouted.
【What the heck is this?!】