Storm of Gods

Chapter 217 Great Writer

Li Xin didn't disturb Ma Liu and strolled to the street. Tianjing always liked to drizzle, which made people feel melancholy. Herdan had a hot climate and a strong sun, and he also liked to sunbathe and wasn't afraid of getting tanned. Wearing slippers, he leisurely walked to the small market near the inn. Under the awning, there was a coffee stall. As soon as the owner saw Li Xin's route, he immediately started shouting. In addition to coffee, he also sold fruit.

"Young Master Xin, what would you like today? I just received some top-quality coffee, and the dates today are big, crisp, and sweet. One bite and you're guaranteed to experience their burst of juice. Coffee and dates together—even the highest god would drool," the shopkeeper said enthusiastically.

How much does it cost?

"Coffee is 2 lira a cup, dates are 1 hectober each, you can choose for yourself," the owner said warmly.

“Cato, you’ve changed.” Li Xin stared straight at the shop owner. “You usually sell your coffee for 5 Hertz, how come it’s so much more expensive here? These dates are sold by weight, 8 Hertz for a pound, and now you’re selling them to me by the pound?”

“Young Master Xin, your status is different now. I’ll add more water for the 5 Hz coffee, and for yours, I’ll definitely use the best coffee beans, absolutely no skimping. The dates are newly arrived and the price has gone up, and you can choose them. This is a service specially tailored to your status.” Cato wasn’t embarrassed at all; on the contrary, he became even more enthusiastic.
“Just call me Ah Xin. The fact that I still live in Lilong means nothing has changed. We’ll keep our prices as they are.” Li Xin quickly waved his hand. “Dates are sold by the jin (a unit of weight), just give me half a jin. As for coffee, it’s one lira.”

“No, no, one lira isn’t enough to drink these beans.” Cato quickly waved his hand. He had indeed prepared two kinds of coffee beans: one for ordinary people and one for the good ones, because even poor places have wealthy people.

Li Xin's eyes darted around. "Did you know that I'm good friends with young Master Simmons from the George family?"

"I know, everyone here knows. Young Master Xin, I know you were just joking with me." Cato remained calm and composed, showing no sign of stopping until he had delivered the final blow.

"You know that the hotel's business is so good right now, and I deserve half the credit. If I bring young master Simmons here for a drink, how do you think your stall's business will improve?" Li Xin said casually.

Cato's eyes darted around. In the St. George district, other nobles were of little use, but the George family was the undisputed local tyrants. If he could use the name of the eldest son of the George family, he could probably save on protection fees in the future.

"Are you sure you can bring it?" Cato asked seriously. "Then it's my treat today."

"You don't need to treat me. From now on, when I buy coffee, I'll use the best 5-hertz beans, no skimping on ingredients, and the fruit will be at full price, but I'll pick it myself."

Cato's mind raced. He could make a profit no matter what, but the key was getting Simmons to stand at his stall. He'd have something to brag about later, which was awesome and a great honor for his family.

"make a deal!"

"make a deal!"

The two shook hands, giving each other three firm shakes. This was the standard procedure for small transactions. Then, Cato excitedly began to demonstrate his hand-grinding skills to Li Xin, while Li Xin squatted on the stall, carefully selecting dates. These dates were indeed large and crisp. Herdan's fruits were all very sweet, bursting with juice at the drop of a hat.

He bought a large bag of dates for one lira. The dates from Heldan were very heavy, there were dozens of them, and they were all of the best quality. The coffee was also brewed, a super large cup. Cato solemnly handed it to Li Xin, "Young Master Xin, remember to bring Young Master Simmons to our shop."

"Don't worry." Li Xin carried the dates and coffee, and went back home with a clatter, finally getting a good deal.

Watching Li Xin's figure leave, Cato finally couldn't hold back anymore. His mouth stretched into a wide grin like a trumpet flower. This was a huge win! Since there was no one around, he immediately went to the porcelain stall next to him. Everyone in the market was an acquaintance, so Cato started by praising the porcelain.

I pulled out a date, wiped it casually on my clothes, popped it into my mouth, crunch! Wow, it was so juicy! The juice went straight down my throat, incredibly thirst-quenching. The date pit was small, and the flesh was delicate. Crunch, crunch, spit it out... crunch, crunch, spit it out...

It wasn't far to the inn, and Li Xin had already eaten over a dozen. These things were really delicious. If he went back to Tianjing, he'd definitely bring a whole box back for Xueyin to try… …but that didn't seem quite right. They'd spoil if kept too long; preservation was a problem. He could only bring some dried dates. *crunch crunch* *spit out*

Back in my room, I kicked off my slippers, put down my coffee, patted my face, and decided I had to write a chapter just for this cup of coffee!
Da da da……

Inside the room, Li Xin finally got into the zone, bombarding the typewriter like a machine gun, trying to write as much as possible while he was in the zone. He didn't know how much time had passed when Daenerys's penetrating voice came from outside the door, "Young Master Xin, Young Master Simmons has arrived."

Li Xin then noticed that it was already dark. He had been writing for more than four hours. He glanced at the manuscript, which was full of typos, and decided to take a break before revising it. "Okay, I'll change my clothes and then go downstairs."

The advantage of being in Heldan is that changing clothes is really convenient. You don't have to wear big clothes over small ones. After putting on the clothes, I picked up my coffee cup and found that it was empty. I poured some water and rinsed it, and there was still a date left.

