124: We are relatives

"What...is this?" Wang Han looked at Lin Yu blankly.

Lin Yu, however, just calmly looked back at him, without a single word of explanation, as if he had only handed over an insignificant napkin.

This matter-of-fact calmness made the turbulent waves in Wang Han's heart surge even more fiercely.

The stall owner next to him was already getting impatient.

"Are you buying or not? If you don't have a card, move aside and don't block the people behind you."

Wang Han jolted, his face burning.

He almost subconsciously handed over the black card in his hand, his movements somewhat mechanical.

"Swipe...swipe this."

The stall owner impatiently reached out to take it, muttering, "What kind of junk card are you taking out..." His words stopped halfway.

His movements froze.

That black card lay quietly in his palm.

The stall owner's body, which had been lazily leaning on the chair, instantly straightened as if a spring had been installed. He suddenly stood up, his movements so forceful that he even knocked over a stack of sundries next to him.

But he didn't even bother to deal with it.

He held the card, brought it close to his eyes, and examined it repeatedly, as if appraising a peerless treasure.

Under the hood, his originally cloudy eyes were now filled with shock and disbelief.

The surrounding air quieted down.

Wang Han and Wang Qingxuan were both stunned.

The stall owner's change in attitude was simply too drastic.

"My, my honored guest!!!!"

The stall owner's voice trembled. He held the card with both hands and respectfully bowed, returning it to Wang Han, his posture humble to the extreme.

"Big Shot, Big Shot, it was my ignorance! I offended you! Please forgive me!"

Wang Han was completely bewildered.

He subconsciously took the card but didn't know what to say.

Seeing his lack of reaction, the stall owner became even more flustered. He quickly pulled out a brand new, high-end-looking card reader from under the stall and operated it carefully.

"Twelve thousand... No, no, no! It's an honor for my humble shop to have an esteemed guest like you! These two bracelets are a small token of my appreciation, offered to you!"

He actually wanted to waive the entire bill.

Wang Qingxuan tugged at her father's sleeve and whispered, "Dad, we can't just take things from people for free."

Wang Han then came back to his senses, cleared his throat, and tried to maintain his 'important person' demeanor.

"No need. Whatever the price is, pay it."

"Yes! Yes!"

The stall owner looked as if he had been granted a great pardon, quickly entered the amount, and then presented the card reader with both hands.

Wang Han took the card that wasn't his and gently tapped it on the reader.

"Beep."

Transaction complete.

Throughout the entire process, the stall owner didn't even dare to lift his head.

Lin Yu watched from the side, a general understanding forming in his mind.

The black cards in the black market automatically upgraded based on transaction volume and spending limits.

His previous expenses on skills, materials, room rentals, and various services were not small.

But it shouldn't have caused such a significant increase.

More importantly, there was Old Ghost Hall.

As the sole supplier and actual controller of Old Ghost Hall, the enormous revenue from all potion sales would ultimately be credited to his account.

With the transaction complete, the stall owner packed the two bracelets into an exquisite box and presented them with both hands.

"Esteemed guest, please take your time! Come back often! All items in my humble shop will be 50% off for you!"

His waist was bent at a ninety-degree angle, his posture utterly humble.

Wang Han held the card and looked at the stall owner, still completely bewildered.

What exactly was going on?

He pulled Lin Yu and Wang Qingxuan, practically fleeing in a panic.

Even after walking a long distance, he could still hear the enthusiastic shouts of the stall owner behind them.

"Big Shot! Next time you come, be sure to check out my goods first! I'll save the best for you!"

Wang Han stumbled, almost falling flat on his face.

He had never been so flustered in his life.

Wang Qingxuan, walking beside him, finally couldn't help but let out a giggle.

Her laugh was like the melting of ice and snow, dimming the colorful neon lights around them.

"Dad."

She leaned into Wang Han's ear and whispered a complaint at a volume only the three of them could hear.

"Why didn't you take out the card earlier?"

"You made me look foolish with you."

Wang Han's old face flushed crimson, from the base of his neck all the way to his earlobes.

He had lived half his life, dominating the business world. When had he ever been so embarrassed? And in front of two children, no less.

"Ahem... This, this was Dad's mistake."

He stammered an apology, wanting to explain something, but couldn't utter a single word.

However, Wang Qingxuan didn't dwell on the issue for long.

She was soon attracted by a nearby stall selling glowing little sprites, stopping curiously to watch.

Wang Han seized the opportunity, pulled Lin Yu aside, lowered his voice, and spoke with an extremely serious expression.

"Xiao Yu, tell Uncle the truth."

He carefully slipped the black card back into Lin Yu's hand, his movements cautious, as if it wasn't a card but a red-hot branding iron.

"How much money...is in this card? Or rather, how much is it worth?"

"Don't be afraid, tell Uncle. Uncle will double, no, triple what it's worth to make it up to you!"

"We can't take advantage of this; people will laugh at us if it gets out!"

He had a stern face, attempting to salvage his lost dignity in this way.

Lin Yu looked at him, not answering immediately.

This Uncle Wang was truly an interesting person.

Rough around the edges yet meticulous, concerned with appearances, but also endearingly frank.

"Uncle Wang."

Lin Yu spoke.

"Money isn't important."

"Ah?" Wang Han was taken aback. "How can money not be important?"

Lin Yu smiled and slowly continued, "Didn't you just teach me that?"

He mimicked Wang Han's earlier manner, patting the other's arm earnestly.

"Between family, there's no need to calculate."

"If you keep being so calculative with me, I really won't consider you family anymore."

The exact same words.

Word for word.

Returned precisely as they were given.

Wang Han froze in place.

His mouth hung open, his eyes wide as copper bells, staring intently at Lin Yu.

His face, which had been flushed red with embarrassment and awkwardness, now took on an even more complex hue.

A few seconds later.

"Pfft..."

He deflated like a punctured ball, his taut shoulders instantly slumping.

Immediately after, a thunderous burst of laughter erupted on the noisy black market street.

"Hahahahahahaha!"

Wang Han clutched his stomach, laughing so hard that tears almost streamed from his eyes.

"Good kid! Good kid! You're something!"

He threw an arm around Lin Yu's shoulder, patting him vigorously, making Lin Yu feel like his bones were rattling.

"Alright! Uncle will listen to you! From now on, we're family, and no one will treat anyone like a stranger!"

However, Wang Han soon disappeared for a while, and when he returned, he subtly showed off the black card in his hand to Lin Yu with a hint of pride.

Then, he took his daughter and Lin Yu on a shopping spree before finally heading to their original destination.