Chapter 969

"No wonder. I was talking to you and you weren't responding — I thought I'd offended you."

"Not at all, hurry up and tell me."

Su Qin looked around.

Then she leaned in close to Zhao Chi.

She was a little shorter, and Zhao Chi could almost see the top of her head.

Her hair was in great condition — fine and soft, black and shiny, a very healthy color.

It smelled nice too… she'd ask later what shampoo she used and buy some for Gu Qing and the others.

Su Qin said quietly, "Ever since Xiao Ning died, they've been investigating the Resistance. Anyone with any connection to the Resistance has been taken away for questioning — all of those people had ties to the Resistance."

Zhao Chi said, "Really? How come I didn't know about something this big? They didn't call me in?"

Su Qin smiled and said, "Your background is clean — everyone knows that. Plus our family deliberately wanted to protect you, so of course you were left alone."

"My background is clean? What do you mean?"

"Haven't you been studying at the academy this whole time? And these past few years you never stepped outside the front gate, let alone the inner one — you're more like a Miss than any of us. Those Holy Ones only had to ask around a little and they'd know you're very well-behaved."

"I see."

"Mm, and didn't we also report that black market before? So our whole clan didn't really get hit this time — just a few people got beaten up and then released."

"Sounds like we were pretty lucky then. I saw two from the Qi family."

"More than that — there were a few who died and weren't hung up here. Of course, our family also handed over some money, consider it losing wealth to avoid disaster."

"You still had to pay?"

"Mm, paid around 2,000 gold coins or so."

"How do you know everything?"

Su Qin smiled and said, "I'm close with your sister Zhao Jiao. Isn't she helping out at Fourth Uncle's place right now? So she gets a lot of information early. Logically speaking, you should be calling me 'Sister' too."

"Don't try to take advantage of me."

"How am I taking advantage of you? I'm a whole year older than you to begin with — calling me 'Sister' wouldn't be a loss for you."

"Fine then, from now on I'll treat you as a clan sister."

"Clan sister… that won't do. Let's just go back to how we were before — just call me by my name."

"You're really fickle."

"I was just joking with you earlier, but there are some things I'm very firm about — once I've made up my mind, I won't change!"

"What thing? You make it sound so absolute."

Su Qin said seriously, "Matters of the heart."

Zhao Chi nodded. "Mm, feelings do need to be taken seriously, but this time when the money was paid, nobody told me to chip in."

Su Qin wanted to say more, but Zhao Chi simply changed the subject.

Su Qin frowned slightly. "How do you change topics so fast? I didn't chip in this time either — the clan covered it. We juniors do get looked after sometimes."

"Mm." Zhao Chi nodded.

Su Qin reopened the previous topic: "Actually… I can accept a man having multiple wives. I don't care about status or position — even if a female hero is ranked ahead of me, I can accept that."

"Oh…"

Zhao Chi's reply was very perfunctory.

Su Qin was a little annoyed.

"What do you mean 'oh'? What are you thinking?"

"Mm, I accept it too."

"You… nonsense! As if you could not accept it?"

"Su Qin, calm down."

"I… I, hmph!"

Su Qin turned her head, looking toward the main gate, no longer looking at Zhao Chi.

But she didn't leave, still staying by Zhao Chi's side — clearly wanting to be coaxed.

Zhao Chi could actually feel Su Qin's intentions.

After all, it was pretty obvious.

Anyone who wasn't stupid could feel it.

Besides, Su Qin had good character and was pretty — Zhao Chi was quite fond of her.

On top of that, Su Qin had been with the Zhao family for many years, so they knew each other inside out.

But before, the two of them weren't particularly close.

It was only since the last time Zhao Chi supported her that their relationship had drawn closer.

Zhao Chi hoped to treat her as a friend to get along with normally.

But Su Qin didn't think that way.

It hadn't even been two weeks yet.

Far too short a time.

Su Qin wasn't Zhao Chi's subordinate hero — she was an independent lord.

Zhao Chi couldn't fully control her.

Of course, he could achieve control by enslaving her, but that wasn't necessary…

And a woman's feelings sometimes swing wildly — a few days ago she might be madly in love, a few days later she might find it all bland and tasteless.

Zhao Chi couldn't possibly invest his feelings in her right now.

Although he could absolutely sleep with her right now, there was no need.

Zhao Chi was not short on women; what he felt with Gu Qing and the others was top-tier, so he had no need to look for other women.

Besides, now that the very beautiful Zhuang Ya had come as well, Zhao Chi was not lacking in this regard; there really was no need to do such a thing.

Most importantly, Zhao Chi had a secret.

So he needed more time to build a trusting relationship with Su Qin.

Still, when it came to coaxing, he still had to coax her a little.

Zhao Chi thought for a moment and said, "I have a gift for you."

Su Qin huffed, "I don't want any gift; I just want a man who doesn't play dumb."

Zhao Chi said helplessly, "This gift is absolutely something you can't refuse?"

Su Qin turned her head to glance at Zhao Chi, then said softly, "You don't mean yourself, do you?"

Zhao Chi was lost for laughter: "You're overthinking it. It's a piece of sleepwear. I don't have it on me right now—I'll send it to your territory in a bit."

Zhao Chi had actually considered it,

the Scholar Goddess Sleepwear was, after all, a rare-grade fashion item, a higher grade compared to those stockings.

He didn't want to bring it out lightly either.

But giving Su Qin just one piece was fine, and the source would be easy to explain.

It could also let Su Qin progress faster, and at the same time let him test her character—one move, many gains.

Su Qin huffed, "Sleepwear? Why would you give me sleepwear? No one's going to see it anyway; wearing it is a waste."

Zhao Chi explained, "It's a fashion item."

Su Qin was still frowning: "So what if it's a fashion item? Aren't the stockings and high heels you gave me fashion items too? I wear stockings and high heels every day, but you never come by even once—who am I dressing up for?"

Zhao Chi said, "Keep your voice down. Wouldn't it do if I come by your place often from now on?"

The Nine Tribes elder sister Zhao Lu ahead turned her head back and teased, "It's fine, no need to keep your voice down. Even when you were whispering just now I could hear every word. Say whatever you like."

Both Zhao Chi and Su Qin were a little embarrassed.

Neither of them said anything more.

But Su Qin still muttered softly, "You said it—you have to come visit often."

Zhao Chi nodded.

Only then did Su Qin cheer up again.

Just as she was about to speak again, a commotion came from afar.

Everyone looked toward the outside of the village.

At the far end of the road, a group of people appeared—no need to look to know it was Master Mu Chang who had arrived.

As they drew closer, everyone could see more clearly.

At the very front were several dozen alien soldiers on horseback clearing the way.