The New Member Forced into a Deal

Downstairs, the staff at the Raccoon Dog Dream Theater were busy at work.

After arranging his work, Hebana looked up at the building and felt extremely anxious.

Ms. Yuumi declined to participate in rehearsals, saying she wanted to rest today.

This isn't the first time.

This half-cat lady has been very proactive recently, and her talent and rate of progress are quite impressive, which makes Hebana very appreciative.

But in recent days, Yuumi has been getting up later and later in the morning, and she frequently interrupts rehearsals, as if she's busy with something.

This very unfavorable development made Hebana extremely anxious.

He was actually somewhat prepared for the situation where wealthy young ladies would act with only a fleeting enthusiasm followed by a rapid cooling of interest.

But this new drama, Ximina's posthumous work, can't be allowed to fizzle out like this.

It's rare to find someone willing to foot the bill. The props have already been customized, and the actors have mostly rehearsed together, so a high-quality performance is entirely expected.

Just as the Hebana was feeling anxious, Lang Yefu returned.

She hummed a song, in a good mood, while eating a sour apple. Lang Yefu had decided not to touch meat for three days!

Suddenly, the Hebana's eyes lit up.

This wolf lady's image is very much in line with the needs!

Besides, she's already a half-werewolf, so she could just dye her fur a little white; she doesn't even need to dress up!

The Hebana quickly stopped him.

"Miss Wolf, are you interested in acting?"

Lang Yefu's ears perked up.

"Acting?"

She glanced at the actors rehearsing and realized that Hebana was trying to recruit her.

"Who do you need me to play?" Lang Yefu asked, puzzled.

"Wolf Fang Princess Aivila of the Wolf Fang," Hebana replied.

Lang Yefu was even more confused. "Isn't this role played by Miss Yuumi?"

Hebana explained in a very serious tone:

"The main roles will definitely be one starter, one substitute, and one or two other players."

This is actually a common practice in normal theater, to prevent situations where actors' conditions could cause the performance to be unable to proceed.

Moreover, continuous performances are very physically demanding, and the main actors need to take turns resting.

If an understudy actor doesn't play a leading role, then having them play minor, supporting roles isn't a waste of human resources.

Lang Yefu thought for a moment and did not refuse outright.

I need to ask the young master.

She suddenly remembered something, moved closer to the Hebana, and whispered:

"Young Master, what kind of girl did you bring into your room the other day?"

Before she could finish speaking, Lang Yefu felt a tightness around her neck.

A hand reached out from behind and grabbed her by the back of the neck. "We agreed that you wouldn't ask that question again!" Su Ming said with a hostile look in his eyes.

"You broke the contract first!" Lang Yefu said matter-of-factly.

Su Ming agreed to give her extra food, but the meat—

The thought of that plate of sausages made Lang Yefu's face turn pale again.

"I think it's because you have too much free time," Su Ming said, unmoved.

He turned to Hebana.

"I agreed to let her be the substitute."

Then, Su Ming pushed Lang Yefu towards the Hebana.

"Good luck, trainee!"

The Hebana's face lit up with joy. He immediately shoved a stack of scripts into Lang Yefu's hands and pulled the half-werewolf towards the rehearsal space.

"[Wait, are you serious?]" Lang Yefu asked urgently.

"Of course!" Su Ming replied. "You'll be staying here to guard the house; you'll need a perfect identity."

It's much safer to have an actress invited to play the Wolf Fang Princess than to have her appear out of nowhere.

But I don't know how!

[How do I even qualify as a princess?!]

Su Ming exposed him.

You will.

[Didn't you do a great job playing "Yexiya," the "princess of the Cangxiao Dynasty"?]

Lang Yefu, with her heroic spirit, punishes "corrupt officials" and gives speeches on various stages.

If we say that Yise is extremely talented, then Lang Yefu is a professional-level player who has already debuted.

"But I can't sing!" Lang Yefu panicked.

[A werewolf, all it needs to do is howl.] Su Ming remained unmoved.

