In the private room.
A maid pulled out a chair for Kong Tai and Gu Yina to sit down. She then took out a small notebook from her waist, pulled out a pen, and looked up at Kong Tai and Gu Yina.
This was the first time she had seen Kong Tai and Gu Yina up close.
Although she had seen them at the entrance before, the light inside was a bit dim, and it was bright white outside, so she hadn't seen them clearly.
"Uh..."
Upon seeing Kong Tai's face, her first reaction was panic.
This face had spread throughout the New World a month ago.
As a bar hostess and waitress, she would remember such a person, even if she wouldn't meet them again.
She never expected that on such an ordinary day, such a prominent figure would appear in their bar.
According to the information she had, the person in front of her wouldn't care about the Marines on the island.
He dared to kill Celestial Dragons and even fought to a draw with the hero Garp. How could he be afraid of a mere Vice Admiral on their island?
The blush on her face disappeared, replaced by an intense paleness.
She dared not move. Although the person in front of her had no aura, appearing just like an ordinary person, and even exuded sunshine, the psychological pressure he exerted made her feel as if she were facing a ferocious beast, instinctively slowing her breathing.
"Sigh!"
Kong Tai looked at the maid's face, which had turned from red to white, and sighed inwardly.
"Damn pirate profession."
He hated this feeling.
As his fame grew, he had become a scourge in the eyes of ordinary people. On Fish-Man Island, if not for his pirate reputation, he wouldn't have left in such a hurry.
In human society, although ordinary people wouldn't bother to remember his appearance, people in service industries would definitely remember him.
Just now, the formerly enthusiastic maid had instantly turned into a timid chick upon seeing his face.
If he weren't a pirate but just an adventurer, the maid wouldn't be so scared; instead, she would admire him.
This was the reputation of pirates in this world.
"It's okay, don't be afraid."
Kong Tai's lips curved upwards, and a gentle smile appeared on his face. "It seems you already know our identities. Don't mind our bounties; we're actually good people."
He then grinned, his smile as sincere as could be.
The maid glanced cautiously at Kong Tai. Seeing his bared teeth, she must have thought of something, as her body suddenly trembled, nearly making her fall to the ground.
Her already pale face became even whiter.
She recalled a legend: great pirates, when they opened their mouths, would eat meat, and human flesh at that.
Although the person in front of her emanated a gentle aura, in her eyes, he was a wolf in sheep's clothing, full of treachery.
If it weren't for her professionalism, she would have turned around and fled.
"Sigh!"
Seeing the maid's reaction, Kong Tai's smile froze. He then slumped onto the chair as if all his energy had drained away.
He waved his hand helplessly, not looking at the maid, and said lazily, "Forget it, go call your manager. I'm just here to get some drinks and will leave soon."
The maid didn't hear the rest of his words. Upon hearing Kong Tai ask her to call the manager, she quickly turned around. The room that normally took a few steps to exit, she now cleared in two, as if a ferocious beast were behind her.
Whether out of professional courtesy or something else, despite her fear, the maid stopped outside the door and carefully closed it.
The moment the door closed.
Gu Yina could no longer hold back.
She slumped onto the table, laughing uncontrollably.
"Hahahaha!!!"
Her suppressed laughter sounded like a goose in late autumn, making one want to grab its neck.
Kong Tai glanced at Gu Yina and said helplessly, "Laugh, laugh, laugh!"
"You're not much better."
"Uh..."
The laughter abruptly stopped, and Gu Yina looked up, a blush on her face.
She thought about it and realized it was true.
It seemed the maid's fear wasn't directed only at Kong Tai but also at her.
Thinking of this, a hint of helplessness flashed in her eyes. She sat up and gently punched Kong Tai a few times with her fist.
"Kong Tai, it seems we've truly become famous now."
As she said this, a flicker of worry crossed her eyes.
At seventeen, despite her strength, she was still a young girl. She didn't want people to see her as a great demon king!
If everyone were like the maid just now, wouldn't they cause panic wherever they went in the future?
"Don't worry, it's fine."
Kong Tai reached out and ruffled Gu Yina's hair, smiling. "This maid is an exception. People in their line of work remember the faces of most pirates in the New World. And we've done something that no pirate crew in this world would dare to do."
"Those who detest the Celestial Dragons won't be afraid of us; they might even admire us!"
"Besides, most ordinary people don't pay attention to pirate news. They're working hard just to survive. How could they spare the time to focus on us?"
Kong Tai then turned his gaze to the falling snow outside the window and said softly, "A person's life is like these snowflakes. From birth to landing, it's full of randomness. No matter how strong we are or how famous, it's only to those who pay attention.
"In the eyes of the vast majority of people, we're just something to talk about after meals. After a while, there will be more exciting things for them to discuss, and how would they remember us?
"Unless one day..."
He paused here.
"One day what?"
Gu Yina propped her head on her hands on the table, tilting her head and gazing at Kong Tai with a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
Kong Tai withdrew his gaze and turned to Gu Yina, his eyes full of tenderness. He gently smoothed her hair with the hand that was ruffling it, then released it and smiled, "It's nothing. Unless we become heroes of this world one day, the masses will truly remember us."
"Heroes of the world?"
Gu Yina's curiosity deepened.
She knew Kong Tai's intentions; he wouldn't be a hero of the world. Yet, he was bringing this up now.
Hmm...
She thought for a moment and seemed to understand something.
What the flying dragon above Cocoyasi Bay was, Kong Tai hadn't kept it from her.
"Uranus, Imu, Imu, Celestial Dragons..."
Gu Yina muttered these names, then straightened up and looked at Kong Tai, asking seriously, "Kong Tai, will you one day go to the Holy Land Mary Geoise and overthrow the rule of the Celestial Dragons?"
She could only think of this as a way to become heroes of the world.
"Mm!"
Kong Tai nodded, seeing no reason to hide it.
He looked at Gu Yina and smiled, "When Imu ordered Uranus to leave Cocoyasi Bay, he arrogantly told me that he would wait for me in the Holy Land Mary Geoise. Since he invited me, I must go!"
Gu Yina looked deeply at Kong Tai, then grabbed his hand and said gently, "Take me with you then."
"Don't worry, I wouldn't leave anyone behind before I leave you."
Kong Tai clasped Gu Yina's hand in return and smiled, "After all, you are my fiancée!"
"Mm! We've agreed on this."
Gu Yina nodded contentedly, then tilted her head, resting it on Kong Tai's shoulder. She gazed at the snow outside the window, a gentle smile gracing her lips.