After Luo Ran returned to the room, his heart was still beating a bit fast.

Luo Ran thought to himself, if he and Lucas were ordinary lovers, he could talk to Lucas about those videos a little more frankly.

But they had been together for so many years, and always had a serious superior-subordinate relationship. Suddenly changing the pattern still felt quite……awkward.

Luo Ran felt ashamed to talk about these topics with his boss.

Like this……wouldn’t it seem like he was conservative and boring?

Luo Ran frowned slightly.

But it seemed even weirder to go back and talk to Lucas about it now.

Ah……when it came to watching videos, Luo Ran suddenly remembered that he hadn’t read the short stories that Shen Xiluo helped him get from Rong Duo.

But the notebook was back at his home in the capital.

Luo Ran scratched his cheek.

He…..could take a good look when he went home?

After this small episode, an emergency notification came the next day on Luobing.

— An ice mine in Southeast Luobing was being raided by star pirates.

Not only the ice mine, but the star pirates also invaded a nearby small town and took a group of hostages.

Just like the usual looting, but this time there were more hostages.

Presumably, since the star pirates had lost UNK, they were continuing to attack ice mines.

Mu Yuan immediately assembled his army and prepared to go.

The Southeast Region happened to be were the Empire and Luobing met, and Luobing’s army now belonged to Lucas, so he planned to go along with Mu Yuan.

“Wait for me to return.”

Beside the battleship, Lucas opened his arms to Luo Ran and smiled. “Come here, give me a hug and some good luck.”

Luo Ran stepped forward and hugged Lucas.

“Three days. I’ll come back as soon as possible,” Lucas said in a low voice. “Take care of yourself.”

Luo Ran chuckled: “Don’t be anxious, Admiral. Leave the capital to me.”

“En.”

This trip was dangerous. The Lion Hunters had made a fortune in the capital and purchased a lot of weapons and equipment, and the star pirates were being continually suppressed now, holding their breath, and a small town had been occupied.

If Luo Ran wanted to follow, Lucas would naturally have a way to protect him, but the capital was unstable now, and Cyril wanted to take over the military.

Luo Ran consciously proposed to go back to the capital, where he was effective and good at what he did.

Then Lucas and Mu Yuan boarded the battleship, and it took off slowly along with countless troops and aircraft.

They drifted away, and ultimately vanished into the horizon.

Luo Ran paused for a moment, and then turned to board his own aircraft — returning to the capital.

He and Zhou Mingjing were together on this trip, both returning to the capital in the end.

Inside the ship, Zhou Mingjing spied Luo Ran sitting alone on the edge of the deck reviewing official documents, so he sat opposite him.

“Your Highness.” Luo Ran nodded.

Zhou Mingjing crossed his legs, saying with raised eyebrows: “The Admiral is willing to let you go with me. A decision has been made?”

Luo Ran just smiled and didn’t directly answer.

Zhou Mingjing didn’t mind, either. He tore open a packet of nutrient solution and drank it while sitting by his side, opening his terminal to review official documents.

The two of them were sitting in the best position, which was also where the battleship leader preferred to stay.

There was a natural observation deck, where the surrounding could be viewed, but it was not as cramped and boring as the monitoring room.

. . . . . .

The battleship sailed for two days and reached the capital smoothly.

Lucas and the others must have already gotten to the small planet in the Southeast.

The expedition was in Mu Yuan’s name, so no one was on the Star Network praying for blessings, and there were no fireworks or sky lanterns.

After disembarking the battleship, Luo Ran went straight to military headquarters.

“Secretary Luo……! You’re finally back!”

Upon the battleship’s landing, Lu Cheng immediately brought people out to greet him.

From his tone, Luo Ran gleaned joy……and resentment.

Then Luo Ran saw Cyril walking behind him.

“Secretary Luo.” Cyril nodded at him with a smile.

Luo Ran smiled.

He pretty much understood.

“It’s good that Secretary Luo is back, so that I can have personal discussions with him when making decisions.” Cyril said warmly: “I’ve taken over the military department these past two days, and there are many changes I want to make, but Adjutant Lu seems to be more conventional.”

Lu Cheng stood aside and said stiffly: “I think it was pretty good before.”

Naturally, neither Lu Cheng nor the other people in the barracks were willing to listen to Cyril. They only recognized Lucas, and if Lucas wasn’t there, then Luo Ran.

But not Cyril.

The officer brought by Cyril scoffed coldly: “It’s good that Secretary Luo is back. Adjutant Lu and the other adjutants are unwilling to cooperate these days.”

Lu Cheng also lowered his face and said: “I’m happier than you are that Secretary Luo is back.”

Luo Ran raised an eyebrow.

It seemed that many things had happened in the past two days. Lu Cheng and Cyril were so at odds that they didn’t even want to make a superficial effort.

Moreover, Cyril’s wording was rather subtle, saying that he wanted to “discuss” rather than “listen to his opinions.”

Luo Ran said with a smile: “It’s our fault. Adjutant Lu, why didn’t you prepare our usual welcome ceremony for a new officer taking his station?”

“……..Ah?”

Lu Cheng was stunned for a moment, and then realized, this is really Secretary Luo!

Lu Cheng immediately hooked his lips into a smile. “I’ll do it now!”

Cyril frowned slightly: “What……?”

Luo Ran explained: “It’s a military department tradition. The daily pastime of the barracks is fighting in the arena, and anyone can participate. Whenever there is a new officer, we will also let him on the stage to fight others, so that he can quickly integrate with everyone.”

Cyril’s expression immediately became complicated, and he turned around to ask: “Is there such a tradition?”

“……..Yes,” Cyril’s adjutant whispered. “There really is.”

This was already a well-known tradition. Cyril couldn’t refuse, firstly because it would be too embarrassing, and secondly because it would indirectly deny that he was a member of the military department.

Luo Ran smiled and said: “It’s our negligence. We didn’t consider that you are also newcomers.”

“…….” The smile on Cyril’s face immediately stiffened.

Wang Qiuyang followed Luo Ran to say with a smile: “Right, ah! I also watched the video that day. His Royal Highness said that Mr. Cyril is the most suitable candidate, not only because he is the Admiral’s elder brother, but as the eldest Aldor son, he must be as capable as the Admiral!”

Luo Ran smiled harder: “Adjutant Wang seems to want to fight Mr. Cyril.”

“That’s right.” Wang Qiuyang hehe’d. “Isn’t it said that Mr. Cyril can fight like our Admiral? I won’t hold back……!”

Cyril: “…….”

Cyril couldn’t smile at all.

. . . . . .

The arena.

Cyril stood as if facing something far beyond his abilities, with Lu Cheng opposite him.

Everyone below was cheering.

Wang Qiuyang stood aside and said: “Mr. Cyril, you can do it, ah! I’ll wait until you beat Lao Lu into the ground, and then it’s my turn!”

Wang Qiuyang spared no effort in poisoning the milk.

Lu Cheng covertly glanced at Luo Ran under the stage. The other party smiled with a slight nod, and even winked.

Having received permission to show no mercy, Lu Cheng grinned. After Wang Qiuyang’s signal to start, he rushed at Cyril.

Bam!

Cyril was of the Aldor family, after all. He had graduated from the military academy and had been on the battlefield for three months before, so he had naturally learned how to fight.

However, he was beaten down by Lu Cheng in one blow, and fell to the ground.

It was a good start.

Wang Qiuyuang: “Pfft.”

Luo Ran lowered his eyes.

He had always been restrained in demeanor, and always told Lucas not to be too impulsive.

But this was different.

Cyril’s face was slightly red at this moment inside the ring. He got up, and hadn’t even taken a defensive posture yet when he was knocked down again by Lu Cheng.

It could be seen that Cyril really tried his best, and could occasionally block Lu Cheng’s moves, but the gap was still evident.

Lu Cheng pointed to Wang Qiuyang and said: “Lao Wang, where is your energy, ah? You yelled so softly that Mr. Cyril didn’t hear it, so he didn’t know we had started!”

Wang Qiuyang said: “How about this, let’s change positions. You come down to call, and I’ll go up to fight?”

“Okay, ah!”

After Cyril fell for the third time, his adjutant, surnamed Chen, was so angry that he cursed on the spot.

This was too embarrassing.

If it really went on like this today, then how could he and Cyril last half a month here? He feared they really wouldn’t have the right to speak in the future.

Cyril’s adjutant immediately stepped forward to request a fight.

“Allow me.” Luo Ran said with a smile, “They played a round with Mr. Cyril, and they’re tired.”

Everyone below held back their laughter.

Everyone knew that Luo Ran was taught by Lucas, so his ability must not be bad, but Luo Ran seldom showed it. Adjutant Chen said strangely: “This……I don’t fight civilians.”

“It’s fine.” Luo Ran habitually tied his hair back and straightened the collar of his shirt before jumping into the ring. “I’m durable.”

“Pfft…….”

The people below suppressed their laughter even more.

There were also some people who were really worried about Luo Ran. Cyril himself was incompetent, but his adjutant was quite good.

Adjutant Chen was originally a member of Lucas’s military troops, and a candidate for adjutant, with very good skills. It was only that his character was not good. It was said that he almost violated an Omega, so Lucas had him punished with army batons, and he was beaten half to death before being driven out.

It stood to reason that an attempted violation shouldn’t have ended up like this, but Lucas could not tolerate certain things or people.

Later, Cyril saw that his ability was really outstanding, so he asked him to come over to his side on the grounds that he was also a member of the Aldor family.

Adjutant Chen’s heart was full of resentment, and Luo Ran was well-known as Lucas’s “lover.”

Lu Cheng and Wang Qiuyang looked at each other with slight frowns.

Cyril stood aside and clenched his fists tensely, full of anticipation.

“Firstly.” The big, tall adjutant Chen said, “We’re just sparring, so you can’t just turn your head and complain to the Admiral. The Admiral doesn’t let anybody in the Empire get a pass.”

Luo Ran smiled.

“Okay.”

“Start!”

Whoosh—

At the moment Wang Qiuyang shouted, Adjutant Chen saw the person in front of him vanish.

The next moment, Luo Ran’s fist was about to hit his nose.

Adjutant Chen was taken aback, and automatically raised his head and protected his face. This exposed his waist, which was punched hard.

“Wu…….!”

Adjutant Chen’s eyes widened, and he almost fell to his knees.

Luo Ran had created a diversion!

There were immediate cheers below.

Adjutant Chen had originally underestimated the enemy, but now he regained twelve points of spirit.

The two came and went with no distinction between superiors and inferiors in the ring.

The people below were dumbfounded.

Wang Qiuyuang and Lu Cheng almost held their breaths as they watched, and didn’t bother to pretend. Their expressions became heavy when Luo Ran was suppressed, and they couldn’t help applauding when Luo Ran gained the upper hand.

After all, Luo Ran was an Omega, and his figure was rather slender. This was better for light footwork, but he was slightly inferior in strength.

Adjutant Chen abruptly caught Luo Ran’s fist that hit his stomach, and stretched out his hand without hesitation, about to wrap his arm around Luo Ran’s waist and knock him down.

“Too bad.” Lu Cheng frowned slightly.

Luo Ran’s strength was inferior to that of Adjutant Chen, and it would be difficult if the place where he exerted his core strength was grasped.

However, at the next moment, Luo Ran jumped straight up on the spot with astonishing strength, and arced up to ride directly on Adjutant Chen’s shoulders.

“Ah—!”

“Take him down! Secretary Luo, take him down!”

“Oooooh!”

Adjutant Chen grabbed a handful of air. His neck was pinched by Luo Ran’s legs, and he was about to counterattack when Luo Ran hooked his legs and leaned back.

Bam—!

Luo Ran led Adjutant Chen to make a 180-degree turn, and used his leg strength to immediately knock him to the ground.

Adjutant Chen’s big, strong body hit the ground, and Luo Ran quickly pressed his knees against the other’s neck, suppressing him.

“Three ! !”

“Two ! !”

“One ! ! !”

“Secretary Luo wins!”

Luo Ran smiled and said: “As agreed, it’s just a spar, you can’t turn your head and complain to Mr. Cyril. Our admiral won’t fight his brother.”

Adjutant Chen: “…….”

Adjutant Chen’s face changed colors, and he gave a low curse.

But he couldn’t help giving Luo Ran a few more glances.

Fuck, he was pretty good-looking.

“Fuck!!” Wang Qiuyuang slapped his thigh fiercely. “Secretary Luo is amazing! As expected of the Admiral’s family, why are you so abnormal!”

Lu Cheng was also stunned, and grabbed Wang Qiuyang: “So cool! So cool!”

Only then did the two understand.

It would be rumored that Cyril couldn’t beat his adjutant, and the strongest adjutant under his hand couldn’t beat a civil servant.

It sounded so goddamn embarrassing.

This was obviously a simple and crude way of dealing with things, but after this, Cyril really couldn’t give orders and take charge of things in the barracks.

Wang Qiuyang glanced at Lu Cheng, thinking that Secretary Luo didn’t accompany the Admiral this time, and his purpose in coming back was to defend the power of the military department and not give up a single cent to others.

“Secretary Luo ! ! !”

“Secretary Luo ! !”

The cheers below seemed to be ready to overturn the arena.

. . . . . .

Luo Ran’s battle in the barracks became famous.

In this way, Luo Ran’s abnormal combat strength attracted a lot of attention and spread on the Star Network.

XXXX: Secretary Luo is amazing ! ! I heard that when he competed with Cyril’s adjutant, everyone was blown away!

XXXX: Aaaaaah, wife got in a fight, ah! I have a friend who wants to watch it! Wuwuwu the Admiral is so blessed.

XXXX: The Admiral’s secretary is able to take care of daily life, the only difference is that he isn’t an Omega and can’t have children.

So Luo Ran could see that there seemed to be more eyes on him these days.

He still did his usual work as three days passed, and Lucas had still not contacted Luo Ran.

Luo Ran sat at the desk and tapped his pen lightly, thinking things over.

His workplace had been moved from the office to the barracks, and he had already made an appointment with Yu Han.

Prince Kleiman of Saturn finally replied to him, and made an appointment to meet him when he came back in a few days.

Luo Ran rubbed his temples in distress.

He had been deceiving Lucas from the beginning, and up to this point, one lie had turned into countless lies, and it was a bit difficult to put a stop to them.

Lucas hated being deceived by others the most. He got so angry when Luo Ran passively lied to him before, and ignored him. If they hadn’t been together, there would have been a lot of trouble.

And after Lucas found out about his concealed Omega status, Lucas was also so angry that he teased and bullied him in turn. If it wasn’t because he was injured and extremely vulnerable, truly in need of Lucas’s pheromones, there would have been no end to this matter.

Therefore, if this secret was revealed rashly, would Lucas be angry, uncomfortable, and even embarrassed?

Luo Ran thought that if it were him, he would be very angry.

He would feel that he had been tricked.

He must find a very good moment to confess.

Then when should that be……? After his birthday? In case he got hurt someday, should he take the opportunity to say it?

Luo Ran picked up the pen and twirled it in his hand.

Not to mention this, Lucas hadn’t contacted him privately for three days.

But there was nothing wrong with the battle reports from the front lines.

Luo Ran rested his chin in his hand.

Why wasn’t he talking to him?

Didn’t Lucas miss him?

Was he busy fighting?

Luo Ran was taken aback.

No, Lucas used to be like this too, so it wasn’t surprising.

He was behaving rather strange.

It was only three days.

Luo Ran was thinking wildly when Lu Cheng knocked hard on the door and opened it. 

“…….Secretary Luo!” Lu Cheng panted, “The Admiral’s back!”

“H-h-he came back quietly, he’s injured!”

Click. The pen in Luo Ran’s hand fell to the ground as he stood up and shouted, “Where is he!”

“The battleship landed in the 5b air bay…..hey, Secretary Luo, wait for me!”

. . . . . .

Luo Ran pushed open the door of the battleship and saw the accompanying doctor standing aside, injecting Lucas with medicine.

Lucas’s body was unscathed, but he lay with his eyes closed, presumably sedated and unconscious.

The air was saturated with tobacco pheromones, and they were even a little disordered.

Lu Cheng felt oppressed as soon as he came in, and there was no way to get close to Lucas.

Lucas’s pheromones were unconsciously attacking any Alpha who stepped into his territory at the moment, at the same time making the Beta doctor uncomfortable.

Seeing Luo Ran, the doctor said with a bitter expression: “The Admiral’s rut has come. A normal rut would be fine, but the Admiral was spiritually damaged somehow, so he is now entering a period of pheromone disorder collapse.

SSS Alphas and Omegas had always been prone to spiritual breakdown and pheromone disorders, not to mention Lucas’s spiritual wounds after being poisoned when he was young.

Thinking about it now, he was entering his susceptibility period and was spiritually fragile, and something happened on the battlefield this time to make it break out.

Luo Ran stepped forward, his blood a little chilled.

The last time this happened to Lucas was when he returned from the battlefield and Luo Ran had just taken office as a secretary.

“Secretary Luo……” Lu Cheng was also a little nervous.

Luo Ran took a deep breath: “Go and call Dr. Shen over, don’t tell anyone else.”

“Yes!”

Wang Qiuyang had also rushed over and stood by the door, saying with a grimace: “Cyril heard that a battleship has landed and plans to come over!”

“Don’t let him come here.”

Luo Ran sat down by the bed and said coldly: “Guard well.”

This was not the Marshal’s Manor, nor was it Lucas’s childhood.

---

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Chapter Sixty-Six << Table of Contents >> Chapter Sixty-Eight

Pei Yi was awakened by a tickle on his face, and when he opened his eyes with difficulty, he found that Inspector was patting his face with its small paw, as if urging him to get up.

“Meow-wu~”

“Good morning, Inspector, don’t make trouble.”

Inspector obediently retracted its paw and crouched on the edge of the bed, waiting for its master to wake up.

Pei Yi’s head was still dizzy, but he didn’t have the uncomfortable hangover feeling from the previous few times, probably because he didn’t drink too much and get too drunk. He still vaguely remembered the scene of when he was inebriated the night before.

Bo Yueming had stopped his excessive drinking in time, and seemed to have taken him back to the small bedroom on his own initiative.

— You have to give me a chance to prove it to you, okay?

This sentence flashed through Pei Yi’s mind, and he frowned. He couldn’t remember if it really came from Bo Yueming’s mouth, or whether it was a drunken hallucination.

Pei Yi looked sideways at the empty right side of the bed, but his mood was filled with a subtle sense of satisfaction.

He remembered that Bo Yueming seemed to be coaxing him to sleep last night, but for some reason, when he was with the other party, he could always sleep more peacefully and securely.

Inspector crouched obediently by the side and waited with some anxiousness, urging in a low tone, “Meow-wu~”

Pei Yi smiled lightly and rubbed his pet’s little head. “Understood, I’ll get up right away.”

He stopped lingering in bed, got up, and went to the bathroom to wash up.

When Pei Yi led Inspector to the kitchen on the first floor, only Uncle Kai was still sitting and waiting silently. “Little Sir, you’re awake?”

“En.”

Pei Yi responded and then subconsciously glanced at the study.

Keenly aware of his meaning, Uncle Kai smiled. “Little Sir, the Second Young Master went to headquarters early this morning. A position in senior management has changed, and there are a lot of things to keep him busy.”

Uncle Kai had seen through his intentions to “find someone,” and Pei Yi coughed uncomfortably. “Uncle Kai, I’m a little hungry.”

“Breakfast was left for you in the kitchen, I’ll ask a servant to bring it.” Uncle Kai said, as if recalling something important, “Little Sir, sit down, I’ll go and bring it to you myself.”

“En, thank you, Uncle Kai.”

After a while, Uncle Kai came back with a tray. “Little Sir, it will soon be noon. You should drink some light porridge to fill your stomach. And this—”

He emphatically handed over a small cup of hangover soup. “Second Young Master cooked this for you, and it has been kept warm.”

Pei Yi was a little surprised. “Er-ge cooked it himself?”

There were no outsiders at the moment, so Uncle Kai said truthfully, “Yes, ah. Second Young Master dismissed the servants and got up early to cook it himself.”

Although Bo Yueming didn’t let Uncle Kai reveal anything before he left and didn’t plan to ask for credit from Pei Yi for his kindness, as someone who had been there, Uncle Kai still felt that some things should have light shone on them.

Pei Yi chuckled and put down the bowl of porridge, taking the lead to drink the cup of hangover soup.

Uncle Kai sat to the side, feeling a little emotional. “When the Old Lady and the Second Young Master had accidents one after another, I was really afraid that the Second Young Master would be unable to make a comeback. Since Little Sir came to this house, everything has changed for the better.”

He sometimes felt that Pei Yi was the lucky star of their small family.

“Me?”

Pei Yi took a sip of the soup. It was tasty.

Uncle Kai nodded. “I used to work with the Old Lady, and I watched the Second Young Master grow up. He knew that he was ‘unfavored’ in this family. He had been alone since he was a child, and didn’t like to speak out.”

“Over the years, I think that Mr. Yan Cen is the only one who could be considered a close friend of his. If you ask me, the Second Young Master is the most vulnerable person in this family, and he takes everything into account.”

Previously, he thought that Pei Yi was a “little fool” and wouldn’t understand much, so Uncle Kai didn’t say what was in his heart.

Pei Yi drank the soup a little slower.

Uncle Kai hesitated for a moment, and then spoke with the caring tone of an elder, “Little Sir, did you have an argument a few days ago?”

Pei Yi thought of the ridiculous failure of his “escape” that night, and felt guilty. He said faintly, “Huh? There was no argument.”

“Really?”

Uncle Kai hesitated to speak, and paused for a moment before disclosing, “But the Second Young Master sat alone in the living room all night.”

“…….”

Pei Yi at once stopped drinking the soup, and felt indescribably sour. “He didn’t sleep all night?”

Why?

Was Bo Yueming afraid that he would sneak away again?

Uncle Kai met his doubtful eyes and nodded.

He had discovered it by accident when he woke up at three or four in the morning. He stood at the door and voiced a few words of persuasion, but Bo Yueming urged him to go back and “not disturb Pei Yi’s sleep.”

Uncle Kai didn’t get to the bottom of it, but said in a roundabout way, “Little Sir, if you encounter any unhappy things in the future, don’t keep it inside without saying anything. Just say it up front.”

“Otherwise, with the Second Young Master’s temperament, the more he cares about a person, the more he will care about that person’s thoughts.”

He would keep guessing about the thoughts of the person he cared about, and take into account his bottom line. He would have grievances, confusion, and sadness, but keep silent.

