Chapter 649, Not Lying to Us, Right?
"True that." Robe nodded in agreement.
Minnie added, "When she's with Master, she acts like a good little girl."
"Hehe!" The others laughed along.
Anderveil seemed to sense something and glanced over.
Minnie went quiet out of guilt and started chatting about the decor instead.
Not long after, Sheila Grey entered with Shiyali and a few squad members. After a greeting, they found seats.
Then 'Macintosh' from the Old Barrel Tavern also arrived with his group.
After a polite bow, they sat toward the back.
Once most people had arrived, Wu Heng said to the side, "Tell them they can begin."
Robe stepped out and spoke with the usher in the aisle.
The usher quickly moved down toward the stage.
...
Onstage, the large red curtain slowly opened.
As the backdrop revealed itself, the stage grew lively—guides holding signs, merchants carrying goods, and basket-toting women mumbling to themselves.
Everyone on stage was acting, creating a street-like setting.
Then, a cloaked figure appeared, accompanied by a clear narrator's voice.
"I am a doctor. Through a local friend, I rented this house with Mr. Wu Heng."
Scene change—the actor playing Watson walked toward a house.
And Saban, playing Wu Heng, burst out holding a vial, shouting excitedly, "I've found it, I've found it..."
...
Backstage.
A few women huddled together, watching the performance from the side.
"They did a great job replicating the street scene," one said, tugging at her slipping collar, surprised.
They were another group who had gotten permission from the Island Lord's mansion to adapt "Blushing Maid Beni".
Hearing that today's performance was happening, they had begged Saban to let them come watch from the side.
"Yeah, the props are all here too. If we mess up our performance, will the Island Lord be upset?" one began to worry.
"He won't. The Island Lord won't." Fifth Princess 'Brittany' said firmly.
The others nodded and kept watching.
Brittany leaned forward, peeking at the audience.
She looked toward the center of the crowd.
Just as the rumors said—
The Island Lord really likes beastmaid girls.
...
"Wow, great acting! But the guy playing Wu Heng looks a bit old. Doesn't quite have his charm," Shiyali praised and nudged her sister. "Right, Sheila Grey?"
Sheila Grey glanced sideways at her team, face stern. "Just watch. Stop chatting."
That said, she still couldn't help glancing toward that familiar figure ahead.
Yeah... not quite as charismatic. And not as pale.
...
The performance lasted over 40 minutes, covering the entire story.
It used narration with actors performing—a bit different from modern stage plays.
But it was clear they'd worked hard—both the acting and props were thoughtful.
Saban led the actors in a bow. The curtain slowly fell.
After the play ended—
Saban ran over and bowed. "Island Lord."
"Not bad. Well done," Wu Heng praised.
It wasn't perfect, but improvements come with experience. Nothing starts perfect.
Hearing the praise, Saban beamed. "Thank you, my Lord."
"Keep it up!" Wu Heng encouraged, then stood and led the others out.
Near the exit, cheers erupted behind them—
Along with shouts of, "We get to perform now!"
Exiting the theater, Sheila Grey and her squad left for their shifts, others returned to their posts.
...
Afternoon, in a tavern—
A bard finished telling a newspaper story and sipped tea.
Unlike usual, he didn't step down during the break, instead staying on stage.
After a cough, the crowd hushed.
Everyone looked up curiously.
The bard smiled. "Everyone, I've got news. This morning, our stage play was approved by the Island Lord. In three days, we'll perform it at the opera house. Those who love plays—please support us!"
The crowd frowned, then buzzed with chatter.
"That was fast."
"It's been over half a month. Not that fast."
"I'm really looking forward to seeing the result."
"The Island Lord really isn't like the nobles. Allowed the adaptation and even came to watch."
"I think I could act too..."
Hearing the discussion, the bard smiled.
Most taverns on the island were now promoting the play during downtime.
And word spread fast across the island.
...
Wu Heng didn't pay much attention to the theater buzz.
That afternoon, he visited the factory. Several workshops were busy, and production was stable.
And both the guards and workers were skeletons.
Does that count as a modern automated workshop?
Modern machines, no living beings—sounds fully qualified.
The first batch of pens and watches had already shipped out.
Now it was time to await feedback from merchant guilds. It should go well—there were no alternatives on the market.
Next step: stabilize production and ramp up exports.
After dinner, as darkness fell—
Wu Heng waited in the bedroom.
Shanaila walked in drying her hair, sat beside him, and asked softly, "How was the play today?"
Wu Heng had someone inform Shanaila about it.
But she had to handle some orders in the morning and couldn't attend.
"Better than expected," Wu Heng said.
"Then I'll try to watch next time," Shanaila replied, then added, "The potion auction is the day after tomorrow. We'll sell five bottles."
"No problem. You handle it," Wu Heng said.
Shanaila spoke seriously, "Since it's an auction, you must stay firm. No private sales—not even one bottle."
Wu Heng frowned. "That strict?"
"Of course. The firmer you reject them, the better the auction will go. Especially with pressure from the Guild—many who couldn't become heroes are hoping for a breakthrough," Shanaila said gently.
Wu Heng thought a moment. "Alright. I'll be out tomorrow and the next day. You're in charge."
Shanaila smiled, gently stroked his head, and teased, "Good boy."
"Do I get a reward?"
"You're holding an auction—what more do you want?"
Wu Heng hugged her and kissed her red lips.
They lay down to rest together.
...
The next day, heavy promotion began.
The opera house would host the potion auction tomorrow. Merchant members, invited guests, and registered officials could attend.
Just yesterday, bards had announced the play would premiere in three days.
Now an auction too.
The timing was airtight.
The opera house was heating up in popularity.
Many people went to admire the newly built grand structure.
"This is the third-floor auction hall, right? So there are real items."
"The nobles visiting the island have been waiting for this potion."
"Being rich is great. They can just take a potion to level up. No training needed."
...
Guild, Steward's office.
Several high-level Professionals of different races and attire sat on a sofa.
"Where'd that kid run off to this time?"
"Little girl, you're not helping him trick us, are you?"
"We old folks wouldn't bully him. Just want to chat."
Across from them, Sheila Grey wiped sweat from her brow.