Is this cheat code from Bika? Just do it!

“Alright!” Solo thought for a moment and knew it couldn’t be permanent. After all, the market is constantly changing, and no one could predict what would happen in three years. He quickly said, “I’ll take my leave now; I need to pick up my youngest son from school.” His eyes revealed a hint of concern, clearly showing he was a loving father.

“Okay.” Link nodded in agreement, a hint of understanding in his eyes.

Solo bowed, gave Sophia a wink, and then left the study. He was in a hurry to leave because of Sophia; he feared that if he stayed any longer, she would definitely clash with Link. After all, Sophia didn't know what those five items were, and if she impulsively said something she shouldn't, it would be troublesome.

“Lord Link, I entrust Lydia to your care.” Sophia bowed to Link, a hint of pleading in her eyes. Then, she hurried after Solo, her steps quick, as if she had something important to ask her father.

Link stared blankly at Sophia, who had disappeared, a wave of helplessness washing over him. He was supposed to take care of Lydia? Take care of the Lydia whose naked bottom he'd seen? What was this all about? He inwardly groaned, unsure of what to do.

"This?" He turned to look at Luca, his eyes filled with a pleading look. Luca was looking at him, his eyes filled with curiosity and doubt.

Kuratia, meanwhile, kept her head down, pretending to be handling official business, but the fact that she was holding the ballpoint pen upside down clearly betrayed her pretense. Her slightly trembling shoulders seemed to be suppressing a laugh.

"Tap tap tap..." Sophia's hurried footsteps echoed in the castle corridor. She quickly caught up with Solo and grabbed her father's arm.

"Father, have you been knocked in the head by those boar-men? How could you agree to such a request?" Sophia's delicate face turned cold, her sharp tongue erupting. She frowned, her eyes filled with dissatisfaction and confusion, utterly bewildered as to why her father had made such a decision.

Being limited to selling only in the capital region restricts their business significantly. How can they possibly expand their business like that? How much currency can they earn? She secretly calculated in her mind, feeling that this decision was extremely unwise.

"Sophia, do you think I'm getting senile?" Solo rolled his eyes, not expecting his daughter to say that about him. She actually said he got beaten by the pig-men, implying he was even dumber than the pig-men? He was both amused and exasperated.

"Otherwise what? Did you expect me to be knocked twice?" Sophia pouted, her eyes showing a hint of mischief and stubbornness.

“You’re still too young. Come on! Your brother should be home from school by now. After we pick him up, let’s go to the Oak Tavern for a meal, and then I’ll tell you what these five items represent.” Solo waved the documents in his hand, a hint of mystery in his eyes. He believed that once his daughter understood the value of these five items, she would realize how wise his decision had been.

202.haha

"Little brother? Where did he go?"

Sophia frowned slightly, her face full of doubt. She had hurriedly entered the city by carriage early that morning, and the bumpy ride and the scenery outside the window flashing by like a revolving lantern had left her no time to pay attention to what was happening outside. Moreover, due to the tight schedule, she hadn't even had a proper chat with her father beforehand, and was only seeing him now.

“He went to school and knows more words than he did in the capital.” Solo stood aside, looking at his daughter’s puzzled expression, and said softly, his eyes revealing his pride in his youngest son.

"He's really that well-behaved? You can't be lying, can you?" Sophia raised an eyebrow, a slightly mocking smile playing on her lips. She simply couldn't believe that her unruly younger brother would be sitting obediently in the classroom studying. Back in the capital, that kid had caused no shortage of trouble, and every time she caught him, he'd get a good beating. But even so, he continued to do as he pleased, completely ignoring her words.

“Really… Ger is still your brother, you should trust him.” Solo gave a wry smile and shook his head helplessly. He knew there was some distance between the siblings. After all, they were half-siblings; not long after Sophia's biological mother passed away, he married Ger's mother. This had caused quite a stir between father and daughter, making their relationship very strained. And Ger, being naturally unruly, had been disciplined by Sophia quite often, to the point that later, whenever Ger saw Sophia, he would run away from her like a mouse seeing a cat.

"Heh..." Sophia sneered, striding forward with her long legs, muttering to herself: That little brat, it would be a joke if he were well-behaved.

Solo watched his daughter's departing figure, sighed helplessly, and could only hurry after her, leading Sophia out of the castle and towards the primary school. Lately, he had been responsible for picking up and dropping off Ger, hoping to use this opportunity to strengthen the bond between father and son.

