Emperor Yunlan Haorang raised his head and looked straight into Hao’s eyes.
His gaze was deep, sharp, and heavy – like a mountain pressing down.
But Hao didn’t flinch.
He raised his own brow slightly higher and stared back.
’Is this an eye showdown now?’
Hao narrowed his gaze.
He wasn’t losing this contest.
The store filled with invisible sparks.
A staring duel between a presumed-to-be immortal storekeeper and the emperor himself.
The old man confusedly blinked.
Emperor Yunlan Haorang didn’t know what was going on. He simply felt the store owner’s eyes were strangely intense.
’Is there a stain on my face?’
Meanwhile, Hao was already celebrating inside.
’That’s right. You blinked. First blood goes to me.’
’Victory!’
He calmly nodded to himself, hiding the smugness trying to crawl up his face.
The emperor took a step forward and cupped his fists respectfully once again.
“This one’s name is Haorang. May I ask for senior’s name?”
“Just Hao. You can call me Hao.”
The emperor nodded solemnly. “Alright, Senior Hao. You may call me Haorang.”
Lin Yijun’s group was already frozen. Their jaws dropped further when the emperor lowered his head again.
“Senior Hao.”
“This one did not come today on behalf of a sect or empire… but as a father.”
“I came here to thank you for saving my daughter.”
He bowed deeply.
A sudden image flashed in his mind – the beautiful woman from yesterday, the one who came with another girl and had the same deep violet eyes as this old man.
’Don’t tell me that girl was Haorang’s daughter?’
Hao quickly waved his hand.
“No, no. That’s too much.”
“I didn’t do anything that big. I didn’t save anyone.”
“She bought instant noodles. Paid for it. Ate it.”
“That’s all.”
He scratched his forehead.
“She’s the one who chose to come here. She’s the one who made the effort to change.”
“If anything, your daughter’s the one who helped herself.”
Inside, Hao had no clue what he was even yapping about.
’What am I saying? Am I making sense?’
But it seemed to work.
Yunlan Haorang straightened up and smiled. “Senior Hao is too humble. Even if you didn’t intend to help, you still gave her the chance.”
“Without that noodles, she would still be trapped by her condition.”
“Giving her that opportunity meant giving her a new life. For that, this one is truly grateful.”
“This kindness is something I will never forget.”
Hao squinted a few times.
’How did it turn out like this?’
He wasn’t confused. But it was like getting caught in a storm without knowing where the wind came from.
’I wasn’t even the one on the counter that night. That was Little Xixi!’
’And I didn’t make that cup of instant noodles either… it came straight from the system!’
A strange feeling pressed down on him. A bit heavy, not uncomfortable, but unexpected.
He was glad the noodles helped that girl.
Really.
But this level of gratitude felt… too much.
Still, Hao could understand it.
A father’s heart would always be like that.
If he ever had a daughter, and she had suffered through something painful, only to finally smile again because of someone else, he’d probably bow even lower.
He let out a small breath, then gave a faint smile.
In the end, Hao decided to accept it.
“Alright.”
“Then, I’ll accept your thanks, Haorang.”
He extended his hand forward.
There was a beat of silence.
Emperor Yunlan Haorang’s eyes widened, but then softened. He reached out, grasping Hao’s hand with both of his.
Their handshake was firm.
No more bows. No more words.
Just a meeting of hands between two men who, in their own ways, understood each other.
In that moment, there was no emperor or store owner.
Just a father and someone who unknowingly helped.
In the corner, Lin Yijun’s group had already started whispering to each other through mental transmission.
’Only Boss Hao could do this!’ Hua Feixue almost exploded.
’Making the emperor bow not once, but many times!’
’Ah!’
’Is this what they call legendary face power?’
’This explains why our master and sect master left for the palace last night.’ Yue Xueyan replied.
Xiao Lianfeng’s brows shot up.
’So it really was the princess?’
’I did hear some rumors at the training grounds. A few disciples were saying the youngest princess could cultivate again.’
Fire lit up in his eyes. ’She must have broken through! I knew something big happened!’
’Then it must be the instant noodles that helped her!’ Hua Feixue added.
’If it can send us into enlightenment, it must’ve done something to change the princess’ constitution too!’
She placed her hands on her hips, proud of her deduction.
’Boss Hao’s product is really heaven-defying!’
Yue Xueyan gave a tiny nod. Even she agreed this time.
All three turned to Lin Yijun.
But Lin Yijun was staring at them like they were speaking in a different language.
He opened his mouth… and closed it again.
Usually, Lin Yijun was the one who had more information. He would always explain things, and act like he knew all the secrets.
But not today.
Because yesterday, he had spent the entire day by fishing with full focus.
’What princess? What palace?’
Lin Yijun’s face twitched.
He looked similar to a child who had accidentally walked into the wrong classroom.
Hao and Yunlan Haorang let go of their handshake, the emperor took a step back and spoke once more.
“This one has a small request.”
“There will be a banquet held at the palace in three days. It is not just to celebrate my daughter’s recovery, but also to offer proper thanks.”
“Senior Hao must attend.”
“This one hopes to show his gratitude in a proper way. A banquet without the honored guest would only be half a celebration.”
Hao smiled awkwardly.
He really wanted to say yes.
But he couldn’t leave the store.
Couldn’t. Not even for a second.
He glanced to the side, mentally shouting inwardly.
’System, is it possible? Just this once?’
’Please. For her daughter, and this loving father!’
’Don’t you have a heart? This is a once-in-a-lifetime banquet!’
’There will be food! Wine! Royal chefs! Crystals maybe!’