"Look at this story's plot! Suspense, mystery, supernatural elements—if I investigate further, will they send me to be a sacrifice to the river god or the heavenly gods? We're already in the technologically advanced 21st century, why would they still have this kind of plot?!" Liang Shi took a deep breath, still unable to calm down. "If they're going to make me cannon fodder, they could just log me off and pretend I don't exist! Why should I have to do missions?!"
System: 【…I'm sorry.】
Liang Shi: "What good is your apology?! Give me a clue! Even the police need clues to solve cases!"
System: [This world was interfered with by God many years ago. During the restoration process, only one sentence was spoken: Anything is possible.]
Liang Shi: "..."
"Then why did you say before that the storyline wouldn't fall apart?" Liang Shi frowned. "My arrival here is like a butterfly, and a butterfly that keeps flapping its wings. So, a storm is bound to be stirred up on the other side of the sea, and all the storylines related to me will change. Have you never been to school? Don't you know about the butterfly effect?"
By the end, Liang Shi had become somewhat agitated.
The aftereffects of seeing Mrs. Qi during the day were too great; even sleeping all afternoon couldn't completely calm her down.
The system was left speechless.
A moment later, the system said: "What I mean by 'the storyline won't break down' is that all characters will definitely appear, and major events won't be changed. For example, the bloodshed you've experienced these past few days. As for the chain reactions that arise after you arrive in this world, they are not within the scope of the storyline breaking down."
Liang Shi: "..."
Your standards for not letting the storyline fall apart are really low.
Liang Shi didn't want to argue with it anymore; he just wanted to give up.
Do whatever you want.
The system probably sensed that she was in a bad mood and quietly disappeared.
//
The matter of the real daughter actually had little impact on Liang Shi.
On the contrary, if the real heiress comes back, she can directly sever ties with the Liang family, and at worst, she can move out of this villa and leave the company.
Her life continued as usual.
What exhausted her was Mrs. Qi's matter; she could ignore everything else, but this was the only thing that truly bothered her—
That's so true.
It was so real it took her breath away.
However, there was no information to be found.
The rain outside was getting heavier and heavier, pattering loudly, and it didn't look like it would stop anytime soon, and might even continue into the night.
The housekeeper said that every year after autumn, Haishu City experiences a long period of rain.
Once coastal cities experience continuous rain, the air becomes damp, and in severe cases, a strong fishy smell can be detected.
It was dinnertime.
Liang Shi didn't have anything he wanted to eat, but Xu Qingzhu still wanted to eat.
She was in her room thinking about the menu for dinner when there was a sudden knock on the door. It was three very soft knocks, the sound of knuckles hitting wood was a little muffled, but not annoying.
"Liang Shi, dinner's ready," Xu Qingzhu said.
Her voice was cool and aloof, but she spoke a little slower today, making her seem less cold.
Liang Shi turned on the room light.
The light was blinding for a moment, so she raised her hand to shield her eyes, then got up to open the door.
Xu Qingzhu was wearing a light purple silk nightgown, her long hair covering her collarbone and the alluring curves of her chest.
The dress made her skin appear even whiter, and the corridor was dimly lit, with the only window at the end where the wind was lashing against the window frame, making a rustling sound.
Xu Qingzhu, just standing there, was like a source of light in the dark night.
It stands apart from the world, seemingly shining in solitude.
Liang Shi took a half step back, not wanting her to notice his depressed mood.
She is someone who doesn't like to expose or bear her bad emotions with others.
Sharing happiness doubles the happiness, while sharing sadness doubles the sadness.
So share more happiness and less sadness.
Liang Shi has always been like this.
She forced a smile, pretending nothing was wrong, and asked, "Is dinner ready?"
"Okay," Xu Qingzhu said, "I ordered takeout."
"I slept all afternoon." Liang Shi turned off the room light as he closed the door, and said gently, "This kind of weather is perfect for sleeping. I just woke up and was just about to ask you what you wanted to eat."
Xu Qingzhu did not ask her what she had done in the afternoon, but she reported her whereabouts herself.
It gives the impression that they are trying to cover something up.