“This city is quite special.” Sophia walked down the street, her eyes curiously scanning the surroundings. The streets were clean and tidy, without a single piece of litter. The houses on both sides were neat and uniform, unique in style yet harmonious and unified. The wide roads were broad and flat, enough to allow several carriages to pass side by side. Compared to the capital, this city seemed to be no less impressive in any aspect, except for being slightly inferior in size and population. What surprised her even more was that humans and orcs coexisted peacefully on the streets, chatting and laughing, without any of the tension and hostility she had imagined.

These sights were all first-time experiences for Sophia. A novel she had read years ago flashed through her mind, depicting a mysterious kingdom where orcs, elves, dwarves, humans, and other races lived peacefully together, free from the smoke of war and the torment of hunger. Everyone had enough to eat and lived a happy and fulfilling life. When she first read the book, she thought it was just the author's beautiful fantasy, something that could never exist in reality. But now, looking at everything in this city before her, she suddenly felt that perhaps such a beautiful place truly existed in this world.

“The longer you live in this city, the more incredible it becomes, and the less you want to leave.” Solo looked at his daughter's thoughtful expression, a genuine smile playing on his lips. He had lived in this city for many years and had long since fallen deeply in love with everything about it. The people here were kind and simple, neighbors helped each other, and the whole city was full of warmth and vitality. Compared to the cutthroat, treacherous life in the capital, this was simply paradise.

"This..." Sofia turned to look at Solo, her brows furrowing slightly, her heart filled with doubt. Did this city truly possess such allure? Could it make her father so reluctant to leave?

“You have a few days, don’t you? You can enjoy your time and experience the unique charm of this city firsthand,” Solo said kindly, seeing the puzzled look on his daughter’s face. He hoped she could find her own happiness in this city and gradually understand his feelings for it.

"Yes!" Sofia nodded gently, her heart filled with anticipation for the city.

Soon, the two arrived at the elementary school gate. Before they even stepped inside, they saw Gerr playing and laughing with a little boy on the playground. Gerr's face was beaming with a bright smile, and his lively and energetic demeanor was exactly like the unruly younger brother Sophia remembered.

"Gale, look who's here," Solo called out to the playful Gale, his voice gentle.

"Huh?" Ger turned his head at the sound, and when his gaze fell on Sophia, his body suddenly stiffened, the smile on his face vanished instantly, and he subconsciously took a step back, hiding behind the little boy, as if Sophia were some kind of terrifying monster.

"Gell? What are you doing? Mr. Solo is here, aren't you going over?" The little boy scratched his cheek, looking at Ger with a puzzled expression. He really didn't understand why Ger, who was usually fearless, was so frightened by the woman next to Mr. Solo.

"You, Badou, did you see that beautiful demon with long, crimson hair next to my father?" Ger muttered softly, his voice trembling slightly. In his memory, Sophia was a demon sent by heaven to punish him; every time he saw her, he was bound to suffer.

"A demon? No? Who is that woman? She's so beautiful." Ba Dou said, looking completely bewildered. He stared wide-eyed at Sophia, secretly admiring her: This woman is so beautiful, like a fairy who stepped out of a painting.

“No, that person is a demon, sent by heaven to punish me,” Ger said, his face contorted with grief, his eyes filled with fear and helplessness. He wished he could be like Ba Dou, unable to see that terrible demon, but reality left him no escape.

"Gale, come here quickly, we're going to the Oak Tavern for dinner."

Solo frowned and called out to Gel. He really hadn't expected the child to be so frightened by Sophia. He couldn't help but glance at the composed Sophia, wondering to himself: how exactly did his daughter manage to discipline Gel? How could Gel be so terrified of her?

"Wow! Ger, you get to eat at the Oak Tavern again! I'm so envious!" Ba Dou smacked his lips, looking on with envy. The Oak Tavern was the most famous restaurant in town, with delicious food and a hefty price tag. Normally, kids like them never had the chance to eat there; only children from wealthy families like Ger could afford to enjoy it occasionally.

"I'll be going now, see you tomorrow." Ger waved to Badou, his eyes filled with reluctance, but the thought of going to Oak Tavern for dinner still made him excited.

"See you tomorrow," Ba Dou waved in response, his eyes filled with envy for Ge Er.

