CHAPTER 391
Xiao Ai's Vision of the Future
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"Master, I heard you possess many treasures?"
Xiao Ai had only briefly joined her sisters in their playful commotion before excusing herself. Alone, she changed her clothes and made her way to Su Cheng's study.
Su Cheng hadn't retired yet; he still had matters to attend to.
Seeing Xiao Ai enter with a cup of hot tea, he smiled.
"You know far too much~"
"My Lord, what do you intend to do about that Chu Youwei?"
Su Cheng remained silent for a long while, seemingly unsure how to handle Chu Youwei.
Committing treason, by convention, meant only one path: death.
In reality, forget betrayal—even leaving was a pipe dream, for everything concerning Su Cheng was top-secret!
Yet Chu Youwei's sentence still required Su Cheng's approval. Though it was merely a matter of Xiao Ai's word, Su Cheng still wished for it to be a conclusion he had reached through his own deliberation.
"Let's wait a bit longer. I think she'll come to her senses."
Xiao Ai didn't care. Such opponents could be handled by any two subordinates. If it weren't for Su Cheng, such trivial matters wouldn't even reach her ears.
"Alright, no problem. But what about the location anchor points? Has the Master made a decision?"
"Wait two more days. If they come to their senses, I'll spare them. But if they're determined to die, I won't hesitate to eliminate them all."
"Master, this isn't like you. To achieve great things, one mustn't be swayed by sentimentalism."
Su Cheng curled his lip. What was he like before?
"Xiao Ai, you're the most capable personal attendant, but I'm not necessarily the most capable ruler."
But Xiao Ai clearly disagreed with Su Cheng's self-assessment. Even if it were true, such words should never pass from her king's lips.
He refused to accept it.
"My lord, you must not belittle yourself. In Xiao Ai's eyes, you are the finest king. What we are doing is wrestling with the gods, surviving in the cracks between them."
"Victory alone should fill your eyes, my lord. Xiao Ai will share in your glory and walk beside you through every hardship."
"I shall offer you glory and loyalty, and I believe you will bring victory for me and for our people."
Su Cheng chuckled softly: "You're brainwashing me again~"
"No, this is the future Xiao Ai sees."
The meaning of this war varied for different people. Fortunately, the war in this world hadn't even formally begun yet.
Su Cheng picked Xiao Ai up from the table with an indulgent look, cradling her in his arms and pinching her cheek.
"Xiao Ai, when did you become so smooth-talking?"
Xiao Ai dangled her tiny feet, settling into Su Cheng's embrace as if she'd found the most comfortable bed.
"This isn't being smooth. Xiao Ai is the Master's personal attendant. Saying what the Master likes to hear and doing what the Master enjoys is simply Xiao Ai's duty."
The evening breeze flickered the candlelight, casting their silhouettes along the table edge, imprinting a sweetness tinged with the scent of iron rust.
"My Lord, you're not going to apologize again, are you? Xiao Ai doesn't fall for that nonsense~"
"Then what does Xiao Ai want me to do? What does she want me to do?"
Su Cheng hadn't even considered what Xiao Ai might want him to do, or how he might make amends.
But Xiao Ai's answer still surpassed her expectations—she always did.
"Xiao Ai knows that wasn't what Master wanted to see either. Xiao Ai also knows Master is the one who's most upset."
"Xiao Ai understands your sorrow, but Xiao Ai also knows you won't run away from it."
"My Lord won't abandon Xiao Ai, right?"
Xiao Ai's clear eyes seemed to pierce through every lie.
"Yes, he won't."
Xiao Ai smiled, her expression one of helpless resignation.
Her master was perfect in every way, except he didn't value himself enough.
"My master is lying, but Xiao Ai knows what to do. My master had better behave, or else Xiao Ai will get angry~"
"My master must learn to take care of himself and protect himself. Xiao Ai has no intention of finding a new master."
Su Cheng merely scratched his head and chuckled awkwardly.
He knew he'd been seen through, and he knew he'd seen through him.
"Master, what are you scheming to fool Xiao Ai?"
Su Cheng was stunned. This guy… can read minds?
"You little…"
"Xiao Ai only needs to look into your eyes to know what you're thinking."
Unlike Ye Qinghan's special ability, Xiao Ai wasn't reading minds. He was reading expressions—a professional skill honed as a personal attendant.
She understood the man before her, knew all his secrets—yes, every single one.
Xiao Ai had even sensed the existence of that so-called system, though she didn't know how to describe or comprehend it.
"I promised Xiao Ai I wouldn't leave without saying goodbye."
Xiao Ai nodded, clearly conceding. She knew her master was placating her, but he chose not to elaborate further.
Defying the gods' rules, attempting to overthrow divine authority—such a thing would be unimaginable for ordinary mortals.
But Su Cheng would push the war against the gods to its climax, leading mortals to greet the dawn of victory.
And now, her master would utterly end the gods' rule, overturning those unrealistic rules!
She would bathe in glory alongside her master. He would be king, and she would remain his most exceptional personal attendant.
The long night stretched on. Su Cheng reviewed the numerous documents Amber had delivered, while Xiao Ai stayed by her side all night.
Tonight, Xiao Ai had no duties, and lying beside him was not tiring.
Occasionally refilling tea, occasionally chatting—Xiao Ai cherished these moments, watching her King, her master, from afar.
Dawn broke…
"Oh dear! Senior Sister! Shiyao is sick and can't attend class today!"
"Get up now! Don't blame Senior Sister for being heartless!"
Li Shiyu tossed and turned in bed, refusing to rise no matter how much Ye Qinghan called out!
"Shiyao won't get up, Shiyao feels so awful, Shiyao is sick!"
"Stop pretending. It won't work. This is the Master's command…"
Just as they spoke of Cao Cao, Cao Cao arrived. Before the sentence was even finished, Su Cheng was already standing at the door.
But since it was Shiyu's private chamber, Su Cheng couldn't just walk in. He could only call out through the door.
"Shiyao, Jue'er said you're ill. Where does it hurt?"
"Shiyao's stomach hurts! Legs hurt! Head hurts! Arms hurt! Everything hurts! Shiyao has a sickness that keeps her from going to class!"
Su Cheng and Xiao Ai exchanged a glance, smiling fondly.
"In that case, let's invite He Guang to Lingxian Hall to examine Shiyu~"
"Ah? No, Master! Shiyu can't go to class!"
"It's okay. He Guang is quite skilled at healing. Since she adores Shiyu so much, she'll definitely cure her!"
"But you know, He Guang absolutely hates being deceived. If she finds out someone's lying to her, she'll fly into a rage—I hear she even hits people!"
Li Shiyu heard this and thought, This is a complete disaster!
She'd already gotten a thorough beating yesterday!
Her sister Hakuo was usually gentle and kind, but when she hit you, it really hurt!
And just then, Heguang actually arrived!
"Oh? Is little Shiyu sick?"
In the blink of an eye, Li Shiyu dashed out, sidling up to Heguang with a fawning expression~
"Oh my, Sister Heguang is here? Shiyu is all better now! Shiyu is feeling absolutely fine!"
"Has Sister Heguang eaten yet? If not, should Shiyáo go stir-fry a couple dishes for you?"
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