In this cyberpunk era, why are you still playing the traditional villain?

After spending almost a month at sea, everyone felt a sense of loss upon setting foot on land again.

Unfortunately, before they could even properly enjoy themselves, the islanders who came towards them surrounded them completely.

"Is this the person who saved the island lord and the others? They look almost the same as us!"

"What do you mean 'almost'? They're practically the same! They don't have an extra nose or any missing eyes!"

"But their clothes are so strange, yet they're actually quite nice..."

"That little girl is so cute!"

"Those girls are so beautiful... I've never seen such beautiful women before..."

"What nonsense are you spouting?! Am I not good-looking?! Don't you want to live with me anymore?!"

"That man wears glasses. I've only ever seen people wear them in the Imperial capital, but they were all old men, none of them as handsome as him..."

The cacophony of voices left everyone a bit bewildered. Were they being treated like monkeys? Although most of the comments were praise, the back-and-forth was creating quite a chaotic mess…

"Alright, alright, what are you doing?!"

In the end, it was Pan Cheng who stopped them, "This is a great benefactor of our Silver Pine Island! If you frighten him again... hurry up and prepare a banquet! Treat him well!"

"it is good!!"

As expected of the island owner, his words carried weight. Upon hearing this, they quickly scattered and went about their business, at most glancing back reluctantly a couple of times.

Xu Shi wanted to laugh a little, feeling that the situation was reversed from when they boarded the ship... This moment was just like that moment back then, how delightful.

However, this was just a minor incident that caused no harm, and no one held a grudge because of it.

"Come, come, Brother Xu, let me introduce you!"

Pan Cheng brought his family, who greeted him warmly. "These are my two wives, Cuifen and Yurong. This is my eldest daughter, Pan Feng, and my youngest daughter, Pan Ling."

Both ladies were stunningly beautiful, with the wheat-colored skin typical of the people of Silverpine Island. The two children looked like they had just come of age, clearly still in the "baby-eaten" age group.

"Brother Pan is a blessed man, and his children are very cute."

Xu Shi greeted them with a smile, and finally understood where their previously tense attitude came from.

So you are one too... That's why he wasn't surprised to see Xu Shi with two "wives," since he was one himself... But you're not only his fiancée but also his female bodyguard, which is a privilege he doesn't enjoy. Don't be fooled by your status as an island lord; Silver Pine Island isn't that big, and he's hardly a local emperor.

"I can't compare to you, Brother Xu."

Pan Cheng laughed heartily, "Hey, why bother with all that? I'll treat you well later! Can you drink? We're drinking until we drop tonight!"

"Okay."

Xu Shi didn't refuse; it wouldn't hurt to relax a bit.

"Then it's settled!"

Pan Cheng clapped his hands. "I'll go visit the families of the injured and deceased first. See you later! If you don't mind, why don't you take a look around the island? Or would you like my wife to accompany you and be your guide?"

"No need, I'll just take a walk."

Xu Shi waved his hand, thinking to himself, "Brother, you really can say such things without any burden..."

However, this also reflects the other party's sincerity. They are genuinely unguarded with you, so there's no need for them to misinterpret your intentions.

For him, who was used to the City of Night Sin, Silver Pine Island was a really nice place.

The main reason was the great atmosphere. After walking around, he found that the area was still largely a traditional agricultural civilization, with most families making a living by farming and animal husbandry, and the overall pace of life was slow.

Of course, nobody would fish. Given the current state of the oceans, no one would be foolish enough to do such a thing, no matter where they are. Shipbuilding on Silverpine Island is mainly for exchanges with the Hualan Empire, and going to sea is a relatively uncommon activity.

Moreover, the people on the island get along very well and enjoy each other's company. While there may not be any barriers between them, they are at least very happy together.

This is a world apart from the bustling, cold-hearted city of Night Sin. In a sense, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a paradise...

He wasn't the only one with this thought; the girls felt the same way—Jiang Chengcheng continued her academic discussion with that young lady, while Xia Wuyou was kept occupied by Pan Cheng's two daughters, perhaps interested in the alloy battle blades she wore? And that older sister, Pan Feng, also seemed to be carrying a sword…

Yu Xingchuan took Shen Qin back to the ship to work on resupply, while Xia Ke'an really found a group of children to play with, showing that she was determined to become the king of the kids as soon as she arrived.

Auntie, you're really something! You've perfectly gotten into character... But this also reflects that everyone's mindset is similar to his; they all really enjoy this kind of unfamiliar atmosphere.

Of course, more importantly.

In conclusion, nobody wants him anymore.

Although it was only temporary, Xiao Xu was still very sad. Wasn't this also a kind of abandonment? How much psychological damage must it have caused to my innocent, pure, and kind self... Waaah.

...Hehe, just pretending.

Are you thinking about me?

He grabbed Xie Qingyan and said, "Let's take a walk together, my dear fiancée?"

"What? You only think of me now that you're all alone?"

