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

Xiao Ling responded blankly, and before she could say anything more, Xu Shi had already walked away.

Watching the uncle's retreating figure, she gripped the medicine bottle tightly, momentarily lost in thought.

It's really strange... He was lying when he said he didn't care, but then he put on a stern face and scared himself, which was also a lie.

He said he was a bad person? But he was actually quite honest about being bad, you could even call it being upright... Even though his heart was a complete darkness, she somehow felt good talking to him and would even earnestly try to comfort him...

Sigh, human nature is indeed so complicated.

She picked up the spray and sprayed it on her face, feeling the cool sensation, but Pan Ling still felt her mind was a bit of a mess.

It seems I need to talk to my uncle more.

What she didn't realize was that Xu Shi's therapy wasn't entirely without ulterior motives.

He genuinely offered some comfort to Xiaoling, but there was another layer of meaning in his words—your brother Luo Yu is also a human being, so there's no need to mythologize him, right?

If the little sister can maintain this mindset, her longing and expectations for Luo Yu will gradually diminish without her even realizing it.

Hey, isn't this also a kind of ___?

……

Whether this is true or not is still up for debate, but it's definitely time for Xu Shi to leave Silver Pine Island.

"Brother Xu, I've arranged everything for you."

The next morning, Pan Cheng found him and handed him several documents.

"I have to stay on the island and can't go with you. Here are some documents that you might need. Take them whether you need them or not."

Brother Pan explained, "However, I asked Xiaomei to come with you. You're unfamiliar with this place, so I'll have her be your guide. She has a few friends in the palace, so it should be more convenient for you."

"Also, this is our communication stone. Your base station hasn't been repaired yet. We'll use this to contact you if needed."

"Then thank you very much, Brother Pan."

Xu Shi hadn't expected him to be so thorough in his arrangements, and judging from his demeanor, Little Ling certainly hadn't complained.

"Of course."

Pan Cheng laughed heartily, "After all, I am an island owner, so I will definitely help you if I can."

"Row."

Xu Shi didn't stand on ceremony. "We'll have to take your boat. We'll need Brother Pan to take good care of our boat. Xingchuan and Shanshan will stay behind to look after things. Please keep in touch if anything happens."

"no problem."

Pan Cheng readily agreed, but then suddenly tugged at him mysteriously, "Um, Brother Xu, there's something else I need to tell you... This isn't the right place, let's go to my house."

"Oh?"

Xu Shi didn't react for a moment and followed him to his house.

Upon entering, I saw that the Pan sisters, Pan Feng and Pan Ling, had been dressed up nicely, and the two sisters-in-law looked very serious.

"This is?"

"That's right, I'd like to send my two daughters with you."

Pan Cheng said solemnly.

"...Of course that's not a problem, why make such a big fuss?"

Xu Shi couldn't help but chuckle.

No, you didn't understand what I meant.

Pan Cheng shook his head. "What I mean is, not only now, but if you want to return to your city-state in the future, could you let them go back with you?"

"...Why would you have such a thought?"

Xu Shi blinked, instantly understanding his subtext, but still asked, "If it's about broadening one's horizons, Brother Luo Yu would be a good option, wouldn't you?"

"I won't lie to you, Brother Xu."

Pan Cheng sighed, "My original idea was the same as yours: in another year or two, we would have them go to find Luo Yu, and if things went well, they could settle down in the Empire."

"But I can also see that your city-state has many remarkable features. Putting aside everything else, your weapons alone have surprised and even frightened me."

"So I was thinking, should we send someone to learn from you? Even just to learn something about your place would be helpful. Compared to going to the imperial capital, this seems like a better option?"

"I'm too old to leave, and I don't trust anyone else to go... These two naughty kids are giving me trouble at home anyway, so why don't we let them go?"

“I’ve asked them, and they’re all quite willing… Of course, the decision is yours, which is why I’m asking you.”

Xu Shi was deeply shocked.

Is Pan Cheng being farsighted? Unwittingly, he was the first to bring up the concept of "studying abroad," a concept that shouldn't even exist in this world.

He had considered these things himself, but his original idea was to discuss them slowly after meeting with the royal family and the papacy of the Hualan Empire. He did not expect that Pan Cheng would gain the upper hand.

