The sky gradually darkened, and night quietly descended.
After sending Little Yuna and the wall repair workers on their way, Lynn carefully selected the most formal yet relatively less extravagant outfit as his external appearance.
No equipment could be more beautiful than the outrageously expensive costumes—after all, if equipment looked good enough, how would the game company sell costumes for profit?
He looked in the mirror for a full three minutes, feeling like he could change his name to Handsome de Blythe Blythe.
Even someone as unvain as he felt that his current look was strikingly handsome. When he appeared elsewhere, he would surely stand out, impressing everyone with his charm.
With such an appropriate outfit, Lynn naturally couldn't walk, so he hailed a carriage... uh, the most expensive one—and headed straight for the meeting place with Vivian.
Meanwhile, Vivian, who had left a message saying she'd wait for Lynn early, was faithfully waiting at the gate of Duke Wilson's Mansion.
Though her father and some friends had urged her several times, she stubbornly insisted on waiting in the cold wind wearing a thin evening gown.
"If I find out who made Vivian wait so long, I'll definitely beat him up!"
Vivian's father, Marquis Jones, was almost gnashing his teeth.
He could hardly describe his feelings. His precious daughter had unknowingly made an opposite-sex friend, and he was completely unaware.
Given Vivian's age, it wasn't unusual, but he'd just found a suitable man for her, so how could someone else appear outside?
Marquis Jones knew well that his precious daughter was simple-minded, and without his protection, she might have been deceived by someone. He hadn't met this man she was waiting for, so he could not judge good from bad. But no matter how good he was, could he be better than the eldest son of Duke Wilson?
He was a Saint Tier powerhouse at just twenty-six, having recently reached the 500th level—a remarkable achievement at his age.
Even the marquis himself, considered a genius since childhood, didn't reach the Saint Tier until nearly thirty.
"Vivian has high standards, maybe he's a good kid. You know her eyes are quite discerning."
Unlike her husband, the Marchioness hoped Vivian would find a somewhat weaker man to marry into their family. With Vivian's strength and talent, marrying into a suitable or even higher-status family would greatly increase her chances of being mistreated.
Only the Marquis, with his strong sense of pride, couldn't bear the talk outside about the Jones Clan having no successors, forcing their daughter to find a live-in son-in-law, and the young couple merely serving as breeding tools for heirs.
Such talk was unbearable for Marquis Jones. He had to prove that even if he gave up the hereditary marquisate, he wouldn't shame his daughter. She must not settle for a weak and incompetent man, if not a prince, then at least the heir of a ducal house; even a second son wouldn't do!
"Her standards might be high, but her discernment isn't necessarily good. Some men look fine on the surface, but who knows what's inside."
Marquis Jones grumbled, refusing to trust Vivian's choice. She was too inexperienced and naive to discern good men from bad, a task he figured should worry a father like him.
"I do think Vivian… Hey, it looks like he's here!"
The Marchioness was about to say more when she spotted their cherished daughter lifting her skirt and running toward a young man who had just stepped off a carriage.
Without surprises, the young companion Vivian picked was that young man.
Despite the distance, the Jones couple could still see the man clearly with their keen eyes.
One had to admit, their daughter's standards were high. The young man she found appeared exceptionally handsome, with a remarkable demeanor that could outshine 99% of the men participating in tonight's banquet, including Marquis Jones himself.
Even though he was quite the handsome young fellow in his youth, now a handsome uncle, the marquis could only reluctantly concede when it came to comparing appearances with that young man.
"You've finally arrived. I've been waiting for you for a long time…"
Dressed elegantly, Vivian stood before Lynn, hesitant to take his hand at first, but remembering her task for the night, she mustered the courage to take his arm.
It was her first somewhat close contact with a man, but she didn't feel it was a loss. After all, she wasn't lying when she said she was genuinely prepared to give Lynn a chance at making it official.
For reasons she couldn't quite articulate—she hadn't dated before—upon first meeting Lynn, she felt an indescribable sense of familiarity. Even her treasured pet, Goojee, liked him a lot, significantly boosting her affection for him.
If only his initially chosen meeting gift hadn't been a little off. If not for that, she might have genuinely considered him her date tonight rather than just having him here for a test.
For now, it was still the initial testing phase. If he passed, then she'd consider making it official.
"Tonight's moonlight is beautiful, but it pales in comparison to your beauty."
Lynn glanced at Vivian, wearing a white evening dress—modestly showing a hint of collarbone, with her shoulders and back fully covered—and spoke sincerely.
He wasn't just flattering her; Vivian, adorned with care, stunned him beyond words. Though she was naturally attractive, appropriate makeup and attire undoubtedly enhanced it.
As long as it wasn't one of those excessive makeovers that would leave him clueless, Lynn could handle it.
"Though your words are sweet, I won't be easily fooled. To earn my approval, you'll have to impress me in many aspects."
Even though Vivian's eyes squinted with delight, her words remained guarded. She had a certain fondness for Lynn, but given their limited interaction and her lack of deep understanding, becoming her lover involved many hurdles to overcome.
"I guarantee I will satisfy the beautiful lady."
Lynn placed his hand over his chest and bowed slightly, indicating his acceptance of the challenge.
Though he'd never personally tasted pork, he'd seen hundreds, if not thousands, of pigs run. With the skills he picked up from novels, movies, and TV shows, he had no fear of winning over an inexperienced young lady.
Is Vivian considered the corresponding inexperienced young lady…?
"It's up to you now. Let's go!"
Vivian, joyful, held Lynn's arm, but didn't cling too closely. Together, they entered Duke Wilson's Mansion, maintaining a connection that was both intimate yet not overly familiar.