The fair-skinned, slender fingers reached out towards Anqiluo, causing his heart to race. He bit his delicate lips and slipped the ring onto Yadunis’s ring finger, saying, “I’ve got you now, Yadunis.” Anqiluo’s clear blue eyes shimmered with joy.
The trader by the window, who had watched the whole exchange, was devoid of words: “Who am I? Where am I? Why am I here witnessing this display of love?”
The two of them held hands and returned to the crowd. Anqiluo’s new potion had yet to sell out; he wanted to finish selling before leaving, and Shuichang decided to stay with him.
“Wow, you really bought it! I hope you didn’t borrow money from Anqiluo for it,” said Eden sarcastically.
“Eden, Yadunis is my boyfriend. I won’t let you slander him,” Anqiluo retorted angrily at the male beastman making light of the situation.
Eden’s face froze. “Anqiluo, I’m only looking out for you, afraid you might be cheated. How could you choose such a poor male beastman as your boyfriend? My family background is exceptional, and I’m not bad-looking. What does he have that makes him superior to me, a mere conman?”
Shuichang coolly interjected, “Because I wouldn’t casually slander others like you do. Anqiluo appreciates my character and that’s why he chose me.”
“You!” Eden pointed at Yadunis, struggling to find words.
“Anqiluo, why did you choose him as your boyfriend? My brother pursued you for an entire year. What makes him unworthy of you? What qualifications does this male beastman have to be your boyfriend?” the brown-haired female beastman, Ilai, snapped angrily.
Anqiluo replied, “Since you insist on knowing the reason, I’ll tell you. Three days ago, I went to the edge of the Dark Realm Forest to look for Lanchang Flowers. I accidentally got surrounded by a pack of savage fallen beastmen. Yadunis risked his life to save me. He is a very good male. Please do not judge him harshly. No one can choose their origin, but Yadunis has never given up on being an upright person. I hope you can treat him like an ordinary person. Just because we are dating doesn’t mean you can be so harsh on him. It’s unfair.”
The crowd fell silent, but a sharp voice suddenly interrupted, “You’re saying that Yadunis saved you from a pack of savage fallen beastmen? How is that possible? He’s just a three-star male beastman. How can you be sure that those fallen beastmen weren’t bribed to pretend he was a hero?”
“Alger! Come out, I know it’s you,” Yalrin shouted from outside the crowd.
“Cowardly turtle, what do you know? You criticize others without even showing your face!” Yalrin was furious.
“Anqiluo, don’t listen to their nonsense. Although the boss is only a three-star male beastman, he’s incredibly strong. Yesterday, I, along with Allen, and three other males, got surrounded by over twenty fallen beastmen. It was Yadunis who leaped out and saved us. His graceful figure is still fresh in my mind.”
Yalrin sounded very convincing, and a beastman couldn’t help but ask, “Over twenty fallen beastmen? Did they all get scared away?”
Yalrin shook his head and raised an eyebrow, “They were all killed. My Yadunis boss took on twenty by himself and made quick work of them.”
The crowd gasped in surprise. “Yalrin is definitely lying.”
“Did Yadunis bribe you? Why do you keep defending him?”
Yalrin was speechless: “Didn’t you say my boss was poor? What could he use to bribe me? Is it really that hard to admit someone is better than yourself?”
Anqiluo looked up at Yadunis with admiration. “You are amazing! Not only did you save me, but you also saved so many others. I was right about you. Yadunis, you are truly a wonderful person.”
Shuichang smiled slightly, his handsome features even more striking against his dark emerald eyes. “I’m grateful I saved you, Anqiluo. You are one of a kind—pure goodness and beauty. Thank you for believing in me.”
Anqiluo hugged Shuichang, filled with emotion. “Yadunis—”
The surrounding crowd was left speechless.
Hey! Can you show us some respect? We are really trying hard to create a scene here! This inexplicable feeling of being made into a backdrop is a bit heart-wrenching.
After embracing, Shuichang finally directed his gaze towards the others, frowning at the many beastmen surrounding them. “Anyone who doesn’t want to buy Anqiluo’s new potion, please step aside. Anqiluo has things to do this afternoon. If you want something, please buy it immediately; otherwise, you’ll have to wait until next week.”
Eden glared at Yadunis with jealousy and walked over to Anqiluo. “Anqiluo, I want a bottle of Calming Potion, a Power Pill, and a bottle of Herbal Essence.”
Anqiluo picked out three bottles of potions, and Shuichang took them and placed them into Eden’s hands. “Thank you for your patronage. That’ll be…” Shuichang turned to Anqiluo, “How much are these?”
Anqiluo smiled as he bit his lip. “Three fallen beastman teeth will do.”
Shuichang said to Eden, “Three fallen beastman teeth. Consider yourself lucky.”
Eden’s face turned red. “That’s the price! I’m not like some people who like to rip others off.” After saying this, he threw down three fallen beastman teeth and left in a huff.
Shuichang smiled brightly. “These potions, if bought at the window from traders, would cost at least two fallen beastman teeth per bottle. Anqiluo’s new potions not only have better effects but also come at lower prices. I don’t see anything wrong with Eden getting a good deal. Is there anyone else who wants to buy? If not, we’ll be closing up.”
The onlookers, initially there to spectate, were swayed by Shuichang’s persuasion. Anqiluo’s new potions were indeed both good and cheap, and they would be at a loss if they didn’t buy.
“I’ll take two bottles of Herbal Essence!”
“I want Power Pills!”
“Me, me, me! Each of us wants three of everything!”
…
Within five minutes, Anqiluo’s new potions were sold out.
Beastmen who arrived too late and missed out lamented their luck.
Shuichang placed the fallen beastman teeth they earned into Anqiluo’s ring and addressed the crowd. “From now on, every Saturday at two o’clock in the afternoon, Anqiluo will sell limited new potions here. No reservations; it’s first come, first served.”
After saying that, he took Anqiluo’s hand and led him out of the trading post.
Yalrin caught up with Yadunis and exclaimed, “Boss! You are amazing!”
Shuichang hugged Anqiluo and smiled, “It’s mainly because Anqiluo’s new potions are of great quality.”