Chapter 105: You’ll Never Sleep Tonight if You Keep Working
“Sorry about that—I didn’t think this kind of thing would happen.”
Gu Yue Qing didn’t leave with Yu Yao and the others but hung back a moment, looking genuinely apologetic as she bowed to Bai Feng.
If she had just told Li Ming who she really was when she first met him and maybe invited him over to the City Lord’s Mansion, perhaps today’s mess could have been avoided.
“No worries. It’s not your fault. You explained everything to City Lord Gu, but he just didn’t believe you, so what can you do?” Bai Feng waved dismissively, though inwardly annoyed. Still, he wouldn’t vent his frustration on innocent people.
“But, I mean—”
Before Gu Yue Qing could finish, Bai Feng interrupted with a hand wave. “Enough of that, let’s not dwell on the mood-killers. I’m going to tweak the array disk tonight, so you better head home and get some rest.”
He then cast a sidelong glance at Gu Yue Qing’s attire and shook his head with a helpless chuckle. “Honestly, if others see you dressed like that again, I might really lose all credibility. You don’t want to wake up tomorrow hearing about some scandal with a certain Heavenly Sword Sect disciple, do you?”
Gu Yue Qing’s face instantly turned pink. “Well, I’ll take my leave then! If you need anything, just find me—you can count on me to do my best!”
She tugged at her clothes, gave a quick bow, and hightailed it out of there.
“Ugh, today’s luck is just… terrible. Should I buy an almanac or something?” Bai Feng sighed. Meeting the Child of Destiny is already a big deal, but having one with a brain that’s not quite right? Now that’s a problem.
Really, bad luck just keeps piling on. Better lay low for a few days.
Just as he pushed the door open to go back inside and rest, he caught sight of a figure. It was Su Lan Qian, tilting her little head and standing nearby, looking completely dazed.
When their eyes met, she silently turned around and squatted on the ground.
Bai Feng: “……” What’s she up to? And how come she’s not gone to rest yet?
“Su Senior Sister?”
“Su—sorry!” Su Lan Qian lowered her head, eyes wide with a mix of guilt. “Did I hold you back? If I hadn’t been involved, maybe the array disk wouldn’t have this kind of rookie mistake, and you wouldn’t get misunderstood…”
She had just been praised by Bai Feng yesterday, even invited to help make the array disk, and now—first day on the job, and she’d already messed up. Will he be disappointed?
“No, it’s not your fault…” Bai Feng rubbed his temple. Why does everyone like to take the blame?
“Don’t overthink it. If you think it’s your fault, then come help me optimize the array disk.”
“But—”
Su Lan Qian wanted to protest, but suddenly she let out a small gasp.
Bai Feng grabbed her arm and pulled her upright: “Work’s still piling up! As my assistant, if you’re not helping, are you trying to leave me to handle all these array disks alone?”
“I didn’t…” she hurriedly shook her head.
“Then get busy! No sleep tonight if you don’t finish! Come on, move!”
He tugged her towards the house. How could he let a free Pālu helper slip away so easily?
Squatting on the ground, lost in thought—surely it’s just because he isn’t giving her enough work!
Su Lan Qian was dragged inside by Bai Feng. Her gaze fixed on his right hand where he grasped her arm, and her mind kept replaying: “No sleep tonight if I keep working.”
Does that mean she might end up sleeping over at Bai Feng’s place tonight?
Her face flushed faintly, and a flicker of anticipation flashed in her heart.
But she knew—that’s all it was. Just helping with array disks, nothing else.
Still, that’s enough.
Recently she hadn’t rested well at all. The scent Bai Feng left on her bed was fading, and every night her Heart Demon started acting up again.
But if she could stay overnight in Bai Feng’s house… then she wouldn’t have to worry about Heart Demon disturbing her.
And maybe…
Su Lan Qian involuntarily swallowed and lowered her head to sniff herself.
If she stayed a few more days in Bai Feng’s house, maybe she’d absorb more of his aura?
“Su Senior Sister?”
“Huh? Yes!”
She snapped back, cautiously looking at Bai Feng.
“Can you help me with this part of the array disk? I need to go modify the Golden Armor Array. I might need your help testing it later.” Bai Feng handed her the unfinished array disk from this morning. “If anything’s unclear, just ask me. Don’t overthink by yourself.”
“Got it.” Su Lan Qian quickly accepted and nodded.
“If you’re tired, go rest for a bit. The tea’s in the cabinet. Or just lie on the sofa and take a quick nap if you need to.”
Bai Feng wasn’t a heartless boss—helping out on array disks is tiring, even for a helper like her.
She instinctively looked at the robe she’d taken off on the sofa. Her throat moved slightly, then she hurriedly averted her gaze. “Okay!”
“Alright, let’s get started.”
Bai Feng stretched, but didn’t rush to begin. Instead, he opened the system map.
“Huh? Why is Li Ming still in the west of the city? What’s over there?”
He pondered for a moment, remembering that there was a river in the west—beyond that, not much.
“Could it be that the Child of Destiny went to a tavern to listen to music?”
No wonder he could guess so much based on just a piece of clothing. This isn’t a typical Child of Destiny.
Hopefully, he’s just enjoying the music and not scheming some nasty plot. Otherwise…
—
Flower Boat.
Li Ming sat in a quiet corner, scanning the passing women with complete disinterest.
He was waiting for a girl named ‘Chun Er’—the one he saw earlier this morning through the window, playing the zither.
To get a closer look, he even crafted a four-rank weapon as a ticket and successfully boarded the flower boat.
Sure, the boat was big, but compared to a mansion, it felt cramped. Only the rich and powerful could afford to step aboard.
The rest could only stand on small boats outside, craning their necks to see in.
“Chun Er’s here!”
“Come on, give her a big tip! Tonight, I’ll have the right to send her a letter!”
“Chun Er, I’m your dog!”
Suddenly, the boat erupted in cheer.
A woman in a purple dress stepped out, her face half-hidden beneath a sheer veil, revealing glimpses of her appearance.
As she moved, her slit dress didn’t hide her long, white silk-clad legs, which seemed to tease everyone watching, making some swallow hard.
Though her outfit was daring, she somehow looked pure—adding an irresistible allure and stirring everyone’s hearts.
She sat gracefully at the zither, her face behind the veil seeming a little sad, as she gently tapped the strings.
In an instant, the lively noise of the boat quieted.
“That’s what I want.”
Li Ming closed his eyes, savoring her melody, tinged with melancholy that tugged at his soul.
He peeked at the other guests—each staring at Chun Er with foolish admiration.
He chuckled silently—these fools are just shallow. Playing music for such simpletons is a waste.
Only I can truly understand the sadness behind Chun Er’s music.
