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

In a sense, this should be considered teaching by example.

Not to mention after returning to the inn, Xu Shi's conversation made her feel as if those people were puppets on strings, manipulated however he pleased...

I always felt that my master was not only extraordinary in appearance, but even though I could sense some of his thoughts, he was still not very insightful in front of me.

This feeling is strange, but the way the master did it... was really cool.

"Right? I think so too!"

Pan Feng remained noncommittal, but unlike her sister, she didn't think as much and spoke more directly, "Anyway, I feel great about teaching the Imperials a lesson, and that's enough."

"Dad is really amazing!"

Xia Ke'an swallowed the snack in her mouth, patted her little chest proudly, and said, "So it's a good thing to become his apprentice, right? This is something your brother Luo Yu can't do."

It may seem like innocent childish talk, but it's actually pure provocation... This older woman just likes to act young, but she's just as wicked as anyone else.

But what she said was true; Luo Yu really couldn't do it. Even the pressure from the royal family and the papacy on Silver Pine Island was too much for him to handle, and everyone knew that.

"Well……"

Once these words were spoken, even the carefree Pan Feng didn't know how to respond.

So she changed the subject, "Speaking of which, what have Master and Master-Master been doing since they sent us out? I have no idea... Xiaoling, do you know?"

"Well... I don't know either."

Pan Ling said she didn't know and shook her head awkwardly.

Rather than saying she's smart, it's more accurate to say she understands more than her sister in certain aspects. When she was reading minds just now, she sensed a pinkish hue, so she must have realized something.

This was a topic that made her blush and her heart race, and she didn't want to say it aloud; saying it too much would only make her overthink things...

"And what about you, Junior Sister?"

Pan Feng didn't suspect her and turned to look at Xia Ke'an.

"I do not know."

The old lady secretly rolled her eyes and took a big bite of the peach in her hand. "Xiao Ke'an doesn't know anything."

I drew Jiang Chengcheng's character card, I'll put it in the bonus chapter later.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 222 So now we have new friends again?

Xu Shi is a very methodical person.

For example, even if he said he was going to visit Cheng Gujian, he would have to wait until he had eaten and drunk his fill and gone to the daily necessities wholesale market before setting off.

The main reason was that the time for their meeting was just right, and since it was a gathering with gifts to make friends, it was not appropriate to make a big fuss... He had just caused such a scene in the court during the day, and it wouldn't be good if someone saw him having a secret meeting with someone at this time.

Fortunately, Miss Xiaomei had already arranged everything. While he was working, the gifts were quietly transported over via a hidden path that was not easily noticed.

Xu Shi was increasingly impressed by this girl's competence; despite her seemingly rough and burly appearance, she was surprisingly meticulous...

"It's a pity you're not a man, otherwise I would definitely become sworn brothers with you."

After listening to the other party's report, he sighed with feigned regret.

That's exactly what a scoundrel of a man should say.

If you're good-looking, then we might as well have some deeper conversations; if not, then the topic will veer off to swearing brotherhood...

"It is my honor to be able to be brothers with my benefactor."

Xiao Mei was momentarily confused, but upon hearing this, she simply laughed heartily and said, "You take your time packing, I'll go arrange the carriage."

No, being brothers with me won't end well... Xu Shi chuckled self-deprecatingly, went back to his room, and tickled Xia Wuyou, who was still immersed in the afterglow of the moment. "Get up, my wife? Come with your husband?"

"Hmm, let me lie down a little longer..."

Xia Xiaomao grumbled a complaint and reluctantly sat up.

Why is it always like this? He's still so weak and he's already ordering people around... It was the same when he tested Shen Qin before. Bad men are really pure capitalists.

But she also knew that she was Xu Shi's only capable bodyguard at the moment, so her complaints were just words; her body still had to be honest and get moving.

"Chengcheng, stay here and watch the house. If those three naughty kids come back late, you can deal with them for me."

"Know it."

Jiang Chengcheng hugged the quilt and took two deep breaths, her face flushed as she replied, "I also need to discuss the configuration of the conductor with Miss Xiaomei. Rest assured, my husband."

Only after Xu Shi had left with Xia Wuyou did she slowly get up.

Playing with Xia Wuyou is fun, but it's been a long time since I've had Xu Shi all to myself... I still need to find an opportunity to discuss it with her when she comes back, and maybe we can each have a day next time?

After washing up and getting dressed, she ran into Xie Qingyan in the hallway as soon as she stepped out.

"Oh? Xu Shi didn't take you with him?"

The shrewish woman glanced at her with interest, her tone sarcastic and laced with sarcasm, "Looks like you're unwanted too."

It's not that she was being sarcastic; the main problem was that the soundproofing in this inn was terrible! The dilapidated wooden house couldn't block out any noise at all, and these people were having so much fun that they didn't know how to control themselves!

