"If Mr. Yun Fan is willing to share with 'The Family,' I'd be immensely grateful and all ears."
"Heh, it's no big deal. Whether it's you personally or 'The Family,' these secrets aren't exactly classified. It's just that the Aeon of Causality, the Lord of Samsara, is a relatively recent emergence, so you're not yet aware."
"And, well… I assume you're familiar with that bunch of eccentrics from the Genius Society?"
"Heh, of course I am. Not only that, The Family has numerous dealings and collaborations with the Genius Society. I believe Mr. Yun Fan is aware of this as well."
"Indeed, that's correct. Some time ago, the Genius Society formed a research team to study the emergence of the Aeon of Causality. But so far…"
"Not to mention anything about the Aeon of Causality's life before ascension, they haven't even fully deciphered the nature of the Causality Authority."
At this, Yun Fan raised his head slightly, set down his glass, and crossed his hands, looking at the man with a fake smile across from him.
"I can provide you with information about the Aeon of Causality, Yun Fan, before his ascension. This alone would bring immense benefits to your Family and strengthen your ties with the Genius Society."
"So, Mr. Sunday, there are no eternal friends, only eternal interests. In exchange, what can you offer?"
Yun Fan chuckled lightly, his gaze dark and piercing as he stared at Sunday.
In response, Sunday raised his glass with a cheerful smile. "That depends on what Mr. Yun Fan desires."
Matching Sunday's gesture, Yun Fan raised his glass, then turned his gaze to Miss Robin, who sat somewhat stiffly nearby.
"Miss Robin, please."
Yun Fan raised his glass toward Robin, who smiled gracefully and lifted her own glass with her delicate, white-gloved hands, returning the gesture.
Seeing this, Sunday, who was also holding his glass, kept a calm smile on his face, but inside, he was already cursing.
Robin, this girl… she doesn't even drink. The wine in front of her is just a courtesy to show respect to the guest!
This was supposed to be a conversation between him and Yun Fan, but this scoundrel had the audacity to drag his sister into it!
He wasn't a fool. He had toasted Yun Fan to ask what he wanted, and Yun Fan responded by inviting his sister to join. Wasn't that clearly implying he wanted his sister?!
"Hm? Mr. Sunday, are you alright? You don't look too well," Yun Fan said, pausing his actions and asking with apparent concern as he noticed Sunday's odd expression.
"Haha, I'm fine. Thank you for your concern, Mr. Yun Fan. I'm just a bit tipsy, that's all. I hope I haven't made a fool of myself," Sunday said, forcing a smile as he downed his wine.
"Haha, no worries. If Mr. Sunday isn't feeling well, you can head back to rest. Miss Robin can keep me company," Yun Fan said.
"Heh! No trouble at all, thank you for your concern, Mr. Yun Fan—!"
Sunday gritted his teeth, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
This guy has some nerve! If I actually left Robin here as he suggested, I'd probably have a niece in ten months!
"Is that so? That's a shame," Yun Fan sighed, shaking his head with mock regret.
'Crash—!'
"Oh! Brother, are you okay?!"
A shattering sound rang out, followed by the girl's startled cry.
Our head of the Oak Family, Mr. Sunday, had actually crushed the crystal wine glass in his hand.
The blood-red wine splashed everywhere, staining his pristine white attire.
"Brother, are you alright?!" Robin hurriedly pulled out a handkerchief, carefully wiping the wine from Sunday's face and clothes.
"I… I'm fine, brother's fine…"
Taking the handkerchief, Sunday wiped his collar himself. Taking a deep breath, he responded, "Mr. Yun Fan, I'm sorry, but I cannot agree to your terms."
"Hm?" Yun Fan's brows furrowed slightly, and he crossed his arms, looking puzzled.
"Mr. Sunday, what are you talking about? When did I state my terms?"
"Heh, Mr. Yun Fan, let's not beat around the bush. As a brother, I would never use my sister as a bargaining chip for The Family's interests," Sunday declared, waving his hand with a resolute look in his eyes, his tone righteous and firm.
"Heh heh heh…"
After a brief silence, Yun Fan suddenly burst into laughter. But there was no mockery or anger in his laugh—on the contrary, it was filled with appreciation and approval.
"Well done. Your answer satisfies me greatly, Head of the Oak Family. I acknowledge your worth as a brother."
"You didn't sell out your sister or betray your kin for profit. I admire that."
Hearing Yun Fan's words, Sunday frowned. "Are you saying… you were testing me?"
"Let's call it that." Yun Fan neither confirmed nor denied it. He leaned back in his chair, his entire demeanor shifting.
If he had been a reserved guest before, he now carried the aura of a king reigning over the world.
"I don't have any particular demands. From now until the end of the Charmony Festival, all expenses for me and my friends will be covered by The Family. That's not too much to ask, is it?"
"That's all?" Sunday narrowed his eyes. As the head of the Oak Family, who governed Penacony and navigated countless factions over the years, he didn't believe Yun Fan's request was so simple.
This Emanator of Causality surely had other motives, or rather, his goals extended beyond this.
"Hm? Heh, does Mr. Sunday think my request is too simple? How about, as you suggested earlier, you give me your sister?"
"Uh, no need for that. It was I who judged a gentleman with a petty mind."
"Hahaha, no harm, no harm…"
As the night deepened, it wasn't until around midnight that Yun Fan left Sunday's residence.
Robin had intended to escort Yun Fan part of the way, but Sunday intercepted her midway. He wasn't about to let his sister walk off and never return.
Watching Yun Fan's departing figure, Sunday's eyes grew profound. His intuition told him that Yun Fan hadn't given up and was definitely still eyeing his sister.
As for that so-called test… heh, that was probably just an excuse to avoid embarrassment. If Sunday had actually offered his sister as a bargaining chip, Yun Fan would've accepted without hesitation!