"I know exactly what you're after," Eric said coldly, his emerald-green eyes narrowing. "You want her to be engaged to your son. Let me make myself clear—I highly refuse. My granddaughter is far too smart, too exceptional, to be tied down by something as trivial as marriage." He scoffed.
Gasps rippled through the room, and murmurs filled the hall.
"How could he speak to the king like that?" someone whispered nervously.
Hangu, however, threw his head back and laughed heartily, his deep voice booming through the banquet hall. "Hahaha! Old friend, you're as bold as ever. At least give me some face!"
"Hell no!" Eric snapped, his expression unyielding. "You want to take my beautiful granddaughter away from me? Petui! Never, never!" He sneered, his disdain palpable.
"You!" Hangu pointed a finger at Eric, his fiery eyes blazing. "This is the perfect chance to unite our families! Do you have any idea how long I've been trying, only to be rejected by you every single time?"
"My children will marry only for true love," Eric declared, his voice filled with conviction. Then, with a sly grin, he added, "But if your granddaughter were to marry into my family, I wouldn't mind."
"As if!" Hangu roared, his tone equally fiery. "Your granddaughter should marry into my family!"
Watching the escalating exchange, Qifeng chuckled and turned to his brothers. "They really are good friends, aren't they?"
"Yes, they are," Prometheus replied with a faint smile, nodding in agreement.
Meanwhile, Songhua wiped his teary eyes, his voice trembling. "So, after all these years... we don't even get to see our sister?"
Standing abruptly, Qifeng clenched his fists. "Sister, I'll find you!" he declared dramatically, dashing toward the banquet hall doors.
Before he could get far, Eric moved with lightning speed, grabbing his grandson's arm and holding him firmly in place. "Hold it right there, young man!" Eric's voice softened, and his green eyes glistened with uncharacteristic emotion. "Leave your sister be. Do you know how much I've had to restrain myself from interfering? My granddaughter must grow, must carve her own path in this world."
Qifeng froze, his resolve faltering. After a moment, he sighed heavily and slumped his shoulders. "I guess you're right, Grandpa. I just hope we get to meet her someday."
Eric patted Qifeng's shoulder, his grip firm yet comforting. "You will. When the time is right."
"Old fool!" Hangu roared, cutting through the tender moment. He jabbed a finger in Eric's direction. "Let your granddaughter marry my grandson already!"
"Never!" Eric shouted back, his voice thundering across the hall.
The two elders locked eyes, their standoff more like that of stubborn children than dignified leaders. Meanwhile, the guests watched in silence, unsure whether to be amused or terrified by the spectacle.
Prometheus leaned over to Songhua, whispering, "Do you think they'll ever stop arguing about this?"
Songhua sniffled, dabbing at his eyes. "Not in another thousand years."
_______
"Ah, done!" Melina beamed, brushing the dust off her hands as she stepped back to admire her work. The once shabby, rundown shop now gleamed with vibrant colors and beautiful carvings on its gate. She tilted her head, a satisfied smile spreading across her face.
"What's that young lad doing?" a passerby asked, curiosity evident in his tone.
"She just repaired that dilapidated shop," a local replied, pointing toward Melina.
"It looks so beautiful now," another onlooker remarked. "I wonder what she's planning to sell?"
Melina overheard the murmurs as she stood in the warm sunlight. "Hmm, so now I just need to craft the items," she muttered to herself, her voice brimming with determination. "Haha, thinking about the composition of metals, plastics, and other materials is tricky with my power, but I'll do my best and not give up!"
Pausing, she tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Maybe I should make some pills as well," she mused, nodding to herself before stepping back inside. She ascended the stairs to a special room she had designed on the second floor—a private workshop filled with tools, materials.
She approached a small golden cauldron resting on a sturdy table in the corner of the room. "My mini cauldron, it's time to work!" she declared, tying her hair back and sitting down.
"Hmm, what kind of pills should I make?" she wondered aloud, leaning over her notebook filled with scribbled ideas.
Her eyes lit up as inspiration struck. "Wait, I know! Pills that cure infections and diseases!" She paused, her excitement dimming slightly. "But... some things can't be cured by pills alone," she muttered, sighing as she stared at the cauldron.
Before she could delve deeper into her thoughts, a soft knock echoed from the direction of her gate. Melina furrowed her brow, glancing at the clock. 'Mid-afternoon. Who could that be?'
She descended the stairs and opened the gate, her gaze falling on a frail, malnourished young man standing there. His clothes were tattered, and his hollow eyes held a spark of determination despite his weak posture.
"Umm... hello," he said hesitantly, his voice barely audible.
'Hmm, a beggar?' Melina thought, her eyes scanning his haggard appearance.
"Please," the young man began, his voice shaking slightly. "I heard you're opening a shop. I'd like to work for you!" He bowed his head, his hands trembling.
Melina blinked, surprised by his forwardness. "I'm not open yet," she replied bluntly, folding her arms.
"Please," he pleaded, his voice firmer now. "Give me a chance. I'm homeless, and I need to make money to eat. I'll do anything. Just... please."
Melina's expression remained impassive as her cold gaze bore into him. The young man flinched, his shoulders trembling under her scrutiny, while a few passersby stopped to watch the exchange with curious eyes.
'Hmm... should I take him in?' Melina pondered, her mind racing. 'He's clearly desperate, but can he really help me? Or will he be a liability?'
'From my eyes, he has a good heart and won't betray me,' Melina thought, her glowing space-like eyes scanning Rulan with her space eyes. Ever since she was a child, her unique gift allowed her to discern the goodness or malice within a person's heart. Those her power identified as unloyal were handed over to her grandfather's subordinates, often leading to saving the lives of her family members. It was a skill she had come to rely on.