Chapter 2873

Wei Li's current situation is very similar to Zhao Chi's back then.

At that time Zhao Chi had absolutely no talent, and because he had transmigrated and knew nothing, he was effectively a cripple.

Under such circumstances, the Zhao family certainly wouldn't invest resources in Zhao Chi; merely maintaining his livelihood and schooling was already decent enough, since the Zhao family was a small clan.

But although there was some gossip behind his back, overall the Zhao family people treated Zhao Chi fairly well, especially the clan head, who was also quite good to him.

But if he needed things from the Zhao family's clan vault, he would certainly have to pay for them.

This was only natural.

Then Wei Li… was probably in the same situation.

She had said before that she wasn't valued in the Wei family, so the moment Zhao Chi agreed to take her in, she immediately wanted to consummate with Zhao Chi, without even thinking of explaining the situation to the Wei family first — she seemed desperate to come to Zhao Chi's side.

This was the exact opposite of Lu Yi's situation.

Zhao Chi said gently, "This isn't a big deal, and I'm not a balloon — I won't get angry. But 30 gold coins isn't a small sum for you. I'll give you…"

Zhao Chi had just gotten to that point when he was firmly cut off by Wei Li.

"No! You can't! The reason I said this set of blueprints was something I asked for in the first place was because I was afraid you'd give me money. Besides myself, I really have nothing else to give you. It's not easy for you to need this set of blueprints — just let me give it to you, alright? Otherwise I'll feel utterly useless."

So that was what she had been thinking.

In a relationship between a man and a woman, whichever side is at a disadvantage probably has this kind of mentality.

Especially when at an extreme disadvantage.

Wei Li wanted to repay Zhao Chi, just a little, for the enormous benefits he had given her, by gifting him the blueprints.

It was also one of the very few things she could currently do for Zhao Chi.

So she valued it greatly.

Moreover, Wei Li seemed to have a bit of an inferiority complex.

So once she spotted an opportunity, she tried her hardest to seize it, wanting to prove herself.

She needed to be allowed to slowly build up her confidence.

Zhao Chi comforted her, "Wei Li, when you're with me, don't carry such a heavy psychological burden, and don't use your own thoughts to judge what I like. Can you guess what I value and like most?"

Wei Li raised her head, her eyes a little blank.

She glanced at the surrounding class-beauty and school-beauty-level female villagers and female soldiers, then murmured, "What you fancy is… beauty and figure?"

"What nonsense! What I value is loyalty and obedience!"

"Huh?"

"You don't believe it?"

"No! I can do both of those things you mentioned — I'll definitely be loyal to you, and I'll definitely be obedient."

"Can you be 100% loyal and 100% obedient?"

"I can!"

"Will you assist me?"

"Of course!"

"Good. Take this money, change your race as soon as possible, then improve yourself as quickly as you can — try to be able to fight alongside me in the future."

As Zhao Chi spoke, he placed 50,000 gold coins into the trade interface.

Wei Li was startled.

She stared at Zhao Chi, her face full of terror.

She had never seen so much money in her entire life.

Zhao Chi said, "From now on, you're mine — not only are you mine, your territory is mine too. So these 50,000 gold coins are for changing my race, buying soldiers and supplies. Spend them as you see fit. Show me your ability — can you do it?"

Wei Li was silent for a moment.

She wasn't stupid.

Although Zhao Chi put it that way, she certainly knew he was saying it so she could accept it more easily.

Actually, these 50,000 gold coins weren't that much.

The 2,600 sets of fashion items just given to Lu Yi alone were probably worth more than 50,000 gold coins.

Right now, giving Wei Li fashion items wouldn't have an obvious effect — what she needed more was money, startup capital.

She had said earlier that getting her family to change her race probably wouldn't be easy, so he might as well fund it himself.

It would let her depend on him more, body and soul, and become one of his people sooner and more completely.

She might take a very long time to spend 50,000 gold coins — at the very least, she wouldn't finish it anytime soon.

Wei Li suddenly knelt down.

"This humble woman, Wei Li, is willing to become your vassal lord."

"Huh?"

Wei Li raised her head, her eyes brimming with tears, her gaze full of resolve.

Immediately after, Zhao Chi received a vassalage request sent by Wei Li.

But that was not at all what Zhao Chi had meant.

This was equivalent to directly poaching the Wei family's wall — it would create a grudge.

Zhao Chi certainly wasn't afraid of making enemies of the Wei family; it was a trivial matter, but there was no need.

There was really no need to do that right now.

On one hand, why make enemies when they could become allies?

On the other hand, although Wei Li wasn't valued, she certainly didn't want to break with the Wei family either.

Wei Li and the Wei family weren't enemies.

It really wasn't worth going that far.

Zhao Chi quickly pulled her up: "Get up quick. I'm not asking you to become my vassal lord right now—I'm telling you to take the money and develop and transform as fast as you can."

Wei Li pouted, seeming about to cry: "But this is too precious."

Zhao Chi laughed: "Precious, my ass! Later your whole army will be wearing my fashion and using my weapons. Forget 50,000—even if it's 5 million worth of gear later, you'll wear it properly, understand? Don't forget what I value most is loyalty and obedience. You'd better not fail at both."

"I'll be obedient… but how do I repay you?"

"You're mine—would I repay myself? I don't have many lord-vassals I can trust right now, and you count as one. So hurry up and develop, then help me out sooner. No problem, right?"

"Of course no problem!!"

"Take the money."

"Mm! I'm going back right now to change my race, change my gear, change my soldiers!"

"If you run out of money, remember to come ask me."

"How could it not be enough?! This is 50,000 gold coins! Oh my god, I won't be able to spend it all in my lifetime, right?"

Zhao Chi laughed.

It couldn't be said that Wei Li was ignorant—she really hadn't experienced much.

50,000 gold coins was only the price of a few bloodlines; if she wanted to spend it, she'd definitely burn through it fast.

Wei Li was surely calculating this sum of money based on her past habits. Zhao Chi said nothing, letting her figure it out on her own.

"Zhao Chi, then I'm off."

Zhao Chi nodded: "Alright. Oh, right—you don't have any engagement, do you?"

"Engagement? No, didn't we just settle it between us?"

"I mean with someone else, like a noble or something."

Wei Li shook her head: "Of course not. I'm yours alone, please rest assured."

"Good."

Wei Li seemed much happier, as if she'd found a new goal—to quickly raise her strength and help Zhao Chi.

Zhao Chi looked at her pitiful expression and delicate cheeks, then leaned in with a smile.

He cupped her chin with one hand, then kissed her.

Wei Li burst into tears on the spot.

Zhao Chi quickly raised his head.

Wei Li cried as she leaned in: "Don't… don't go… mm…"

What kind of situation is this…?

How could a single kiss make her cry like that?

Zhao Chi was baffled.

But now wasn't the time to think about that…