The wine wall was Bo Yueming’s collection, and was one of the few outlets for him to vent over the years.

Pei Yi thought this over, and responded in a low voice, “I see.”

Uncle Kai quit while he was ahead. “Look at me, I talk more the older I get. Little Sir, hurry and eat.”

Pei Yi laughed and casually changed the subject. “Uncle Kai, I’m craving spicy crab for lunch today.”

“Ai! I’ll have the servants prepare it straight away!”

After Uncle Kai left, Pei Yi finished drinking the hangover soup that Bo Yueming had personally made. He noticed the bruise on his arm, and when he brought it closer, he smelled medicinal wine.

He didn’t think too deeply. It should be the medicine that Bo Yueming applied when he was asleep.

Pei Yi recalled what Uncle Kai had said just now, and after hesitating for a moment, he still picked up his phone and opened WeChat.

Even though Bo Yueming had already been added as a friend, the chat box between the two was blank.

Pei Yi thought for a while, then took a picture of the bottom of the soup cup—

“Er-ge, it was a bit salty.”

Pei Yi had originally thought that Bo Yueming would be busy with work and not reply immediately, but he unexpectedly heard the vibration of his cell phone within half a minute.

“—Okay, I’ll pay attention next time. I applied the medicinal wine to your arm while you were asleep this morning. Don’t lift anything heavy for a couple of days.”

A smile flashed through Pei Yi’s eyes, and he typed, “Got it, aren’t you busy right now?”

“—Busy, there’s a meeting.”

He had typed a long paragraph just now, but now that it was down to business, his answer became extremely concise.

Pei Yi became playful, and typed teasingly.

“Tsk, tsk.”

“The General Manager also slacks off during meetings?”

“You’re not concentrating, Er-ge.”

Bo Yueming’s reply came quickly: “Don’t make trouble on purpose. Be good.”

“…….”

Pei Yi stared at this pampering and helpless request, and felt that he could imagine Bo Yueming’s expression and tone when he said this.

He inexplicably let out a hot breath of air, and was just about to put down his phone, but it vibrated again with a notification.

He tapped on it, and saw a picture of a white cat curled up sleeping.

Pei Yi was taken aback, thinking that Bo Yueming had sent it by mistake, but the text sent by the other party immediately explained everything—

“This came up on my feed. It looks like you when you’re sleeping, very cute.”

“……..”

Pei Yi’s eyes moved back and forth between the picture and text, and within ten seconds, the roots of his ears turned red.

. . . . . . 

Imperial Capital First Central Hospital.

Pei Yi looked at the multistory building and mumbled grumpily, “If I had known, I would have stayed at home and not gone to headquarters to find you.”

The structure of “The Last Fog 1.0” had been completed, and now the art team was the busiest department.

Pei Yi had completed the script structure of a new game this week, and the auction was still in progress. He had nothing to do at home, and wanted to go to the legendary “Bo Group” to widen his horizons.

Unexpectedly, Bo Yueming brought him there as soon as he finished his work.

Bo Yueming noticed Pei Yi’s unwillingness. “Don’t go up, stay in the car and wait for me.”

Nine days ago, Cheng Yangshan collapsed in a fit of anxiety and was sent to the hospital by Bo Lihong for emergency treatment

The old man had a strong will to live. It was said that after an hour, there were no major problems after various inspections.

Logically speaking, he should have been discharged from the hospital a long time ago, but he just stayed in the ward and refused to leave.

Pei Yi sneered in disdain. “The old man felt ashamed and deliberately pretend to be ill in order to attract the attention of the second branch, so that he could regain the prestige of the ‘head of the family?’”

Bo Yueming didn’t deny it. “En, I’ll go through the motions and come back.”

Even if he didn’t like it, he still had to put on a show so that outsiders couldn’t use it against him in the future.

Cheng Yangshan’s VIP ward was on the top floor of the inpatient department, and there was an exclusive elevator that went directly to it.

When Bo Yueming and Lin Zhong arrived at the door of the ward, the steward Lao Shen came over with an understated deterrent in his tone. “Second Young Master, the Old Sir has already fallen asleep after getting an injection.”

Bo Yueming’s eyes hidden under the lenses shifted—

Cheng Yangshan was lying on the hospital bed with his eyes closed. Whether he was really sleeping or pretending to do so, each of them knew in their hearts. 

“Then I won’t bother him.” Bo Yueming didn’t intend to waste time here. “When the old man wakes up, Steward Shen, please let him know that I came here.”

He casually said a few words, then left the ward with Lin Zhong’s assistance.

The door slammed shut.

Cheng Yangshan on the hospital bed opened his cloudy eyes, and there was no joy in them. “Lao Shen, please call and ask if Guancheng left the detention center today. It’s already this late, why hasn’t he come out yet?”

Steward Lao Shen approached. “Don’t worry, Old Sir, I will call and ask.”

. . . . . .

As soon as the elevator doors closed, Bo Yueming dropped his disguise.

Lin Zhong wondered in a low voice: “Mr. Bo, the old man was just pretending to be asleep, right?”

Bo Yueming was indifferent. “That’s right. I was afraid Pei Yi would be bored waiting in the car.”

Lin Zhong ate a mouthful of dog food out of the blue and endeavored to get back on topic. “Mr. Bo, the old man is not still siding with the main branch at this time, is he?”

Bo Yueming shook his head, seeing everything clearly. “No matter who he is siding with, it is impossible for that person to be me.”

After that last dispute at the main house, Cheng Yangshan may continue to assist Bo Lihui and Bo Guancheng, and it was also possible to change his stance and stand in line with Bo Lihong and Bo Jiao of the second branch, but the only one he would not favor was Bo Yueming.

The reason was very simple. Bo Yueming had always been on Old Mrs. Bo’s side.

Whether in the past or in the future, his surname would always be Bo Peizhi’s “Bo,” and never Cheng Yangshan’s “Cheng.”

The elevator went straight down.

The moment Bo Yueming stepped out of the elevator, he bumped into a familiar figure.

Lin Zhong standing behind him reacted in a timely manner and sounded a reminder: “Mr. Bo, the Eldest Young Master is here too.”

“…….”

When Bo Guancheng heard this address, hatred flared up in his eyes. “I haven’t seen you for a few days, and your assistant has changed the way he addresses me very quickly.”

After ten days of absence, Bo Guancheng’s status seemed to have changed a lot.

Without the fancy, luxurious clothing of the past, he only wore a light gray-black sweater at the moment.

His overly long hair covered a portion of his eyebrows and eyes, and gray-blue stubble hung on his face, making him look so humble that he didn’t have the slightest aura of a wealthy man.

Faced with Bo Guancheng’s questioning, Bo Yueming calmly pretended to be ‘blind.” “Dage? Why didn’t you tell me in advance you were coming back today, so that your family could welcome you home?”

“Stop with your fake kindness!”

“Bo Yueming, to this day, do you still really think I will be fooled by you? Tell me! Did you bribe Lin Na?”

Bo Guancheng’s originally gentle mask at last could not hold up at all, and he gritted his teeth as he spoke.

Ten days of detention seemed like ten years to him, a painful torture that took him from heaven to hell!

Bo Guancheng was replaying it all every day, resenting every day—

His self-control had always been good, so why did he lose control of himself after drinking that day!

Cloudtop’s confidentiality measures had always been safe, so how did the police get his room number that day!

Sister Qiu was the boss of Cloudtop, and her guests being arrested was of no advantage to her. Besides Bo Yueming, who else would drive him to his doom in such a way?

Facing Bo Guancheng’s anger, Bo Yueming calmly took the upper hand. “Since Dage suspects me and Lin Na, why don’t you confess to the police and ask them to investigate all of this? Do you dare not?”

“…….”

Bo Guancheng couldn’t speak due to anger, and his hands clenched into fists. 

Why did he not confess? Why did he not dare?

Bo Yueming’s eyes were frigid, and he knew the answer better than the person in front of him—

Because the drugs came from Bo Guancheng and Cloudtop, even if Lin Na was found, what evidence was there that she drugged him? If they got to the bottom of it, it was Bo Guancheng who first thought of setting up the trap to hurt someone!

It was lifting a rock and dropping it on his own foot!

Now that it hurt, what right did he have to cry out?

“This time in the detention center was difficult, wasn’t it? Dage might as well take the opportunity to stay at home and rest.” Bo Yueming hid his ruthlessness behind a gentle facade. “Our second branch will take over your position as general manager, as well as your projects.”

Hearing these words, Bo Guancheng’s heart burned fiercely. He had already learned about the general situation from Bo Lihui—

First, it was Bo Yueming’s schemes that caused him to be arrested, and in the end, it was Bo Jiao who brought this matter to the shareholders with decision-making power, which resulted in him being suspended and losing his projects!

And because Old Mr. Bo was eager to protect him, he lost the hearts of the second branch and the family in general.

Bo Yueming had not been accepted by Bo Lihong and his wife Xue Min for more than twenty years, but now they had joined hands to deal with the main branch? He was not a family member, and truly couldn’t enter the family. 

Bo Guancheng scoffed coldly. “Bo Yueming, what are you so proud of? Do you think that my uncle and aunt will treat you as their own son? They just want to use your hands to bring me down.”

“Yes, my general manager position is temporarily suspended, but the benefits all fall on Bo Jiao.”

Bo Guancheng approached Bo Yueming and patted his shoulder hard. “Tell me, are you still satisfied to be used by others? After you were blinded, is this the only ability you have left?”

When Lin Zhong nearby heard Bo Guancheng’s words, he lowered his eyes to hide his contempt.

This young man had only been in the detention center for ten days, so why was his mind so broken?

Mr. Bo just couldn’t be bothered to take over the mess and projects he left behind, and Third Young Lady Bo was at best a deputy general manager. After this series of incidents, she was only in charge for the time being.

Wasn’t it clear who would win and who would lose?

Bo Yueming took Bo Guancheng’s hand on his shoulder and flung it off. “Don’t worry about it.”

Bo Guancheng narrowed his eyes and said harshly, “Bo Yueming, don’t think that these ten days will change everything. Just wait and see.”

Bo Yueming ignored his meaningless provocation. “Lin Zhong, let’s go.”

“…….”

The “punch” he had accumulated for ten days hit cotton, and there was no way to vent his grievances.

Bo Guancheng stared at their backs as they left, the hatred in his heart growing more and more until Bo Yueming’s figure completely disappeared from sight. He just got on the elevator without looking back.

. . . . . .

Inside the car.

Bo Yueming briefly described to Pei Yi what had happened just now.

Pei Yi nodded knowingly. “I wondered why you hadn’t come out after so long. It turned out that you met that dog again halfway.”

Lin Zhong in the front row couldn’t help but turn around and join the discussion. “If you ask me, it’s too cheap to detain him for only ten days!”

“The longest detention of this nature is fifteen days. Bo Lihong was sure to seek out many connections for this affair.” Bo Yueming was unsurprised by the length of Bo Guancheng’s sentence. “Ten days is already longer than I had estimated.”

Lin Zhong nodded. “Mr. Bo, I almost didn’t recognize Bo Guancheng just now. Doesn’t he spend a lot of time on his appearance?”

He didn’t take care of it at all today.

The comparison just now made Bo Yueming’s facial features even more superior in contrast, and Bo Guancheng’s more mediocre.

Pei Yi understood the strangeness, and was disdainful. “As soon as he came out, he planned to sell his misery. It seems that Chang Yangshan’s heart is still inclined toward Bo Guancheng, and there is no way to deter him.”

The driver Lao Fu glanced into the rearview mirror. As a layman, he worried, “Bo Guancheng just temporarily put aside the position of general manager. He has come out now. If the old man is still helping the main branch, will he return to headquarters soon?”

“Return?”

Pei Yi and Bo Yueming looked at each other with tacit understanding.

Now that they had pulled Bo Guancheng from his high position in Bo Group, the other party could not return easily.

Bo Yueming asked, “Lin Zhong, I asked you to contact the online media earlier. Have you settled it?”

Lin Zhong replied, “En, they’ve already been contacted, and are just waiting on Mr. Bo to speak.”

Bo Yueming said calmly, “Okay, have them expose Bo Guancheng’s arrest for soliciting prostitutes, and find a wave of trolls in the industry. The more hype public opinion holds, the better.”

Initially, it was suppressed because Bo Guancheng was still in the position of general manager, and too much commotion would affect headquarters, but now it was just the opposite—

This sort of scandal was more irritating than time sensitive. If they wanted to make a big fuss, it was best for the group to issue an official announcement to make clear Bo Guancheng’s resignation, completely killing any possibility of him making a comeback.

Lin Zhong said: “Okay, I’ll make the arrangements now.”

Pei Yi thought of something, and smiled slyly. “By the way, you can contact the Third Young Lady later and ask her to tell Xue Min that if there are any banquets or afternoon tea parties recently, she will go out and stretch her legs more.”

The phrase “stretch her legs” had a particularly connotative bite.

Lin Zhong couldn’t figure it out. “Little Sir, what do you mean?”

Bo Yueming heard his bad intentions and smiled.

On the surface, this wealthy family was dazzling, generous, and decent, but in private, there was no shortage of gossip and ridicule.

Public opinion that broke out online could be said to be “fake,” but what about getting the same facts about a person “whoring” from his close relative?

Pei Yi not only wanted to make Bo Guancheng lose his position as the general manager of the group, but also wanted to make him lose his reputation in the wealthy circle!

Back then, didn’t they want to use “same-sex marriage” to cut off Bo Yueming’s future and make him a joke among the wealthy families? Then let him ask, who would be willing to marry off their precious daughter to a person with a record of “soliciting prostitutes?”

If you did something bad, people would naturally hear about it.

Bo Guancheng used to hide so much malice beneath a gentle and decent facade, but now, he should prepare to be maliciously counterattacked!

Bo Yueming had to admire his kitten’s ability to play tricks on people, and indulged him. “Lin Zhong, just do as he said. The Aunt Xue and Bo Jiao mother and daughter will understand.”

Lin Zhong and Lao Fu exchanged glances and were in agreement.

Seeing how confident the Second Young Master and Little Sir were in their strategizing, they knew that Bo Guancheng would have no good fruit to eat in the future. The wretch deserved it!

. . . . . . .

Dinner ended.

Pei Yi, who had returned to the room, opened the auction page of Youtu to have a look.

His newly-designed game was called “Under the Deep Sea.” As the name suggested, it was an adventure story about the deep sea, with different diving heights as the divisions between levels.

The biggest highlight of this game was the construction of marine life. Some of the biological content that appeared in the game was derived from actual nature, and another part from fiction.

Of course, text content alone was not enough.

If this game was to achieve a “small explosion,” money must at least be spent on the game screens and sound effects, and he must strive to create a top-notch “deep sea fear” experience for gamers.

Pei Yi set the auction price of “Under the Deep Sea” at 300,000 yuan, with an additional auction starting at 50,000 yuan. 

One was his responsible attitude toward original games, and the second was to use high prices to deter some small companies that were temporarily unable to make money.

But it was only one day since the auction began, and the current copyright price was stuck at 550,000.

Pei Yi was already very satisfied with the progress of the price, and was about to go offline when he glimpsed the time and date in the lower right corner of his screen from the corner of his eye—

November 15th?

Wasn’t tomorrow Pei Huan and Li Yuan’s birthday?

Pei Yi’s expression grew tangled when he remembered this important matter—

According to the plot development in the original text, tomorrow would be the juncture where the histories of the “True and False Young Masters” would be revealed. It was only that many “plot trajectories” had changed since he transmigrated.

Then would everything happen the next day like it did in the book?

Pei Yi thought of Li Yuan’s change after learning about his past, and unconsciously became anxious for his friend.

Knock, knock—

The knock on the door interrupted Pei Yi’s muddled thoughts. He opened the door to find Bo Yueming holding a plate of freshly prepared fruit. “Uncle Kai asked me to bring this up for you. Do you want to eat in the living room?”

“Meow-wu~”

Inspector pulled at Bo Yueming’s trouser leg, tilting its head curiously.

Pei Yi responded affirmatively and picked up Inspector on the way.

The two people sat down on the sofa.

Bo Yueming placed the fruit tray in front of Pei Yi, asking casually, “Do you have time tomorrow night?”

Pei Yi forked up a small piece of apple. “Huh?”

“Yan Cen just called. He said it’s been a long time since we got together, and he wants to make an appointment for dinner tomorrow.” Bo Yueming confessed straightforwardly, with a hint of invitation. A family member can be brought. Do you want to go with me?”

He always felt before that Pei Yi paid too much attention to his friend, but now he had no such extraneous thoughts. Instead, he just wanted to show the kitten off in front of the other party.

Pei Yi was distracted by the phrase “family member,” and asked unthinkingly, “Where are you going?”

“Yan Cen determined the location.”

Bo Yueming thought about it for a moment. “Haodu. Their family has two dining floors, and they do a good job.”

“……..”

When Pei Yi heard the name of this overly-familiar restaurant, his heart skipped a beat.

How had he forgotten?!

On the day that the pasts of the “Real and Fake Young Masters” were revealed, along with Pei Huan and Li Yuan, the core characters Bo Yueming and Yan Cen were naturally present as well!

Now that they were at this juncture, would the gears of fate continue to turn?

---

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Chapter Fifty-Six <<Table of Contents >> Chapter Fifty-Eight

Liu Meng lived across the street from Mou Cuihua, less than fifty paces away. The courtyard door was wide open at this time, and he was sitting on the steps and basking in the sun while tears strips of bamboo. There were many colorful papers piled up beside him, and when he heard movement outside, he called without lifting his eyes: “Dad, Mom, you’re back.”

Liang Shu and Liu Xian’an stood in front of him.

Liu Meng’s eyes caught on the hems of their clothes, and his hands paused for a moment. He gave an inward groan. Slowly raising his head, he saw that they were indeed the old acquaintances from the night before, so he drove them away in a low voice: “Isn’t it okay to pretend that we’ve never met? My parents will be back soon, so hurry and leave.”

Liang Shu said: “We were passing by and came in to ask for a cup of water.”

Liu Meng was not easy to deceive, so he narrowed his eyes and said: “Did that stingy Mou Cuihua not pour water for you just now?”

Judging by his tone of voice, the relationship between the two families was not very good, and it could be seen that Aunt Mou had really offended the entire city from east to west. Liu Xian’an casually picked up a pinwheel from the ground: “You made these to sell them?”

“What does it look like?” Liu Meng continued to cut lantern wire. “I’m dismantling them, not making them. The Many-Color Festival has been canceled, and these things won’t be needed in the short term, so they’ll take up less space if they’re dismantled and stored. If you like them, just pick a few to play with. No need to pay, just leave quickly.”

Liu Xian’an really liked them. He could play with some, but he couldn’t leave quickly. He looked at the courtyard. It was very big, with a simple warehouse on the left half. There were a lot of messy goods piled up inside, along with some gongs and drums covered with blankets to shield them from the rain. Liu Meng originally didn’t want to deal with these two people further, but seeing him looking left and right, his brain really buzzed, so he simply stood up to chase the guests away.

There was the squeak of wheels outside the gate.

A middle-aged couple entered with a small cart, and were taken aback to see guests in their home. Liu Meng hurriedly said: “I don’t know these two people, they’re here to ask for water.”

Liang Shu gave a slight nod, and Liu Xian’an said: “Sorry to bother you two.”

Uncle Liu wasn’t eloquent, but Aunt Liu could still speak a few words. She asked her man to unload the cart, and smiled at the guests: “When I was doing my work in the morning, I heard that two rich and noble foreign young masters had come to the city. Please sit down, I will have A-Meng make tea.” While speaking, she took a basket of bright red dried meat from the cart and invited the two of them to eat. After Liu Xian’an declined, she brought out two red eggs dyed with fresh flower juice.

“A lot of food.” Liu Xian’an glanced at the cart. “Is there a wedding at home?”

“A-Meng is a bachelor, this is no such happy event,” Aunt Liu said. “I’m a servant at Master Yu’s residence. He originally had this food prepared for the Flowing Water Banquet of the Many-Color Festival. They will spoil if left unattended, so the Madam rewarded us all today.”

Master Yu’s name was Yu Cong, and he had one of the wealthiest households in the city. Although he was very old, his body was strong, and he often kicked the shuttlecock in the streets with the little children. He usually looked like a big child who was out of tune, but he was reliable for the big things. This time, the city was haunted by a ghost, and the government could do nothing about it. It was also him who invited a wizard from other places, and he spent a lot of money.

“Has the wizard come?”

“Not yet, but I heard that he is psychic, so he must be able to catch the female ghost.”

“Auntie.” Liu Xian’an carried a stool over. “You also hope the wizard will catch Wan-guniang? I heard that she didn’t do any evil deeds during her lifetime. She’s not eating people now, just wandering around the city. Perhaps she is looking for her father, and if she can’t find him, she’ll leave.”

Hearing this, Aunt Liu hesitated, and then sighed: “That’s right, she was a good child.”

“Can you tell us about her?” Liu Xian’an continued to ask, “As for the matter of catching ghosts, me and…..” He glanced at the prince. Naturally, he couldn’t address him as the prince at this time, so he said, “Me and my gege know a little bit.”

He said it purely, but His Royal Highness Xiao Wang didn’t hear it purely, and actually managed to glean a hint of forbidden secrets from this one simple word. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t heard of such indecent things in those sandy and windy tea shacks in the northeast while leading his soldiers. But he only listened to them and forgot after a while, only feeling very bored and not understanding what there was to be happy about. Now that he had a sweetheart, he mulled over a bit of ambiguity that couldn’t be understood by outsiders.

But before he could think about it, there were noisy footsteps on the long street. Uncle Liu poked out his head to take a look, then immediately closed the door and said in a panic: “It’s the group of officials who are usually out catching ghosts, and they seem to be headed right for our house!”

“What are they doing at our house?” Aunt Liu turned pale with fright. Liu Meng threw away the things in his hands. “I’ll go have a look!”

“A-Meng!” She reached out to grab him, but the officials had already barged in, and she was so frightened that she quickly pulled her son aside to hide him. 

After the officials lined up neatly in two rows, a man walked in and asked: “It’s you two who were poking around the city?”

He was a local magistrate named Dan Qing. Huaizhen City was haunted by a ghost, and all the foreigners had left in a hurry. But this group of people not only didn’t leave, they even rented an inn and questioned people all over the city about the female ghost. It was really suspicious, so he simply brought troops to interrogate them himself.

