Evening fell. The little shop closed and locked its door.

Su Hong stretched his arms. Though he hadn’t done much all afternoon—customers had only ordered drinks and snacks—the noisy bustle still left him slightly weary.

Watching the disappointed crowd disperse along the street, Su Hong couldn’t help but ask, “Lia, there were still people in line just now. Is it really okay to close this early?”

“No, no, it’s fine!” Lia smiled gently. “Having this many customers is already beyond belief. Besides… you and Grandpa both look exhausted.”

Bathed in the wine-red glow of the setting sun, her smile carried a quiet charm—soothing, almost hypnotic.

“Our house is right behind the shop, just one street over. It’s close. Might look a little old, but Grandpa and I clean it every single day.”

She spoke a little shyly, as if worried he’d be disappointed by its shabbiness.

Su Hong wasn’t picky about lodging. Even in finer places before, he’d always been alone. At Lia’s home… he just hoped her damned luck wouldn’t bring her trouble.

“Oh—right, Lia. This is for you.”

He handed her the Spirit Card he’d obtained from Chris Guild’s steward—a card worth 1,500 gold coins.

Lia froze for a moment. When she recognized what she held, her eyes widened in shock.

“No, no! I can’t accept this! This is 1,500 gold coins! I—I’ve already taken your first…”

Before she could finish, Grandpa rushed over from behind.

“What did you just say?!! Lia, you—you actually with Lia?!” His face twisted with fury, eyes blazing as if ready to swallow Su Hong whole. He seized Su Hong by the shoulders and roared, “You scoundrel! No wonder something felt off between you two! Don’t think saving this old man and Lia wipes the slate clean! How dare you touch her without my blessing? I’ll tear you apart with my bare hands—”

“Grandpa, no! What are you even saying?!” Lia hurriedly pulled them apart. Her cheeks, already flushed by the sunset, burned crimson.

“I meant Su Hong’s *first* Spirit Card! Grandpa, haven’t you forgotten? He’s a Spirit Glyphsmith! The card in the shop—that was his very first one!”

Grandpa blinked. Then he released Su Hong and let out two awkward chuckles. “Ah… so it’s just a Spirit Card. Heh… heh…”

But before Su Hong could breathe a sigh of relief, the old man’s smile stiffened. His gaze shifted from apologetic to sharp scrutiny.

“Wait. This old man may know little, but… isn’t a first Spirit Card usually a failed attempt? How could the very first one be *this* flawless? And Lia said that card came from a friend in prison—so *you’ve* been locked up too?” He snorted. A glint of shrewdness flickered in his clouded eyes. “Speak plainly! Are you scheming against my granddaughter? Some noble’s secretly trained Spirit Glyphsmith, pretending that card was your ‘first’ just to win her trust? Huh?!”

Su Hong stood speechless—annoyed, yet oddly amused.

In a way, Grandpa *was* impressive. Not only had he missed the truth completely, he’d woven a perfectly plausible story all on his own. No wonder Lia insisted he was a pitiful amnesiac. Turns out it ran in the family… what a strange trait.

“Grandpa,” Lia said firmly, her voice tight with genuine anger. “Su Hong is a very important friend. If you keep this up, I *will* get angry. He’s kind. He’s been through so much. Please stop. I’ll explain everything about him later—properly.”

Her expression left no room for argument. Grandpa hesitated, then nodded reluctantly, releasing Su Hong with a half-convinced sigh.

Su Hong rubbed his eyes wearily. He had no idea what tale Lia would spin about his past… but at least the topic had shifted. And finally—*finally*—she’d accepted the gold.