Xu Qingzhu suddenly stopped and turned to glance at her.
Liang Shi almost bumped into her back, but stopped abruptly. He looked away after meeting her questioning gaze. "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing," Xu Qingzhu said calmly. "Rainy days are indeed good for sleeping. I slept for a while after I got back."
"Hmm." Liang Shi asked, "What takeout did you order?"
She genuinely couldn't muster any emotion, despite her best efforts to pretend.
It's not that it's real, it's just an act.
The last syllable of each sentence falls downwards.
lifeless.
Xu Qingzhu said, "Hot pot."
Liang Shi: "?"
“Rainy days and hot pot go perfectly together,” Xu Qingzhu said. “And it has to be spicy. By the way, can you handle spicy food?”
Liang Shi: "...Yes."
Liang Shih can only handle medium spiciness, but it seems that Xu Qingzhu ordered the numbing and spicy version.
A layer of Sichuan peppercorns and chili peppers floated on top, their bright red color dazzling under the living room lights.
Xu Qingzhu sat down expressionlessly. All the side dishes were ready on the table; all that was needed was to turn on the stove and wait for the oil in the pot to boil.
Liang Shi felt somewhat uneasy after sitting down.
The quiet environment left her at a loss, and all the dishes on the table made her feel guilty.
It was all prepared by Xu Qingzhu.
She didn't contribute anything.
Moreover, Xu Qingzhu didn't mention a word about what happened that morning after returning from the mall.
I asked Jiaojiao about it last time, but I didn't ask her anything this time.
Liang Shi, who was used to being questioned whenever something unusual happened, could not adapt to this sudden change.
Although this is the best option for her and the most comfortable way for her.
But she would feel guilty.
This matter is clearly related to Xu Qingzhu.
Mrs. Qi would say in front of Xu Qingzhu that she and Qi Jiao looked somewhat alike.
The message conveyed is that, to Liang Shi, she was merely a substitute for Qi Jiao.
Xu Qingzhu remained patient.
As long as she doesn't say anything, Xu Qingzhu won't ask.
Unable to bear the somewhat oppressive atmosphere, Liang Shi finally couldn't help but laugh and ask, "Where did you order your takeout from?"
"On the software." Xu Qingzhu sat there calmly and answered her question normally, but she frowned slightly before answering. Liang Shi caught this subtle movement in an instant, which she thought might be a sign of her disgust at her own ignorance.
Xu Qingzhu continued, "You can order food through the app and it will be delivered."
Liang Shi answered somewhat uncertainly, "Yes."
Then the atmosphere became somber again.
Liang Shi became a little more active and asked, "What time did you wake up today? How long did you sleep?"
They're just some really boring questions.
After asking the questions, she realized that they were actually quite basic.
Normally she wouldn't ask that.
She has always been a very sensible person, especially when it comes to Xu Qingzhu.
At most, I'll ask, "Did you sleep well?"
But right now, she doesn't want the atmosphere to become awkward, or rather, she's afraid to let it become awkward.
I always feel unsettled.
Upon hearing this, Xu Qingzhu raised her eyes, her clear gaze sweeping over casually, as if trying to take in all of Liang Shi's unease and panic.
"I can't remember," Xu Qingzhu answered her question anyway. "When I woke up, it was already dark, and it had been raining for a long time."
“Yeah.” Liang Shi shrugged, trying to sound casual. “We were lucky; it started raining shortly after we got back. I’ve been sleeping since I got back, and I probably won’t be able to sleep tonight.”
"Let's watch a movie then," Xu Qingzhu said. "We can go to sleep when we get sleepy."
As he spoke, Liang's agitation subsided somewhat.
But once Xu Qingzhu finished answering, the atmosphere became awkward again.
That anxious feeling surged up again, forcing her to find a topic to talk about.
"Then you have something tomorrow..." Liang Shi asked again, but before he could finish, Xu Qingzhu interrupted him, "Liang Shi."
She called Liang Shi's name casually, with a hint of nonchalance, and even the way she glanced at him softened.
"No need to find a topic to talk about," Xu Qingzhu said. "Just wait for dinner."
Liang Shi: "..."