Simmons, Celia, Lancer, Locke, Barakley, Mekro, and Salana all arrived. After resting for most of the day, Simmons looked much better, and more importantly, he was in high spirits.

A dark shadow flew towards Simmons, who caught it and saw it was a date.

"Not bad, looks like we'll have to drink a lot tonight," Li Xin said with a smile.

Simmons popped a date into his mouth, crunch, crunch, bursting with juice and crunch. "When it comes to drinking, I've never been better than anyone."

"Captain, don't brag," Locke laughed. "When it comes to drinking, I've never been inferior to anyone."

“If you don’t speak, no one will think you’re mute,” Lancer kicked Locke. “Brother Li is waiting for you.”

"These dates are really good, delicious." And they really do feel refreshing and invigorating.

"Brother Li, you're being too biased! What about mine?" "No more. There's only one left, but there are places selling them nearby. They were picked and brought over today. They're crunchy and bursting with juice."

"We can take them with us on the way." Celia was also a little foodie, and dates weren't anything special for her. Seeing how much Simmons was eating them, she really wanted some since she hadn't had any herself.

Two carriages arrived at the market entrance. Li Xin brought Simmons and Celia to buy dates. The shopkeeper, Cato, was a bit lazy today, mainly because he had boasted for too long in the afternoon, and some people still didn't believe him. Cato, of course, didn't hold back and started arguing with them. Everyone knew that young master Xin and Simmons were good friends.

"Kato~~~"

"Oh, isn't this Young Master Xin... Young Master Simmons, as majestic as an eagle, you've arrived too, and Miss Celia, hello there." Cato quickly stood up, wiped his hands on his clothes, and bowed in a gentlemanly manner.

Simmons smiled wryly; his nickname had certainly spread. "Boss, give us some dates."

"Young master, please wait a moment, it will be wrapped right away." The shopkeeper practically sprang up and immediately picked out the largest, sweetest, and best-looking dates from the stall.

Li Xin's eyes lit up... Didn't he say there wouldn't be any left? How come there are so many, even bigger and rounder than the ones he spent so long picking out??

Cato skillfully scooped water from the tank behind him to rinse the dates. This was the water he usually drank and used to make coffee, and now he was washing the dates without any hesitation.

Before long, a large bag of selected dates was ready, along with several other varieties. "Young master, young lady, today's mare's milk fruit and haibobo fruit are also very seasonal and sweet. Please try them."

She respectfully handed it to Simmons, and Celia popped out a silver lira, saying, "Keep the change."

Li Xin looked at the elegant curve and revealed a resentful look, while Cato's smile became even more resentful.

The group shared the fruit and boarded the carriage. Celia happily ate the dates, which were indeed quite sweet.

Li Xin also touched and ate a few, and while eating, he sighed that he was still too kind.

After eating three, Celia couldn't take it anymore. "I ate too much for dinner, I can't eat anymore."

"Oh, have you eaten?" Li Xin asked.

“Yes, it’s almost eight o’clock,” Celia said. “You haven’t eaten yet?”

Li Xinxin said he thought eating and drinking were done together, so he was specifically waiting for a big meal. "I was so engrossed in writing that I forgot."

“There’s food there, but it’s mostly for drinking. Let’s go eat first,” Simmons said.

"No need, I'm not a picky eater, as long as there's something to eat," Li Xin waved his hand.

“Amaro Bar is the number one bar in the Cavalry Academy and Knight Academy. Their barbecue is excellent, you’ll definitely like it. I haven’t read the new content yet, I’ll read it when I get back.” Celia then remembered that there was a new serialization in the weekly magazine. She was worried that Simmons had forgotten about it, and that Her Highness still wanted to read it.

"Brother Li writes novels?" Simmons asked in surprise.

"Simmons, look at Brother Li, and then look at you. You're good for nothing. Brother Li is a great writer. 'The Utopia Chronicles' is the hottest novel right now!" Celia mocked. "All my friends are reading it. Now, if you don't know it, you can't even greet people."

Simmons touched his nose. "Don't compare me to Brother Li."

“You’re not bad either. Some of my good friends will be here today, and I’ll introduce you to them. Don’t be too reserved; men should take the initiative,” Celia said.

She was finally able to hold her head high, and now who would dare to say that Simmons was no good? The news of her draw with Lord Dedia today quickly spread throughout the aristocratic circles. She was overjoyed, and even her family went out to celebrate, some hosting banquets and others having parties. This is how people hope their sons will become successful.

Princess Estella was in her magnificent room, surrounded by various fresh fruits and freshly brewed fruit tea. She lay on the bed, swinging her small, white feet, her delicate toes moving excitedly back and forth.

A copy of the Hexbird Weekly lay before her. There's a policy, there's a countermeasure; others might struggle, but could she be stumped? She had asked Chris to borrow it. After receiving the newspaper, Chris was showered with praise by Estella, but Chris, as always, held her head high with arrogance.

It knows how to borrow newspapers, but it doesn't know whether the person borrowing them is willing to do so.

When she saw the exciting parts, Estella's anticipation was at its peak. There was even a treasure of the gods. Just thinking about it made her excited. She even wanted to go out to sea to search for treasure. Hmm, it doesn't seem necessary. Isn't she already guarding the largest treasure vault in Montaletta?

But it doesn't seem like there's any challenge. She can freely enter and exit her father's treasure vault... No, that's not right. Her father doesn't allow her to enter the deepest part of the treasure vault. Perhaps some huge secret is hidden there...

(End of this chapter)