“There is a bulletin posted in the city that says those who catch the female ghost will be rewarded,” Liang Shu said. “We want to earn this silver, so naturally, we must work hard.”

Dan Qing didn’t believe it. Considering the cost of booking an inn, and the clothing of the two people before him, no matter how he looked at it, they didn’t appear to be ordinary ghost hunters. “Since it is for the reward, why didn’t you go to Yu Manor upon first entering the city?”

“We inquired around first to see if this ghost would be easy to catch.” Liu Xian’an said, “If it wasn’t easy to catch, we wouldn’t bother with it further, and we could avoid having to bargain with Master Yu.”

The two sang the same tune, and what they said was perfunctory and reasonable. Dan Qing’s expression became worse and worse. He knew that there was a ghost, and there wasn’t any excuse to drive them out of the city, so he said: “Then you’ve finished investigating now. Can the ghost be caught or not?”

“It can be caught.” Liang Shu nodded. “Please take us to Yu Manor to discuss the matter of payment.”

“Bold!” An officer next to him reprimanded, “Who are you to tell a lord to lead the way?”

“Magistrates and officials should make decisions on behalf of the common people. Now that Huaizhen City is haunted, people are panicking. Since we can catch ghosts, Dan-daren doesn’t even want to lead the way?” Liang Shu’s eyes were slightly cold, and with just one glance, the officer was covered in sweat. He retreated awkwardly and didn’t speak again.

Dan Qing couldn’t figure out the identity of these two people for the time being, so he could only judge from their accents that they were from the north, and the most well-known folk rumor about the north was that if you dropped a brick from the wall of the capital and hit ten people, eight of them would be high officials. He was cautious and prudent, and already had some guesses about these “high officials in modest attire,” so he adjusted his attitude and said: “Since the two of you intend to hunt the ghost, what is your plan?”

Liu Xian’an asked: “After the haunting started, did the government check Wan-guniang’s grave?”

Dan Qing shook his head: “We didn’t dig it up, just went to see it. The ghost crawled out on a rainy night and lightning blasted the grave into a big hole surrounded by wooden slag.”

Liu Xian’an said: “I want to open the tomb to see if the bones are still inside.”

The people around looked at each other in blank dismay. Digging up a grave was one of the most immoral things, and this was not a criminal case. Was there really any need for an autopsy? Dig up the grave and if the bones were gone, there was a haunting, and if the bones were still there, it was also a haunting. Wasn’t this a waste of time?

Dan Qing readily agreed. The Wan family has no relatives in the city, it is a lonely grave, dig as you please, ba. He didn’t have to offend others over this kind of thing. Thus, he immediately sent someone to fetch a fellow, and taking advantage of the bright sunlight during the day, he went along with Liang Shu and Liu Xian’an to dig up a grave outside the city.

Liu Meng and other bold young people in the city also followed. Under the sunlight, the scorched black tomb didn’t look so frightening. The tombstone was tilted, with only half remaining, the other half having been blasted to nothing by the lightning. Liang Shu smelled the very faint scent of kerosene and tilted his head, warning softly, “Explosives.”

“There should be no thunderstorms in the southwest this season,” Liu Xian’an said. “The tomb was not pierced by lightning, but blasted open with explosives.”

Only the layer of soil on the surface was blown away, but the coffin was still intact. It could be seen that the person who used the kerosene was not attempting to steal graveyard property, but simply wanted to create the illusion of a haunting. But having said that, the Wan family father and daughter had gone crazy and died that year, and even this coffin was donated by Master Yu, so it was impossible for it to contain anything of value.

The nails were pried open, and there were neat white bones in the coffin. Liu Xian’an covered his mouth and nose with a cloth towel and took a closer look, then frowned slightly.

Liang Shu asked: “What is it?”

Liu Xian’an said: “This doesn’t appear to be Wan-guniang’s body.”

Everyone around was taken aback at these words, and Liu Meng squeezed ahead: “Can you tell this sort of thing? It can’t be a man’s bones.”

“It is a woman, but a woman who has given birth to a child.” Liu Xian’an asked, “Did Wan-guiniang give birth to a child?”

Everyone shook their heads, and an elderly gentleman also firmly denied it. Wan Yuan and the hunter had lived on the mountain together for two months. Later, when the hunter left and there was no news of him, Wan Yuan returned to the city and waited less than three months before dying in prison. This was a total of five to six months, so how could there have been time for a baby?

Liu Xian’an said: “But this skeleton did give birth, it can be seen from the pelvis.”

Someone in the crowd slapped their thighs. No wonder there was grievance enough to crawl out while the sky exploded with thunder, ah! A person with no name was buried in this wilderness as Wan Yuan, with not even someone to burn paper for them, so why not float around to seek justice?

“But……but everyone who saw her said she looked like Wan Yuan back then, how can this be explained? And where did the real Wan Yuan go?”

Liu Xian’an also wasn’t clear, so he asked: “Can we still look up files from years ago?”

Dan Qing was looking at the bones, and thought it was himself being addressed when he heard this, but before he could raise his head to speak, someone answered: “We can.”

“……..”

Liang Shu looked at Dan Qing.

Dan Qing immediately nodded: “Yes, of course.”

He was well-versed in the methods of officialdom, and was determined not to find trouble for himself. Since he didn’t know the identities of these two people, then he would treat them as someone he couldn’t afford to offend. As long as the other party’s request was not excessive, even if he agreed to everything – the case had happened seven or eight years ago, and had nothing to do with him, so why bother to make a fuss? 

When everyone returned to the government office, the skeleton was placed in the autopsy room as it was. The coroner examined it, and said that the shape of the bones could only occur after giving birth. All the old files from seven or eight years ago were dug out, and there were also records of people who disappeared over those years, totaling to about one hundred. Liu Xian’an stood in the doorway and asked: “This Huaizhen City doesn’t look very big. How could so many people go missing?”

“Those who disappeared were all children and women. There was a drought in those years and a bad harvest, and public security was not good. There were traffickers everywhere.” The old man in charge of the files said, “There were also those who walked up and kidnapped people in broad daylight. It was not uncommon. The past two years have been much better.”

He spoke with a heavy accent that Liu Xian’an could barely understand, so he didn’t ask further questions. After the old man left, the two entered the room, and before turning over two pages of the files, Liu Xian’an was so choked that he sneezed more than a dozen times. Liang Shu covered his mouth and nose and carried him outside: “I’ll have someone read through them, you can’t do this work.”

Second Young Master Liu: “Achoo!”

Liang Shu laughed, took out a handkerchief from his sleeve, and wiped his red nose. When Gao Lin came in, he saw this intimate scene and took a deep breath. Feeling that he would go blind sooner or later, he said: “I will leave immediately.”

“What are you doing, come back,” Liang Shu said. “I was about to look for you.”

Gao Lin was very vigilant. You’re being so friendly, what do you want me for?

Liang Shu pointed to the room: “Go and read through the files, then tidy them up and come see me.”

Gao Lin looked inside and got a headache. He was not afraid of dust, but this made him dizzy. Writing three pages of military reports in the northwest almost required him to lay down and rest five times. So he urged in a low voice, how can I do this job, this place is quiet and no one is here. Shouldn’t Second Young Master Liu go through the files? The prince has red sleeves next to him……they’re not really red, but that’s pretty much what it means. Grinding ink and adding fragrance, romantic to the end.^[1]

Unmoved, Liang Shu kicked him through the door: “Tomorrow at this time, if it is poorly organized, one year’s salary will be deducted.”

Lieutenant General Gao: The heart is bitter.

After leaving the dusty study, Liu Xian’an’s nose felt much better. He was still holding the used handkerchief in his hand, and he naturally couldn’t return it, so he folded it and placed it in a small pouch, saying: “I’ll compensate the prince.”

Liang Shu smiled: “All right.”

He liked this little trick of exchanging things with one another, kneading their lives together bit by bit. And Liu Xian’an also enjoyed it very much. The big, fluffy quilt was his favorite thing at the moment, and he truly wished he could wrap himself in it for ten hours a day, fully confirming his title as a Sleeping Immortal.

The only downside was that the sandalwood fragrance had gradually faded, and was so faint that it could barely be smelled. Once A-Ning saw him frowning and sighing, and asked: “Which sage did the young master lose an argument with?”

“I didn’t, that isn’t it.” Liu Xian’an said, “I was thinking that this quilt doesn’t smell as good as before.”

A-Ning didn’t expect that his young master had not been floating off just now, and was thinking about such a practical thing, so he also went to smell it. “After we got this quilt, we didn’t smoke it with incense specially. There is only a little sandalwood scent. If you like it, then we will find someone to smoke it again.”

“Don’t.” Liu Xian’an stopped him. “It’s not the same.”

A-Ning thought he was talking about different fragrances, and just said: “Then I’ll ask Lieutenant General Gao what type of incense the prince uses. It would be better if I could get some……wu.”

Liu Xian’an pinched his mouth relatively flat and stared at it for a moment. He thought it was quite amusing, so he let go with a smile. A-Ning was very innocent and didn’t know what happened, but seeing his young master smiling so happily, he followed suit. The two smiled inexplicably for a while, and A-Ning said: “But the prince is always giving the young master things, so maybe the sandalwood will be delivered one day, and there will be no need to make a special trip.”

Liu Xian’an didn’t have many friends in this world, so he naturally had not received any proper gifts – in fact, having said that, the gifts the prince gave were not very proper, but he couldn’t put them down, and kept everything by his side like a squirrel hoarding food. A-Ning saw his young master’s innocently happy look, and was joyful, but it was also a little sad and pitiful, so he said: “Actually, Liu-furen and the Third Young Lady have also given the young master a lot of good things.”

“It’s not the same,” Liu Xian’an said.

His mother treated him as a child, and the things A-Yuan gave, though expensive and carefully selected, were truly useless. For example, an exquisite wooden bird that could flap its wings and fly high had been purchased at a sky-high price in the market. Liu Nanyuan bought it with great difficulty, and immediately held it in both hands to celebrate her second brother’s birthday: “Look, isn’t it rare?”

Liu Xian’an saw through all the mechanics at a glance, and thought in confusion, what is the rush? I can make twenty of them in a day, and if Da-ge doesn’t scold me with that ruler for not working properly, it is possible to make thirty.

Thus, Liu Nanyuan happily took the bird away after giving the gift, and played with it herself.

Liu Xian’an was not bothered. He had no need to accept gifts.

A-Ning quickly folded the quilt and said: “It’s really great that the young master met His Royal Highness Xiao Wang.”

He had said these words more than a dozen times on the way, so much so that Second Young Master Liu couldn’t help but sigh with emotion. It really was great. Regardless of whether it was a normal person or a forty-eight thousand-year-old immortal, he would naturally yearn for “good things,” so he came to a decision: “Then let’s follow the prince all the time.”

He finished speaking, and before the boy could utter a sound, he pinched his mouth again.

A-Ning was speechless. I didn’t say anything about the prince getting married this time, what am I guilty of?

“Don’t talk about it in the future.” Liu Xian’an let go of his grip. “The prince said he won’t marry.”

A-Ning saw through it at a glance: “Which prince, the one in your dreams doesn’t count.”

Liu Xian’an listened but did not hear, and fell down on the bed.

Asleep.

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[1] This whole reference comes from the poem “Mr. Shou Jianzhai,” in which there is a passage of a man in green clothes grinding ink while a woman with red sleeves accompanies him. Gao Lin just kind of……butchers it. ⮐

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Chapter Fifty-Five << Table of Contents >> Chapter Fifty-Seven

After Zhao Sui’s thirteenth birthday banquet, Zhao Yelan resigned from the position of regent.

Nowadays, the world was peaceful and the common people lived and worked in peace and contentment. Zhao Sui was brought up by him and taught by Yan Mingting, and had grown into an emperor with both civil and military skills. What’s more, there were talented people such as Kan Chuan to advise and accompany him.

It was time for Zhao Yelan to enjoy a happy retirement with Yan Mingting.

They had agreed to go on a trip to the mountains and rivers, and didn’t rest long before they started packing their luggage.

On the day of departure, Yan Mingting looked at the luggage that filled a carriage. There had been no prior discussion about what to bring. He said wonderingly: “You’re not bringing a carriage of clothes?”

“I wanted to, but I couldn’t fit anymore,” Zhao Yelan said. “Half of this stuff was given by others, and some of it is for us to bring to others.”

“Who sent it?”

“Li Yucheng sent half a chest of ready-made clothes, Pinglu sent some books about miscellaneous rural interests to pass the time on the way, Ruan Xian prepared a lot of dry food, Kan Chuan sent a lot of snacks, He Cuizhang added a few swords, and some soldiers asked us to bring some things to their brothers at the border……”

These people all of a sudden seized the time to rush over and see them off, and even Zhao Sui came in person.

The mountains were high and the roads far away. There was no telling when they would be able to return from this trip. Everyone exhorted them earnestly, as if this was a parting for life.

“If you discover any other ways to make money outside, please let me know.” As soon as Li Yucheng finished speaking, he was pinched by his wife.

His wife was that A-Chang whose music Zhao Yelan had been dragged to Hongxiu House to listen to as Li Yucheng said how pure, kind, and beautiful this lady was while not knowing that A-Chang was one of Zhao Yelan’s people.

Li Yucheng later went to Jiangnan with Zhao Yelan, and this matter was nearly forgotten, but then something happened with Gu Niaoniao.

The people of Hongxiu House scattered in all directions, and A-Cheng, carrying a pack on her back, met Li Yucheng, who had been waiting a long time at the gate of the city. The other party proposed to her on the street, and was ridiculed by the common people for a long time, but the relationship between the two had been good since then and they had raised three children.

“General, we brought some dried meat for Yuehong, don’t steal it on the way!” He Cuizhang said.

He Cuizhang had also married a wife, the daughter of a civil official. She had a gentle disposition, but her discipline of his uncouth habits was not half-hearted at all.

“I’ve cashed all these bank notes for you, so you can use them on the road.” After Yin Pinglu spoke, Zuo Ran at the side added, “We also made a few pairs of shoes that you can wear on the road.”

“Be careful on your travels,” Kan Chuan urged.

“Don’t worry, ba. You all go back quickly, don’t delay our departure,” Zhao Yelan said.

Everyone laughed, and only Kan Xingyue cried aloud. She was already an engaged girl, and still cried at every turn. She wiped her tears with a handkerchief Zhao Yelan had given her: “Wuwuwu, Yifu, you need to come back early. If you aren’t present when I get married, then I won’t marry!”

“Look at yourself, getting married is not child’s play.” Kan Chuan lectured her, mainly for the sake of Zhao Sui’s face. But unexpectedly, Zhao Sui also nodded in agreement: “Right, if you don’t come back, we’ll postpone the marriage.”

Everyone was moved by the words of these two, but Zhao Yelan said: “Then you can postpone it for eight to ten years.”

Kan Xingyue and Zhao Sui were stunned. Why wasn’t this person following the routine?

“As expected of Yifu, he has such a hard heart!” Kan Xingyue murmured to Zhao Sui, and the other party nodded in agreement.

After bidding farewell to everyone, the two got into the carriage. Xiao Gao sat outside and drove, and they were followed by another carriage carrying luggage.

Zhao Yelan lifted the curtain and looked at the group of friends who were still waving at them, the big and small all standing in a cluster. The scene was quite spectacular.

Yan Mingting also leaned over to wave at them, and said with a smile: “All the kids are here. In the blink of an eye, they’ve grown so big.”

Zhao Yelan glanced at him and asked suddenly: “Are you envious?”

Yan Mingting looked at him sideways and said: “I don’t envy them. They have their children and they will naturally be distracted, unlike you, who after so many years still has only me in your eyes.”

Zhao Yelan raised his eyebrows, the corners of his mouth curving slightly.

Zhao Yelan took out a map: “After we visit the border, where do you want to go?”

“It’s up to you. Everything is up to you.” Yan Mingting had kept clamoring to go out, but at this time, he seemed very casual again. He stretched out his legs comfortably and put his arms around Zhao Yelan: “It’s finally just the two of us. We can go anywhere.”

Because there was a lot of luggage, they took the official road and stopped here and there, arriving in the border town after more than ten days.

Only then did Yan Mingting’s pent-up desire to say everything on his mind become stronger.

Although it was remote, poor, and very small, this was practically half his family. When he was in the army, he could come to the town occasionally when he was free.

“There used to be an old man here who would go out from time to time, and when he came back, he’d sell some odds and ends at his stall. It was the same every time. As soon as people were free, they would go and see what novelties he’d picked up.” Yan Mingting pointed to a corner of the road and said, “This small town is far less prosperous than the capital city, but everyone knows one another, and the folk customs are very simple.”

As soon as these words fell, there was a “crash” not far away. It seemed that someone was fighting. When Zhao Yelan turned around, he saw two groups of people scuffling, one group dressed as people from the Western Regions.

Seeing that the two groups had drawn their swords, Zhao Yelan turned his head and said: “Simple folk customs?”

Yan Minting touched his nose in embarrassment: “This doesn’t count. There are quite a few people from the Western Regions here, and friction often arises over trivial matters.”

“Not going to do something about it? That’s not your style.”

“Don’t worry, someone will take care of it.”

Just as Zhao Yelan was pondering this, he saw a group of soldiers appear with haste, suppressing the two groups and escorting them in other directions.

“It used to be more violent, and the government had too little manpower, so I arranged for people to take charge of this sort of thing,” Yan Mingting explained.

No wonder there was such a big commotion, yet the common people looked extraordinarily calm. It was because they knew that someone would come forward to put an end to it.

The inn here was very simple. The wind and sand blew from time to time, and the room was full of dust.

Yan Mingting and Xiao Gao wiped the table and benches with a rag, and finally cleaned up the place. After sitting down, Yan Mingting ordered a few special dishes and asked: “Do you want to watch orchid dancing?”

Zhao Yelan glanced at him: “Does it look good?”

“It looks good, ah, don’t you want to see something new?” Yan Mingting felt that wherever he went to visit, he must experience the local traditions. This border town really had nothing to offer, but these Orchids danced well, so he ordered an attendant to find one.

After a while, an Orchid dressed in Western Regions clothing came up with a jug of wine. Her head was covered with a veil, including half her face, and her shirt was short, revealing a section of her belly. There were also bells around her ankles.

The Orchid poured a cup of wine for each of them, and then danced barefoot beside them. She had a flexible figure, attractive features, and the sound of her kicking footsteps intertwined with the sound of the bells. Xiao Gao was stunned, but was too embarrassed to look directly at her. After all, she was wearing so little clothing.

The Orchid carried a special fragrance, which caused Zhao Yelan to turn his head and look at her a few more times.

Yan Mingting saw this, then suddenly reached out and pulled his head back: “Eat.”

Zhao Yelan ate a few mouthfuls, and couldn’t help but turn his head. He wanted to ask what incense the other party used, but the Orchid was still dancing, so he waited quietly.

“Eat well.” Yan Mingting pulled his head back again.

“Why did you invite her here if I’m not allowed to watch?”

“I didn’t expect you to be so fascinated……how about looking at me instead?” Yan Mingting said.

“What’s so good about you, do you have a softer belly than her, or do you look better dancing?” Zhao Yelan asked.

“My belly cannot be compared, but I can dance for you!” Yan Mingting regretted it after saying this, because Zhao Yelan definitely wanted to see it.

“All right, if you lie, you’re a dog.” Zhao Yelan immediately agreed, and inexplicably leaned in toward his ear and whispered, “Put on this Orchid’s clothing, too.”

“Never mind, never mind.”

“If you don’t want to dance, then I have no choice but to continue to admire the girl. Xiao Gao, go call all the Orchids in town.”

“……I’ll dance!” Yan Mingting gritted his teeth and agreed.

After a stick of incense, Zhao Yelan called: “Have you changed yet?”

“What’s the rush? You wear it if you have the ability, ah. These clothes are all tattered.”

Yan Mingting awkwardly put on the Orchid’s clothing. He was desperate not to go out, but under Zhao Yelan’s constant and heartless urging, he put on the veil and walked out.

After a moment, Zhao Yelan and Xiao Gao filled the room with laughter.

This was perhaps the most unrestrained laughter Yan Mingting had ever heard from Zhao Yelan.

He had never, ever seen Zhao Yelan laugh until he beat the table and wiped tears away.

Fine, fine, just be happy.

Yan Mingting let go of his shame and raised his hands in a twist. The tight, curvaceous clothes had an incongruous effect on his body, and his dance movements were also very stiff. It really made people laugh out loud.

Zhao Yelan’s face was a rictus of laughter. He grasped his cheeks on both sides, and had just taken a deep breath when a button suddenly fell on his face.

The shirt was overwhelmed and tore on Yan Mingting.

“Hahahahahaha!” Xiao Gao laughed so hard that he fell off his stool. Zhao Yelan’s face was sore from laughing. He picked up the button and walked in front of him, then closed the open front for him. When he raised his head and saw the big eyes protruding from the top of his veil, he couldn’t help but laugh out loud again.

Yan Mingting: “…….”

At this time, footsteps sounded outside the door. It was pushed open as Zhong Yuehong’s voice sounded: “General, I heard that you are looking for an Orchid again? Does Zhao-daren know about this?”

Yan Mingting was startled, and didn’t want to be seen by his subordinate, so he quickly gave Zhao Yelan a meaningful look. But Zhao Yelan gazed at him cooly: “Again?”

“It’s not like that, listen to my explanation……” As soon as Yan Mingting finished whispering, he looked over Zhao Yelan’s head and met Zhong Yuehong face to face.

Yan Mingting: “  .  ”

Zhong Yuehong was stunned for a moment, and then burst out laughing.

About a quarter of an hour later, the laughter of the three people in the room had just barely come to a stop.

Zhong Yuehong had received a letter from them stating that they would come to the border, so she sent people to the town to inquire from time to time. Today, she had just received news that the two had arrived, so she rushed over from the military camp immediately.

“There are too many people at the inn. Why don’t you stay at my house? It’s in this town, and although it isn’t big, it’s cleaner.” Zhong Yuehong addressed this question to Zhao Yelan, knowing who the real boss was here.

“That’s fine.” After Zhao Yelan agreed, the group of people followed her to her home.

Mother Zhong was usually the only one who stayed at the house, and she cleaned it every day, so it was very tidy and clean. When she saw them come in, she hurriedly stepped forward to greet them: “General, Zhao-daren, I’ve been looking forward to your visit!”

They hadn’t seen her in a long time. Mother Zhong looked older, but she was in good spirits, very enthusiastic as she poured tea and water.

