071: An Awkward Family Birthday Dinner

In a cozy house situated in the outer district of Saint Alban, yet closest to the inner city, Lambert the Bald wore an apron as he pulled a freshly roasted turkey out of the oven.

Today was Lisa’s birthday. Lambert had returned home early, preparing not only a lavish feast and a bouquet of fresh flowers, but also the deepest affection a husband could offer.

In the past, had Lambert done such a thing, his wife would have offered at best a brief, casual word of praise.

She would have cared far more about her nails, her skin, and her newly purchased evening gown.

Yet ever since receiving the help of that benefactor, Lisa’s love for him had skyrocketed—multiplying a hundredfold was no exaggeration.

For instance, among the dishes on the dining table, one had been prepared by Lisa specifically for Lambert.

It did not look particularly appetizing, but over the past few years, Lisa hadn't even known how to open the kitchen door.

Another example: Lambert had already stated that tonight Lisa didn't need to lift a finger, let alone step foot in the kitchen.

Yet under the pretext of wanting to spend more time with Lambert, she had finished cooking a dish and spent the rest of the evening continuously showering him with buffs.

"You can do it, hubby!"

"You're the best, hubby!"

"You're so amazing, hubby!"

...

It was a masterclass in maximizing emotional value.

Due to the heavy fumes in the kitchen, Lambert eventually sent his wife—who was currently preparing for pregnancy—back to the dining room to wait for him.

"Lisa, the roast turkey is ready. Come take a look. I feel like this is my finest work tonight!"

Lambert strode over.

Judging by previous trends, this should have been met with a chorus of ecstatic cheers.

This time, however, there was none.

Lambert waited for a long while without hearing a response, and instinctively searched for his wife.

His wife was at home, and she hadn't gone out.

However, standing beside his wife was another man—the very benefactor Lambert had mentioned earlier.

"Doctor Richard, why are you here?" Lambert asked in surprise.

Sitting on the sofa in a changed, formal suit, Richard smiled faintly and said, "Mr. Lambert, I went to the Adventurers' Guild to find you today, but unfortunately you weren't there. Hearing that today is Madam Lisa's birthday, I came over to offer my congratulations."

With that, Richard produced a red music box. When opened, it revealed two small figures—a man and a woman—dancing gracefully.

The accompanying melody was none other than the universal birthday tune of the Redwood Empire.

With the gift-giving concluded,

a few seconds of silence hung over the room.

Madam Lisa, unsure whether she should accept the gift, looked toward her husband.

Seeing her husband nod, she finally accepted the music box with an expression of gratitude.

Lambert the Bald laughed heartily and said, "Doctor Richard, you are far too polite! Perfect timing, the food is all ready. Let's eat together. Lisa, go open a bottle of red wine."

Madam Lisa replied, "Alright, hubby."

The fact that Lisa’s love for her husband had skyrocketed by over five hundredfold did not mean her personality had completely changed.

She remained her original self—adoring beauty and worshiping the strong. It was simply that in her mind, her own husband had become the most powerful man of all.

With Lambert around, Lisa feared nothing—except for Doctor Richard.

This man knew her past.

Recently, the scenario Lisa dreaded most from the bottom of her heart was this:

Lambert returning home in a rage, declaring, "Richard has told me everything, Lisa. You fickle woman, we are getting a divorce!"

Therefore, when she saw Richard standing at the doorway wishing her a happy birthday, she had nearly been overcome by the impulse to silence him permanently.

...

A few minutes later,

at the dining table beneath the small chandelier, the couple Lambert and Lisa, along with Lambert's friend Richard, shared a dinner.

Truth be told, no matter how hospitable the hosts might be, unless it was a public birthday banquet, Richard should have gracefully taken his leave once dinner time arrived.

Yet Richard did not.

He acted as though he had no idea he was currently shining brighter than a thousand-watt lightbulb, eating and drinking with complete composure.

When the birthday cake was brought out, he and Lambert sang the birthday song together for the lovely Madam Lisa, and he even received a large slice of cream cake.

Amidst this rather peculiar atmosphere, dinner finally came to an end.

Lisa voluntarily cleared the table and, at a subtle signal from her husband, headed upstairs.

*Clang!*

The bedroom door upstairs closed.

The expression on Lambert's face instantly darkened by three degrees.

"Doctor Richard, please sit."

Richard was already seated, and upon hearing this, he smiled mildly and said, "Mr. Lambert, I must apologize for intruding this evening."

Hearing this, the man opposite him said nothing, but from his expression, Richard could easily deduce what Lambert was thinking: *You knew you were intruding and you still came?!*

Lambert also sat down, handing over a cup of sobering tea along with a money pouch, and said, "Thank you for last time."

*Cling-dong*~

[Richard's assets +1 gold coin, 50 silver coins]

...

Richard didn't entirely understand, but he pocketed the money nonetheless.

Lambert continued, "Right now, Lisa and I are deeply in love, and our plan to have a baby is already on the schedule. We owe all of this to you, Doctor Richard."

Richard replied, "Ah, if you're referring to that matter, you have already paid for it."

"No."

Lambert said with absolute firmness, "You restored a nearly shattered family to a state even better than its original one. You helped Lisa rediscover the woman I first fell in love with.

And myself.

I walked out of the shadows and regained a man's self-confidence, giving me a long-lost sense of walking tall and holding my head high, both at home and outside.

I am no great merchant, nor am I a wealthy tycoon. What I just gave you is a token of my sincere gratitude. You are my benefactor, the benefactor of my family, and I, Lambert, will engrave your kindness in my heart for the rest of my life."

Is this... the flattery-to-kill technique?

The flattery-to-kill technique combined with a cash payout to seal Richard's lips?

Richard said, "Mr. Lambert, you misunderstand. I am not the kind of person who leverages favors for personal gain."

Well, yes,

leveraging favors had nothing to do with the 1.5 gold coins he had just collected.

"However, I do indeed have a small matter I'd like to consult you about today."

Lambert replied, "Alright, no problem!"

Hearing that Richard actually had a request of his own, Lambert actually felt a sense of relief.

Up to this point, Doctor Richard was still his benefactor, and unless absolutely necessary, he had no desire to burn bridges.

Since his benefactor had come asking for assistance, helping with this favor would only draw their relationship even closer.

If Richard had asked for nothing at all, Lambert would have been deeply unsettled.

Richard stated, "I have two names here. Could you do me the favor of checking them? When they joined the Adventurers' Guild, who approved it, who acted as their guarantor, and who were the people they interacted with?"

Lambert asked, "What do you need this for? Did those two owe you money?"

Richard smiled and gave no answer.

"You can find this information by asking the receptionist sisters, Luna and Lucy."

Richard replied, "I checked. It's not there."

Lambert speculated, "Was it secretly destroyed by someone?..."

At this moment, the bald man finally realized the gravity of the problem. Simple as those two forms might seem, they likely harbored enormous risks.

Therefore, Lambert forced a dry laugh and said, "Since that's the case, I probably can't!..."

Richard interrupted him, "No, Mr. Lambert, you can.

As far as I know, personal files at the Adventurers' Guild must all pass through your inspection before being archived."

Lambert: "..."

He was doing very well right now, and so was Lisa. He was thoroughly enjoying his current life and wanted no part in any conflicts or disputes.

"Sigh."

Richard let out a single sigh. "Mr. Lambert, we are friends, which is why I'd rather not speak harshly..."