"When you projected the image of the wine bottle under the table, I wondered, 'The mechanism's scanning range is so wide, why didn't the table legs show up too?' It's because only objects at the very end of the light beam are 'seen.' Anything parallel to the beam itself won't appear in the projection... That's how the persimmon candy stuck to the side of the box evaded the mechanism."
"You're very observant, and you were able to use that blind spot immediately..." the middle-aged man remarked with a sigh. "I underestimated you."
Milady turned and addressed the crowd. "It's true that I resorted to a little trickery," she announced. "But first, the Shadow Appearance Mechanism is truly exceptional. And second, it's precisely because this is such a rare and fine device that even I, a member of the Tower family, wouldn't hesitate to pull a few strings to get my hands on it."
Her "little trick" had begun the moment she proposed the game. To prevent the middle-aged man from growing suspicious and objecting, she hadn't asked, "Shall we play a game?" but instead, "Have you people from Chang'an ever played 'Variables'?" In the course of her explanation, the premise of "playing a game" was established by default.
"The Tower family," someone in the audience murmured. "Isn't that one of the families in the Sea Wave Concerto?"
"What's that?" the young assistant asked, looking blankly at his boss.
"Haidu is jointly ruled by several families who handle its affairs. That system is called the Sea Wave... Ah, but now isn't the time for this." The middle-aged man had less patience for his assistant than he did for his customers.
Milady smiled at him. "It wasn't exactly a fair win. Whether or not you give me this mechanism is your decision, sir."
He hesitated for a moment, then finally picked up the Shadow Appearance Mechanism from the table and walked over to Milady.
"A bet is a bet," he said with a sigh, placing the mechanism in Milady's hands. "After all, the rule was to count how many candies were inside the box... You may have used a trick, but the candy was, in fact, inside the box. We were fooled by the blind spot and failed to check the inner walls. You won. This mechanism is rightfully yours."
The crowd hadn't expected to see not only a demonstration of new Mechanical Techniques, but also such an interesting wager. They began to laugh and cheer, and some even started to clap.
After that little interlude, the demonstration continued. Some people placed orders for the mechanism, while others signed up to learn the Shadow Appearance Skill... Amid the bustle and noise, Milady politely thanked the two from Chang'an.
As she left the booth, she clutched a square, boxy mechanism, her heart pounding in her chest.
She could hardly believe she had actually succeeded. 'I finally have my first mechanism, and such a novel one at that!'
As Milady stepped onto the street, the three youths who had been watching the booth from afar came over. Their approach was like a cold wind, instantly chilling her expression.
"Well, well," the leader of the trio said, sauntering over. He eyed the mechanism in her arms. "I never thought I'd witness such a disgraceful scene."
"Oh? Don't you own a mirror?" Milady asked sweetly.
The lead youth froze for a second. When the insult registered, his face flushed, and even his freckles seemed to redden.
"All this for one paltry little mechanism? You use your tricks, you shill for them, and when that's not enough, you drag the name of our Tower family through the mud to endorse their Mechanical Techniques? Did you really think no one would catch on to your little 'hint' at the end?"
Milady refused to look at him, her gaze fixed on the people and mechanisms passing by on the street, as if she couldn't stand the sight of his face. She knew full well how infuriating this aloof, arrogant posture of hers was.
"You and I are cousins, you know..." she began slowly. "But we have very different ideas about what it means to have a spine. I accept challenges from outsiders to win my mechanisms. You lot don't even dare to take a walk too far from the family estate, terrified you won't be there to immediately grovel at the Clan Leader's feet the second his family calls."
"You think you can get away with talking like that just because you're a girl?" another youth said sullenly.
The leader suppressed his anger and sneered. "Your family are just filth-cleaners, but you still act so high-and-mighty. No wonder nobody likes you. What, not on sanitation duty today? Or are you just making your mom go by herself again?"
The words were a sudden, sharp blow, and Milady's stomach twisted. 'They know exactly where it hurts.' She replied instantly, "What a coincidence. I was just on my way to the crystal pollution zone. Since my dear cousins are in such a chatty mood, why not come along?"
"In your dreams," the lead youth said, turning away as if she were a piece of crystal contamination herself. "We're not the same kind of people. We weren't born to the same fate."