Chapter 10: The Merchant's Conscience

Jinqiangyu Lvdian, ordinary guest room on the second floor.

Luosen had just opened the door when a strong medicinal smell hit him.

Dalete frowned, waved a hand in front of his nose, and said, "Mr. Luobin, I'm not used to the smell of medicine; let's talk at the doorway."

Luosen felt relieved inside: "I was afraid of giving myself away; not going in is perfect."

But a flicker of displeasure showed on his face, as if he thought Dalete wasn't showing enough respect to his wife; after a few seconds of silence, he still nodded.

"As you wish, sir."

The two stopped right at the doorway, about five or six meters from Selena's sickbed.

Dalete glanced at the sickbed and saw a middle‑aged woman with a deathly pale face, sunken eyes, and a vacant stare.

At a glance he felt her life force draining away at a visible speed; it would not be surprising if she died any moment.

He instinctively stepped back half a pace to put more distance between them.

"Mr. Luobin, your wife's condition looks terrible."

Luobin is naturally Luosen's alias.

He nodded grimly: "I did my best; it's my fault. No, I'm the one who harmed her—I shouldn't have let her get caught in that damn rain."

Dalete could tell there was a story behind it, but he had no interest in that; he only cared about the little boy Luosen was leading and how to get him.

He glanced again at the poor woman on the bed and suddenly realized she resembled Yadan; if she were healthy, she would undoubtedly be a very beautiful woman.

He suddenly understood: "No wonder she could bear such a handsome child as Yadan, and no wonder Luobin, knowing she had a child, still chose to marry her and love her so deeply."

There's nothing to be done—women with beautiful faces are simply favored by fate.

Dalete thought he had figured things out, and a vague plan began to form in his mind.

Out of the shrewd instinct of a successful businessman, he once again carefully examined the guest room before him.

It wasn't because he had found any flaw, but because he wanted to uncover more bargaining chips.

Seeing this, Luosen immediately understood Dalete's intent and sent a Spiritual Whisper to Selena: "Cough, quick!"

"Cough‑cough~~~cough‑cough‑cough~~~cough‑cough‑cough~~~"

Selena coughed so hard it felt like her heart was splitting; she kept coughing, then suddenly pulled out a handkerchief and pressed it to her mouth.

When she lowered the handkerchief, the white fabric was clearly stained with bright red blood.

Luosen "startled," apologized to Dalete: "Sir, please wait outside; I need to tend to my wife."

He hurried past, leaving Dalete standing at the doorway.

Dalete no longer had the mind to observe; he immediately retreated into the hallway, even thinking of turning and leaving.

Because he feared the illness might be contagious.

But just as he turned, he caught sight of the little boy again.

The adorable little thing leaned against the doorframe, hands clasped behind his back, head bowed as he stared at his tiny shoes, looking utterly heartbroken.

Just one look, and Dalete couldn't help but sigh with pity.

"Oh~ Mother Nature above, how could there be such a perfect little person in the world~~ truly grown right on my heart and liver~~"

He clearly felt that if he failed to obtain this adorable little thing, he would regret it for the rest of his life.

So he stopped, summoned the utmost patience of his life, and waited quietly.

About a quarter of an hour later, the anguished young man reappeared at the door, looking apologetically at Dalete.

"Sir, I'm sorry you had to see that scene; now you also know our situation. If there's nothing else, let's part ways."

Saying that, he took Yadan's hand and prepared to go back inside.

Dalete lunged forward and braced his hand against the door.

"Don't rush, partner; I think we ought to have a proper talk."

"Just the two of us—don't let the child overhear."

Luosen nodded slightly, gently patted Yadan's head, and said, "Be good~ stay in the room for a while."

Yadan nodded and obediently went into the room.

Outside the door only Luosen and Dalete remained.

Dalete took out his pipe, lit it, drew a deep breath, and hid his face behind the swirling blue smoke.

He liked this, because it prevented the negotiating opponent from reading his expression.

"Mr. Luobin, are you short on money?"

Luosen fell silent for a moment, seeming a bit embarrassed, but eventually he gave a dejected nod.

