Chapter 93 The Tenth Way to Win Over a Wife
"Go back now." After casually choosing a noodle restaurant with Qin Muge and ordering, Chaoge picked up the white teapot on the table and filled the three empty cups with tea, her gaze fixed on the white porcelain round cups.
Qin Muge casually picked up the cup, raised his gaze, followed Chaoge's wrist to her face, and asked unexpectedly, "Are you worried about who will usurp my position, hmm?"
His smile carried a hint of teasing.
Fortunately, Yaochen blocked out the chatter and even slightly altered the magnetic field, causing people around to subconsciously avoid the dining table in that direction, as the area was completely empty.
Otherwise, if anyone overheard their conversation, they would definitely think that the two of them were suffering from severe chuunibyou (middle school syndrome).
As it turned out, Chaoge actually answered her question: "The Yan family has always disliked you, and Yan Zihe may not be incapable of it."
Qin Muge was somewhat taken aback, not expecting that she was actually seriously worried about what would happen after he was gone.
It took him a while to burst into an even more flamboyant laugh, as if Chaoge had just told her a joke. After finally stopping laughing, he rested his chin on his hand and looked at her seriously: "Baby, don't always flirt with me in public."
Yan Chaoge: ...
We were clearly having a serious discussion about important matters, so who the hell was flirting with you? Seriously, General, don't you think you're a little too easy to flirt with?
Yao Chen, standing beside them, watched as the steam from the xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) steamed and then turned into wisps of smoke. He looked back and forth between the two of them with longing eyes and couldn't help but remind them, "I heard that chatting while eating doesn't help with digestion."
So the two people with eight-star physiques looked at him sideways at the same time, as if they were telling him to repeat the sentence while looking at their physical qualities.
Yao Chen: Where's the waiter? Can he move to another table and eat by himself?
Later, Chaoge felt it wasn't good to talk about these upsetting things while eating, so she started picking up her chopsticks and taking some cold dishes from in front of her.
Yao Chen kept his head down and focused on his food, determined not to join their conversation. Who knew when one of their sentences would suddenly veer into a lovey-dovey display? Being a single genius, he decided to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.
When Chaoge had almost finished eating what was in her bowl and picked up an iron skewer to start eating lamb skewers, Qin Muge slowly spoke up: "It can't be the Yan family."
When Chaoge looked up, she was still a little slow to react, and it took her a second to let her brain follow her words and think about the problem.
Not the Yan family? What does that mean? Does it mean that Yan Zihe has no designs on Qin Muge's position as general?
A nasal sound escaped his nose, expressing his disdain. Chaoge lowered his head and took a bite of the roasted mutton, which was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside with golden edges and perfectly seasoned. He didn't believe Qin Muge's words at all.
After swallowing what was in her mouth, she picked up the teacup, sipped some water from the rim, and asked, "Could it be that none of the three major families have this intention?"
Is the entire empire truly loyal to Qin Muge? Why doesn't Chaoge believe it?
"If the Yan family still had the strength to get back on their feet, I wouldn't have let Yan Zihe sit in her current position." Qin Muge smiled, resting her chin on her hands, watching Chaoge eat with relish, and casually uttered words that sent chills down one's spine.
Chaoge had also observed the Imperial Conference, though she hadn't participated personally. However, she always felt that Qin Muge's words didn't quite align with her own understanding.
Seeing that Chaoge was still confused, Qin Muge patiently explained things more clearly: "The entire empire knows that I single-handedly helped the Ling family rise to power, and they also have Ling Tianquan, whose military strength is second only to mine. In terms of family military strength alone, the Ling family is the biggest threat to me."
"But isn't the Ling family's greatest reliance precisely you? Besides, although Ling Tianquan is very strong in combat, I haven't seen any signs of him being cunning." Whether Qin Muge had piqued her interest in the situation or she still wanted to find a reason to persuade her to go back, Chaoge asked her doubts earnestly, following Qin Muge's lead.
Qin Muge seemed to be thinking of something, and the smile on his lips gradually widened, his expression revealing a complex and unfathomable quality.
"The most qualified person in the Ling family to be the head of the family is Tianquan. That is still the case now. However, whether Ling Tianquan wants my position or not depends on Tianshu."
Perhaps wanting to resolve all of Chaoge's problems at once, or perhaps because he was unusually in the mood for conversation, Qin Muge smiled and pointed out the current state of the empire to Chaoge:
"The Ling family's loyalty to me has always been based on how much of a situation I can give them; although the Yan family was my biggest enemy back then, they produced Yan Zihe, whose political views were completely opposite to those of the former head of the family. She is smart enough and knows what she wants. In terms of the threat she poses to me, she is actually the least dangerous; as for the Yan family, because they were severely weakened back then, and you are the only one left, Yan Chen's choices are mostly related to you, so they are the easiest to guess."
