"The hour grows late, Senior Qu," Mu Nan said to Qu Shanling, who was still retching in the corner of the wall. "I shall have a banquet arranged to welcome and cleanse you from the dust of travel."
"There’s no need, no need at all. I’ve already made arrangements with an old friend, and I’m busy every evening for the next few days. You all go ahead without me," said Qu Shanling, waving his hand.
Mu Nan tried to persuade him a few more times, but Qu Shanling steadfastly refused, so Mu Nan did not insist further. Seeing that it was getting late, the two said goodbye to everyone and headed back to the Mu Mansion. Updates are released by novelꜰire.net
Just before leaving, Mu Nan apologized to Qu Shanling, "Senior Qu, truth be told, neither my brother nor I bear the surname Mu. It’s just that our family’s rules are extremely strict, so we had to change our surnames and start this auction house. I apologize for not having revealed this earlier and hope you can forgive our deception."
Previously unsure whether Qu Shanling would stay, Mu Nan had not carelessly disclosed his true identity. Now that a twenty-year indenture contract had been set, it was unreasonable to continue deceiving others.
"It’s no trouble at all. I couldn’t care less about your identities. After all, I am now bound to serve the Nanmu Auction for the next twenty years. Don’t forget our agreement," Qu Shanling said, waving his hand dismissively.
Right now, aside from the matter of the Star Illusion Thousand Machine, he had little concern for anything else.
Mu Nan had intended to reveal his true identity, but seeing Qu Shanling’s utter lack of interest, he decided it wasn’t worth mentioning.
The two of them, along with Huayue and Mu Zi, returned to the Mu Mansion. As they reached the entrance, they encountered the Third Elder.
Seeing Mu Nan and Han Yan together, the Third Elder’s expression instantly darkened.
Han Yan gave a wry smile. It really was a coincidence. The Third Elder, who already harbored a deep prejudice against him and despised Mu Nan for "fraternizing with the likes of him," had just witnessed Han Yan tearing Fourth Miss Zhao’s clothes in the morning, resenting Han Yan for leading Mu Nan astray. And now, they had run into each other again.
"Grandfather," Mu Nan greeted, feeling like he hadn’t done anything wrong but becoming somewhat sheepish in the face of his grandfather’s icy demeanor.
"Hmph, a degenerate," the Third Elder said with cold eyes as he glanced at Mu Nan.
Mu Nan wore a face full of misery, not even knowing how to begin explaining himself.
The Third Elder didn’t give him a chance to explain and turned to leave. After a couple of steps, he stopped without turning and said, "Tomorrow evening, I am hosting a banquet for an old friend; you should come along as well."
After speaking those icy words, the Third Elder left unhesitatingly.
Mu Nan let out a deep, rueful smile. Although his grandfather had invited him to the banquet, he could tell that it was only because of their blood relationship; his grandfather had truly lost all hope for him.
"Don’t worry. I won’t let you suffer indefinitely," Han Yan said, patting Mu Nan on the shoulder.
"Mhm," Mu Nan nodded firmly.
He also believed that Han Yan wouldn’t let him suffer indefinitely. One day, he would soar high above; today’s events were just the prelude.
With the matters of the Nanmu Auction settled, Han Yan felt a great weight lift off his chest, and that night, he slept incredibly soundly.
The next morning, after washing up and yawning, he headed out to the street for breakfast.
Two blocks away from the City Lord’s Mansion was a long street filled with breakfast stalls offering all kinds of street food. Han Yan walked slowly toward that street alone.
It was still early, and there were hardly any customers at the stalls.
As Han Yan stepped onto the street, someone sharp-eyed immediately spotted her.