That's impressive, Brother Pan.

"Then let me ask one more question: Brother Pan, when you made this decision, were you representing the Hualan Empire or your Silver Pine Island?"

He asked with a smile.

"Of course I represent our Silverpine Island. I'm just a minor island lord, how could I possibly represent the empire?"

Pan Cheng smiled as well, "Or to put it more simply... it's just for the Pan family."

These words carried a hint of sarcasm, clearly indicating that he also harbored his own dissatisfaction with the Hualan Empire.

From this perspective, sending his two daughters to study under Xu Shi was not only farsighted, but perhaps also showed a certain ambition.

"Since that's the case, of course I can't refuse. We're friends, after all."

Xu Shi's smile widened. He liked the other party's straightforwardness. "Let me make you another promise. No matter what happens between me and the Empire, Silver Pine Island and our Night Sin City can maintain this relationship. Once the shipping route is stable, Brother Pan can also send others to our place for exchanges."

The truth is, he couldn't be happier that Pan Cheng had such thoughts, because he had already used this place as a forward base for his overseas expansion, and giving the other party such convenience would definitely be a win-win situation.

"However, I must warn you that following us may not be an easy thing; you might suffer a lot."

"I'm not afraid!"

Pan Feng was the first to speak up, and even patted his taciturn sister next to him, "Xiao Ling won't be afraid either, right?"

"Uh-huh!"

Xiaoling nodded vigorously.

"That's good."

Xu Shi was very satisfied with their attitude. "Then I only have one condition."

"What do you say, Brother Xu?"

“I would like to call this relationship ‘studying abroad’, and since it’s about studying, it needs to be called that.”

Xu Shi smiled and called out, "Wuyou! Xia Wuyou!"

"Here I am, here I am, what are you shouting for... what's wrong?"

Xia Xiaomao was packing her things when he called her over, and she was completely confused.

"Here, I've found you an apprentice."

Xu Shi pointed at Pan Feng, "From today onwards, the two of them will be master and disciple. What do you think, Brother Pan?"

"It could not be better."

Pan Cheng had no objection to this.

"Then... Master, please accept this disciple's bow!"

Pan Feng had no objections. In fact, over the past few days, she had already regarded Xia Wuyou as her master. What Xia Wuyou taught her was much more useful than the guidance that Luo Yu had given her in his spare time.

"Ah, there's no need to kneel down so formally..."

Xia Wuyou was still a little unaccustomed to it, so she quickly helped her up. "You can just call me sister, I don't really care about that."

Actually, what she really wanted to complain about was that she had yet another nickname for herself...

"Yes, Master! Yes, Master!"

Pan Feng responded happily.

"And Miss Xiaoling..."

"Master..."

He didn't even need to say it; Pan Ling had already followed her sister's example and bowed to Xu Shi.

If she were to choose a mentor, it would naturally be Xu Shi; she had already learned a great deal from him last night.

Although she was a little afraid of Xu Shi, she didn't dislike him overall.

"Great, this makes us even closer relatives!"

Seeing this, Pan Cheng laughed heartily and dragged over a box as he spoke, "Here, since that's the case, shall this be Brother Xu's tuition fee?"

Upon opening it, it was found to be completely filled with gold and silver coins.

The people on Silverpine Island don't use currency; they're more accustomed to bartering. But it's different in the Imperial capital; gold, silver, and copper coins are the mainstream form of trade.

As the island's owner, he would naturally have some reserves.

"Brother Pan, what are you doing?"

Xu Shi waved his hand, "We're brothers and friends, this wouldn't be fun."

Goodness, not only did you pioneer the idea of ​​studying abroad, but you've also already planned to give gifts to your teachers, haven't you?

“This is different; each matter is a separate issue.”

Pan Cheng's attitude was firm: "You'll be taking care of these two brats a lot in the future... Even brothers should keep clear accounts, right?"

"……Alright alright."

Seeing this, Xu Shi could only reluctantly accept it, without telling him that he actually didn't need it...

"Oh, at least I've finally put one of my worries to rest."

Pan Cheng breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, it's getting late. Shall I see you onto the ship?"

"You should come back to visit your parents more often in the future."