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

However, from a macro perspective, he had to admit that his opponent had played a really good game. Although he had failed at the last minute, the outcome would have been uncertain if he hadn't planted the seed for Dongfang Xiao beforehand.

Most importantly, everything Cheng Gujian did was not for himself, but for others.

To pave the way for others, he was willing to endure humiliation and even risk his own life... There are probably very few people in this world who could do such a thing, especially a powerful minister like him who could command the wind and rain. He gave up his immense wealth and status so easily. Not to mention others, even Xu Shi didn't think he could do it.

Even his arrival didn't sway his plans—could this be called blind loyalty? After all, if he died here, the Hualan Empire might miss its only chance for rapid reform, but Cheng Gujian still chose to stay true to his original aspirations without hesitation.

It's hard to judge whether this choice is right or wrong, but it certainly deserves some respect.

It was probably this ideological conflict that prevented him from experiencing much joy in victory, not to mention that, in terms of the outcome, this victory could only be described as a narrow one.

"Don't act innocent after getting a good deal. No matter what, you are now the uncrowned king of the Hualan Empire."

The older woman knew what he was thinking, and blinked reassuringly, "Besides, keeping him alive might not be a bad thing. Facing an enemy like 'Tianli,' preserving one more SS is definitely not a mistake."

"Perhaps that's why Chairman Wen kept him around, isn't it?"

Xu Shi remained noncommittal. The old man's decision was certainly not a spur-of-the-moment decision; in fact, he might have seen through Cheng Gujian's plan even earlier than Xu Shi himself.

"Speaking of which, that saintess can also be considered an SS. We'll have to think about it later and see if we can make use of her."

Xia Ke'an's words served as a reminder, prompting him to mention it casually.

"It depends on what you're planning to do. I'm not good at this kind of thing."

The white-haired loli pouted; she had no liking for the people of "Tianli." "By the way, what's her situation now?"

"His consciousness must have been erased."

Recalling everything that had happened in the "threshold space," Xu Shi answered softly.

The elimination of a mentally unstable person is similar to brain death, or in other words, a vegetative state.

This is a double-edged sword – the advantage is that an empty shell is definitely easier to use, but the disadvantage is that we can no longer get more information about "Heavenly Principles" from her, and we can no longer replicate the scene where the female cadre who was abandoned by the evil organization suddenly realized her mistakes and started providing information.

"And those few survivors from the Vatican... we'll have to wait until they wake up to discuss the specifics."

As he thought about it, he couldn't help but feel a little irritated. Winning was certainly a good thing, but there was also a lot of mess to clean up.

The restoration of order in the Hualan Empire, using Lu Baiyan's abilities to clear away the "rust fog," and so on... It's so annoying, all these troubles.

"When can we just give up and lie low?"

Mr. Xu, who had no great ambitions, let out a sigh.

"How old are you to be thinking about lying down already?"

Xia Ke'an nudged him with her head, looking at him with a disappointed expression, "I'm so much older than you, and I've never had such thoughts."

"But you've been lying down for ten years."

"That's due to health reasons, did I have a choice?!"

The old lady angrily smacked him on the head. Why did she have to bring up that sore spot?

Seeing her like this, Xu Shi felt a little relieved and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"...Never mind, I won't argue with a little boy like you."

The white-haired loli wasn't really angry at him for not living up to his potential; on the contrary, she knew that Xu Shi had always been working very hard.

"I should get some sleep first; I'm exhausted after a whole night."

"together?"

Xu Shi returned to his usual self, grinning and inviting others to share a dorm room.

"Okay."

Xia Ke'an didn't refuse, "It's been a long time since I slept with Brother Xu Shi."

"I don't sleep with Brother Xu Shi."

Xu Shi corrected, "It means sleeping with Xu Shi's dad."

The older woman paused almost imperceptibly.

This can be considered a code between the two. Ever since their father-daughter relationship was exposed, Xia Ke'an in her loli form has started calling Xu Shi "brother" again.

But the title "Dad" hasn't been abandoned, so who would call him that?

Who is it? Who is it?

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 303 Don’t come over!

2023-10-29

"Good morning! Would you like something to eat, Dad?"

"Why do you have dark circles under your eyes? Did you not sleep well last night, Dad?"

Early in the morning, Xu Shi had just stepped out of his room when he heard such greetings coming from both the front and the back.

Looking up, I saw Jiang Chengcheng and Gu Yi standing like door gods, grinning and joking.

"...Eavesdropping, huh?"

Mr. Xu, who was still a little confused, instantly woke up, sorted out the cause and effect, and said in an annoyed tone.