Gel obediently approached Solo, timidly gazing at Sophia, and weakly called out, "Big Sister." His voice was so soft it was almost inaudible, and his body trembled slightly as if he were afraid that Sophia would suddenly become angry and punish him again.

"Hmph..." Sophia glanced at Gel in surprise, a hint of doubt creeping into her mind. This brat was a little different than before, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it. The Gel of the past would always look at her with disdain and stubbornness, even deliberately going against her, but today he was so obedient and well-behaved, which made her feel quite uneasy.

“Let’s go, there won’t be any private rooms left at the Oak Tavern later,” Solo said with a smile, patting Gel’s head. He could see the tension and fear in Gel’s eyes, and felt a pang of sympathy. He hoped that Gel could gradually let go of his prejudice against Sophia, and that the siblings could get along harmoniously.

"Father, I want to eat lion's head meatballs! Grandpa Badou took him to try them last time and said they were delicious!" Ger exclaimed excitedly, his face beaming with anticipation. Lion's head meatballs were one of the Oak Tavern's signature dishes, and he had heard Badou talk about them countless times, but he had never had the chance to try them. Now that he finally had the opportunity, he certainly wouldn't let it pass him by.

Sofia rolled her eyes, thinking to herself: "A brat is a brat after all. That feeling I had earlier was just an illusion." She thought Ger had really become well-behaved, but the moment food was mentioned, his true colors reappeared.

“Okay!” Solo readily agreed, his eyes filled with doting affection. He knew his youngest son was a glutton; he would be overjoyed as long as he could eat something delicious.

The three immediately headed towards the Oak Tavern. Along the way, Gerl followed closely behind Solo like a mouse before a cat, not daring to look Sophia in the eye. His usual noisy demeanor vanished, replaced by an unusual silence.

"It smells so good." Sofia sniffed, a tempting aroma wafting towards her. She couldn't help but turn her head to look at a shop on the side of the road. The shop was bustling with people, its business booming. She looked at the sign above and murmured, "Pizza shop? What a strange name." She had never heard of this name before, and her heart was filled with curiosity.

“Pizza is a special kind of bread. You can bring Lydia to try it tomorrow,” Solo said with a smile, glancing at the pizzeria. He knew Sofia was full of curiosity about everything in the city and hoped she would try more new things.

“Okay.” Sofia nodded, her heart filled with anticipation for the pizza. She decided she would definitely bring Lydia to try this so-called pizza tomorrow and see what was so special about it.

"Speaking of which, it's been so long, Sophia, have you met anyone you like? You're getting on in years, it's time to think about finding a partner, isn't it?" Solo looked at his daughter, suddenly changing the subject and asking with a smile. He felt that his daughter had reached the age to get married, and it was time to worry about her life's important matter.

"Pfft...cough cough..." Sophia was drinking water when she heard her father's words and choked, coughing. She stared at Solo in astonishment and said angrily, "What are you talking about?" She really didn't expect her father to ask her this question so suddenly, which made her feel very embarrassed and ashamed.

"If you have someone you like, you must tell me, but it'll be very difficult for them to marry my daughter." Solo's eyes flashed with a hint of amusement as he teased her. He found his daughter's shy expression quite amusing.

"You, if you keep talking nonsense, I'm going to find Lydia." Sophia clenched her fists, her face flushed with anger. She couldn't stand her father's teasing and wished she could disappear into the ground.

"Uh..." Solo shut up, secretly regretting that he shouldn't have brought up the topic so soon. He could tell that his daughter was already a little angry, and if he continued, he was afraid he would really upset her.

"Hmph!" Sophia tossed her long crimson hair and walked ahead arrogantly, secretly vowing in her heart: I will never talk about this topic with my father again.

“If you don’t have anyone you like, then Mr. Link, you could consider him,” Solo whispered behind her, but his voice was loud enough for Sophia to hear. “He’s a pretty good guy, and very talented…” He thought Link was a good young man, both in character and talent, and a good match for his daughter. If he could bring them together, that would be wonderful.

"Uh..."

Sophia stumbled, nearly falling. Her face flushed crimson, and she snapped angrily, "Shut up!" She was utterly surprised and furious that her father would mention Link. Who, who wants to marry him? That big idiot has no chance with her. She thought to herself, a blush creeping onto her face.

