Chapter 678: Bus and Candy

Nicole... the female reporter from The Sun, a Level-One Cleanser at the Twin Branch, and the secret agent left by the Aquarius Director in the capital?

After asking a few more detailed questions and confirming that the Nicole mentioned by the Prime Minister's Lady was indeed the journalist he knew, Li Ang couldn't help but narrow his eyes, instinctively speculating about her abilities.

He remembered that when he was undercover among the rebels, she had been the daughter of the old Owen couple, but now she was the Prime Minister's Lady's niece—two identities that clearly contradicted each other, yet her own memories showed no inconsistencies.

So if he wasn't mistaken, she must possess an anomaly capable of "interfering" with others' memories, forcibly becoming their family member.

Judging by the effect of this object, it was likely one of the Aquarius Director's failed experiments before he created the 【If】, unable to fully "replace" a person, only able to forcibly "add" a fabricated familial identity—and since the effect was practical, it was left to her.

Tsk... a pair of hands that can touch anything, a sheep's tail that erases aura and grants soul vision, and this mysterious anomaly that forcibly implants a familial identity... when you think about it, these abilities are practically tailor-made for a spy.

After quietly noting down these crucial details, Li Ang did not fully believe the Prime Minister's Lady's words; instead, he looked into her eyes and asked seriously:

"Lady Martha, given how important this is, why didn't you come to our bureau first? If you hadn't run into me today, were you planning to pretend you knew nothing at all?"

"I... I can't go to your bureau..."

Upon hearing this, the Prime Minister's Lady bit her lower lip, her eyes filled with shame:

"When I met Piony... once, we were spotted. If I go to your bureau now, he'll expose my affair with Piony. And the reason I was spared this time was because of the gift Piony gave me—the token of our love... I can't tell Stephen about it either."

"Besides, when I was testing Nicole, she noticed something was off. She met me privately and said she only wanted a convenient identity to work with, that she wouldn't harm me or my family, and told me to keep quiet—otherwise, she would..."

"I understand."

Hearing this, Li Ang's impression of the female reporter plummeted; he frowned and said:

"You were threatened by her, right? If you speak out, she'll harm you—or your family?"

"Um... no..."

The Prime Minister's Lady shook her head, embarrassed:

"She said if I expose her identity, she'll reveal that I've been secretly meeting with Count Oren and Lord Luun..."

Six...

Too overwhelmed to comment on the Prime Minister's Lady's chaotic personal life, Li Ang, stunned into silence, paused a moment, then said flatly:

"I'll investigate this as soon as possible. But during my investigation, our conversation must remain secret—even from the Prime Minister. Don't approach Nicole recklessly. Understood?"

"Understood."

Seeing Li Ang give a firm answer, the Prime Minister's Lady's heart lifted; she rubbed her skirt hem, her eyes brimming with hope:

"Um... I have another question. Has Piony been..."

"Shh! Be quiet!"

Unwilling to delve further into the Lady's private affairs, Li Ang turned toward the stage, where the Prime Minister had finished his speech and was walking over. He rose to greet him.

"Prime Minister, good to see you again." "Ah, it's His Grace."

After squinting hard and recognizing the "pretty boy" who had been chatting so cheerfully with his wife, the Prime Minister's previously sour expression softened slightly; he smiled warmly and chatted:

"Didn't expect you'd come to the Bridge Public School's parent meeting... this one is...?"

"My sister Anna, and my younger brother William in Class One-Year-One, and my sister Melanie."

"So this is Miss Anna."

Noticing Anna's nervousness, the chubby Prime Minister smiled kindly, didn't bow elaborately, but reached into his right belly pocket, pulled out six or seven candies, and handed them over, then winked at the two children.

"Since this is a casual encounter, I won't make it too formal... I happened to have some candies on me—consider them a small gift. Hope these two little lions don't find them too plain."

"You're too kind."

As Anna accepted the candies on behalf of her siblings and sat down, the chubby Prime Minister took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his brow, then smiled and asked:

"Just now on stage, I saw you and Martha chatting very happily. I was sorry to interrupt—could I join your interesting conversation?"

"It wasn't anything particularly interesting."

Hearing the Prime Minister's words, the Prime Minister's Lady tensed visibly; Li Ang, however, smiled indifferently and switched to his 【Master of Performance】, his expression unchanged as he casually deflected:

"We were just discussing child-rearing. I remarked on your long-term vision in education, and exchanged some amusing anecdotes with Lady Martha."

That's it?

You're good-looking, have such refined bearing, and are young yet hold high rank—you're exactly the type Martha loves... didn't she try anything on you?

He studied Li Ang's eyes and found his gaze and demeanor utterly natural—not at all like deception. The Prime Minister's tension eased by half. But when he glanced at his wife's relieved expression, his eyes narrowed again.

"Anecdotes... pity. Though I spoke well on stage, I've been too busy with work to get involved in my three children's education..."

With a faint sigh, the chubby Prime Minister smiled:

"Good. I'm quite interested in such anecdotes. Tell me another?"

Still testing... damn, so this Prime Minister is secretly a jealous husband?

Sensing the faint, sour malice from the chubby Prime Minister, Li Ang looked at the bus-lady and the jealous husband before him, sighed inwardly, and nodded slightly:

"I can repeat it... mainly about the recent survey form—my brother and sister filled out some interesting answers..."

?!!!

Seeing Li Ang reach for the folded survey form as if to unfold it, Melanie, who had been happily sucking on a candy, suddenly jolted and secretly kicked William's leg.

Hurry! It's your turn! Quick!

Ugh... what a hassle...

William glanced at his soiled pant leg, swallowed the half-chewed candy, jumped off his chair, and in the startled gazes of the adults, pulled out a tiny ring made of cloth strips and grass leaves, then firmly slipped it onto the chubby ring finger of the Prime Minister's youngest daughter.

"Will you marry me?"

Seeing the little ring on her finger, Charlotte—who was also sucking on a candy—beamed with delight, hugged William tightly, and kissed his cheek hard, smearing half the candy onto his face.

"Yes!"

(End of Chapter)