At this moment, a handsome-looking man came out of the kitchen, rubbed his hands on his apron, and said somewhat cautiously: “General Yan, Zhao-daren, I’ve admired you for a long time.”

The two exchanged glances, and Zhao Yelan asked: “You’re Yuehong’s husband?”

“Yes.”

Zhong Yuehong mentioned in a letter a few years ago that she was going to get married, and that the other party was a physician.

This physician came from a bad background, and was abandoned by his family when they couldn’t support him. Fortunately, an old physician picked him up. After the old physician passed away, he was homeless, so he simply worked as a traveling doctor for many years, but unexpectedly encountered bandits nearby and nearly lost his life.

At that moment, Zhong Yuehong arrived with her soldiers, exterminated the bandits, and then took him back to the military camp to treat his injuries.

But he knew that Zhong Yuehong was also injured, only it was a chest wound. She likely didn’t want to be treated by a military doctor, so he didn’t mention it.

He covertly placed healing medicine in front of Zhong Yuehong’s tent, and the two got acquainted with each other after several exchanges.

Zhong Yuehong waited until he was almost recovered before asking him when he would leave. He faltered, and said that there were always injured people in the military camp, and that he wanted to stay and help with their treatment.

After staying for two or three years, someone teased him that he was already in his twenties, so why wasn’t he married yet? He secretly glanced at Zhong Yuehong and said: “Isn’t Lieutenant Zhong also unmarried?”

Everyone started to heckle them, and Zhong Yuehong herself could see his intentions, only she didn’t dare make such a decision casually. Then one time, she rescued a child from a wild horse, and the horse’s hoof stomped on her face so hard that she was disfigured.

Unexpectedly, the physician proposed marriage to her. She asked him, don’t you think I’m ugly now?

The physician said, you’re not ugly, you are the bravest and most beautiful woman I have ever seen. I will never be able to go into battle and fight the enemy like you, but I also want to protect you. I can heal your wounds and take care of you for the rest of your life, but I fear that I’m not good enough for you, and that I can’t give you a happy life of great wealth.

The facial injury was completely healed half a year after they married. She married with the ugliest appearance, but did not see herself as inferior like she had before, because when her husband looked at her, it was always with a light in his eyes.

The two had a child now, who was still training at the military camp today. Zhong Yuehong shyly introduced her husband to Yan Mingting and Zhao Yelan, for fear that they wouldn’t like him.

“It’s enough that he treats you well, and doesn’t seek fame, but only seeks a person’s heart,” Zhao Yelan said with a smile. 

“Exactly, exactly.” Yan Mingting grasped his hand affectionately. “It’s okay to be famous. As long as it’s you, you can do anything.”

“En.” Zhao Yelan pulled his hand back expressionlessly and took a sip of tea to relieve the lovey-dovey-ness.

Seeing this, Zhong Yuehong and her husband snickered.

After a meal, Zhao Yelan asked Xiao Gao to take out the things in the carriage, saying: “This is the dried meat that He Cuizhang gave you. He fears that you won’t be able to eat well here, and if you lose weight from hunger, you won’t be able to beat him in the future.”

“That braggart.” Zhong Yuehong disdained it with her words, but she still smiled and took it. In addition to these, there were the gifts that Zhao Yelan brought for their family, including clothing, shoes, hats, and weapons.

“When you come here, it’s like celebrating the New Year!” Zhong Yuehong said with a laugh.

Zhao Yelan smiled as well. Then he thought of something and raised his head to look elsewhere, suddenly asking in a low voice: “Where is she staying?”

“She should be at home. I’ll take you there.” Zhong Yuehong led the two of them west alone. The houses became fewer and fewer, and it was very quiet. At last, they came to a solitary house and knocked on the door.

The tall man who answered the door was Yu Dali, who had worked successively under Yan Mingting and Zhao Yelan. He was overjoyed to see them, and said: “You’re really here! I heard from Yuehong a few days ago that you both were going to come here to visit, but I still can’t believe it! Come, please come in!”

Zhao Yelan and Yan Mingting walked in and took a look around. It was comparable to Zhong Yuehong’s home, which showed that the owner had put their heart into it. There were also several long calligraphy copybooks hanging on the earthen wall, which seemed to have just been written and hung to dry.

Putting his hands behind his back, Zhao Yelan carefully inspected the beautiful handwriting, and the corners of his mouth gradually curled up. He asked: “These were written by your cousin, right?”

“They were. She’s still writing inside,” Yu Dali replied. Then he led them into the house and pushed open one of the doors. There was a woman in common clothes standing inside, bent over to write, and she looked up at the sound of the door.

This cousin had a beautiful appearance. Only, it was unfortunate that there was a long scar from her brow to the side of her cheek.

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Extra 3: Afterwards <<Table of Contents >> Extra 5: Memories

T/N: Thank you to Amber.es for the donation! Here are a couple more extras!

When the crown prince was three years old, he officially entered the age of enlightenment, and Zhao Yelan would spend the first two hours of each day going to the East Palace.

At first, Zhao Sui didn’t understand the seriousness of the matter, and when he saw Zhao Yelan coming to see him, he ran over to hug him with a big smile.

His Emperor Father often summoned Zhao-daren, and his Mother Concubine often praised Zhao-daren as being more beautiful than Pan An. Under the influence of what he saw and heard, he also liked Zhao-daren very much.

But he didn’t expect Zhao-daren to be so strict today. He put him on the ground and seriously taught him etiquette. He was not allowed to mess around, and not allowed to eat snacks, which caused him to become a little unhappy and lose his temper for a while.

And Zhao-daren did not come to coax him like in the past, but sat opposite him and looked at him silently.

The two stared at each other for a long time before he realized that his trick seemed to be ineffective, so he used his trump card – his two eyes filled with tears, which dripped down his face, and then he opened his mouth and cried loudly.

This move was effective on everyone. Even Father and the Empress would immediately put down what they were doing to coax him.

But today, it seemed to have no effect on Zhao-daren.

Zhao-daren just stretched out his hand, and when he was about to touch his head, he suddenly withdrew it again. His expression became more serious, and he said without hesitation: “Your Highness is the Crown Prince, so don’t shed tears easily. Learn how to solve your problems instead of using tears to deceive others and evade responsibility.”

Zhao Sui seemed to understand halfway, but felt that Zhao-daren was very different today and didn’t want to play with him anymore.

After returning from the palace, Zhao Yelan was so miserable that he didn’t even want to eat, saying, “I don’t want to be the Grand Tutor anymore.”

“It’s so difficult?” Yan Mingting said with a laugh.

“He either pretended to cry, or treated me half-heartedly, and I didn’t know how to teach him.” Zhao Yelan didn’t know how to teach children in the first place, let alone one who was noble and he didn’t dare to neglect. The more cautious he was, the harder it would be. He complained, “And he’s so foolish, he didn’t even know a single word all afternoon.”

“He is still young.”

“He’s three years old. I could recite poems and write at three years old,” Zhao Yelan said.

“You are an exception. When I was three years old, I couldn’t read a single word. I only knew how to dance with a sword.”

Yan Mingting patted his shoulder: “Shall I go with you tomorrow and take a look?”

“Take a look at what?” 

“At how he made you sleepless, I have to avenge you!”

Zhao Yelan originally thought he was joking, but when he taught Zhao Sui the next day, Yan Mingting really came with him, under the excuse that he wanted to see if His Royal Highness’s foundation was good so that he could teach him martial arts, and the Emperor naturally had no objections.

“General!” Zhao Sui admired the general the most, and usually listened to the palace residents’ stories about the general’s great deeds during war. The little boy’s blood boiled when he heard these stories, and he wished he could also rush to the battlefield to shed his blood. He stepped forward and hugged Yan Mingting’s thigh. “I want to learn martial arts!”

“No problem, I’m here to teach His Royal Highness martial arts,” Yan Mingting said. “But those who learn martial arts must also be able to endure hardships. Can Your Royal Highness endure hardships?”

“I can do it!” Zhao Sui said confidently, “I have even attended Zhao-daren’s class, nothing is more difficult than this!”

Zhao Yelan: “…….?”

“Then let’s go.” Yan Mingting laughed and took him to the courtyard, ordering, “First, horse stance.”

“Ah?”

“Ah, what ah. Horse stance is the foundation. If the foundation is not solid, no matter how much you practice, your moves will be ineffectual. Let’s do it for two hours first.”

“Two hours?!”

“En, two hours is enough. Would you like to go and see how long the soldiers have to fight every day?”

Reluctantly, Zhao Sui squatted down and began to do horse stance.

Yan Minting adjusted his posture, then glanced at Zhao Yelan, who looked back at him blankly. The two looked at each other for a while, and Yan Mingting pointed to an open space next to him: “Come, this spot is yours.”

“You don’t want me to do horse stance, do you?” Zhao Yelan asked in disbelief.

“En, how long has it been since you practiced?” Yan Mingting said strictly, “You’re tired every day when you go back home, and your basic skills are going to waste, so just set an example for His Highness today. What do you think, Your Highness?”

“It’s lonely by myself.” Zhao Sui immediately looked at Zhao Yelan with a smile. “Zhao-daren too~”

Zhao Yelan felt a headache, and suspected that Yan Mingting was here to take the opportunity to train with him, so he glared at him before dawdling into horse stance.

When Sun Muyun came to visit, she found one big and one small person squatting in a row, and laughed so hard that she couldn’t straighten up, holding onto a beam and shouting: “General Yan is still amazing, ah!”

“Mother, this son doesn’t want to practice martial arts anymore.” Zhao Sui was sweating profusely. As soon as he saw his mother, he began to act like a baby, but Sun Muyun was hard-hearted in this regard, pointing at him and saying: “You must listen carefully to Zhao-taifu and General Yan, so that you can become as capable as them in the future!”

Zhao Sui had no choice but to grit his teeth and continue. Glancing at Zhao Yelan next to him from the corner of his eye, he suddenly said: “General, Zhao-daren is being lazy, he isn’t squatting down!”

Zhao Yelan: “…….”

Yan Mingting came over to press Zhao Yelan’s shoulders down, and then secretly pinched his waist: “Squat.”

“…….” Zhao Yelan glanced at Zhao Sui, who was staring at them. He was taken advantage of, yet unable to do anything about it or say anything. Gritting his teeth, he said: “Just you wait.”

Sun Muyun had a panoramic view of this scene from nearby. Her eyes lit up, and the smile on her face gradually became odd.

After a stick of incense, Zhao Sui finally couldn’t hold on anymore and lay down on the ground, not daring to cry yet. He felt ashamed, and got up by himself.

“Do you want to practice calligraphy or martial arts now?” Yan Mingting asked him.

“Practice calligraphy.” Zhao Sui walked over and tugged Zhao Yelan’s sleeve, saying obediently, “Zhao-daren, let’s go study and practice calligraphy.”

“All right.” Zhao Yelan stood up with relief. “Your Highness, wash your hands first.”

Zhao Shui followed Sun Muyun to wash his hands, not waiting for Zhao Yelan. He found his mother hiding behind the beams and pillars, staring furtively at the corner. He ran over curiously and tilted his head behind her. At the end of the corner, General Yan, who had been acting majestic just now, was apologizing to Zhao-daren, and tried to massage his hands and thighs. After being pushed away, he grimaced and made faces to make Zhao-daren happy.

Sun Muyun found that he had followed her, and hurriedly carried the child back, asking: “What did you see?”

“I saw General Yan giving in again,” Zhao Sui said. “Isn’t it strange? Are they always like this?”

Sun Muyun smiled and said with emotion: “Yes, Sui’er, you will meet many women in the future, but I hope you can find someone that you like, just like they did, and stay in love for many years.”

Zhao Sui had some vague understanding, but when he grew up, he would fully understand his mother’s words.

At this time, his father had passed away several years ago, and he became a ruler at a young age, but behind him was the regent Zhao Yelan, who was handling government affairs for him.

There were people who came to maliciously instigate the relationship between him and Zhao Yelan, and every time they finished speaking, Zhao Yelan dealt with it covertly.

Zhao Yelan would tell him clearly, but he knew that Zhao Yelan had done it, and he couldn’t help feeling a little panic in his heart, fearing that the other party would hurt him.

However, within a few days, this feeling was swept away by Yan Mingting’s words.

Yan Mingting would still come to the palace to teach him martial arts from time to time, but in fact, he came to pick up Zhao Yelan and go home, and taught him martial arts on the way. If Zhao Yelan was at home in his spare time, Zhao Sui would have to ask again and again, and maybe even have to go to the General’s Mansion himself.

However, although he wasn’t proficient in martial arts, his physique had been trained well in the past few years, and his horse riding and archery were not inferior to the children of other noble families. He was also someone who could hunt deer, but his mother forbade him from hunting tigers, so he could only let the General have the attention.

“Your Majesty, let me discuss something with you,” Yan Mingting said.

“What is it?” Zhao Sui asked curiously.

“Can you eat more and grow up quickly, so that Mengting and I can go out for a tour of the mountains and rivers, ah?”

“You guys want to go out and play?”

“Yes, ah. Because of your father’s last request, our plans have been delayed for several years!” Yan Mingting said indignantly, “If you can’t take charge, my wife will have to do it, and that’s really a loss to me!”

Zhao Sui couldn’t help but laugh, and he asked the question in his heart: “Is Zhao-daren willing to give up his current position and go out to play with you?”

“Who do you think proposed this plan?” Yan Mingting said, “He drew up this big plan for me, and every time he gets busy, he says that when you grow up, he will accompany me to tour the mountains and rivers, but I think you will be like this for ten years or so.”

“Nonsense! I will grow up quickly, don’t look down on me!” Zhao Sui said.

“Okay, that’s good news.”

After that, Zhao Sui never believed other people’s slanderous rumors. He didn’t know if Zhao-daren wanted to go into the countryside or not, but he saw the affection between Zhao-daren and General Yan with his own eyes. In his opinion, the countryside was not as important as the bosom friend who was considerate of you, ah.

Now that he was almost thirteen years old and those two were still the same as when he was young, arguing a bit from time to time, then turning around and being so affectionate, he showed a little envy and jealousy.

He also wanted to find someone to be with for the rest of his life.

And at this age, he also had his first love, and found someone whom he admired.

It was Zhao-taifu’s goddaughter, Kan Xingyue, daughter of Minister Kan. She was one year older than him.

The two often met in the General’s Mansion when they were young, and it was the first time he had seen Zhao-daren being so gentle and kind to another child!

He was so jealous that he pushed Kan Xingyue away, and the little girl immediately burst into tears. The two became enemies.

Kan Xingyue usually went to the General’s Mansion when she had nothing to do, and also studied literature with Zhao Yelan and martial arts with Yan Mingting. The two competed with each other, and scrambled to ask who was more capable.

Zhao Yelan was annoyed by the questioning, and said: “Yue’er cries a lot, and His Majesty is a good coaxer.”

Neither of them received a satisfactory answer, so they huddled together and muttered bad things about Zhao Yelan.

Zhao Sui: “I don’t think he’s very good at archery. He’s not as good at archery as I am.”

Kan Xingyue: “That’s right. Yifu isn’t as good at eating as I am.”

“I say…..” Zhao Yelan stood behind them and said softly, “Do you not know how to control your volume, or do you insist on slandering me at my door?”

The two of them ran off together like thieves, and had since become allies.

As Kan Xingyue grew older, Zhao Yelan was willing to buy clothes for her again, and was closer to her than a mother-in-law. She wished she could live in the General’s Mansion every day, eating delicious food and dressing nicely. There was no richer lady in the capital than her!

She liked to talk sweetly, and would boast when she had nothing to do, often speaking of her father and her Yifu: “Yifu, you are the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen, and I will buy you many, many beautiful clothes in the future!”

Zhao Yelan smiled and said: “It’s a deal. If there is one thing missing, I will come to the door and ask for it.”

“No need to visit the door, I will deliver them to you personally, and I won’t forget the sachets! I want to eat braised pork, you can feed me~”

The dinner table was full of joy and harmony, filled with love between parent and child, but Yan Mingting couldn’t stand it anymore. He grabbed her by the collar and backed away, chiding: “What is this, how old are you, and you’re still clinging to your Yifu all day long? At this age, hurry up and become working girl. I hear that someone has come to the house to propose marriage to you.”

“What kind of working girl? Why didn’t you teach me female crafts when you taught me to swing a whip and a sword?” Kan Xingyue ran out, leaped lightly onto the big tree in the courtyard, and looked down at their figures walking side by side. She said crisply, “Hmph, if I want to marry, I will also marry someone like my Yifu.”

“What a beautiful dream,” Yan Mingting said. “You get down from there.”

“I won’t, it’s really not possible, not when you’re like this.” Kan Xingyue giggled. “Okay, okay, you two just have a good time by yourselves. I’m going to go see which family’s leper came to my house.”

“Surnamed Zhao, first name Sui.” Yan Mingting raised his voice.

With a plop, Kan Xingyue fell from the tree.

Yan Mingting laughed heartlessly, and sent her home with Zhao Yelan before coming back.

“Sui’er really wants to marry her?” Zhao Yelan frowned.

“En, he heard that many people have gone to the Kan residence with betrothal gifts recently, including the eldest son of Ruan Xian’s family. The three of them were childhood friends, so he is naturally anxious.”

“How do you know so much?” Zhao Yelan wondered.

Of course because Yan Mingting was in a hurry. When he heard about Zhao Sui’s male concerns, he wished that he would get married right away, then take over the country and let him and Zhao Yelan go on a long trip.

“This is great, we can finally go out to play.” Yan Mingting hugged him.

Zhao Yelan smiled, then said worriedly: “But he is the ruler of a country, and I worry that he will neglect Yue’er in the future.”

“He mentioned to me that he only wants to marry Yue’er alone, because he has the two of us as role models, hehe.” Yan Mingting touched his shoulder blades and said in distress, “Have you lost weight recently? You should eat more, you will look better if you’re fatter.”

Zhao Yelan pushed him away: “Are you saying I don’t look good now?”

A month later, Zhao Sui and Kan Xingyue’s marriage was finalized, but it took more than two steps to get married. Thus, the families got together at the General’s Mansion to discuss the marriage process.

The banquet was a lively one. Xiao Gao suddenly ran up to Zhao Yelan and whispered something in his ear. Zhao Yelan’s expression changed and he set down his chopsticks, leaving the table in a hurry.

“What’s the matter?” The others followed and came to the back courtyard.

The chickens were still clucking, and there was a dejected Yan Mingting squatting in the distance.

“When did it die?” Zhao Yelan asked, stepping forward.

Everyone turned pale with fright, gathering around one after another to see the corpse of the rabbit lying in front of Yan Mingting.

“Just now. I fed it, and it died after a few mouthfuls. I’m sure I didn’t poison it, ah,” Yan Mingting said sadly.

“This should be the end of its life.” Zhao Yelan crouched down, staring at the rabbit in a daze.

This rabbit named Hongshao was still in the hunting grounds years ago. Yan Mingting had caught it, and had been taking good care of it since he brought it back to the house. Its status immediately surpassed that of the chickens and fish, and Yan Mingting would occasionally call it his son. Only when it was about to give birth did he change its address to daughter in embarrassment.

Everyone comforted them that rabbits could not be resurrected after death, they must look forward, condolences, condolences.

Zhao Yelan adjusted his mood and asked solemnly: “Are you sure it just died?”

Yan Mingting nodded: “En, as soon as it closed its eyes, I asked Xiao Gao to deliver the message to you.”

“Then it can still be braised?” Zhao Yelan asked again.

Yan Mingting was stunned, and his eyes lit up: “Right, ah, why didn’t I think of that! If it died and was braised, it could be regarded as a worthy death.”

Everyone: “…….?”

In the end, Hongshao still couldn’t be placed on the dining table. The two dug a pit in the back mountain, buried it, and placed a tomb labeled “Hongshao” over it. Looking around, there were many white and tender rabbits along the path.

“Let’s go home.”

“En.”

They held hands as usual, through the dusk and through the four seasons. The sun would still rise tomorrow.

---

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Extra 2: Family <<Table of Contents >> Extra 4: Old Friends

Lucas: Laozi has a wife.

Lucas: You don’t.

Lucas: Ha.

Lucas showed off to the utmost.

Shen Xiluo: “…….”

She Xiluo quickly replied.

Shen Xiluo: As a participant in the Empire’s next generation training program, and for the prosperity and future generations of the Empire, I will still send you the learning materials.

Shen Xiluo: But personally, I still reject and despise your behavior of tearing down bridges like this.

Lucas couldn’t be bothered with Shen Xiluo, and confidently clicked to download again and again.

Enchanting Male O Calls Majestic A Gege.

The Male Omega’s Secret Glands Can’t Take It!

! Parents and Husband Aren’t Home, One Person All Alone

Lucas: “…….”

Could they not speak well and write good titles? They’re so dazzling and gaudy.

Lucas planned to find some time later to watch them.

He let the terminal download by itself, then went to the military parade.

Mu Yuan wasn’t there, so it was his adjutant who entertained Lucas. As for why Mu Yuan wasn’t there, Lucas naturally didn’t have to ask.

It was exactly midnight when Lucas returned to his room after finishing up everything.

Luo Ran wasn’t asleep yet. He was sitting to the side and reading official documents.

Lucas frowned slightly: “You haven’t slept yet?”

Luo Ran turned around in surprise.

This was……his room.

Seeing Luo Ran looking at him like this, Lucas raised his eyebrows and said: “My reward.”

Luo Ran lowered his head: “What reward does the admiral want?”

Lucas rubbed his chin in thought.

Lucas’s brain suddenly twitched, and a string of video titles accompanied by hearts emerged.

Lucas said in a daze: “Call me Gege.”

Luo Ran: “…….”

What?

After Lucas said it, he felt excited. He sat down on the table in front of Luo Ran and crossed his legs, then leaned his head down: “I said, call me Gege!”

He was like a ruffian, a gangster.

Luo Ran: “……..”

Luo Ran’s ears were slightly red as he said: “Admiral, don’t make trouble.”

No one called their boss Gege. It was too much for a secretary to call their boss Gege……

Holding a pen in his hand, Luo Ran lowered his head and pretended to concentrate on reading the official documents.

“What are you writing, it’s midnight. Those who don’t know will think I’m squeezing my employees dry!” Lucas reached out and smacked Luo Ran’s pen. It fell to the floor with a crisp sound.

“Hurry up!”

Luo Ran: “…….”

Lucas said with a smile: “You said this morning that you would perfectly perform your duties as a subordinate and lover. What, you changed your mind in less than twenty-four hours?”