203. Interesting

"Uh... fine, I won't say, but... that Link is really outstanding..." Solo looked at the furious Sophia, scratched his head sheepishly, and finally shut his mouth. His eyes held a hint of expectation; after all, he genuinely hoped his daughter could marry Link. In his years of experience navigating the business and social world, he believed only a capable and charismatic young man like Link could tame his proud daughter, Sophia.

"Men are all stupid pigs, don't talk to me about men." Sophia gritted her teeth, her blue eyes flashing with obvious dissatisfaction, like stars in a cold night. She had lived in the capital for many years and was used to the ugly behavior of those noble sons. Those guys only knew how to eat, drink, and be merry all day long, either indulging in lavish banquets or frequenting various brothels. In her eyes, they were all a bunch of unambitious scum.

With Sophia's pride, how could she possibly be interested in those aristocratic scions? She had her own standards; those who lacked ambition and only knew how to rely on their family's influence wouldn't even warrant a glance from her. In her eyes, a man, no matter how wealthy or prestigious, was worthless if he couldn't move her heart. The men she admired had to possess outstanding talent and handsome looks, much like those proud and talented women of ancient times who were often bewitched by poor scholars with some talent and decent appearance.

"Uh..." Solo and Ger exchanged a glance, both looking helpless. They spread their hands as if to say that they had been caught in the crossfire without even realizing it, having been dragged into Sophia's mess for no reason.

"Hoo..." Sophia took a deep breath, blushing and letting out a soft hum. Her long, crimson hair swayed gently with her movements as she strode ahead. However, a closer look revealed that her movements were slightly uncoordinated, a subtle flaw indicating that she was not truly at peace.

Link did give Sophia a rather special feeling. He possessed considerable talent, primarily in healing. With his superb medical skills, Link saved many lives in Winterfell, leaving a deep impression on Sophia. However, even so, Sophia only felt a slight attraction to Link; this attraction was far from enough to lead to romance, let alone marriage.

No, even that goodwill is gone now. Just before, Link made an extremely harsh demand for their cooperation, stating that their goods could only be sold in the royal capital. Keep in mind, their family started out in the transportation and resale business, building a wide commercial network across various regions over the years. Now, according to Link's requirements, they're limited to only the royal capital market, which is undoubtedly a huge restriction on their business empire. In Sophia's eyes, Link is clearly bullying them.

"Ugh..."

Solo and Ger both sighed. They both knew that having such a clever daughter (or older sister) could sometimes be incredibly difficult to understand. Sofia was meticulous, with her own unique insights and ideas, and often they simply couldn't fathom what she was thinking.

The three quickly arrived at the Oak Tavern. Sophia stood at the entrance, watching in amazement as people came and went. She noticed that many people were carrying bamboo tubes, which puzzled her. In her understanding, bamboo tubes were generally used to hold water or other liquids; this was the first time she had ever seen them used to hold food.

“There’s food in that bamboo tube. Go in and take a look, and you’ll understand,” Solo said softly, looking at his daughter’s puzzled expression. His tone was mysterious, as if he was deliberately trying to pique Sophia’s curiosity.

"Food in bamboo tubes? That's possible?" Sophia raised an eyebrow, her eyes full of doubt. She simply couldn't imagine how food could be stored in bamboo tubes. Wouldn't the food spill out? Besides, bamboo tubes don't seal well; wouldn't the flavors escape? Filled with questions, she stepped into the oak tavern.

As soon as she entered, she stared blankly at the spacious hall. It was bustling with activity, filled with the sounds of people talking and the clinking of bowls and chopsticks. The sounds blended together, creating a unique atmosphere that made Sophia feel as if she had entered a completely new world.

"Is this a restaurant? Why are there so many people?" Sophia asked hesitantly. In her mind, restaurants were usually quiet and elegant places. This was the first time she had ever seen a restaurant as bustling as a market.

“Of course,” Solo explained with a smile. “This is the biggest restaurant in Winterfell. The food on the first floor is very cheap, so many commoners come here for a meal or to take some food home.” As he spoke, he looked around, his eyes filled with familiarity and warmth. He and his son often ate at the Oak Tavern, or bought buns and pizzas; they never cooked at home. The food here was not only delicious but also affordable; for them, it was like a second home.

"It's really special!" Sophia exclaimed, looking at the line of people waiting to get their food, filled with amazement. She truly hadn't expected that such a unique restaurant would exist in Winter City. She couldn't help but ask, "Who owns this restaurant?"

