In the hospital.
Antonio also knew about this matter. Even though he was physically weak, he was deeply moved. The word soulmate echoed in his mind, yet for a moment, he felt a sense of reluctance.
He... he didn't want to just be a soulmate.
But thinking of the many obstacles between them, the man who had tainted love yet was loved so deeply and unconditionally by Mu Wan, and the cold, heartless Su Ning... Father, was it this difficult when you and Mother were together?
Antonio felt joyful one moment and devastated the next, his heart tied in knots of anxiety.
Young Master, did you hear what I said?
Ah, what is it?
The confidant arranged by his father felt completely helpless. It was obvious Antonio hadn't been listening at all, so he had to repeat what he just said. To sum it up simply:
Rumors were flying everywhere, and the situation was urgent. He needed to go find Miss Su immediately to apologize and salvage things. He absolutely could not let her confirm the rumors, otherwise, the agreement would be torn up.
He wouldn't even be able to act as a puppet biding his time.
He would be left with absolutely nothing!
Hearing this, Antonio turned pale with shock. How could he still care about his teenage romantic woes? He practically scrambled up and rushed out to find Su Ning.
Unfortunately, he couldn't even get to see her.
Yes, I know. Su Ning also found out about the news very quickly, knowing even more than the others. Su Chen hadn't forgotten to claim credit. And to be fair, this really did save her a lot of effort.
Miss, some people have foul mouths. I've already arranged for someone to deal with them.
Lin Sen's tone was casual.
However, there was a hint of ruthlessness between his brows.
Su Ning also knew what this so-called foul mouth referred to. It was nothing more than people privately mocking her romantic failures, saying she let a pretty boy live off her wealth while he messed around outside, making her lose face.
She actually wasn't angry at all.
After all, there was never a shortage of such people in the world. Mhm, handle it cleanly, and don't make too much of a scene.
Right now, it was just a bit of public opinion; it wasn't time to wrap things up yet.
At the very least, she had to wait until that stubborn old geezer who refused to die finally kicked the bucket before making a move. Thinking of this, Su Ning clicked her tongue in annoyance.
Lin Sen's expression remained unchanged.
He lowered his eyes and smoothly changed the subject, mentioning that her troops had finally finished recruiting. ...Their backgrounds have all been investigated, and there are basically no issues. With the veterans leading the newcomers, they will soon form an elite combat force.
Not bad.
Su Ning nodded and sighed softly, When I first got the organizational structure, I thought we would be fully staffed very quickly. I didn't expect it to take this long.
In times of chaos, people avoid becoming soldiers. The people of Beiping are still living decent lives, so there are few who are willing to risk their lives just to make a living.
System: ...
Heh.
People actually did want to risk their lives for a meal, but she was just too picky and devious. She screened people round after round based on height, weight, special skills, and development potential, specifically targeting those who were all alone, easy to bully, and could be manipulated however she pleased.
However, the System had learned its lesson and wasn't going to say a word.
Otherwise, it could already imagine Su Ning's self-righteous face.
She would say things like the Republican era was too dangerous, that her first batch of private armed forces had to be chosen with the utmost caution, that life was the most important thing, and in the end, she would definitely turn it around to blame the System.
It's all your fault for choosing the Republican era as the mission world.
She was forced into this!
Are you cursing me?
No, the System was startled. Don't slander me. This System hasn't said a single word.
That's exactly the problem. According to my observations, in a situation like just now, you would definitely pop up to complain, but you didn't. What does that mean?
Su Ning paused abruptly, then said with absolute certainty:
It means you were secretly criticizing me in your head, but you felt you didn't have the moral high ground and would definitely lose if we argued, so you chose to complain in secret and probably even simulated my reaction.
Am I right?
System: ...
Completely right.
Sensing the silence in her mind, Su Ning mercifully decided not to press her advantage. She had more important things to do, so she instructed Lin Sen that she was going to inspect her armed forces.
An army is maintained for a thousand days to be used for a single moment. Now is the time they are needed.
...
The garrison.
In the middle of the day, the autumn heat was fierce. Normally at this time, they should be taking advantage of the short rest period to take a nap in preparation for the afternoon's training.
But today was different.
The massive training ground was filled with people. Some were sparring in pairs, some were running, and others were practicing their marksmanship. At a glance, the atmosphere was incredibly lively and intense.
There were also newcomers without many connections.
Finding the dormitories empty, they came out anxiously, only to be completely baffled by the scene. After wandering around, they finally found someone from their hometown to get the answer.
Miss Su was coming for an inspection!
I still don't get it. So what if Miss Su is coming? What's there to be excited about?
A newcomer asked in confusion.
Idiot. I really don't know what kind of dumb luck you had to get recruited here. You don't have an ounce of sense, the townsman rolled his eyes in disgust.
Are we treated well?
Yes.
The newcomer nodded. They ate three meals a day, solid food at that, and occasionally even had meat. Their clothes were new, and they heard from the veterans that their monthly pay was never delayed.
It was just that the training was incredibly exhausting.
Especially when that Chief Instructor Su came over, they would be trained until they passed out.