"That's right, I'm short on cash; to save my wife I've spent almost all my savings."

This matched exactly what Dalete had observed; a smile of confidence crossed his face: "I have an idea—would you like to hear it?"

Luosen gave a slight nod.

"Pfft~~" Dalete drew another deep puff on his pipe, blew out a thick smoke ring, and quietly placed the Blue Sapphire Gold Ring from his right thumb in the most conspicuous spot.

"I'm a businessman; my trade does well, I'm not lacking money—I lack dignity."

"In my homeland, the Kingdom of Kao far away, respectable people like to hire a few handsome attendants to spruce up their image."

"Coincidentally, your stepson Yadan is quite handsome."

Luosen's face showed "surprise," then turned to "anger," but he struggled to suppress it, merely clenching his fist and striking the wall with a muffled "thud."

"Sir, I respect you, but you want me to sell Yadan?!"

"No! Impossible! Yadan is my wife's beloved child; without him she couldn't survive a day!"

"I will never sell him—you don't need to say another word!"

Having said that, he turned to leave.

Just as he turned and hadn't taken a step, Dalete grabbed his shoulder, and a low, devil‑like tempting voice came from behind.

Mr. Luobin, it's clear you're an honest person, and I have great respect for you.

Luosen, suppressing his anger, let out a low growl like a wounded lion.

If that's the case, you shouldn't be making such an outrageous demand!

This is my fault; I failed to explain the situation clearly.

How?

Luosen's anger dissipated somewhat; he turned again, his eyes showing inquiry.

Dalete smiled and said, "Mr. Luobin, I don't want to buy your stepson; I want to hire him."

After hiring him, I will treat him well, educate him, and let him grow properly. At the same time, I will give Yadan a generous salary so you can go save your wife.

When your wife's illness is cured, you can bring her to see me. She can see her child anytime, and she will find that her child has been doing well all along.

Having said that, Dalete took another deep puff of his pipe and smiled gently.

Mr. Luobin, everyone needs work—you need it, I need it, Yadan needs it; we all rely on work to make a living.

Yadan can save his mother's life with his own wages at such a young age—isn't that something to be relieved about?

As for me, I might lose a bit in business, but I've made a killing in conscience!

Perhaps Mother Nature, seeing this, will let me spend the rest of my life in peace and happiness.

These words are utterly flawless.

If Luosen hadn't investigated carefully, any ordinary person would surely think Dalete was a kind-hearted, noble gentleman.

Thus, Luosen hesitated: "This isn't a small matter; I need to discuss it with my wife."

Dalete nodded: "No problem, just tell your wife that."

You say I will prepay Yadan ten years' salary up front—about uh 300 Gold Ogre—to help him treat his mother's illness.

Luosen's eyes lit up, his face showing gratitude: "All right, sir, you really are a good person."

Dalete laughed heartily: "I can't really call myself a good person; I just have some sympathy."

All right, go discuss it; if your wife agrees, come find me in the fourth-floor VIP guest room.

Just find any attendant, say you're looking for Mr. Dalete, and he'll lead you to me.

Having said that, Dalete turned and left.

He suppressed his excitement, making his steps neat and brisk, and only after he was out of Mr. Luobin's sight did he let out a long breath.

I hope it succeeds.

He thought that as he walked all the way back to the guest room.

But as he walked, he began to feel a little worried.

This little boy is really too handsome; I keep feeling something's off.

Could he have been made with Transformation Technique?

Using Transformation Technique to disguise oneself is completely normal.

Nobles, to obtain a splendid appearance, will use Transformation Technique to conceal flaws when attending major gatherings.

He himself has done it many times.

Although all signs indicate the boy is genuine, being in a foreign land, it's always wise to be cautious.

If the boy is really sent over, let Beierkan carefully inspect the goods for me.

He thought that.

Beierkan is the mage he trained from childhood, also his magical consultant, loyal and capable, one of his capable assistants for overseas business.

Many times, it was Beierkan who exposed the fraud traps.

(End of chapter)