Chapter 734: The Mute and the Promise

We tried to bypass Director Taurus's word-spell and let the Director taste the fine liquor steeped with the Wine God's bead, 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 fabricate an excuse for their swollen lips—so Emma wouldn't find out he'd actually agreed to such an absurd request.

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

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, and superiors dump their blunders onto subordinates! Now is your time to act, subordinate—take this blame immediately!

No way! If I take this blame and Emma senior finds out I went along with you in throwing away my 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 I'll be scolded?

"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 senior is getting worried!

I won't speak! If you force me, 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—yet even after exhausting every thought, he couldn't find a plausible one.

After stammering for a while and seeing Emma senior's gaze 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! Wah!"

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 the tactic—until Emma, sensing something wrong, narrowed her eyes and cut in:

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

Hoarse! I'm hoarse! We're both hoarse! So…

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

"…"

"Tell me what really happened—speak now!"

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

To Li Ang's stunned gaze, the red-haired Director, having given up all pretense, pointed directly at herself with a tearful, exaggerated expression:

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

"Lies! I never—" "Aren't you mute? What are you talking about? Shut your mouth!"

"…"

…

"You two… truly opened my eyes."

With a remark that, though phrased differently, echoed Director Taurus's exact sentiment, Emma—standing atop the Crocodile God's head—glared in exasperation:

"For a single bottle of liquor, you'd do something like this? Olivia, really… would dying of thirst be so terrible?"

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

"Even if today were your funeral, I'd still say it!"

Emma, usually gentle and soft-spoken, seemed genuinely angered—rarely speaking sharply to the red-haired Director—then turned to Li Ang, whose face flushed with shame, and scolded with disappointed frustration:

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

"Li Ang, Olivia's mind and strength are fine—she has only one weakness: alcohol. If you don't help her overcome it, she'll eventually get herself into trouble. Instead of correcting her drinking habit, you're going along with 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 gave in…"

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

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

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

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

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

"…"

Honestly, if you put it that way, maybe I didn't lose—but you didn't have to lock my throat! That sudden move nearly forced the liquor out through my nose!

And by the way, what do you mean "aside from Emma, this is the first time I've kissed someone else"? The way you say it sounds like you and…

"Stop talking nonsense!"

Flustered by Li Ang's skeptical, questioning 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 happened to turn my head to scold her, and our lips just brushed—just a brush, nothing else!"

"Oh…"

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

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

After all the life-and-death experiences you've been through, you still remember Ali's birthday?

Surprised by Li Ang's remark, 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 Estate on Redwood Avenue. I'll be there."

"Thank you…"

(End of Chapter)