[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-m-not-crazy-this-is-the-emperor-s-banner":3,"chapter-i-m-not-crazy-this-is-the-emperor-s-banner-i-m-not-crazy-this-is-the-emperor-s-banner-chapter-78":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","I'm Not Crazy—This Is the Emperor's Banner",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2291418,4480,"Chapter 78: First Meeting with Doudou","i-m-not-crazy-this-is-the-emperor-s-banner-chapter-78",78,"\u003Cp>Shen Siyuan didn’t answer Lin Manzhi’s question but asked instead: “Did she say something to you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Manzhi nodded and said: “She said you haven’t reached out to her these past few days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, Jiang Tingyu had been waiting for Shen Siyuan to contact her first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Siyuan wasn’t surprised by this; given Jiang Tingyu’s looks, she could never keep pursuing a man actively—she only needed to show a little affection and kindness, and the man would naturally come after her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She believed she had already shown enough affection and goodwill toward Shen Siyuan; he should have given her more feedback in return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she never expected Shen Siyuan to simply vanish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This made her feel uneasy, so she stopped reaching out to him altogether.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But since Lin Manzhi had brought it up, Shen Siyuan decided it was better to clarify things directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he said: “A friend introduced me to someone two days ago. We both felt we got along well, so we decided to try dating.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Manzhi froze, as if still processing it, then asked: “Then what about Tingyu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t she not interested in dating right now?” Shen Siyuan asked in return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Manzhi knew Jiang Tingyu’s situation; she sighed, sounding disappointed: “Tingyu is such a good girl.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Siyuan understood her meaning and replied: “I never said she isn’t. But—no one should wait for someone else.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Siyuan chose to be blunt: if she didn’t want to date, then don’t waste each other’s time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think, given her qualities, she can find someone better,” Shen Siyuan added gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lin Manzhi smiled. Jiang Tingyu was just her friend, not her daughter—she was merely disappointed things hadn’t worked out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She asked curiously: “What does your new date look like? How could you give up a beauty like Tingyu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If we work out, I think you’ll get a chance to meet her,” Shen Siyuan smiled, offering no further explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she met Ruan Hongzhuang, she’d understand why Shen Siyuan chose her over Jiang Tingyu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruan Hongzhuang said she’d contact him at noon, and precisely at 12:00, she called right on time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Probably because it was their first call, and Ruan Hongzhuang had zero experience with dating, she suddenly found herself speechless after answering—she hesitated for ages, then blurted out: “I’m sorry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Siyuan blinked, then burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought this Ruan Hongzhuang was utterly adorable—her cold, elegant demeanor clashed so sharply with this awkward moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Was I not supposed to say that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Shen Siyuan laugh, Ruan Hongzhuang didn’t get angry—instead, she seemed to have found a topic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, who greets someone like that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know I shouldn’t have,” Ruan Hongzhuang said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course she knew what to say—she wasn’t stupid. She’d just been too flustered, forgot her words, and because the silence dragged on too long, she blurted out “I’m sorry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Siyuan laughed a few times, then stopped—laughing longer would’ve been impolite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He comforted her: “It’s fine. At least I’ll never forget how our first call went.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruan Hongzhuang believed his words, and her tone even carried a hint of pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the conversation flowed, Ruan Hongzhuang relaxed and spoke more naturally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She told Shen Siyuan that if they were hiking tomorrow, she’d need to wear flat sports shoes—but all she owned were high heels…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She told Shen Siyuan she’d checked online and found a great movie playing tomorrow morning…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She told Shen Siyuan that Jiang Tao had recommended a delicious Sichuan restaurant—they could go together tomorrow…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She told Shen Siyuan that while shopping tomorrow, could he accompany her to the folk street? She’d wanted to go for a long time but never had the chance…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Ruan Hongzhuang spoke to Shen Siyuan, her tone was soft and unhurried, carrying the gentle, melodic lilt unique to southern Jiangnan women—nothing like her usual crisp, clear Mandarin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn’t pretending—she was from Siming and spoke Wu dialect naturally; she only used Mandarin for work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to her voice, even without seeing her, one could picture a graceful, elegant woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Siyuan was a good listener—not just listening, but occasionally offering a reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had experience: when he courted his first girlfriend, he’d talk for ages while she stayed silent, and that drove him crazy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No feedback meant no clue about her attitude—or even whether she was listening at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that, Shen Siyuan learned how to be a good listener.