Chapter 1193: Peaceful Rose Castle
Xu Huo had previously accepted Lady Lily's commission to kill that captured Holy Sword Society member. Although the target ultimately escaped, he had still fulfilled the task during the Sea World instance.
However, he suspected Lady Lily didn't care much about the final outcome, since her goal had already been achieved.
"We'll talk another day." Xu Huo went upstairs to the study and asked about Dr. Deng's recent situation.
Mr. Dong truthfully reported Dr. Deng's words and actions after Xu Huo had left.
Because he was still a target of the Black Epaulets' investigation, Dr. Deng spent most of his time in the rear annex, rarely coming out. His only requests were for Mr. Dong to purchase experimental supplies for him—items like equipment and books. Overall, he was quite capable of enduring solitude and valued his life greatly. He hadn't even asked to go out for a walk and had barely shown his face.
During this period, the Black Epaulets had conducted two more surveillance operations on Rose Castle, but they didn't last long and were quickly withdrawn. Xu Huo wondered if this was due to frequent personnel changes within the Black Epaulets.
Still, this reduced their pressure, at least making it less necessary to sneak around when delivering meals to Dr. Deng.
"Has Bai Kou never returned to the castle?" Xu Huo asked.
Mentioning this, Mr. Dong's expression visibly relaxed. "She left two days after you departed, without leaving any instructions."
Xu Huo nodded. "Invite Dr. Deng out to join us for a meal, but don't let him go up to the third floor."
Mr. Dong acknowledged and left the study.
On the desk lay not only three invitation letters but also many from other minor noble families—those with weaker power naturally banded together, and such events occurred every few days.
The advancement channels for noble groups were extremely limited. The major noble families themselves were a barrier to promotion, since resources were finite. If someone new cut in to take a share, others would have to receive less. Either someone stepped down, or everyone conceded a portion—it was that simple.
Thus, the Miller family's ability to carve out a place for themselves was quite impressive.
District 011 was a foothold Xu Huo had chosen. It couldn't be too conspicuous, but he couldn't afford to lose contact with the noble information channels.
After a while, Mr. Dong came upstairs to inform him that Dr. Deng had come out. However, Dr. Deng was still worried about his personal safety and insisted on closing the doors and drawing the curtains.
"I already told him that doing so would only draw more attention, but he feels it's safer not to be seen directly."
"Is he getting a bit unhinged from being cooped up?" Xu Huo paused, then rose and headed downstairs.
Unfortunately, Dr. Deng, sitting in the tea room, appeared perfectly normal. His hair and clothes were meticulously neat, and he even greeted Xu Huo proactively when he came down.
"You're in good shape," Xu Huo remarked.
"Spending years in the lab means you have to keep up your physical condition," Dr. Deng said with a smile as he sat down. "I'm not the type to just bury myself in books."
Xu Huo took out the P1S-grade potion he had obtained from his transaction with the Holy Sword Society member and placed it on the table.
Dr. Deng had been eager to see him precisely for this reason. Seeing the potion, which differed from ordinary evolution agents, he suppressed his excitement and asked, "Could this be a Perfect Potion?"
"I don't know if it is, but the person who gave it to me said so." Xu Huo pushed it toward him. "You can test it... but do you have a way to verify a Perfect Potion?"
Dr. Deng cupped the potion in both hands and nodded. "I've seen a sample composition analysis of a Perfect Potion before. It should be fine!"
Xu Huo didn't press further. Instead, he said, "Set the potion aside for now. You've been hiding in the annex for so long—you should come out and move around a bit."
Dr. Deng carefully set the potion aside. "Aren't the Black Epaulets still investigating me? If they come knocking, it'll cause trouble for you too."
"To the Black Epaulets, you're just an insignificant minor figure. They don't have the energy or manpower to keep chasing you," Xu Huo said. "With a different face, you should be able to go out."
"We'll see next time." Dr. Deng was far more interested in the Perfect Potion at the moment.
Seeing him so pleased, Xu Huo didn't dampen the mood and urged Mr. Dong to prepare dinner early.
"Aren't you interested in the Perfect Potion?" Dr. Deng suddenly asked after his excitement subsided.
"Haven't I heard that once someone has taken a potion issued by the game, Perfect Potions no longer work on them?" Xu Huo said indifferently. "Rather than waste it, it's better to use it for research. Maybe, as you said, one day you'll develop a Perfect Potion usable by all players."
Dr. Deng looked at him with a complicated expression. "Do you really believe I can do it?"
Xu Huo had no interest in playing the role of a "talent scout." He glanced at him and said, "Do I have another choice?"
"But you'd better actually produce some results. Otherwise, I'll fire you just like the Stellar Corporation did, and we'll go our separate ways."
Dr. Deng gave a dry laugh and didn't boast this time.
The atmosphere grew a bit awkward, but the arrival of dinner soon broke the tension.
The Painting Woman and Xiao Yuan took the seats on either side of Xu Huo, while Tan Qi sat next to Xiao Yuan, across from Dr. Deng.
Xiao Yuan had met Dr. Deng before, so he introduced him to Tan Qi as their family doctor.
Tan Qi had already changed out of the princess dress and was back in boys' clothes. He shoved a piece of beef into his mouth and said while chewing, "He doesn't look like a doctor."
Dr. Deng had adapted quickly to this identity. He chuckled and said, "I'm a doctor by a roundabout path. I used to stay in the lab all the time."
"Can he treat illnesses?" Tan Qi turned to ask Xu Huo.
"You can consult him for minor issues, but nothing beyond that," Xu Huo said with double meaning.
Tan Qi turned back and devoted all his remaining energy to his plate. Like Xiao Yuan, he had often gone hungry before coming here, so he approached meals with great enthusiasm.
The Painting Woman didn't need to eat. Still immersed in the role she had set for herself, she gently added food to the children's plates.
"Enough," Xu Huo said, taking a sip of wine to remind her. "Kids can't eat that much."
Only then did the Painting Woman reluctantly stop her feeding frenzy. She then shifted her attention to the other two at the table. Not daring to serve Xu Huo, she quickly moved to sit beside Dr. Deng.
Dr. Deng was startled and quickly declined, his eyes darting back and forth to confirm the relationship between the Painting Woman and Xu Huo. But Xu Huo offered no explanation. It was Mr. Dong who said, "Miss Li Chun likes to joke. If Dr. Deng finds it bothersome, feel free to refuse."
Dr. Deng immediately refused and put some distance between himself and the Painting Woman.
Seeing that the Painting Woman was truly bored, Xu Huo assigned her a flower-arranging task: simply pick the most beautiful flowers from the garden and put them in a vase.
Perhaps because she had been idle for too long, even such a trivial task excited her. She couldn't even wait until the next day. She grabbed a vase and left, and since one wasn't enough, she casually took two more.
Xu Huo felt he really needed to find something for her to do.
(Chapter End)