Lang Yefu was helpless. "De" "Qi" "Xiao" "Shuo" "Net" "Shou" "Fa" "d" "e" "q" "i" "x" "s"".""o""r""g"

Why do I still have to do the same work as I did at the Plundering Clock here?

[You should think more about the reasons behind your own actions, why you always get dragged into acting.] Su Ming said.

"[It's clearly because both sides have the same darker skin tone,]" Lang Yefu retorted.

[That's normal.] Su Ming's lips curled up. [To defeat the enemy, you have to be worse than them!]

****

In the afternoon, a minor official with some influence suddenly came to the door.

"Old raccoon!"

He approached Hebana, his voice so loud that Su Ming upstairs could hear him clearly.

"I'm sorry I couldn't find that human slave you wanted last time!"

"Not at all, Lord Niu Jiaode!" Hebana responded very politely, "It's you who should be troubled."

"What's the situation around here?" Su Ming asked Ximina. "This Niu Jiaode came alone, and there's nothing suspicious going on around here," Ximina replied.

Su Ming felt relieved and focused his attention downstairs, quickly understanding what was happening.

This Niu Jiaode was a minor leader in the labor camp.

The place manages orc criminals, as well as "other races" who are not orcs and have been captured recently, forcing them to perform hard labor in the mining area.

Some time ago, Hebana asked Niu Jiaode to find Ximina's whereabouts, but unfortunately, he couldn't.

"Niu Jiaode can't fulfill Hebana's request, and he doesn't want to refund the money," Ximina said.

"With you here, of course he can't finish," Su Ming complained.

However, Su Ming was somewhat puzzled, as he wouldn't ask the other party for a refund given Hebana's status.

Why would this half-human go to the trouble of making a trip to the Raccoon Dog Dream Theater?

Niu Jiaode continued:

"Or, you could come to my place and choose another human woman to be your slave."

"I'll give you a discount!" Ximina immediately understood.

"He's greedy; he doesn't want to miss out on the money later!"

When Hebana was eager to save Ximina, he naturally offered a high price.

He paid 15 percent as a deposit, asking Niu Jiaode to help find the person. Once found, he would pay the full amount to redeem Ximina.

Of course, nominally it was still about buying slaves.

By pulling this stunt, Niu Jiaode is clearly trying to force "fulfillment" in order to demand the subsequent payment.

****

This is a typical case of forced buying and selling.

Upon hearing this, the Hebana's face immediately fell.

Su Ming was also thinking about how to get rid of this Niu Jiaode.

Lang Yefu rushed up in a hurry.

"Su Ming, you have to agree to this!" "A friend of mine is still in a labor camp; we need to buy him out!"

Su Ming glanced at her.

Is it really necessary?

"He's human, and quite strong; he'll be a great help to us!" Lang Yefu said quickly.

Su Ming nodded.

Tell me the details later.

He walked downstairs, hands behind his back, and came to Niu Jiaode's side.

"Hello, sir," Su Ming greeted him casually.

Niu Jiaode grinned.

"Oh, it's the new owner of the theater."

Everyone's really looking forward to your new play!

"You're too kind!" Su Ming said, "Captain Niu, you must come and support us!" "Definitely, definitely!" Niu Jiaode patted his chest and said, "Anyway, you're getting a free show, so I, Old Niu, will definitely come and see it for myself."

He then asked a question:

"If you don't charge for tickets, isn't that just letting your sister waste money for nothing?"

"It's because Yuumi likes it," Su Ming sighed helplessly.

"But we sell snacks at the theater."

Su Ming continued.

"Selling merchandise during breaks in the performance can recoup a significant portion of the costs."

"Niu Jiaode exclaimed in admiration."

"You business people from Lingbei Port are really quick-witted!"

****

After the pleasantries ended, just as Niu Jiaode was about to steer the conversation back to the matter of buying slaves, Su Ming took the initiative to say:

"Since Captain Bull has come in person, Hebana, go and pick a capable slave to bring back." He changed the subject.