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were countless such examples; though his first relationship wasn’t perfect, it taught him a lot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, they didn’t know what to talk about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But once they started, like all young lovers, they seemed to have endless things to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when they looked up did they realize it was already afternoon, time for work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Glory Animation had lax management; Shen Siyuan ordered takeout for himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chuan saw it and merely said: “You didn’t eat until now?”—then said no more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was one reason Shen Siyuan liked this job.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as you met your monthly KPI and weren’t late, no boss would lecture you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today was Friday, and Ding Youguang had planned a group dinner, so after work, Shen Siyuan didn’t ride his electric scooter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he took a taxi alone to the restaurant—he didn’t invite Ding Youguang or Zhou Zhengdao along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because everyone at the company knew Ding Youguang had feelings for Li Qunfang; he was giving Zhou Zhengdao and Li Qunfang a chance to be alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t invite Ding Youguang because Ding was still printing the contract.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Ding Youguang was from the north, he booked a northeastern restaurant, claiming it was authentic and that he ate there often.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Siyuan arrived first, then Zhou Zhengdao and Li Qunfang, and finally Ding Youguang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Took long enough to get you out—must be Zhou Zhengdao’s influence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Qunfang, Shen Siyuan teased her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl was introverted, quiet, wearing a European-style puffy dress that made her look much younger than her actual age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Siyuan’s remark only earned a faint smile—she didn’t respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when they started talking about games and art styles, she finally opened up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She suggested a cute Q-version style, since most viewers at home were elderly or children, and those playing on TV were mostly kids—so Q-style art would attract them best…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her suggestion was excellent and was adopted, finalizing the art style.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They talked a lot that night and signed the contract.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Youguang handled this well—he sorted out profit distribution beforehand, giving everyone something to look forward to and avoiding later disputes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Shen Siyuan stepped out of the restaurant, it was nearly ten at night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Youguang lived farthest away and left first by taxi, then Zhou Zhengdao and Li Qunfang shared a taxi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, only Shen Siyuan remained. He considered taking a taxi too, but had drunk a little, so he wanted to walk in the evening breeze and headed to the bus stop alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he walked, he chatted with Ruan Hongzhuang on WeChat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Should I drive to pick you up?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, you rest early. The bus is here—I’m getting on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the No. 6 bus slowly pulled up before him, Shen Siyuan quickly exited the chat, opened his transit app, and scanned to board.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the bus was nearly empty, Shen Siyuan still habitually walked toward the back seats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he saw a little girl, about four or five years old, sitting alone in the very last row.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Siyuan saw her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She saw him too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl had unusually large, bright eyes, two pigtails, and wore a clean, crisp blue-and-white striped dress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But around her neck was a deep, gaping wound—black, bottomless, twisted and grotesque.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d clearly been slashed across the throat; who could be so cruel? Such a sweet little girl—and still they’d done it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl noticed Shen Siyuan staring at her—she was both surprised and delighted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She seemed to want to speak to him but was timid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she stared at him with wide, glistening eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when Shen Siyuan sat beside her and spoke did she finally realize—he could truly see her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s your name?” Shen Siyuan asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lin Yunduo,” the girl whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m Shen Siyuan. How old are you?” he asked gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Five,” Lin Yunduo said timidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s so late—what are you doing on the bus?” Shen Siyuan asked further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, the bus was nearly empty, and he sat in the back, so no one noticed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I want to go home,” Lin Yunduo said, voice trembling with tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wound on her neck was so deep and wide—when she lowered her head, Shen Siyuan genuinely feared her head might fall off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her head actually fell off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Doudou appears. Those who know the situation understand.\u003C\u002Fp>",1454,"2026-06-20T03:53:08.657Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","c5a2d08eb5ce3938464b58f372d1eb9e741490bb7146a5b80a39dad5bd4fa38e","i-m-not-crazy-this-is-the-emperor-s-banner-chapter-79","i-m-not-crazy-this-is-the-emperor-s-banner-chapter-77",623,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-m-not-crazy-this-is-the-emperor-s-banner-cover.jpg"]