"So you're saying that tomorrow, Black Church members will attack Mingzhu students taking the exam to take your Holy Spring from you—which you previously told the military you don't have?" Tang Yue's eye twitched.
"Honestly, I seriously doubt it. I've broken through to High Tier, so sending student agents after me would be stupid and inefficient. Considering my combat valor—some of which I revealed in Kowloon—they couldn't send anyone below a deacon in blue, maybe even several. Attacking unrelated students is even dumber; they wouldn't gain anything." I corrected her.
"Then why the hell did you call me here at all?" Tang Yue's tone dripped irritation, her fists cracking. The anti-bug device now gave her full license to curse; she'd cooled off a bit since we started.
"Because it's the Black Church. This organization has too many leaders acting independently. I'd rather believe this nonsense from a reliable source than ignore the lives of my loved ones or innocent students." I told her firmly.
"Oh, you're so complicated. Why am I even helping you? Eh, fine—what do you want from me?" Leaning back on the yellow sofa, Tang Yue asked.
"First, tell me what forces you brought to Shanghai?" I posed the key question.
"Well, without solid proof from you, I had no authority to mobilize anyone above Intermediate Tier. But luckily, lately lots of folks want to impress me, so I got 'friendly' help from three High Tier colleagues. Counting me, that's four High Tier mages at your disposal." Tang Yue smirked smugly, leaking a bit of her aura.
"Ooo, you broke through? Congrats! Reaching High Tier at 25 shows high talent. With resources, you'll conquer High Tier at least." I praised her sincerely, happy for her. Good thing I hadn't sensed her mana earlier; the surprise would've been ruined.
"Pfft, next to a monster like you, no contest. You're only 21 and already High Tier. You're the scariest genius I've seen—and trust me, I've seen plenty." Her eyes flashed white envy, but no negativity beyond irritation. I could feel it.
"Well, I won't take your help for free this time. Recently, a very interesting resource fell into my hands, and I'm willing to share." I handed her a fast-food bag I'd picked from a trash can on the way. Her face turned poker face at the "gift," emotions flaring irritation mixed with anger, but she composed herself, took it, opened it, and gawked.
"This is..." She shot me a stunned look.
"Yep, exactly what you're thinking. No need to return it—my girls and I already used similar ones." I smiled understandingly, not caring about losing one Mind Stone. One more, one less—with my reserves, no need to be stingy... with people close to me. Giving it to some rando? Frog in my throat.
"...Sometimes I want to chain you up, lock you in a basement, and interrogate you all night to pry out your secrets." Tang Yue said unexpectedly.
"Heh-heh, wild fantasies. I might even be game, but ask my girls' permission first." I grinned playfully. Teasing her was so fun.
"You know that's not what I meant! I just don't get how you pull massive piles of rare resources for yourself, including souls! Do you know how many High Tier mage artifacts you could make from commander souls you used to boost your stars? One per soul! And that's without your today's gift. It's not embarrassing to give to the country's top mages now. If they don't use it, they'll dump it on their heirs." Tang Yue blushed, trying to justify.
"Okay, okay, I'll believe you... this time. That's why I hide behind your name with these awkward questions, my 'sugar mommy.'" I placed my palm on hers and smiled warmly.
I didn't know for sure, but I suspected all the interested parties were already watching her family, trying to trace my resources' origins. I was very grateful she was drawing their focus off me. Eh, if I didn't know her family was clean and untraceable, I wouldn't have suggested this. I'm human, not a beast—bad sense of humor aside.
"You! Behave! And let's discuss tomorrow already..." Blushing, Tang Yue yanked her hand from mine and stared at the floor, awkwardly changing the subject. Oh, what a cutie. I'm even considering TuTu's proposal to take responsibility... Ugh! Ugh, Mu Bai! Wrong thoughts!
"Fine, as you say. Anyway, listen up. Though nothing might happen tomorrow, we'll plan for the worst and strategize against potential enemy forces. I'll suggest, you correct and add ideas." I stopped teasing and got to business. Oh, this would take hours.
The same children's cafe, after Mu Bai left.
Tang Yue watched the source of her sleepless nights and breakdowns leave, blushed, and pressed the hand he'd stroked to her chest, gazing deeply into her eyes. For her, unused to relationships, such blatant flirting was new. As a beautiful high-status woman, she got tons of compliments, but nothing crossing her boundaries. And this jerk flipped everything upside down! Why was she even bothering with him? She should've turned him over to his dad ages ago!
Turning the thought over, Tang Yue sighed and dismissed it. No, she couldn't do that. Not to the one who made her heart race faster, her thoughts drifting far from work or daily life. Anyone but him. Even after what he'd put her through.
Realizing her thoughts, Tang Yue blushed harder and shook her head. This jerk didn't deserve them! Plus, he already had two girls! Was he planning a clan?! He could've picked just one! Her, for example...
No! Tang Yue, you can't even think that! He's your student! Former... who finished school, entered university, and surpassed you, the Tang family heir, in power... plus, free from any clan influence, no political marriage... and he's loaded... not just money-wise.
Shaking her head again, Tang Yue stood to leave the cafe. She still had work—no slacking! Needed to brief her temp subordinates on the strategy and their roles.
"Miss, wait!" An waiter called. Wonder what he wanted—maybe her number? No way, don't even hope! Her heart was taken...
"You haven't paid the bill." The worker interrupted her thoughts, handing her a tablet with the check.
Staring at it, Tang Yue didn't know whether to laugh or cry. That bastard left her to pay for dinner again. What did she even see in him?