It wasn't an apple that hit Newton.

I've gotten used to this red-haired little girl's constant attempts to hug me.

This was the first time he had encountered Louise in such a hesitant situation, and he was actually a little confused.

Louise hesitated for a moment, then suddenly turned her head and looked at the person behind her.

Following behind her was a blonde girl, Isaac Newton, whose height was within the acceptable margin of error but whose age was outside it, and whose face clearly said, "I'm not happy, someone come and comfort me."

Faced with Louise's questioning gaze.

Newton snorted and nodded arrogantly, as if giving his permission.

The invisible chain around her neck snapped abruptly, and Louise's happy smile returned. She ran to Li Cheng's side and threw herself into his arms, rubbing against him like a puppy, asking as she did so:

"Brother, where did you go during the day?"

"I went to talk to a friend about some work-related matters and discussed future development."

Li Cheng made up an excuse on the spot, his mind still preoccupied with what had just happened.

Judging from the current situation, it seems that while he was away attending the engagement ceremony of the two countries, the two little girls had reached some secret agreement behind his back, and the one-sided stiff relationship had eased a lot - the simplest judgment is that the two little girls came back together.

It was a bit of a surprise that their relationship suddenly improved.

But upon closer reflection...

Today is indeed a rare opportunity.

Firstly, because it's a group activity, even if Newton doesn't get along with Louise, he'll pretend nothing's wrong, and the two can spend a whole day together. Secondly, today's event is an engagement ceremony, so the conversation can easily veer into topics related to male-female relationships, giving them a natural advantage.

Finally, with Li Cheng not around today, there's no need to worry about one person embracing the other and the other being neglected. The topics they can discuss can also be extended to more private areas, allowing them to be more open.

In summary, considering these three points, and also Lavoisier's side, although it's unclear exactly what she did this week, it's likely that her efforts played a significant role.

After considering all that...

It's not surprising that the relationship, which was originally just Newton's one-sided hostility towards Louise, has eased a bit.

However, it seems... although things have just eased up, they haven't fully eased up yet.

We need someone to give us a push.

Looking at Newton, who was tightly pursing his lips and seemed to be about to turn away, Li Cheng thought for a moment, gently put Louise, who was clinging to him, aside, took a few steps forward, and suddenly put his hands under the girl's armpits, lifting her slender and light body high—in short, lifting her high.

What are you doing?

Newton flailed his arms in the air, but couldn't grab anything. He yelled angrily, "Didn't I already let Louise hold you? You greedy bastard!"

Huh, an agreement was actually reached?

Li Cheng was taken aback, then his mind started racing... What was the name of that agreement? It was probably related to hugs. Could it be something like "Ten Agreements Regarding Miss Newton's Permission for Miss Louise to Hug Mr. Li Cheng at Home"? Did it stipulate that Miss Louise could receive hugs? Or was something exchanged for her previously exclusive right to hugs?

If I can't figure it out, I'll put it aside for now.

"One isn't enough."

Li Cheng then smiled and lifted Newton back onto the sofa: "We haven't seen each other all day, so it takes two of us to hug him."

After saying that, he lifted the still awkward Miss Newton back onto the sofa, holding her tightly with his right arm to prevent her from running away, while opening his left arm and beckoning Louise, who had been waiting nearby, to come up as well. Louise happily joined him, letting him embrace her soft waist, a comfortable expression on her face.

Both girls were petite...

One for each person, perfect.

In this way, Li Cheng simultaneously pulled two soft, fragrant girls into his arms.

Louise didn't mind her brother carrying several people at the same time, as long as she was being carried too. She had already started happily rubbing her face against Li Cheng's coat again.

As for Miss Newton, she struggled symbolically for a couple of moments, but when she realized she couldn't break free with her little arms and legs, she obediently nestled in his arms.

However, the little bean was still not honest verbally. After muttering a couple of things like "I was forced by this greedy pervert," he finally closed his eyes with peace of mind and enjoyed the feeling of being hugged.

Chapter 378 First of all, I'm not a masochist

Although it achieved the feat of holding two at the same time.

However, Li Cheng wasn't quite sure how far the agreement between the two girls went, so he didn't dare to kiss them. He simply hugged them both at the same time and asked them about their feelings about attending Princess Veronica's engagement ceremony today.

The two gave completely different responses to this.

"So boring."

Newton scoffed impatiently, "A whole bunch of people crammed into a square, chattering away. It's so noisy and hot. I don't know what's so interesting about watching two strangers get engaged. They'd be better off spending that time in the library reading a few more books."

...This is what happens when you stay at home: you get dizzy whenever you're in a crowded and noisy place.

Li Cheng shook his head slightly as he recalled how he had gone to great lengths to invite the underdeveloped little bean to go for a walk, only to be repeatedly rejected.

"Louise finds it very interesting."

Louise, however, offered a different opinion: "There were a lot of people there, and it was very lively. Her Highness the Princess was very beautiful, and the white dress she was wearing was also very pretty. Louise would love to try it on too."

...Actually, you can wear it anytime you want! I designed that suit! Louise will wear white, and I'll wear black—two outfits in one, cough cough cough...

Li Cheng silently kept it in mind, planning to secretly prepare one as a surprise someday.

Newton smirked at Louise's opinion and gave her a rather arrogant look: "Only children like pretty clothes. I'll never be interested in such fancy things in my life."

Although Newton said that, in Li Cheng's touch, the two bodies he held in his arms were almost equally small and slender, and even felt... Newton was slightly lighter.

But what does it matter?