“…….I didn’t.”

Lucas was eager and hopeful, a lion sharpening its claws.

Luo Ran was silent with his head bowed for a long moment. Seeing that Lucas had no intention of letting him go, he could only whisper: “Stop messing around, Admiral Gege, I still have a copy that I haven’t finished editing.”

That “Gege” was spoken in a very fast, low voice, and if he wasn’t deliberately paying attention, he wouldn’t have noticed it.

But Lucas noticed, of course.

He was stunned for a moment, and understood why the video had this for a title.

Looking at the clean, cool person before him, he felt his blood boil in an instant.

Lucas grabbed Luo Ran’s collar, kissing and biting him furiously. Completely without tact, pheromones rushed toward Luo Ran unrestrainedly, making his breath quicken. It was good that he was sitting down, because his legs had no strength at the moment.

……It was almost like being scratched by a lion’s paw.

“Okay…….” Luo Ran blushed and gently pushed Lucas away, saying: “You asked me to read this last document quickly, so I can rest early.”

Luo Ran gave him another push and said: “The admiral should go back to his room to rest.”

Lucas frowned slightly.

Luo Ran’s lips were moist and swollen as he gave a faint smile: “The bed is more comfortable than the sofa.”

Lucas scoffed, tsk, and left.

He thought to himself, it was already very late now. He wouldn’t stay here and make things difficult for others. Go to bed early, finish work early tomorrow, and then he and Luo Ran could go to the Luobing frontier to play.

It had probably never occurred to Lucas once in his life to finish work quickly so that he could be lazy and have fun.

. . . . . .

The next day, Lucas and Luo Ran went directly to Mu Yuan and asked him to dismiss the people around him.

“What’s the matter?” Mu Yuan frowned slightly. “Is there a confidential matter you wish to discuss with me?”

Mu Yuan’s sword-like brows were like mountain peaks, and a tall military officer sat beside him, his stern face full of malevolence.

Several people were sitting at the table. Luo Ran coughed dryly: “It’s about……your relationship status.”

“…….” Mu Yuan frowned, then straightened his back and said: “I am single and have no intention of dating. Please do not introduce anyone to me.”

The desire to survive almost overflowed.

Luo Ran and Lucas thought about the sharp, cold character of the Second Prince, and probably understood a little bit.

Luo Ran said: “I’m not trying to introduce someone to you. The Empire has always been unwilling to make connections through marriage, you should know this. It’s just……the matter is very important, and we need to speak with His Highness the Second Prince.”

Mu Yuan’s expression froze.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“There is no need to pretend at this point,” Luo Ran said with a smile. “Please bring the Second Prince out to talk.”

“…….”

There was no need for evasion. Mu Yuan knew that the two were not probing, but had truly discovered the relationship between he and Zhou Mingjing, so he could only ask someone to bring Zhou Mingjing there discreetly.

“Admiral, Secretary Luo.” Zhou Mingjing didn’t feel flustered when he saw the two of them, and nodded in greeting.

“Your Highness.” Luo Ran got up to bow slightly, and said with a smile: “We only want to understand the situation, especially the situation on the night of the king’s birthday banquet. As you know, the admiral has been tracking down people from that night.”

“There was nothing special.” Zhou Mingjing sat down beside Mu Yuan. “Mu Yuan and I met after the previous avalanche, and after a few days of getting along together, we simply didn’t stay in contact due to our embarrassing identities. The timing of the birthday party was ideal. Luobing and the Empire were already speaking of marriage instead of war, and we couldn’t hold back for a moment, so we opened a room at the hotel and naturally got together.”

Zhou Mingjing raised his eyebrows and said: “The current situation in the Empire’s capital is unknown. I don’t mind making it public when the limelight of the crown prince battle is over, so I ask the two of you to help me keep it a secret.”

He said it frankly, as a matter of course, but Mu Yuan beside him seemed to be a little embarrassed when he heard it.

Lucas: “…….”

Luo Ran: “…….”

There were really a lot of people hooking up that night.

Lucas’s mouth twitched.

He was a dignified admiral of the Empire, why was it that the more he investigated, the more sexual affairs he discovered?

Luo Ran smiled and said: “Naturally.”

Then he asked a few questions about the situation that night.

“We are not very clear, Mu Yuan’s room was far from the admiral’s on the first floor.”

That night, Mu Yuan and Zhou Mingjing slept in a hotel room downstairs from Lucas.

“Ah!” Mu Yuan clapped his hands and said: “At that time, I came out to talk to A-Jing’s attendants, no, to get some water to drink, and saw a tall man in white clothes walking up.”

Lucas immediately spirited up.

Just as Prince Andika said, it was a man in white!

Luo Ran’s heart skipped a beat.

Why were there so many witnesses that night……!

Mu Yuan said: “He was the only one I saw. After all, there were basically no other people walking around the rooms at that height, so I was a little curious. When I came out, I saw that the man in white was being entangled with the Alpha prince of Saturn. The prince was drunk at that point, and was trying to get up to mischief. After all, the prince of Saturn is well-known for his love of playing around.”

“However, the man in white was very skilled, and was not pulled into the room. He somehow persuaded the prince, and then fled upstairs.”

Luo Ran: “…….”

God, ah.

Lucas had shocked him so much that he almost forgot about that little episode.

Lucas patted the table and said: “Good!”

Luo Ran: “…….”

Luo Ran turned his head and said with a smile: “Don’t worry, Admiral. You don’t need to take the trouble, I will ask that Highness straightaway.”

“Okay, hurry up and ask!”

Even if they were drunk, the two of them had been entangled face to face, after all, and he should be able to recognize a face no matter what.

Afterwards, the two of them bid farewell to Zhou Mingjing, and the investigation team also sent word.

The two huddled by a fire in the corner of the military camp, eating lunch and reading the report.

“Tsk.” Lucas tossed the terminal away after reading a few lines, and said contemptuously: “He’s just a lump of mud who can’t support the wall. Even if he was given the entire universe, he couldn’t do much.”

Luo Ran frowned slightly.

Lucas had been forced on leave for half a month. The First Prince expressed his opinion at the national meeting yesterday, saying that the military department could not be without a leader during this period, and recommended that Cyril take over.

The First Prince was extremely earnest, as if very unwilling to let Lucas go, so he had to find Cyril, who was also from the Aldor family.

The investigation team leader had also attached a video clip.

In the video, the First Prince said into the camera: “The military department belongs to the Aldor family no matter what. I believe that the entirety of the Empire feels this way. Even though Admiral Lucas is on leave for a small mistake, he is still our hero.”

Then a minister stood up and refuted this.

“Your Highness, you are too kind! What the admiral made was not a small mistake, but a deliberate use of force and military power to hinder the development of the Empire! He caused the Empire to lose a great technology! Director Shi Xiuqi’s injuries haven’t healed yet!”

However, this minister was a member of the First Prince’s faction.

It was only that the national conference was broadcast live among the national audience, so there was such a drama.

The next point of the plot was for the First Prince to “defy all opinions” and elect Cyril to take the position, and he finally succeeded in the end.

…….No wonder the Second Prince appeared in Luobing. He must not want to disturb the struggle between the First Prince and the military.

After all, at yesterday’s meeting, the personnel and atmosphere had been arranged by the First Prince, and even the script and lines had been previously arranged. If the Second Prince were in attendance, he would be a bullseye and springboard for the First Prince to step on.

Not only that, but if the Second Prince supported Lucas, it would expose the previous UNK dispute with the First Prince to the media, and then there would be another war for control of the media and public opinion. But if he didn’t support him, it would run counter to his principles, and also offend Lucas.

It would be very awkward.

Luo Ran rubbed his brow and said: “The First Prince is still the eldest, after all, and has much more power and control than the Second Prince.”

“So what?” Lucas took a big mouthful of white rice and scoffed coldly, “Most people are just followers and opportunists. If Zhou Mingjing had gained power that day, do you think they wouldn’t lean his way? So what about authority, the only things that speak are power and the military.”

Luo Ran hesitated, then said: “Admiral…..have you made a decision yet?”

“Zhou Mingyu has already started a war with me.” Lucas raised his eyebrows and said, “What do you think?”

After a pause, Luo Ran nodded.

He understood Lucas’s considerations.

Lucas had no intention of joining the fight for the throne, and whoever became the next leader of the Empire had nothing to do with him.

In Lucas’s mind, lack of ability, lack of character……these were not that important to him. After all, the military department existed for the purpose of war, and there was a round table for everyone to discuss plans.

But Lucas would not allow a traitor who colluded with star pirates and betrayed the Empire for their selfish desires to become the interstellar leader.

How many common people and soldiers had died at the hands of star pirates?

How many civilizations, cities, and development plans had been disrupted by star pirates?

This was not a question of ability, but a matter of the safety and principles of the Empire.

At the very least, the interstellar leader must have the consciousness to take care of the Empire and its people.

This was the very, very most basic thing.

Lucas swiftly ate a bowl of rice clean, then wiped his mouth and said: “Zhou Mingkai can’t even do the most basic things. I said I was for the Empire when growing up, and later, I said I was for my soldiers. My brothers followed me, so I had to protect them.”

Luo Ran nodded: “I understand.”

He took Lucas’s empty bowl and chopsticks and said with a smile: “Admiral, get to work. I’ll clean up.”

After Lucas left, Luo Ran went back to his room to contact that prince.

The eldest prince of Saturn — Kleiman.

This prince……Lu Ran head heard a little about him. Although he was clearly the eldest son, he was ignorant and incompetent, dissolute and wandering about everywhere. He was roughly the equivalent of Zhou Mingkai, the third eldest prince of the Empire, but was a few years older than the eldest prince of the Empire, Zhou Mingyu.

He was a typical example of not living up to one’s station.

Luo Ran sent a message to Kleiman’s secretary, and while waiting for a reply, he curiously went to the Starnet to see the public’s reaction to the First Prince’s live broadcast.

XXXX: The Admiral made a mistake? Is that traitorous minister not able to speak properly?

XXXX: What mistake, ah, hindering the development of the Empire? How can it be!

XXXX: Hehe the Admiral’s braindead fans are here again, whatever the Admiral does is right.

XXXX: Hehe is there a star bandit upstairs sneaking into the Starnet? I don’t get how someone who enjoys the protection of the military department can type on their keyboard and smear the Admiral. Maybe it really is a star pirate.

XXXX: Stop fighting! Anyway, the First Prince was really nice, and what he said is right, ah! During the time the Admiral is on leave, we must not let evildoers take away the power of the military department! The First Prince thought this, and recommended the Admiral’s older brother.

XXXX: En, en, I agree, it belongs to the Aldor family anyway. I vote for the First Prince! I choose anyone who will take care of our Admiral!

Luo Ran had a headache.

It could be seen that the First Prince had ordered several legions of water armies to lead the rhythm.

But Luo Ran didn’t intend to fight the First Prince non-stop on the side of public opinion.

When the truth came out……

Luo Ran narrowed his eyes slightly. Just then, Kleiman’s secretary replied.

Kleiman had gone to another planet to travel and climb mountains. The signal wasn’t good, and he couldn’t talk. It would be half a month.

Luo Ran: “…….”

He really didn’t seem like a prince at all.

Luo Ran made an appointment with the secretary so that when Kleiman returned, he would be called first.

Then Luo Ran continued to read official documents, and received a message a few hours later.

Luo Ran thought it was Kleiman, but it wasn’t.

Shen Xiluo?

When Luo Ran opened it, he saw several files pop up from Shen Xiluo’s side, and the system asked if Luo Ran wanted to accept them.

Luo Ran: “…….”

Shen Xiluo: This is a complete set of learning materials. I distributed them to the Admiral, so I must distribute them to you.

Shen Xiluo: I had originally intended to send them without telling you this secret, but in view of the Admiral’s unrighteous attitude toward me, I decided to do him a disservice.

Shen Xiluo: Hereby, I wish to expose the Admiral’s poor tablet-learning techniques.

Luo Ran: “…….”

Luo Ran glanced at the files.

“Majestic A Talking Dirty to His Partner.”

“A Male Alpha’s Secret to Making Him Lose Control!”

“! Parents and Husband Aren’t Home, One Person All Alone.”

Luo Ran: “…………….”

Luo Ran made an earnest inquiry.

Luo Ran: I don’t mean to look down on these videos, it’s just…….there’s even a couple’s package?

Shen Xiluo: Yes, this series adopts a dual-view POV scientific perspective so that partners in the Empire can discuss and learn, and be responsible for the Empire’s next generation in an accurate and scientific approach. The research team loves this series, and it is deeply favored by companions in the Empire.

Luo Ran: …….

Luo Ran: Send these to the Admiral and I will make sure you never see Xiaxia again.

Shen Xiluo: ? ? ?

Luo Ran rubbed his temples.

Lucas actually wanted Shen Xiluo to…..

Hiss.

Luo Ran clicked to receive them one by one, and then deleted them.

After that, Luo Ran didn’t think about it further. He had to go to the kitchen and prepare Lucas’s dinner.

Lucas had eaten white rice for lunch, and Luo Ran thought that for dinner, he should make something slightly more delicious for Lucas within his acceptable range.

. . . . . .

On the other end.

Lucas not only asked for them, but watched them.

He looked at them for a moment, frowning silently.

Then he clicked on a clip to watch, and it happened to be a permanent mark video.

This……

The Omega was about to die from crying because of the pain.

But it was not difficult to understand.

The cavity for Omega reproduction was also too small.

Fortunately, he didn’t intend to permanently mark Luo Ran. He couldn’t bear it, it would be better to beat him up than hurt him like this.

Of course, the main thing was……after being permanently marked, the Omega could no longer have other Alphas, and if this Alpha was lost, he would die due to pheromone dependence. This was also why an Omega would not easily allow an Alpha to permanently mark them. After all, an Omega possessed the ability to control that cavity.

Lucas was well aware of this. He was a fighter of war, so it was naturally impossible for Luo Ran to bear such a risk.

“Admiral, it’s time to eat.”

When Luo Ran entered, what he saw was Lucas……studying.

Luo Ran: “…….”

Lucas: “…….”

“Ya~”

Lucas had quick reflexes and hastened to turn off the terminal before the next cry sounded, but the force was too strong, and he accidentally dropped the whole terminal.

Luo Ran: “……..”

Lucas: “……I can explain.”

Luo Ran smiled: “No need to explain. It’s all Shen Xiluo’s fault.”

Lucas paused, then said righteously, “Right! It’s all his fault.”

“Admiral, remember to eat dinner.” Luo Ran set down the food box, and quickly ran away.

---

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Chapter Sixty-Five << Table of Contents >> Chapter Sixty-Seven

Bo Yueming’s merciless and secretly mocking words fell into the ears of everyone in the Bo family, and some were internally happy while others were furious.

Impulses? Be lenient?

To put it bluntly, he was an idiot who couldn’t control his lower body.

Pei Yi took in the embarrassment of Old Mr. Bo and Bo Lihui and wanted to applaud Bo Yueming, but due to the current family situation, he had to endure it with difficulty.

He caught a glimpse of the untouched hot dishes on the table and pulled Bo Yueming over, playing the fool. “Tasty! I want it!”

Having said so, Pei Yi sat down comfortably, completely ignoring the nearby Old Mr. Bo.

Old Mr. Bo, the head of the family, saw Pei Yi’s lack of manners and was angry with no place to vent it. “Yueming, what did you bring him for? He doesn’t know etiquette!”

It went in Pei Yi’s left ear and out the right, and he thought with inward disdain—

Etiquette also relied on the person using it. What was the use of good etiquette in this family? While eating at the police station, the police didn’t care about good family etiquette.

Besides, he was here to watch a show. How tired would he get standing up, ah?

With the “assistance” of Uncle Kai, Bo Yueming sat beside Pei Yi with a calm expression. “Grandpa, I apologize. Pei Yi has been sticking close to me recently. If you ask me to come over, he wants to follow.”

Bo Jiao spoke up again, “Grandpa, you and Uncle took great pains to choose this marriage for my brother. How did it look when he found out about Pei Yi’s situation for the first time?”

Old Mr. Bo slammed his cane on the ground. “Bo Jiao, do you still not know what you did wrong?”

Bo Jiao remained unconvinced. “Did wrong? What did I do wrong?”

Even though Guancheng was caught by the police while playing with women, it is still a family affair behind closed doors! Family scandals must not be exposed!”

“Good on you, you brought this matter before so many shareholders without telling me!”

Old Mr. Bo picked up his cane and pointed outside, and then poked his finger in the direction of Bo Jiao. I’m asking you! Have you ever considered your elder brother’s face, my face, or our Bo family’s face? It was all lost to you!”

Bo Lihui walked up quickly, and helped the Old Mr. Bo in a show of filial piety. “Dad, don’t be so angry.”

“It was truly dishonorable for Guancheng to do this. It’s my fault for not teaching my son well and embarrassing our family!”

Hearing Bo Lihui’s remarks, Pei Yi almost vomited up the soup he just drank, and he knew who Bo Guancheng’s hypocritical and twisted face resembled—

Like father, like son!

Neither was any good at all!

Bo Yueming also found it disgusting and ridiculous, but he did not participate in this war for the time being.

Sure enough, the always-straightforward Bo Jiao immediately choked out, “Uncle, you’re right. Our Bo family’s face has indeed been completely humiliated by the good son you taught!”

Bo Lihui looked embarrassed, and signaled to Xue Min who was beside him, “Sister-in-law, you should mind your daughter!”

Xue Min thought of her husband and youngest son who hadn’t returned home in time, and was afraid that their mother and daughter pair would suffer here. “Jiaojiao, forget it.”

Bo Jiao tossed away her mother’s obstruction. “Mom, forget what?”

She approached Old Mr. Bo face to face, and opened her mouth to ask a lot of questions, “Grandpa, what do you mean I lost face for you and the Bo family? Are you confused in your old age? Or do you want to favor Uncle’s family?”

Mr. Bo’s expression was livid: “You!”

“What about me?”

Bo Jiao sneered and gave her own opinion, “The one who went out there to whore around and got arrested was Bo Guancheng! He did those dirty things himself, so he shouldn’t be afraid of them being known!”

“When the media breaks the news and adds the title “General Manager of Bo Group” to his name, will you feel like you have face and glory?”

Pei Yi gave a thumbs up to Third Young Lady Bo, who had the strongest mouth, and heard her continue the subject—

“Our Bo family has the rules Grandma set, and we are not to be dirtied by pornography, gambling, or drugs!”

Back then, Bo Lihong was flirting abroad in the name of studying abroad, but Old Mrs. Bo didn’t allow him to participate in big or small projects of Bo Group!

“If Dage dared to partake of the first item today, then he might dare to gamble with our Bo family’s wealth tomorrow! Grandpa, there must be a limit to partiality. You and Grandma have been married for decades. When you saw her……”

“Shut up!” Old Mr. Bo shouted.

The blue veins on his forehead bulged, and he raised the cane in his hand, swinging it at the outspoken Bo Jiao.

At that very moment, Pei Yi, who was closest, was the first to notice that something was wrong and rushed forward to block the cane with his arm.

Everyone’s expressions suddenly changed.

Pei Yi felt a bit of hostility due to the pain, and suppressed it again. Instead, he held Old Mr. Bo’s cane with both hands, and there was a sense of grievance in his foolishness. “No, hitting girls, not right!”

—Scree!

Bo Yueming’s chair made a sharp sound as it slid back. “Pei Yi!”

Pei Yi saw Bo Yueming stand up agitatedly, and feared that the other party’s long-term disguise would be exposed at this moment, so he hurried back and tugged on his sleeve smoothly. “Er-ge.”

“You……”

The shaking in Bo Yueming’s voice overflowed for a moment, and he hugged him back into his zone of protection.

Pei Yi cooperated obediently, but hated Old Mr. Bo even more—

The old man was really cruel!

If the force of that cane had hit Bo Jiao’s body just now, the girl would in all likelihood have suffered a disaster!

During the brief stalemate in the atmosphere, a disbelieving inquiry came from the door.

“Dad! What were you trying to do just now?”

Coincidentally, Bo Lihong, who had rushed home, happened to see the scene of Old Mr. Bo trying to beat a person with his cane.

Xue Min was also frightened. Her heart constricted, and she quickly pulled Bo Jiao into her arms. “Dad, Jiaojiao is your only granddaughter!”

“Even if she spoke badly and made you angry, how can you, an elder, beat her?”

Likely because she saw her husband, there was also a teary tone to her voice. 

Bo Lihong approached and held his wife and daughter in his arms.

He had never liked to get involved in family disputes, but at this moment, he finally took a stance. “Dad, I know that I wasn’t reliable when I was young, and I’m not as good at talking and doing things as my elder brother and his family!”

“But I consider myself to be filial to you!”

“I’ve already heard about what happened at group headquarters today, and even if it was wrong for Jiaojiao to overstep her authority, who was truly at fault this time? We all clearly know!”

“Yes, Guancheng is your grandson! Aren’t Jiaojiao and Xiao Wang…..” Bo Lihong glanced at Bo Yueming and Pei Yi. “And Yueming. Aren’t they your grandchildren?”

Xue Min chimed in, “That’s right, ah! They have the same Bo surname and they’re in your heart, so what is the difference?”

Bo Yueming carefully held Pei Yi’s reddened wrist, and pierced through with a deep voice, “Of course there’s a difference. The main branch has the surname ‘Bo’ on the surface, but they secretly changed their surname to ‘Cheng’ long ago, isn’t that right?”

The resounding sentence seemed to have uncovered some unspeakable secret.

Old Mr. Bo felt his blood surging, and he almost fell onto his eldest son, Bo Lihui.

Bo Lihui hastily supported him, denying it. “What nonsense are you talking about?”

Xue Min couldn’t bear it anymore. “What talking nonsense, you know it in your heart!”

After Bo Yueming reminded her, she finally understood the real reason for Old Mr. Bo’s partiality and felt that it was not worth replacing her husband and children in her heart. 

“I say, heaven doesn’t have such a crooked mind! After so long, it turns out that there are two families?”

“Dad, since you value surnames and the main branch so much, why not separate the families now! From now on, you can just stay with the main branch and their family!”

“…….”

Old Mr. Bo’s heart hurt, his chest tightened, and he couldn’t breathe in or out.

Before he could catch his breath, Bo Yueming suddenly spoke. “As long as Grandma is still in this world, Bo Group will always be Bo Peizhi’s company!”

“Uncle Kai, Pei Yi, let’s go.”