Exactly. Compared to other soldiers, our lives are fantastic. But compared to the people by Miss Su's side, we can't even compare to a single finger of theirs. Do you know how they are treated?
The townsman softly uttered a few sentences.
Sure enough.
What! Why do they get so much? The newcomer's eyes widened.
Why? Hmph, because they hover in front of Miss Su day and night. Even a servant at the prime minister's door holds the rank of a seventh-grade official. We train bitterly and work ourselves to death, but if Miss Su doesn't see you, then none of it counts!
The townsman grew more excited as he spoke, pointing at the people on the training ground.
This one, this one, and that one over there, do you know who they are?
No.
The newcomer looked over and saw that they were all people who usually had rather domineering attitudes. He honestly shook his head.
Them? Their surname is Su. Yes, the same Su as Miss Su. In the old days, they would be considered imperial relatives. But when they go out, they don't even have as much prestige as any random person by Miss Su's side. They've been holding in their frustration. Now that Miss Su has finally decided to come for a visit, of course they have to show their best spirit.
I understand now.
The newcomer nodded. It was all about competing for favor.
Get up.
?
We still have a few hours. The two of us need to hurry up and train. Quick, that spot right facing the door is empty. The newcomer grabbed the townsman and sprinted over, easily shoving aside their competitors.
After taking a stance, he realized the townsman was standing there motionless.
What's wrong?
The townsman... his arm hurt from being pulled, and his legs were a bit weak from running so fast. This guy had practically carried him while running and fought off five people like it was nothing.
He seemed to know how this fool got recruited now.
Nothing...
Then let's get started.
Before his voice even faded, the newcomer's fists were already flying. Thinking about gaining Miss Su's favor, getting a promotion and a raise, and becoming the new favorite concubine, ptui, favorite subordinate, he was full of energy.
Ding, detecting that the host is rich and cruel...
Before Su Ning even stepped through the door, a cheerful dinging sound played in her mind. Her footsteps paused slightly, and her gaze fell on the few second- and third-tier plot characters that had been mentioned.
A question mark popped up above her head.
?
What had she done?
Noticing her gaze, Lin Sen also looked over, just in time to see the newcomer elbow his fellow townsman, forcing him back repeatedly. He said with great appreciation:
"His name is Cheng Xia. He was in the last batch of recruits. Although he tries to hide it, judging from his stances and movements, he must have a solid foundation built since childhood. He could even hold his own in a fight against Su One." That was why he remembered the name.
So it was him.
Needless to say, he was another character from the plot. Su Ning remembered that there weren't many descriptions of him, but his characterization was brilliant. He belonged to the type of character the author wrote casually, only to unexpectedly become popular, leading the author to rack their brains to add more scenes for him.
A martial arts genius.
If she remembered correctly, Su Ning looked at the fellow townsman who was clearly unable to parry his attacks and looked dead inside, matching him with the name in the reward—
Cheng Xia was the one who met a tragic end because he trusted his fellow townsman too easily.
Of course.
That fellow townsman didn't meet a good end either.
In this part of the plot, there was no clear right or wrong. It was just the struggle of insignificant people trying to survive in troubled times. Then, the high-spirited young genius died, and the one who harmed him died too.
"Call them over," she said.
…………
Cheng Xia was very happy.
He had succeeded. He had successfully caught Miss Su's attention and would soon get a promotion and a raise...
"Wait, Miss Su, what did you say?"
Before he could finish his sentence.
A sharp pain shot through his waist—it was the fellow townsman who had been called over with him. At this moment, he was desperately winking at him. Anyone with eyes could read what it meant... Are you crazy?!
Cheng Xia also realized.
He shouldn't have asked.
But he was truly too shocked. Shouldn't he be promoted to be a guard by Miss Su's side, and then get a promotion and a raise...
Fellow townsman: It's over. No matter how good a fool is at fighting, he's still a fool.
Fortunately, Miss Su didn't seem too angry.
With a wave of her hand.
They would be dragged down, beaten with sticks, and then kicked out to wander the streets without food or clothing.
Indeed, Su Ning wasn't angry. Not only was she not angry, but she patiently repeated it. Such "abnormality" made Assistant Lin take a few more glances at Cheng Xia...
"You want me to lead a team to dig for oil in Yumen?"
Cheng Xia panicked.
"But I haven't trained for long, and I don't even know what oil is, nor do I know where Yumen is. How about you pick someone else?"
For example, those "royal relatives" who were glaring at him like tigers watching their prey, wishing they could kill him and take his place. He just wanted to be an honest guard and make money.
"No."
Su Ning flatly refused.
However, she did agree to a part of his request—arranging for all the people surnamed Su to join. Oil was a matter of great importance, and having clansmen around was safer.
Cheng Xia's vision went dark.
The country bumpkin from the "countryside" didn't understand. He didn't notice the small but undeniable commotion in the room when the word "oil" was mentioned.
Asking them to dig for oil.
Could it be, could it be that Miss Su had really discovered oil?
Su Ning smiled.
Her dear uncle had calculated it too accurately. Yan Jianchu's destiny and hers were indeed a perfect match.