"But no matter what, Chaoge, you need to know this. Whether it's the Yan family, which has been entrenched for many years, the newly emerging Ling family, or the Yan family, which is in an awkward position, their primary concern is always family interests. Therefore, I will mention Tianji to the Ling family, help Yan Zihe gain absolute say in the Yan family, and ensure that Zhou Jue, who is not a good match, can continue to stay in the Yan family. Do you understand what I mean?"
Qin Muge was still chuckling as she finished speaking, but Chaoge felt that her gaze, which was fixed on her eyes, was so serious.
She understood. How could she not understand? Qin Muge was telling her that human nature couldn't be completely trusted, so Qin Muge didn't harbor any illusions about anyone. This was evident from the mutual checks and balances and internal constraints among the three major families.
Chaoge lowered her head and ate the lamb skewers until she finished all the skewers on the plate and drank the remaining tea in her cup. Then she looked directly at Qin Muge and said seriously, "I know, so you should go back even more."
Qin Muge: ...? She clearly meant to say that Chaoge doesn't need to worry about her leaving because she's so capable, so why is she repeating the same thing over and over again?
"I don't know why you became so powerful, but since you've trampled all those who honed you, you should enjoy this glory." Looking at her counterpart from another timeline, Chaoge wondered what Qin Muge had gone through to become so adept at imperial power politics.
Mingming felt that he had encountered a lot of things in the past few years, but compared to her ruthless style, he was even in doubt about becoming the head of the family.
So don't follow her and start over in such an unfamiliar place. Qin Muge has already ascended the throne and shouldn't step down.
Qin Muge understood the unspoken meaning in her words. Her red eyes gazed at her for a long time before gradually turning into a gentle smile. With a soft sigh, she played with the empty white porcelain cup in her hand, saying as if narrating or sighing, "That's why I like you so much, Chaoge."
The world can only see her glory and admire her height that millions of people revere. But there is only one person in the world who, even if Yan Chaoge is only one point better than before, will think about how much hardship she has endured behind the scenes.
Besides, she had become unrecognizable; nothing she had ever wanted to keep or discard remained. Only when she saw Chaoge could the softest part of her heart be awakened.
I want to protect her, whether it's her innocence or her stubbornness.
No matter how long she spent with Qin Muge, Chaoge always seemed unable to adapt to his tendency to suddenly switch to sweet talk, especially when he was saying those things very seriously.
So at that moment, she could only feign calmness and reply, "Oh, thank you, I like myself too."
No one can force Qin Muge to do something she doesn't want to do. Even if Chaoge racks her brains to come up with a reason, Qin Muge can easily refute it. Chaoge had no choice but to give up on persuading her to go back.
As for Chaoge herself? She said she didn't want to think about the pile of mess she had left behind for the time being, that's just how willful she is.
"Am I the only one pondering the mysterious brotherly relationship between Ling Tianshu and Ling Tianquan?" After overhearing their entire conversation, Yao Chen blinked his grape-like cat eyes and asked expressionlessly.
Chaoge thought about their looks and said she felt no pressure at all.
Qin Muge smiled at Chaoge across from him, then turned his gaze to Yaochen.
Yao Chen: ...Oh, why am I discussing another gay couple with you two lesbians? I must have activated a fake program today.
"Chaoge, can you take me home tonight? Otherwise I'll have to sleep on the streets." After leaving the noodle shop, Qin Muge squinted at the sun in the sky. Although the Empire also had the same day and night, the temperature of the sun was still different.
Summer is so hot that even the coldest heart can be warmed up.
Chaoge wanted to say no, because she hadn't figured out her relationship with Qin Muge at all and didn't want to take her in. But then she remembered how Qin Muge had been in the hospital for some reason, and she hesitated.
Regardless of her own thoughts, Qin Muge had voluntarily come here with her to suffer, just like she herself had when she first arrived in the Empire, facing a place where she felt no sense of belonging.
And because she had suffered more than she had, Chaoge herself didn't realize that she could never help but feel soft-hearted towards this person.
After thinking for a long time, hesitantly said, "Okay... but you can't touch me."
Getting physical? Seeing that no one was around, Qin Muge quickly leaned in and kissed her lips, then asked with a smile, "Is that what you mean?"
Sunlight filtered through the broad leaves of the banyan tree by the roadside, the scorching heat cooled slightly by the layered leaves, and when it fell into her eyes, it only produced dappled golden light. Her already bright red eyes became even more captivatingly beautiful, like poppies.
Chaoge felt a 'boom' in her brain, and her face turned a peach-like color, whether from heatstroke or something else. She awkwardly looked away, not remembering what she had said.
She jumped aside, wiping her lips as if to hide her emotions. Her fierce words turned into a menacing blush, "You're not allowed to kiss me!"