“Yes, Second Young Master.”

Uncle Kai had seen through Cheng Yangshan’s behavior for a long time, and he was very happy at the moment.

He didn’t even nod to the “head of the family,” and just led Bo Yueming, whose eyes were “inconvenient”, out of the room.

“Dad, Mom, can you see who our family is?”

Bo Jiao looked at the backs of Bo Yueming and the others, and returned to look Cheng Yangshan in the face. “If Pei Yi hadn’t shielded me just now, would I, a girl, have withstood it?”

“Old Mr. Cheng is really something!”

Bo Jiao had been living abroad with the Xue family all year round, so she didn’t have much affection for her nominal grandfather. 

In this short period of time, she even changed him to “Old Mr. Cheng.”

Seeing his daughter pulling his wife away without looking back, Bo Lihong no longer had the idea of negotiating peace.

He looked at Old Mr. Bo and shook his head sadly at the absurdity. “Dad, for you, a surname is more important than a blood relationship, and face is more important than familial affection, isn’t it?

He left this neutral rhetorical question behind and left with his wife and daughter, not waiting for an answer.

“…….”

Old Mr. Bo was left on the spot, trembling with anger.

Suddenly, his face turned from livid to pale, and the cane tightly clutched in his hand fell with a clatter. Then his stiff body fell straight down!

Presently, in the huge main house, only Bo Lihui and the steward reacted with panic—

“Dad!”

“Old Sir!”

. . . . . . 

As soon as the door of the detached villa closed, Bo Yueming took off his inconvenient guide glasses. 

He looked at Pei Yi’s reddened hand that had become swollen and blue in a short time, and his internal organs nearly stirred together. “Who told you to be brave and block that cane!”

“Do you understand! If you rushed forward so rashly and it hit your head instead of your hand, you……”

“Er-ge.”

Pei Yi stopped Bo Yueming’s endless scolding, and rubbed his arm without a care. “It’s just a little red and swollen, and it’ll be fine tomorrow or the day after.”

Bo Yueming frowned and quickly stopped his movements. “Don’t mess around!”

Pei Yi said in a well-behaved manner: “Oh.”

“Uncle Kai, go get an ice pack and the spray for reducing swelling.” Bo Yueming instructed Uncle Kai quickly, then took Pei Yi’s arm and led him to the second floor. “Come up with me!”

Pei Yi felt the strength in his grip, and seeing Bo Yueming’s expression of being anxious but not daring to vent it, he couldn’t help but smile. “Er-ge, I don’t have a hero storyline.”

He was the closest at the time, and instinctively stood up to block it. In retrospect, he was afraid of being exposed. 

“As for the strike against Bo Guancheng, we are keeping it secret, while Bo Jiao is keeping it in the open. She is a girl, and no matter how outspoken she is, she still needs to be protected when she is in danger.”

“…….”

Bo Yueming held his hand tighter.

Pei Yi noticed something and added an explanation, “You said she’s your ally, so if I help her, I’m helping you, right?”

“En.”

Bo Yueming was appropriately collected. He sat Pei Yi down on the sofa and lowered his head to carefully check the condition of his arm.

Pei Yi was uncertain. “Are you angry?”

“No, you’re right. Protecting a girl was the right thing to do.”

“You were by my side, and I watched you get hurt.” Bo Yueming met his gaze with helplessness and self-blame. “Pei Yi, I don’t like this feeling.”

Pei Yi didn’t answer, but suddenly understood a little bit more—

Did Bo Yueming seem to like him more than he had imagined?

Footsteps sounded.

Uncle Kai came up with his supplies. “Second Young Master, Little Sir, here is the ice pack you asked for, and this bottle of medicinal wine was delivered by someone from the second branch.”

“The second branch?”

“The servant who delivered the medicine said that the Madam asked him to run it over as soon as she got back. He also specifically said that this bottle of medicinal wine was specially prepared by a Chinese medicine practitioner. It has a very good effect on promoting blood circulation.”

It should be known that Xue Min had always been dissatisfied with Bo Yueming, and this was the first time he had seen such kindness.

Bo Yueming bandaged Pei Yi’s arm without expressing too much. “En, set it down first. Apply ice for now, and follow up with medicinal wine later.”

Pei Yi looked at the bottle of medicinal wine delivered to his door. “What is this? The second branch finally understands who is an enemy and who is a friend?”

Bo Yueming applied the ice pack gingerly. “Are you still proud?”

“By taking advantage of Bo Guancheng’s incident, the second branch, the main branch, and the old man are completely ripping into each other.  Look, I blocked a cane for Bo Jiao just now. Didn’t I bring in a wave of favors for you?”

Bo Yueming nodded thoughtfully. “The injury you suffered for Bo Jiao, why should the second branch’s favors go to me?”

Pei Yi answered as a matter of course, “Then from their point of view, the two of us are……”

As he spoke, he understood the trap set by Bo Yueming.

Bo Yueming asked with a smile, “We’re what?”

“Don’t play word games with me! I’m not really a fool.” Pei Yi scoffed angrily and tried to withdraw his hand.

Bo Yueming quickly grabbed his kitten’s paw, and his mood improved by a lot. “I won’t tease you anymore, don’t move too much. Apply the ice for a while.”

Pei Yi said simply, “Oh.”

After a while, Bo Yueming clearly confirmed that the redness and swelling was no longer expanding, and stopped applying ice. He tossed the ice pack into the trash can, then picked up a paper towel beside him to wipe off the water droplets. “Pei Yi.”

“En?”

Bo Yueming lowered his eyes and brushed the blue-red color with his fingertips. “From now on, no matter if I’m by your side or not, you should always think of yourself first, okay?”

Perhaps due to the ice pack that had been applied just now, Bo Yurming’s fingertips were a little hot.

Pei Yi didn’t answer, but felt his heart warm up.

So warm.

Because watching the show in the main house was more important than eating, the two ate a little more under Uncle Kai’s conscientious arrangement. During dinner, a servant came to pass on—

Old Mr. Bo fainted suddenly and was being sent to the hospital now!

Bo Yueming responded without much of a reaction. Pei Yi saw his attitude and simply ate and drank.

It was an established fact that Cheng Yangshan disliked them. Even if they rushed to the hospital to accompany him day and night, the old man may not say good things after waking up, so why bother?

After Pei Yi had dinner, he found that Lou Yang had already rushed to make a concept poster—

There were three colors and three scenes.

The were a sky castle, a dungeon, and a ship at sea that were all site designs created in advance by the art team. Except for the YWY logo, there was no extra text on the poster, leaving an air of mystery.

The content of Pei Yi’s copywriting was also very simple: New story, see you then.

After posting them on Weibo and Youtu, Pei Yi officially finished his day’s work. After showering, he opened the door again and found Bo Yueming standing in front of the wine wall. It seemed he had just finished washing up.

Inspector was nestled on the living room sofa, and  it spied Pei Yi’s figure, it wagged its tail, too lazy to get up.

Bo Yueming turned to the side to meet Pei Yi’s gaze, and for the first time took the initiative to invite him, “Would you like a drink?”

Pei Yi was a little surprised as he stepped forward. ”You’re letting me drink?”

“You can drink a little.”

Bo Yueming gave Pei Yi the right to choose. “Pick one you like.”

Pei Yi didn’t hesitate to point to a spot that he couldn’t reach! “I want to drink Kangdi.”

Bo Yueming considered how well he knew the goods, and took advantage of his height to grab it and hand it over. “You open it, ba.”

Pei Yi confirmed repeatedly, “You’re really letting me drink?”

“If you don’t want to, then never mind.” Bo Yueming took a step back.

“Want, want, want!” Pei Yi held the new wine in his hands and proactively walked to the bar counter. “I’ll get it.”

He had chosen with particular confidence a series of the most suitable decanters and wine glasses, and he opened the bottle simply and neatly.

Bo Yuemnig took this scene into his eyes, and the inquiry and curiosity in his heart grew even heavier.

Using the time he was sober, Pei Yi mentioned, “On the first night I arrived here, at about the same time, I saw you drinking Kangdi alone when I opened the door.”

“A good, six-figure wine, and you just set it down. I guarded it in secret for a while, and then I heard the sound of you falling down. After helping you with the medicine, that glass of wine was useless.”

Bo Yueming finally understood why Pei Yi had come so quickly that night. The daring little greedy kitten missed his good wine on the first day. “Then I will wait with you today.”

Pei Yi’s lips rose. “Okay.”

. . . . . . .

Pei Yi’s drinking capacity still hadn’t improved much. He only drank half a glass, and the drunkenness had already flooded his cheeks.

“Huh? It’s gone?”

Pei Yi looked at the empty wine bottle, and was about to reach out to pour the rest of the wine out of the decanter. “There’s still more.”

Bo Yueming quickly stopped him. “It’s almost gone, let’s drink it tomorrow.”

Pei Yi failed to reach the decanter, so he grabbed Bo Yueming’s arm and shook it. “En, a little more.”

“A little more also won’t work.”

Looking at the cute appearance of the kitten begging for wine, Bo Yueming cruelly refused. “You will have a headache tomorrow if you drink too much. Be good.”

Pei Yi changed his position unhappily and planned to grab it by force.

It was just that the “force” he wanted didn’t come into play, and instead, he leaned drunkenly on Bo Yueming’s body.

“…….”

Bo Yueming’s breathing stuttered. “Pei Yi, get up.”

Pei Yi moved his body persistently. “Then give me a little drink.”

“No.”

“A little, little drink.”

“No, get up.”

“I won’t get up!”

Pei Yi didn’t get what he wanted, and reached even more restlessly for the decanter in Bo Yueming’s hand.

Unable to bear it, Bo Yueming quickly put down the decanter and held Pei Yi in his lap with one hand, not sure if he was coaxing for begging for mercy. “Stop making trouble.”

“…….”

Pei Yi gazed at the handsome face that was close at hand and caught the other party’s unease due to his fussing.

For some reason, his heart was suddenly filled to the brim.

“Hehe.”

“Are you a fool or not? You can still laugh?”

Bo Yueming’s breathing became heavier, and there was a storm in the depths of his eyes. “Hugging and rubbing, don’t you know that I don’t have good intentions toward you?”

Normally, they could only “pretend” to hold hands at most, and only when he was drunk would the kitten obediently let himself be held.

Pei Yi thought for a while, and his ears turned red. “I know.”

Bo Yueming deliberately held Pei Yi up, exuding a trace of ambiguity between them. “If you know, why don’t you stay away from me?”

“Not afraid.”

Pei Yi shook his head and replied instinctively along with his sluggish thoughts, “You will respect me, won’t you?”

The person in front of him would definitely not force him to do things he didn’t like.

Even though he knew he couldn’t drink enough, Pei Yi dared to get drunk in front of him.

“…….”

Bo Yueming’s heart surged when he heard these words of absolute trust.

He barely resisted the urge to hug the other party tightly, and deliberately retorted close to his ear, “No, don’t forget, I’m the villain.”

“Villains do the most unprincipled things.”

Bo Yueming got Pei Yi drunk on purpose.

It was just that before doing any “bad things,” he was “boxed in” by this pure and incomparable trust.

The warm breath brushed against his ear, more ambiguous than a kiss.

He trembled, believing him. “I, I’m going back to sleep.”

How could Bo Yueming give him a chance to escape? He easily embraced Pei Yi.

“Huh?” Pei Yi was startled by the sudden weightlessness.

“Kitten, don’t move around.” Bo Yueming carried Pei Yi in front of him and coaxed, “I’ll take you back to sleep.”

Pei Yi instinctively curled his arms around the person in front of him dependently, and then shook his head—

He was covered with a familiar-smelling quilt, and Bo Yueming lay down beside him.

Pei Yi blinked, and said with his remaining rationality, “This is my room.”

Bo Yueming heard the resistance in his words, and his eyes dimmed for a moment before recovering. “I know, I’ll leave when you fall asleep.”

“En.”

Pei Yi’s drunkenness had already come upon him completely, and his eyes were dazed for a while. His body had long been accustomed to this more stable sleeping environment, and he unconsciously pressed into Bo Yueming’s arms.

Bo Yueming noticed Pei Yi’s small natural movements, and felt something indescribable……

It was sweet and unbearable.

His affection was like a flood, almost about to overflow.

He patted the quilt lightly to lull him to sleep, and after an unknown amount of time, the person in his arms was half asleep and half awake, muttering, “Father Rong, I, I remember. I’m very obedient, I w-won’t…….”

Hearing this unfamiliar title, Bo Yueming frowned uncertainly. “Pei Yi?”

Pei Yi raised his eyes with some difficulty, and then closed them again. “Er-ge.”

“En? I’m here.”

“Bo Yueming.”

Pei Yi called out his name again, and this time, he sensed a bit of unexplainable grievance. “Don’t like me because of the novelty.”

“It will be gone soon that way.”

Bo Yueming understood his few words, and hugged the kitten tightly to comfort him. “It’s not because of the novelty.”

Pei Yi rubbed against his shoulder, still mumbling disbelievingly, “That won’t work in a year or two.”

Bo Yueming restrained himself again and again, and kissed Pei Yi’s hair. “A year or two is not enough.”

Knowing that the other party would forget about this after waking up, he couldn’t help but ask, “You need to give me a chance to prove it to you, all right?”

---

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Chapter Fifty-Five <<Table of Contents >> Chapter Fifty-Seven

Inside the box.

A cart of expensive spirits was brought in. 

Chen Biao, who was sitting next to him, knew what kind of place “Cloudtop” was, and couldn’t help but urge Bo Guancheng, “Mr. Cheng, since things with Lin Na have turned upside down, why don’t we drink somewhere else?”

As soon as he spoke, the door of the box was opened again.

Sister Qiu walked in again with two good-looking young girls behind her, all smiles. “Mr. Cheng, it’s rare for you to come to our Cloudtop. What’s the point of drinking alone?”

She moved closer to Bo Guancheng’s side, beckoning in a whisper, “I brought two of my people, shall I ask them to accompany you to relieve boredom?”

“Sister Qiu, why do you think that dirty things can accompany me to relieve boredom? When you were asked to find an unfamiliar face that could handle affairs, how did you do it?”

Bo Guancheng took two mouthfuls of ice water and said impatiently, “Have them go.”

The decency and gentleness he revealed to the outside world were just a disguise. Only on this occasion would Bo Guancheng show his most real and vicious aloofness.

Sister Qiu was very accustomed to the temperaments of wealthy men like Bo Guancheng, and still had a smile on her face. “Mr. Cheng, aren’t I bringing people to make amends to you?”

She whispered in a low voice, “These newly recruited university students would not come here to make a living if they weren’t forced by family circumstances. They are very well-behaved and clean.”

That last word was emphasized greatly.

“…….”

Bo Guancheng looked at the two young girls standing at the door. They were indeed quite good-looking, and he, who never liked to mess around outside, had a rare impulse. “En, they’ll stay.”

Seeing that something was wrong, Chen Biao at the side quickly said, “Mr. Cheng, you’re drunk. I’d better send you back early.”

When Sister Qiu heard these unsightly words, she immediately glanced over. “Mr. Chen, isn’t your assistant taking too much care?”

It was hard to keep Bo Guancheng, the prince of Bo Group. As long as she had a little “diligence,” how could she be afraid that she wouldn’t bring in money?

Thinking of this, Sister Qiu spoke with a hint of firm self-confidence in her voice, “Could it be that our Cloudtop is a place that exploits people? Looking at the entire Imperial Capital, where is there a better place to drink and relieve fatigue than ours?”

Chen Biao’s expression changed slightly., and then he heard his boss order that the guest be evicted, “Fine, Chen Biao, you go back first. Have the driver stay.”

Bo Guancheng seemed to think that the taste of the ice water was too bland, so he simply indicated, “Both of you, sit down and open a drink with me.”

Sitting in the high position of the general manager of the group, it would be a lie to say that there was no pressure.

It was true that he hadn’t been able to relax for a long time, and it wasn’t a big deal to have one night’s entertainment.

Sister Qiu stood up with a smile, exchanged veiled glances with the two young girls under her command, and then looked at Chen Biao beside her. “Mr. Chen, are you planning to stay and ruin Mr. Cheng’s mood? Or do you also want me to open a private room for you?”

Ordinary people with no money or power couldn’t get into a place like Cloudtop, and one night’s cost was six figures. Chen Biao was just Bo Guancheng’s assistant, so he naturally wasn’t viewed favorably by Sister Qiu.

Chen Biao heard the other party’s belittling tone and got up, leaving the box without looking back.

Less than half an hour later.

Bo Guancheng embraced the two girls on the left and right, stepping out of the elevator into a special passage. The reason Cloudtop Clubhouse was sought out by the rich ws that the corresponding services were all included. The boxes downstairs were used for regular entertainment, but when it came to the provision of some special services—

Guests and their ladies could pass through the VIP elevator and arrive directly at a hotel suite for a night of fun.

As for the fee, it would be transferred from the guest’s card to the card of the corresponding “service” personnel.

As soon as the door of the suite was closed tightly, the soft bodies leaned against him.

Bo Guancheng couldn’t explain what was going on today. He just felt that his desire swelled due to his drunkenness, and he almost rolled into bed.

While he was galloping indulgently, there was an extremely heavy knock on the door outside!

Swift, chaotic footsteps came from far to near, and a girl beside him screamed, even picking up the quilt to wrap herself up.

Bo Guancheng subconsciously turned around to check on the situation—

The moment the police uniforms appeared in his sight, he felt the blood rush to his brain and then ebb away in an instant, leaving only two pale and empty words:

I’m finished!

. . . . . . .

The phone vibrated again.

The high-definition photo of Bo Guancheng being escorted to a police car was accurately transmitted.

Pei Yi curiously opened the photo to confirm, and was amazed. “The general manager of the dignified Bo Group was arrested for soliciting prostitutes. If the news gets out, I’m afraid there will be quite a shock in the circle, right?”

With money, anything was possible.

Bo Guancheng could spend money to buy Sister Qiu and Lin Na, and Bo Yueming could spend money to buy other attendants in Cloudtop. That was how he got Bo Guancheng’s room number tonight.

Looking at the news from the attendant, Bo Yueming’s eyes were filled with disgust—

Two at a time.

He really underestimated Bo Guancheng.

Lin Na had added the pills to the iced whiskey in the box in advance. Unless Bo Guancheng drank the entire bottle, just one glass would have some effect but not make him lose control.

In the end, Bo Guancheng was still not clean enough to avoid spinning a web around himself.

Having already returned, Lin Zhong asked, “Mr. Bo, should we contact the media to expose this matter online?”

Bo Yueming shook his head. “Don’t worry for now.”

Lin Zhong was confused. “Why?”

Pei Yi glanced at Bo Yueming and understood what the other party was thinking. “Er-ge is different from scum like Bo Guancheng.”

“Lin Zhong, let me ask you, if Bo Guancheng’s arrest was exposed overnight, besides embarrassing him, what else would be impacted?”

Lin Zhong understood. “Naturally, our Bo Group.”

Pei Yi spoke again, “En, Bo Group is a listed company, and if the general manager had this social scandal, wouldn’t it affect the positive influence and interests of the group?”

When Bo Guancheng set up a scheme to frame Bo Yueming, he might not have considered the short-term loss of reputation for the group, but Bo Yueming knew right from wrong, and the overall situation—

He understood that Bo Group’s status today was due to the hard work of Old Mrs. Bo and the senior staff, and it should not be destroyed by anyone!

Lin Zhong came to his senses. “Mr. Bo, what shall we do next?”

After going around in such a big circle, and having finally caught Bo Guancheng’s handle, it was impossible to do nothing, right?

Bo Yueming had his own ideas in mind. “The news will not be leaked for the time being, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be kicked out of the group. Only, if we do it ourselves, it will be too obvious.”

After all, in the eyes of outsiders, once Bo Guancheng lost the position of “general manager,” the one who would benefit the most was Bo Yueming himself.

Lin Zhong had been overwhelmed the past two days, and really couldn’t keep up with his boss’s train of thought. “Then who will?”

The moment these words were spoken, Pei Yi, who was an outsider to the group, said, “Bo Jiao.”

It was said that during the time when Bo Yueming was in Wencheng, Bo Jiao, who had just joined the group, often found Bo Guancheng unhappy in his position, and if she was the one to come forward now—

It would be reasonable and fair.

Looking at this clever, smiling kitten, Bo Yueming nodded and instructed, “Lin Zhong, give these photos to the Third Young Lady. If Bo Jiao is smart enough, she should know how to do it.”

“All right.”

Lin Zhong’s eyes swept over the faces of Bo Yueming and Pei Yi, and he had no choice but to accept—

Amazing, ah!

Mr. Bo and Little Sir added up to eight hundred minds. Whoever met them would be unfortunate!

. . . . . . .

In the blink of an eye, it was the next day, and the setting sun scattered through the window.

Pei Yi, who was nestled in his small bedroom, had just finished the online meeting for “The Last Fog 1.0.” Before he could take a breath, the private chat window rang. 

The message was from Lin Yuan. “Will, have you seen the trending section on the Weibo game forums?”

Pei Yi was puzzled. “What?”

The other party seemed to have expected his answer, and immediately sent the corresponding screenshots and links. “Take a look, ba. It’s on the list, God Will.”

Pei Yi clicked on the link and browsed carefully before realizing what was going on—

Three days ago, there was a hot post on the game section of a well-known rating forum.

The content of the post had to do with the evaluation and public voting for new original games in the past two years, and in the voting category of domestic stand-alone games—

The suspenseful “Joyful Spirit” and the healing “Cloud Realm” were mentioned many times, and the former was even selected for the top five overall!

In the follow-up summary recommendation, the blogger who wrote the post did not forget to note the names of the production companies of each game and the original behind-the-scenes architects.

Not long after, this summary post was reposted on Weibo by a big verified account, and the statistics of the forwards, comments, and likes were all pretty good.

Soon, game fans discovered something in the summary post — “Joyful Spirit” and “Cloud Realm,” two games with completely different styles, were actually produced by the same game architect.

Not only that, but some netizens added in the comments: “Fuck! I think this architect’s ID looks familiar. Is anyone paying attention to Nebula Fun Tour’s crazy preheating for “Tracking” these past two days? It’s also this architect!”

Where there were people, there was society, and where there was society, people pursued popularity.

This summary post was a double hot search on the Weibo entertainment section and the game forums. Because Pei Yi’s game alias “Will” appeared in the hot comments, he unexpectedly received a lot of attention.

There were also game fans who found Pei Yi’s Weibo and Youtu accounts by following the vines and clicked to follow, shouting “God Will” one after another.