"But the price will be 30% off as previously agreed!"

"At the same time, we must choose the people we like ourselves, regardless of gender—is that alright?"

After Niu Jiaode consideration, even with a 30% discount, it's still a pretty good deal.

He knew when to quit while he was ahead.

"Fine, choose any of the alien races in the labor camp!"

He patted his chest and promised.

Because the money ended up in his own pocket, Niu Jiaode demanded that people be selected tonight.

There were few people on duty at that time, and they were all his own subordinates.

Su Ming readily agreed, and Niu Jiaode left happily.

"Boss!" Hebana cried out anxiously.

"If it were just ordinary slaves, I'm offering four times the normal price!" "Even with a 30% discount, you'd still be losing out!"

Foreign slaves don't fetch a good price here because the native orcs are very cheap and obedient.

Su Ming shook his head.

"I'll pay for it; I have another reason."

"You and Yuye go together tonight; Yuye can decide who you choose."

"Yes, boss." Hebana had nothing more to say.

Su Ming called Yuye upstairs and asked the logistics department to prepare a pinhole camera that could be easily installed on Yuye's neck ring.

He said to Lang Yefu:

Explain the background and consequences.

Lang Yefu began her narration.

"That person actually came to kill me, to avenge his deceased mother."

"He was a master swordsman; I couldn't beat him." "But he was unlucky; he was subdued by a few passing Quarter Hand."

This happened a year ago.

At that time Lang Yefu had a normal identity and a fairly high status inside the Plundering Clock.

She detained this person under the guise of an investigation, imprisoned him, and kept him in jail.

Until recently, Lang Yefu's identity as a member of a resistance organization was exposed, and she was arrested.

The human she had been protecting naturally ended up in the mining area's labor camp.

"So he is actually an enemy of Yexiya?" Su Ming realized.

"Of course!" Lang Yefu said, "I've never left Water Chestnut Island, how could I have killed his mother?"

What was that person's name?

"He won't say," Lang Yefu spread her hands. "I've always called him Xiao Jian."

The support team quickly got the cameras ready.

Su Ming completed the summoning and equipped Yuye with the item, adding a black decorative bead to the half-cat's neck ring. "Just proceed as normal tonight," he instructed Yuye.

"It's nothing, just going in to pick someone," Yuye smiled. "I'm not nervous."

Su Ming was testing her adaptability.

What if someone notices the hidden earphone in my ear?

"Just say it's an ear infection, this is for treating illness!" Yuye replied easily, "You'll definitely keep things quiet here immediately."

"Good!"

****

Seeing that everything was arranged, Lang Yefu planned to go back downstairs to continue rehearsing.

Su Ming suddenly frowned.

A swordsman of considerable skill.

My mother was murdered.

I came to Water Chestnut Island a year ago to seek revenge on "Yexiya". That sounds so familiar!

"Etc."

Su Ming called Lang Yefu back, picked up his phone, pulled up a picture, and showed it to her.

It was a human male, whose eyebrows and eyes somewhat resembled those of Zijin, and he wore a long sword at his waist.

"Huh, Xiao Jian is one of yours?" Lang Yefu asked in surprise.

Su Ming clenched his fist and made a fist at the air.

Weiaoyasi!

Zijin's younger brother, born of the same mother.

Unlike Zijin, he inherited Atiya's talent and is a sword warrior.

Previous investigations revealed that Weiaoyasi had been tracking down his mother's killer. Shortly after arriving at Water Chestnut Island, he disappeared without a trace.

Now it seems he really did approach "Yexiya".

Unfortunately, given the information Weiaoyasi possessed, he couldn't possibly know that Lang Yefu wasn't the real person, but merely a "stand-in actress." Su Ming took a deep breath.

"Don't let Zijin know about this beforehand!" he instructed the person on the other end of the communication line.

He then began to carefully review the plans for the evening and made some additional arrangements.