CHAPTER 475
The Master's Work
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This was her Master. She would tolerate Su Cheng's whims without limit.
Xiao Ai knew that when she wasn't around, no one else could indulge Su Cheng's whims.
Xiao Ai knew even more clearly that the man before her was a fearless warrior, a brave soul daring to cross swords with the gods themselves.
Likewise, precisely because he carried such a heavy burden, Xiao Ai was willing to be the arm he could lean on.
To be his support—that was Xiao Ai's job.
To offer companionship when Su Cheng felt lonely.
When Su Cheng strayed from the path, she would rouse him.
When Su Cheng was isolated and helpless, she offered him aid.
When Su Cheng doubted himself, she offered encouragement.
"Master, ten minutes are up~"
"How could it be over so fast? Did Xiao Ai deceive me?"
"Of course not. Xiao Ai never lies, Master. You know that."
Su Cheng remained silent afterward, growing even more unrestrained, seemingly oblivious to Ye Qinghan's presence beside him…
He swept Xiao Ai up in his arms and tossed her onto the bed, then pinned her down, resting his head on her stomach.
[It's been a while since you last caught Xiao Ai, hasn't it…].
"Master, there's no use being stubborn. You still have much work to do today."
[It's the scent of the Fragrant Dream Flower. Has this guy soaked himself in it?]
【But it really is fragrant~】
"Help me, Xiao Ai, I'm so tired…"
Xiao Ai was pinned down on the bed, yet she didn't seem the least bit bothered. Instead, she wore a look of pure contentment~
But Xiao Ai was at a loss too. She could only bring up Ye Qinghan to remind her master to mind her image.
"Master, you've forgotten—Miss Qinghan is watching~"
It must be said, it worked like a charm.
Like a startled cat, he shot upright…
Su Cheng's eyes widened as he glanced from Ye Qinghan to Xiao Ai.
"Xiao Ai, you didn't tell me she had class this early!"
【Damn it, Xiao Ai! Why didn't you say Qinghan was here? Don't you care about my reputation?】
"Since I'm studying under Xiao Ai, naturally wherever Xiao Ai is, the young lady is too~ Besides, the master didn't ask, did he?"
Ye Qinghan listened to her master's adorable inner thoughts and struggled to stifle her laughter.
Even if they were just thoughts, she never imagined her master would be like this in front of Lady Gu Ai~
Resting her head on Xiao Ai's stomach, pinning her down so she couldn't get up—Master really does love picking on people~
How enviable~
She wanted her master to act spoiled with her too~
【I told you this class was pointless. You just wanted to bring Qinghan along to laugh at me!】
"Xiao Ai, tea."
Spotting Ye Qinghan present, Su Cheng instantly put on airs—despite not even wearing pants…
"Yes, yes, Xiao Ai will fetch it for you. Your face-washing water is ready too. Have a sip of tea and get ready for your ablutions."
"Got it. You're getting more and more chatty, Xiao Ai!"
It was like a bickering young couple, with Xiao Ai playing the role of a housewife.
"It's all because the Master never listens! Always trying to slack off! If Xiao Ai wasn't keeping an eye on him, those documents would probably be left until tonight again!"
Watching Xiao Ai attend to his master's dressing and washing, Ye Qinghan honestly felt they were cut from the same cloth!
He casually tossed his clothes at Xiao Ai and got out of bed.
Before Xiao Ai could finish tidying the clothes, Su Cheng began complaining.
[Just like in my memories, Xiao Ai's tea was always sweet.]
"Xiao Ai, I've told you countless times—you keep adding sugar to my tea."
But Xiao Ai remained unfazed, responding to every word.
"Master's life is already bitter enough. Xiao Ai just wants to sweeten it a little for you."
"Utterly unnecessary…"
Despite his words, Su Cheng finished the tea anyway…
"Xiao Ai, this pastry tastes awful—neither sweet nor savory. Could I have something else?"
"Master, please make do with it. Xiao Ai doesn't have much money left."
"This isn't what you left over from last night, is it…"
"Xiao Ai didn't have dinner last night."
[Xiao Ai wouldn't lie, but she didn't answer the question either.]
"So you dodged my question. This is what you didn't eat for dinner last night, isn't it?"
Xiao Ai simply refused to engage. Having food at all was a blessing—how could she be picky?
"Your Excellency, documents from the Dawn Palace have arrived—regarding the Fourteenth Army's restructuring…"
Ye Qinghan finally understood—they were all cut from the same cloth!
They're all cut from the same mold!
[Left side: must review immediately. Middle section: can be looked at later. Right side…]
Xiao Ai had prepared everything. She’d already skimmed through the important documents, picking out the crucial ones.
After a quick meal, Su Cheng was ready to get to work. At this hour, Shiyao and Juer hadn't even woken up yet…
Ye Qinghan was well aware of this. Through the cracks of space and time, she had come to understand her master's daily routine.
The so-called life of a Supreme Being wasn't particularly colorful. Aside from occasional meetings, it consisted of endless documents to review.
Then there were the various troubles to handle…
Yet these troubles were precisely the kind only he could resolve.
The battle report before him was one such matter:
My dearest, I have commanded the royal army of three hundred thousand troops to guard the front lines of Linglang River for over a decade. Though the flames of war have now subsided, the remnants of the enemy remain.
The enemy, exploiting the flat terrain, stubbornly holds out and has repeatedly launched swift mobile raids against our units, inflicting heavy casualties on our forces.
Though I hold the title of commander, I am but a figurehead, and I feel deeply ashamed before you, my dear.
My earlier wounds and illnesses linger, leaving me as fragile as a candle in the wind. I fear my days are numbered. I implore you, my dearest, to seek a capable successor to take my place.
We are now encamped in open terrain, lacking any natural defenses. Our troops, already exhausted from repeated ambushes, are further weakened by dwindling supplies. Sustaining this position is becoming increasingly difficult.
I wish to withdraw our forces to the Twin Rivers for recuperation.
When a capable general takes command and provisions are replenished, we shall surely crush the enemy and reclaim our lost lands.
Should I still be alive then, I shall dance upon the city walls to welcome the royal army.
Frontline of Linglang River—Royal Army Headquarters
—Ye He
This battle report made Su Cheng laugh out loud—it truly amused her!
But Ye Qinghan was dumbfounded. With the battle going so badly, what was the Master laughing about?
"Xiao Ai, take money from my secret stash and send it to Ye He. We truly owe her this time."
"Master, Xiao Ai has already prepared it. The gift list is tucked underneath."
[It has to be Xiao Ai… She's probably seen all this before…]
"Hmm, then I won't look. Just do as you see fit."
Ye Qinghan watched the two exchange a glance. What did the battle report have to do with the gift list?
Su Cheng seemed to notice Ye Qinghan's puzzlement as well. He smiled and waved his hand, handing the battle report to Ye Qinghan.
Ye Qinghan carefully read it over once more. She had already glanced at it while standing behind her master. A battle report was just a battle report—what else could she possibly glean from it?
At this moment, her master's thoughts were filled with nothing but laughter—first at Ye He, then at Ye Qinghan.
Ye Qinghan hadn't picked up on anything meaningful either.
"Didn't understand it?"
Ye Qinghan nodded blankly, genuinely unable to discern any issues.
"Qinghan, with this battle report, you mustn't just read what she wrote. You need to form your own judgment."
"You've seen Ye He's capabilities. No need for me to elaborate further, right?"
Ye Qinghan nodded. General Ye He’s prowess was beyond question—it was common knowledge!
"She's the current commander-in-chief of the royal army, commanding hundreds of thousands of troops. If she needs to ask me about such trivial matters, what use is she to me?"
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