[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-m-the-cleanup-crew":3,"chapter-i-m-the-cleanup-crew-i-m-the-cleanup-crew-chapter-248":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","I'm the Cleanup Crew!",{"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},2286084,4472,"Chapter 248: Dragon","i-m-the-cleanup-crew-chapter-248",248,"\u003Cp>This is…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holding a hand-drawn ticket painted with watercolors depicting a hazy starry sky, with a tiny rose emblem in the corner, Li Ang asked, puzzled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mean… the Princess invited me to watch a play?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After stealing a curious glance at the ram’s head on Li Ang’s desk, the maid sent by the Princess bowed slightly, her demeanor respectful:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Wang Erde’s Morning Star Troupe will perform his most classic play today at the Central Cross Theater — an extremely rare opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Veronika greatly admires Master Wang Erde’s works, and upon learning of this performance, she immediately thought of you, so she hopes you can spare some time this afternoon to accompany her to watch the Morning Star Troupe’s show.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don't believe your ghost!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling how he’d been bamboozled during his previous engagement breakup, Li Ang’s expression darkened slightly, his instincts instantly on guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A super workaholic who turns his bedroom into an office, whose shelves hold nothing but files and not a single leisure book — could he possibly be a theater lover?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Come on!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone with half a brain can see this invitation is clearly not what it seems — she’s 100% targeting you!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his exceptional vigilance, Li Ang instantly recognized the “murderous intent” behind the ticket and shook his head, returning it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please tell her I’m planning to work overtime today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I suddenly showed up to break off our engagement without warning, I certainly caught her off guard — yet even then, she nearly tricked me into signing the papers on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, she’s clearly prepared. If I dare go with her to the play, next will be dinner, shopping, buying clothes, strolling the streets, admiring the scenery… hey, it’s already so late, why not just stay over tonight… and so on and so forth — until she completely traps me!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I watch this play, I’ll never get out alive!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Grace, please don’t refuse so hastily.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if expecting this reaction, the maid who delivered the ticket showed no surprise at Li Ang’s refusal; instead, she smiled softly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your sister Anna’s health has recovered, but after so many years of illness, her body remains fragile and requires careful nourishment. Princess Veronika, meanwhile, happens to know the very best alchemists in the capital…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Li Ang frowned:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So her meaning is — if I want to help Anna with her health, I must trade it by accompanying her to today’s play?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No! No! You mustn’t misunderstand!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maid hurriedly shook her head:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Princess Veronika says she already made a similar mistake in front of you once — she will never repeat such a mistake again. From now on, she will deal with you honestly, without any hidden schemes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether or not you attend today’s play, Anna’s health will receive the very best care — Anna’s condition has nothing to do with her invitation to you. Princess Veronika already sent someone this morning to summon the alchemists.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moreover, besides arranging Anna’s care, she is currently contacting several senior tutors to ensure your brother and sister receive the best possible education without changing schools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And beyond that, next year’s budget for the Clearance Bureau will be maximally increased — and so on and so forth. Princess Veronika told me these are not gifts or flattery, but apologies for what happened before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the time, she acted out of desperation and played some poor tricks on you, and she deeply regrets it. She wishes to do something for you to make up for her mistake, and hopes you won’t refuse — that you’ll give her a chance to make amends.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is she compensating me? She’s welded this ticket straight onto my hand!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing the maid’s “message,” Li Ang sighed deeply, knowing he had no choice but to attend the play this afternoon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just one night, the Princess had already done so much — and to avoid hurting his pride, she refused even to acknowledge any favor or goodwill, insisting it was merely correcting her past mistake, hoping he’d grant her a chance to make amends…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’s gone this far, lowered herself this much — how could I possibly refuse to even sit through a play with her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again targeting the people he cared about most, showing maximum sincerity, then lowering her stance without asking for anything in return… it felt as if he’d been completely read through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the Princess’s fierce assault, Li Ang — whose skin wasn’t thick enough yet — silently picked up the ticket and prepared to bravely enter this dragon’s den and tiger’s lair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Actually… watching a play isn’t so bad… where do I find her?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him reluctantly take the ticket, the maid smiled faintly, rose, bowed, and gestured gently toward the door, answering softly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Princess Veronika’s carriage is waiting right now on the main road outside the Clearance Bureau. Just go directly — she’s probably already aboard, waiting for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she’s already come straight to my doorstep… so from the start, she knew I’d never refuse after accepting her favors, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This woman… her mind may not be brilliant, but she truly understands human nature. After only a few brief meetings, she’d already found the exact way to control me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since resistance was futile, he might as well enjoy it. Completely orchestrated by the Princess, Li Ang took his “dragon’s den and tiger’s lair pass,” left the Clearance Bureau, and, guided by the maid, found the carriage parked at the intersection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here! Here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Ang, Princess Veronika, dressed in a velvet long dress, leaned out the carriage window and waved vigorously, then pushed open the door and made room inside, her eyes bright with delight:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought you’d be angry with me and refuse to come with me to the theater… Li Ang, you’re so kind!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re so kind… please don’t joke. This was all planned — with your usual workload, if you weren’t certain I’d come, why would you waste time waiting here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he saw through her little trick at a glance, seeing the radiant smile on her lovely face — brightened by his arrival — Li Ang’s minor resentment over being forced to come vanished instantly, beyond his control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How to put it… for some people, even if you know they’re probably pretending, even if that smile isn’t entirely real, you still can’t get angry at them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, thinking of how much effort she’s put in, how many things she’s done, just to win your favor — you even feel touched, and despite knowing it’s likely fake, you’re willing to play the fool and go along with her performance…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tsk! Li Ang, snap out of it! You can’t be that fool!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking a deep breath of the cold air, he forcibly suppressed the flutter in his chest, then silently boarded the carriage and asked calmly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Princess Veronika, today…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Call me Veronika.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sniffing her slightly reddened nose from waiting outside, Princess Veronika affectionately linked her arm through Li Ang’s, her soft, pliant body leaning gently against him, her voice pleading:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s so cold today, Li Ang — can I lean on you for a moment? Just a little while!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>",1211,"2026-06-20T03:18:31.831Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","de014b26c5866372742fb3fa32fd0e4cfd49af36879c1bb5ed1c9beb05b36a06","i-m-the-cleanup-crew-chapter-249","i-m-the-cleanup-crew-chapter-247",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-m-the-cleanup-crew-cover.jpg"]