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

"Hey?"

Hearing Grandpa Wen say that, Xu Shi was displeased, "How can there be a grandfather who sides with outsiders?"

“That’s not surprising. There are also grandsons who disregard their grandfather’s health and drag him thousands of miles away to be used as tools, and then don’t even let him say a word after they’re done.”

Wen Shengkui wasn't going to let him get away with it and retorted sharply, "You agree, right?"

"...How could that be?"

Xu Shi lost his temper and helplessly pursed his lips.

It can only be said that Mr. Wen is probably one of the few people who can outdo him.

Specifically, this manifests as being unable to win in a fight, being unable to listen to reason, and even experiencing bloodline suppression.

Although I hate to admit it, I am truly a subservient person in front of others.

This is outrageous! How could such a thing happen in the world? (gritting his teeth)

"Isn't this the end?"

Grandpa Wen nodded. "It's rare to encounter an SS-level 'Ascensionist.' Keep him as company, Chairman Xu?"

"No, no, no."

Xu Shi couldn't stand her arrogant grandfather's sarcastic remarks, so she quickly agreed, only hoping that he would stop talking.

It seems your personality has changed since I last saw you a year ago.

I feel that the former chairman of "Feather Pen" has lost much of his former demeanor, replaced by an indescribable street smarts...

Ah!

Xu Shi reacted instantly, his gaze fixed on Gu Yi, the little black rabbit observing from the edge.

It must be you, right?

Besides her, there's probably no one else—among the people around him, only Miss Black Rabbit truly came from the slums of Sin City. When he was around, she could still restrain her bad habits to some extent, but once they were separated, she would probably let loose and be herself.

Not to mention Lin Yue, the assassin girl's personality is completely different from hers, okay?

Not to mention that Gu Yi and Wen Shengkui have always had a good relationship, and they were even introduced as master and apprentice by themselves... Thinking about it this way, it seems to make a lot of sense. Before, the little black rabbit could get the old man to play games in less than a few days. Over time, it's hard to tell who will influence whom.

Xu Shi rolled her eyes at her, just you wait.

Gu Yi didn't dare to speak, and guiltily lowered her head to fiddle with her fingers.

Believe me, I genuinely want to learn and improve myself, but games are just too fun...

Besides, it takes two to tango. If the old man isn't interested, how can I get him to cooperate?

Thinking about it this way, she felt justified again, and even puffed out her flat little chest with a bit of pride.

Don't try to shift the blame onto me!

Why are you looking at Xiao Gu?

Old Master Wen was displeased. "To tell you the truth, if she hadn't kept nagging me, I might not even be here today, you know?"

It's rare for Boss Xu to have a place to stay in Bengbu.

It's hard to say whether the old man was persuaded by Gu Yi to come. He's not a fool; he has his own judgment and knows that he wouldn't usually bother the old man to come unless it was absolutely necessary.

Not to mention the blood relation between the two, you wouldn't want to see your only grandson die in a foreign land without your support, would you?

Therefore, such statements are most likely just excuses.

But this attitude is really going too far! I'm clearly your own grandson, okay? How come I have no human rights at all?

I'm practically ranked behind the dog—oh wait, could it be that A-Cheng's status is even higher than mine?

Tired, destroy it.

Xu Shi, now corrupted, looked up at the sky at a 45-degree angle, holding back tears, and thought to himself.

The girls who witnessed all of this were struggling to suppress their laughter. As the saying goes, sometimes being humiliated is the ultimate source of amusement. It's a rare sight, and it's something to remember. Not only can you reminisce about it from time to time, but you'll also have something to tell your children about it in the future.

Oh, kid? (doge)

"Since you put it that way, I have no objection."

Xu Shi ignored them, but suppressed the urge to destroy the world and reminded the stubborn old man, "However, instead of asking me about this, why not ask the person involved?"

The person in question was not Cheng Gujian, but Dongfang Xiao.

At the very least, the Little Empress needs to settle things with Cheng Gujian. To simply spare Cheng Gujian's life is tantamount to leaving him with a mess.

"That's what you said."

Wen Shengkui did not object to this statement, so he maneuvered his wheelchair to stand in front of the other person. "So, little girl, what do you mean?"

While saying this, he didn't forget to wink at his beloved grandson, "You little rascal, don't secretly use your abilities to influence her."

Xu Shi was completely speechless. Did I have to be so shameless?

"I... no, I..."

