It was mealtime, and the Barbecue Restaurant was packed. People filled the seats all around them, keeping their voices down as they chatted with their companions.
Compared with the lively atmosphere around them, Xianyu's table was far too quiet.
The moment the child heard that Xianyu had brought no Strales, they panicked, setting down their chopsticks while struggling to keep their expression under control.
It was like slamming the door loud enough to shake the house after an argument with your parents, determined to let them know how upset you were.
Like swearing to become an emotionless studying machine from that day onward, just to make your parents regret everything.
Unfortunately, a child's pretense could hardly have been more obvious to an adult.
Xianyu saw straight through the child's attempt to hide their panic.
He showed a rare measure of extra patience toward his chosen heir.
Xianyu tried putting himself in their shoes.
If he were walking down the street and some stranger suddenly approached him, praised him for being clever, and dragged him into a barbecue restaurant...
Then, halfway through the meal, that person announced they had no money.
Xianyu: "..."
Which psychiatric hospital did this lunatic escape from?!
Xianyu's expression gradually froze.
If it were me... wouldn't my next step be finding a chance to call the Cloud Knights?
If I, the Xianzhou Marshal, got arrested by the Cloud Knights on my own turf...
Never mind Aha, who loved a good laugh-even the Chief Strategist, who was at odds with him and currently near death, would probably crawl out of bed to mock him.
Xianyu lowered his head to look at the child beside him, who appeared calm but was actually panicking.
He hesitated, wanting to say something, but ultimately closed his mouth.
How could someone who had