Chapter 259 Half of the eye is dark circle

"Well, there is a way," Old Wang said with a half-smile as he looked at Clara, "but it’s not easy. I’m not sure if I should tell you. Oh, what a dilemma, truly a difficult situation!"

Clara smiled faintly, then her face lit up like a blooming flower.

She shifted her slender legs to cross them in a different position, the hem of her already short skirt rising even higher. Clara gazed at Wang Feng with a seductive and dreamy look: "Oh, Brother Wang Feng, we’re so close now, and you’ve even had my first kiss. Is there anything you can’t tell me..."

"Look at you." Old Wang chuckled, "You just said we shouldn’t mention kissing, and now you bring it up yourself."

"Brother Wang Feng, I was just shy before..."

"Sincerely? No turning against me?"

"I could never turn against you," Clara said, her laughter causing her bosom to tremble, and she spoke with a thousand charms: "You are a distinguished guest of our mermaid race, and in my heart, you are a gentleman of impeccable manners."

"Ah! This is how we should chat. Your attitude is just right!" Old Wang felt completely at ease and said with a smile, "I’ve been researching potion-related books at the Rose Library recently. By chance, I found a hint of inspiration from an ancient potion formula, and I think it could significantly improve our Eye of the Sea."

"Did you succeed, Brother Wang Feng?"

"It’s very challenging," Old Wang teased, "Developing a new high-level potion isn’t easy. Although I’m actively researching, it requires investment... We can discuss this first, like initial investment, additional funding during the middle stage, and profit sharing later on... You’re quite cunning; without a clear agreement, I won’t have any peace of mind."

"Stop it! You’ve kissed me, held me, and I belong to you now. Talking about money in our relationship would hurt feelings," Clara giggled, thinking he wanted her to pay for something she hadn’t even seen yet. It was more fun to joke around.

"Don’t say that. Talking about feelings hurts the wallet. I fell for your trick last time and suffered a great loss. Just one kiss, and you sent me away!"

Clara laughed, "I’m being serious, Brother Wang Feng. If you don’t believe me, let’s taste the forbidden fruit right now?"

"Forget it. You didn’t even want to talk about kissing earlier, and now you’re talking about the forbidden fruit. What a sudden change..."

"Brother Wang Feng..." Clara sucked on her finger, her long, delicate fingers tracing her lips, neck, and then down to her prominent chest. Her eyes were filled with desire, and her breath was soft and sweet: "Please, will you do it for me? Show me the formula, and I’ll be yours..."

Faced with this living enchantress, even a monk would find it hard to maintain his composure. Despite Old Wang’s upright views and righteous demeanor, she managed to stir up a fire within him, almost making him shout, “Hey, you demoness, take a taste of my cudgel!”

Fortunately, the thought of his purse brought him back to his senses. Damn, his self-control when facing this enchantress was really deteriorating; she was too good at seduction, as if it were real.

“You just tease without paying, no substance, not a bit of sincerity!”

Old Wang stood up in anger and turned to leave, then heard a whistling sound behind his head. He quickly dodged, only to see a glass cup flying past.

Clara feigned anger: “Am I so uncharming that you can just walk away like that, showing me no respect at all?”

“Charm is definitely there, but it can’t be eaten for dinner,” Old Wang turned around and said with a smile, “Besides, if I really pounced on you, would you let me succeed? So, let’s cut the crap and talk about money.”

Clara felt both amused and irritated. This man had some self-control, yet he was lecherous and slick. But when it came to crucial moments, he was exceptionally calm.

Swish!

She straightened her body, smoothed her skirt, and sat properly, her face cold: “One million, that’s the most I’ll pay before seeing the formula.”

Indeed, a master of changing expressions, but it didn’t matter much.

Old Wang perked up and asked eagerly, “And after I show you the formula?”

“How much do you want? Five hundred? One thousand?”

“Tsk tsk tsk, how boring!” Old Wang smiled and held out both hands, spreading his fingers wide: “Fifty-fifty split!”

Clara was almost amused: “You don’t put in any effort or materials, and you want a fifty-fifty split?”