Up to now, Pei Yi’s Weibo account “King of Drinking Capacity Will” had nearly 6,000 game fans.

As the gaming headquarters of China, the increase in the number of his fans on the Youtu forum was even more exaggerated.

Pei Yi reopened the private chat interface with Li Yuan. “Say, why have so many fans paid attention to it in the past two days?”

In the past three or four days, Pei Yi first “showed affection” to Bo Yueming all night, then “failed to escape,” and finally became a righteous citizen.

He had experienced so many things in life that it was inevitable that he would overlook the small things at work.

Ding-dong.

Li Yuan’s words came again on the private chat screen.

“Will, it’s rare to have such a wave of attention now. IShould I ask Sister Yang to rush to work on a concept poster for ‘The Last Fog 10?’ Can you post it on your account?”

Li Yuan was the core person in charge and also the future market operations director of “The Last Fog.”

“Although it’s too early to preheat now, let’s not waste the exposure that was given to us for nothing.”

“Okay.”

Pei Yi fully cooperated with his friend’s work, and had another consideration in mind—

Not only could The Last Fog’s preheating take advantage of this wave of wind, but couldn’t he also take the opportunity to auction off another game?

Make money!

Didn’t he have to seize every opportunity?

After a short work chat, there was a knock on the door.

Pei Yi thought it was Uncle Kai calling him for dinner, so he turned off the computer and opened the door, only to find that the person standing there was Bo Yueming. “Er-ge?”

Bo Yueming sent a seemingly absent glance toward the computer. “Are you done?”

Pei Yi hummed. “I’m not busy.”

Although his “playing the fool” persona had been exposed, he still wanted to cover his career vest for the time being. What if he still needed to run away in the future?

Bo Yueming didn’t press further, and only asked, “Do you want to go to the main house with me to watch a good show?”

As soon as the hook was lowered, the kitten’s curiosity was instantly piqued. 

“I want to!”

Pei Yi’s eyes lit up slightly, and he asked with great interest, “Is Bo Guancheng’s dirt going to be exposed by Bo Jiao?”

Bo Yueming didn’t answer directly, but stretched out his hand to signal, “We’ll go to the main house, we can talk while walking.”

“…….”

Pei Yi looked down at the palm stretched out before his eyes, and muttered unnaturally, “Aren’t we still inside the villa?”

Although his words were “displeased,” he obediently placed his hand in Bo Yueming’s.

The touch of one cold hand and one warm one brought a lingering numbness that only the other could understand.

Pei Yi thought about the tight breaths and pounding heart that night for no reason, and inexplicably panicked. “Er-ge.”

“En?”

Bo Yueming held his kitten’s hand. “Let’s go.”

He obviously could have just waited at the main house and asked Uncle Kai to send a message for Pei Yi to come over, but Bo Yueming insisted on coming back on his own initiative, waiting for this moment.

Likely having noticed Pei Yi’s panic at holding hands, Bo Yueming talked about what happened in the group that day in order to divert his attention—

It must be known that for a company as big as Bo Group, the general shareholders’ meeting could not be held at the drop of a hat.

After Bo Jaio received the photos, she pretended to be Old Mr. Bo and “invited” these senior shareholders who had the right to speak to group headquarters today.

Pei Yi was surprised. “Act first and report later? The old man must be angry?”

Bo Yueming also admired Bo Jiao’s straightforward way of doing things. He continued, “She directly developed the photos we gave her and put them in front of everyone, saying that Bo Guancheng was arrested for that kind of thing last night.”

The faces of Old Mr. Bo and Bo Lihui had changed on the spot.

The former because the news came so suddenly, and the latter because he saw Bo Jiao’s intention to make things difficult.

When the accident occurred last night, Bo Lihui rushed to the police station, but Bo Guancheng was still being processed and questioned, so he wouldn’t be able to leave in a short while.

According to relevant law and order regulations, in cases like Bo Guancheng’s, he would be detained for at least five days, and at most ten to fifteen.

The Bo family had always been big and well-known, and Bo Guancheng was one of the general managers of the group. Whenever such a scandal was exposed by the media, it would indirectly affect the reputation and interests of the group.

“The old man wanted to excuse Bo Guancheng, but the high-level shareholders who believe in interests over people didn’t buy it at all.”

The infighting amongst the Bo family had nothing to do with the shareholders, but what Bo Guancheng did may have touched the reputation and interests of the group, so they couldn’t sit idly by.

Bo Guancheng’s matter could be big or small.

It was possible that after detention, nothing would happen.

It was also possible that the media would break the story in the afternoon and broaden public opinion, affecting the positive image of Bo Group.

“Instead of hanging a time bomb over his head, it’s better to temporarily suspend his position as general manager. At least in this way, even if negative news breaks out, it’s a relatively personal matter for Bo Guancheng.”

Bo Yueming told Pei Yi what the shareholders had said.

Pei Yi chuckled. “Sure enough, the bigger the company is, the more old foxes there are. Was there a final conclusion?”

“The preliminary discussion resulted in the suspension of Bo Guancheng’s position as ‘General Manager.” Bo Yueming paused. “Originally, several shareholders wanted me to take over the project Bo Guancheng was working on, but I refused.”

“Refused? Why?”

Pei Yi was a little surprised by Bo Yueming’s decision. He had thought that after returning to the Bo Group, the other party would try to seize power as much as possible for future contingencies.

Bo Yueming continued, “I suggest that we either look outside to find someone to replace Bo Guancheng, or find someone else within the group to replace him.”

When Pei Yi heard this supplementary suggestion, the doubts in his heart were answered—

Bo Guancheng’s detention would not exceed half a month at most.

In such a short period of time, even if Bo Yueming wanted to take over, he would not be able to do so completely. Instead, he would re-ignite hatred for himself and be envied even more by the main branch faction.

Bo Yueming said frankly, “I want to hold real power in the group as much as I can before my grandma recovers completely, but now is not the best time. It’s better to go with the flow and be owed a favor.”

Pei Yi answered astutely, “So you pushed Bo Jiao forward?”

Bo Yueming nodded. “After a long discussion, she was temporarily given the title of ‘Deputy General Manager.’” 

As a result, this matter had evolved into a power struggle between the main and second branches.

After all, if Bo Yueming took over Bo Guancheng’s project and became the only general manager of the group, perhaps Bo Jiao would feel hostile toward him.

Bo Yueming made it very clear, “My relationship with Bo Jiao is not close. What she really cares about is her own family, but judging from the current situation, it’s better for me to have one more ally against the main branch than to make an enemy and be alone.”

Hearing Bo Yueming’s long analysis, Pei Yi unconsciously shook the hand he was holding, and a trace of pride and pleasure flashed in his heart before he could notice—

As expected of the villain he had set his eyes on. He had a longer-term perspective than most people.

Bo Yueming felt the delight being conveyed by Pei Yi, and the corners of his mouth twitched.

During the time the two of them were talking, they had just reached the edge of the main house.

Bo Yueming turned his eyes away. “We’re almost there.”

Pei Yi understood. “En.”

He slowed his pace and leaned into Bo Yueming’s side, returning to his usual timid and obedient appearance.

Uncle Kai, who was following behind, felt that sudden and harmonious aura of the two, and shook his head with a smile—

One Second Young Master was enough, and now, adding Little Sir, who among the entire Bo family and relatives could be their opponents?

Bo Yueming and Pei Yi were approaching the gate of the main house, when they heard Old Mr. Bo’s scolding from the dining room. “Bo Jiao, do you still have your grandfather in your eyes!”

“You didn’t discuss with me in advance, and dared to move those shareholders to suppress me? Ah? Your second branch is going to step on my head? Is that right?”

“Let me tell you, don’t think that since you’re a girl, I won’t teach you the rules of this family!”

Eager to protect the girl, Xue Min immediately stepped in front of Bo Jiao, and her retort was a little urgent, “Grandpa, even if Bo Jiao is wrong, her original intention was for the sake of Bo Group! It was because Bo Guancheng himself was indiscreet, that’s why…..”

Bo Lihui interrupted in a deep voice, “Sister-in-law,  who are you saying is indiscreet?”

Listening to the back and forth confrontation, Pei Yi immediately became interested in eating melons, eager to shout and cheer—

Fight! Fight!

Slap each other! Slap each other!

The main branch and the second branch owed bad debts to Bo Yueming, and only by tearing each other up like this could his anger be relieved!

Bo Yueming tacitly sensed Pei Yi’s excitement and eagerness for more chaos, so he whispered helplessly and dotingly, “Kitten, be good.”

“…….”

Huh ? !

Pei Yi’s mind was in chaos because of  this pampering address, and he didn’t know where to look for a moment.

The next second, an angry voice came straight at them.

“Bo Yueming! You still dare to come here, ah? I was going to find you!” Bo Lihui approached with big strides, and berated Bo Yueming, “Tell me, did you do it?”

“Was it you and Bo Jiao? Ah? You two siblings joined forces to deal with Guancheng!”

Last week, his son had whispered his plans to him at the office to take advantage of the sex scandal and pull Bo Yueming down!

The results now?

The person who had an accident was Bo Guancheng!

The person who was forced to lose the position of general manager was still Bo Guancheng!

Where in the world could there be such a coincidence? After thinking about it, Bo Lihui had felt that something was wrong.

The only reliable son was forced to stay in the custody of the police station. His wife made phone calls to reach out to connections, but in the end she only got this paragraph—

Although Bo Guancheng is a first-time offender, he played too big!

The two girls who stayed with him said everything clearly and directly out of fear!

The evidence was conclusive, so how could they just let him go? Was the law just for display?

Bo Yueming feigned confusion. “Uncle, why don’t I understand what you just said? Dage couldn’t control his impulsiveness. Could it be that I forced him to do it?”

Bo Lihui was furious. “You!”

Old Mr. Bo noticed the abnormality, and his tone was equally unhappy. “Yueming, stop being glib in front of your elders!”

“Grandpa, Uncle, I have to thank you for bringing it up.”

Bo Yueming’s sudden statement took everyone aback.

Bo Lihui, who was standing in front of him, said, “What do you mean?”

“Half a year ago, you were all focused on my marriage, but you ignored Dage.”

Pei Yi was the quickest to understand what Bo Yuming meant, and his ears instantly burned red.

“I have someone to accompany me now, but Dage is not yet married.”

Bo Yueming clenched Pei Yi’s hand tightly, as if he had obtained some kind of treasure, and there was both flaunting and ridicule in his words—

“Be lenient toward his occasional impulses.”

---

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Chapter Fifty-Four <<Table of Contents >> Chapter Fifty-Six

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In a dark, damp rental house.

The unkempt Lin Na huddled on a cold, hard wooden bed. Her hands and feet were still bound, and there was a piece of cloth tape over her mouth so that she could only make muffled sounds.

She gazed at the small skylight that was her only source of illumination, her eyes full of despair.

Since she was exposed the night before, she had first lay paralyzed on the hotel carpet for several hours under Lin Zhong’s guard. Then the other party and the old driver took her to this ghastly place through the hotel’s back door in the dead of night.

At noon yesterday, the driver also asked a strange woman to bring her lunch.

But as soon as the tape over her mouth was removed, f quickly screamed for help, and within ten seconds, her mouth was sealed again.

Almost another day had passed.

At this moment, Lin Na hadn’t had a drop of water, she was hungry, and she wanted to sleep but didn’t dare to. Her fragile nerves were tense to the breaking point, and she was afraid that if she stayed like this any longer she might either go crazy or die!

Lin Na wearily closed her eyes, in a trance. The regrets of this day and night were about to swallow her completely—

She shouldn’t have been greedy for this money!

At least when she saw that the target of this business was Bo Yueming, she should have directly rejected it!

How could such a small person like her get involved in the struggles between the rich and powerful? She must have been possessed!

Lin Na’s intestines were about to turn green with regret. Her sore eyes misted over once more, but her sealed mouth couldn’t utter a single word.

Suddenly, there was the sound of footsteps outside the door.

Lin Na was like a drowning person who caught a rotten log floating in the sea. A strong sense of hope suddenly burst into her eyes, and she stared at the closed door without blinking.

At last, there was the sound of the door being unlocked and opened.

The light outside the door rushed in to illuminate this dark, dank room.

Lin Na squinted her eyes to adapt to the strong light, and when she saw the person at the door clearly, the burning hope in her heart was instantly extinguished, and she was even wrapped in a strong chill again.

“Mm! Mmmm!”

Lin Na violently twisted her bound hands and feet, and seeing that she was unable to struggle, she could only shrink back to the corner of the bed as much as possible. If possible, she would like to have a hole to drill straight down into!

“Meow~”

Inspector, neatly huddled in its cat bag, poked its head out and looked around curiously.

When Lin Na saw this familiar little black cat, a species she had always feared, the panic in her eyes became more apparent.

Pei Yi looked at Lin Na curled up on the bed—

The dark bags under her eyes were obvious, and it could be seen that she hadn’t slept well in the past two days. Tears had washed away the liquid foundation on her face, leaving behind trails of tear marks.

She looked unkempt and particularly disgraceful.

As the only person present who had seen Lin Na at the convalescent resort, Pei Yi remembered her harassment of Bo Yueming, and disgust appeared in his eyes.

He rubbed his little Inspector’s head and asked casually, “Inspector, do you remember her?”

With that simple sentence, Lin Na shrank back in fright.

Before they left, Pei Yi had the last minute thought to bring Inspector back again. After all, people were easily overwhelmed during interrogation when faced with things that they feared, and they would resort to anything.

Lao Fu and Lin Zhong brought two clean chairs inside, making it convenient for Bo Yueming and Pei Yi to sit.

Bo Yueming took off his guide glasses and didn’t bother to pretend in front of Lin Na, who already knew about his eyes. He asked directly, “How long has she been here? Untie the rope and duct tape for her.”

The rental house was an old building left by Lao Fu’s parents. It had been a while since he had lived here, and the person who delivered Lin Na’s meals the day before was Lao Fu’s wife.

Lao Fu was anxious. “Mr. Bo, my wife delivered food to this woman yesterday, but she started screaming as soon as she opened her mouth. Now it’s daylight, and I’m afraid that if she makes any noise again and alerts the neighbors…..”

Bo Yueming stared at Lin Na without blinking. “Is that so?”

Those three neutral words made Lin Na shake her head like a rattle.

She didn’t dare!

She absolutely didn’t dare!

Seeing this, Lao Fu followed Bo Yueming’s instructions.

Likely afraid of Bo Yueming’s oppression, when the rope and tape was removed from Lin Na, she didn’t dare to scream.

She swallowed her saliva nervously, and accused in a choked voice, “You, you can’t tie me up like this. It’s illegal to lock me up here!”

“Illegal?”

Lin Zhong glanced at Pei Yi beside him, responding, “You first broke in four or five months ago and plotted against our boss, then pretended to be a hotel attendant and poured drugs into Mr. Bo’s drink.”

“Mr. Bo was weak and uncomfortable because he mistakenly drank the water, and was forced to recuperate at home for a day, so there was no way to send you to the police station at the time.”

“Since you enjoy complying with the law so much, we can call the police and ask them to deal with this now!”

“……”

Lin Na was so frightened by this embellished rhetoric that she dared not speak again.

In the end, she was the guilty one. If a thorough investigation was conducted, she would be the one who must bear the brunt of the misfortune!

Seeing that she was silent, Lin Zhong covertly glanced at Pei Yi, who was quietly stroking the cat.

What he said just now was told to him by Little Sir in the car. The other party had already expected that with Lin Na’s character, she would definitely use words such as “illegal” and “police” to establish her image as a weak and innocent person.

But everyone knew that Lin Na was not innocent in this series of incidents.

As long as she was hit with these forceful remarks, it would make the subsequent conversation easier to continue.

Sure enough, Lin Na was silent for a while before giving in, “Mr. Bo, you can’t blame me for this, ah. Bo Guancheng, Bo Guancheng asked me to do it!”

Because she hadn’t drank water for a long time, her voice was like gravel run over by wheels, hoarse and slightly sharp.

Pei Yi glanced at Lin Zhong, putting on a show of benevolence. “Water.”

Lin Zhong took out the small bottle of mineral water and bread that had been prepared, and handed them to Lin Na. “If you want to suffer less, cooperate well!”

Follow the slap with a piece of candy.

It was a very old-fashioned and customary method to buy a person’s heart.

Hungry and thirsty, Lin Na received two of the most common but most precious things. Without saying a word, she snatched them away and promptly drank half the bottle of mineral water, then picked up the bread and took a huge bite.

Eating and eating, tears of regret burst out again.

Everything was presently under Pei Yi’s control. He stroked Inspector’s small head with one hand and pressed the recording button on his phone with the other.

At the same time, Bo Yueming tacitly said, “Lin Na, speak clearly.”

“It was Bo Guancheng who came to me. A month ago, I received a call from Sister Qiu……”

Lin Na swallowed this mouthful of bread, sobbing as she poured out all the facts, “He gave me a deposit and said that he would give me two million when the thing was done! He also gave me those drugs!”

A chill flashed through Pei Yi’s eyes, and he had a deeper understanding of Bo Guancheng’s tricks—

Two million?

Seeking out a woman of unknown origin?

Trying to drug Bo Yueming?

Lin Zhong on the side caught a key piece of information and double-checked, “Bo Guancheng sought you out to make preparations a month ago?”

Lin Na hastily nodded. “En! The hotel should have a record of my employment, it was arranged for me by his assistant.”

That was to say, even though Bo Yueming was “blind,” Bo Guancheng did not relax his vigilance against him, and was always on guard against his return to Bo Group’s general manager position.

Bo Yueming thought of all Bo Guancheng had done in the past, and the long-standing hatred spilled out.

Lin Na caught a glimpse of Bo Yueming’s gradually darkening face, and her heart trembled again. “Mr. Bo! I, I know I’m obsessed with money! Just let me go this time!”

“Obsessed with money?”

Pei Yi considered this soft excuse and released Inspector from the cat bag.

Under the care of its two masters, Inspector was not afraid at all when facing the new environment. It explored its surroundings with a burst of curiosity, and then jumped onto the wooden bed as if preferring the height.

Lin Na stared at the nearby Inspector, her breath suffocating her in her throat.

Bo Yueming looked directly at the terrified Lin Na and asked, “Was it worth it to lose yourself for money?”

Lin Na kept a wary eye on Inspector, who might approach at any time, and subconsciously shook her head. “Bo Guancheng said he would guide public opinion toward you, and I would just be the victim hiding behind.”

Bo Yueming seemed to have heard a big joke, and his voice sank, “It looks like you didn’t know he installed hidden surveillance in the suite? If I fell for it that night, do you really think you could have gotten away with it?”

“Surveillance?”

Lin Na had been in nightclubs before, so she naturally understood what hidden surveillance meant. “Im-Impossible, he didn’t tell me about that.”

“Who do you think you are?”

Pei Yi couldn’t put up with it anymore, and opened his mouth to say, “You’re just a bed tool he invited over, don’t think too highly of yourself.”

Lin Na’s face turned red.

“He said he’d give you two million, and it would be credited to your account afterwards? But if Er-ge was slandered and framed by you, he would call the police to deal with it. Do you think the police wouldn’t be able to discover such a large money transfer? That they wouldn’t have any suspicions?”

“Is it you who understands Bo Guancheng, or is it us who understand that piece of shit?”

When Bo Yueming heard Pei Yi’s cursing, the coldness in his eyes eased a little.

Pei Yi looked directly into Lin Na’s disbelieving eyes and told it to her straight, “Bo Guancheng lied to you from the very beginning. He used you to drug Bo Yueming, and when he got the indecent images, he would immediately expose them on the internet.”

“As for your identity as the victim?”

Pei Yi sneered with disdain and asked self-confidently, “For my Er-ge’s figure and face, would you show reluctance in the video, or would you throw yourself at him like you did at the convalescent resort?”

When Bo Yueming heard Pei Yi’s loud rhetorical question, he was helpless and indulgent, and his original dark expression disappeared. 

Lin Zhong and Lao Fu who remained to the side were even more dumbfounded—

Little Sir’s articulation was so sharp?

He was playing the fool some time ago, could they have wronged him?

Also, ah, taunting was taunting, but why did he have to exaggerate Mr. Bo’s personal experience?

Pei Yi paid no attention to the surprise of the people around him, and continued to bring things to light. “Lin Na, don’t forget that you administered the drugs yourself. Do you dare tell the police that you are an absolute victim?”

“Besides that tiny deposit, do you have any evidence to prove that Bo Guancheng instructed you?”

“……”

Lin Na didn’t have time to think about Pei Yi’s sudden “change” at the moment. Faced with this series of questions, not only could she not utter a word of rebuttal, but she also felt chills all over her body—

So she was just part of Bo Guancheng’s scheme? From beginning to end, the other party never thought of protecting her?

Right, ah, what was there to protect about a woman who frequented nightclubs, a woman who took money to do such business?

Lin Na could admit that she was greedy for money and profit. She went to nightclubs and resorts to find ways to get close to the rich and gain benefits.

But this didn’t mean that she could accept her pornographic images being spread widely on the internet to be judged by others!

Pei Yi was right, if everything happened as Bo Guancheng wished, and Bo Yueming’s reputation was damaged, her status as a “victim” would be totally untenable!

Someone like Bo Guancheng who hid behind the scenes? How could he be stupid enough to stir up the fire and get burned!

Bo Yueming watched Lin Na’s eyes change again and again, and they finally showed sufficient hatred. “Now you understand?”

Lin Na wiped away her tears indiscriminately, and nodded.

Bo Yueming indicated to Lin Zhong again with his eyes, and the latter took a small transparent bag from his pocket and handed it to Lin Na. “Does this look familiar? It was found in your pocket that night.”

Lin Na’s pupils trembled, and she hastily distanced herself from it. “No, this medicine was really given to me by Bo Guancheng!”

Bo Yueming lightly turned the watch on his wrist, and his calm tone concealed his coercion. “En, that bastard. You’re responsible for sending his things back to him.”

Lin Na didn’t dare to think deeply. “What?”

Pei Yi got up and approached, taking the small bag from Lin Zhong’s hand instead.

He rubbed the unremarkable white pill through the plastic and handed it over. “Haven’t you already done it once? Do you still need us to instruct you?”

Inspector, who was full of curiosity, thought its master had something delicious in his hand and immediately moved over. “Meow-wu!”

Lin Na’s scalp went numb at the sound of this meow.

