Chapter 1665

Li Ruanyu said with a hint of apology: "There are still 60,000 gold coins left, but it might take a bit longer. I should be able to give you all of it within this month though. Are you in a rush to use it?"

"Not in a rush, it's fine."

"That's good. I've basically borrowed from everyone around me already, and there are some people I don't want to ask. If you're not in a rush for it, I'll hold off on borrowing more. I'll clear a few more dens and werewolf territories this month, and I should be able to scrape together the remaining 60,000 gold coins for you."

Zhao Chi was a little surprised: "You went borrowing money? These 90,000 gold coins are all borrowed?"

Though surprised, it did fit the situation.

Yesterday Li Ruanyu had given Zhao Chi 30,000 gold coins, which was already quite a lot for a lord.

After all, most lords' principles were pretty much the same — convert money into combat power.

Money sitting in hand was useless.

Only when turned into equipment, potions, items, soldiers did it become useful.

Those 30,000 gold coins from yesterday could well be said to be all of Li Ruanyu's savings.

And she had also given him a massive amount of rare materials and Quick-Work Talismans.

Although Li Ruanyu certainly had plenty of equipment and prisoners, or rare items.

But if she wanted to liquidate them, it wasn't something the Yishiban Society could handle right away.

Li Ruanyu said: "It's not all borrowed. Quite a bit of it is from selling those 1,700 sets of pajamas, and some is borrowed."

Zhao Chi said: "It's fine. If anyone's money feels too hot to hold, feel free to pay them back first. The remaining 60,000 can wait until the end of next month, I'm not in a rush to use it right now."

Li Ruanyu said with feeling: "If only this were wine. Let tea stand in for wine — I toast you."

Having said that, she drank it down in one go.

Zhao Chi said: "No, no, no — it's hot!"

Still said it too late.

Li Ruanyu pouted, a little hesitant.

But she still furrowed her brows and forced it down.

Zhao Chi stared, dumbfounded.

"Sis, there's no need for that! If it's hot just spit it out — why force yourself to swallow it?"

Li Ruanyu said, eyes brimming with tears: "Something offered to you, how could I spit it out? Even if it's hot, I'll swallow it."

"We don't need to bother with formalities like that in the future. Hurry and take a health potion."

"That's not necessary. I have some recovery abilities."

"Alright then…"

"Any events coming up? I plan to start attacking South Valley Village and North Stream Village mid-month, and take Stream Village by month's end. Be ready — rack up more contribution points then, and I'll raise your rank."

"It's fine, sis. Rank isn't important, but I'll be well prepared for battle."

"Mm. Use this period to gather more strength. I'm looking forward to your performance later."

"Alright, I'll head back and prepare then. I'll come by again next time."

"Huh? The attack isn't until mid-month — what are you going back to prepare now? Stay a while longer."

"Prepare early."

"Not that early though. Stay a bit longer, I'll brew another pot of tea. Finish it before you go."

Li Ruanyu forcibly kept Zhao Chi for another half hour.

The two chatted about this and that.

Zhao Chi didn't really mind — chatting with a woman like Li Ruanyu was quite enjoyable.

It wasn't just because she was pretty.

It was also because no matter what Zhao Chi said, she could pick up the thread, and her timely smiles and giggles gave his ego a great deal of satisfaction.

And some of the things Li Ruanyu said, Zhao Chi could also pick up smoothly — their conversation was very in sync.

But Zhao Chi knew.

If you could talk about anything with a woman without running out of topics, either the two of you were truly familiar and in sync, or that woman's realm was considerably higher and she was accommodating downward.

Zhao Chi felt it was the latter.

Although it felt good, there was always a… how to put it… a sense of being cared for.

It actually felt nice, but it was just…

Actually, in front of Gu Qing, Zhao Chi sometimes had this feeling too — as if Gu Qing was looking after him, like caring for a little brother.

It always felt a bit… not exactly stifling, but just not quite satisfying.

But with Gu Qing, Zhao Chi could push back at night.

At least in bed, Zhao Chi could take the lead in everything. When Gu Qing trembled and begged for mercy, Zhao Chi could at least pull that feeling back by a round.

But with Li Ruanyu…

He couldn't exactly do that, could he?

Zhao Chi glanced at her bed — it was surely very soft.

If…

No, why am I having thoughts like this?

Li Ruanyu's time was precious too. She spent time on him, and even actively created topics, making the atmosphere really pleasant — and here he was thinking of doing that to her?

Gotta leave quickly!

So Zhao Chi finished two more cups of tea before taking his leave.

This time Li Ruanyu didn't try to keep him, but softly and gently gave her well-wishes and farewell.

It felt like a couple saying goodbye at the airport.

Back at his territory, Zhao Chi sighed.

Suppressing the scattered thoughts, he called the well-behaved Qi Yue over and continued crafting the outfit.