Seeing his outstretched hand, the dog of a woman snorted and said sarcastically, "That's right, that's right, you have a wife, and I'm just a fiancée."

But despite that, she still honestly placed her hand on it.

"This is a huge injustice."

Xu Shi would never admit it. He had argued with Pan Cheng quite a bit on the ship, but everyone's attention had shifted to Silver Pine Island after Pan Cheng arrived. However, that only lasted for two or three days. To say that they were neglected was an overstatement.

But she was right about one thing: "If you're not my fiancée, then what are you?"

"I am... I am your fiancée."

Xie Qingyan wanted to refute it, but suddenly realized that there was really nothing wrong with what he said, so he could only reluctantly agree.

"Isn't that okay?"

Xu Shi laughed and took her hand, then they strolled aimlessly together.

"Xu Shi, you said..."

Looking at the scenery alone was not enough for them, and before long Xie Qingyan took the initiative to start a conversation.

But noticing Ye Shanshan following behind, she stopped talking and turned to look at her, "Why are you following us? Don't you have anything to do?"

"I……?"

The curly-haired girl was momentarily speechless. "Isn't it just a common practice for me to follow you around? Besides, I don't really have anything to do..."

"If you have nothing to do, do you see that tree?"

Xu Shi pointed into the distance with a half-smile.

"Hmm, what's wrong?"

"That's a breezy spot, it looks cool there, why don't you go stay there?"

"……Oh."

Having understood the other party's subtext, Ye Shanshan reluctantly agreed. It's really like telling me to go somewhere cool and stay somewhere else. You might as well just tell me to leave... I don't only follow Chairman Xie, I also want to follow you.

But she still obediently gave the two elderly people some private space.

In the past, she would have definitely thought this was a danger sign. If Xu Shi and Xie Qingyan became close, there was no guarantee that the number of people bullying her would double.

But it's alright now. There's nothing we can do. If Chairman Xie can't win over Xu Shi, then she'll never have a legitimate claim to the position... Although this model seems really humble, we're in this awkward position, so it's not bad.

Thinking about it this way, she was quite envious of Yu Xingchuan. Regardless of her motives, at least she was free in this regard, even though she had a parent on her head. But it was obvious that Tang Shuang didn't have much control over her, and she didn't care.

Ugh……

"Alright, now that she's been distracted, what does she want to say?"

Xu Shi didn't care what the curly-haired girl was thinking; he just found her slinking away amusing. "So mysterious, what secret do you have to report?"

"speak nicely."

Xie Qingyan was speechless at his nonchalance. "What secrets are there... I just want to ask, don't you think our relationship has improved a lot compared to before?"

"You already knew the answer when you asked that question, didn't you?"

Xu Shi smiled slightly and became the riddle solver.

Riddler, get out of the City of Night Sin... Oh, he's already gone, then it's alright.

"It seems so?"

Xie Qingyan felt relieved upon hearing this, as she, as one of the parties involved, naturally understood the situation.

"But if you ask me, I always feel like something's not quite right."

"What's not enough?"

"That's what I wanted to ask you."

The slut sighed. "How much is enough for you? Is sleeping in the same bed with you enough?"

I don't think so.

Xu Shi shook his head. "I don't think you'd feel that way either... but if you're asking what constitutes enough, I'm sorry, I don't know either."

This was something the two of them tacitly understood. Their relationship was already awkward, and it wasn't as simple as one night of passion making up for it. Doing so might bring them a moment of pleasure, but it wouldn't help improve their relationship at all.

Xie Qingyan was well aware of this. The scoundrel was indeed lustful, but he was not the type to be blinded by lust. What good would it do to just get his body? That was not a problem between them at all.

It's like hammering a nail. If you did something wrong to him before, even if you no longer have the intention to harm him, at most you can only remove the nail, but the wound is still there.

In fact, it was those little, unprovoked squabbles before, like pinching cheeks or bickering, that were more like signals of trying to repair the relationship.

But that kind of efficiency is probably very low. You can't just play this kind of game with him all day long without doing anything else, can you?

Xie Qingyan was actually quite clueless when it came to relationships, which is why she took the initiative to ask such a question.

Xu Shi didn't give a clear answer because there's no clear answer to this question. Is it really that easy for her to just define a scope and do it herself?

To use a very old and clichéd phrase, the answer is actually in the woman's heart; she needs to find it herself.

But then again, it was unexpected that she would take the initiative to talk to me about this. It felt like she was more human.

That's really true. He used to feel that there was something strange about his fiancée. It was because she was too rational most of the time, which made her seem less down-to-earth. Strong women are often equated with robots.

So he was actually quite surprised. Should he say that their heart-to-heart talk in the office that day really had an effect? ​​Or was she also affected by the atmosphere here?

Essentially, it's because she herself is willing to make some changes in this area; otherwise, no matter how much external influence there is, it will be completely useless.

It also perfectly matches my expectation that she, like a rose, would "pull out the thorns herself," which is wonderful!

"...Coincidentally, I didn't know either."