"What do you want?"

Sheng Jing toyed with the teacup in his hand, raised his head, and met Shen Jianping's eyes, asking out loud.

"To not seize what heaven bestows, one will suffer its curses. To not welcome the timely, one will bear its calamities." In Shen Jianping's eyes burned a wild fire, a thing called ambition: "Brother Sheng Jing, if you are willing to lend me a hand, great things can be achieved."

"Oh?" Sheng Jing looked at Shen Jianping with confusion and asked out loud, "So confident?"

"Yes." Shen Jianping nodded and said, "Today is different from the past, opportunities are right in front of us. As long as we reach out, we can embrace them."

"By then, my son will hold the country's helm, Xin Huai will become a mother of a nation... The Sheng Family will take it to a higher level, prosperous beyond words."

"This matter..." Sheng Jing said solemnly, word by word, "I cannot make the decision."

"..."

------

Shen Lewen hesitated to speak.

Sheng Xinhua smiled apologetically and said, "If it's inconvenient to talk about, then don't. I'm just curious, after all."

Women should never say to men, 'you can't', 'it's inconvenient', 'don't force it'.

These words easily provoke the rebellious psyche inherent in men.

If you say he can't, he will insist on trying.

If you ask if it's inconvenient, he will say it's convenient even when it's not.

If you say don't force it, he will forcefully say it's not forced at all...

Shen Lewen was just such a man, seeing Sheng Xinhua apologizing to him, he immediately said, "Actually, it's not inconvenient. Since we've come visiting today, we should be honest with our friends. I believe my father will also discuss this topic with Uncle Sheng later."

"This isn't a secret within the Shen Family either; all of Shen Family's branches are aware of this matter. Shen Xinglan is injured, reportedly very seriously, and is still recuperating on Luojia Mountain."

"Ah?" Sheng Xinhua feigned surprise and said, "Isn't Shen Xinglan a Grandmaster? Even a disciple of the Great Grandmaster, he's so formidable... Who could harm him?"

Her heart was pounding heavily, the answer was about to reveal itself.

She needed to confirm once more.

To get a definitive answer from the Shen Family.

"Lu Yu." Shen Lewen answered aloud, "This person is currently obscure, but twenty years ago he was a renowned figure, known alongside Imperial Grand Marshal Tang Li as the Imperial Treasures, demonstrating his prowess."

"He could actually injure Shen Xinglan? Unbelievable."

"Xing Lan indeed has extraordinary talent in Martial Arts, being one of the world's most outstanding cultivation geniuses. Unfortunately, that man sought death, caught him off guard, and detonated biomaterial explosives hidden within his body... That's what made Xing Lan suffer greatly."

"That Lu Yu... truly ruthless and unforgivable. Considering the importance Shen Xinglan holds in the Shen Family, that Lu Yu would certainly be torn to pieces, right?"

"Of course." Shen Lewen nodded slightly and said, "However, I don't know the specifics. The incidents at the Hundred Beast Garden are top secret, even the chief steward by Grandpa's side died in battle..."

"It is precisely because of this that there are hidden currents within the Shen Family. Everyone knows that Zhong Tianque as King won't last long."

"When the time is ripe, naturally the Shen Family members will replace him. When Shen Xinglan was healthy, everyone knew that position was reserved for him."

"But now he is gravely injured, even threatening his life... If he's gone, who will take that position?"

"Do you want that position?" Sheng Xinhua examined Shen Lewen and asked aloud.

"To reach the summit and see all mountains beneath. I very much want to sit in that position and see what the scenery is like below." Shen Lewen did not hide, speaking frankly.

Having already come seeking collaboration, there's no point in hiding anything, as it would seem petty.

Those who accomplish great deeds, are extraordinary people.

"Sitting in that position, embracing solitude, one might not live joyfully."

"To gain something, one must lose something else." Shen Lewen looked at Sheng Xinhua with blazing eyes, "So long as you nod, a future as Empress awaits."

Sheng Xinhua did not nod and declined again, "I love fine wine, and freedom, that position doesn't suit me."

"What a pity." Shen Lewen sighed softly and said, "But, no need to rush your answer, we have plenty of time."

------

After sending away Shen Jianping and Shen Lewen, Sheng Xinhua accompanied her father back to the tea room to drink tea.

While she boiled water and brewed tea, she watched Sheng Jing's facial expressions with great interest.

Sheng Jing remained expressionless.

"If you want to ask something, just ask directly... Why look furtively?"

