Hearing his words, everyone wore an expression of disbelief.
The medical staff and onlookers were shocked that someone would actually step forward to do this.
The man and the cultists were shocked that he would propose such a losing deal.
In their eyes, the ring's value exceeded a hundred billion US dollars. They wouldn't hesitate for a second to trade the lives of their own parents and children for it, let alone Homura Akemi.
But the most astonished of all was Homura herself.
She never imagined that someone would be willing to help her at a time like this, and even pay such a high price. She didn't know the ring's value, but she knew that anything capable of attracting those men was definitely not cheap.
Out of self-loathing and a sense of self-abandonment, Homura instinctively planned to refuse Su Mo's kindness. It wasn't worth it for a useless person like her.
"Mister, I..."
However, just as the words left her mouth, she realized something. He didn't seem to be asking for her opinion. As a result, she lacked the standing to even refuse.
She quickly noticed that he hadn't asked for the opinion of the man who was once her father, either. His words were delivered as a statement of fact—like an emperor's decree, leaving no room for question.
"Fine, fine, fine! That thing is all yours, and this is mine!"
Homura's father and the other yakuza clearly didn't realize this, but they didn't contradict Su Mo's words either. Because what Su Mo offered were terms they couldn't refuse.
"Deal."
Su Mo raised an eyebrow and kicked the Ring of the Nibelungs towards the stairwell.
"Wait! That's mine!"
"No! It's obviously mine!"
"Power, status... I'm going to have it all! Hahahahaha!"
The men scrambled after it, charging with a determination that would face blades and boiling oil without regret, intent on snatching the magically alluring golden ring for themselves.
In a mere ten seconds, they were gone, chasing and fighting over it.
Only the utter silence of the hospital ward remained.
"Phew, thank you so much for stepping in, sir!" a nurse immediately came forward to express her gratitude.
He was handsome, had a child with him, acted righteously, and looked very rich. By all accounts, Su Mo was a good person.
"It's all thanks to you. If it weren't for you, Homura might have been in real trouble this time!"
Other concerned individuals also came to thank him and update him on Homura's current situation.
Seeing the genuine concern of the medical staff, Su Mo nodded and handed over a black card. "How much does this child owe in medical bills? Please help me settle them."
Hearing this, Homura glanced over, and the medical staff's eyes lit up with joy. "Are you serious?"
Out of kindness, they were indeed willing to lose money to help Homura, but these debts were recorded against their department and had to be shared by everyone, so it was inevitable that some would complain. If someone was willing to pay, that was naturally for the best.
"Mhm." Su Mo nodded and looked at the utterly surprised black-haired girl who was staring at him. "Also, please handle the discharge procedures for me. She doesn't need to stay in the hospital any longer."
Hearing this, the nurse was taken aback and looked troubled. "Sir, if you're not her guardian, you're not qualified to make that decision. And Homura's body really does need to recuperate." she reminded him tactfully.
Even if Homura's father had agreed to that verbal contract just now, it didn't mean Homura was now Su Mo's property. At least, the hospital's procedures wouldn't recognize it.
"No need to worry," Su Mo shook his head. "The guardianship papers will be ready within ten minutes. Just prepare for her discharge in advance. I will pay an additional fee."
With that, he looked at Homura beside him and asked, "What identity do you prefer? Sister or daughter?"
Homura was baffled. Guardianship papers weren't that easy to obtain. And even if Su Mo had some power to get them processed without her knowledge, it was a bit late to be deciding on the title, wasn't it?
To decide on a title and get the documents done in ten minutes... did the whole world revolve around him? Even at twelve or thirteen, Homura still found Su Mo's words unreliable.
However, thinking about how he had just paid her medical bills, the joyful expression on the nurse's face, and glancing at Madoka beside her, Homura ultimately kept her questions to herself.
"Either is fine." She glanced towards the empty stairwell and said. She no longer had a father, so any new family identity would do.
Seeing her slightly downcast expression, Su Mo quickly made a decision.
After all, she was still a minor, barely out of infancy. The child was utterly disappointed in her father, but clearly still held some hope for the role of a father itself.
"Then let's go with daughter. Otherwise, it would be a bit strange for a young man of marriageable age to adopt a sister with no blood relation."
"..."
Hearing this, Homura gave Su Mo a speechless look. Isn't it even stranger to adopt a daughter with no blood relation?! And given your age, wouldn't that mean you had me when you were a minor?
Judging by age, sister was clearly more appropriate. However, after a moment's hesitation, she didn't object.
And so, a decision that Homura would regret many times in the future was easily made.
Ten minutes later, watching the Chief of the Metropolitan Police personally escort over the freshly printed guardianship documents, the nurse didn't even dare to breathe as she helped Su Mo complete all the procedures, packing up everything from Homura's hospital room.
As a bewildered Homura was led by the hand by Madoka into the back of a luxury car, the nurse patted the head of the girl still in her hospital gown and gave her an envious blessing.
"Homura, be a good girl in your new family! I don't know which young master he is, but since he's willing to establish a legal relationship with you, he definitely won't treat you poorly!"
No matter how you looked at it, it was a story of a righteous rich kid saving a frail and sickly girl. The nurse felt nothing but envy and well wishes.
Homura didn't know what she would face and still felt a little uneasy. But she still squeezed out a smile and bid the nurse farewell.
Whatever she had to face, it was better than agreeing to her father's terms... at least the nurses wouldn't have to worry, and she was still alive.
Not long after, the luxury car stopped in front of a seemingly ordinary mansion.
"We're home!" Seeing her own house next door, Madoka cheered and helped Homura out of the car.
A few temporary maids bustled about, arranging Homura's few belongings, then bowed and retreated.
Looking at the simple and warm home decor, Homura stood stiffly in the living room, not even daring to sit down. Is this really a place I can live? Is this not a dream?
It wasn't until Madoka enthusiastically pulled her down to sit that Homura's expression changed, as if she had been reborn into another world.
"Don't be shy. Since Lord Su Mo has adopted you, this is your home now, Homura!" Looking at Su Mo and receiving a nod of encouragement, Madoka became even more enthusiastic.
She was already interested in Homura, and now that Su Mo had helped her save the girl, she naturally wanted Homura to integrate into the life of a normal child.
"My... own home?" Hearing Madoka's words, Homura fell silent for a moment.
However, in front of Madoka, she quickly composed herself and noticed something odd. "Speaking of which, Madoka, why do you call him 'Lord'? What's your relationship with him?"
Although Su Mo certainly seemed like a big shot, their relationship didn't seem so formal.
If she hadn't seen Madoka's father earlier, and if the ages didn't match up, she would have thought Su Mo was her father or older brother.
Hearing this, Madoka scratched her head in embarrassment. "Ehehe! I guess I got used to calling him that because of everyone else. I used to call him Big Brother Su Mo, but as Lord Su Mo got stronger and stronger, I got used to the other title. Either one is fine, really. Lord Su Mo doesn't mind!"
Hearing this, Homura was still a bit confused. Who is 'everyone else'? What does 'stronger and stronger' mean?
But she didn't ask about these details. After a moment's hesitation, she looked at Su Mo and asked her own question.
"So, what should I call you from now on?"
"Lord Su Mo, or... Father?"