Shen Tang had some understanding of Qi Shan.
He called her "Shen Xiaolangjun," a nickname with a hint of intimacy and teasing, indicating he was in a good mood. When he called her "Shen Yuli," it meant he was serious and didn't tolerate jokes—although there were a few times when Shen Tang made him explode with rage and lose his composure.
Between these two names, Shen Tang preferred the former.
Because every time she heard "Yuli," she felt like she was being called out in class by the head teacher for skipping. This time, the "Yuli" sounded even more terrifying—equivalent to Pan Jinlian's line "Husband, it's time to take your medicine."
"Husband... No, Yuanliang, I, I'm going to bed now..." Shen Tang awkwardly grinned on the surface, secretly trying to erase Qi Shan's version of Pan Jinlian from her mind.
It was really eerie!
Qi Shan seemed oblivious to Shen Tang's words, casually walking up and smiling, "In the long night, does Yuli have something on her mind?"
His eyes gleamed brightly with "you have something on your mind."
Shen Tang: "..."
Thousands of words were stuck in her throat.
Fine, if you say I have something on my mind, then I do.
"Why not tell me about it? Perhaps I can help alleviate Yuli's worries a bit." Qi Shan acted like a caring older brother next door.
Shen Tang: "..."
Damn it, Qi-Jinlian-Shan's "chicken soup for the soul" was already at her lips, and Shen-Da-Lang-Tang couldn't decide whether to drink it or not.
She lowered her head and remained silent, kicking two small stones with her toe, while Qi Shan patiently waited for her to speak. They stood there like this. Normally, time flew by, but now every second felt like torture. Shen Tang didn't know when sweat started dripping down her forehead.
Finally, it was Qi Shan who broke the silence first, letting out a complicated sigh from the corner of his lips, "Yuli refuses to speak..."
She could say later.
But when these words entered Shen Tang's ears, they felt like an electric shock, making her shiver all over and instantly alert. She almost blurted out, "It's not that I won't speak, it's that—"
Qi Shan patiently looked at her, waiting for her to continue.
Shen Tang pursed her lips, the question she wanted to ask swirling in her throat countless times—even though she already knew the answer, she still wanted to make it clear. Finally, with a determined heart, closed eyes, and a stomp of her foot, she asked sharply, "When did Yuanliang find out?"
"Find out what?" Qi Shan narrowed his eyes. "About my calligraphy spirit!" Shen Tang closed her eyes. "Was it for this reason?!"
Qi Shan couldn't help but chuckle, showing no reservation, "Naturally, it was when we first met. Otherwise, when did Yuli think it would be? If the first person to see your calligraphy spirit wasn't me but someone else, perhaps weeds would be growing over your grave by now."
Shen Tang instinctively retorted, "Weeds don't grow that fast on graves! I'm not that easy to knock down."
Only after saying this did she realize it wasn't the main point.
She asked him again, "Is it... a 'First Class Supreme Supreme'?"
"Otherwise, what rank could it be? Shan already told you before that a 'First Class Supreme Supreme' calligraphy spirit is a divine and ethereal rank. Yuli, do you know what 'ethereal' means? It means there's no rank at all! No rank naturally means 'no words'! It's clear you really don't know anything."
Shen Tang: "...The imperial seal?"
Having the imperial seal doesn't necessarily mean you have a 'First Class Supreme Supreme' calligraphy spirit. But having a 'First Class Supreme Supreme' calligraphy spirit definitely means you have the imperial seal. So where is the imperial seal???
"Yes, but rest assured, Shan has no intention of taking it. Not just anyone can use the imperial seal. Shen Yuli, you can choose to trust me." Qi Shan's sudden honesty caught Shen Tang off guard again, and he emphasized solemnly, "It's best to always trust me."
Shen Tang felt like crying without tears.
"Because of your path of calligraphy?"
Qi Shan smiled knowingly, "Yes, Yuli, you're clever."
Shen Tang looked like she was about to explode, "..."
Wow, this is like a forced binding.
Qi Shan comforted gently, "You don't need to be so afraid."
"I'm not afraid, really. Who's afraid of whom? I just..." Shen Tang gestured with her thumb and forefinger to indicate a small distance. "Even though I had suspicions, having them confirmed is still a bit shocking."
Not really afraid.
It's more like his aura is too much like that of a head teacher or a class teacher. Every time he calls me "Yuli," I instinctively feel intimidated.
But is this my fault?
No, it's the fault of the nine-year compulsory education!
And besides—
"Yuanliang, are you really desperate for applicants?"
Clearly, Zhai Huan also tried to extend an olive branch before.
I'm broke and can't even afford a salary.
Qi Shan: "...Say it in plain language."
"I just don't understand. I don't understand why it has to be me." Refusing Zhai Huan's goodwill and instead spending most of my time being absent-minded around her, it just doesn't seem normal no matter how you look at it. This clearly isn't a choice a rational strategist would make, let alone one of the best among them.
Shen Tang introspected, wondering if there was anything special about her that attracted Qi Shan's attention. After thinking it through, she still couldn't figure it out.
It's like a puzzle that even a monk can't solve.
Qi Shan evaded the topic, "There's no reason."
Shen Tang mocked, "Are you trying to fool a three-year-old with that?"
"Isn't Shen Xiaolangjun not even three years old?" Qi Shan smiled, almost provoking Shen Tang to roll up her sleeves and fight him. "If we really talk reasons, it's probably because Shen Xiaolangjun appeared too coincidentally at that time. You appeared then, so it had to be you."
Shen Tang: "..."
There's something fishy about believing that.
Seeing Qi Shan's stance, it seemed like he wasn't willing to divulge certain things no matter what. Shen Tang had to skip over that and ask the question she most wanted to ask: "So, are you trying to carve out your own domain and cause trouble? Do you really think—I'm the one for that?"
For professional matters, shouldn't you find a professional? Why think so poorly and find a mediocre bronze player like her???
It would shock her entire family for a whole year!!!
"You can't?"
Qi Shan's question hit Shen Tang's weak spot directly. She almost wanted to jump up and question Qi Shan's background, hands on her hips and looking up, "Who can't? It's you who can't! Yuanliang, are you being polite?" Unfortunately, she wasn't tall enough, and her momentum didn't fully come through.
Shen Tang then thought of Chu Yao.
"Wu Hui... also has an idea?"
"No one is willing to be mediocre, decay and perish."
That was Qi Shan's indirect answer to Shen Tang's question.
"What if I disappoint you?"
She could draw if she had to, as long as the employer's dad paid enough, she could even grow a liver on her. But when it came to competing for dominance, she really felt a bit timid. The nine years of compulsory education didn't teach this; even if it did, her expertise didn't align with competition and infrastructure development.
Difficult to handle~~~
"In this world, failure is the norm, strive your best."
Qi Shan remained calm, with a hint of satisfaction. He never worried that Shen Tang would refuse—after several tests, Shen Xiaolangjun's attitude had been quite subtle each time, and even now he was only concerned they might be disappointed, not mentioning leaving the game.
Even without him and Chu Wu Hui, Shen Tang would sooner or later walk this path, unless Shen Xiaolangjun could ignore "the sight of starving corpses and the wails heard," completely rejecting the worldly matters. However, her temperament was destined not to ignore them, so getting involved was inevitable.
"I only seek to be worthy of others, worthy of my heart, and worthy of myself."
Qi Shan spoke openly and calmly.
Shen Tang was deeply moved by his words.
She gritted her teeth and placed her hand on her waist belt, "Yuanliang, you've been so candid with me. There are some things I also want to confess to you."
Qi Shan: "What are you up to???"