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

Xu Shi did not deny it, saying, "It's better to cultivate her mindset now than to not know what to do when she actually encounters such a situation later."

"Right."

Xia Ke'an remained noncommittal. "So you really intend to properly mentor her?"

The answer to this question is obvious. Everyone knows how terrifying the ability to read minds is, especially older women who feel this deeply. Regardless of whether Wen Rujin, whom she knows, is real or fake, she was once her best friend.

Back then, she knew that in social situations, mind reading was more effective than her prophecies. It was only because Ah Jin disliked these intrigues that she could manipulate everyone in Night City.

"of course."

Xu Shi nodded seriously; the little girl did indeed have great potential.

Unlike her sister, she doesn't enjoy fighting, and this ability dictates that she will definitely develop in her own direction.

Even her innate conditions were better than his own—Xiao Xu had to admit this. His understanding of people's hearts was more focused on the analysis of words and expressions, while Pan Ling genuinely knew what others were thinking.

Knowing your inner weaknesses and then attacking them directly makes it much easier to control or destroy someone, and you're less likely to make mistakes.

Xu Shi didn't think there was anything wrong with relying on this ability. If there was a shortcut, there was no need to go through the trouble of going in circles. Wouldn't that be better?

He even had some regrets. He should have waited and transplanted her ability over, so he could have directly become the Fallen King, which would have been much better than being stuck in this limbo.

Unfortunately, there's no going back in life, so I can only settle for second best and train my apprentice. Having him as an external superpower wouldn't be bad either.

"No wonder you treat her so well."

The white-haired girl snuggled against him and remarked, "Your motives aren't pure."

"How can you talk to your father like that?"

Xu Shi frowned. "Am I not really teaching her properly? Is she itchy again?"

Xia Ke'an shook her head, but didn't say no.

She knew very well that although the little boy seemed playful and frivolous, he was actually more serious about what he wanted to do than anyone else. She could tell from his attitude towards Pan Ling that he was very serious about this matter.

But hey, it's fun to be a little mischievous, isn't it?

"You know, I don't have many friends, and I'm too lazy to make friends with people."

Xu Shi leaned back in his recliner and sighed, "But since they are friends and have entrusted their child to me, I can't just do it half-heartedly."

"Yes, Daddy is great."

The old lady squinted her eyes, but couldn't help but sigh. In the end, you're no good either. No matter how hard you try to teach her, who knows what kind of person Pan Ling will become?

Maybe he'll be another copy of Xu Shi?

"Alright, alright, then I'll ask you a question."

Xia Ke'an clicked her tongue twice inwardly. One was already quite something; if another came, the world would probably descend into chaos, wouldn't it? No, it already was…

She didn't want to think about it any further, so she changed the subject, "What was your own answer to the question you gave your apprentice just now?"

"I?"

Xu Shi paused for a moment, then smiled. "My answer is, it depends on my mood."

"Since people are bound to die anyway, if I'm in a good mood, one death is better than five. The blame can only be placed on the people who tied them to the tracks, not on me."

"What if you're in a bad mood?"

"I'll find a way to put the six of them together and then kill them all at once."

This is what chaotic and evil people who enjoy themselves look like (doge)

Furthermore, Chairman Xu stated that such a warm and cozy daily life is not the kind of life he should be living.

It's time to stir things up.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 219 Did you come here secretly?!

The journey from Silverpine Island to the Imperial capital is not far, but since everyone is traveling on a wooden boat from Silverpine Island, it will naturally take longer, about two days to arrive.

Even two days was hard to endure. It was Xu Shi's first time riding in this wooden boat, and he quickly discovered that it was far inferior to his own ship in terms of both comfort and stability. Even the slightest turbulence from the waves would make him feel nauseous for half a day.

Don't forget that there's also the "rust fog" that's constantly billowing out... Even with their own warships equipped with protective force fields, they wouldn't dare say they could completely withstand it, let alone this wooden boat. Jiang Chengcheng did manage to whip up a simplified version for youth, but since it was made in a rush, it was still not very effective.

Thank goodness I wasn't with Luo Yu and the others, otherwise this feeling of discomfort would probably be doubled.

Under such circumstances, it would be difficult for anyone to endure. Xu Shi had no choice but to take his family into the cabin. Before leaving the deck, he couldn't help but lament, "The sea should be blue."

"No matter what color the sea is, I don't like going on a boat."

Xie Qingyan retorted, her face pale, but she couldn't help but feel a little schadenfreude, "Looks like you're not much better than me. I thought my fiancé was immune to all poisons."

"I've always been healthy."

Xu Shi adjusted her breathing in an annoyed manner, but suddenly realized that seasickness was not an isolated case for Xie Qingyan.