Dongfang Xiao had calmed down, but was still hesitant and stammered, unsure of what to say.

Just now, when Xu Shi pushed her along, she really wanted to send Cheng Gujian to his death with a single sword strike.

But now that she knows that everything he did was for her, even at the cost of his own life, her thoughts naturally change.

It would be a lie to say she wasn't moved, but he had indeed cast a shadow over her for so many years, and the combination of the two undoubtedly left her feeling very conflicted.

This is similar to the mentality of children from their original families or when they grow up and face strict parents. You may be doing this for my own good, but why can't you use a better way that takes better care of me?

and so.

In the end, she simply dropped the sword, closed her eyes, and shook her head.

"...I understand him, but I don't want to see him again."

The subtext was clear: she ultimately didn't want the other person to die, but that was all.

"You can rest assured about that."

Wen Shengkui expressed his understanding, saying, "Once things are resolved here, I will take him to the City of Night Sin."

Even without Dongfang Xiao saying it, he would have done the same. After all, he wasn't recklessly trying to spare Cheng Gujian's life. At least in the eyes of the people of the Hualan Empire, he was destined to die, otherwise the Little Empress's own position would be affected.

Xu Shi had no objections. This arrangement took everyone into consideration. His control over the Hualan Empire remained stable. With his grandfather watching over him, Cheng Gujian wouldn't be able to cause any trouble.

As for Cheng Gujian himself... oh, he was too exhausted and lost consciousness, so let's assume he agreed as well.

Anyway, when he wakes up, he'll turn into a girl with a full beard... no, when he wakes up, the ship might already be at its dock, what will he be able to do then?

"That's it?"

Wen Shengkui nodded. "You can do the rest. I'm tired and need to rest."

He was unwilling to get involved in Xu Shi's affairs, and that any other matters could be discussed later.

"Grandpa, take care."

Xu Shi arranged for Lin Yue and Ye Shanshan to take him back to his residence, and he didn't forget to drag the tattered Cheng Gujian along as well.

With that, everything finally settled down.

The fact is that once Cheng Gujian died, the rebels simply couldn't hold out any longer. Not to mention their own cyborg troops, many of them had already been dealt with when Old Master Wen came to the rescue.

The sounds of fighting had long since ceased outside the palace.

As the night gradually faded, Xu Shi breathed a long sigh of relief, turned around to look at Dongfang Xiao, and smiled.

"Welcome Your Majesty back to power."

These words also carried a subtext: he would not break his promise, and he had no intention of spending all his energy on the construction and management of this land. From now on, these were things that Dongfang Xiao would need to handle personally.

All he had to do was provide assistance as agreed, and of course, the fact that the little empress was his [unclear] would not change.

"...I also want to thank Mr. Xu."

Even though most of the people here knew the inside story to some extent, Dongfang Xiao still said something polite to save face for himself.

Now she's a legitimate empress with real power, she can't be as carefree or subservient as before!

Xu Shi didn't say anything more. After giving a few simple instructions, he led his men away.

……

"At such a good time, why don't you take this opportunity to do something to that little empress?"

After a busy night, everyone was exhausted. The only one who could still maintain plenty of energy was Xia Ke'an, who had been observing the whole process and whose mental strength was even stronger than Xu Shi's.

"What do you want me to do to her?"

Xu Shi shook his head. To be honest, he had no such thoughts at the moment.

"I want you to do something for me."

The older woman, without any hesitation, tiptoed and kissed him in her loli form, saying, "After all, you've done something earth-shattering, so even if you're unhappy, I'll make you happy."

"I'd be happy to spank you."

Xu Shi joked and let her lean against him as usual.

"Is that all Brother Xu Shi has on his mind?"

The white-haired loli rolled her eyes at him, then subtly changed the subject, "Speaking of which, even if Old Director Wen didn't protect you, you wouldn't have killed Cheng Gujian, would you?"

"Why do you think so?"

Xu Shi raised an eyebrow. "I wish he would die sooner."

"lie."

Xia Ke'an raised her head with interest. "You might fool Wuyou with that, but you won't fool me."

Is it really okay to belittle one person and praise another? That's your own niece.

Xu Shi poked her head, but did not deny what she said.

Not to mention Dongfang Xiao, his attitude towards Cheng Gujian was also quite complicated.

To be honest, from a personal perspective, he really wanted to grind him to dust. Using him was a minor issue; the real problem was that this guy actually planned to drag him down with him. This was simply intolerable.

He's a very vengeful person.