Chapter 1017: with translation of chapter title

The backstage lights of the stage were dim.

Under the unique design of the builders, the vast stage Rear was independently built into two arc-shaped private boxes, while the exact center was the backstage where actors go on stage to change costumes.

Through the half-closed heavy curtain, Lin An could see at a glance that the piano prelude of the performance was being played onstage.

Looking down from above, under the guidance of a female attendant, Lin An directly sat on the sofa inside the private box.

Inside the room, a delicate silver incense burner was emitting a faint fragrance.

All around, the wine racks used for decoration were filled with various fine wines, and the spacious private box thoughtfully used one-way glass as its walls, with opaque gauze at the top for lowering. From any angle, only those inside the room could see the outside clearly, while those outside could not see inside at all.

On the table, fresh fruit was paired with delicate pastries. In this Apocalypse, it could practically be called luxurious.

Sitting on the sofa, Lin An could see the backstage where costumes were changed below his feet at a glance, and by looking straight ahead he could also see the performance on stage.

Whether it could be arranged or it was just a coincidence, as soon as he arrived at the back, a stirring cello sound suddenly rang out in the theater as the opening music.

The neat and uniform conducted orchestra formed a line, solemn-faced, and walked out from the performance passage, ready to go on stage at any moment.

"Lord Lei En, please wait a moment."

"It's about to start…"

Standing beside Lin An, Tuo Fusiji explained in a soft voice like the most loyal attendant.

His tone was ambiguous, as if he were certain that the upcoming performance would surely pique Lin An's interest.

While speaking, he glanced enviously at the private box and sighed somewhat:

"Thanks to your blessing, otherwise I would definitely not want to come here."

"The price for one night here requires a whole truckload of canned food… even two pieces of Equipment…"

Xiong Hanzi, who had followed along, reeked of alcohol and didn't care at all about the high price mentioned by the hook-nosed man.

He merely craned his head out of curiosity, looking around and clicking his tongue in amazement.

"Boss, from this angle we can see the girls changing clothes!"

Like a roughneck, Zhang Tie pointed downward, craning his neck.

Meanwhile, beneath the private box where Lin An was, sixteen tall ballet dancers wearing only leotards and draped with outerwear were walking out from the performance passage, following along.

The weather in Soviet Russia had always been cold, and the girls wearing only thin underwear repeatedly rose onto their tiptoes, their frail bodies trembling slightly as they stepped out.

A expanse of snow-white, at a glance resembling a group of elves in the snow.

Each girl was meticulously selected, with fair skin and azure eyes, and their age was precisely the best eighteen or nineteen.

In Lin An's view, the entire ballet squad, under the leader's guidance, swiftly shed their outerwear, and from his angle he could immediately see the outline of the girls' bodies, where a slight protrusion showed a faint red.

As the girls quickly pulled on tight silk stockings, their fair skin and the white silk seemed to merge into one; when they occasionally lifted their legs high to stretch and warm up, a deep crevice could be faintly seen.

"Lord Lei En, how do you feel?"

Inside the private box, Tuo Fusiji, with his back to the girls downstairs, asked Lin An softly, his face full of smiles.

He believed that even if this was merely an appetizer, no man could resist the temptation of such voyeurism.

The sin of voyeurism is the perfect blend of sin and desire.

Guessing the superior's intent, with his sharp mind, even if he wanted to turn back and 'appreciate' a bit, in Lin An's presence he still maintained great restraint, not glancing even once.

Lin An's two words 'clean' made him think a lot.

Perhaps this lord's perversion regarding 'cleanliness' even extended to not allowing others to see the object of his play.

After all, important figures always have their own quirks.

Looking at Lin An's expressionless face, the hook-nosed man didn't mind either, and, taking advantage of the performance not yet having started, he continued to introduce enthusiastically.

In a tone like a cantata, he spread his arms, his face proud:

"Lord Lei En."

