Everyone's Surprise

"Jianing, you need to perform well later." At the dinner table, Maki said seriously to Jianing, "I've already told Count Lewis you'd be attending tonight's meal, and the Count said he'd bring his daughter along."

Jianing looked helplessly at his uncle Maki, who had suddenly turned into a fussy old woman. "Uncle, just rest assured."

Because of Jianing's arrival, Maki had specially changed the venue for the banquet at the last minute, switching from the original Green Court Restaurant to Kai Yan Restaurant, and spent a hefty sum to book a high-end private room.

Kai Yan Restaurant could be considered top-tier even by the standards of all Kading City.

Booking a high-end private room at Kai Yan Restaurant was a significant expense for Maki.

The wait wasn't long. Soon, Count Lewis and his family appeared at the door of the private room, following a servant. Maki led Jianing over to greet them quickly.

"Welcome, my dear Count Lewis, come on in..." Maki stepped forward and gave the Count a hearty hug.

"Cut it out, Maki. I don't remember you ever being this warm with me before." Clearly, Count Lewis wasn't impressed by Maki's act, but he didn't refuse the hug either.

"This must be Baron Chris's child, I presume." The Count turned his gaze to Jianing.

"Good evening, Count. Jianing Dalut greets you." Jianing bowed to Count Lewis.

"Haha, no need for formalities. That Maki fellow has been singing your praises in my ear all this time—I've been quite curious about you." Lewis sized up Jianing, noting his spirited and handsome appearance, and felt somewhat satisfied.

"Lady Carita, Quinta, Arannis..." On the other side, Maki greeted the Countess and the Count's two children.

"Thank you for the invitation, Maki." Lady Carita first offered a polite word, then looked at Count Lewis. "I think it's rude to crowd the doorway, and unless I misheard, Maki has already invited you in."

Lewis caught his wife's gentle smile and quickly snapped to attention. He reached out, pressed a hand on Jianing's shoulder, and pulled him into the private room. "Haha, let's go, let's go, we'll talk inside."

Jianing couldn't easily break free, so he went along with the motion and walked inside.

The group all took their seats, and Maki and Lewis exchanged a few more pleasantries.

Then, Count Lewis turned the conversation back to Jianing, asking curiously, "Jianing, I hear from Maki that you're already a Level 8 Warrior."

At these words, everyone at the table focused their attention on Jianing, each with their own meaning in their eyes.

Lewis and Carita looked at him with a hint of scrutiny, Maki with pride and anticipation, Quinta with some reluctance, and Arannis with more curiosity...

Feeling the weight of their gazes, Jianing understood clearly.

The Count and Countess's scrutinizing looks were understandable. Uncle Maki, where does that pride come from? Do you like 'showing off in front of others' too? Then why don't you do it yourself?

And that Quinta must be Count Lewis's eldest son—his reluctance seems to come from being compared to someone else's child?

As for Arannis, she must be the 'matchmaking' target for this time.

Her brilliant golden hair, under the soft lamplight, flowed like molten gold, and her emerald-green eyes were like jade, full of life's vitality and unique charm.

Jianing smiled naturally, his expression carrying a touch of humility. "When I met Uncle Maki before, I was indeed a Level 8 Warrior..."

"Before?" Lewis's eyes seemed to light up, as if he'd thought of something, but he found it hard to believe. "Have you already broken through?"

"What?" Maki, who hadn't reacted at first, quickly locked eyes with Jianing upon hearing Lewis's words.

"I've gained a little from training during this time and was fortunate enough to break through and become a Level 9 Warrior." Jianing hadn't planned to hide it, so he said it naturally.

"Hiss—" Lewis couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath when his guess was confirmed.

"Oh, heavens, an eighteen-year-old Level 9 Warrior..." Lady Carita momentarily lost her composure and exclaimed.

Quinta—Quinta began to doubt his own ears.

Arannis's lips parted slightly as she stared at Jianing, her gaze like she was looking at some kind of monster.

"Haha, as expected of my nephew, Maki's own..." Maki laughed at the Count's family's reaction, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction inside. "I think the Bana Continent could use a new saying—'A nephew takes after his uncle,' just like Jianing takes after Maki."

"Give it a rest, Maki." Given their friendship, Lewis had no intention of letting Maki save face. "You've been a Level 8 Warrior for nearly ten years now. If Jianing really took after you, he'd be done for."

"Lewis, what are you so smug about? You're a Level 8 Warrior yourself, and you once got beaten by a Level 7 Warrior... mmph—" Maki immediately took offense and started to argue back.

The next moment, to everyone's astonishment, Lewis grabbed Maki by the neck and covered his mouth. Maki began to struggle...

After a bout of commotion, Lewis and Maki straightened their clothes and acted as if nothing had happened—if one ignored their flushed faces.

Then, riding on the heated atmosphere, the banquet began in lively fashion.

"Ahem—" Lewis cleared his throat twice and said to Jianing, "Truly worthy of a genius."

"Don't you think so, Lanny?" With that, Lewis tossed the conversation to his daughter.

"Ah—" Arannis was caught off guard, not expecting her father to suddenly turn the topic to her. Fortunately, as a mage, her mind was quick, and she hurriedly replied, "Yes, Sir Jianing is indeed a rare genius..."

As she spoke, looking at Jianing's handsome face, she seemed to think of something and her cheeks flushed slightly.

Lewis exchanged a knowing smile with his wife, then turned back to Jianing. "Is this your first time in Kading City?"

"Yes, I arrived here for the first time today. Kading City is truly a magnificent city." Jianing nodded.

"In that case, since we've all eaten enough, why don't Quinta and Arannis take you for a stroll around Kading City at night? The night market here is quite famous even across the entire Korur Empire." Lewis suggested warmly.

Maki chimed in, "Yeah, go on, go on. If you don't visit Kading City's night market, you haven't really been to Kading City."

Walking along the streets of Kading City, Jianing and Arannis strode side by side, while Quinta followed behind them with his head down, occasionally stealing glances at Jianing.

"Miss Arannis—" Jianing addressed her.

"Lanny—"

"Hm?" Jie Ning was a little confused.

"You can call me Lanni." A pair of green eyes stared at Jie Ning.

Quinta looked at Arannis in disbelief.

Jie Ning immediately went along with it. "Hello, Lanni."

"Hehe, hello, Jie Ning." Arannis suddenly seemed happy for some reason.

"Then I'll trouble Lanni to show me around Kading City properly."

"Hehe, then you'll have to keep up with me." Arannis took a step forward, turned to look at Jie Ning, and smiled with narrowed eyes.

"I won't lose you."

The two of them chatted back and forth, gradually merging into the flow of people.

Only Quinta was left standing there, full of questions. Then what am I supposed to do?

Dear brothers and sisters with votes, please spare a few tickets for me.