None of those present were fools. With Nilou's reminder, everyone realized that this celebration banquet had another purpose. Though it was not particularly honorable, they could all understand what the people of Zubayr Theater had done.
After all, the enactment of the art ban was a devastating blow to those working at Zubayr Theater, and their desire for change was understandable.
For the theater staff, if they could work and live locally in Sumeru, who would truly want to cross the ocean to Inazuma, a land where everything and everyone was unfamiliar?
Seeing the vulnerable, guilty expression on Nilou's face, Yucheng could not help feeling compassion. He casually conjured up a copy of the agreement he had signed with the people of Zubayr Theater and asked gently:
"Nilou, what do you think? If the Akademiya really can abolish the art ban soon, would you and the people of Zubayr Theater still be willing to go to Inazuma? If you aren't willing, I can burn this agreement on the spot, and we can act as though this never happened."
At Yucheng's words, the entire Grand Bazaar seemed to fall silent. Those onstage and below all looked with complicated expressions at the agreement in his hand, signed in black and white.
Hearing Yucheng's question, Nilou was immediately caught in an intense struggle, wracked with guilt. To be honest, she actually very much wanted to stay in Sumeru. Familiar surroundings, a comfortable atmosphere, simple yet warm relationships, and her parents and friends by her side-there were all sorts of advantages.
Yet despite all those advantages, the reason Nilou remained so deeply conflicted was that Yucheng had helped her far too much.
Whether it was helping Dunyarzad organize the Sabzeruz Festival or generously giving everyone at Zubayr Theater a chance to continue performing, she