Chapter 6: Practically Free

Words : 1696 Updated : May 7th, 2025

Chandler, Nick, Rhea, and the whole Smut family were all grinning from ear to ear. After all, the old man's health was fully restored. Wayne didn't hold it against them and even became Silas' disciple. Carter also extended an olive branch, showing goodwill toward Silas. Everything was all about celebration and good vibes! Chandler suggested, "Today's a great day. How about I treat everyone to a get-together at the Shanton Hotel tonight?" Carter, Wayne, and the others were all on board! Especially Wayne, who had just become Silas's disciple and was looking for a chance to serve him tea and raise a toast. Carter, eager to recruit Silas, was keen on interacting with him more. They all nodded enthusiastically and then looked toward Silas. The key was getting his go-ahead, as he was the man of the moment! Silas pondered for a moment and then said, "Alright." Once Silas agreed, Chandler beamed and said, "Nick, book the fanciest room right away." Nick nodded repeatedly. "I'll take care of it right away!" There was still a lot of time before evening. Carter, Wayne, and the others attended to some matters in the courtyard, planning to meet again later. Now, it was just Chandler, Nick, Rhea, and Silas left in the living room. Chandler asked, "Mr. Cutmore, where is your family from? Do you have any relatives?" Silas shook his head. "I was lost at four, and my mentors found and raised me, so I don't really know where my family is from. However, they mentioned that my roots are in Eastville." Chandler nodded. "Don't worry, Mr. Cutmore. If you need us, the Smut family will do whatever we can to help you find your roots." Nick added, "Dad, how about I reach out to some friends at the police station to see if they can find any Cutmore families?" With that, he immediately reached out, and his friends at the police station promised to make every effort to investigate. Chandler then asked, "Mr. Cutmore, since the Goulty family has annulled the engagement with you, and you are single, Rhea is also single. How about getting engaged to our Rhea? Would you agree?" Rhea's eyes went wide with surprise, "Seriously?!" Nick couldn't help but interject, "Dad, Mr. Cutmore has indeed done us a great favor by curing you, and we are grateful. But there's no need to repay him in this way, is there?" Rhea's mother added, "Exactly, matters of the heart need to develop naturally. We shouldn't decide Rhea's future for her." Clearly, Rhea's folks were super protective of her. Chandler smiled. "Everyone, please hold your comments. I have my own reasons." Looking at Rhea, he asked, "Rhea, don't you think Mr. Cutmore is outstanding? You don't dislike him, do you?" Rhea couldn't help but take another look at Silas. Indeed, he was strikingly handsome, fitting many girls' standards of attractiveness, and possessed remarkable medical skills at such a young age. She nodded. "He is indeed excellent. I don't dislike him, but that doesn't mean..." Before she could finish, Chandler cut her off and turned to Silas. "Mr. Cutmore, what do you think of Rhea?" Silas replied, "She's beautiful, graceful, and capable, truly a lady of noble birth..." Before Silas could finish, Chandler chuckled. "Since neither of you dislikes the other and you both see the other's merits, wouldn't it be wonderful to get engaged?" As Nick and the others tried to speak, Chandler waved them off. "No more words from you!" Silas was caught off guard for a moment. Earlier, when he had helped Rhea with her meridians, he discovered she possessed a feminine body. And he, with his masculine body, enhanced by the consumption of dragon liver and blood marrow, giving him a Dragon Bloodline, could benefit immensely from a harmonious cultivation with such a body, accelerating his progress significantly. Even without direct cultivation, frequent interaction could temper his body, providing nurturing benefits. Besides, Rhea was quite beautiful. Still, as Silas glanced at Rhea, it was clear she was struggling to accept such an arranged marriage. She was intimidated by her grandfather's authority and unable to voice her dissent. Things forced were never beautiful. Silas said, "Mr. Smut Sr., we hardly know each other. Let's pass on this, okay?" Nick and the others were stunned. They thought Silas would jump at the chance. After all, the Smut family was large and influential, Rhea was beautiful, and with Chandler's blessing, any young man would have no reason to refuse. Chandler was equally surprised but then said, "Mr. Cutmore, all relationships start with strangers." "Here's what we'll do. I'll give you a betrothal document. If you find it suitable, you can proceed with the engagement. If not, you can tear it up. Does that work for you?" With that, Chandler wrote a betrothal document and handed it to Silas. Chandler's enthusiasm made it difficult for Silas to refuse, "Alright, let's give it a try." Chandler's face lit up with a smile. "Great! In three days, we'll hold a betrothal banquet. How does that sound?" Silas nodded. "That sounds fine." Chandler chuckled. "Considering my age, I'll drop the formalities and just call you by your name!" Given the age difference, Silas didn't mind at all. After some more conversation, Silas said, "There's still time before evening. Since I'm new to Eastville, I'll go explore the area." Chandler gestured to Rhea, "Rhea, why don't you accompany Silas and show him around? It'll be a good chance to get to know each other." Following her grandfather's instructions, Rhea had no choice but to accompany Silas out. Once Silas left, Nick and the others couldn't hold back any longer. "Dad, you act like you're worried Rhea won't find a husband!" "Yeah, you seem concerned Silas might refuse." "Look at what you wrote in the betrothal document. If our family breaks the engagement, we'll lose everything, but if Silas does, he can walk away without any penalty!" "It's like we're practically giving Rhea away for free!"

Chapter 6: Practically Free

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