Li Xin didn't disturb Ma Liu and wandered onto the street. Celestial Capital always liked to drizzle, making people feel melancholic. While Hedan's climate was hot with a big sun, he enjoyed sunbathing and wasn't afraid of getting a tan. Wearing flip-flops, he leisurely strolled to a small market near the inn. His eyes caught a coffee stall under a tented area. As soon as the owner saw Li Xin approaching, he immediately shouted his wares. He sold not only coffee but also fruits.

"Young Master Li, what would you like today? I've just got some top-quality coffee, and today's dates are big, crispy, and sweet. One bite and it's guaranteed to be juicy. Even the Supreme God would drool over coffee paired with dates," the owner said enthusiastically.

"How much?"

"2 lir for a cup of coffee, and 1 hectare for a date. You can pick yourself," the owner said warmly.

"Karto, you've changed," Li Xin said, staring directly at the owner. "You usually sell this coffee for 5 hectares, how come it's so much more with me? These dates are sold by the pound, and 8 hectares can buy a pound, but now you're selling them individually to me?"

"Young Master Li, your status is different now. For the 5 hectares, I added more water. For you, I use the best coffee beans without cutting corners. These dates are newly arrived, so the price has gone up. Besides, you can select them yourself—it's a special service for your status," Karto defended himself unabashedly, becoming even more enthusiastic.

"Just call me Ah Xin. The fact that I'm still staying at Lirong shows nothing's changed. Let's stick to the usual prices," Li Xin waved his hand quickly. "The dates are by the market weight, just give me half a pound, and for the coffee, one lir."

"No, no, no, you won't get these beans for one lir," Karto shook his hand quickly. He did have two types of coffee beans: one for the average person, and the other was the premium ones for affluent customers, even in a poor area.

Li Xin's eyes twinkled. "Do you know I'm good friends with Simmons of the George Family?"

"Of course, everyone knows that. I knew you were joking with me just now, Young Master Li," Karto stayed calm, determined not to give up without making a good profit today.

"You do know that the inn's current booming business owes half of it to me. Now, if I bring young master Simmons here for a drink, how do you think your stall's business will be?" Li Xin spoke coolly.

Karto's eyes spun around like a top. In the Saint George District, other nobles might not be of much use, but the George family was undoubtedly local big shots. If he could get young master Simmons's name, future protection fees might be saved.

"Can you really bring him over?" Karto asked cautiously. "In that case, today's on me."

"No need for you to treat me. From now on, when I buy coffee, it's the best beans for 5 hectares, no skimping on quality, and I select the fruits at the original price."

Karto's mind cycled through quickly; there was still a profit to be made. The key was to have young master Simmons stand at his stall, which would be a bragging right and even a family honor.

"Deal!"

"Deal!"

The two shook hands firmly, shaking three times as usually enough for such small transactions, and then Karto eagerly began to show Li Xin his hand-grinding skills. Li Xin crouched at the stall seriously picking out dates which were indeed big and crispy. Hedan's fruits were all sweet, bursting with juice at the drop of a hat.

A whole large bag of dates for one lir, Hedan's market weight was quite heavy, looking to be dozens of them, all of excellent quality. The coffee was also brewed, an extra-large cup, which Karto solemnly handed to Li Xin. "Young Master Li, remember to bring young master Simmons to visit my stall."

"Don't worry," Li Xin said, carrying the dates and coffee, clicking back home, finally getting a good deal this time.

As Li Xin's figure disappeared, Karto couldn't hold back any longer, his mouth split open like a big loudspeaker flower. What a profitable exchange! With no one else around, he immediately went to the porcelain stall nearby. Everyone at the market was acquaintances, so Karto started bragging first.

He took out a date, casually wiped it on his clothes, popped it into his mouth, and crunched, wow, really juicy with the juice flowing straight down his throat, very thirst-quenching. The date pits were small, the flesh delicate, with lots of crunching and spitting, crunch crunch spit... crunch crunch spit...

It wasn't far from the inn entrance, and Li Xin had already eaten a dozen. These were really delicious. If he returned to Celestial Capital, he must bring a box back for Xueyin to taste... but it seemed problematic since it would spoil over such a long time. Preservation was an issue, so he could only bring some dried dates. Crunch crunch spit...

Upon returning to his room, he kicked off his flip-flops and put down the coffee, patting his face. For this cup of coffee, he had to at least write a chapter!

Da-da-da...

In the room, Li Xin finally got into the groove, hammering out on the typewriter like a machine gun. Taking advantage of this mood, he needed to write more. After some unknown amount of time, Dragon Mother's piercing voice came from outside the door, "Young Master Li, young master Simmons is here."

Only then did Li Xin realize it was already dark; he had actually written for over four hours. Glancing at the error-ridden manuscript, it was a good time to take a break and edit, "Got it, I'll change and be down shortly."

The advantage in Hedan was changing clothes was genuinely convenient, not needing to layer big items over small ones. After changing, he picked up the coffee cup, finding it empty, he added some water, leaving just one date.

