"But I'd like Stone Clan to use this liquor to trade for your share of the supplies."
At Leiluo's words, Male's eyes immediately lit up. If he could get this liquor directly, and Leiluo had a monopoly on it, then he'd be one of only two channels through which people could obtain it.
If he traded the liquor for goods at a higher price, he was sure to make a profit. Male's eyes shifted as he sighed.
"Leiluo, it's not that I don't want to trade. It's just that our clan has no use for this liquor!"
"Come on, let's be honest, Male. You've got connections, and now you've got liquor. No use? Are you kidding me?"
"Smack!"
Leiluo slapped the table and stood up.
"If you think it's no use, then forget it. We'll just stick to the deal we discussed at first."
"It's getting late, and I've got things to do tomorrow. You should head back."
With that, Leiluo moved to see him out. Only then did Male panic. He wanted to give himself a hard smack. He'd known Leiluo wasn't like the people he used to swindle—Leiluo was shrewd as hell—yet he'd still tried to play his little tricks.
But Male had long since developed a poker face for the sake of his clan's interests. He grabbed Leiluo with a sheepish grin.
"Hey! What are you saying? I was just saying that. It's useful, it's useful! How could it not be? Heh, heh."
He flashed all eight teeth in a textbook smile at Leiluo.
"It really is useful?"
Leiluo deliberately asked again.
"It is! It is!"
"Don't feel pressured, okay? You know me. I don't like forcing anyone."
"I know, I know."
Though Male felt bitter about being teased by Leiluo, he had only himself to blame.