Even Xia Wuyou, who has a better physical condition, dared not say that she was completely unharmed. Only Xia Ke'an and Shen Qin, who have self-healing abilities, did not show any discomfort.

It seems like everyone is equally rotten? It's just that that dog of a woman might have a weaker immune system in this regard, so even her own ships couldn't withstand it.

"Could it be that 'Heavenly Principle' is behind this?"

The older woman noticed his concerns, brought him a glass of water, and pointed out his thoughts.

"Thank you, my sweet daughter."

Xu Shi took the water glass and drank it all in one gulp. He then patted her head and said, "Maybe it really is those bastards who are behind this. Anyway, I think it's very likely."

Just like in "The Truman Show," if we force people to feel awe or even physical discomfort towards the ocean, they will naturally stay in the designated experimental fields and develop obediently, and will no longer have wild thoughts about going out to sea, right?

He had never heard of anyone doing such a thing before him.

In short, this is one possibility, and it also fits the habit of "Tianli" (the righteous cause) to hide behind the scenes and do micromanagement... Even if it's not true, it doesn't matter, since they are heinous criminals anyway, just push the blame onto them, what a perfect dumping ground.

Very well, another reason to overturn "natural law" has been added.

"It doesn't matter what it is."

Jiang Chengcheng took it in stride, saying, "We're out now... and we've seen a lot of new things."

"……you're right."

Xu Shi paused for a moment, then chuckled to herself, feeling that she, who was originally the most introverted and gloomy, had now become the most optimistic person.

"How's your research on silver pine coming along?" he asked casually.

"The progress is going quite smoothly."

Jiang Chengcheng smiled as well, "This material's advantages lie in its naturalness and lightness. After sublimation treatment, it can be further reduced in weight and improved in stability when combined with our composite materials or with high-concentration 'rust mist' ore."

"I have made some samples... and the feedback has been very good, whether it is large equipment such as ships or various weapons."

It's clear that she is actually the one who best embodies the characteristics of evil. The idea of ​​"doing whatever is right or wrong" has been carried out by her from beginning to end. This is also why she is optimistic; she believes in many things.

Her passion for her profession far surpasses that of ordinary people. She has been busy these past few days, and even though she was seasick just now, she still had a heated discussion with Xiaomei.

"Well done, thank you for your hard work."

Xu Shi was quite satisfied with this and nodded in a pretentious manner, "Come to my room tonight for a more detailed academic presentation."

“If my husband wants, we can do it now…”

Jiang Chengcheng chuckled and mischievously pulled down her collar.

What a load of rubbish! If you're lusting after her, just say so... Anyway, she hasn't been around Xu Shi much these past few days, and she's been thinking about this a lot.

"Let's forget about it. The ship is rocking so much, what if Dad's health can't handle it?"

Xia Ke'an snorted, "I should be the one sleeping with Daddy, and you can tell me stories."

"Incorrect."

Xu Shi flicked her forehead. "Our Ke'an is already a big girl. Big girls should learn to sleep on their own... or go find your mom."

"She doesn't care about me at all."

The old lady persisted, "Don't even mention me. Ever since she took on an apprentice, you've stopped caring about your bad dad."

That's true. Xia Wuyou is quite a serious person. He always says he'll teach his apprentices properly, and he's still giving Pan Feng strict guidance right now.

"How many times have I told you, stop shouting and yelling here! Does shouting make you seem powerful? It just gives the enemy a opening! Keep your voice down!"

"Raise your hands! Don't even think about slacking off. Go back tonight and practice drawing your sword a thousand times, a thousand times!"

"Master, I... am!"

"Okay, very spirited!"

The two were still on the deck, their voices carrying a great deal of force.

"I asked her to do it."

Xu Shi was quite pleased with this, saying, "If you keep talking bad about your mother behind her back, I'll beat you up."

"I, I didn't..."

Xia Ke'an instinctively covered her bottom.

"Never mind, the child is still young."

Jiang Chengcheng smiled and said, "I'm happy to take care of her as her aunt. Let her sleep with us."

She hasn't experienced this yet, so she can sneak around with her darling after the child falls asleep... It sounds quite interesting.

"Oh."

Xia Ke'an finally found a backer and quickly scurried behind her to hide. "Aunt Jiang is so kind too."

But what she really wanted to say was, "I just wanted to peek! I can't do *that*, but I can at least enjoy the view! You guys always throw me out... just pretend I don't exist!"

It perfectly suits the curiosity of an innocent child. Perhaps she herself didn't realize that she was more deeply immersed in the role than she imagined.

"So that's what you were thinking?!"

Xu Shi was surprised by Jiang Chengcheng's idea, but after thinking about it for a moment, he also had a wicked thought, "Well... it's not impossible?"

It seems like everyone's happy doing this, right?