A Dinner Invitation

Not far from the northwest corner of Bunta City, a narrow path wound into a lush forest. After about two kilometers, it led into a sprawling estate.

The estate was green throughout, with flowers and shrubs nestled among its dozen or so buildings. Despite the greenery, everything was arranged in perfect order.

Birds of every kind darted past, calling now and then, making the whole estate feel quiet and inviting.

Near the western edge stood a small hill. A crystal-clear spring flowed down from its summit, bringing a hint of cool moisture to the estate and forming a pool at the foot of the hill.

The spring water was cold, and the constant flow kept the pool pleasantly cool.

A small wooden shelter stood beside the pool. Viscount Leslie sat at its open side facing the water, shoes off, feet and calves submerged. He enjoyed the coolness, occasionally letting out a contented sigh.

Beside him, a Magic Fan turned without pause.

Streams of cool air blew from the fan, stirring his loose hair.

After enjoying it with his eyes closed for a while, Viscount Leslie shook his head. "It's still not quite enough. The Frost Array is cooler."

Butler Wenlai, who had been standing by, immediately bowed. "Yes, Viscount. None of the noble families in Bunta City has bought a Magic Fan. They all consider it something for commoners. I suggest you stop using it, lest it diminish your standing."

"Oh? Is that what those fools think?" Viscount Leslie turned to Butler Wenlai with a mocking smile.

At the sight of Viscount Leslie's languid smile, Butler Wenlai sighed inwardly.

The Viscount had just turned thirty, an age when he was in his prime. Handsome and well-mannered, he was immensely popular with the young noblewomen of Bunta City. Yet he showed no interest in marriage, much to the long-standing worry of his father, the count in Anvilmar.

"Viscount, what do you mean?" Butler Wenlai kept his thoughts to himself and responded with just the right amount of interest.

"You don't see it either?" Viscount Leslie pointed at the Magic Fan. "It may not work as well as a Frost Array, but it costs far less. Ordinary families in Bunta City can't afford to set up a Frost Array, but that doesn't mean they can't afford a Magic Fan. Two Gold Coins for a cool breeze—what's wrong with that?"

"Wenlai, how much do you think one of these costs to make?" Viscount Leslie asked.

Butler Wenlai answered without much hesitation. "I've done a rough calculation. A Magic Fan should cost no more than one Gold Coin to make."

"Heh. It costs less than one Gold Coin and sells for two. That means Xu Yi makes a Gold Coin on every Magic Fan he sells. Do you know how many he's sold so far?"

"That... I'm not sure. More than two thousand by now, I'd guess?" Butler Wenlai replied uncertainly.

"Let's say two thousand. That's two thousand Gold Coins. The man made two thousand Gold Coins in just one month. He's quite capable." Viscount Leslie sounded thoroughly impressed.

Butler Wenlai frowned. "My lord, I admit he's capable, but isn't this a special case? Magic Fans only sell in summer, three months a year at most. And each family will only need so many. Once every family that can afford one has bought one, he won't be able to keep making this much money from them."

"Wenlai, you really are getting old." Viscount Leslie sighed and shook his head. "If no one in Bunta City wants one, he can sell them in other cities—even other countries. Sains Continent is enormous. Countless families would buy a Magic Fan if he could get it to them. In fact, I'm certain that's been his plan from the start. Why else would he have leased an entire hectare of land from me? At his current scale, he wouldn't need nearly that much space. A small workshop in the city would do."

Butler Wenlai looked astonished. "His ambitions are that big?"

"Heh. Ambition is a good thing. Otherwise, why would I be discussing an insignificant little merchant with you?" Viscount Leslie chuckled. "What first caught my attention, though, was the crowd that surrounded his shop last time."

"Oh, that surprised me too. I thought it would turn into a huge disturbance, but they handled it well. In the end, all those people left satisfied." Admiration crept into Butler Wenlai's voice. "I've met Heinz. He isn't capable of handling something like that, so it must have been Xu Yi."

"That alone wouldn't have meant much. What caught my attention was something he proposed... Ah, right. Branding! Wenlai, do you know what that means?"

Butler Wenlai shook his head blankly.

"To be honest, neither do I. But I can tell it's important. The other merchants in Bunta City don't understand what it means yet, but I'm sure they will someday." Viscount Leslie spoke with absolute conviction.

Butler Wenlai thought for a moment, then couldn't help asking, "My lord, what are you getting at? Whatever Xu Yi plans to do, it doesn't seem to have much to do with you. He did give you a ten-percent stake, but by my estimate, it will bring in a few hundred gold coins a year at most. Surely it doesn't warrant this much of your attention?"

Viscount Leslie laughed. "Wenlai, I told you you were getting old. Go see Xu Yi yourself tomorrow and deliver an invitation from me. Tell him I'd like him to come here as my guest."

Butler Wenlai's eyes widened in disbelief.

Had he heard correctly? The Viscount, who had never liked guests disturbing him, was personally inviting someone to his home?

Xu Yi felt anything but honored at the moment. After testing the Magic Heading Machine and Magic Thread-Rolling Machine more than a hundred times at Master Ranu's place, he had given the master a long list of adjustments to make.

Though he had earned countless complaints from Master Ranu, he had also received the good news that the adjustments would be done within three days.

The process had drained nearly all his strength and energy. When he dragged himself back to the small house he rented, he collapsed facedown on the bed and fell fast asleep.

He had no idea how long he'd slept. When he finally stirred, the aroma of stewed meat reached his nose.

Listening more closely, he heard voices coming from the kitchen.

One of them was a girl's voice!

Xu Yi jolted awake. Had someone sneaked in while he was asleep?

He rolled out of bed and peered into the kitchen. Two familiar figures, one tall and one small, stood with their backs to him, busy at the stove.

He recognized both of them at once.

"Stille? What are you doing here?" Xu Yi asked in surprise.

Stille turned from the pan she was tossing and smiled at him. "You're awake. Go wash your face. Dinner's almost ready."

Xu Yi stared at her in confusion, then glanced at the young slave he had bought standing beside her. He frowned.

"Hey, your injuries haven't healed yet. Why are you out of bed?"

The young slave had been staying with Xu Yi for many days, but she was still timid. She shrank back at his words, lowered her head, and left the kitchen for the room he had prepared for her.

"Xu Yi, why did you yell at her? I asked her to help me," Stille complained when her little helper fled.

"She's still injured, and you asked her to help? What if her wounds reopen?"

"Don't worry. I checked her wounds. They're mostly healed and won't get in her way." Stille finished cooking a dish, then pursed her lips toward it and the pot of stew, signaling Xu Yi to carry them out.

As they set out the dishes, Stille quietly asked, "Hey, Xu Yi, what's the story with that little girl?"

"Little girl? Who?" Xu Yi asked, baffled.

"Her, of course." Stille pointed toward the little hut where the young slave was staying.

"Oh, she's a young slave I bought. It's a long story. I'll explain another time... Wait. Did you say little girl?" Xu Yi's eyes widened.

"Yes. What's wrong?" Stille was also stunned by Xu Yi's shocked expression.

"Isn't he a boy?" Xu Yi exclaimed.

"What boy? She's obviously a little girl! Is there something wrong with your eyes?" Stille snapped.

Xu Yi froze.

The first time he had seen the young slave, three burly men had been whipping her mercilessly. He had instinctively assumed she was a boy because he couldn't believe anyone would do something so brutal to a little girl.

After buying her from Butler Wenlai, he had kept her wounds wrapped in bandages. Xu Yi hadn't spent much time with her either, so he had never noticed his mistake.

To think the little boy he'd believed her to be all this time was actually a little girl!