---o---
After downing a glass of the Mojang Red Wine, everyone was rendered speechless. Each person held their pose, mid-sip, their heads tilted back slightly, but their eyes were wide open.
It wasn't until the buff granted by the Mojang Red Wine wore off that the group finally snapped out of their mesmerized state. The unprecedentedly wonderful experience they had just felt left them feeling somewhat listless and dispirited in its wake.
Herta raised a hand to rub her temples. Sucking in a sharp breath of cool air, she looked up at Fu Zhu with a hint of resentment.
"I'm starting to regret drinking this red wine. If I can't have it again in the future, I'll die of frustration."
The sensation this wine gave her was just like an addictive substance. The difference was that addictive substances worked by affecting parts of the human cerebral cortex and nervous system, whereas the bottle Fu Zhu provided was different—it was something a person would be unwilling to part with on a purely subjective level.
Although Herta's words sounded like a complaint, Fu Zhu understood it was the highest possible praise for the red wine he had brewed.
"If I get the chance later, I'll brew a few more bottles for you all."
On the other side, Jade, looking as if she hadn't quite had her fill, glanced at the glass in her hand before raising her head to ask Fu Zhu curiously, "Mr. Fu Zhu, how did you brew this red wine? Is the method any different from traditional winemaking? I've never tasted such a special red wine before. Of course, I'm just curious. If it involves your secrets, please pretend I never asked."
Jade was well aware that asking about someone's formula was a sensitive topic, but she couldn't suppress the curiosity in her heart.
There was no helping it; this was the most unforgettable red wine she had ever tasted!
If she didn't trust Fu Zhu's character, she might have even suspected he had drugged it.
"Ah, this…"
Hearing Jade ask about the brewing method for the wine, Fu Zhu instantly grew hesitant.
It wasn't that his method was a secret. The brewing process in the Growthcraft mod was actually much simpler than in reality. However, there was one particular step that Fu Zhu wasn't sure high-status individuals like Herta, Screwllum, and Jade could accept.
After all, one of the most crucial steps in the Growthcraft mod's brewing process was using one's feet to stomp the raw ingredients into juice.
And the person who had done the stomping earlier was him.
Fu Zhu hesitated for a moment before finally answering Jade, "In truth, the brewing method is quite similar to the original methods for making wine. The only differences lie in the ingredients and the brewing tools."
"I see." Jade, being tactful, didn't press the matter any further.
After this brief interlude, Fu Zhu began opening the other wines for everyone, thoughtfully explaining their special effects. The lively atmosphere from before soon returned.
---o---
Happy times always fly by. Once the victory banquet concluded, aside from the golden merchants who planned to travel with the Express for a while, the others took their leave one by one.
After dinner, Fu Zhu and the others gathered in the observation car for tea and conversation. Himeko took a sip of her tea and turned her head to look at Phainon and the others.
"Tonight, you all might have to squeeze in together for a bit. Tomorrow, we'll clear out some of the vacant rooms on the train and arrange for you to move in."
Phainon and the group naturally had no objections and even offered to help organize the rooms the next day.
Hearing the arrangements for tomorrow, Fu Zhu spoke to Himeko with some difficulty, "Himeko, I probably can't help out tomorrow. I promised Robin I'd make a trip to Penacony. It seems the End Poem caused some trouble in the Dreamscape there, so I want to go check on it myself, just in case."
"Then be careful on your way." Hearing it was proper business, Himeko naturally didn't stop him. Instead, she was a little worried that it might be inconvenient for him to go alone. "Do you want us to come with you?"
Fu Zhu thought about it and declined Himeko's offer.
"No need. If I need help, I can just ask The Family for some manpower. You've all been through enough recently, so you should take a good rest."
Stelle had intended to go with him, but just as she was about to raise her hand, March 7th, who was beside her, tugged on her sleeve, signaling her to stay with a look.
Helpless, Stelle could only nod in agreement.
---o---
The next day, Fu Zhu opened his eyes punctually at six in the morning. He carefully moved March 7th, who was nestled against his arm, but still ended up waking her.
March 7th rubbed her drowsy eyes and mumbled, "Leaving so early?"
"Mhm, the sooner I go, the sooner I'll be back."
Fu Zhu leaned down and gave her a kiss on the forehead. He then got up to dress, and before leaving, he didn't forget to give a final instruction to March 7th, who had snuggled back under the covers to sleep in.
"Don't sleep in too late. Remember to eat breakfast. I'm off."
A muffled, sulky reply came from under the blankets.
"Bye-bye~"
Fu Zhu chuckled and closed the door. He then directly used a command to teleport to Penacony. Upon arrival, he took out his phone to send Robin a message, not forgetting to survey his surroundings as he typed.
He was currently on a commercial street in the Golden Hour of the Dreamscape. From the outside, nothing seemed out of the ordinary, though the foot traffic was significantly lower than before.
However, he couldn't be sure if that was because the Charmony Festival had drawn exceptionally large crowds at the time.
[Fu Zhu: Robin, I'm here.]
After sending the message, the chat box continuously showed that the other party was typing, yet Fu Zhu waited a long time without receiving a reply. A minute passed, and Fu Zhu couldn't help but frown. Just as he was about to call her directly, her reply finally came through.
[Robin: Okay, I'll send someone to pick you up now. It should take about five minutes.]
[Fu Zhu: Alright.]
Seeing Robin's reply, Fu Zhu dismissed the idea of calling her. He pocketed his phone, walked over to a nearby coffee shop, ordered a coffee, and sat down at an outdoor table to wait for his escort.
About four minutes later, a woman wearing a large, white, wide-brimmed hat and a long white dress appeared on the street. The moment she appeared, all the men walking by on the street couldn't help but turn their heads to look at her. Her figure was simply too sensational, and with that generous bust that seemed ready to burst from her dress, it was hard for any man to resist a second glance.
Fu Zhu couldn't help but glance over himself; after all, women with such figures were a rare sight.
However, just as he glanced over and was about to look away, the woman spotted him, and a knowing smile curled on her lips as she walked straight toward him.
This action puzzled Fu Zhu, and he immediately checked his minimap.
[Dahlia (Oak Family?)]
An identity with a question mark. There was definitely a problem.
---o---