“This is called a technical share. It’s a high-end potion; even if I give the finished product to others, they can’t replicate it. If you think I’m asking for too much, there’s nothing I can do. I’ll have to talk to someone else… like the Dragon Palace Trading Company or the Seahorse Trading Company. After all, a good thing never lacks buyers… Oh, right! On my trip to Ice Spirit, I met the president of the Starfish Trading Company. Tsk tsk, what a business mind he has! Very shrewd, and very respectful to me. I think we should collaborate and give him a taste of the profits, say a ninety-ten split, me taking ninety, him ten!”

"Sixty-four, after all..."

Old Wang turned as if to leave, but Clara sighed, "Come back!"

The mermaid princess gritted her teeth, glaring at the rogue Wang Feng. She held her breath for a moment before finally letting it out with a giggle, "You're such a tease, I was just joking... Fifty-fifty it is, but you must promise not to leak the formula to a third party."

"If we’re splitting it fifty-fifty, why would I leak it to someone else and ruin my own business?" Old Wang smiled slightly, thinking, _Little girl, this is just the first step. If you play games with me, I'll show you what it means to be a master of manipulation._

He glanced at Clara’s bare feet peeking out from under her skirt, "Now that the serious talk is over, I don’t mind chatting about personal matters..."

Clara noticed his gaze and crossed her legs, her foot teasingly pointing at Wang Feng with a playful smile, "Do they look good?"

"Wow!" Old Wang feigned shock as he examined her foot, "Where did you get your nails done? I have a sister named Winnie who loves getting her nails done. Tell me where, and I’ll recommend it to her."

Clara was taken aback. Her previous attempt to seduce this money-grubber had failed, and she still felt a bit indignant. Just now, she had been acting out of spite, trying to tease him. Now that the business was settled, he should no longer be on guard. If he fell for it, she planned to kick him hard in the groin, making him regret his pleasure. But she didn’t expect him to respond like this.

_Nails? My legs aren't more beautiful than these nails?_

Clara couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time, giving him an exasperated look, "It's rare for this princess to show mercy, and you refuse to appreciate it. Fine, you can play alone from now on. Once this opportunity passes, there won't be another chance!"

Today was destined to be filled with romance.

Just as he returned from Clara, Yin Fu approached, "Brother, are you free tonight? Sister says she wants to meet you."

Lucky Heaven?

Old Wang was taken aback, almost forgetting about her. Recalling the half-glimpse of her face at Qinyu Pavilion, he couldn’t help but shiver.

To be honest, among the inhabitants of the continent, the Eightfold Assembly truly represented the epitome of beauty and handsomeness. They valued eugenics and lineage, ensuring that from grandparents to parents, each generation was exceptionally attractive and wealthy, living lives that seemed straight out of a fairy tale. It would be a miracle if any of them were ugly.

And the Celestial Clan is the most beautiful among the Eight Tribes. If the mermaids of the Sea Clan are said to have the figures of devils, then the Celestials of the Eight Tribes must surely have the faces of angels.

Last time, Old Wang hurriedly restored half of her mask for fear that she would reveal her true appearance. He knew he was a member of the superficial club; if he were to see Lucky Heaven’s full face and start daydreaming about her, it would only bring trouble upon himself...

Besides, Lucky Heaven is as elusive as a dragon showing only its head. She has been in Rose City for almost half a year, yet remains as mysterious as the Virgin Mary. Few people have even seen her, let alone know what she does all day. What if she's here to plot some conspiracy for the Eight Tribes... Goodness, can't I just live my comfortable little life? I don’t want to get dragged into her mess.

No, such a person cannot be provoked; she is completely beyond Old Wang’s control.

“Tonight? I’m afraid I won’t be available tonight,” Old Wang casually replied. “I have plans already. Let’s make it another time!”

Yin Fu hesitated. “But Sister Lucky Heaven…”

“Yin Fu, normally, I would do anything for you, but your senior brother is really too busy these days,” Old Wang said earnestly. “Look at how much trouble Lin Yuxiang left us with in the Autonomous Association. I’ve been working through the night, and today I still have mountains of documents waiting for me in the office. Just thinking about it gives me a headache.”

He pointed to the black eye socket from the morning when Winnie had hit him in his dream. The bruise was fading, but it still looked slightly dark, like a genuine black eye: “See, I even got dark circles under my eyes last night! I’m not lying to you, am I?”