Simmons, Celestia, Lancer, Rock, Balakli, Mekro, and Salana had arrived. After a half-day's rest, Simmons's complexion had greatly improved, and importantly, he was in good spirits.

A dark object flew towards Simmons. He caught it in one swift move, finding it was a date.

"Not bad, seems like we'll be drinking more tonight," Li Xin laughed.

Simmons popped the date into his mouth, crunch, crunch, burstingly crisp with juice, "When it comes to drinking, I really haven't admitted defeat to anyone."

"Captain, stop boasting," Rock laughed, "When it comes to drinking, I haven't admitted defeat to anyone either."

"If you keep quiet, no one will think you're mute," Lancer kicked Rock, "Brother Li has been waiting for you."

"These dates are really good, tasty." I must say they are truly refreshing.

"Brother Li, you're being unfair, where's mine?"

"No more, there's just one left, but there's a place nearby selling them. They were picked today, super crunchy and juicy."

"We're on our way; we can eat them on the road." Celestia is a bit of a foodie too. Dates aren't exactly rare, but seeing Simmons enjoy them makes her want to have some.

Two carriages arrived at the market entrance. Li Xin, Simmons, and Celestia came to buy dates. The owner, Karto, seemed a bit lazy today, mainly because he spent too long bragging in the afternoon, and some people didn't believe him. Of course, Karto didn't hesitate to argue back, as who doesn't know about Young Master Xin's friendship with Simmons.

"Karto~~~"

"Hey, isn't this Young Master Xin... and the eagle-like Young Master Simmons, you're here too, and Miss Celestia, greetings." Karto quickly stood up and wiped his hands on his clothes, bowing like a gentleman.

Simmons smiled wryly; his nickname had apparently spread, "Boss, give us some dates."

"Young master, please wait a moment, I'll wrap them up right away." The owner almost sprang into action, quickly selecting the biggest and sweetest-looking dates from the stall.

Li Xin's eyes turned green... didn't he say they were gone? How come there are so many, and they're bigger and rounder than the ones he picked?

Karto expertly scooped water from the tank behind him to wash them. It's the same water he drinks and uses for coffee, now used generously to clean the dates.

Soon a large bag of prime dates was ready, with a few extras thrown in, "Young master, Miss, today's horse milk fruit and seabubo are also in season and very sweet; please have a taste."

He respectfully handed them to Simmons, and Celestia flicked a silver lira, "Keep the change."

Li Xin watched the elegant arc with a forlorn look, and Karto's smile became even more wistful.

The group divided the fruits and boarded the carriage. Celestia happily munched on the dates, which were indeed a bit sweet.

Li Xin also grabbed a few to eat, lamenting at how kind-hearted he still was.

After eating three, Celestia couldn't take any more, "I had too much dinner, can't eat anymore."

"Ah, you've already had dinner?" Li Xin asked.

"Yeah, it's almost eight o'clock," Celestia replied, "You haven't eaten?"

Li Xin thought he was supposed to eat and drink together, so he was saving room for a big feast, "I got so into writing that I forgot."

"There is food, but mostly snacks with drinks; let's eat first." Simmons suggested.

"No need, I'm not picky, anything edible will do," Li Xin waved it off.

"Amanro Bar ranks first around the Canon Law School and Knight Academy; their roast is really good; you'll love it. I haven't read the new content yet; I'll check it out when I get back." Celestia remembered the weekly had new installments, not worried Simmons might have forgotten, but Princess still wants to read.

"Brother Li writes novels too?" Simmons questioned curiously.

"Simmons, look at Brother Li, then look at yourself, you can't do anything right, Brother Li is a great writer; 'Utopia Mountain Grudge' is the hottest novel now!" Celestia laughed, "All my friends are reading it; you can't even greet people if you don't know about it."

Simmons rubbed his nose, "Don't compare me with Brother Li."

"You're pretty good yourself; a few of my good friends are coming today too; I'll introduce you to them, don't be too shy, be proactive." Celestia encouraged.

She was proud, seeing who dared to claim Simmons was no good; today's tie with Thunder Duke Didia would soon spread throughout noble circles, exhilarating, even her family went out, hosting and partying—parents' expectations are like this.

Meanwhile, Princess Estella lay in her lavish room, surrounded by all sorts of fresh fruits and freshly brewed fruit tea served by a maid. Estella lay on the bed, swinging her white little feet, wiggling her delicate toes excitedly.

In front of her was an issue of Hex Bird Report weekly. When others face schemes and policies, it wouldn't stump her; she got Chris to borrow it, Chris received tons of praise from Estella afterwards, and remained proudly aloof as usual.

It knows how to borrow newspapers; whether the lender was willing is another story.

Seeing exciting parts, Estella was filled with anticipation, not to mention the treasures of the gods, just thinking about it thrilled her. It made her want to go treasure-hunting at sea, hmm, maybe not necessary, she sits by the largest treasure vault in Moncalleta!

But it doesn't seem challenging. She's free to access her father's treasury... or not, she's not allowed into the deepest part, perhaps hiding some huge secret...

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