In the quiet silence where only their breathing could be heard, Sid picked up his teacup, brought it to his lips, and took a small sip.

He couldn't help but think to himself that once he put down his cup, he would get up and see the guest out.

The steaming hot black tea rose up and rolled over the sore, swollen eyelids, feeling particularly soothing. Meanwhile, the restlessness that had just subsided in Sid's heart seemed to be gradually gathering again.

But just then, he heard Silver speak up: "Indeed, as you said, I reached a deal with Lord Haynes based on our respective interests. But as the most astute businessman on the continent of Zhuyuan, I naturally wouldn't do a losing business."

The other party's words sounded exceptionally confident, but in fact, they did have the confidence to back it up.

The Grand Duke of Bethlehem was indeed the wealthiest person on the continent of Zhuyuan.

Before meeting the other person, he even thought that the other person was an elderly man in his eighties.

"Oh? So I really am the most boast-worthy part of your deal," Sid thought to himself, his face darkening.

His heart was gradually sinking into a dark and hopeless abyss.

In a crevice of the abyss, a mad alchemist, in a burst of rage, utterly destroyed the duchies of Bethlehem and Gilded.

However, Silver's next words suddenly brought him back to reality.

Silver said, “I deeply admire your talent and urgently need your help. In this era, throughout the entire continent, only your talent and ability can save the miserable people from the barren land.”

“I apologize, perhaps what I said was too abrupt and abrupt. But if you were to personally visit Bethlehem and see the scenery that is so different from other places, I think you would understand what I mean.”

Sid looked expressionlessly at the somewhat agitated young man beside him, his emerald eyes coldly reflecting the other's radiant features.

He thought that the person he was to be married to must have lost their mind.

This left him completely baffled.

His hand holding the teacup remained suspended in mid-air, his eyes lowered, making his expression unreadable.

Seeing this, Silver quickly added, "After marrying me—"

When the words were uttered, the frail duke paused strangely, making the atmosphere between the two indescribably subtle.

Half a second later, he hurriedly began what he hadn't finished saying, "You have complete freedom in your research direction, and you can squander the wealth under my name as you please. You can also give priority to allocating the various resources produced within the duchy each quarter."

Hearing this, Sid couldn't help but feel a little tempted.

It's worth noting that the Duchy of Bethlehem has three thriving commercial ports.

He could even conduct research freely, which was exactly the life he had always dreamed of.

But he is no longer such a fool who is easily fooled.

He gently set down his teacup, then looked at Silver and asked earnestly, "So, Your Excellency Grand Duke of Bethlehem, what price must I pay to obtain what you speak of?"

This time, under the bright lights, he saw the other person's indigo eyes again. The eyes were bright, like the most natural tourmaline, and truly contained an almost innocent purity.

Sid couldn't help but wonder if such a strange young man was really capable of controlling so much wealth.

Silver seemed to be lost in thought, only snapping back to reality when he heard the question.

The Grand Duke of Bethlehem quickly replied, “First, the new inventions produced by your alchemy laboratory will be mass-produced and distributed by the alchemy workshops within the duchy based on their commercial value. Of course, we can split the profits equally.”

Upon hearing this, Sid felt there was nothing unacceptable about it, but replied quietly, "I seem to have heard you say that I could use the wealth under your name."

"Ah, yes, that's right, that's correct." Silver belatedly came to his senses and nodded.

“…” Sid was somewhat helpless. He really felt that he should suggest that the other party get his brain checked first.

He tapped the table, then said, "Next."

Silver sat up straight and said, "Secondly, I may periodically send some excellent apprentices to your laboratory for training. Of course, I can guarantee that they will be absolutely loyal and reliable."

This sounds more like the other party is also preparing to set up their own business.

As for learning from others, Sid wasn't worried at all. Putting aside his confidence in his own talent, there were only a handful of mages on the continent, and he was not even thirty years old yet.

He never doubted that he could become a Grand Magister before he turned fifty.

Alchemy requires more than just inspiration; an understanding of magic is also a crucial element.

This is why there are many experienced masters in Alchemy City, but few exceptionally talented ones.

Sid nodded indifferently and replied, "I have no objection to this condition. Next."

"That's all," the other party replied.

Sid looked up in surprise and glanced at the young man sitting in front of him.

The other person was looking at him expectantly, their eyes moist and unblinking, like the most docile herbivore.

For some reason, despite the other person's seemingly honest and harmless demeanor, he felt strangely anxious.

Sid turned his head away, and amidst his inexplicable irritation, he heard himself say, "In that case, it's my turn."

“What I want to add is—” he paused, then finally said, “I’ve slept with other men.”

The moment the words left his mouth, even Sid himself was stunned.

It was only at this moment that he suddenly realized that the wound Aeneas had left in his heart was far deeper than he had imagined.

But actually, he didn't need to tell Silver this at all. Their relationship should be more like a partnership than a lifelong companion.

Amidst his inexplicable frustration, Sid heard the Duke beside him reply, "I know, I don't mind."

The other person's tone was quite flat, so flat that he couldn't detect any emotion in it.

You don't mind? Ha, what a nice "you don't mind".

At that moment, Sid seemed to hear a string snap in his mind.

Although he knew that Silver's words were extremely wise, and that their relationship was simply one of mutual benefit.

But for some reason, the lingering irritation in his heart suddenly froze and solidified, turning into a boulder that pressed down on him, making it hard for him to breathe.

“But I mind.” He heard himself speak very harshly. “The other guy is very strong. Someone like you could take down twenty people with one punch. I’ll be very worried that you won’t be able to satisfy me.”

After he finished speaking, the room fell into a deathly silence.

As his shattered sanity gradually returned, Sid's fingertips began to tremble uncontrollably.

Oh, the incredibly kind Luna, what is he saying?!

Although the other party's "I don't mind" hurt his pride, his words were probably no less hurtful.

No matter how you look at it, it's a ruthless trampling on a man's dignity.

He shouldn't have drunk that glass of red wine. Sid felt incredibly remorseful.

He didn't know how to fix it.

We're doomed.

Sid lowered his head in despair, preparing to sincerely apologize to the other party.

However, the moment he opened his mouth, he heard the other person's magnetic voice ring out from above him—

"I will try my best to make time to exercise."

"I will try to make myself look strong."

"I will definitely do my best to make you satisfied..."

The last few words were spoken so faintly that they were barely audible.

Sid looked up in surprise and saw Silver, who was blushing like a boiled lobster, stammering an assurance to him.

Although Mingming's words sounded so unserious, he could still detect the other person's unwavering determination in them.