Pei Yi seemed to see through Lin Na’s deep panic. “Don’t worry, we’re not as bad as Bo Guancheng. There are things that need to be done using your talents, but you don’t need to sell your body.”

Bo Yueming sat in his seat, but his eyes stayed on Pei Yi’s profile—

He said the word “use” so brightly. His own family’s kitten really stood out from the masses.

Pei Yi stuffed the pill back into Lin Na’s hand, and suddenly reached out to grasp her jaw. “As long as you return this pill to Bo Guancheng for us, we can forget about what you did.”

Seeing Pei Yi’s movements, Bo Yueming’s previously relaxed eyes suddenly changed.

Lin Na knew she had no other way out. Instead of being in a stalemate here, she might as well use this way out for herself. “W-what am I going to do?”

. . . . . .

Ten minutes later.

Bo Yueming and Pei Yi sat back in the car.

“Inspector, come on. Let me wipe your paws, the ground was too dirty just now.” Pei Yi took the pet wipes out of the cat bag, and before he could wipe Inspector, the wipes in his hand were taken away by Bo Yueming.

Pei Yi was startled. “What are you doing? I……”

Bo Yueming grasped Pei Yi’s right wrist and wiped his fingertips with the wet wipe. “Don’t touch things when you go out in the future, your kitten claws might also not be clean.”

“I !”

Pei Yi was dazed and at a loss.

It took him several seconds to pinpoint the sour tint to those words, and the corners of his mouth rose unconsciously.

Seeing that Pei Yi didn’t speak, Bo Yueming thought that he had crossed the line, so he silently held his breath and asked, “Pei Yi, are you afraid of me like this?”

“Like what?”

“Having Lin Na turn the drugs back on Bo Guancheng.”

In the past, for Old Mrs. Bo’s sake, Bo Yueming could endure whatever happened to him, but now he didn’t want to endure it any longer.

The old grudges and the new, as long as the evidence was convincing, he would settle accounts with Bo Guancheng.

Bo Yueming didn’t deny that this way of fighting back was equally bad, but he still cared about Pei Yi’s opinion of him. “What about you? Do you also think I’m despicable?”

Pei Yi answered simply, “No, what’s wrong with treating others the way they treat you? And I think our means of fighting back are more clever.”

After all, he had added something to the method he told Lin Na.

Faced with this unexpected answer, Bo Yueming was stunned for a moment. “Really?”

Pei Yi met Bo Yueming’s gaze and said quietly, “Er-ge, let me tell you the truth. When I used to watch dramas, I didn’t like the good, pure protagonists at all. I only liked the vengeful villains.”

Bo Yueming’s eyes flickered slightly. He asked, “According to what you’ve said, I’ve become a ‘villain’ to you?”

Pei Yi said with certainty, “En, is that bad?”

In his opinion, Bo Yueming would never intentionally provoke innocent people. As for dealing with those like Bo Guancheng, it couldn’t be called a despicable counterattack, but a means of eliminating evil!

They had to do it, and also had to be villains with a “moral bottom line.”

Bo Yueming made a show of being very much in earnest. “Very well, at least you like villains.”

“…….”

Pei Yi belatedly came to a realization, and tried to play it off. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

Bo Yueming teased him, “Then what did you mean?”

He treated him as a villain, and said he liked villains? It was no different from an indirect confession, which he accepted.

Lao Fu in the front heard the flirting between the two and minimized his sense of existence as much as possible, suddenly missing his wife and children.

After a long time, he said cautiously, “Mr. Bo, where are we going?”

Lin Zhong didn’t follow them into the car, but received Bo Yueming’s instructions and took Lin Na privately to leave in another direction.

Bo Yueming glanced at the time, and offered the choice to Pei Yi. “Should we go straight home or eat out?”

Pei Yi thought for a moment. “Eat first and then go home.”

“All right.”

. . . . . .

Seven o’clock in the evening, Cloudtop Clubhouse.

In a hallway decorated with mainly silver film lenses, Bo Guancheng walked quickly to the room at the end under the assistance of Chen Biao. “Are you sure that woman is hiding here?”

On the night of the celebration banquet, Bo Yueming never returned, which aroused doubts and discussions among shareholders.

Bo Guancheng had originally thought the plan had succeeded, and asked his assistant Chen Biao to spend money to manage various online and offline media in advance. They would just wait for the big news on the day after the celebration banquet, and use public opinion to completely pull Bo Yueming down!

The results of it?

Bo Yueming really didn’t show up that night, and even Lin Na disappeared!

Bo Guancheng went to check the surveillance camera in the corridor and discovered that Bo Yueming was taken away by his driver first, and Lin Na was also forcibly taken away from the suite later.

Not only that, but the camera in the master bedroom had also vanished. It was obvious at a glance that the operation was unsuccessful!

Chen Biao nodded. “Sister Qiu called me in the afternoon, saying that Lin Na hid here and asked for protection.”

“Protection?”

Bo Guancheng gritted his teeth, his eyes full of cruelty under his glasses. “If she revealed half a word to Bo Yueming that night, I’ll make her regret it!”

As soon as he spoke, the two stopped at the box at the end of the hallway.

Bo Guancheng told his assistant, “You call Sister Qiu and tell her to come too. Lin Na is the person she hired. Now that the business failed, she must give me an explanation.”

Assistant Chen Biao heard this and did as he said. “Yes.”

Bo Guancheng pushed open the door of the box and found that there was no one there. Before his doubts could arise, he was hit on the back of the neck unexpectedly.

Lin Na, who was hiding behind the door, rushed out and hysterically smashed him with the small golf club that was prepared in advance in the box. “Bo Guancheng, you dare to come! I’ll beat you to death!”

But before the third swing, Chen Biao at the door realized something was wrong and rushed up to stop her. “Lin Na, are you crazy?”

“Fuck!”

Bo Guancheng’s glasses dropped to the ground. He pressed a hand to the dull pain at the back of his neck and looked at Lin Na with murderous intent in his eyes. “Do you want to die?”

Lin Na’s heart trembled for a moment. She thought of what Pei Yi had taught her in advance, and took a deep breath to strike preemptively. “Bo Guancheng! You are no fucking good!”

“It’s fine to ask me to do things for money, but you clearly cheated me!”

“A surveillance camera? If it hadn’t been exposed, I would have to count the money you got for selling me!”

Bo Guancheng finally understood the reason for Lin Na’s abnormal agitation, and sneered coldly. “Aren’t you just a thing for sale to others?”

“When you heard about the two million yuan at that time, you couldn’t move. What does it matter to you if a video was recorded or not? So what if I lied to you? Why the hell can’t you even handle a blind man?”

Lin Na trembled all over, but held back firmly.

In the next second, the sound of high heels stepping on the floor sounded.

Sister Qiu, the owner of the clubhouse, entered. She saw Lin Na being restrained by Chen Biao, and seeing Bo Guancheng’s cold face, there was a natural shift in her heart. “Mr. Cheng calm down.”

“Lin Na has already told me what happened. Bo Yueming took the medicine that day, but his assistant and driver made an unexpected detour at the last moment and took him away!”

“They suspected that Lin Na had drugged Bo Yueming, so they forcibly bound her hands and feet. Thanks to Lin Na’s cleverness, she found an opportunity to escape.”

Bo Guancheng’s eyes flickered when he heard this explanation. He had just found out yesterday—

Bo Yueming was taken back to the independent villa at Bo Manor by the driver Lao Fu, and didn’t come out for an entire day.

“Mr. Cheng, even if Bo Yueming has suspicions, there is no physical evidence, so how can he prove it was you?”

Sister Qiu “kindly” explained on Lin Na’s behalf while seating Bo Guancheng  on the sofa.

In fact, what she really valued was guests like him who paid a lot of money. As for Lin Na…..if she knew she was so useless, she wouldn’t have used her in the first place!

Now that the “business” had failed, her intermediary fee would be gone.

Sister Qiu picked up Bo Guancheng’s glasses, as well as a bottle of ice whiskey that was always kept in the box. “Come, Mr. Cheng, drink a glass to calm down. This time the ‘business’ failed, but that doesn’t mean there will be no ‘business’ to do next time.”

Lin Na’s eyes flickered slightly, and she pretended to struggle a few times to escape from Chen Biao’s grip.

Bo Guancheng was still willing to pay Sister Qiu some face. Plus, the back of his neck was splashed, and his blood was surging. He drank the whiskey without a second thought.

“Chen Biao, let her go, don’t keep that eyesore in front of me.”

A woman with a temperament like Lin Na didn’t have any brains at first glance, and didn’t pose a threat to him.

Although the matter had been exposed, fortunately, there was no evidence from beginning to end. Even if Bo Yueming could find some clues, so what?

They were cousins of opposite branches, putting on a show on the surface.

At this thought, Bo Guancheng poured himself another glass of alcohol. “For Sister Qiu’s sake, that deposit will be your hush money. Scram.”

Sister Qiu also said, “Lin Na, you leave first.”

. . . . . .

Three minutes later.

Lin Na took advantage of the night to hide in a readily available taxi, and made a call on the driver’s cell phone.

A familiar voice came from the other end of the line.

Lin Na took a deep breath. “I’ve done as you said!”

After she “escaped,” she sought refuge with Sister Qiu, and in order not to involve herself in misfortune, the latter disclosed Lin Na’s location to Bo Guancheng as soon as possible.

Lin Na took advantage of the “surveillance camera” to get angry at Bo Guancheng, and after she hit him, Sister Qiu rushed over and naturally poured a glass of alcohol to calm things down.

Of course, there were drugs in the liquor.

“I understand, we won’t hold the past against you, but there’s no guarantee that Bo Guancheng won’t. Our people have already withdrawn. Good luck to you.”

The call was hung up neatly.

Pei Yi set the phone aside and took another bite of dessert, looking at Bo Yueming beside him. “It was Lin Na’s number.”

“En, I know. Lin Zhong’s people are still watching the situation in the clubhouse.” Bo Yueming looked at Pei Yi’s milkshake, which was mostly empty. “It’s already this late in the season, so eat fewer cold things at night.”

Pei Yi pretended not to hear, and quickly took a few more mouthfuls.

Bo Yueming was helpless. “Pei Yi? Did you hear me?”

Pei Yi gave a perfunctory nod, and muttered in a low voice, “You agreed to leave me alone.”

By the time the milkshake was completely emptied, the people sent by Bo Yueming also sent more definite information.

“Damn!” 

Whe Pei Yi saw this, he excitedly picked up his cell phone and sent an incomparably righteous and upright phone call. “Hey, hello, I would like to anonymously report someone who is engaged in illegal prostitution at Cloudtop Clubhouse 8212.”

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Chapter Fifty-Three <<Table of Contents >> Chapter Fifty-Five

Liang Shu asked: “Everyone in the city fears the female ghost and dare not go out, but you still come to this gloomy house to look for her?”

“You fellows can earn this reward for catching the ghost, but I can’t?” Liu Meng curled his lip. “As I said just now, everyone can use their own abilities. But I’ve been guarding here for three days and haven’t achieved anything, so don’t waste your time.” After speaking, he limped over to the door to leave. When he turned around and saw that the two people behind him had not moved, he warned again, “Hey, this is a forbidden area in the city. The government strictly prohibits anyone from entering or leaving. Are you really not going, ah? Don’t leave casually, and don’t implicate me if the officials find out.”

Liu Xian’an nodded: “All right, don’t worry, we won’t turn you in.”

Liu Meng gave a hiss and muttered to himself, why are these two people so indifferent, but there was nothing he could do, so he just slipped away in a hurry.

Liu Xian’an said: “It turns out there is a reward for catching the ghost. Is the reward from the government?”

“Even if the government wanted to offer this kind of reward among the people to catch the ghost, it would be done through the large households in the city.” Liang Shu said, “Otherwise, there are soldiers with swords, but they are still strung along by a ghost. If they had to ask the common people for help in the end, it would be truly shameful if word spread.”

Liu Xian’an pondered for a while, and felt that his words made sense. He said: “The one offering the reward should be that “Yu-daren” that Liu Meng mentioned just now.” After speaking, he took two more steps into the room. There was thick dust everywhere, swirling under the moonlight. It seemed that nobody had come here for a long time. The tables, chairs, and benches all exuded a damp musty smell, scattered in all directions. It should have been ransacked by thieves many times after the owner of the house left.

The two were talking when a gust of wind suddenly came from behind, and there was a strange creaking sound—

Liang Shu grasped Liu Xian’an’s hand and turned around to look. The wind had blown the wardrobe door open, and it hung there, creaking and dangling.

It was a false alarm, but Second Young Master Liu’s heartbeat didn’t calm down for a long time. He also didn’t know if he was startled by a ghost, or because His Royal Highness Xiao Wang’s palm was really warm, warm and dry. It was also very strong, and on this sort of haunted night where the wind was whistling, it turned out that it could warm his heart.

Liang Shu asked: “You’re scared silly?”

Li Xian’an returned to his senses: “……What is the prince talking about?”

Liang Shu teased: “I’m talking about the forty-eight thousand year-old immortal who is also afraid of ghosts.”

Liu Xian’an said: “I was thinking about other things.” But it was difficult to go into detail. He was thinking about other people’s hands, so he quickly changed the topic. “The wardrobe is so rotten.”

“The door seems to have been broken for a long time,” Liang Shu said, “but the inside is very new.”

The new part didn’t seem to have been exposed to the wind and sun, but judging by its placement, it faced the sun from the window. Liu Xian’an heard what he meant: “Therefore, the things that were in the wardrobe were taken away recently, so the clapboard looks like new.”

But what would those things be? They should be very cheap, or at least look very cheap, otherwise the place wouldn’t have been ransacked many times and the thing was only taken away recently.

Liang Shu said: “Let’s go and look elsewhere.”

Liu Xian’an made a sound of affirmation, and was led to the back courtyard. The fingers of the two were still intertwined. They were spying, so that was normal.

Thus, the place that should be warm continued to be warm, and the hearts that should beat continued to beat.

– – –

When they returned to the inn, it was already daylight. After Liu Xian’an washed up, he wrapped himself in the quilt. He felt that his entire person was restless, and his mind was in a mess, and he didn’t have time to sort out everything that had happened today. He fell asleep, and the Three Thousand Worlds were also chaotic, so he went straight through groups of sages who were arguing about the Dao, walking all the way to the hot spring. Liang Shu happily opened his arms, and without a word of nonsense, he took this person close.

The world was quiet.

It was so quiet that until he was shaken awake by A-Ning at noon, he still felt that he was in pure white nothingness. A-Ning forcibly grabbed his young master’s arms and pulled him into a sitting position, then quickly stuffed a cushion behind him: “Get up!”

Liu Xian’an reluctantly half-opened his eyes: “Wu.”

While changing his clothes, A-Ning asked: “What did you dream about last night? You were smiling the whole time.”

Liu Xian’an thought about it for a while, and replied: “I dreamed about His Royal Highness Xiao Wang. We bathed together.”

A-Ning clapped his hands. Before, he dreamed that His Royal Highness Xiao Wang was bathing alone, but now it turned into a shared bath?

Liu Xian’an felt that it was fine. Everyone had to bathe. It was not rude to take a bath.

A-Ning said: “Young Master, stop smiling.”

Liu Xian’an pushed back the quilt and sat up on the bed, continuing to ask: “Are there many hot springs on our Yaoshan Mountain?”

“Yes, but they are used to cultivate medicine, the Village Master and Eldest Young Master don’t allow anyone to soak in them.” A-Ning said, “Young Master, it is better not to think about Yaoshan, so as not to be punished again.”

Liu Xian’an put forth a hypothesis – what if His Royal Highness Xiao Wang really wanted to go.

“What has His Royal Highness Xiao Wang not seen in the world? There are hot springs in Wancheng, and also in the Northwest. They are all so big that the edges cannot be seen, how could he want to soak in our small Yaoshan hot springs?” Unmoved, A-Ning covered his face with a hot towel. “Close your eyes!”

Liu Xian’an was wiped so hard that he couldn’t speak. He continued to refute, but A-Ning wouldn’t listen, and when the towel was wrung out again, Liang Shu knocked on the door: “Are you up yet?”

“Coming.” A-Ning shook the water droplets from his hands, and was about to open the door when Liu Xian’an blew past him like the breeze. The boy was dumbfounded, staring at how his young master had gone out in such a mess. He went out to see guests without shoes on, ah, how impolite! He had never run so fast before.

The door opened, and Liang Shu also noticed his bare feet. Stepping on the green bamboo floor, the red string on that snow-white ankle tied a certain person’s soul, but Second Young Master Liu didn’t have the awareness of the souls of others. He asked: “Are we going to Aunt Mou’s house?”

“Get dressed first, then I’ll take you to eat,” Liang Shu said. “It’s cold in winter, don’t run around barefoot in the future.”

Liu Xian’an argued: “It’s not cold.”

“You must wear shoes even if it’s not cold.” Liang Shu pulled him back to sit on the bedside. “I’ll wait for you downstairs.”

The two of them spoke a total of less than ten sentences, and all of them were very serious, from eating, to dressing, to investigating the case, but for some reason, A-Ning felt that something wasn’t right. He thought hard for a long time, and finally asked tactfully: “Young Master, do you feel that the prince treats you differently than he treats Lieutenant General Gao?”

Liu Xian’an got dressed by himself: “What’s the difference?”

“It’s just…….” A-Ning struggled. “Aiya, I can’t say it well. Anyway, it’s different. For example, if Lieutenant General Gao was disheveled, the prince couldn’t be bothered to take care of it. Although it is also because of military discipline, Young Master…….The prince seems to care a lot about the Young Master, and even speaks in a much softer voice.”

Liu Xian’an thought, then is this not very good?

After putting on his shoes and socks and tidying himself up, he went downstairs to have lunch. All kinds of delicacies had been placed on the table, and a hot pot was simmering on the stove, steaming hot.

“Lieutenant General Gao isn’t here?”

“He went to look around the city first.”

Liang Shu helped Liu Xian’an set up the bowls and chopsticks, and boiled the mushrooms one by one for him, letting the rice noodles cool down before bringing them over. The guards next to him looked dumbfounded, wondering if their prince had been bewitched by evil spirits. For example, he could be possessed by an old woman who died unjustly, otherwise how could he be so benevolent in serving someone?

The more they looked, the more this seemed to be the case. Their necks almost stretched into the pot, and they were finally all sent out by His Royal Highness Xiao Wang. Don’t stay here to be an eyesore.

The streets were quieter than in previous days.

This was also normal. Because the ghost appeared last night, normal people would not want to go out. Only a group of aunts gathered in Mou Cuihua’s courtyard, basking in the sun. They were saying some words to comfort her, when suddenly someone pushed open the courtyard door.

“Auntie.” A-Ning hugged the medicine box. “How are you doing today?”

“It’s the little doctor, ah.” Mu Cuihua stood up from her chair, but saw the two people behind A-Ning.

“This…….”

“These are my family’s two young masters, who are also doctors,” A-Ning introduced crisply. “Come over here and have a look.”

But this statement did not seem to be credible. It was fine to say that Liu Xian’an was a doctor, but no matter how you looked at it, His Royal Highness Xiao Wang did not look like a doctor, so Mou Cuihua repeatedly waved her hands and said: “I’m fine, I’m already fine, you had best go quickly.”

“What’s the rush?” Liang Shu dragged a chair from the side and placed it in the middle of the courtyard. The aunts around stood up and immediately said they had things to do, leaving one after another.

The love between old sisters was so thin.

Mou Chihua said: “I’m really healed.”

Liang Shu raised his eyebrows and reminded: “It’s fine now, but what if the ghost comes again tonight?”

Mou Chihua almost cried: “She……she has no reason to keep pestering me, ba. There are fifty people in this city who have quarreled with her father or scolded her, and I haven’t done anything excessive.”

“Who can say for sure about ghosts,” Liang Shu said. “Rather than expecting the ghost to find someone else, it is better to think of a way to catch her so that this ghost doesn’t get tired of wandering around the city in the future and run to your son again.”

Mou Cuihua’s face paled: “She, she, she has always looked own on our Suan Zi, why would she run to him now?”

Liu Xian’an answered solemnly: “To absorb yang energy.” It was written like this in the folktales.

No mother could bear to hear this, and Mou Cuihua was struck by lightning on the spot. Seeing that she was about to faint again, A-Ning promptly passed the smelling salts over. Liu Xian’an also moved a chair over and sat next to Liang Shu, continuing: “There are a hundred people who have offended her in this city, but why did she choose to seek you out instead of the remaining ninety-nine?”

“I don’t know why,” Mou Cuihua said. “I really don’t know.”

She racked her brain for a long time, but couldn’t recall any useful clues. What did she do back then? At most, after hearing about Wan Yuan’s affair with the hunter, she would utter a few harsh curses, and after Wan Yuan went to prison, she gloated and ate sunflower seeds on the street all morning.

“But in the afternoon, after the girl’s suicide was reported, I never mentioned it again, not a single word,” Mou Cuihua said. “Her father went crazy on the street, and it was our shopkeeper who went to help him into the house. Even if I have a cheap mouth, I wouldn’t compete for seniority in this sort of matter.”

“What about your son, did he offend her?”

“My son is even less likely. He is an honest man, and wouldn’t let out a silent fart if beaten with three sticks. When the girl died, Suan Zi was still learning from a carpenter outside, and didn’t see her face to face. If I lie about this matter, may I be struck by thunder and lightning, my heart become dirty, and when I go out, I will fall into a pit.”

Mou Cuihua raised her hand high and eloquently swore a poisonous oath, and also brought her son to swear together, which really showed that she bore no guilt. A-Ning had never heard such a variety of folk oaths, up to the ancestors and down to the underworld. It hurt the ears and eyes, so he quickly dragged her into the house for acupuncture.

Liang Shu asked, “What do you think?”

Neither of them believed that a female ghost had crawled out of the grave. Now that it was determined that the female ghost was someone playing pretend, Liu Xian’an proceeded to say: “Could it be that Mou Cuihua offended the person who is pretending to be a ghost?”

Liang Shu sent his guards to investigate outside. Although there were not many idlers on the streets today, by relying on the few words from shop owners, they could also draw some conclusions – In Huaizhen City, the people Aunt Mou had offended were not few. There were so many that not to mention two hands, if you had twenty hands, they still could probably not be counted.

She was the number one mean-spirited person in town.

Liu Xian’an was impressed: “So quarrelsome. I fear this clue is useless, let’s go find that Liu Meng.”

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Chapter Fifty-Four << Table of Contents >> Chapter Fifty-Six