Chapter 265: Lofty Ideals

Since that visit to the Execution Division’s base, Lu Zhenghao’s attitude toward the Luo Family seemed to have shifted.

The biggest change was that Lu Yunze and the others were being assigned tasks far more frequently, and their lives were no longer as leisurely as before.

“We’re always running around outside these days. My skin is getting ruined.”

Luo Yao complained almost every time she came back.

“Sis, weren’t you just complaining that life was too boring before? Why are you griping now?”

Lu Yunze teased from the side.

Luo Yao shot him a vicious glare, then went straight to her room without saying a word.

“You should be grateful that Luo Yao grew up with proper manners.”

If she were an ordinary girl, she might have just thrown a punch at Luo Heng with that look she gave him.

Luo Heng just shrugged at that and headed back to his own room.

Only Lu Yunze remained in the Living Room. With nothing to do, he figured he might as well go lie down in his room too.

The reason their once-idle days had become so busy was probably that Minister Lu had changed his view of the Execution Division’s allies.

Or maybe Luo Qiaoying was worried that if things continued this way, the Execution Division would gain the upper hand over the Luo Family, so she went to see Lu Zhenghao behind everyone’s backs.

Either way, Lu Yunze and the others could no longer stay cooped up at home all day with nothing to do like before.

Every day they had to devote time to the Cooperation, and they were practically running out the door every single day.

Lu Yunze scratched his head and gave a wry smile. “Why do I feel like I’ve already turned into a corporate slave? I haven’t even graduated yet.”

With more things to do, there were times they had to leave early in the morning and not get home until well past mealtime.

Times like that bred a fair amount of resentment, but since Luo Qiaoying was the Eldest Daughter of the Luo Family, neither Luo Yao nor Luo Heng could complain directly to their sister.

Lu Yunze, however, didn’t need to worry about that kind of problem. Actually, he never needed to worry, and he didn’t carry the same resentment they did.

As for why, that would have to be credited to the Little Maid who was even more diligent than Lu Yunze himself.

“Little miss, you’re here to buy Pork Belly again today?”

“Mhm, my Young Master said he wanted Red Braised Pork, so I thought I’d make some for him.”

“That’s lovely. Having a young, pretty girl like you taking care of him—your relationship must be more than just work, right?”

“Sir, you have sharp eyes. The Young Master and I really do have a great relationship.”

Having been in Donghai City for this long, Jiang Sui had long since built good rapport with the various stall owners at the local market.

Thanks to her sweet tongue, every visit had them beaming with joy, and she even got extra discounts on her groceries.

“Little miss, let me throw in a fish for free. This is a local specialty.”

“So sudden?” Jiang Sui’s eyes went wide.

“Ah, you’ve been supporting my little stall for so long, it’s the least I can do. Don’t feel bad about it—honestly, my wife just bought too many and we can’t finish them as a couple.”

Jiang Sui pursed her lips, confirmed the Boss meant no harm, and then gave a sweet smile. “Then I’ll gladly accept the old man’s gift. I’ll be sure to come back to your stall next time.”

“You’re always welcome.”

Ever since Lu Yunze had become busy, Jiang Sui could sense that his reliance on her had noticeably increased.

He wasn’t technically a wage earner yet, but Lu Yunze’s current life was no different from one.

Work is exhausting, and after a long day, coming home to nothing but bland food only makes things worse.

At times like that, having a cute Maid greet him at the door and prepare a hearty, oil-rich meal had a devastating impact on him beyond imagination.

With the Pork Belly in hand, the girl hummed a little tune on her way home. Suddenly, she stopped and looked back.

The entrance to the market was still packed with people, everyone rushing about, busy making a living.

The roar of engines, the shouts of vendors, and the haggling of customers together formed the main melody of this market.

“It felt like someone was watching me just now?”

Jiang Sui quietly activated Beast Transformation Vision and swept her gaze around, but found nothing out of the ordinary, so she chalked it up to her imagination.

A place like a market isn’t exactly associated with cleanliness and tidiness, so a pretty maid showing up there drawing strange looks wouldn’t be unusual.

Jiang Sui was quite confident in her appearance and figure.

Only after she had walked far away did a figure step out from a corner of the market. He only reluctantly withdrew his gaze once the girl’s figure was swallowed by the crowd.

This travel-worn visitor approached the stall owner and said in a soft voice:

“Thank you for your cooperation.”

“If you wanted to give her the fish, you could have just approached her yourself. Aren’t you the little girl’s father?”

The meat stall owner asked while straightening the meat on his counter.

“I’m not yet ready to show myself to her.”

Yan Chen scratched his nose.

“According to my wife, the moment she sees me, she’ll land a punch on my face.”

The meat stall owner clicked his tongue in amazement.

To end the topic, Yan Chen pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, offered one to the owner, then turned and took his leave.

After Jiang Sui returned to Luo Qiaoying’s residence, she had just set down the Pork Belly she’d bought when she ran into Lu Yunze loitering in the Corridor.