“It’s run by the City Lord,” Ger replied softly. His voice was very low, as if he was afraid of being overheard. After all, the City Lord had extremely high prestige in Winter City, and ordinary people dared not speak of him casually.

"It's him?" Sophia frowned slightly, pondering to herself. Thinking about it, it made sense. Maintaining such a large flow of people and goods required the city lord's involvement. The city lord possessed immense power and resources; he had the ability to organize manpower and resources to ensure the restaurant's food supply and normal operation. Moreover, given his status and position, opening such a restaurant would add liveliness and vitality to Winter City.

“Let’s go, let’s go to the private room on the second floor,” Solo said, leading the way upstairs. As he walked, he asked the waiter for a private room that could seat six people. In Winterfell, private rooms weren’t something every restaurant had, so it was quite surprising that Oak Tavern had one.

"Private rooms?" Sophia was even more surprised. Her eyes widened as she looked around in disbelief. In her view, Winter City was located in a remote area with a relatively underdeveloped economy and a low standard of living. In such a city, wouldn't a restaurant be afraid of losing money by providing private rooms? After all, the construction and maintenance of private rooms require certain costs. If there weren't many customers or their spending power was insufficient, the restaurant could easily fall into a loss-making situation.

"Let's order first!" Solo smiled and handed the menu to Sofia. He felt that some things were better left for Sofia to experience for herself. Only by personally tasting the food and understanding the business model could she truly appreciate the uniqueness of Oak Tavern.

"This menu is interesting." Sophia opened the menu, her eyes lighting up immediately. She always observed things from a businessman's perspective, perhaps a professional habit she had developed from running the family business for so long. She carefully looked at each dish on the menu, silently calculating the cost and profit of each item.

"What does this mean? A plate of cabbage? And it costs a hundred copper coins?" Sophia stared with her blue eyes. The menu on this page listed more than a dozen dishes, but she only recognized a few green vegetables. Some of the names were completely unfamiliar. What was cucumber? Chives? She was filled with doubt. In her understanding, these green vegetables shouldn't be priced so high.

Normally, a plate of cabbage costs only one copper coin in the capital. Moreover, the capital has a wide variety of vegetables in ample supply, allowing people to choose freely. But here, a plate of cabbage costs a hundred copper coins—the price difference is too great.

"Ahem..." Solo coughed lightly, glancing at the waiter who was suppressing a laugh, and whispered a reminder, "Winter is very cold now." His words were simple, but they contained a deeper meaning. He hoped that Sophia could consider the current season and think about why these vegetables were so expensive.

"Winter?" Sophia paused for a moment, then immediately realized what she meant. Her blue eyes widened in surprise as she exclaimed, "Yes, it's winter now! How could there be cabbage?" In winter, due to the low temperatures, most leafy greens cannot grow, making them very scarce. She had been so focused on the price of vegetables that she had overlooked the seasonal factor.

Cabbage, one of the main green vegetables of this era, resembles a pig's brain, about the size of a palm, and is predominantly bluish in color, with a slightly sweet taste. While cabbage is a common dish on people's tables in normal times, it becomes quite precious in winter.

"Guest, all the dishes listed on the menu are available at Oakwood Tavern," the waitress said with a smile. Her smile was warm and confident, making one instinctively believe her.

“Let me order.” Solo took the menu and quickly ordered, “Braised fish, a bottle of Youhe Daqu liquor, cucumber salad, a large portion of lion’s head meatballs…” As he ordered, he watched Sophia’s surprised expression and chuckled inwardly. He knew that if Sophia ordered, she would probably spend the whole time in surprise and wouldn’t be able to order normally.

Solo ordered a huge spread of dishes, each one a signature dish of Oakwood Tavern. He hoped Sophia would sample the culinary delights and gain a deeper understanding of Winterfell.

"Okay, please wait a moment, your food will be served shortly," the waitress said with a smile, then turned and left. Her steps were light and quick, and she disappeared at the top of the stairs in no time.

"What? Still thinking?" Solo turned his head, looked at the puzzled Sophia, and chuckled. "When I first saw the green vegetables, I was also very surprised. It's amazing that there are green vegetables in winter!" His words made Sophia fall into deep thought, and she began to seriously consider the meaning behind the fact that there are green vegetables in winter.