As long as no one directly points out the truth, Miss Newton can continue to play the adult in front of Louise for a while longer!

"Huh?" Louise asked in confusion, "So, when Sister Newton gets engaged to Brother, she won't wear one of those pretty dresses either?"

This seemed to have hit a nerve. Newton's victorious smile vanished. She froze for two seconds, looked up at the smiling Li Cheng, opened her mouth to reveal two sharp, shiny little tiger teeth, and angrily bit down hard on his shoulder.

As if releasing all the pent-up frustration in her heart, she took a very forceful bite, a conclusion that could be seen from Miss Newton's expressive body movements and Li Cheng's noticeably distorted facial expression.

Li Cheng: ? ? ?

He was caught in the crossfire for no reason, and he suppressed the urge to scream, gritting his teeth as well.

As time passed, he gradually got used to the pain, and the expression on his face became numb.

After biting for a while, Newton was finally satisfied, and the force of her clenching gradually decreased. However, she still did not let go, and instead, for the first time ever, she stretched out her warm and moist little tongue and gently licked the wound she had bitten, giving Li Cheng a strange sensation that was both painful and numb and itchy.

For a moment, Li Cheng even felt a bit of enjoyment.

First, he wasn't a masochist; second, he wasn't a masochist. But to be fair, it was indeed a novel experience. If Newton had been willing to gently lick him for a few minutes after biting him in the past, perhaps his tolerance for biting would have been much higher...

To reiterate, he is not a masochist. He is usually on top, and only occasionally, when he wants to have some fun, will he be on the bottom.

As for Miss Newton herself, who was simultaneously committing violence and appeasing, she finally let go after licking away the traces of blood seeping from Li Cheng's broken skin.

"You've been laughing at us for a while now."

Satisfied, she made up a random excuse to appease Li Cheng.

As for Louise, the little girl initially wanted to stop her, but after hesitating for two seconds, she gave up, her face filled with deep worry and concern.

But then she witnessed Li Cheng's expression gradually change from pain to calm, and finally even to enjoyment. The worry on her face gradually disappeared, and she opened her eyes wide in shock, her heart filled with deep confusion and bewilderment.

Brother... likes being bitten?

Louise silently kept this incomprehensible matter in her heart, intending to ask the other kind sisters about it later, such as Sister Lavoisier, Sister Susie, Sister Freya, Sister Anne... oh, and Sister Hook, Sister Phillips, and Sister Halle, a friend of Sister Hook whom she had met a few days ago...

all in all.

Although he was bitten, and although the two little girls were still bickering for a while while being held, it was clear that their relationship had improved, and Li Cheng felt genuinely relieved.

But then again, how exactly did things get better...?

So, when he had a spare moment, Li Cheng went to ask Lavoisier and Louise separately, wanting to know what had happened.

Lavoisier: "I don't know the specifics either. I just acted as a mediator and to ease tensions. You'd have to ask them what they discussed..."

"What, you're asking how I acted as matchmaker and eased the tension? It's actually quite simple. I found an opportunity to tell Newton that nothing had happened between you and Louise, and then I taught Newton some methods for checking chastity. Whether or not we actually checked, I don't know..."

The thought that Louise might have posed in a rather embarrassing position for Newton to examine (or perhaps been examined by a maid instead) filled Li Cheng with an incredibly complex mix of emotions...

He then turned to Louise, tentatively asking her how she had become close to Newton.

Louise: "Louise promised to listen to Sister Newton, so their relationship improved."

Li Cheng sensed that she was hiding something, but he didn't press her for details. After all, if she had truly been examined in such a humiliating position, it was understandable that Louise wouldn't want to talk about it...

He put the matter aside for the time being and began to make arrangements for returning to China.

The grand engagement ceremony continued, with both countries seemingly treating it as a wedding. Apart from the first day, open-air banquets were held for the remaining two days, where all Parisians could enjoy the food—though one shouldn't expect too much in terms of quality.

After this engagement ceremony, Li Cheng has achieved his main objectives in coming to Paris. If the girls don't have any particular places they want to go in Paris, they can probably head back to Lincoln soon.

There's not much else to do; just wait patiently for time to pass.

Li Cheng also believed that he wouldn't have to wait too long...

Chapter 379 One Year Later

Let's rewind a little.

[August 1665]

The Second Anglo-Dutch War took place during the Stuart Restoration in England. It was triggered by the enactment of stricter navigation laws by England and the occupation of New Amsterdam, a Dutch colony in North America. All of this was driven by Charles II's desire to divert attention from domestic problems, coupled with the confidence gained from England's victory in the First Anglo-Dutch War.

However, the war did not go as smoothly as Charles II had anticipated.

After its defeat in the First Anglo-Dutch War in 1654, the Netherlands persevered and accelerated the construction of large warships. By 1664, its navy had 103 large warships, 4869 cannons, and 21631 officers and men.

Conversely, the frequent wars during Cromwell's era in Britain resulted in a heavy debt burden for the government, leading to a significant reduction in the naval budget and a decrease in the combat effectiveness of the armed forces.

Despite the shift in strength between Britain and the Netherlands, Britain still held the upper hand due to a strategic success, while the Netherlands remained relatively passive.

The second Anglo-Dutch War entered a stalemate.

[August 1666]

The Netherlands, together with France and Denmark, formed an "anti-British alliance." France imposed a trade embargo, while Denmark provided material assistance.

[August 1666]

The death of Charles II dealt a heavy blow to the morale of the naval officers and men, and the British suffered repeated defeats, barely managing to hold on.

......

From then on, time has flowed to the present and continues to move forward.

[August 1667]