Cocolia quietly watched Yan Huan before her, then glanced at the Furong Wang cigarette.
She remained silent.
This was the first time anyone had dared offer a cigarette to the Supreme Guardian in Kliperburg.
That entire sequence left the people standing below dumbfounded.
Pela especially looked as though her glasses were about to fall off. She hurriedly pushed them up.
Big brother, did she even tell you to come up there? And you just went up? That was the Supreme Guardian.
Going up there was one thing, but you even offered her a cigarette?
In this day and age, the Supreme Guardian surely did not smoke Furong Wang cigarettes.
At that moment.
Bronya, Pela, and Gepard all took two small steps back in unspoken agreement.
They were afraid Cocolia might suddenly lash out and accidentally hurt them.
"What's wrong? Don't be polite, take it." Seeing that Cocolia had not accepted it, Yan Huan extended the Furong Wang cigarette farther toward her.
"..."
Silence.
The entire hall became deathly quiet.
Only Yan Huan remained eagerly intent on offering that Furong Wang cigarette.
Under the astonished gazes of the three below.
Cocolia reached out and actually accepted the Furong Wang cigarette.
"???"
Pela's eyes widened as if she had witnessed a spectacle seen only once in a century.
Bronya was stunned as well. She had not known her mother smoked.
Gepard remained silent, but cold sweat appeared on his forehead. He understood this even less than the other two.
While the three stood there completely bewildered, Cocolia placed the Furong Wang cigarette on the table and smiled.
"Furong Wang. An old brand. Bronya told me that your late mentor liked it very much?"
Yan Huan froze for a moment, then nodded sharply.
"Yes. Furong Wang—adults and children alike loved smoking it!"
Cocolia: "..."
The Supreme Guardian silently opened her drawer and took out a metal stick.
She then displayed it before Yan Huan.
"This is the Riku 5. When I was still a student, practically all my classmates smoked this kind of e-cigarette."
Hearing that, Yan Huan sniffed.
Holding the Riku 5, Cocolia slowly walked over to Yan Huan and spoke at length.
"The Traditional Faction is certainly respectable, but the past is the past. New things will eventually replace old ones. Give this a try."
Looking at the e-cigarette Cocolia offered him, Yan Huan casually accepted it and frowned.
"Riku 5—I have heard of it. But since traditional tobacco still exists, it must have a reason to exist."
Yan Huan smiled faintly and slipped the Riku 5 into his pocket.
"Just like today. It was precisely because I brought Furong Wang that I had the chance to offer you a cigarette. If I had brought Riku 5, I couldn't exactly offer you a vape cartridge, could I?"
Under Cocolia's gaze, Yan Huan slowly walked to her right.
"Besides, new things are not necessarily better than tradition. The persistence of those who cling to the old ways is not without reason."
Hearing this, Cocolia finally began to examine this so-called reclusive doctor before her.
"Perhaps the old faction's persistence is simply wrong? Plenty of studies have already proven that traditional tobacco is harmful, haven't they?"
Yan Huan replied calmly.
"That is true. It may never have been a good thing, but Supreme Guardian, why do you believe new e-cigarettes must be better than traditional tobacco? For all we know, they may poison the human body even more deeply."
Below the platform, Gepard felt somewhat moved, though he was also uncertain.
He quietly asked the two girls beside him.
"Do the Supreme Guardian and he know that much about tobacco research?"
But the two beside him did not answer for a long while. The expressions on their faces had actually grown even graver.
Pela said flatly.
"Gepard... they may not be talking about tobacco anymore."
On the platform, Cocolia suddenly chuckled.
"Heh. It seems you have done quite a bit of homework as well?"
Yan Huan smiled.
"Supreme Guardian, it seems you had your own insights long ago. I merely put your thoughts into words for you."
Cocolia walked over to Yan Huan, slipped her hand into his pocket, and silently retrieved the Riku 5.
"You are interesting, but I cannot give this to you. It was a graduation keepsake from a classmate."
She put the e-cigarette back into the drawer and said wistfully.
"Sometimes, I do not know whether the consequences of setting foot on a new road are good or bad. But I lost the ability to turn back long ago."
Yan Huan returned the Furong Wang to his pocket and spoke at length.
"Whether it is Riku or Furong Wang, neither is good for one's health. Perhaps both paths were wrong from the very beginning."
Cocolia raised a brow and asked with interest.
"Then by your reasoning, it is best not to smoke at all?"
"Not quite." Yan Huan waved his hand. "Some things always need an outlet. The key is whether one has found the right method—a path that can solve the problem without paying too great a price."
Above the hall.
Cocolia gently sat down, interlacing her fingers atop the desk as she spoke lightly.
"As expected of a doctor. No matter the circumstances, you can maintain an optimistic attitude."
Then her tone shifted.
"However, I am the Supreme Guardian. Every decision I make must be based on reality. Hesitation itself is the greatest mistake."
"Bronya and the others have witnessed your strength and medical skill. I trust them. You are too young, just as I once was, always harboring too many beautiful fantasies. You must understand that there is rarely a solution that satisfies every side."
Cocolia glanced at the people below, especially Bronya.
"Since even Bronya strongly recommends you, then naturally I will support you as well."
She slowly rose and looked at Yan Huan. Her tone was calm, yet no less imposing.
"From today onward, you will serve as Belobog's Executive Officer. Your authority... will be equal to Bronya's."
At once, all three people below were shocked.
"What?!" Pela's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
She had worked for so long and was still only an intelligence officer.
Bronya was practically Cocolia's own daughter. She had been raised by the Supreme Guardian herself to attain her current position, so why was a doctor who had only just entered the city suddenly being given such immense authority?
"Executive Officer Yan Huan." Cocolia spoke indifferently. "From now on, you need only obey my orders alone. Do you understand? Even Bronya has no authority to command you."
Yan Huan was stunned as well.
He had indeed wanted to secure an official position, but he had not expected one this significant.
By Cocolia's meaning, aside from obeying her orders, he could practically do whatever he wanted in the future. He could even ignore Bronya's words.
"Um... you are not pulling my leg, are you?" Yan Huan asked suspiciously.
Cocolia smiled faintly. "Of course not. The other three may leave. I will discuss the relevant matters with you alone."
The three below exchanged glances, then withdrew with varying expressions.
Only Yan Huan remained.
"Then... what do I need to do?" Yan Huan asked.
She had suddenly given him such immense authority. If he did not help Cocolia accomplish something major, he would feel a little guilty himself.
"Executive Officer Yan Huan, you must be curious why I suddenly gave you so much authority, correct?" Cocolia asked with a smile.
"Yeah."
"There are many reasons. For example, my dear daughter has been a little disobedient lately. She even talked back to me before."
"I'll go help you vent your anger right now!" Yan Huan immediately pulled an AK from his coat, loaded down with ammunition as he prepared to set out.
"Ahem, that is not what I mean." Cocolia stopped him.
"Then what do you mean?"
"I want you to keep an eye on her for me."
Cocolia's voice was filled with melancholy.
"If your authority is equal to hers, she will not be able to control you. You will have much more freedom. Her safety will depend on you. No problem?"
"From the way you spoke just now, I do not believe you are unaware of the blockade order. You came from the Lower District, yet even so, you were willing to treat the Silvermane Guards and willing to come to Kliperburg. Therefore, I believe in your love for this city."
"Now, are you willing to accept this position?" Cocolia looked deeply into Yan Huan's eyes.
Yan Huan pursed his lips.
"Then... do meals come with the job?"
Before you continue