Chapter 331: 331 The Mute and the Promise

We tried to bypass Director Taurus's Word-Spell to let the Director taste some fine liquor steeped with the Wine God's Pearl, but Director Taurus caught us on the spot and turned the liquor into chili oil, swelling both our lips…

How could you say something like that?

Upon hearing Emma's question, Li Ang's first reaction was to glance at the red-haired Director beside him, hoping she would fulfill her duty as Director and smoothly deflect the incident of their swollen lips—above all, not letting Emma's superior know he had actually agreed to such an absurd request.

Unfortunately, he wasn't the only one thinking that way.

After receiving Li Ang's "Aren't you going to say something?" look, the red-haired Director immediately shot back a defiant glare, her fox-like eyes still streaked with tears clearly signaling her intent to dodge responsibility.

According to Kingdom civil service convention, subordinates claim their superiors' achievements, while superiors dump their blunders onto subordinates! Now is your time to step up—take this blame for me!

No way! If I take this blame and Emma's senior finds out I joined you in throwing away our dignity, how will she ever see me again?

If you can't face her, do you think I can? If she finds out about this, how long do you think she'll scold me?

"What exactly happened!"

After waiting a while and seeing Li Ang and the other exchange nothing but frantic eye signals without answering her question, Emma couldn't help but grow anxious:

"Speak up! How did you go to return a coffin and end up with swollen lips?"

"…"

"…"

Director, say something! Emma's senior is getting worried!

Not a word! If you force me to speak, I'll say you kissed me?!?!

Speak now! If you won't, I will!

After reading a hint of "I'm done caring" in the Director's gaze, Li Ang had no choice but to grit his teeth and open his mouth, straining his mind for an excuse—but even after exhausting every thought, he couldn't conjure a single plausible one.

After stammering for a moment and seeing Emma's expression shift from concern to suspicion, Li Ang suddenly had a flash of inspiration: he first pointed to his throat, then shook his head vigorously and waved his hands.

"Mmm! Ooh! Waa!"

My throat is hoarse—I can't speak! Don't ask me! Ask the Director!!!???

Wait… you can do that?

Startled by Li Ang's sudden act of feigning muteness, the red-haired Director instinctively opened her mouth to mimic this advanced tactic—until Emma, sensing something wrong, narrowed her eyes and cut in:

"Olivia! Don't tell me your throat is hoarse too!"

Hoarse! Yes, hoarse! Both of us are hoarse! So…

"If you're hoarse, then speak with your soul!"

"…"

"What really happened? Speak now!"

"I'll say it… it's all Li Ang's fault!"

To Li Ang's stunned gaze, the red-haired Director, having given up all pretense, suddenly pointed at herself and blurted out with tearful exaggeration:

"He kissed me! He kissed me so hard my lips are swollen!"

"Lies! I never—"

"Aren't you mute? What can a mute say? Shut your mouth!"

"…"

…

"You two… truly opened my eyes."

Standing atop the Crocodile God's head, Emma, her tone sharply different yet echoing Director Taurus's exact sentiment, scolded with exasperation:

"For a single bottle of liquor, you'd do something like this? Olivia, really… would you die if you didn't take that sip?"

"Um… good Emma, it's my birthday today—could you maybe scold me a little less?"

"Even if today were your funeral, I'd still scold you!"

Usually gentle Emma, clearly angered, delivered a rare sharp rebuke to the red-haired Director, then turned to Li Ang, whose face burned with shame, and said with disappointed frustration:

"And you! I'm not surprised Olivia acts recklessly, but I never expected you to join her in this nonsense! Do you even remember what you promised Director Taurus?"

Li Ang, Olivia's mind and strength are fine—she only has one flaw: alcohol. If she doesn't fix this, she'll eventually get herself into trouble. Instead of helping her quit drinking, you're encouraging her… you two are truly…"

"I… I just thought today was the Director's birthday, and her only wish was to take one sip, so I softened…"

After weakly explaining, Li Ang recalled his promise to Director Taurus for the liquor, lowered his head in shame, then looked up earnestly and vowed:

"Emma's senior, I swear this is the last time—I'll never again join the Director in her foolishness!"

"What do you mean 'join me in foolishness'?"

Hearing Li Ang's words, the red-haired Director turned around from atop the Crocodile God's head and retorted indignantly:

"Aside from Emma, this is the first time I've ever kissed someone else's lips—why do you act like you've been defiled? Look at my looks, my figure—wouldn't you say you got the better end of the deal?"

"…"

Logically speaking, maybe you did get the better deal—but only if you hadn't choked me mid-kiss! That sudden grip nearly forced the liquor out through my nose!

And by the way, what do you mean "aside from Emma, this is the first time"? The way you said it sounds like you and…

"Don't you dare say that!"

Flustered by Li Ang's skeptical gaze, Emma shot the red-haired Director a sharp glare, then turned back to Li Ang and explained:

"Back then, Olivia was drunk. I was dragging her upstairs when she mumbled something like 'Emma, you're so nice' and tried to kiss my cheek—I turned my head to scold her, and our lips accidentally brushed. That's all—just a brush, nothing else!"

"Oh…"

Nodding skeptically, seeing Emma's faint embarrassment, Li Ang wisely dropped the kiss topic and instead glanced at her still partially jade-frozen right hand, then asked with quiet concern:

"Emma's senior, how long until your hand recovers? Your daughter's birthday is the day after tomorrow."

After all you've been through—life, death, chaos—you still remember Ali's birthday?

Surprised by Li Ang's question, Emma's expression softened slightly, and she smiled:

"It's fine. By tomorrow it won't be fully healed, but if I wrap it with the Serpent Bandage and avoid bumps or hard objects, it won't interfere with celebrating Ali's birthday."

"By the way, Li Ang, the favor I asked you earlier…"

"Don't worry—I wrote it down. At eight a. . on the sixth, under the big tree at the entrance of Baohua Manor on Redwood Avenue. I'll be there."

"Thank you…"