Chapter 188 - 187: Why Don’t You Do Scientific Research, Host?

Chapter 188: Chapter 187: Why Don’t You Do Scientific Research, Host?

Leaving aside their relationship, the rules of their circle couldn’t be broken. Not even by family. After all, once a rule is broken, it will be broken a second time, a third time, and eventually countless times.

"You brat, you absolutely cannot break these rules. Not a word to outsiders, or you can kiss your legs goodbye."

Grandpa Sutton was also a member of this circle. These words were not only directed at the young ones but also served as a warning to himself. Once you entered this path, you had to always abide by its rules.

Although Rian Sinclair didn’t know the exact details of this world, she could guess a thing or two from the solemn expressions of the two elders. It seemed the rules of this trade were extremely strict.

Noel Sutton was listening intently beside them. Hearing Elder Collins’s voice followed immediately by his grandfather’s, he naturally understood the gravity of the situation. He bowed slightly. "Grandpa, Elder Collins, don’t worry. Although I’m not as smart as Rian, I know what should and shouldn’t be said."

Wyatt Winslow and Ruby Forrest quickly echoed his sentiments. The two elders nodded in satisfaction. Rian was just about to stand up when Grandpa Collins pressed a hand to her shoulder. "Young Miss Sinclair, if you are interested, I will teach you everything I have learned in my life."

As soon as Elder Collins finished speaking, not only were Noel and the others taken aback, but even Old Master Sutton looked over in surprise.

Old Master Sutton stared at Elder Collins in sheer disbelief. "Old Man Collins, are you serious?"

Mr. Collins Sr. nodded earnestly. During their previous conversation, he had already sensed that Rian was highly moldable. Now, he felt the girl had quite a bit of natural intuition for this path.

Everyone’s gaze fell on Rian. She stood up and bowed slightly to Grandpa Collins. "Grandpa Collins, thank you for your profound appreciation. Although I am interested in antique garment culture, a snake cannot swallow an elephant. I still understand that much."

Noel looked at Rian in astonishment. After all, this was Elder Collins personally offering to take a disciple! Countless people had wanted to study under him in the past, only to be rejected. It wasn’t that Noel thought Rian was being arrogant; it was just highly novel to see Elder Collins—who was always the one rejecting others—get rejected himself.

Although Wyatt didn’t understand the nuances of this field, he knew of Elder Collins’s great reputation. He didn’t think much of Rian Sinclair’s refusal. He simply figured that since Rian was so young, she probably just didn’t like the things old people liked, so he didn’t dwell on her words.

(Ian: At the end of the day, he’s just brainless, which is why he couldn’t figure it out! [Funny.jpg])

Ruby, on the other hand, looked at Rian with utter admiration, her eyes sparkling with stars. She thought, "Rian is so cool! She even rejected Elder Collins’s offer to take her as an apprentice! As expected of my goddess!"

Elder Sutton’s eyes flickered with an unreadable emotion before he smiled, nodding and stroking his beard. His gaze toward Rian was filled with admiration.

Elder Collins wasn’t annoyed by the rejection either. After all, everyone had their own ideas. Besides, he wasn’t the king of the world; there was no rule stating that someone had to accept when he offered to take them as a disciple.

Despite being rejected, Elder Collins still looked at Rian with a smile. "It’s fine. Since you aren’t willing, Young Miss Sinclair, you can’t refuse what I said earlier."

Seeing Grandpa Collins’s benevolent expression, Rian pondered for a moment before realizing what he meant. She nodded with a smile. "Alright, Grandpa Collins. I’ll come find you for tea and chess when I have time. You’d better not find me too noisy then."

Grandpa Collins’s eyes lit up with joy. He shook his head with a smile. "How could I? I’ll be more than satisfied if you come keep this old man company, Young Miss Sinclair!"

Not to be outdone, Grandpa Sutton chimed in from the side. "Young Miss Sinclair, remember to come play chess with your Grandpa Sutton, too. Grandma Sutton will make you some peach blossom pastries."

Hearing the two elders, Rian smiled and nodded in agreement to both. Seizing the opportunity, the two elders imparted a great deal of knowledge to her. Rian listened attentively to the explanations of these two leading figures in the antiques world, reaping a rich harvest.

The two elders were in even better spirits. After all, there weren’t many young people left who could calm down and listen properly to an old man’s ramblings. Taking advantage of a pause in the conversation, Grandpa Sutton once again shot a look of disdain at his own grandson.

The moment Noel looked up, he was met with his grandfather’s expression of utter disappointment. But what could he say? He could barely sit still anymore, yet he didn’t dare interrupt the two elders’ conversation.

Wyatt was even less daring. Although he usually looked like he had a bad temper, he didn’t dare throw a tantrum in front of his elders, nor did he dare interrupt their talk.

Ruby sat to the side like a good girl, munching on the desserts brought by the waiter. Her mouth was stuffed full, but she continued to cram more into her little mouth like a chipmunk.

When Wyatt and the others turned their heads and saw Ruby eating her dessert, his ears turned slightly red. As if noticing something, Ruby looked up, her gaze meeting Wyatt’s perfectly. A bit dazed, Ruby tilted her head and looked at Wyatt in confusion. To her surprise, Wyatt immediately jerked his head away.

Ruby had no idea what was going on, but her attention was quickly drawn back to the pastries on the table, and she continued stuffing her face.

Wyatt rested his right fist against his lips, his crimson ears betraying his current mood as he recalled the way Ruby had just been eating. He cursed inwardly, "Fuck! She’s so damn cute!"

There were six people in the room. Some were earnestly explaining, one was seriously learning, one was diligently slacking off, and another was trying hard to stuff pastries into her mouth. And then there was one whose ears were burning red.

An unknown amount of time passed before the two elders finally threw in the towel. They gave Rian Sinclair a summary to wrap things up and then took their leave.

Afterward, only Rian, Noel, and the other two were left in the room. Noel was the first to break the silence. He stood up and stretched lazily. "This is the first time I’ve realized my grandpa can talk so much. It’s been over two hours, right?"

As soon as Noel finished speaking, Wyatt chimed in, "Wrong. It was two hours, forty-five minutes, and thirty-nine seconds. Oh, wait, forty seconds now."

At Wyatt’s words, Noel looked at him as if he had just seen a ghost. "Since when did you become so free? What, were you counting second by second back there?"

Wyatt helplessly spread his hands and pointed at Ruby, who was currently trying to wipe the pastry crumbs from around her mouth. As if sensing something, Ruby looked at Wyatt, who was pointing at her, and waved her little pink fist at him.

Then, she looked toward Noel. Seeing this interaction, Noel silently gave Wyatt a thumbs-up.

At this moment, Rian also paused for a second before standing up. She rubbed her throbbing temples, feeling like her brain usage had exceeded its limit for the day.

[Why don’t you go into scientific research, Host?]

Hearing the system’s voice, Rian suddenly felt that her mental exertion today was actually quite acceptable.

Seeing her reaction, Noel looked at Rian with admiration and said, "Rian, you’re seriously awesome! I was practically falling asleep on the sidelines, but you actually listened through the whole thing so seriously."

Rian helplessly spread her hands. How was she supposed to know the grandpas could talk so much? They hadn’t even stopped to take a sip of water the whole time.