It wasn't just amazing, it was unbelievable! Vegetables in winter? Who would believe that? This wasn't the South; only in the South could vegetables be grown in winter. In the North, winters were usually a blanket of snow and ice, making it impossible to grow vegetables. Yet here in Winterfell, at the Oak Tavern, she saw all sorts of vegetables—it was truly incomprehensible.

The cabbages that appeared this winter made Sophia realize many things; she had been a bit too fixated on one thing. She had been preoccupied with Link's demanding cooperation requirements without seriously considering why he would make such demands or what leverage he held. Now, she understood: Link must possess some unique technology or resources, like the ability to grow cabbages in winter—these were the things that gave him the confidence to make such demanding requests.

“Father, I would like to know what the five items Lord Link gave you are?” Sophia asked earnestly. Her eyes were filled with determination and curiosity; she felt she needed to understand the details of these five items before making the right judgment.

She finally understood. Unless her father was a fool, he wouldn't have agreed to Link's request. The problem lay with the five items. She knew her father was a shrewd businessman who carefully weighed the pros and cons before making any decision. Since he had agreed to Link's request, it meant those five items must have immense value.

"Have you thought it through?" Solo chuckled, taking out a piece of paper listing five items from his pocket and handing it to Sophia. His movements were casual, yet exuded confidence. He believed that when Sophia saw the five items, she would share his view that this was a collaboration worth trying.

"Hmm!" Sofia nodded, took the paper, and immediately unfolded it to look at it, muttering, "Paper? Three types of paper, toilet paper? Writing paper? Wrapping paper?"

She understood paper; the letters Solo had written to her before were on paper. But what about toilet paper? And what was wrapping paper? She pondered the uses of these two types of paper. In her mind, paper was generally used for writing; she hadn't realized it could also be used as toilet paper and wrapping paper.

Sophia didn't rush to ask, and continued reading. "Wine, five hundred bottles of Youhe Daqu, a strange name." She looked at the unfamiliar name, filled with curiosity. She didn't know what kind of wine Youhe Daqu was, what it tasted like, or whether it was popular.

"One thousand cans of fish, five hundred cans of vegetables—what are these two?" Sophia continued reading, her brow furrowing slightly, filled with curiosity about these unfamiliar products. She didn't know how canning was a method of preserving food, nor did she know what canned fish and vegetables tasted or felt like.

"Perfume?" Sophia exclaimed. She could suppress her curiosity about the previous items, but could they really run a perfume business? In her mind, perfume was a very high-end luxury item, used only by nobles and the wealthy. If their family could run a perfume business, it would undoubtedly greatly enhance their commercial standing and reputation. However, she also worried about whether she could manage such a high-end product well, after all, she had never been involved in the perfume industry before.

204. Let's charge!

As dusk settles and the restaurant's private rooms come alive with the sounds of bustling activity, warm yellow light gently spills out, illuminating the entire space with a cozy and inviting atmosphere. The exquisite murals hanging on the walls seem to silently tell ancient and mysterious stories, adding an artistic touch to this small haven.

Sofia wore a pale blue dress, the hem swaying gently with her movements like ripples on a lake. Her long, golden hair cascaded over her shoulders, shimmering captivatingly under the light. She turned slightly to look at her father, Solo, sitting beside her. Her clear, lake-like blue eyes were filled with doubt and disbelief as she softly asked, "Father, this perfume...it can't be fake, can it?"

Solo was dressed in a sharp black tuxedo, a delicate silver brooch gleaming faintly in the light. He had short, neat hair, and while time had etched its marks on his face, his deep eyes still held wisdom and composure. Hearing his daughter's question, he slightly raised his head, looking at Sofia with a gentle yet firm gaze, and nodded affirmatively, saying, "It's true. I've already bought you a bottle of this perfume; it's safely stored at home."

Sofia frowned slightly, her delicate eyebrows, like crescent moons, now tightly furrowed, revealing her inner doubt and dissatisfaction. She pouted and said, "Are you kidding? I don't like perfumes that quickly develop a pungent smell; the smell is simply unbearable."

Solo chuckled softly, reached out and patted Sophia's head, saying, "Of course I'm not joking, a bottle of perfume costs twelve gold coins." As he said this, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly, a hint of pain in his eyes. The price was indeed not cheap for him, but it was the best quality perfume he had carefully selected.

