Rommel’s second visit happened to be at noon.
The blazing summer sun cast fiery waves of heat from the sky, completely drowning out the lush green of the wasteland, and even the wind seemed downcast.
Old Liu courteously entertained this esteemed brother-in-law, warmly inviting him to share a simple meal.
The company consisted solely of close relatives, with only Helen and Liu Zhenhuan present.
The wine was a six-hundred-year-old golden bottle of Royal Salute made from ancient grape vines; once the cork was removed, its intoxicating aroma could dazzle one’s eyes.
The cutlery and utensils were all made of pure gold, heavy in hand, akin to holding a Wolf Fang Club.
Though there weren’t many dishes, the atmosphere was very heartwarming.
An old, long-bearded trout was served as sashimi, chilled with ice and mint; a young, succulent chicken roasted a bright red inside and out, alongside white-shelled fat snails soaked in wine lees and a bowl of salted crab claws, all specialties of the wasteland, freshly caught and cooked by Helen herself.
Having never experienced the joy of family, Rommel was touched to tears by Helen’s call of ’brother,’ his eyes instantly moist, too late to wipe.
"Dear brother-in-law, try Helen’s sashimi first," Liu Zhenhuan earnestly suggested, spreading snowy white radish shreds and basil leaves, placing the lemon-drenched red fish slices onto Rommel’s plate. "Haha! You know, I have a Mermaid for a wife, and the Sea Clan’s sashimi is renowned worldwide. Helen hasn’t quite mastered the essence, I hope you won’t mind!"
"Sister’s skills are remarkable; the texture of the sashimi is top-notch!" Rommel elegantly dabbed his lips with a napkin, curiously picking up the golden salt shaker from the table, examining it up and down. Having accidentally sprinkled too much salt in his excitement, he found it didn’t taste salty at all. "This salt has such a unique fragrance. I’ve seen a bit of the world, but I’ve never tasted such delightfully flavored salt."
"It ought to be quite precious?" The handsome commander looked up, fixing his gaze on Old Liu.
Indeed, it was fine salt. The salt sprinkled on the fish slices was astonishingly blue, like vast stars twinkling before one’s eyes. Its taste was salty with a hint of sweetness, elegant and pleasing, leaving a lingering rose fragrance in the mouth long after. Rommel smacked his lips thrice, still relishing it.
"Such a rare visit from brother, of course, we must bring out the best to entertain you." Helen’s voice was choked with emotion as she served Rommel a plump snail.
"This is the very best ’Lover’s Salt’ from our southeastern province’s thousand-mu salt fields. Legend has it that a lovesick woman shed precious tears daily for her distant lover, transforming into this salt. Nowadays, an ounce of ’Lover’s Salt’ is valued at the price of gold," Liu Zhenhuan boasted like all the wealthy, abruptly changing his tone: "Dear brother-in-law, who would willingly give up such a rich and bountiful homeland?"
"Richard, since when did you learn to speak in such roundabout, aristocratic tones?" Rommel chuckled lightly. "If you have something to say, just say it to me directly. Are you against exchanging the Red Earth Highland for the Shieldaxe Dwarves?"
"Every province in Beamon has its unique products, except my Firenze only produces bandits and thieves. Why wouldn’t I exchange?" Liu Zhenhuan chuckled mischievously. "However... I am just not sure what you really want the Red Earth Highland for... Would you mind telling me if it’s convenient?"
"Do you think I am setting a trap to deceive you?" Rommel cut a chicken leg and placed it onto Helen’s plate, personally squeezing on some salad dressing.
"Of course! You’re the brilliant commander of Mulan, if you act without reason, I simply won’t believe it!" Liu Zhenhuan prepared to use the opportunity against the other, setting up a pretext to capture the other in a trap. "You want the Red Earth Highland... aren’t you planning to go independent?"
"Richard, you guessed right!" Rommel nodded, calmly sipping a small mouthful of wine.
Keep acting! Keep pretending! Liu Zhenhuan thought to himself.
"Actually, from the very first moment I laid eyes on you, I already knew you understood the strategic importance of the Red Earth Highland in the Donau Wasteland! Earlier at the Suwit Oasis, you also captured maps used by Mulan’s troops. That commanding officer, Yabushan Ali Dai, came from under my tutelage, and on the maps he used were my personal notes!" Rommel smiled inscrutably, setting down his wine glass to look obliquely at Old Liu with a stern face. "Richard, did you really think I was so arrogant? So unrealistic? Would I rely on such petty tricks to deceive the intellect of all Beamon?"
"You have significant suspicions about me, and upon careful thought, you will undoubtedly uncover my intentions behind obtaining the Red Earth Highland." Rommel chuckled softly at the dumbfounded Helen, affectionately pinching her cheek. "Silly sister..."
"What are you saying? I can’t understand." Old Liu feigned ignorance on the surface, though inwardly he felt a chill seep through his heart. Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs NoveI-Fire.ɴet
What Shieldaxe Dwarf trick is this? Did Rommel confess before I even tried to deceive him?
"Please forgive my presumptuousness. This matter I cannot discuss with Lady Ning Yu or Elder Andulan, not even Helen, but with you alone, I tell the truth," Rommel clinked glasses with Old Liu: "I will still give you the Shieldaxe Dwarves. As for how, you and I could collaborate to stage a play, then publicly declare that you unilaterally tore up the exchange agreement and tricked the Shieldaxe Dwarves with the Red Earth Highland! After all, the reputation of fallen Elves is not great; doing this won’t lead others to misinterpret your character and morals!"