“Senior Brother is truly overworked.” Seeing Old Wang’s dark circles, Yin Fu forgot about Lucky Heaven and felt a bit sorry for him: “I can help with the work of the Autonomous Association! Why don’t I join you tonight?”

“That’s not necessary. How could I let my dearest junior sister do such hard work?” Old Wang said righteously. “Don’t follow my example; you must ensure you get enough sleep. Girls who sleep more look more beautiful! Alright, go back now!”

“Okay…” Yin Fu’s face turned slightly red. Was Senior Brother complimenting her? She felt a bit happy and glanced at Wang Feng again before leaving, but something seemed off.

“Senior Brother?”

“What is it?”

Yin Fu hesitantly pointed to Old Wang’s eye, unsure of her observation: “Your dark circles… why are they only on one side?”

………………

Unlike Old Wang’s carefree demeanor, Karida had been truly worn out over the past couple of days.

Loluo’s scheme of using others as pawns was truly masterful, befitting someone who had been an infiltrator in the Blade for nearly a decade, with a deep understanding of the upper echelons' modus operandi within the organization.

This was a straightforward plot. Whether it was herself or the higher-ups in the Blade, most people could see through Loluo’s intentions at a glance. But what did that matter?

She was now in a bind due to helping Wang Feng change his identity, and as for those opposing factions, it was even more hopeless. What Loluo wanted was precisely what they desired; it would be strange if they were willing to back down. Those who could see through the plan pretended not to understand, frequently pressuring the reformists in parliament, not only demanding action against Wang Feng but also accusing Karida of colluding with the Nine Gods and harboring ulterior motives. While this was unlikely to succeed, at the very least, they aimed to charge Karida with mismanagement and order her to step down for reflection.

To address this issue, Lan Tian had already reported to the Holy City, and it was too late to backtrack now. They could only stick to their story, but from the other side’s stance, the truth about whether Wang Feng was Dandelion wasn’t important; the conflict between the two sides had already escalated.

The situation was beginning to show signs of getting out of control. It was rumored that the parliament had already dispatched people to Rose to investigate, which, in reality, amounted to drafting charges. Coupled with the exaggerated rumors spreading in Rose, one could already imagine what kind of investigation report would be presented at the Holy Sanctuary’s parliament.

"The parliament has already sent people to Aurora City, including Lan Tian’s hometown, to gather all sorts of information. Lan Tian has made the necessary arrangements; you should take a close look at this." Karida handed over a document detailing Wang Feng’s fabricated 'biography,' though meticulously crafted: "Once a mistake is made, there's no turning back. Now we can only continue to refine it. Remember, under any circumstances, you are Lan Tian’s cousin, surnamed Wang, named Feng. Your parents died abroad, and you were adopted by someone else before Lan Tian found you."

Denial was the only strategy Karida and Lan Tian could think of. In fact, knowing the truth didn’t matter, nor did the authenticity of this identity. What mattered was the political struggle in parliament—whether righteousness would prevail or evil would triumph. All they could do was do their best and leave the rest to fate.

Old Wang took a quick glance and smiled, saying, "Sis Karida, this thing is actually optional. If they really want to investigate, even the most detailed fabrication won’t hold up to scrutiny. It’s completely unnecessary. In fact, this matter isn’t as complicated as you think."

Karida looked at him, "What’s your new trick?"

"This isn’t a trick," Old Wang laughed, "Since Loluo is playing a straightforward game, let’s give him a taste of his own medicine."

"How so?"

"Can’t say here." Old Wang said nonchalantly, "Isn’t the Autonomous Council meeting tomorrow? Let’s make it big, invite everyone from Rose, and perhaps even the Light of the Holy Sanctuary. The rest, leave to me. It’s a small matter; I’ll settle it for you tomorrow!"

What? Just talk?

Karida patiently explained, "Wang Feng, you don’t understand the situation in the Holy City. This involves many people and issues behind the scenes. The parliament is serious this time; they’re not just playing around. Don’t think you can bluff your way through this..."

"Sis Karida, rest assured, I’m not planning to play a slow game," Old Wang said confidently, "I’ve prepared everything. We just need more witnesses tomorrow. This time, I’ll give them a strong dose, ensuring a permanent solution!"

Hearing his confident words, Karida and Lan Tian exchanged glances.

Could this guy really pull it off?