“Young Master, hello. You look like you’re in good spirits today.”

“Are you serious?”

He’d been out and about with the Luo siblings until the middle of the night, only getting home near dawn. Even after catching up on sleep, he still felt drowsy. Lu Yunze had even looked in the mirror and noticed his dark circles getting worse by the day. Could that really be called “good spirits”?

Lu Yunze was caught between laughter and tears.

“At least in my eyes, it is.”

Jiang Sui’s posture was every inch a proper Maid, but her smile was full of sly mischief.

“Whatever you say.” Lu Yunze let out another chuckle.

“If the Young Master is tired, he should just keep resting. No one will blame you.”

Jiang Sui paused for a moment, then added: “Or does the Young Master need someone to lull him to sleep?”

“No thanks, I can fall asleep on my own.”

Lu Yunze started to leave, but after walking a short distance, he stopped.

“Jiang Sui.”

The Little Maid was still standing right where she was, as if she’d anticipated this. She turned around and answered sweetly:

“Young Master, I’m right here~”

“Any special preparations today? You know, that thing.”

“It’s Red Braised Pork.”

Lu Yunze’s expression, which had been a little tense, immediately lit up with joy.

At first, Lu Yunze had maintained his dignity and didn’t pay much attention to the extra meals Jiang Sui prepared for him. But over time, he’d started asking about them in all sorts of ways.

“He’d never admit it, but he’s already hooked.”

After returning to her own Bedroom, Jiang Sui shared the good news with the Black Cat.

“Before long, he’ll come to me directly, make his requests, and then I’ll have complete control over his stomach.”

As the old saying goes—if you want to win over a man, win over his stomach first.

The Black Cat listened and nodded, then suddenly spoke:

“Jiang Sui, do you plan to spend your whole life pleasing others?”

Caught off guard by the question, Jiang Sui, who was sitting on the bed, crossed her legs and sank into thought.

“As long as I can survive by relying on Lu Yunze, I’ll do whatever it takes.”

“If it’s a necessary part of the Plan, I will.”

The Black Cat’s golden eyes continued to stare at her:

“But you’re definitely not the type to kneel at someone else’s feet.”

Honestly, for a mere little maid to have such conviction and even put in genuine effort was already surprising to the Black Cat.

She had no background, no organization to swear loyalty to—just the will to survive, and that was enough to drive her.

If someone like that didn’t have grand ambitions, the Black Cat wouldn’t believe it.

“Not the type to kneel at someone else’s feet, huh?”

Jiang Sui looked up at the Ceiling, still mumbling to herself.

“Senior, isn’t the plan to destroy the Luo Family grand enough in your eyes?”

“No, that’s not what I mean.”

The Black Cat blinked.

“I’m just wondering why you have to tie yourself to Lu Yunze. Achieving your goals by pleasing him and clinging to him—doesn’t it feel humiliating?”

Jiang Sui closed her eyes, mulled it over for a moment, and then answered with an air of mystery:

“Because Lu Yunze is the most special one of all.”

At that response, the Black Cat simply took it as her not wanting to tell the truth.

But Jiang Sui had indeed told the truth.

Lu Yunze was the Male Lead of the original work. No matter what plan you had, you couldn’t get around him in the end.

Besides, Jiang Sui wasn’t completely dependent on Lu Yunze the way the Black Cat suggested.

I’m turning him into something that belongs to me.

Lu Yunze, blessed with Protagonist Aura, would stand above this world—and she would be the Secret Emperor standing above him.

Of course, there was no way to explain that plan to the Black Cat, and even if she did, the cat probably wouldn’t believe it.

Still, the Black Cat’s words planted a question Jiang Sui had never considered before: what would happen if she didn’t rely on Lu Yunze?

The thought was fleeting, and she soon forgot about it.

Until one day, a special guest came calling.

It was Dong Youer from the Action Team, along with Fu, the Team Leader. They paid a visit under the pretext of exchanging tactical knowledge.

At first, Jiang Sui didn’t think any of this had to do with her, until Team Leader Fu stood up and said he needed to use the restroom, asking Jiang Sui to show him the way.

As they walked, the Team Leader behind her suddenly spoke up:

“The Hidden One, right?”

Jiang Sui’s steps faltered for a moment, then she turned around with a face full of confusion:

“What are you talking about?”

“Still playing dumb? I saw everything. The only reason you volunteered for the mission back then was to get a new identity and infiltrate the Grand Theater.”

The Mobile Phone in Team Leader Fu’s hand was still playing the surveillance footage. At that point, Jiang Sui couldn’t keep up the act anymore.

“So, are you going to threaten me?”

“I wouldn’t call it a threat. If you’re willing, I can delete this video. No one else will know about it besides you and me.”

Jiang Sui narrowed her eyes. “Then what’s your condition?”

Team Leader Fu smiled. “Straight to the point. I like it.”

If it was some kind of weird request, Jiang Sui guaranteed he wouldn’t live to see tomorrow night.