Their rooms aren't far from mine... but is the soundproofing in this house really that bad?

"Hey, what do you mean by eavesdropping? You can't say that, 'Dad'!"

Xie Qingyan joined in at some point, saying, "It's just the wind blowing into your ears. Eavesdropping is too awful."

It has to be said that it would be a waste of their talents if these three didn't form a group and debut as a crosstalk duo.

At least for a while, it was a bit difficult to spot; someone who didn't know better might have thought it was some kind of large-scale family reunion.

Looking back, the culprit that caused all this was still asleep, lying limply on the bed, looking quite adorable in its sleeping posture.

However, Xu Shi noticed that the old lady's upturned lips were quite strange, and he couldn't help but twitch.

...You're pretending to be asleep, aren't you? You must be pretending to be asleep!

Mr. Xu, who knew all this, was stunned for a moment, but then he was no longer embarrassed.

What's there to be embarrassed about? It's not like I was the one calling him "Dad" all night!

It's not my fault if someone overhears me, but why is Li shouting so loudly?

"Huh? What are you doing?"

Just as the atmosphere was becoming awkward, a voice interrupted them, "What are you all standing here for? Don't you have anything to do?"

The only person who could withstand the pressure from so many girls and act as Xu Shi's mouth double is our Governor Tang Shuang.

"You guys all got up really early."

Xu Shi quickly changed the subject, "Is it because you're not used to the new environment and haven't rested well?"

"Is it because you're preoccupied with something on your mind?"

Tang Shuang remained noncommittal, pushing aside the others to join in, "Although the war is over, there are still follow-up matters to deal with, aren't there?"

"Didn't we say we were going to the palace later to talk to the little empress? Are you all ready?"

"...There's no need to be in such a hurry."

Seeing her serious face, Xu Shi shrugged, "Want to have some breakfast first?"

The so-called "discussion" refers to a formal and official process to finalize the cooperation between the two territories with the royal family of the Hualan Empire.

It needs to be more formal than before, with formalities like publishing in newspapers or announcing it to the world. The discussions will also be more detailed and specific, including not only material assistance and infrastructure construction, but also talent exchange, resource exchange, and a series of other things.

All of this required Tang Shuang's involvement, especially since her arrival meant she needed to make an appearance—she was the nominal supreme ruler of Night Sin City and needed to take this opportunity to appear before the subjects of the Hua Lan Empire.

"Either is fine, it's up to you."

Tang Shuang shrugged, looking indifferent. "Of course, if Chairman Xu doesn't mind, why not accompany me for a stroll in the streets before we go, so I can experience the local customs and culture?"

"……OK."

Xu Shi wouldn't refuse, but there was something strange about her words...

Indeed, for today's girls, referring to Xu Shi as "Chairman Xu" carries a sarcastic or unpleasant connotation.

"Then let's go now."

Governor Tang acted swiftly, grabbing Xu Shi and running away.

The poor, weak Mr. Xu, who was powerless to even kill a chicken, could only be forcibly taken away by her.

As for the others... sorry, they don't have any plans to come along for the time being.

Of course they can go. No one can stop them from going together; it all depends on whether they want to or not.

The answer is no.

All three of them were focused on Xia Ke'an, who was still pretending to sleep on the bed.

"...Xu bastard, what a complete bastard!"

Gu Yi gritted her teeth in hatred, "How could you even lay a hand on a child?"

This wasn't a direct attack on Xu Shi, but rather a sarcastic remark directed at the older woman.

After all, she hasn't reverted to her adult form yet—Miss Black Rabbit has already learned about the backstory of her relationship with Xu Shi from other people.

To be fair, she wouldn't say anything if it were someone else, but what could she do when she and the white-haired older sister had never gotten along? They were like bickering, bickering lovers.

Now that he's seen the other person climb into Xu Shi's bed, it would be a lie to say he didn't react.

The key is that her figure is even better than hers! She saw it last night, and now her hazy appearance lying on the bed is even more alluring. If she doesn't have a curvaceous figure, she's at least got a great bust and butt.

This was undoubtedly a fatal blow to Gu Yi—we agreed to be tablets together, but you secretly betrayed me!

"Yeah yeah."

Jiang Chengcheng, as always, quietly stirred things up, saying, "Sister Ke'an must have been exhausted, she's so pitiful."

"Let's get her checked out. She's already weak, and I'd be heartbroken if she developed any more illnesses."

Xie Qingyan, pretending to be oblivious, floated lightly to Xia Ke'an's side.