The Guardian's Sword

"Uncle Frederic, I'm here to visit you," Lillian said with a broad smile.

"Visit me? You're here for my antiques, aren't you? Hahaha..." Frederic burst into
laughter once he finished speaking.

Even though he said so, Frederic did not mind and quickly said, "I just got a new
collection of antiques a few days ago. Some of them are quite interesting. You
can take them if you like them."

"How is that appropriate?" Lillian said bashfully.

"Oh, we're a family. I don't have many years left to live. If I don't give you my
things, am I supposed to take them into my grave with me?" Frederic spoke his
mind nonchalantly.

However, it bothered Lillian, and she quickly said, "Uncle Frederic, don't talk
nonsense. You've got many years to live!"

"You're such a sweet-talker." Frederic was so happy that he was smiling ear to
ear.

The customers seemed to know Lillian as they came over to greet her.

"It's you, Ms. Townsend. You haven't been to Old Master Douglas’ antique shop
in a long time."

"It's been months since I last saw you. What have you been up to? Have you
been helping your father with his business?"

"You're a lady. Don't get into the weapons business. That's not a girl's job. Visit
Old Master Douglas more often when you're free. This shop will be yours sooner
or later."

Lillian did not know how to answer so many pleasantries all at once.

Sean looked on, and only now did he realize how popular Lillian was.

Just then, Frederic suddenly looked at Sean.

"Girlie, this is.."

"Oh, he's my friend. His surname is Lennon..." Worried that Sean's cover would
blow and scare Frederic and the customers, Lillian could only say his last name
and not his full name.

Sean didn't mind, either.

He nodded and said, "Just call me Mr. Lennon."

"Haha. Mr. Lennon, what's your relationship with Lill?" Frederic asked without
beating around the bush.

The old man is so direct!

Can't he be a little tactful?

However, Sean was not particularly concerned about it.

He glanced at the people around him before looking at Frederic and saying
calmly, "I'm just Ms. Townsend's friend. I'm only a regular friend."

"Oh, only a regular friend. I thought she'd finally met someone." Frederic burst
out laughing.

Lillian's cheeks were red as she looked shyly at Sean.

"Uncle Frederic, stop it. How would I be Mr. Lennon's type... Enough about that.
Uncle Frederic, didn't my father give you an ancient bronze sword? Is the ancient
bronze sword fragment still here?" Lillian asked instead, not wanting to dwell on
Sean's identity or her relationship with him.

After all, the more you talked, the more you gave yourself away. Besides, she
was worried Uncle Frederic and the other customers would upset Sean.

She knew Sean well enough to know that he was not the type to enjoy noise and
excitement.

"So you did visit me because of an antique... What's the matter? Did your father
ask you to retrieve the ancient bronze sword fragment? Why is your father so
stingy? He wanted back something he gave away. How shameless..." Frederic
scolded.