Chapter 1672

When she got serious, an overwhelming aura suddenly came rushing toward him.

Su Qin had carried a similar air about her just now, but certainly not as strong as Li Ruanyu's.

Zhao Chi quickly returned the courtesy: "It's nothing, sis. Don't worry about it."

"How could I not worry about it?"

After the exchange of courtesies, Li Ruanyu's gaze softened again, filled with conflicting emotions.

Zhao Chi was no fool; he could read some of it.

If he brought up the idea of a deeper connection now, would Li Ruanyu perhaps accept it?

He recalled what Gu Qing had said — finding a chance to sleep with Li Ruanyu first was the real priority.

But in Li Ruanyu's complicated gaze, Zhao Chi saw gratitude, trust, friendliness, even care and affection.

Only love and desire were scarce.

It couldn't be said there was none — there was, but little.

And contradiction took up the greater part.

The timing wasn't right.

If he could develop a more intimate relationship with Li Ruanyu, it would indeed be worth trusting her a bit more.

Although that was quite mercenary, there was some truth to it.

On the other hand, Li Ruanyu was absolutely a 100% mature beauty. Even if people's tastes differed, no one should say she wasn't a top-tier beauty. Of course, except for those jealous women.

If he really could with her…

Zhao Chi was certainly willing.

But from the looks of it now, the timing wasn't ripe yet.

And intimate affection wasn't a guarantee, let alone a law.

Even if he slept with Li Ruanyu, if her character was bad, she would still betray Zhao Chi if she would.

If Li Ruanyu's character was good, even without any substantial emotional development now, she still wouldn't betray Zhao Chi.

So, he could wait a while longer.

Zhao Chi smiled: "Alright, sis, then hurry up and sell off these fashion items or whatever. I'll head out first, come find you next time."

Li Ruanyu seemed to breathe a sigh of relief: "Okay."

But soon she called out to Zhao Chi again: "Hey, wait."

"What is it, sis?"

Li Ruanyu asked: "Recently Shopkeeper Wanyan's place got in a batch of goods — the stockings and high heels you gave me, those… were those also consigned by Senior Zhang for you to sell?"

Zhao Chi was taken aback.

He didn't know whether to admit it.

The point to hide wasn't whether the fashion items were made by that "Senior Zhang" — that definitely couldn't be concealed, since Li Ruanyu was a professional and could tell.

The point to hide was whether Zhao Chi had sold them…

After thinking it over, Zhao Chi still shook his head: "No, I know about that batch from Shopkeeper Wanyan's place too, but it wasn't me who sold them."

"Not you?"

Li Ruanyu was a little puzzled: "But the material of those stockings and high heels is clearly Master Zhang's."

Zhao Chi said: "Perhaps… Master Zhang entrusted one of his subordinates to sell them."

"Oh…"

Li Ruanyu nodded.

Zhao Chi wasn't exactly talking nonsense, after all it really wasn't Zhao Chi who sold them, but Gu Qing.

And Gu Qing was Zhao Chi's subordinate.

It could be said that every word Zhao Chi said was the truth.

Li Ruanyu didn't press further: "Got it, thank you, Zhao Chi."

"Why are you thanking me again?"

"Sigh, no matter how many times I say it, it's hard to express my gratitude."

"It's fine, the two of us don't need to stand on ceremony. I'll head out then."

"Okay, see you next time."

"Wait, I just suddenly thought of something too."

"What is it?"

"I need 7,000 Flower Fairies, but there are very few in our Horn Cliff Town. Can you help me find a batch?"

"7,000 Flower Fairies? What do you need them for? Helping manage farmland? Or for combat?"

"Managing farmland."

"How much farmland could you have? That many Flower Fairies needed? Huh, is it that senior who sold us the Experience Fruits who needs them?"

"Sis, you're really sharp."

"In that case… I understand. I'll figure out a way to buy them back from other towns for you."

"Can that quantity be bought?"

Li Ruanyu nodded: "Definitely can be bought, but they'll need to be purchased separately from multiple towns. That's no problem, I'll handle it for you."

Zhao Chi added: "None with bad temperaments."

"Mm, I'll screen them for you, don't worry about that."

"Do you still have money? Want me to give you some to buy the Flower Fairies?"

"No need, don't worry about that. I'll figure something out, I'll get it done for you in the next few days."

"Hehe, thanks, sis. I'll be off then."

"No need to thank me. See you next time."

"Mm, see you."

Zhao Chi teleported immediately.

Time to craft equipment — so go find Zhuang Ya.

Zhao Chi entered Chaoge Town to look for her.

But there was no need to look for Zhuang Ya at all.

Because she was currently lording it over Chaoge Town.

Bossing the captives around like a queen.

Those beastman captives obediently tilled the fields; not a single one dared talk back.

If their work was poor, or if they showed even a hint of defiance, they were done for.

The vast majority of the captives had never yet tasted Zhuang Ya's soul-burning flames.

But they had watched others be punished.

Even the toughest, most stubborn beastman brute couldn't last ten seconds against Zhuang Ya's little flames.

After ten seconds, they would absolutely be bawling, soiling themselves, and howling for mercy.

Then they would turn into an utterly obedient beastman baby.

They would obey Zhuang Ya's every word.

Not a single one could escape it.

Those former big brothers of the beastmen had all become Zhuang Ya's devoted followers, so the remaining beastmen were naturally terrified out of their wits.

Killing the chicken to scare the monkey worked very well.

So no captive wanted to experience it for themselves.

Those flower demons had always been quite docile, and after seeing Zhuang Ya's power many times, they became even more obedient, like toy dolls.

Those rat-folk were very timid; standing before Zhuang Ya, they would tremble nonstop. Although Zhuang Ya had never punished them, they all quaked without cease — like mice seeing a cat… no, like mice seeing a tiger.

But the moment Zhao Chi arrived, the lofty Queen Zhuang Ya instantly turned into an obedient, charming maidservant.

Although in address she still kept her own style, her tone had grown much softer and sweeter.

"Zhao Chi, you're here."