"Here you can see elegant dance, and see each elf-like girl as she dons her wings before the performance."

"That touching delicacy, the weakness hidden beneath pride."

"Here you can see what lies behind the exquisite swan."

"Is it black or white? Or that irresistible hue of desire?"

"Here you can see whatever you want without restraint, rather than merely sitting downstairs fantasizing…"

"Here every man is willing to sink his soul into this… even if he is the Pope~"

Like gradual guidance, he praised.

Having said that, as the piano performance sounded, a host in a tailcoat hurried from backstage to the front of the stage.

He waved his right hand backward, signaling that the dancers could come on stage.

"Esteemed guests, powerful Awakened Ones!"

"The Ice and Snow Night performance gala is about to begin! Please enjoy the splendid performance brought by the Imperial Dance Troupe and the Mo Ke Dance Troupe!"

"Besides…"

Mid-sentence, the host suddenly turned with a fawning smile toward backstage and shouted:

"Thank you, Lord Lei En, for coming to watch our performance; I, on behalf of Lord Tuo Er, extend my sincerest greetings! Your expenses tonight will be entirely covered by Lord Tuo Er!"

As his words fell, an uproar erupted.

Downstairs, nearly six hundred Awakened Ones listened in astonishment to the host's words, many whispering to each other about what they had seen today.

For the expensive grand theater, every person present was a mid-to-high-level member of the Thunder Spear Safe Zone.

Obviously, many among them knew or even had witnessed the scene where Lin An made his move.

"Those two people, are they really invited by Lord Tuo Er!?"

"Good heavens, no wonder they're so arrogant…"

"Shh, keep it down. Between Tuo Er and Ke Lei, they're likely about to clash…"

"Safe Zone, is it going to change again?"

Voices were noisy, the crowd that had originally come to watch the performance was instantly shocked by the hidden meaning of this news, and for a moment even their interest in watching was suppressed.

After all, they too were part of the Safe Zone; once the leader changed, it often meant a major purge.

Backstage, a private room.

Hook-nosed, head lowered, eyes blazing, fists clenched.

Upon hearing the host's words, he first froze, then became overjoyed.

I... guessed correctly! Bet won!

He didn't go find Tuo Er's people to arrange this evening for Lin An; instead, he sold most of his Equipment to raise the funds needed here.

He had originally planned a big gamble, betting that he could use this opportunity to get close to Lin An.

But upon hearing those words just now, he instantly realized that Lin An was truly the helper brought by Tuo Er!

I had joined the strongest faction early on, and even helped in killing Pa Luo—how could I not be happy!?

However, unlike the wild guesses of the crowd, upon hearing the host's words, Lin An merely frowned slightly, then after a moment gave an indifferent light chuckle.

"Lin Dui, what's the situation? When did we get to know Tuo Er?"

"In the team chat, Zhang Tie was completely baffled, almost thinking that Lin An actually already knew Tuo Er."

He shook his head slightly, Lin An wearily looked at Zhang Tie and calmly explained:

We don't know him; it's just that the guy named Tol probably learned of our strength from the city guard.

Given that he already doesn't get along with Clay, he will naturally take this opportunity to use us as a front to bolster his own power.

After all, on the surface, we killed Clay's people.

It's a simple show of goodwill; needless to say, anyone who can become a third-rank Awakened One is no idiot.

Ignoring these trivial matters, Lin An gave the maid a slight nod and spoke calmly.

You must be the one Tol sent over, right?

Tell him I have no interest in getting involved in their dispute.

The well-proportioned maid, carefully selected, blinked slightly, then looked rather nervously at Lin An; after meeting his gaze, she hastily lowered her head in a fluster.

Yes, sir.

I will pass it on to Lord Tol.

Clang!

As the final punctuation mark of the symphony sounded, the performance officially began.

Only sixteen girls, who could be called top-notch, slowly lined up from behind the curtain and walked onto the stage, like swans, twirling and leaping under the icy blue light.