That won't do, Qin Muge thought. You're so cute, I'm already trying really hard to hold back from just giving you a kiss.
Because the light falling into her eyes was too intense, she couldn't help but lower her gaze. As if thinking of some scene, she licked her lower lip with the tip of her tongue, covering her rosy lips with a thin layer of moisture. This action made her already bright face even more alluring.
I want to see it.
I want to see Chaoge unable to hold back her tears.
I want to see Chaoge being bullied to the point of crying and begging her.
Her heart was churning, but she subtly lengthened her breath, her smile unwavering, and replied with a teasing tone, "Yes, my dear Chaoge."
At the end, he deliberately lowered his voice and slowly uttered her name from his throat. This ambiguous atmosphere climbed up the air to Chaoge's ears, making her involuntarily reach out to cover her ears.
Chaoge was internally devastated: ...This is too bewitching! Qin Muge, you female hormone-spraying machine, stay away from me!
Chapter 94 The Eleventh Way to Pursue a Wife
Chaoge thought she could at least wait until the start of the semester to visit the school before deciding whether to go back, but the various pieces of news that followed plunged her into a process of constantly reshaping her worldview on the very night she took in Qin Muge.
"Who exactly provided Ritter's information?" Chaoge frowned slightly as she looked at Yaochen beside her, asking earnestly in her mental channel.
[He didn't say, but judging from the information he provided, he used to hold a fairly high position in P4.] The black-haired boy sat on a stool by the bed, his eyes scanning rows of data codes as he tried to locate the person who sent the message and pinpoint Ritter's current location.
Chaoge shook his head, feeling that the chances were slim.
After all, the source of power of the Juecheng Federation is inherently incompatible with AIs like Yaochen, and they are natural enemies. If Ritter's identity is not simple, how could it be found so easily?
[And this information is pretty good. Let me think about what I can offer that guy in exchange.] Chaoge leaned back on the bed, resting against the soft pillows, staring at the bathroom door in the room, listening to the sound of running water inside, and seriously considering how to trick Qin Muge.
If her intelligence allows it.
Ten minutes later.
The bathroom door opened, and Qin Muge's clothes transformed into a thin nightgown. Chao Ge suddenly blurted out, "Is this dress made of such advanced transforming material dustproof and wash-free?"
Qin Muge smiled, walked to the bedside, looked at her lying there lazily, and leaned closer, "What do you want to say? Are you asking me how many days it's been since I changed my clothes?"
Chaoge didn't like talking to her so closely. She always felt that when this person got close, an ambiguous atmosphere would fill the air, and she would be led by her without realizing it.
So he shrank back a bit, placed his right hand on her shoulder, and distanced himself from her again before replying, "I didn't say that; you just made that up in your head."
Turning his head to look at Yao Chen, who was pretending to be blind, he said, "Show me a 3D image of Ritter."
She quickly changed the subject, looking at Qin Muge as if she would immediately strip off her clothes and put them on if she nodded in agreement.
"Do you know this person?" Chaoge's gaze was fixed on Qin Muge's face, unwilling to miss any expression on the man's face.
Qin Muge glanced at her with a slight smile, thinking to herself that if she really didn't want to show it, what could Chaoge's observation skills possibly reveal?
"I know her, so what?" He didn't keep her hanging on and gave her a straightforward answer.
Chaoge blinked, turned to look at Ritter, then looked up at the ceiling and thought: Yaochen's prediction seems to be correct. Ritter's status in P4 was quite unusual before.
So here's the question: why would someone so unusual be in E239, especially since they seem like a complete newbie...?
"Where have you seen him before?" After thinking for a while, Chaoge felt that she was missing a key point. Her gaze fell back on Qin Muge's face, and she felt that the key point was in Qin Muge.
"Want to know?" Qin Muge tapped his lips.
Chaoge really wanted to say, "You sold this information a bit cheaply." His gaze swept over her face—still so beautiful, still exactly his type.
So I leaned in and gave her a quick kiss, then sat back and waited for her to reveal the secret.
Yao Chen felt he was really superfluous here. After thinking for a moment, he opened the door and decided to enjoy his single-person AI party alone in the living room.
Chaoge's parents work far away and rarely come back except for holidays, so usually she and one other person are at home alone. Her cousin occasionally comes to stay for a while during winter and summer vacations.
At this moment, no one would find out that she had taken Qin Muge in to stay at her home.
"When P4's energy was first detected, Kaiyang and I went there once. This person was probably sent by P4 to test me; I thought he was dead. So it seems he's with you now?" Qin Muge was never one to suffer a loss, and while recalling the previous events, he also observed Chaoge's reaction, and began to speculate about the relationship between Chaoge and this person.
Chaoge smiled, but instead of answering her question, he said, "I have some big news to exchange with you. Are you prepared to use anything to bribe me?"