Chapter 42 Return to Dolphin River

Chapter 42 Return to Dolphin River

Soon, the carriage came to a stop.

"Master Hutton, we've arrived at Dolphin River," the coachman's voice came from outside.

The two young men in the carriage stared intently at Suye.

Suye smiled, got out of the carriage calmly, and Hutton followed, saying, "Follow me; you wouldn't want to get lost!"

The other two young men silently stood behind Suye.

Suye stood at the entrance, looking up at the familiar beechwood sign with the silver dolphin on it.

He glanced around and noticed that the two burly men standing guard were the same ones he had seen before.

The two men immediately nodded slightly in respect.

Suye nodded casually and walked inside.

Dolphin River was particularly lively at night, with waiters bustling about. Suye glanced around but didn't see the two waiters or the head waiter he had encountered last time.

Suye calmly followed Hutton inside, occasionally hearing familiar words.

Salad.

"Here, please come in," Hutton stood at a room door, making an arrogant gesture to invite him in.

"Thank you, classmate Hutton," Suye walked in confidently.

Hutton entered after him, while the two young men stayed outside and closed the door.

Two people were sitting in the room.

One was a man in his forties wearing a splendid Persian-style robe with bright colors, a gold collar around his neck, gold bracelets on his wrists, and eight gemstone rings on his fingers. He wore a smile, bearing a slight resemblance to Hutton.

The other man wore a simple brown tunic, had a slightly yellow complexion, and was idly playing with a dagger.

The dangerous dagger leaped and danced in his hands like a little bird.

The moment they entered the room, the man gripped the dagger firmly and scrutinized Suye with a faint mocking look in his eyes.

Hutton immediately bowed to the man holding the dagger, saying, "Uncle Senet."

Senet nodded slightly, smiling without speaking.

Suye glanced at Senet, suspecting that this man was using a pseudonym. The man's appearance was more akin to an Egyptian than a Greek, and Senet was a type of Egyptian board game.

"Father, I've brought Suye," Hutton said, sitting next to the man covered in gold.

The man looked at Suye, nodded slightly, and said, "Suye, right? Please sit down. My name is Harmon, son of Astyanax."

Suye smiled faintly, knowing from Harmon's father's name that the man was full of lies.

A name like Astyanax wasn't just anyone's. It meant protector of the city-state, either belonging to a great noble's child or someone who had earned it through significant military achievements, or at least had ancestors of great renown.

"Hello, Mr. Harmon," Suye sat down calmly.

Harmon frowned and looked at Senet beside him.

Senet slowly straightened up, put away his dagger, and looked at Suye coldly.

Suye sensed a different aura from Senet, one that even made his Magic Tower feel pressure.

This indicated that the man was either not a Bronze Warrior or possibly an exceptionally powerful Iron Warrior.

Suye picked up a piece of sheep cheese from a clay dish and said, "I heard Dolphin River's cheese is excellent. Thank you, Uncle Harmon, for inviting me here for a feast."

With that, Suye began eating in front of the three men.

Hutton's face turned angry, Senet remained expressionless, and Harmon laughed, saying, "Son, your classmate is quite different from what you described. I think he's very smart, not the third fool."

Hutton recalled the miserable beating he received yesterday in class and gritted his teeth, saying, "He is the third fool!"

Suye smiled, "Hutton, we agreed not to use that nickname anymore. Calling me that now is a bit excessive."

Hutton retorted angrily, "What, are you going to hit me again here?"

Hutton started to rise but was held back by his father's grip on his arm.

Harmon chuckled, "Suye, look at how upset my son is. I think the one being excessive is you."

Harmon spoke as he picked up a larger wine glass and took a slow sip.

Suye shrugged, "Uncle Harmon, you weren't there then. If you had been, you would have done the same. After all, our class already has one student, Pelus, who was bullied into dropping out. If I dropped out too, where would the teachers of Plato's Academy stand? People might think Hutton is a spy sent by some noble academy to force students out of Plato's Academy. What do you think, Uncle Harmon?"

Harmon paused, looked at his son, then at Suye, and asked, "You're sixteen years old?"

"Sixteen," Suye confirmed.

"Quite eloquent," Harmon's smile faded.

"I'm just stating facts," Suye replied.

"In Egypt, those who speak wrongly have their tongues cut out," Senet said expressionlessly.

"Your Egypt must be so tolerant. In Athens, they might lose their heads," Suye said with a chuckle.

A cold glint flashed in Senet's eyes. Harmon slowly poured out the wine in his glass, staring into Suye's eyes, and pushed the large wine glass to the center of the table.

"Let's get to the point," Harmon said.

The three of them stared at Suye together.

If it were the Suye from before today, he might have been nervous, but after this morning’s training with the three cheetahs, he felt no fear at all.

"I thought the main topic today was eating," Suye said with a smile.

Senet frowned slightly and glanced at Harmon.

Harmon also looked at his old friend, nodded gently, and his expression became more serious than before.

Harmon cleared his throat and said, "After your parents passed away, how do you plan to support your education going forward?"

"I can take care of myself," Suye said.

"The hardships of self-reliance will far exceed your imagination," Harmon said.

"I know," Suye replied.

Harmon gave a satisfied smile.

Suye continued, "The rewards of self-reliance also far exceed your imagination. Uncle Harmon, as a successful businessman, I believe you must have experienced such rewards."

Harmon couldn't help but glance at Hutton, noticing that his son was still fuming. A fleeting feeling of disappointment flashed through him.

Harmon placed his hand on Hutton's shoulder and applied a slight pressure.

Hutton let out a soft hiss, about to shout, but seeing his father's serious expression, he immediately closed his mouth obediently.

Harmon smiled and said, "I am a businessman. I like making money, so I enjoy investing in anything and anyone. My son is somewhat lacking; after he told me about you, I suddenly became interested in you. I think you have great potential in the future, so I'm prepared to invest in you."

Hutton opened his mouth wide, looking at his father in disbelief. Was this the same father who had cursed Suye last night and vowed to chop off Suye's hands and throw him into a pile of manure? The same father who said he would never allow anyone to bully his son?

Am I really his son? For the first time, Hutton doubted his identity.