Chapter 1194: Showing Support
After resting for two days in the ancient castle, Xu Huo went to the welfare home again, donated a batch of supplies, and checked on the two children before heading to Lady Lily's appointment.
A charity auction event co-hosted by Lady Lily and several noble ladies.
Xu Huo received a freshly printed invitation, which included a highly suggestive invitation personally written by Lady Lily.
The matter of assassinating the Holy Sword Society members last time was now considered water under the bridge.
According to the time on the invitation, he arrived punctually at the White Magnolia Castle.
Lady Lily gave him a polite hug, her smile charming as she said, "I haven't heard from you since you left last time. I was very worried."
"Although there were some twists and turns, it all turned out fine," Xu Huo said. "And I completed your ladyship's commission. It took a bit longer, but at least I didn't betray your trust."
Lady Lily paused for a moment, then used the fan he had given her to cover her lips with a light laugh. With her other hand, she adjusted the noble insignia on his chest. "Oh, you're so stubborn. Would you really not have come back if things hadn't worked out? If you hadn't returned, I would have felt guilty. After all, to District 011, every player is precious."
Two nearby noblewomen approached with ambiguous expressions, asking Lady Lily to introduce them.
Xu Huo didn't have a notable name among the minor nobles, but his previous generous charitable contributions had given the charity-minded noble ladies some understanding of him.
"Today is a charity auction, Mr. Xu. You must be generous with your donations," another noblewoman said with a smile.
"Of course," Xu Huo replied obligingly. "I heard it was a charity event hosted by several ladies, so I specifically tallied up my assets before coming."
The ladies laughed and arranged for him to take a seat.
At this kind of auction, one wouldn't see figures like Ashis Werner. Aside from noblewomen from major families, the rest were minor noble members looking to expand their social connections.
Xu Huo also spotted Angel, who had previously served as his dance partner. She was now dressed as a married woman, wearing relatively plain clothes, with a hint of weariness in her expression.
"Are you looking at Angel?" Lady Lily leaned against his chair and whispered, "She's a new widow."
Xu Huo nodded. "Did she marry a player?"
Lady Lily lowered her head and folded her fan, speaking as if she could empathize, "A woman forced to marry someone she didn't love to change her family's fate. She thought sacrificing love could bring prosperity to her family, but her husband turned out to be useless. Not only was he incompetent, but he also died young. Truly pitiful."
"Pitiful indeed," Xu Huo echoed without much emotion.
Lady Lily lifted her head again, speaking with a hint of resentment, "Do all you men have a soft spot for damsels in distress?"
Xu Huo picked up his wine glass. "Isn't compassion for the weak a common virtue among all humans?"
"So you have no interest in women beyond that?" Lady Lily said sorrowfully. "Ever since I took over the family, the men who used to hover around me have all left. My life has lost a great deal of pleasure."
"I believe power will make up for that shortcoming," Xu Huo said.
Lady Lily let out a chuckle, her feigned sadness vanishing instantly. "Buy a few more pieces of jewelry later to show your support for me."
Xu Huo agreed.
The rest of the auction proceeded in a very harmonious atmosphere. To curry favor with Lady Lily and the other noble ladies, the minor nobles opened their wallets generously, bidding high prices for all the items of the day. Xu Huo also purchased five pieces of jewelry at three times the starting bid.
Today's harvest was quite good. Lady Lily, beaming with smiles, saw off the guests and once again hinted for Xu Huo to stay.
Xu Huo didn't linger. As he left, he took Angel along with him.
Angel, flattered, got into his car and said gratefully, "Mr. Xu hasn't been back to District 011 for a while. I hope everything has been going smoothly for you outside."
"Being a player always comes with risks," Xu Huo said casually. "Just live one day at a time."
Angel's expression dimmed, but she perked up after a moment. "A player's mental state affects their survival chances in instances. Mr. Xu, please don't say things like that."
"Your husband..." Xu Huo started.
"He didn't make it back from an instance..." Angel said sorrowfully. "But I was mentally prepared before marrying him. It's the same for all players in District 011. Fortunately, the government provides compensation, so the family's life isn't too hard."
"What are your plans for the future?" Xu Huo asked.
"I haven't decided yet," Angel said. "But someone like me won't be accepted by high society. I won't be attending many noble banquets from now on. Still, I can't go out to work either. Maybe I'll help out with charity work, assisting Lady Lily and the others. After all, these things need people to do them."
"How are your academic qualifications?" Xu Huo continued.
"Passable..." Angel gave a bitter smile. "Don't let my family's decline fool you. I've learned all the basics expected of a noble. On top of that, I've self-studied three niche subjects. If my family allowed me to work, finding a job wouldn't be difficult."
"I have a younger sister who usually has no one to look after her. I'd like to hire a teacher to teach her something worthwhile," Xu Huo said. "Knowing the basics of noble etiquette is enough. It's better if she learns something practical."
Angel looked at him in surprise. "You want to hire me as a private tutor?"
"Not exactly. You only need to give her two lessons a week and assign enough homework," Xu Huo stated his purpose bluntly.
Angel smiled. "You're very good to Miss Xu. But my family probably won't agree."
"They will agree," Xu Huo said as he dropped her off at home. He then expressed his intention to hire her to her husband's family, making it clear that he would give her a generous reward under the guise of charitable support.
Angel's family hesitated for only half a minute before agreeing with restraint.
Angel hadn't expected it to be so easy. As she saw Xu Huo off, she couldn't help but feel uneasy. "The price you're offering is really too high..."
"Consider it an apology for the scare you got at the castle last time," Xu Huo said with a smile. "Besides, this job won't last very long."
Angel nodded.
They agreed on the time for the first lesson, and Xu Huo drove away.
Unexpectedly, when he returned to the castle, he found the hat-wearing player from the previous train ride lingering outside.
Avoiding him and re-entering the castle, Xu Huo sent Mr. Dong to deal with him.
A few minutes later, Mr. Dong returned to report that the man thought the Rose Castle was still an instance location and had come to run the instance.
"Does he have a ticket?" Xu Huo asked. After the instance disappeared, the ticket should have become invalid. No more tickets for the Rose Castle instance would be issued. The man hadn't originally been trying to run the Rose Castle instance anyway—where would he have bought a ticket?
"He might be lying. I sent him away," Mr. Dong said.
Xu Huo nodded. "Don't let him in tonight."
It was almost time to enter a new instance.
(Chapter End)