She may lack experience, but that doesn't mean she doesn't have the desire for it. Who wouldn't be in a good mood if they couldn't listen even if they wanted to?

Almost got it!

"Everyone knows in their heart who is unwanted."

Jiang Chengcheng wasn't going to let her get away with it. She sneered and retorted, "You can fool me, but don't fool yourself too."

She had never actually liked Xu Shi, her so-called fiancée, not out of a sense of crisis or anything, but simply because she knew that the other party had tried to harm Xu Shi on several occasions in the past.

To be fair, few can match Jiang Chengcheng's loyalty to Xu Shi. Just for that reason alone, she can't stand Xie Qingyan. Their previous collaborations were only unavoidable academic ones. In essence, she still viewed things with prejudice, always feeling that this guy was hiding some bad intentions.

I didn't expect you to dare to jump the gun first? Giving you a couple of sharp words is the least I can do!

"you!"

Xie Qingyan, ever the quick-tempered cat, lost control upon hearing this. "You little...you little frog, don't be so insolent! Xu Shi and I are childhood sweethearts, aren't we better than you, a half-baked offspring?!"

"Is that so? Then I just think you've gotten even worse."

This kind of harmless banter had absolutely no effect on Jiang Chengcheng. The cute insults even made her want to laugh. "Aren't Ah Lin and Chairman Xu childhood sweethearts? Why doesn't Chairman Xu seem to be wary of her?"

puff-

That's the sound of a sword piercing the heart.

The woman felt like she was about to spit out blood, but she still forced herself to retort, "What does it matter to me whether he's on guard or not? Can't I live without him?"

"Well, you have a point."

Jiang Chengcheng shrugged, "If that's the case, then why are you in such a hurry?"

boom--

Victory!

After a series of punches, Xie Qingyan couldn't even control himself and took two steps back.

Damn it, you can't refute that at all!

Honestly, who is she anyway? For years, no one has dared to confront her so directly and leave her speechless... Xu Shi was one, and Jiang Chengcheng is the second.

These words, coming from Jiang Chengcheng's mouth, were even more hurtful than coming from that scoundrel Xu Shi's mouth, after all, their statuses were different.

Tsk, what a sharp-tongued little girl!

Xie Qingyan was so angry she almost ground her teeth to powder, but as she got angrier, the sense of defeat in her heart gradually overwhelmed her anger.

Her expression visibly dimmed, and her complaining muttered with a hint of grievance, "I... I've already gotten back together with him, and I've already apologized... What more do you want from me..."

That's true. Ever since the "Twins" were released, she hasn't secretly tripped up Xu Shi anymore. At most, she'd make a few sarcastic remarks, right? And on every other matter, wasn't she on his side?

During the time when Xu Shi received his superpower transplant, she genuinely took good care of him... This time at sea, she felt even more humble than before. Nominally, the two of them were co-leaders, but what didn't Xu Shi have the final say on? The things she did were no different from those of Jiang Chengcheng and the others, making her seem like his subordinate.

Do you think this approach worked? It seems so. The atmosphere when they were alone that day was wonderful. She had never felt so relaxed and happy with that jerk before, and he didn't object to her kissing him...

But that only applies when they're alone; otherwise, there's basically no change—which is clearly not the effect she wants. After all, she can't spend her whole life alone with Xu Shi. Let alone whether Xu Shi is willing or not, she herself might not be willing either.

This feeling of being an outsider was awful. People's joys and sorrows are not shared, and all that was left for her was noise... If she hadn't had such a strong mental fortitude, she probably would have burst into tears.

"What's the point of telling me all this?"

Jiang Chengcheng saw this, but only sighed softly, "I'm sorry, I can't answer your question."

"...Well, you're right."

Xie Qingyan, unusually, did not refute her, but smiled helplessly and self-deprecatingly, "I don't even know the answer to this question myself."

Watching her forlorn figure as she walked away, Jiang Chengcheng tilted her head.

Sorry, but bad women can't empathize with each other; those who are favored often take it for granted.

Unless they're best friends, which unfortunately they aren't. (doge)

But that doesn't matter, I had my fun anyway.

Xu Shi... he probably wouldn't object to me doing this, right?

whee.

……

Xu Shi replied, "Sorry, I don't have time."

"Isn't he busy making new friends?" the carriage said, winding through alleyways before finally stopping in front of a courtyard.

"This is the residence of the Ancient Sword Duke."

The driver, also from Silver Pine Island, parked the car and said, "I'll wait for you in the back alley next door."

"It doesn't look very luxurious."

Xia Wuyou looked around and muttered something to herself with great curiosity.

"Maybe they just don't flaunt their wealth."

Xu Shi pinched her cheek, and the two entered the courtyard hand in hand.