Prompted by Wise's reminder, Zhong Yan and his group returned to their room and began discussing the incident that had just occurred.
During the conversation, Nicole recounted the conflict between the Cunning Hares and Victoria Housekeeping Co. and it was only after hearing the full story that Zhong Yan finally understood why the relationship between the two groups was so strained.
Fortunately, the earlier clash hadn't escalated into a real fight, which allowed Zhong Yan to breathe a little easier. With Lycaon's assurance, it seemed that Victoria Housekeeping Co. wouldn't be looking to cause further trouble for the Cunning Hares.
As for his words about wanting to "interact more" with the Cunning Hares—that was clearly just a formality.
Just meeting again without exchanging blows was already a miracle. And he expected further interaction?
"And what about you, Zhong Yan? You seem to get along very well with that shark-toothed girl from their side. Did you know each other long before this?" Belle suddenly asked after a long silence.
That question was also on Anby's mind. From the earlier atmosphere, she had already picked up that there was something different about the dynamic between Ellen and Zhong Yan.
A woman's sixth sense told her that the girl was a serious threat, far beyond anything Belle could match.
Belle, surprisingly, shared the same instinct. Faced with a rival of this magnitude, the two of them—usually not on the best of terms—found themselves momentarily on the same side.
"Well... of everyone here, she's known me the longest. We were classmates back at school. I just didn't expect she'd have that kind of identity too," Zhong Yan explained.
Zhong Yan hadn't known about Ellen's combat maid identity, just like Ellen didn't know he was a Hollow Raider. Both had kept secrets from each other.
But with what had happened today, those secrets had been torn open—Zhong Yan's identity as a Hollow Raider exposed, and Ellen's as a combat maid couldn't be hidden anymore either.
"So, they've all been hiding their true identities this whole time, huh? I was wondering—what kind of maid vacations in a swimsuit? Anyone else would think they were on a company retreat or something," Nicole said with her arms crossed, clearly displeased.
Zhong Yan stepping in to stop the Cunning Hares didn't mean the grudge with Victoria Housekeeping Co. had been written off.
If there was ever an opportunity, they'd definitely get even.
Holding grudges and settling scores—that was the Cunning Hares' usual way. Though, most of the time, they were the ones offending others, not the other way around.
"Let's leave today's matter here for now. They're staying in the same hotel as us, so let's stay alert if we can. Especially you guys—Nicole, Wise, Belle," Wise said.
He was the oldest among them and often took on the role of commander. The others generally listened to what he said.
"Let's just hope those people keep their word. If they don't, I swear I'll make them pay—even if it costs me everything," Nicole said through gritted teeth. Her hatred for Victoria Housekeeping Co. was clearly personal and deep-rooted.
After that, their conversation ended. Anby and the others returned to their own rooms, leaving only Zhong Yan, Wise, and Billy in theirs.
"It's getting late, Zhong Yan. You should get some rest. Don't worry, those people don't seem that malicious—you should know that too."
As they were getting ready for bed, Wise noticed Zhong Yan's troubled expression and guessed he was still worried about the Victoria Housekeeping Co. situation. He kindly tried to reassure him.
However, what Zhong Yan was actually worried about had nothing to do with the possibility of a clash between the two groups.
He was racking his brain trying to figure out how to deal with the situation between Ellen, Anby, and Belle.
He had already crossed that line with Ellen, giving her an overwhelming upper hand among the three.
If she decided to disregard appearances and bring up that incident, Zhong Yan would be finished.
And just as he was getting a headache thinking about it, his phone on the nightstand suddenly lit up and buzzed.
A message this late? At first, Zhong Yan didn't feel like checking. But after a flood of texts came through, his irritation got the better of him, and he picked up the phone.
One look—and his heart almost stopped. The sender was Ellen.
[Ellen: Come out for a bit. I'm waiting at the hotel entrance.]
Below that was a row of gloomy emoji stickers—Ellen's way of expressing her displeasure at his not replying sooner.
"Crap..." Zhong Yan instantly knew exactly why Ellen wanted to see him, and that made his headache worse. He had no idea how to face her, let alone how to explain.
While he was still spiraling, another message popped up—from Anby.
[Anby: Zhong Yan, I can't fall asleep. Can you come meet me at the hotel entrance?]
Great. This was officially a disaster.
Ellen was bad enough—now Anby too? And both of them wanted to meet him at the exact same spot.
If the two of them ran into each other first...
Zhong Yan didn't even want to imagine what kind of explosive chemistry might erupt.
And it wasn't over yet. Less than a minute after Anby's message, Belle chimed in as well.
[Belle: Anby just went out. Is she looking for you? Where are you? I'm coming too.]
Zhong Yan: "..."
A hat trick. A term used in soccer, now freshly and thoroughly applicable to Zhong Yan's life.
...
While Zhong Yan had no idea how to respond to the three messages, downstairs at the hotel entrance—
"You again? You're really haunting this place, huh." Ellen, now changed out of her swimsuit and into casual clothes, stood coldly at the front doors, her gaze fixed on Anby, who had appeared moments earlier.
Anby hadn't expected to run into Ellen here of all places. And the instant they locked eyes, the tension between them sparked like gunpowder.
"I'm here to see Zhong Yan. Doesn't concern you," Anby replied coolly. Ever since she learned that Ellen had known Zhong Yan longer than she had, she had considered Ellen a high-risk threat.
The level of danger Ellen posed—Belle didn't even come close. Even she herself might not be able to compete.
"You're here for Zhong Yan?" Ellen narrowed her eyes, the chill in her gaze growing sharper. "Perfect. I'm here for him too. Let's wait and see who he chooses when he shows up."
It was clear Ellen had unwavering confidence in her bond with Zhong Yan.
What she didn't know... was that Zhong Yan felt the same about Anby.
And the truth was—he wasn't planning to choose at all.
That kind of choice? Far too immature.
He wanted everything.