Chapter 1373

NO. 277: Only caring that he remains as always

【Jiahe Yingcang：watching a bit, older sister】

【Gongbi Ruhua：？】

When she received this news, Xi was still watching Nian chat with that blond-haired man and the purple-haired woman, very happily.

And she tried hard to recall the names those two had introduced earlier.

This feeling was somewhat familiar.

The feeling of repeatedly welcoming friendly guests, watching them sit down and chat with each other, quickly becoming a state where host and guest fully enjoy themselves, while she was still desperately trying to remember the names of those guests.

It reminded her of the time she played a storyteller in a small town in a painting.

Back then, she was entrusted by the trusting townspeople to host their celebrations, so she set up tables and chairs at the entrance, laid out a register, and waited for each guest to come and contribute, writing down their names.

From afar, she watched those guests greet each other, forming countless circles, with little room for her to join in.

Of course, she herself had no intention of joining in.

Compared to the townspeople who, despite decades of acquaintance, remained mere nodding acquaintances, the girl sitting beside her deserved more care.

But now, a girl sits beside her as well, yet that girl only brings her annoyance.

This made her pick up her phone and not want to put it down.

Even though the signal here was weak, only 4G, but 4G still had the entertainment it could provide, and among that, the chat app in data-saving mode was just one of them.

However, this chat was not what she had anticipated.

【Jiahe Yingcang：Many were invited by her; both those who should come and those who shouldn't all came.】

【Gongbi Ruhua：？？？】

After sending three question marks, Xi looked up and saw, in the distance, Bi Cuike Si sitting beside those horse girls with Ludao fu, chatting about something.

She then looked toward Ailisuzhi, Xin Tiaoqian, and Huo'er Haiya.

There, Si Ka Di had just said something that made Xin Tiaoqian's expression very displeased.

After looking at those two groups, she met a pair of golden eyes while withdrawing her gaze, paused, then silently moved her gaze back.

... That child from Manchester Chazuo, was it always like that before?

She wasn't quite sure.

Even if she stepped into the horse girls' fan circle, the information she got was mostly rumors; although she wanted to support the girls she knew, her personality made it hard to be straightforward, so her understanding of the tea seat came only from Aomo's few words, pieced together into the image of a well-behaved little black cat.

But now, that little black cat's stealing of her gaze felt like suddenly jumping into a supernatural scene.

A deep, unreadable gaze carried an eerie darkness, making Xi's tail fur stand up silently, though her expression steadied into a silent look back.

【Jiahe Yingcang：They were all summoned by her, perhaps met in a dream.】

【Gongbi Ruhua：No, what is she really thinking? Giving her opponent a chance? Or did she actually reach some agreement?】

This is something you'd have to send in the romance comics I've read! Big sis fights so well, how could she fall for this dumb move?

【Jiahe Yingcang：If you're curious, just ask; I'm getting busy over here, keep an eye on her.】

"Hey! Big sis is out there," a sudden call accompanied by an abrupt pat on the shoulder brought Nian's angry glare at Xi, who didn't even glance at her phone, merely saying proudly, "I wasn't wrong, was I? It really is the kitchen direction, and I'm holding a little dish!"

Xi didn't respond, just followed her gaze to see Ling approaching in the distance, wondering more what she was smiling about than what was on the plate.

What's there to smile about?

She wanted to ask, but couldn't help glancing at Nian beside her.

"Go find Sai Luo and them," she said.

"Huh? You're willing to let them go?"

What, letting people go—saying it's as if I'm holding you and not letting you leave… Xi's gaze turned even colder, thinking this reception duty was entirely arranged by big brother, yet she had no mood to argue with the other party, merely waving her hand: 'You go, let the older sister take care of you.'

He keeps nagging about tokusatsu in my ear, my ears are about to get calluses.

Okay, okay, okay, then I'll leave it to you!

Likewise with no intention to argue, Nian slipped away so quickly it left Xi speechless; she then glanced over at the older sister, propping her elbow on the table, her palm supporting her chin, and waved her other hand from afar.

Hey~ Little Xi, want to snack a bit? The older sister who quickly approached set down a plate of appetizers, smiling with a relaxed tease.

Xi directly asked: 'What are you thinking?'

Immediately her teasing smile faded, and she turned her gaze to the distant crowd that had not yet seated themselves, each finding some pavilions and gardens to sit in, somewhat scattered.

The estate that Xi drew for the Sui family could be considered a large garden, complete with garden rockeries, ponds with lotus platforms, pavilions and towers; hosting a tour group of dozens would be easy.

They can't hear it, and I'm not the careless Nian," Xi glanced at her phone on the table, "Shu Jie told me to pay attention to you; I think this isn't overconcern.

Not to mention us two, aren't the other women on the field also unable to understand what you're thinking?

"Probably not," Ling said.

She then asked: 'May I sit here?'

I saved this seat for you; I chased Nian away over there, she seems interested in tokusatsu too, wanting to go over to those Ultramen to pull a few actors," Xi said unhappily, and couldn't help muttering under her breath, "What counts as an actor when I'm the one performing?"

The Federation here has also had something similar, like Xi playing Xi in the ending credits," Ling sat down, likewise pushing the appetizers toward the table edge, "Don't finish them all; I still plan to go find Shi Huaiya and Texas for a few drinks.

Who wants to eat? I'm not someone who only drinks," Xi put her hand down and sighed, "Do you mean you've gotten in touch with them? Do they know what you're thinking?

"No," Ling bluntly denied, "Although I indeed went to visit their dreams, there's no need to do such a thing.

Still not necessary? You won't say you haven't formed any alliances, will you?

Still forming alliances," Ling raised her hand, conjuring a wine gourd and placing it on the table, smiling, "Little Xi, you seem to have some preconceived notions; you also said I treat feelings as warfare, but it turns out you're the one who takes warfare most seriously.

You've gathered everyone together—doesn't that count as warfare?

Watching Ling conjure another wine cup out of thin air, leisurely pouring and drinking, Xi felt a bit stifled: 'I've been watching for a while; at least six women here are distracted while chatting, their glances at least three times toward the kitchen direction—this isn't normal.'

New fire tries new tea, poetry and wine while youth lasts," Ling first took a sip, gazing at the cup's reflection, her reaction was rather calm, "Isn't that quite natural? These days everyone's too busy to even practice modesty and restraint.

Come to think of it, it sounds like you've given it up?

Yeah, because yesterday I was watching him, watching and watching, and I suddenly realized.

What did you discover?

I did find that the battlefield does exist, but I have no need to participate.

"?" Xi stared blankly, a fragmentary thought flashed through his mind, and he still asked, "What does that mean?"

War is plunder, it is defense, but I neither seek plunder nor consider defense, so what need do I have to participate?

???

Besides... the green mountains cannot be blocked, after all the waters flow eastward; why not give them a chance to all gather together?

By then, you can see how they are, see how Aomo reacts—wouldn't that be wonderful?

I don't understand; I am greatly shocked.

Facing his smiling, full-of-laughter gaze, Xi woodenly shook his head.

I only hear that you seem to want to toss Aomo and everyone around, and you're not afraid of causing trouble.

Hmm, why not, just as I said before.

I neither seek plunder nor consider defense.