Chapter 125: Negotiations (3)

"Oh, I see. That is only natural. We have already made the preparations, and it will be ready to eat very soon! As for our negotiations, should we save them for later, or shall we proceed now?" the representatives asked.

"Now!" Brother Seven replied. To him, negotiations were sometimes more important than food.

"Very well, let us begin!" The representatives were eager for this. In their view, firstly, Brother Seven was alone while they were many, giving them a clear advantage. Secondly, Brother Seven had not even eaten, which they felt would provide them with an opening.

Soon, however, they changed their minds, inwardly sighing that the members of the Ye family were truly extraordinary individuals. If they could secure the help of such people, the Thirteen Allied Nations would surely flourish!

It was a display of debating against a crowd, and Brother Seven was in his element. He grew more and more spirited, while his opponents became increasingly dejected and stifled.

"Sister, Brother-in-law is so impressive. Is he really capable of this?" The Seventh Princess, who had accompanied the Seventh Sister-in-law to peek in, asked with eyes full of admiration.

"Of course. Your brother-in-law is very capable!" the Seventh Sister-in-law said, sounding quite proud.

"Yes, if he weren't so persuasive, you wouldn't have been tricked into his hands," the Seventh Princess joked with a giggle.

"Go on with you! You’re the one who was tricked by that little rascal, Thirteen," the Seventh Sister-in-law retorted, playfully slapping the princess.

The Seventh Princess continued to tease, "You've already started using the same terms as Brother-in-law. When will you start calling them Mom and Dad?"

"How could I be so bold? We'll talk about that later... Hey, you dare laugh at me? When will you start calling them Mom and Dad after Thirteen?" The Seventh Sister-in-law grabbed the princess’s hand and gave it a playful pinch.

Although everyone knew that the two of them did not yet share that kind of romantic feeling, they all hoped for them to end up together. Having been close since childhood, it would be a shame if they didn't. This was the collective wish of everyone, especially Ye Lang's parents.

"Oh, I would in a heartbeat! As long as Ye Lang is willing to marry me, I'll marry him!" the Seventh Princess said naturally. That question no longer needed asking.

"Wait for him to marry you? Then you'll never get married in your life. Everyone knows he's a bit dim; he'll never be enlightened," the Seventh Sister-in-law said, voicing the thoughts of many.

The Seventh Princess smiled and said, "Isn't that even better? If that's the case, he will never take a wife, and I can stay by his side forever."

"But he will eventually marry. If he is willing, would you be?" the Seventh Sister-in-law asked. By "you," she included the Seventh Princess and all of Ye Lang's loved ones.

The Seventh Princess, regardless of what the future held, would always be one of Ye Lang’s closest companions. That bond, forged over a decade, would never change.

"If he marries, I will be the first. Everyone else will have to wait their turn!" the Seventh Princess said with a smile. Of course, while that was her deepest desire, if Ye Lang truly found someone he loved, she would still yield to her. After all, she understood that a girl wants this right when she is with the one she loves, and if Ye Lang liked that girl, he would want to give her his best. As his little sister, she would certainly consider his feelings and not make things difficult for him. At least, that was how she thought for now.

"It looks like he might go on until tomorrow without stopping. You should go back and rest," the Seventh Sister-in-law said, observing Brother Seven’s intensity and the frustration of the others, realizing the negotiation would last a long time. She sent the Seventh Princess back to rest, while she stayed to continue accompanying Brother Seven.

"Oh, I see. Don't stay too late, or Brother-in-law won't have anyone to attend to him!" The Seventh Princess yawned, feeling a bit sleepy after a day of travel.

"I know. I won't be too late," the Seventh Sister-in-law replied.

The night passed.

"You... we simply cannot respond to these conditions. We must discuss this further..." The representatives looked haggard, unable to continue, and even fearful of facing Brother Seven.

A nightmare. It was absolute misery. How could such a terrifying person exist?

Brother Seven remained smiling and full of energy, showing no signs of having spent the entire night without sleep.

"You may discuss it," he said with a smile, "but be quick, because we are running out of time!"

"Very quickly! We won't keep you waiting long!" the group nodded, replying out of habit. They no longer knew what they were saying, only that they needed to respond.

"We will not wait for you. We are leaving immediately, so if you cannot provide an answer before then, we shall have to drop the matter!" Brother Seven waved his hand and prepared to leave, looking refreshed with a satisfied smile. It had been a long time since he felt this invigorated.

"Oh, we understand... Wait, what did you just say? You are leaving immediately?!" The group only realized what he said as he reached the door.

"Yes. Thank you for your hospitality!" Brother Seven nodded, smiling and thanking them politely.

"Can't you stay for a few more days?" they asked blankly, having assumed that while the time was short, it would at least span a few days.

"No need, thank you for your kindness! We must be on our way. We have rested enough since yesterday and are ready to depart!" Brother Seven seemed not to understand their intent, acting as if they were merely being polite hosts.

"Young Master Ye, you haven't been playing us from the start, have you?"

The situation was clear: Brother Seven had no sincerity; he had simply used the place as an inn.

"Not at all. I was sincere; otherwise, why would I have negotiated with you all night?" Brother Seven said earnestly. To those who did not know him, his logic seemed sound. If someone were insincere, why would they spend an entire night in discussion?

Brother Seven looked at the men and continued, "It is just that you cannot agree to my terms, nor can you find anyone capable of making a decision, so this matter must be dropped!"

Brother Seven shifted the blame entirely onto them, causing the Seventh Sister-in-law waiting outside to silently curse him for his shamelessness. She had just woken up and come to fetch him, but she did not want to let him continue his game. Had she not known how long it had been since he felt this refreshed, she would have dragged him off to bed last night.

"Actually, it's not that we don't have such a person, it's just that he hasn't arrived yet..." one of the men frowned, seemingly reluctant to mention this person.

"Yes, what is going on with him? Wasn't it agreed that he would come to negotiate? Why hasn't he arrived?" another asked, puzzled.

Hearing this, it seemed there was indeed an important figure who had not appeared. Was it the truth, or merely a stalling tactic?