He secretly calculated that if he didn't use the perfume for now and sold it next summer, the wealthy ladies would definitely scramble to buy it for fifteen gold coins. After all, in the summer, the weather was as hot as a sauna, and people would sweat a lot. That sweaty smell was what those image-conscious ladies hated most. At this time, perfume became an indispensable item for them, and it was also the peak season for perfume sales.

"What?!" Sophia's eyes widened in shock upon hearing the price. Her blue eyes were filled with astonishment, and her mouth gaped open as if it could fit an egg. She couldn't help but exclaim, "Twelve gold coins for a bottle? Doesn't he just rob us? This price is much higher than in the capital!" In her mind, things in the capital were always expensive, but she never expected the perfume here to be so outrageously priced.

Solo found his daughter's exaggerated expression amusing. He waved his hand and said, "Alright, alright, this perfume is not comparable to those fake perfumes in the capital." To prove his point, he even brought up his previous experience: "I bought a sample bottle for one gold coin and tried it myself. That perfume is still in good condition and hasn't emitted any strange smell."

Upon hearing this, Sophia's eyes flashed with curiosity, and she quickly asked, "What's going on? What's the difference between these two perfumes?" She leaned forward slightly, her hands unconsciously gripping Solo's arm, appearing very eager. In her view, the perfume industry held enormous business opportunities. If her family could really sell perfumes, even with only a five percent profit, it would make them a fortune.

Seeing his daughter's earnest expression, Solo's smile faded, and his expression turned serious. He said earnestly, "The perfume provided by the city lord has a very fresh and elegant scent, not at all pungent. And most importantly, its shelf life is at least six months, and top-tier perfumes can even last for more than a year." The reason he agreed to cooperate with the city lord to sell perfume so quickly was because he saw its enormous potential.

Regardless of the amount of gold coins he might earn, the sheer impact of this event was enough. Solo had always harbored a wish: to re-enter the circles of nobility. However, in the capital, titles were not easily acquired; even the lowest-ranking baron was not permitted to be bought or sold. Furthermore, the nobles of the capital had always looked down upon nobles from remote areas, believing themselves to be the purest and noblest of all.

"This...how is this possible!" Sophia's blue eyes widened in shock upon hearing her father's words. She sat there dumbfounded, struggling to process this astonishing news. Perfume with a shelf life of over six months—what did that mean? It meant a steady stream of gold coins! This was absolute profiteering. She knew that the capital city had plenty of nobles and merchants from other countries who frequently traveled there. If she could sell the perfume to these people, the profits would be unimaginable.

Thinking of this, Sophia immediately lowered her head, her gaze anxiously fixed on the paper on the table, which meticulously recorded the quantity of perfumes. She nervously read aloud, "Ninety bottles of the first-tier perfume, valued at twelve gold coins; one hundred and eighty bottles of the second-tier perfume, valued at eight gold coins..." When her gaze fell on the last line, her voice involuntarily rose a few decibels, "And, one bottle of the Supreme Qixi perfume, valued at ninety-nine gold coins. It's said that only three bottles are produced a year. The fragrance is a blend of seven floral scents, offering a different experience each time you smell it. The box was meticulously sculpted by a master engraver over three days, and the bottle is made of top-grade ceramic..."

"Hoo hoo..." Sophia grew more and more excited as she read, finally covering her mouth and staring blankly at the description on the paper. She could hardly believe her eyes; this perfume was going to cost ninety-nine gold coins! What an exorbitant price! She couldn't help but wonder, would anyone actually buy it?

Actually, this was all a publicity stunt orchestrated by Link. He knew in his heart that regardless of whether anyone would actually spend ninety-nine gold coins to buy the perfume, just having such an item on display would make the Supreme Qixi Perfume a resounding brand. Then, who would dare underestimate the Qixi Perfume? Unless someone actually bought the Supreme Qixi Perfume and then started criticizing it.

Sophia suddenly felt a strong urge to see the Supreme Qixi Perfume, worth ninety-nine gold coins, and to see just how luxurious it was. Moreover, the seven fragrances intertwined were truly unbelievable; she really wanted to experience that wondrous scent for herself.

"Got it? We won't lose money on the perfume business alone." Solo smiled gently, his eyes full of confidence, as he looked at his daughter's thoughtful expression.

“I understand.” Sophia looked up, her face filled with complex emotions. It was at this moment that she truly began to take Link seriously. This man had given her so many surprises; his previous actions had already astonished her, but this perfume had truly amazed her. She couldn't help but feel a surge of curiosity and admiration for Link.