Sheng Xinhua laughed brightly, placing a cup of hot tea in front of Sheng Jing and said with a giggle, "Mr. Sheng, are you tempted?"

"Whether I'm tempted isn't important, but I'd like to ask you, they offered to make you Empress... Are you tempted?"

"No, no." Sheng Xinhua shook her head vehemently and said, "Don't you know your own daughter? Do I look like the Empress type?"

Sheng Jing thoughtfully scrutinized Sheng Xinhua.

Sheng Xinhua suddenly grew tense.

Could Mr. Sheng truly want to form an alliance with the Shen Family?

I tell you, I'd rather die than comply.

"Doesn't seem like it," Sheng Jing said.

Sheng Xinhua's tense nerves relaxed at once, and he said aloud, "I think so too. If the public knew their Empress was always drinking heavily and partying at nightclubs, changing boyfriends three times a month, there'd surely be a revolt."

"This Empress role, whoever wants it can have it. I, for one, don't want it."

Sheng Jing had only one precious daughter, Sheng Xinhua, and she was raised with freedom, never interfering with her thoughts or choices.

Even now, he doesn't plan to interfere in her love life.

Children have their own paths; they don't need me to enjoy happiness.

"Since Shen Jianping came to visit, other families will catch the scent and come knocking..." Sheng Jing furrowed his brows, speaking angrily: "External threats unresolved, internal chaos arises, and ultimately, it's the common folk who suffer."

"What are you planning to do?" Sheng Xinhua looked at Sheng Jing and asked aloud.

She knew her father; he didn't care who became Emperor, only that the nation was prosperous, and the people could enjoy good lives.

Everything else was unimportant.

"What can I do?" Sheng Jing sighed lightly, "Do my job well, and guard the country's financial security as best as I can... The Aus Empire has been eyeing us covetously lately."

"Black Swan events keep emerging; if they want to profit from the stock market, it's effortless, and we can't defend against it even if we want to..."

------

Tang Fei carried his guitar, with his dreadlocks flying in the wind.

Lu Siyu, with purple hair and purple eyes, walked with his hands in his pockets, blowing bubbles one after another.

Very second-rate, very abstract.

The two had just stepped onto Youth Road when they heard someone behind them shouting, "Chen Zhuo... Chen Zhuo..."

Lu Siyu pulled Tang Fei and said, "Someone's calling you."

Tang Fei suddenly remembered he was using the student identity of 'Chen Zhuo.'

Tang Fei turned around to see two similarly 'fashionable' young men and women excitedly waving at them.

"Zhao Xiaozhou... Li Mi..." Lu Siyu whispered a reminder in his ear.

As he spoke, he casually fiddled with his watch, sending their identity information to Tang Fei's view.

"Ah... Li Mi, Zhao Xiaozhou... How did you guys end up here?" Tang Fei 'excitedly' greeted them.

What the hell?

Running into college classmates?

"Shouldn't I be the one asking you?" Zhao Xiaozhou ran up to Tang Fei and punched him in the chest, looking like the two were quite close.

Tang Fei resisted the urge to stab him.

No, it was an instinctive reaction.

If this had been on the old earth, this kid would be gone.

"Right before graduation, I said I wanted to try my luck in Phoenix City, after all, it's the capital, and job opportunities are abundant... I asked if you wanted to come along, and you said you'd never come..."

"How long has it been? And we've met in Phoenix City... Isn't it quite a coincidence? It's destiny."

"When Zhao Xiaozhou was calling out 'Chen Zhuo' to your silhouette, I thought he was mistaken... But it really was you guys..." Li Mi was also talking to Lu Siyu: "Mainly because Chen Zhuo's little braids are so eye-catching, you can recognize them immediately."

Tang Fei forced a bitter smile; if he'd known, he'd have gone for a subtler look...

"He's just too flamboyant," Lu Siyu criticized directly.

"That's how artists are," Li Mi said, "What are you two up to?"

"Just wandering around," Tang Fei replied.

He wanted to quickly get rid of these 'classmates,' as they had more important matters to deal with.

"We're bros, don't put on an act in front of me," Zhao Xiaozhou patted Tang Fei on the shoulder again, "Just arrived in Phoenix City, haven't found a job yet?"

"..."

"I understand, I completely understand... Come on, let's go to the bar, the one I work at is hiring a resident singer now."

"With your skills, just showcase a bit and you'll rock the house... The boss will definitely find a way to keep you."

"..."

Tang Fei stared blankly at Zhao Xiaozhou.

Does he know what he's talking about?

With my skills? What skills?

Rock the house? Can I use explosives?

That, I actually have.

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