Tang Hao returned to the table with his newborn son in his arms and a feeding bottle in hand. He settled into his seat, guiding the bottle to the baby's lips. Tang San, as small and fragile as any six-month-old, latched onto it hungrily. His large, innocent eyes darted around the room, probably aware of the tension surrounding him.
I couldn't help but let my mind wander. Tang San, I thought, observing the baby. Even if he's a soul from another world, right now, he's just an infant. He doesn't fully understand this world's language yet, let alone the intricacies of what's happening. All he can do is cry and hope people interpret it correctly.
A smirk tugged at my lips. Been there, done that.
I showed a warm smile. "What's the little one's name?" I asked, softening my tone as I gestured to the baby.
Tang Hao's eyes flickered with hesitation before he answered, "His name is Tang San." His voice carried a protective undertone as he glanced between me and Grandpa.
"Tang San," I repeated with a nod, my expression radiating approval. Internally, though, my thoughts took a darker turn. Tang San… Such potential. You'll be as useful as your father someday. Maybe even more.
Tang Hao's guarded expression returned as he added, "That's another reason I can't join your academy. I have to take care of him. And besides, you haven't said what's in it for me. Money? I'm not interested."
My gaze lingered on Tang San for a moment longer before snapping back to Tang Hao. A wide grin spread across my face as I said, "That's fantastic. Because I don't intend to give you a single coin."
The room fell silent, the weight of my words hanging heavily in the air. Grandpa's eyebrows rose ever so slightly, but he didn't speak. Tang Hao's jaw tightened, his frustration palpable. He looked ready to lash out, but I raised a hand to stop him before he could.
"Instead of money," I said smoothly, leaning forward with a glint in my eye, "our academy offers something far more valuable. Something you won't find anywhere else."
Tang Hao's anger momentarily gave way to curiosity, though his skepticism remained. He kept his eyes locked on me, waiting for an explanation.
I allowed a pause to stretch, heightening the tension. "We have a magical land," I began, my voice low and deliberate, "where plants grow ten times faster than normal. Not just any plants, either. Rare ones. Immortal herbs. And even…" I let the words hang for a moment, giving Tang Hao a knowing look, "Plant-type soul beasts."
Tang Hao's reaction was immediate and visceral. His eyes widened as his grip on Tang San tightened instinctively. His entire body trembled, not with fear or excitement, but pure shock. The calm, gruff demeanor he'd maintained shattered in an instant.
It took him several seconds to regain his composure, likely reminded by the faint cries of the baby in his arms. Tang Hao adjusted Tang San's position carefully before looking back at me and Grandpa, his expression hardening.
"What do you know?" he asked, his voice low and filled with a quiet intensity.
I met his gaze unflinchingly, letting the gravity of the moment settle between us. My face grew serious as I delivered the answer he likely feared the most.
"Everything," I said.
The room seemed to darken, the weight of my words pulling it into a suffocating silence. Tang Hao's eyes bore into mine, searching for even a hint of deceit. But there was none. My resolve was unshakable. I knew exactly what cards I held, and I intended to play them to perfection.