Chapter 1877

She was, of course, surprised.

This was Penglai Town.

It was Zhao Chi's unregistered territory.

There was also the Phoenix Cry Tower, the Carefree Spring, the Feathered Ox, the Super Wheat, the Super Experience Fruit, and so on.

Any single one of them could be called a secret.

Zhao Chi would never let anyone in.

But how did Li Ruanyu get in?

Was this a good thing, or a bad thing?

Had Li Ruanyu found out about Zhao Chi?

Was Zhao Chi treating her to a meal to keep her quiet?

But unregistered territory is a serious crime.

Can a meal smooth that over?

Zhao Chi has plenty of money now… maybe he could bribe her?

But Li Ruanyu is famously impartial—would she accept a bribe?

But judging by Zhao Chi and the others' expressions… they all seemed happy?

Li Ruanyu was happy too?

Qi Yue tugged Su Qin: "What are you standing there for? Sit down quick, don't you know Sister Ruanyu?"

"Sister Ruanyu??"

Su Qin was bewildered by Qi Yue's way of addressing her.

Gu Qing laughed: "Right, I don't know much about what goes on outside, but privately, from now on you really do need to call her 'Sister.'"

Li Ruanyu nodded: "Zhao Chi, about the matter between us… you haven't told Su Qin yet?"

"The matter between you?"

Su Qin felt her brain crash.

Zhao Chi said: "From now on, just treat Ruanyu the same way you treat Gu Qing and the others."

"Ruanyu?"

Is Zhao Chi allowed to call her that?

Su Qin actually understood some of it.

But she didn't dare believe it.

Zhao Chi may not be very sensitive to outside information, but Su Qin paid close attention to it.

She knew Li Ruanyu was a Colonel in the World-Breaking Army's White Tiger Regiment, captain of the Jade Bi Squadron, and vice-mayor of Horn Cliff Town.

She even knew that she was the goddaughter of the World-Breaking Army's Supreme Commander, General Yan Ling.

So…

Unless Zhao Chi said it outright, even if she guessed it, she wouldn't dare believe it.

Li Ruanyu smiled: "Su Qin, from now on our relationship will be one step closer. If you have any difficulties, you can come straight to me—don't stand on ceremony."

Su Qin nodded repeatedly.

But she still hesitated: "C-Captain Li, could you make it a little clearer? I… I'm afraid…"

Li Ruanyu bit her lip and glanced at Gu Qing.

Then she said: "I'm also with Zhao Chi now… we're all Zhao Chi's women. Don't talk about this outside for now, or it'll bring unnecessary trouble to Zhao Chi."

Holy shit…

Su Qin felt like she was dreaming.

This was Li Ruanyu saying it with her own mouth—not Zhao Chi bragging to her.

Nor was it Li Ruanyu having discovered Zhao Chi's secret and coming to make trouble.

She had come to the banquet as one of Zhao Chi's women.

And this was clearly a family dinner.

This Zhao Chi… that amazing?

He even took Li Ruanyu in?

Su Qin, who hadn't sworn in a long time, couldn't help swearing in her heart.

This news was absolutely earth-shattering to her.

After all, she came from humble origins.

Before, she'd felt that being able to marry Zhao Chi as a concubine was already more than enough.

But now Zhao Chi had even won over Li Ruanyu…

This truly gave her an enormous shock.

Tang Ruan snickered beside her: "What's wrong, Sister Su Qin? Your eyes have been wide open for a whole minute."

Su Qin quickly composed herself.

She was just an ordinary woman, without the Fearless talent.

The pressure Li Ruanyu gave her was still considerable.

After all, Li Ruanyu was her direct superior.

And she was also a child of fortune. Su Qin had always held her in great "respect" before, but now…

Su Qin nodded repeatedly: "I understand, C-Captain Li… Sister Ruanyu. I won't say a word to anyone outside, don't worry."

Li Ruanyu smiled: "Mm, you're very reliable. I've had my eye on you all along."

"Pay attention to me?"

Su Qin is Zhao Chi's concubine, so Li Ruanyu would naturally observe her with extra care.

She had observed her for a fair amount of time and found that Su Qin was indeed quite good.

Li Ruanyu nodded.

Gu Qing laughed and said: "Alright, today is Ruanyu-jie's first time here. Let's all raise our glasses and toast her."

Li Ruanyu also raised her wine cup: "Today I came to meet all of you, so I should be the one toasting you. Let's do it together then."

"Good~"

Cups clinked and wine flowed.

Laughter and cheerful voices filled the air.

Zhao Chi was not skilled at socializing.

Especially, he didn't know how to make polite small talk.

But now there were no outsiders in the whole room—only his women—so he felt relaxed and at ease.

Both Gu Qing and Zhuang Ya had a natural talent for conversation.

Tang Ruan also loved to talk.

Qi Yue and Su Qin were relatively quieter by comparison, but everyone was familiar with each other, so among friends the two of them also became much more talkative.

This impromptu meeting-banquet turned out to be very lively as well.

Amid the soft whispers and bursts of gentle laughter, Zhao Chi felt an ease he had never experienced before.

The wine was Green Bamboo Wine produced in Su Qin's domain.

The alcohol content wasn't high; it was more like an alcoholic beverage.

It had a fresh bamboo fragrance, very suitable for women to drink.

Moreover, today was the first time both sides were meeting, and they were all deliberately showing goodwill, so not long after, all of them had drunk until their little faces were flushed red.

Zhao Chi felt that every one of them was incomparably enchanting.

After a few cups of wine, Su Qin also relaxed. As Li Ruanyu's direct subordinate in Zhili, she actually hadn't met her that many times.

This was still the first time they had eaten together.

Li Ruanyu laughed and said: "What's the matter, Su Qin? Why do you keep looking at me?"

Su Qin laughed and said: "I hadn't looked at you carefully before. Today I took a good look, and I feel you're so beautiful…"

Li Ruanyu chuckled and said: "You little girl, you do have a sweet mouth."

Su Qin shook her head: "I'm telling the truth."

"Really? Then I'm even happier. It just so happens I have a gift for you."

"A gift? For me?"